Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7. For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The camera lens homes in, mapping the man’s face—measuring the space between his eyes, the distance between the nose and mouth, the angle of his cheekbones, the shape of his chin. Instantly, that data is converted into a string of numbers or points, called a “faceprint.”
His face is recognized, compared with tens of millions of photos of faces in a database. His identity is confirmed. And he doesn’t even know he has been “detected,” “recognized” and “tracked.”
You’ve seen the images in movies. Many of us willingly submit our “data” every day, holding up our phone as the operating system algorithm detects, identifies and recognizes our face.
This is the mass AI technology that China has developed. And it is one of the most powerful surveillance tools—and Christian persecution tactics—ever made, especially when you consider that the country has installed millions of these cameras on streets, in public venues, on university campuses—and churches.
Facial recognition tech in all state-approved churches.
Reports from counties in Henan and Jiangxi provinces say cameras with facial recognition software are now in all state-approved religious venues.
China maintains it moved decisively to contain COVID-19 after the virus took flight in Wuhan, but for the country’s 97 million Christians, the cost in heavy restrictions—as surveillance reached into their homes, online and off-line interactions were tracked, and their faces were scanned into the Public Security database—is high.
Reports from counties in Henan and Jiangxi provinces say cameras with facial recognition software are now in all state-approved religious venues. Churches that have refused to install these cameras have been fined raided and even banned, like the 1,500-member Zion Church in northern Beijing.
In April 2018, Zion Church, one of the Chinese capital’s largest house churches, received a letter from city officials asking them to install 24 surveillance cameras in their sanctuary for “security reasons.”
“The church decided this was not appropriate,” Zion Church Pastor Ezra Jin told Reuters. “Our services are a sacred time.”
After the church refused, state security officials and police began to harass churchgoers, contacting their workplaces and asking them to promise not to go to church. In August 2018, authorities threatened to close Zion Church because they refused to install the cameras. A month later, officials banned the church and confiscated materials.
Zion leaders understood what the government was asking. Reportedly, many of these cameras are installed next to standard CCTV cameras, but they link to the Public Security Bureau, meaning artificial intelligence can instantly connect with other government databases. The facial recognition software will eventually be linked to China’s “Social Credit System,” which monitors the loyalty of citizens with regards to the tenets of communism. With 415 million surveillance cameras and counting, the state has the infrastructure and legal framework to pressure religious minorities in both direct and indirect ways we’ve never seen before.
And these potentially detrimental systems are spreading beyond China.
Philippians 3:7. But whatthings were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
When the time comes for each of us to be called home to be with our Savior, I wonder how many will actually know what things they’ve actually lost? Here, the old world measures success by how much you’ve got, whether money, property, goods, toys, clothing, social networking, etc. Everyone’s looking at their own conceptualization of their version of “now”.
Paul, in the Scriptures above, says he counts those gains of his as a loss for Christ. I wonder how many professing Christian’s today would count their losses as a gain for Christ?
With the world’s desired “Great Reset” you can find several videos about “own nothing & be happy”. I was thinking about that statement from a Biblical perspective and lo & behold, we are to count all thing as a loss for the excellency of knowing our Savior.
As believers we are travellers through this old world, pilgrims looking for that hereafter where our home really is, so how much do we really own in the wicked and sinful world? Honestly not very much, we can’t take whatever we have here with us on our journey home, so surely we already own little to nothing. I’m not saying sell you home and live under a bridge, but if you lost your home due to sickness or financial hardship, would you be able to mentally count it as a loss for Christ?
Most people’s mindset is to be focused on their now, they want a home, transportation, comfort, food. Few willing step out into those paths which cause a physical struggle. Doing the work of an evangelist, or missionary, or working with a prisons ministry, these examples and others require a mindset few willingly possess nowadays, fewer preachers actually cultivate these ideas to their congregants leaving them at a loss of knowledge. I do commend those who send forth missions and who support outreach ministries, reaching the lost is a responsibility for every believer.
We need to remember the instructions of Jesus and the Apostles & prepare our minds to be ready to count all things as a loss for Christ, those days of loss may soon be overshadowing believers.
13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
In the famous Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5, we read the following;
7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Also later we can read in Matthew 9: 11. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12. But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Throughout the life and ministry of our Savior consistently upended the mainstream viewpoint and tradition’s of His day. In the Beatitudes He clarifies on the Mount challenged the mainstream scriptural interpretation of daily life, both actions and thoughts. In the verses quoted in chapter 9 He states the Father desires us to both have and to show mercy to others, quantifying that this trait and action is more important than our attempts at sacrifice.
I cut into both chapters with the intent to emphasize the concepts of mercy. Our Creator loved us enough to allow HIS Son to die in our place, showing us the greatest of both mercy and sacrifice. Mercy because we deserve death, sacrifice because HIS Son chose to accepted the suffering and act of being placed on on the cross to die so others could live.
Our lives, as believers, are to reflect the example of our Saviour. We all fall short, every day we fail, yet every day we are to continue in our walk to be a reflection of GOD’s grace. We need to remember as believers our life is going to have both joy and heartaches, both success and failure; but whatever we encounter, see, hear, choose, or experience, we must always remember, “…But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:…”.
Have and show mercy to others, we may suffer persecution for our faith, show mercy even when you’re shown none.
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp URGENT: Cyclone heads for India and Bangladesh Friends, please pray with us for our family in India and Bangladesh as super Cyclone Amphan’s 150 mph winds head for the countries’ border—the two countries are already battling escalating COVID-19 infections and severe food shortages the lockdowns have caused. Pray for protection, provision and strength—the need is dire.
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp Injured Christian in Bangladesh refused help Friends, 29-year-old Ruhul Amin, a new Christian convert from Islam, was in an accident last month and broke his right hand and leg. When his neighbors heard about the accident, they started to curse him and his family saying, “This is the curse of Allah for your conversion and rejecting Islam. You still have time to repent and return [to Islam].” They are refusing to help the family and encouraging other villagers to do the same. He was released from the hospital after several days because there were no doctors available to treat him due to the coronavirus pandemic. A doctor told his family, “[Ruhul] will be OK, but he may need several operations.” Ruhul’s father, a pastor and Open Doors partner, was able to borrow some money to send Ruhul for surgery in another hospital. However, his father shares the cost for the surgery is more than the amount he could borrow: “It is very expensive and we cannot afford to pay.” Thanks to your prayers and support, Open Doors local partners have since been able to provide Ruhul with some financial support. Please join us in praying for God to provide the finances needed for Ruhul’s continued treatment. Pray for other believers to come alongside Ruhul and his family and support them in their needs. Pray for Ruhul’s full recovery, both physically and emotionally, and that he will be able to start work to support his family soon. Pray for the family to have a strong faith in Christ during this crisis. Pray the villagers’ mocking and defaming will not affect Ruhul and his family’s faith in Him and that the villagers would come to know Christ themselves. If God moves you to become more involved in supporting believers facing persecution, we encourage you to tap here to explore our Frontline Partner Program. *Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp Praise: Falsely accused pastor home in Kazakhstan Friends, recently we asked you to join us in praying for Pastor Jakim*, who was arrested for missionary activity during Kazakhstan’s coronavirus quarantine. Local Christians believe the whole incident was a setup, intended to provide an excuse to arrest Jakim. Thankfully, we just received word that Jakim had his court hearing and only received a small fine, which he was able to pay. He is now back at home with his family! Thank God for delivering Pastor Jakim! Pray Jakim will be bold in sharing the gospel and spreading the love of Christ during the coronavirus pandemic. Pray what was meant to harm Jakim would instead bring glory to Christ! *Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp Nigeria: Miraculous outcomes in violent attack Friends, Pastor Bayo Famonure and his family were violently attacked by militant Fulani herdsman on May 5 in Nigeria. Bayo is well-known for his missionary and evangelical work throughout Africa. We thank the Lord for His miraculous protection of this family as the outcome of this attack could have been much worse. Bayo was shot in the head and feet, though the shots did not penetrate his skull or damage any bones in his feet. His wife Naomi was shot in the back, yet the bullet did not reach her spinal cord. The doctor said if the bullet had penetrated just a fraction more, Naomi would have been paralyzed. Their sons, Adua and Victor, also sustained gunshot wounds that were not very serious. In a message Bayo sent, he shared “It’s a miracle … Just praise God.” Bayo is stable and recovering with his sons. Naomi underwent successful surgery to remove the bullet from her back. She is currently in a stable condition and recovering. Please join us in thanking God for his protection, as this attack could have ended very differently. Pray this story would serve as a powerful testimony of the Lord’s protection. Pray for a quick and full recover for Bayo, Naomi, Adua and Victor, both physically and emotionally. Pictured: Pastor Bayo Famonure
5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
17. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
1. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. 2. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: 3. Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: 4. That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. 5. They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? 6. They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. 7. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. 8. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. 9. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. 10. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Machiavellian senior civil servant in the hit 1980s British sitcom Yes, Ministeronce famously commented that one should “never believe anything until it’s been officially denied.” Which meant we could be fairly confident that racial and ethnic differences in susceptibility to Coronavirus exist, because our race-denying Ruling Class so dogmatically refused to consider the evidence. Now that’s over: a study by a Chinese research group has emerged that offers concrete proof of race differences in susceptibility to Corona virus are very real.
The authors explain that “2019-nCov was reported to share the same receptor, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)” as the SARS disease, an outbreak of which in 2003 seemed almost exclusively to kill Northeast Asians.
Based on “the public database and the state-of-the-art single-cell RNA-Seq technique” the Chinese scientists “analyzed the ACE2 RNA expression profile in the normal human lungs.” Crucially, they further found (in a comparison of eight individual samples) that the “Asian male one has an extremely large number of ACE2-expressing cells in the lung” in comparison to other races. (The database was based on analysis of eight normal human lung transplant donors of different races.)
A Laymans Discourse 
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