URGENT NEWS/PRAYER ALERT!"Kim Jong-un Calls for Execution of 33 Christians" - 3/7/2014; http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=3651 "North Korea tyrant Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered that 33 Christians believed to be working alongside South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jung-wook be put to death. The South Korean missionary - who was arrested last year - and his accomplices have reportedly started 500 or so underground churches..."[PRAY that the plans for execution would be rescinded, and these believers released.] [Che\ck out: They'll Be Dead By Morning (What Difference Will It Make) http://loristanleyroeleveld.blogspot.com/2014/03/theyll-be-dead-by-morning-what.html
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
NEWS ALERT/PRAISE! "Iran Allows Surgery on Ailing, Imprisoned Pastor" - CBNNews.com,March 07, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/March/Iran-Allows-Dire-Surgery-on-Ailing-Imprisoned-Pastor-/ The Iranian government has finally allowed doctors to perform surgery on imprisoned Pastor Benham Irani.Irani suffered from a herniated disc and bleeding intestines and urgently needed medical care. PRAY for the final release of Pastor Irani and others imprisoned for their faith.
LATEST NEWS ALERT! - "Ukraine Diplomacy Stalled, Congress Eyes Sanctions" - CBNNews.com, March 06, 2014; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/March/Ukraine-Diplomacy-Stalled-Congress-Eyes-Sanctions/ "Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine are off to a very slow start, with talks between U.S., Ukrainian and Russian leaders going nowhere...Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is rushing to impose stiff sanctions on Russia, whose troops have seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula..."
NEWS /PRAYER ALERT! - Ukraine Accuses Russia of 'Invasion, Occupation'- By George Thomas, Friday, February 28, 2014; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/February/Ukraine-Accuses-Russia-of-Invasion-Occupation-/ - SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine -- Russian troops now control an airport near their naval base in Sevastopol, Ukraine. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov is calling the siege a "military invasion and occupation." "It is in violation of all international treaties and norms," he charged. "This is a direct provocation to armed bloodshed on the territory of a sovereign state."... [Let's be in prayer as the Ukraine is facing an ever increasing threat of civil war. Pray esp. for beievers to be submitted to and guided by the Holy Spirit in how to BE JESUS during these turbulent times. May many who are and will encounter great suffering as a result of this continuing conflict find their hope and strength in Jesus by coming to faith in Him. - Stan]
NEWS/PRAYER ALERT! "Ukraine President Becomes Fugitive from Justice "- By George Thomas, Monday, February 24, 2014; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/February/Opposition-Takes-Presidency-in-Divided-Ukraine/ KIEV, Ukraine -- ...On Saturday, Ukraine's parliament stunned the nation by voting overwhelmingly to impeach Yanukovych. Hours later, members of parliament picked Oleksandr Turchynov, a prominent evangelical Christian, as interim president until new elections in May. "Christians were praying on Independence Square," Pastor Kaluzhny said. "We were praying in our churches. People around the world were praying for us, and God did a miracle! Ukraine is a new country." What happens next is uncertain.
As the Lord leads, please pray:
-That the turmoil in Ukraine will be resolved
-That the leaders of Ukraine will be able to peacefully resolve their impasse
-Safety for those trapped by the violence in the nation
Oct. 23: "Christians Fleeing IRAQ Area Once Considered Safe," - CBNNews.com, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Christians-Fleeing-Iraq-Area-Once-Considered-Safe/ PRAY that believers in Iraq will know God's protection and provision; that believers will know[ whether they are called to flee or remain and persevere; and that their persecutors may come to hear the gospel and come to faith in Christ. - Stan]
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"- CBNNews.com, Aug 14, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/ - PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.]
November 04, 2013 - Saeed's Life in [Greater] Jeopardy After Prison Transfer - CBNNews.com, ; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/Saeeds-Life-in-Jeopardy-after-Prison-Transfer/ IRAN - Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison.
PRAY: - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- For leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
- GO TO SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"- CBNNews.com, Aug 14, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/ - PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.]
November 04, 2013 - Saeed's Life in [Greater] Jeopardy After Prison Transfer - CBNNews.com, ; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/Saeeds-Life-in-Jeopardy-after-Prison-Transfer/ IRAN - Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison.
PRAY: - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- For leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
- GO TO SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release
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"Being a Hero for Christ" - March 1, 2014 by Dr. Jerry Newcombe;http://www.truthimpact.me/index.php/2014/03/christian-heroes/?src=Impact20140304&utm_source=Truth+In+Action+News+List&utm_campaign=64e240f604-3_4_14_March_Impact&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ad6d79e912-64e240f604-291886101#.Uxe6aT-wIRkThere’s a great need for Christian heroes in our day—especially in the face of political correctness, which seems to infect virtually every aspect of modern life.
Throughout the ages, Christian heroes have often shown great persistence for the Lord. One of my great heroes is Athanasius, the 4th century saint, who was the champion of the Trinity in the face of a nearly-overwhelming movement denying it. For his views, he was banished five times from the Roman Empire (outwardly Christian at that time). But he never gave up.Eventually, Athanasius’ views prevailed and are reflected in the version of the Nicene Creed that is still read week after week by hundreds of millions around the world.
Look at William Wilberforce, perhaps the greatest reformer in history. Because of his faith in Jesus, this long time Member of Parliament engaged in a lifelong crusade to rid the British Empire of the evil practice of slavery.In 1791, after Wilberforce’s half-century campaign to end slavery began in earnest, John Wesley, the great preacher and founder of the Methodist Church, wrote to Wilberforce a classic letter:
“MY DEAR SIR, Unless the Divine Power has raised you up to be as Athanasius contra mundum [Athanasius against the world], I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature.” In other words, unless God is in this, you will fail.
Wesley continues: “Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils; but if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might, till even American slavery, the vilest that ever saw the sun, shall vanish away before it. That He who has guided you from your youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things, is the prayer of, dear sir, Your affectionate servant, JOHN WESLEY.”
Wilberforce’s anti-slavery campaign had a two-pronged goal: to get the slave trade abolished and to free all the slaves. Together, these efforts took many decades (roughly twenty-five years for each). He finally received word on his death bed in 1833 that the slaves were free. Nothing worthwhile seems to come easy.
I believe one of the heroes of our time was the late Dr. D. James Kennedy (1930-2007), founder of Truth In Action Ministries. Dr. James Dobson, bestselling author and radio host, eulogized Dr. Kennedy at his funeral. Said Dr. Dobson, “I’m reminded of a scripture that I love in Acts 13:36 when it said, ‘For when David had served God’s purpose in his generation he fell asleep.’ Isn’t that comforting? That’s what happened with Jim Kennedy. He served the Lord’s purpose for 55 years faithfully, consistently with fidelity. There was no scandal, there was nothing that embarrassed the name of Christ in Jim Kennedy’s ministry, and when he had served God’s purpose, he fell asleep; and somehow I draw comfort from that.”
He added, “I remember the day that we talked about what the ACLU was doing to the Christian message and how there had to be an answer for it. And he and I, and Larry Burkett, and Dr. Bill Bright, and others, came together and gave a little money and started Alliance Defense Fund [now the Alliance Defending Freedom], which is…one of the most effective organizations in the country today to defend the Christian faith in the courts. And that came out of a conversation with Jim Kennedy.”
And he noted, “What I will miss most from Jim Kennedy is his courage, his willingness to stand for the things that he believed. He never let criticism bother him at all. He read it, put it aside—it was not going to change his message at all.”
May God raise up more Christian heroes in our time. And the promise of Jesus encourages us: “And lo, I will be with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., co-host of the television program, Truth That Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy. He has also written or co-written 21 books, including The Book That Made America: How the Bible Formed Our Nation and Lord of All."Being a True Hero in a Politically-Correct Age" - March 1, 2014, by John Rabe;http://www.truthimpact.me/index.php/2014/03/true-hero-politically-correct-age/?src=Impact20140304&utm_source=Truth+In+Action+News+List&utm_campaign=64e240f604-3_4_14_March_Impact&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ad6d79e912-64e240f604-291886101#.Uxe7Mz-wIRk
While heroes of the faith have always been important to Christians, we have recently witnessed a renewed interest in regard to several Christian heroes. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who courageously opposed Germany’s Third Reich at the cost of his life, has gained renewed attention thanks to a bestselling biography by Eric Metaxas.The well-chronicled struggle of William Wilberforce to end slavery in the British Empire has also received revived consideration among Christians, culminating in an award-winning theatrical film.
And just a few months ago, Christians received word of the death of Ronnie Smith, a young husband and father who was shot to death in Libya in December after moving his family there to teach high school chemistry and share the good news of Christ.
Recently, in Blackburn, England, the owner of a Christian coffee house was ordered by police to stop playing DVDs that showed the text of the Bible on the establishment’s video monitors. According to the police, the biblical text violated the “Public Order Act” which bans “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior.” Under the Act, anyone who claims to have been “insulted” by another person’s speech has a claim toward silencing that person in the name of tolerance. Sound familiar?
Thankfully, the shop’s owner, Jamie Murray, refused to be easily intimidated. He said, “I’m not here to insult or offend anyone, but the Bible is the Bible. We’re always being told that we’re a tolerant and diverse nation. Yet the very thing that gave us those values—Christianity—is being sidelined.” [1]
Because of the freedom we have in America—and the relative lack of persecution that comes with it—such heroes have usually arisen in other countries. But what was unthinkable is now possible.
Anyone who thinks threats similar to those Murray faces are not on the horizon in America, or that it could never happen here because of the First Amendment, is not paying close attention. This past January, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York (the third most populous state in America) said of pro-life, pro-family, pro-Second-Amendment supporters, “Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and they’re the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York …” (emphasis added).
As time goes on and hostility towards God’s truth increases, we will need courageous heroes of the faith like Bonhoeffer and Wilberforce to arise in our own country—those who will stand for the truth no matter the cost.
[1 http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-police-ban-bible-from-christian-cafe/]
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
About John Rabe - An ordained Southern Baptist church elder, John Rabe has a B.A. in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and has studied at Knox Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Wendy, have been married since 1992 and have two children in college.A pastor I know recently told me that he was criticized for being “too political.” His voice is prophetic. His heart is pastoral. Can the two coexist?
I believe that pastors must speak to our declining culture. I am pastorally concerned that there are dangerous idols masquerading under the banner of politics in this increasingly secularized culture. These heaven-rejected powers prefer that we keep quiet. But when the powers move beyond the Machiavellian machinations of politics to the advocacy of principles at odds with God’s Word, we must call them out.
Our Lord Jesus did when he said of Herod, “Go, tell that fox,” (Luke 13:32); St. Paul did; the Church fathers did; the Reformers did.
Yet the challenge of discernment is acknowledged. What must we do? 1. Pastors must represent no man but God and no party but His Kingdom. We, therefore, refuse to be used as pawns by any political party. 2. Pastors must pray for each situation that startles our shepherding instincts and weigh whether a given issue is an assault on our conscience worth exposing. 3. Pastors must ground their preaching in God’s Word, the Bible. We have no authority apart from His Word.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Copyright © 2011 The Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved.
Dr. Milton is the former chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, and was born again under the preaching of D. James Kennedy.
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