Tag Archives: forgiveness

Scripture of the Day

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

Psalms 69

13. But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
14. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
15. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
16. Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
17. And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
18. Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

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.

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.

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.

Centers of Hope Bringing Life Back to Syrian Christians

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

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

Great work is being done at the 15 Centers of Hope that are run by churches in various gathering spaces in communities across Syria. These centers serve as an extension of the church to reach out to people and gather them into a more closely-knit community. Here, “… Christians could feel like they’re more of a family,” says Ibrahim*, an Open Doors staff member.

Besides the usual food donations and house visits, these centers touch on issues that are “customized towards the needs of the congregation,” explains pastor Edmund, another Open Doors’ staff.

One example of programming to help support children who have been traumatized by war is the opportunity to get outdoors and engage in sports and teamwork. The Centers of Hope of Damascus’s and Aleppo’s Alliance churches have highly successful football programs. “We try to include as many church backgrounds in the program,” says Vera, “and the kids are loving it!”

The struggle of the war put a strain on people when it came to staying active, socializing, and receiving quality health care. This is especially true for women who couldn’t leave their homes as often as men and often set aside their wellbeing in order to take care of their families. These struggles were addressed in the first of many medical-awareness lectures that took place at the opening night of a Center of Hope in Damascus.

Please join us in thanking God that the Centers of Hope are helping bring life back to weary Christians across Syria.

Praise God He is using these programs to bring healing to men, women, children and families in these communities.

Pray that this work would continue strong.

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

Scripture of the Day

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

Psalm 51
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.
1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

China hearing gospel via Africa; church growing amid brutal persecution

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

Read story here.

As the Chinese economically invest in and build infrastructure in Africa, Africans are evangelizing the Chinese.

In 2014, trade between China and Africa reached an all-time high in 2014, according to the China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University and McKinsey & Company. Billions of dollars in loans from China to Africa in addition to foreign direct investment have increased significantly in recent years.

Meanwhile, as a result of the influx of Chinese resources and approximately 10,000 Chinese-owned companies, the estimated 227,000 to 1 million Chinese working on the continent are hearing the message of the Gospel from African evangelical Christians.

“Many local African churches have reached out to Chinese workers, including incorporating Mandarin into services. A number of Chinese, in turn, have welcomed the sense of community and belonging that these Christian churches offer,” according to UnHerd Wednesday.

“And a small but growing number of ethnically Chinese missionaries from Taiwan and other countries are specifically targeting Chinese nationals in Africa, preaching to them with a freedom they’d never be allowed in the People’s Republic.”

Scripture of the Day

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

Psalm 49
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
1. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2. Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
5. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8. (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9. That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
14. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
15. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
16. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

 ‘IN THE CLOSET OF THE VATICAN’ 

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

The book is a ‘startling account of corruption and hypocrisy at the heart of the Vatican’, according to British publisher Bloomsbury.

Read it here.

The Catholic Church is not Christian, it is Roman Catholic. The Christian Church we see in the Bible was started by Jesus Christ, while the Catholic Church is the creation of pagan political Rome that was designed to keep the empire alive. And in regards to that, it has been fantastically successful. Pagan Rome is alive and well, wrapped inside the wolfish veneer of the counterfeit church. To the world’s 1.5 billion Roman Catholics, please prayerfully consider the following verses as part of your invitation to be partakers in eternal life.

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4,5 (KJV)

The book ‘In The Closet Of The Vatican’ is going to be released on the exact same day that Pope Francis will be holding a summit on sexual abuse of children at the hands of Catholic priests and bishops. The Catholic Church is a snake pit, and the Vatican is the hold of every manner of vile and unclean spiritual devils. I pray that this book will be the necessary means of motivation to free many prisoners of the Catholic counterfeit.

Eighty percent of Vatican priests are gay according to explosive new book which claims to uncover double lives of homophobic priests who use male prostitutes

FROM THE DAILY MAIL UK: The 570-page expose, titled In the Closet of the Vatican, claims that four in five clerics in the Roman Catholic Church are homosexuals – but aren’t necessarily sexually active.

French sociologist and journalist Frederic Martel, who spent four years conducting 1,500 interviews for the book, found that some priests maintained discreet long term relationships, while others lived double lives having casual sex with gay partners and using male prostitutes.

He found that a number of clerics spoke of an unspoken code of the ‘closet’, with one rule of thumb being that the more homophobic they were, the more likely they were gay.

Two-Year Anniversary of Pastor Koh’s Abduction in Malaysia

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

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

As of today, no one has seen Pastor Raymond Koh in exactly two years. Twenty-four months ago, he disappeared as a result of a coordinated abduction carried out in broad daylight. Sadly, Pastor Koh remains missing to this day and there are still more questions than answers.

Remarkably, in the midst of the pain of grief, good things are still happening. Last night about 100 people attended a gathering held to remember and pray for Pastor Koh. Those gathered also prayed for the missing Christian convert Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth, as well as Amri Che Mat—a Shia Muslim who disappeared in circumstances similar to what happened to Koh.

The group consisted of church members and leaders from across the denominations. “It is a miracle that one family’s life has united all of us,” said a participant.

Even in the midst of her sorrows, Susanna—Pastor Koh’s wife—is able to see how God has been at work since her husband disappeared. She shared that churches in Malaysia have come together to say that these disappearances are not acceptable. “This is the first time we see the evangelicals and the Roman Catholics come together. They hold hands and pray. And I know that God is pleased with this.”

Please pray for strength for Susanna as she continues to wait for justice for her husband.

Pray the memorandum submitted to the Prime Mahathir Bin Mohamadtoday will find favor with him and that he will seek to resolve these disappearances.

Pray that the unity that has been sparked by these disappearances will continue to grow.

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

Photo: Facebook/Everybody Loves Raymond Koh

Scripture of the Day

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

Jeremiah 18
7. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
8. If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
9. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
10. If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
11. Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
12. And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

Is the LORD unjust when He judges peoples and nations? I think not, if they repent of their evil & wickedness He spares them from the judgment prepared for them.

Yet mankind in all their glorious ignorance continually rejects the GOD who created them saying “…
There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. ...”