Friday, November 29, 2013

#AMERICA'S GONE NUTS - BLACK FRIDAY MAYHEM 2013



Exactly one year ago, on Black Friday 2012, we looked at some of crazy antics of a people out of control in their idolatry - namely the god of reckless consumerism. This is the kind of garbage that gives seemingly "liberation theology" popes the license to attack the Free Market system which feeds the world, clothes the cold and shows up after natural diasters strike. While it may seemingly affirm their belief, this extreme consumerism is not indicative of an orderly system of free enterprise.
HEADLINES FROM THE DRUDGE REPORT- BLACK FRIDAY MAYHEM:


FROM NBC NEWS:
While our children and great children-to-be are being saddled with unpayable debt due to state and national politicians, the following uncivilized behavior is what we see....for a cheap flat screen TV or $10 DVD player, which will break in less than 3 years!!!! Yet these same people will create their own theology about "being a good person"; "going to heaven which they all are, according to them" or ...you know where this is heading.  You cannot get them into a discussion about their own eternal souls and its destination because they are so clouded their self conscious lust for the natural over the eternal.

The world's system and its godless media celebrity culture and political leadership have the majority of people so thinking more of filling their stomachs and appetites for the latest gadget or reality show, they have no concept of the True God. They had better wake up fast! Tomorrow is not promised to ANYBODY so we can enjoy that cheap flat screen TV watching the immorality of Hollywood and its associated freak shows. They will come face to FACE with the Holiness of God in less than fifty years and what are they going to do then?!!

The answer can be found in Mark 1:15 NLT :"The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"  OR - make your peace with God TODAY, while there is still time - realize that all of this mayhem is getting nowhere but eternal punishment away from Heaven; ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you and your sins. He will, if you are truly sorry (or repentant). THEN believe Jesus Christ is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7) and that He was born as a child to save the World (see: Christmas and John 3:16); that He ministered for three years and they are all recorded in the four gospels. It was then He showed us how to live and make our own relationship right with God. THEN believe that He was persecuted for Righteousness; nailed to a Cross by evil men; shed His own Blood for our sins; was buried and on the Third Day, He rose from the dead. He was seen by 500 people in those 40 days after the Resurrection. Many of those who voted to executed Him, ended up believing in Him. The secular historian Josephus was a friend of Jesus' half-brother, James and recorded some of these events.


If these people, whose current god is a 1080p HDTV; an X box or whatever, would seek out this Truth which is available to all NOW for FREE, they would not be doing this sort of thing we see all over America this weekend! All they have to do is accept the Jesus I just described as their own personal LORD and SAVIOR and they will be saved from eternal damnation....and you know what, they'll be able to enjoy that television yet with peace in their hearts. Why? Anyone who is truly saved has the Holy Spirit of God as their witness to that fact, and He is the giver of all good things, including contentment. 

Now, isn't this better than getting trampled by these hordes of the unwashed (in the Blood, that is)?

Thursday, November 28, 2013

LIBERAL GRINCHES?


AMERICAN LEFTISTS vs OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD!
Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (SPOCC) – the largest Christmas gift-giving project in the world – has been brightening lives of children in third world countries since it was founded in 1993, with with over 100 million shoe boxes full of gifts and joy . SPOCC Founder William Franklin Graham III (or just plain Franklin) is reporting that Operation Christmas Child is now on track to deliver almost 10 million shoe boxes to disadvantaged kids this Christmas season around the world! This is an effort which cannot be matched by anyone, anywhere...and follows a trend of Christians doing what we do best - love others in Jesus' Name.

These wonderful gifts are packed by churches and some schools, as well as private schools around America by mostly ordinary families and their children, with a lot of love and care going into each box. Yet there are people whose dark soul of the night are not just criticizing Franklin Graham (son of the great Billy) for who he is, but by extension, they are grossly insulting the kindness and good hearts of America’s Christian families who supply the majority of these boxes.  (Businesses, Scout Troops and other smaller outfits fill out a good percentage of boxes as well.)

So what are in these boxes that has the irreligious left, pagan grinches and just plain heartless people so upset? Well, I can tell you, first –hand, that these boxes are chock full of toothpaste; toothbrushes; mild soap; wash cloth; combs; socks; safe toys or age appropriate games (no cards etc); school supplies  (pencils; crayons etc); t-shirts; picture books and even a personal note to either a boy or girl, if you wish. Dolls; stuffed animals; harmonicas and jump ropes are allowed. NO toy guns, NO toy knives and nothing dangerous are allowed. No  liquid or food stuffs are included. No medicines or any violation of local cultural norms are packed in ANY of these boxes. Wow! I have never seen such subversive materials go out to children of the world! Yet, these liberal people who are champions at squealing for other people’s  money, while spending absolutely none of their own for somebody else, would deprive a poor child in over 100 countries something they would buy their own kids!

In the past few years, Operation Christmas Child has been kicked out of the Air Force Academy and a number of public schools, for two reasons – they are a pure 100% Christian group and secondly, their leader is Franklin Graham. Who is Franklin, apart from the son of America’s greatest preacher Billy? Franklin Graham never fails to stand up for Jesus Christ – the Name above all names – and the superiority of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s why they hate him – Christ! It has nothing to do with the fact that he is a conservative.  For almost 2000 years, the unredeemed has hated Jesus Christ  and will continue to until He returns and puts a stop to this world system. 

It matters not to the critics that Samaritan’sPurse are among the first responders whenever there is a catastrophe like Hurricane Sandy; or a Typhoon in Philippines or the Earthquake in Haiti. It matters not to the critics that Samaritan’s Purse will not only go and minister to all these westernized “Christian” countries with medicine, food and comfort.
But Samaritan’s Purse gives freely and responds immediately to tragedies in Islamic and other countries as well.

So how does one respond when personally attacked for loving the less fortunate as we are commanded by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Well, we pack more shoe boxes! In fact, we help Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si pack 50,000 more shoe boxes by following these simple instructions and help brighten somebody else’s Christmas. (This post was inspired by criticism of my support for OCC from anonymous people).

WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, PRAY FOR THEM TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR,THIS IS THE BEST GIFT WE CAN EVER GIVE ANYONE, SHORT OF WITNESSING TO THEM ONE ON ONE ABOUT THE LORD JESUS!

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

NEW CHRISTIAN CD TESTIMONY TO GOD'S GRACE AFTER TRAUMATIC ACCIDENT

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THIS UPCOMING CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM
Two years ago, Ava and her husband Keith Rousseau were involved in a horrific automobile accident which still requires physical therapy and rehab. In all those years, I never saw a complaint posted in public from either of them about their plight. In fact they testify to the goodness and Grace of God in getting both Keith and Ava through that time! The end result of this is Ava's first Christian music project.  Read more from Ava below and then visit her website here (www.avaaston.com) to find out more on how to support this vivid testimony which could be major blessing to someone going through severe long time physical trauma, as they had to endure....and persevere through! (BL)
THE FOLLOWING IS WRITTEN BY AVA ASTON:
Most readers of this blog know all about Greek Girl.  However for those who may be visiting my blog for the first time, Hi!  I'm Ava Aston.  We are launching "Operation Mustard Seed", a campaign to fund my very 1st Christian Music Album. The campaign is chock full of creative rewards and benefits for your involvement! We thought it would be fitting to have launched on Veterans Day being that my husband is a Veteran. My mom also works for the Purple Heart helping Veterans, and my passion for our supporting our Military. 

Hopefully I'll be able to fulfill one of my dreams and do a USO Tour one day! So for anyone new to my music, I’m an Independent Recording Artist, and I live just outside of New York City.  For my entire life I have been working on building a music career. When things finally started to move, my husband and I were both rear-ended in a car accident and my career came to a screeching halt, “literally.” We both suffered several injuries including both of us having a Traumatic Brain Injury.

For the last two years we’ve spent countless hours in recovery as I watched what was moving in my career slowly dwindle and drift away.  I found myself very upset not knowing why or how God could let something like this happen. Through much prayer and reflection I came to understand that the bad thing that God allowed was in fact for my good.  What I realized was that I was on the potter’s wheel.  For my entire life I had been trying to do things “my way”.  I wanted a music career for my reasons & for my purpose and finally just as it seemed like it was moving, God stopped me.

He showed me during this time that the voice He gave me was for Him and His purpose, that He wanted me to use it for his glory, not mine.  Now trust me, if any of you know me you would know this was not exactly the easiest thing for me to swallow, as this Greek Girl likes doing things my way and patience is not one of my redeeming qualities.

This experience though has been a turning point in my life.  I realized God has spent this time breaking me down and building me back up. But this time, it was going to be done “His way”.  So I’m setting out on a whole new journey, taking music in a new direction by making my very first Christian Music album.

I have songs ready to record that are all rooted in the message faith, hope, not giving up and they embrace and promote the American Values I am so passionate about. So as my own act of faith I am stepping out.  I am asking you to join me on this journey. Because just like me, God wants to do a work in each one of us.  Music is a very powerful tool, it can speak where words can’t. That is why I have come to making this campaign because I cannot make this happen on my own.

This campaign is my act of faith in Him that through people like you who share my values, who are saddened by what they see throughout pop culture with the decline in the moral fabric of our society… that I will be able to raise the financial support necessary to make my first Faith-based album. It’s part of a multi-phased plan. Step one is to produce the album, so I am asking for your prayerful consideration in helping it come to fruition.

There are a number of rewards to show my appreciation for getting involved.  My hope is that you would take the time to consider helping me do what I believe God has called me to do with the gifts and talents he gave me; to spread the positive message of faith, hope, and love.  To make music to encourage and lift people up in a world that is far too often busy tearing them down.

I am asking you to join me.  There are rewards for all levels, even as low as $5 - no level is to small and will help get the music & message out to the masses.  Please share the campaign with your friends, family, on social media, and email.  Most of all I am asking for your prayers as I set out on this journey. I hope to have you join me. This is a 30 day campaign, so please pledge then #share - Time is of the Essence!  Thank you so much for your time!  I would be honored to have you join me on this journey!
Blessings, Love and Music ~
Ava :D xo
www.avaaston.com
WATCH THE TESTIMONY WHICH LAUNCHED THIS CD

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

REFLECTIONS ON THE RING - A BOOK REVIEW




An Ordinary Woman’s Extraordinary Tale of How She Saved Her Marriage and Family 
by Lori Columbo Dunham

One of the more outstanding features of the close-knit families of America's melting pot is
continuity. Continuity, as described in traditional values or "just like my grandma did it" or "this is just how we always did it in my family" or "the old country".  Being a traditionalist myself, observing this quality in others brings quiet satisfaction, in times of rejoicing with those who carry on this lifestyle. This kind of tradition is what Lori Columbo imagined, or even expected, as she visualized her story-book wedding...with the Church, and the priest and the flowers, bridesmaids - the whole enchilada (to mix ethnic metaphors).

Oh, how one little escapade can change the direction of an entire life! This true story of the young woman from Michigan who unexpectedly became pregnant in 2001 will make both make you sad, squirm and even shed a tear while praying this does not happen to anyone you know. It is a bit unusual for a man like me to be reading what some may term a book version of "a chick flick", but it is a gripping tale where even a hard-nosed preacher like me started wondering "well, how is this going to turn out"?

Reflections on the Ring took a lot of soul-searching, courage and yes, faith to write. It was encouraging to me to see how Lori never stepped away from her traditional faith and turned it into something proactive that will impact her family for decades to come. I will encourage the reader to grasp the conundrum she faced when transitioning from her dream wedding to the nightmarish, almost mind-altering experience of getting married in a South Florida courthouse in front of a Judge! Her emotional conflicts and anxiety come over in the book as she tries to come to terms with marrying a man who bought her a Cubic Zirconia wedding ring! Here she was, with her 110 year old heirloom wedding ring from her great- grandmother, having recently given up a 2.5 carat engagement ring from a man she discovered she did not love, just to marry Dave in a cold impersonal courtroom. Could this get any more mind-boggling?

To her credit and here is where the minister in me warmed up to Lori, the person - she turned to the only Place she could find comfort and even peace. Even when things were darkest.... Even when bills were tough to pay.... Even when Dave was tough to love, she kept the Faith. What I loved about this "page-turner" is the various Scripture references therein, which are placed strategically along the narrative to tie into what was occurring at the time in Lori's life! More impressive was her reliance on the writings from the wonderful prayer ministry of Stormie Omartian, with whom I am acquainted through my association (from 2006) with the Colorado-based National Day of Prayer Task Force. Stormie was once a speaker at one of our prayer summits up in the amazing Rocky Mountains, where praying to our Glorious God comes really easy (after one beholds the majestic mountains).

Stormie's books and instructions on prayer and coping with life in general and specific situations guided Lori through the rough first years of her marriage, which are always the crucial years - the foundation, if you will. You know, a lot of women marry men promising themselves they will change this or that trait or behavior. Some even promise themselves and their families they will convert a non-believing spouse to the Christian faith. That almost never works. But what is evident in this book is with the right heart, proper wisdom guided by Godly experience (Stormie Omartian), miracles do happen. Families do stick together. Miracles babies are born into loving homes. All of this brings hope. In a time of so much evil and darkness and anxiety, I recommend "REFLECTIONS ON THE RING" to you. It is a sincere recommendation because no matter what stage a relationship may be in, something can be learned, affirmed or just revealed from reading about another's walk through life.

Here is a passage from Lori Columbo-Dunham's book which I found very uplifting and beautiful. May it encourage you to pick it up and spend a couple hours reading it:

● When the unexpected happens, lead with your gut, follow your heart, trail with your head.
● Live by your conscience and take responsibility for your actions.
● Be conscious and respectful of his built-in psychological need to escape to his cave when warranted.
● Always be prepared for God’s destiny for you especially when it seems to contradict your own plans for your life. 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

BIGGEST COMMA IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, PART 2

THE JUDGMENT OF JESUS
There is a whole lot more to that great COMMA from Isaiah 61:2a ( To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God;and what
follows it, as I discuss in sequence from the Scriptures. These events, which follow the Comma therein, lead up to the upcoming scene on Judgment Day when all mankind will
stand before God in shock and awe. We know that no-one will be speaking back to God, especially those who are before the Great White Throne - the very worse position one can ever be in.

As we saw in the Part 1, God has a series of indictments which will be presented in His Courtroom on Judgment Day. We, who have been saved and have had our sins washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb, know exactly what this means and the thought of That Day brings much fear and trembling.  Here again are the Charges God has against ALL mankind for which they will answer (Romans 3:10-18)

“No one is righteous—
    not even one. (Verse 10)
11 No one is truly wise;
    no one is seeking God. (Verse 11)
12 All have turned away;
    all have become useless. 
No one does good,
    not a single one.” (Verse 12)
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with lies.” (Verse 13)
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14     “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Verse 14)
15 “They rush to commit murder. (Verse 15)
16     Destruction and misery always follow them. (Verse 16)
17 They don’t know where to find peace.” (Verse 17)
18     “They have no fear of God at all.” (Verse 18)

Again, if Jesus Christ is your personal Lord and Savior, and if you have repented and put your complete Faith, Life and Lifestyle in His Hands - this does NOT apply to you or I. We have been declared FORGIVEN and saved from what is to come from those who remain unsaved, by their own choice:

Now, in the First Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, Micah 5:2 prophesied and it was fulfilled the place He was to be born (Bethlehem). Daniel prophesied as to the period of time. In this small portion of a small verse in Isaiah, which follows the comma, the Prophet Isaiah, under the Power of the Holy Spirit, says exactly what is going to happen after Jesus' Second Coming on that White Horse of Revelation 19:11a (Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.)

Now, look what happens in the rest of this passage from Revelation in Chapter 19, verses 11b-13: "And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Catch that phrase at the end of verse 11 again "He judges and makes war"! How does that happen? Well, read here with me from Isaiah 63:1-6....then watch the PLUMBLINE teaching on this and more to follow the coming JUDGMENT OF JESUS!

Isaiah 63

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord in Judgment and Salvation

63 Who is this who comes from Edom,
With dyed garments from Bozrah,
This One who is glorious in His apparel,
Traveling in the greatness of His strength?—
“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Why is Your apparel red,
And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
“I have trodden the winepress alone,
And from the peoples no one was with Me.
For I have trodden them in My anger,
And trampled them in My fury;
Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments,
And I have stained all My robes.
For the day of vengeance is in My heart,
And the year of My redeemed has come.
I looked, but there was no one to help,
And I wondered
That there was no one to uphold;
Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me;
And My own fury, it sustained Me.
I have trodden down the peoples in My anger,
Made them drunk in My fury,
And brought down their strength to the earth.”

Friday, November 15, 2013

BIGGEST COMMA IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, PART 1

Jesus Christ's first foray into His public ministry is recorded in Luke 4:18-19 KJV where, in one short passage, He gives the entire purpose for this First Appearance on this earth! The Mission He was on, as decreed by the Father in Heaven, is summed up in this one powerful statement:
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Most bible-reading folks alive on the earth understand that Jesus was quoting directly from the Book of the great prophet Isaiah Chapter 61 and verses 1-2a! What most Christians....and everyone else, do not glum on to, is the reason He stopped halfway through verse 2 and put down the scroll of Isaiah!

This Bible teaching, in the video teaching from my PLUMBLINE TV show, explains it fully, but just briefly here is the reason and the explanation: 
Isaiah 61:2A: "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord," (FIRST COMING)
Isaiah 61:2B: "and the day of vengeance of our God" (JUDGMENT IS COMING!)

That comma after the word "LORD" in verse 61a, is the longest comma in Human History! It
is now almost 2000 years old!
That comma represent a day that is soon coming!
That comma represents the terrible Day of the LORD - Judgment Day!


GOD'S THIRTEEN INDICTMENTS AGAINST ALL MANKIND
Why is there going to be a Judgment Day? Because God has a problem with Sin and the Rebellion of man, since before the Creation, when Lucifer fell from grace. In fact, He has a series of Indictments against ALL of us and those charges will be aired in God's Courtroom on that great and terrible day. The world will have no answer and no Advocate standing for them, before the Holy Father in Heaven. The Christian, because He has repented, found forgiveness and given Faith in the Lord Jesus, as Savior, has Him as our Advocate. The following are the list of Indictments which will be this discussed in this program and then Part 2:
Romans 3:10-18 
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11     no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
    


18
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

AMERICA...GONE WILD, PART 3

Can the soul of America get any darker? In an era of social media excess... cyber-bullying...teenage America seeking their 4 minutes of fame (via a viral YouTube video) come such real outrageous conduct involving our young people that one wonders how much longer God will put up with this!

ITEM 1: MILEY CYRUS - AGAIN!
Need we say anymore? The daughter of the 'achy breaky" absentee-father Billy Ray Cyrus
is not just satisfied to corrupt every youngster out there with her filthy lifestyle and antics, but this past weekend - right in front of the entire world, she lit up marijuana after performing a lewd act with a female dwarf.  God alone knows how many young people she introduced to this "gateway drug" by her infantile, illegal and immoral conduct. Not even Madonna did this kind of thing, in her own era of debauchery.  

This kind of thing makes one wish that Miley's father was Keith Perry, the Pentecostal Preacher father of pop singer Katy Perry! Pastor Perry refused to remain silent about his own daughter's life style and asked for prayer for her back in May 2013! When is Billy Ray going to "man up" and do something? As one who grew up in the Bible Belt, surely Cyrus remembers Ephesians 6:4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord

ITEM 2: MIDDLE SCHOOL OUTRAGE IN OREGON
Coach Randy Burbach
Corbett Middle School football coach Randy Burbach was fired for promising to take this team of 12-14 year old boys to a Hooters "restaurant" at Jantzen Beach near Portland, Oregon. Coach was fired by the school after his plans were made public and some families complained. Still, he went through with this incredible plan last Saturday night (November 9); rented a huge stretch limo and took most of the Middle School team of gawking young boys to the restaurant. Hooters footed the bill and ended up donating $1000 to the high school booster club and 20% of the sales. 

The unrepentant coach, not only defended this "party" but used it to promote some twisted philosophy of "playing under pressure" and "stand up for one's belief"! It used to be that Coaches taught young men the value of respecting women; honor and integrity. But I guess those things are now considered too Christian and old-fashioned for America in the 21st Century. 

This coach and others like him, if they could recognize what a Bible looks like, would do well to look into this warning of the Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Universe (JESUS) when He said in Matthew 18:6 "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea"

ITEM 3: CHRISTIAN CHAPLAINS' PERSECUTED FOR JESUS' NAME!
In a year when the misleadingly named "MIlitary Religious Freedom Foundation" and its
president Mickey Weinstein are on a roll to usurp the constitutional religious freedoms of US Servicemen, Servicewomen and their chaplains, comes a new development which is heading straight for a showdown in the courts. Two Baptists chaplains have filed a major Federal lawsuit against the United States Veterans Affairs agency and its Secretary Eric Shinseki. 

Navy Chaplain Lt. Dan Klender and Retired Army Chaplain Steven Firtko were in the VA's Clinical Pastoral Education Center Training program from VA Chaplains (a one year program) when they were "allegedly" victimized by the trainer, who is a VA employee herself - Nancy Dietsch. 

According to reports, Ms. Dietsch has a history of anti-evangelical attitudes and was very critical of Christians.  Even worse, she told these long time chaplains that they were not allowed to PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS! Then during a classroom discussion on Faith, she also told the evangelical chaplains they were NOT allowed to quote the Bible. At a session a year ago, Dietsch also angrily pounded her fist on the desk when someone mentioned the Lord's Prayer, demanding they not quote Scripture. This was one of many incidents in the Federal Lawsuit against Dietsch, Shinseki and the VA for Religious Discrimination. 
Chaplain Firtko was kicked out of the Training Program and Chaplain Klender withdrew under the intense harassment. These are just the latest in a string of anti-Christian actions in the Military which the US Congress has brought to the attention of those at the top of the Pentagon. These brave men of God should be encouraged because our own Lord and Savior, Whom we all serve had this to say in John 15:18-25 - 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 

21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 
25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause."

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Sunday, November 10, 2013

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PERSECUTED CHURCH TODAY

We should be praying for our brothers and sisters in persecuted lands, now more than ever - and daily. It is good to have special days set aside each year to remember them however, and the week of November 3-10 2013 has been set aside for the annual International Day of Prayer(IDOP) for the Persecuted Church. Today is such a day.

Even if your church does not observe it or fails to pray for persecuted brethren, you and I should. Not just that, but we should be very intentional about praying for them, but for the Grace of God, there goeth you and I! In fact, days are already here in the United States where true believers are already persecuted in these very United States of America, where Freedom of Religion is guaranteed in the US Constitution.  We are not just talking about the annual "Wars on Christmas and Easter" by the secular liberal humanists and progressives. 

We are seeing all sorts of persecution of Christian small businesses in the US by gay rights activists, because they refuse to conduct the gay "wedding" ceremonies or US military chaplains being told they cannot pray in the Name of Jesus or the Fox Sports broadcaster who was fired for believing in biblical marriage. There is the health care mandate on Bible publishers Tyndale to pay for pills that induce abortion or Hobby Lobby etc. More and more American Christians are being told to keep our faith behind the four walls of the church on Sunday. But it will not be long before the anti-God forces come in to to monitor what is preached from the Bible. Romans 1 preaching is already banned in certain parts of Canada because of the warning against all kinds of Sin therein. 

Therefore, it is our duty to pray for those under painful persecution, worse than you and I can imagine, around the globe. Why? Because one day we may need their prayer as well. In fact, I was made aware, by reliable sources, that saints in the underground Chinese Church and in certain African cities are actually praying for American Christians because they know we are not strong in Faith and Righteousness, should we have to face what they have been for over 70 years of communist oppression!

Therefore, the following are some examples for us to consider in prayer, along with any others you may know about. These are direct links back to the original articles. American Pastor Saeed is being treated like this and sent to the Iranian "death row" to disappear, because the Iranians know the American authorities and most of our western churches do not care either. God will hold those accountable for that. We know who know better should pray for him and his family over here. So without further ado, here are some headlines etc to consider at this time:

Pastor Saeed Abedini Placed in Cell With Death Row 
BY STOYAN ZAIMOV, CHRISTIAN POST REPORTER
November 7, 2013|2:50 pm
Pastor Saeed Abedini has been placed in a single cell with five death row inmates in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj and is prevented from having any visitors, the American Center for Law and Justice said, raising further concerns that officials placed him there to "disappear."
"Rajai Shahr is a murders' jail. It's a violent criminals' jail," said ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow on Fox News following news that the U.S. pastor was abruptly transferred from Evin Prison in Tehran on Monday. "He is not allowed any visitors, and he is under quarantine. He is in Ward 9, which is the murders' ward. So he's sharing a 10x10 cell with five people who have been convicted of violent crimes, these are people who are basically on death row. 

Half a Million Churches to Pray for Persecuted Believers for IDOP

Christians around the world will observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) either this Sunday or on Nov. 10, but those being persecuted for their faith want other believers to not just pray for them, but pray with them.Jerry Dykstra, director of media relations for Open Doors USA, told The Christian Post that prayer is the "number one request" of believers in persecuted nations, and even those who are among the persecuted are praying for Christians in other nations.
Christians in Nigeria, for example, pray for other persecuted believers in the Middle East, said Dykstra. A century ago about 20 percent of the population in North Africa and the Middle East was Christian, according to Open Doors, but Christ-followers now make up only four percent of the population there due to persecution.
CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA:
CNN claims ISIS has taken control of key entry points into the city of Aleppo.  David Holt / Flickr / Creative Commons
A SYRIAN CHRISTIAN VILLAGE

A new survey of Syrian towns by CNN suggests that much of northern Syria has come under the control of radical Islamist groups. CNN claims that Islamist militants, led by a group called the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), are attempting to impose a strict Islamic ideology on Syrians across the region.
ISIS is said to have complete control of a number of towns in the region, including Keftin, Tal Rifat, Azaz, Ad Dana, Dar Ta Izzah, Binnish, Taqqa, Ma’arrat, Misrin, Jarablus and Al-Bab, while many others are said to contain a strong ISIS “presence”. The effect of this on minority groups within the region, including Syria’s Christians, is a cause of growing concern. Recently, ISIS was implicated in what has been described as the “biggest and most serious massacre” of Christians since the start of Syria’s civil war.
NORTHERN IRAQ NO LONGER SAFE FOR CHRISTIANS
The Kurdish capital of Erbil is one of a number of cities where bombings have left Christians feeling unsafe.
CHRISTIANS IN NORTHERN IRAQ LIVED THERE FOR ALMOST 2000 YEARS!
An increase in violence against Christians in northern Iraq has increased the flow of Christians leaving the country. The north, generally considered a relatively safe area of the country, had become home for many Christians fleeing from the tumultuous central and southern regions.However, several bombings in the north in recent months have caused panic among the Christian community.
On September 22, a suicide bomb went off outside the home of Christian politician Emad Youhanna in Rafigayn, part of the Kirkuk province, injuring 19 people, including three of Youhanna’s children.Several bomb attacks have also taken place in the northern city of Erbil, for which Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. In early September, Christians in the village of Deshtakh complained that they were facing harassment from local police.
WORLDWIDE WATCH LIST OF TOP 26 COUNTRIES (PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS)
Source: Open Doors
(RED SIGNIFIES EXTREME & ORANGE SEVERE PERSECUTION)



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