ANSWERED PRAYER! "High Court Strikes Down Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones" - CBNNews.com, June 26, 2014; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/June/High-Court-Voids-35-foot-Abortion-Clinic-Buffer/ - The Supreme Court handed a victory to pro-lifers Thursday.The justices unanimously struck down a 2007 Massachusetts law that created a 35-foot protest-free zone outside abortion clinics in Massachusetts. [AS I SEE IT: As one who used to pray outside of abortion clinics, this is a great decision, esp. as it was UNANIMOUS! - Stan]
ANSWERED PRAYER!! - Sudan Mom Sentenced to Die for Faith Set Free - CBNNews.com, June 23, 2014: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/June/Sudan-Mom-Sentenced-to-Die-for-Faith-Set-Free/ :The Sudanese mother condemned to die for refusing to renounce her Christian faith has been set free, according to her attorney. Meriam Ibrahim's release came after her sentence was overturned by an appellate court..."
6/26 - Miriam and her family were detained for several hours at the airport yesterday BUT THEN WERE RELEASED. 6/28 - Miriam and her family are now safe in the US embassy in Sudan.
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
PRAY FOR the U.S. Supreme Court as it prepares to hand down 17 decisions before the end of this month. ["Supreme Court to Rule on 17 Cases by End of Month" - Kara Jones | Jun 16, 2014; http://townhall.com/tipsheet/karajones/2014/06/16/supreme-court-has-17-cases-to-decide-by-junes-end-n1852016?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm
Month of RAMADAN - Please make note that THIS SATURDAY begins the Muslim month of Ramadam, this year June 28-July 27. This is the second year I will join with the over 1 billion Muslims in their annual time of prayer and fasting (sun-up to sun-down each day) and ask God to reveal Himself to them in dreams and visions. As this is the time each year when they are most open to spiritual things, I ask you to join me that God would speak clearly to each one and come to lead millions to leave their kingdom of darkness for Jesus' kingdom of light. (Col. 1:13-14) - Stan]
RAMADAN 2014 - Day #2 - "Helen Berhane spent years in a locked container in Eritrea. During this time, she wote songs about her love for Jesus...many fellow prisoners came to Christ because of her joy." Father, we pray for those who are in prison . Fill them with Your joy. "My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Ps. 28:7) - from Open Doors Ramadan Prayer for the Persecuted.
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:
6/13 - PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907)
(6/12-7/13) PRAY for the WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL - that God will show favor to the many thousands who are there to present the message of Christ to the athletes and visitors from around the world. May many return to their home countries having come to Christ and sharing that same new faith with family and friends.
"Will You Pray for Meriam? - A Christian Woman’s Nightmare": By: Eric Metaxas| Breakpoint.org,: June 12, 2014 ;http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/25394?spMailingID=8798979&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=321046582&spReportId=MzIxMDQ2NTgyS0 - A Sudanese Christian mother has been sentenced to death for apostasy
LATEST SAHEED NEWS! May 22 - "Pastor Saeed Forcibly Returned to Prison after Beating" - By Caitlin Burke,CBN News, May 22, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/May/Pastor-Saeed-Beaten-Sent-Back-to-Iran-Prison/ "Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned for his faith, was severely beaten at an Iranian hospital before being returned to the brutal Rajai Shahr prison. His Iranian family claims the transfer was unexpected and the reason is unclear. But one of the guards involved in the transfer suggested recent Iranian nuclear talks could be a motive, the family said...""
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. We also remain hopeful that in addition to getting the medical care he so desperately needs, that Iranian officials display the kind of humanitarian treatment that often accompanies the start of the Iranian New Year which began on March 21st. This is the time of year when the Iranian government frequently offers clemency to prisoners of conscience. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
PRAY ALSO : - 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
The U.S. State Department believes the Russian army is now prepared to launch an invasion of eastern Ukraine if President Vladimir Putin decides to pull the trigger, according to a senior Administration official."At this point, they are amassed and they could go at a moment’s notice if Putin gave the go ahead," the official said...Top Ukrainian security officials said Thursday that Russia now has 100,000 troops on its side of the Russia-Ukraine border.(Sources: CBS News, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Daily Beast)
As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
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
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.
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.]
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"The Top 8 Things to Think About" - Matt Barber | Jun 23, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/mattbarber/2014/06/23/the-top-8-things-to-think-about-n1854450/page/full
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.]
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"The Top 8 Things to Think About" - Matt Barber | Jun 23, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/mattbarber/2014/06/23/the-top-8-things-to-think-about-n1854450/page/full
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"The Top 8 Things to Think About" - Matt Barber | Jun 23, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/mattbarber/2014/06/23/the-top-8-things-to-think-about-n1854450/page/full
Look at your life. Life is hard. Look at the news. In our fallen, sinful world, evil swirls about like a violent dust devil, clouding the air of absolute truth and muddying the waters of pure grace that flow to eternal life through Christ Jesus.
It seems the world has gone mad, and it has. Relativism rules as up is down, black is white and that which God calls evil is called good. All forms of sexual immorality are celebrated and deceptively tagged “human rights,” while God’s design for marriage, family and sexuality, along with true human rights, are systematically trampled to accommodate disorder and sin. Innocent children are slaughtered at will in the safety of their mothers’ wombs, while demonic political systems rooted in the pagan traditions of Islam and secular humanism stack the bodies of tens-of-millions like cordwood.
The enemy is enraged because his time is short. Yet through it all, and in His infinite mercy and grace, God gives us a taste of things to come.In biblical terms, the number 8 represents a new beginning with God. It signifies man’s covenantal relationship with his Creator through the physical act of circumcision, which, in the Jewish tradition, is performed on the male child’s eighth day. For the Christian, whether Jew or Gentile, we undergo a “circumcision of the heart” through belief upon, communion with and worship of Jesus, the God-man.
That’s why I believe the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, gave mankind eight specific things to “think about” so that “the God of peace will be with you.” There can be peace in the eye of storm – a “new beginning” each day – and that peace is Christ with us. Said Paul: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
1) Whatever is true -
The opposite of true is the lie. Truth is fixed. Truth is objective. Moral relativism fosters the absurd notion that truth is malleable and subjective. Therefore, relativism is a lie. But, as Pilate asked Christ, “What is truth?” God’s created order, His natural law, is truth. The Bible is God’s word. The Bible is truth. It is called “the word of truth. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus Himself is truth. He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Immerse yourself in the word of God and you cannot help but “think about” truth.
2) Whatever is noble -
Merriam Webster defines “noble” as “having, showing, or coming from personal qualities that people admire (such as honesty, generosity, courage, etc.).” We know noble when we see it. We see it in the teenage boy who returns the cash-flush wallet to the lost and found. We see it in the philanthropist who anonymously and generously gives to the widow and the poor – to “the least of these.” We see it in the men and women who serve so that we may enjoy freedom. We especially see it in the soldier, in anyone, who lays down his life so that others may live.
3) Whatever is right -
There is right and wrong. Right is correct. Wrong is incorrect. Love, true love, which derives from love Himself, is right. Hate is wrong. Right stems from truth and grace. Wrong stems from the lie, enmity and ruthlessness. Right is to forgive others so that we may be forgiven. Wrong is to resent, begrudge and refuse to forgive. Right is the exclusivity of Christ. Wrong is the “inclusivity” of religious pluralism. Right comes from God the Father. Wrong comes from the father of lies.
4) Whatever is pure -
“Pure” is that which is “free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes: containing nothing that does not properly belong.” Chastity is pure. Fornication is impure. Fidelity to one’s spouse and the faithful marriage bed is pure. Adultery is impure. True marriage is pure. Counterfeit same-sex “marriage” is “vitiated, weakened and polluted” by sexual immorality and is, therefore, impure. Contentment is pure. Covetousness is impure. Selflessness, when harmonized with and motivated by God’s moral truths, is pure. Selfishness is impure. Jesus is pure. We are impure. True Christianity is pure. Apostate “Christianity” and other false religions that deny Christ and the truth of His word are impure.
5) Whatever is lovely -
“Lovely” is defined as “attractive or beautiful, especially in a graceful way.” Outward beauty can be lovely. Inward beauty that derives from the Holy Spirit is always lovely. The creative arts are lovely, especially when motivated by a desire to serve, honor and glorify the Creator. Handle’s Messiah is lovely. The Sistine Chapel is lovely. God’s nature, creation and created order is lovely. My beautiful wife and daughters are lovely, inside and out.
6) Whatever is admirable -
That which is “admirable” is “worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.” The whole of God’s creation, save those aspects corrupted by sin, is admirable. Our Creator God is beyond admirable and worthy of infinite wonder, praise and worship. Unfortunately, in our sinful nature, we often admire things that fall well short of admirable. We “think about” things anathema to those eight given us by Paul.
7) Whatever is excellent -
Excellence means “of extremely high quality.” We are told to not only think about that which is excellent, but to strive for excellence in all we do. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. …” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) We also know excellence when we see it. Michael Jordan was excellent. Legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich was excellent. The rib-eye at Ruth’s Chris is excellent. President Obama’s leadership and policies – economic, social, and national security-related, both foreign and domestic – are decidedly not excellent.
8) Whatever is praiseworthy -
Finally, Webster’s defines “praiseworthy” as “laudable: deserving praise: worthy of praise.” The previous seven things Paul gives us to “think about” are also praiseworthy. They are laudable. That which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent, is also praiseworthy.
Do you see what Paul did here – what the Holy Spirit did through Paul? He gave us eight things to “think about.” Does anything in particularly strike you about these eight things?
They are eight in One. Each of these eight things represents a specific character trait of Christ Himself. Jesus is true. Jesus is noble. Jesus is right. Jesus is pure. Jesus is lovely. Jesus is admirable. Jesus is excellent and, finally, perhaps most importantly, Jesus is infinitely and eternally praiseworthy.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Matt Barber is founder and editor-in chief of BarbWire.com. He is an author, columnist, cultural analyst and an attorney concentrating in constitutional law. Having retired as an undefeated heavyweight professional boxer, Matt has taken his fight from the ring to the culture war. http://townhall.com/columnists/mattbarber/
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