Tag Archives: believe

Iranian Officials Interrogate 65-year Old Christian Woman

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp

Open Doors is saddened to report that Iranian authorities continue to arrest Christians, including a 65-year old woman who was held in detention and interrogated day and night for ten days.

A few days before Christmas, security officials raided Ruhsari Kamberi’s home in Karaj while she and four other female Christian converts were present, reports Middle East Concern (MEC). The officers also confiscated belongings such as mobile phones, Bibles and Christian literature.

Ruhsari was eventually released on bail of 30 million Toman—approximately $7,000. However, earlier this month, she was still charged with “acting against national security” and was told to receive “instruction” by a religious leader and consider a return to Islam.

It is still not known where the other four women were taken.

Friends of Ruhsari have been shocked by the disrespectful treatment of an elderly woman and report that the experience upset her greatly.

Please pray God will help all Christians who are arrested and interrogated in Iran to stand firm in their faith.

Pray God will bring His peace, comfort and encouragement to Ruhsari and the other women arrested with her.

Pray God will also bring His comfort to Ruhsari’s husband and children and the relatives of the other women.

Pray the people responsible for the mistreatment of the women and the violations of their rights will repent of their actions and find Christ.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Second Pastor Murdered in Colombia in a Week

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp

Pastor Tomas Francisco Estrada * was murdered recently in a rural area in the Colombian Pacific. He was the second pastor murdered in this region in one week.

With 11 years of ministerial work, Pastor Estrada was highly recognized by the entire community as a pastor dedicated to the service of his congregation. He was an active social leader who spearheaded efforts related to justice and restoration of rights.

Pastor Estrada was the father of two small children. His wife, Luisa Montes*, had a nervous breakdown at the news of her husband’s murder. She has not recovered. He also leaves a congregation of approximately 80 people who lament his untimely and violent death.

Thankfully, there are many pastors and religious leaders who also serve as social leaders in Colombia. They stand up to the threats of criminal groups and are advocates for the restoration of Christians’ rights. These leaders are increasingly coming under attack.

Please pray for restored health and comfort for Luisa Montes and her children as well as financial support for them.

Pray for peace, comfort and courage for the pastoral community of the Colombian Pacific.

Pray for the protection of pastors and Christian leaders in the areas most affected by violence in Colombia.

Pray for economic and pastoral support for families affected by the murders and attacks against religious leaders.

Pray for courage for pastors threatened for preaching the Gospel of Christ and fighting for justice.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Signs Persecution is Worsening in North Korea

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp

As President Trump and Kim Jong-un meet in Vietnam for a second round of denuclearization talks, North Koreans continue to suffer human rights abuses and food shortages. However, North Korea’s human rights record, including religious persecution, is not part of the agenda.

For the 18th straight year North Korea is ranked #1 on the World Watch List.

Tragically, there are many signs that persecution of Christians in North Korea is getting worse. Local sources report to Open Doors there has been an increased number of arrests and abductions of South Korean and Chinese Korean Christians and missionaries in China, strengthened border control with harsher punishment for North Korean citizens who are repatriated from China, and increased efforts by the North Korean government to eliminate all channels for spreading the Christian faith.

Pray that Christians in North Korea would find hope and comfort in Jesus. Pray they would have opportunities to share this hope with others around them.

Pray God would soften the heart of Kim Jong-un as He did Pharaoh’s.

Pray for the work Open Doors does to support North Korean believers.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Scripture of the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Romans 1

18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31. Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

A part of Scripture, most in our day, choose to ignore or refuse to accept.

Who Are You?

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Who are you? Do you really know the answer to such a question? Should or could it be rephrased, Whose are you?

Whose? Yes whose, whether or not you accept that your life here will extend into eternity or not, it will. From the Biblical narrative you belong to either GOD, our Creator, or self & Satan. For this writer no other religious belief matters; as a Christian, my faith and hope is founded in Jesus the Christ, His sinless life, ministry, sacrificial death on the cross, & His resurrection from death.

The “who” is relative to yourself, your soul, & your eternal destiny. Who are you? A hedonist or a moralist? Are you thinking of yourself in a way which makes you better than this one or another?

“At least I’m not like him or her, I know better.”

“Look at him/her, evil to the core.”

“Did you know such & such are like this, I’m glad we aren’t.”

“That person is such a liar.”

On and on it goes for the moralist, one who is comparing themselves with themselves. If you think your own righteousness will look good in the eyes of our Creator, think again.

In Isaiah 54:6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Take it from the prophets, all of our own self-righteousness is nothing before GOD.

For the moralist this is hard to fathom, their entire world is based on how good they seem to be, while believing their Savior approves of their ways in the end they’ll hear this:

Matthew 7:21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity

So who are you? Or Whose are you?

Scripture of the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hebrews 10

35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Scripture if the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Psalm 61
To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.
1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
7. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Scripture of the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Colossians 3

4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6. For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7. In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

UPDATE: Eldos’ Struggles Continue

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp

Last fall, we reported that Eldos Satar Uluu—a young Kyrgyz man—was attacked by three radical Muslim men who tried to force him to convert back to Islam. He sustained severe physical injuries and suffered emotional trauma. Since the attack Eldos has continued to receive violent threats from people in his village, reportedly including high ranking officials.

Recently, there was a trial in Eldos’ case. Tragically, the trial did not focus on holding these men accountable for their violent attack. Instead, Eldos was accused of listening to loud religious music and distributing religious materials and religious propaganda.

To make matters worse, the Christian attorney who has been helping Eldos since the beginning of his case also had a heart attack during the trial and is currently hospitalized. She initially tried to stay up to date on what was going on in court by using her phone, however, the police eventually confiscated the device.

Please pray Eldos’ faith will be strengthened and that he will grow deeper in his knowledge of Christ. He is very new to his faith.

Pray for the health and safety of Eldos’ attorney.

Pray a safe place for Eldos to live would be found quickly.

Pray there would be justice in Eldos’ court case.

After you click “Pray” below, if you’d like to write Eldos a letter of encouragement, please CLICK HERE.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

UPDATE: Shamiram’s Appeal Hearing

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp

We recently requested prayer for Assyrian Christian Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh who was facing an appeal hearing on February 19th. She was appealing a five-year prison sentence for acting against the regime by organizing Christian small groups, attending a seminary abroad and training church leaders and pastors to “act as spies.”

Reportedly, at the appeal hearing, the judge was confused as to whether Shamiram’s case should be combined with two other cases. The other cases involve her husband Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, their son Ramiel Bet-Tamraz, as well as Christian converts Amin Nader Afshari, Hadi Asgari and Kavian Fallah Mohammadi and two others.

The judge set a next court hearing for March 21st—the Iranian New Year—and is still determining whether the cases will be combined. In the meantime, Iranian Christians are thankful that the appeal hearing went reasonably well and the judge appeared to be seriously examining the case. They request continued prayer.

Please pray the Lord will direct the judge as he prepares for the hearing in March.

Pray justice will be upheld in the appeal hearing for Shamiram and the other five defendants and that they will be acquitted of all the charges against them.

Pray the Lord will strengthen and encourage Shamiram, Pastor Victor and all Iranian Christians who are falsely accused of acts against national security simply because of their Christian faith and activities.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Scripture of the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Leviticus 26
1. Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
2. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
3. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
4. Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
5. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
6. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
7. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
8. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
9. For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

Scripture of the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Psalm 57

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.
1. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
2. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
3. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
6. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
7. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
9. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
11. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Scripture of the Day

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Psalm 54
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?
1. Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
2. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
4. Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
6. I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
7. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Lies and Deceit

By Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Morning coffee, work day looming with the breaking sun. Perusing the newswires, both secular & religious, seeing two attributes of humankinds sinful nature burning across most of the headlines.

Those two are lies and deceit.

I could ramble on that our world is worse today than earlier ages, I prefer to think its only because all of our dung/news is instantly thrown in everyones face, there’s very little that goes on in the world today that cannot be read about or seen in short order.

From the sins of the Catholic Church to transgressions across the Protestant & Evangelical congregations; sin abounds. From fake hate crimes to environmental absurdities lies foment discord. From the halls of educational establishments throughout the corridors of law & government, lies and deceit rule the day.

All of this, the only thing that comes to mind is Jeremiah 5:30. A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Also a why, Genesis 6:5. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Yes, there are stories of GOD’s Grace, of His Love, of mercy & forgiveness. Also stories of heroism & courage, but all of this, in our day, is overshadowed by two sins, lies & deceit. Like dark clouds rising before a tempest, to me, these are forerunners to a greater storm coming soon.