Blogs and Articles
Iran: Christian Arrests Indicate Renewed Crackdown is Underway
How is the church in Iran responding to increasing persecution? One Iranian pastor says, “Iranian church leaders have accepted persecution and are using it to their advantage. In fact, the church is thriving under persecution.”
BREAKING NEWS: Iran ‘Orders Execution’ Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (Update)
According to some reports, Youcef Nadarkhani's execution may have been ordered. Throughout his long imprisonment, trial, conviction, sentencing, and appeal, much uncertainty has surrounded his case. Many times rumors of decisions have preceeded written decisions. Please pray for this pastor in Iran.
Praying in Saudi Arabia
Although Saudi Arabia is considered to be 100% Muslim, some non-Muslims, many of whom are foreigners, do live there.
A Pastor in Uganda
Pastor Umar Mulinde was an Islamic teacher before he converted to Christianity. He is known for speaking out against plans to expand the reach of Sharia courts in Uganda. There had been concern over how the plans would affect apostates (converts from Islam), who face the death penalty under Sharia law.
Micro-Enterprise Brings Eternal Dividends
God is doing amazing things through our ministry partner in West Africa, “Mbarra.” The woman in today’s prayer request was raised as a Muslim. She began learning about Jesus through a friend who introduced her to Mbarra’s micro-enterprise program.
In Prison for Baptism
Alireza Seyedin (alternatively spelled Seyedian) was reportedly sentenced to six years in prison in Iran for “propaganda against the regime and acting against national security.” Another news source has confirmed this report. It all started because the Christian was baptized while he was in Turkey.
The Prayers of Many
Asia Bibi (also known as Asia Noreen) was arrested in June 2009 and sentenced to death for blasphemy in November 2009 in Pakistan. Those who receive the prayer guide have been praying for Asia since 2009.
Perseverance
“Barnabas,” Smyrna’s ministry partner in the Palestinian Territories, is a tireless evangelist who, despite poverty and illness, has over 100 points of ministry along the West Bank. A convert from Islam, he has suffered persecution from his family. His wife used his baptism certificate as evidence against him in court and divorced him. His daughter is not allowed to talk to him. But no matter what, Barnabas perseveres.
A Testimony of Forgiveness
Musa Blak, a Christian in Nigeria, woke up to dogs barking shortly before midnight. He went outside his house to investigate. Standing motionless, he watched the figure that was hiding behind nearby cactus trees. The figure moved away. Several minutes later Musa’s wife followed him outside and asked what he had found. As Musa was speaking to her, a gunshot rang out and she fell crying to the ground. When he reached for her, he too was shot. He says, “I struggled by crawling to the place my wife was lying on the ground and held her in my arms even as I was bleeding.”
Persecuted but Not Forsaken
The destruction of a church in Ethiopia to shouts of “Allahu Akbar” and “jihad” was initiated by regional authorities known for their anti-Christian bias. One Christian reportedly says, “All the government officials in the area are Muslims. The Islamic religion has become the state religion in our region.
There Remaineth a Rest
Today, I read a passage of Scripture that simply explodes with meaning. It's Hebrews 4:1-13. Incorporated into this section are so many principles on the eternal nature of God, His mind and heart, Israel as a people, the nature of the Church, and our walk with Christ as individual believers.
God's Word in My Heart
The other day, in my meditating through Scripture, my path intersected with Nehemiah 9:6. It leaped off the page at me—I was vividly reminded of a time, some 57 years ago, when God first brought that verse to my attention.
It was during my first pastorate—I was serving a small church in a region of rolling hills and timber. The town was principally composed of logging and saw mill workers. The people were simple, warm, friendly folk—and my congregation was uniquely serious about their love for the Book.
Thy Word is Truth: The Centrality of Scripture
I was meditating this morning on the superlative, exalted, awesome nature of The Book!!! Sermons are preached about it, sermons are preached from it. Mere words cannot describe it. The world cannot comprehend it, but the Believer finds guidance and shelter in it.
This is the supreme treasure we refer to as the Bible, God’s Holy Word!!
George Muller, of Bristol Orphanage fame, said this:
Sudan bombs US-funded Bible school, forcing students, teachers to flee; US condemns attack
From the article: The Heiban Bible College was built by Samaritan’s Purse, a North Carolina-based aid group. Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said the attack was carried out by the Sudanese Air Force.
“Please pray for the safety of believers, and that God would intervene,” Graham said.
Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said she was outraged by what she called a “heinous” bombing.
Honor Killings in Canada
Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba Yahya and their son Hamed, were accused (and convicted) of drowning Hamed’s three teenage sisters and his father’s first wife from a polygamous marriage, in what the judge described as crimes stemming from a “twisted concept of honour." Most news sources covering this story quote at least one expert who maintains that honor killings have no place in Islam, but as GetReligion observes, none of them explore why the Afghan-Canadian family
