Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas!

Below is the wonderful Carols by Candlelight service held on Sunday 22 December 2013 by Lansdowne Baptist Church in Bournemouth, UK. It includes the choir singing and a brass band. The pastor is Peter Baker. I hope you are blessed by watching this!

Here is the link to the video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-La9o44aVCA&list=PLo9HsE4Itoah6XXtTho0k5GgIbaUiwWx9

New Prisoner Alert Factsheet: VRUIR AVANESSIAN - Iran

 

P r i s o n e r    P r o f i l e

 Vruir Avanessian

Prisoner Name: Vruir Avanessian

Location: Iran

Date Arrested: December 2013

Date Revised: 19 December 2013

Pastor Vruir Avanessian, 61, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on Dec. 5, 2013 for anti-government activities and the promotion of ideas contrary to the sanctity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Pastor Avanessian was arrested Dec. 27, 2012 as he gathered at a private home with other Christians to celebrate Christmas. The pastor is an ordained minister in the officially-registered Assemblies of God Church in Iran and of Armenian heritage, Iran's largest Christian religious minority. He has served as a pastor for more than 17 years.

One of the most concerning aspects of Pastor Avanessian's case is his serious medical condition. The pastor suffers from heart disease and diabetes. He undergoes kidney dialysis three times a week at a private clinic in Tehran, and has been retired from active ministry due to his medical condition. He was unable to attend his own court hearing because he was receiving dialysis at the time. The court was fully aware of the pastor's health, and issued the three-and-a half year sentence anyway. Friends and family are extremely concerned about Pastor Avanessian's ability to withstand the rigors of prison.

Pastor Avanessian's initial court hearing was held on Sept. 7, 2013. The hearing was held behind closed doors and was closed to the public. After that hearing, the judge stated that until a verdict was announced, Pastor Avanessian was to remain at home and avoid all contact with other Christians. After the verdict was handed down, he was given 20 days to file a complaint.

According to Mohabat News and other sources, the Iranian government has been on a campaign of arresting Armenian-Iranian Christian leaders who are actively involved in the evangelisation of Farsi-speaking Iranians. In recent months several of these leaders have been summoned or  arrested by security forces and warned to completely stop their ministry activities or leave the country within 90 days. The central branch of the Assemblies of God Church in Tehran, the largest Farsi-speaking church in Iran, was ordered to be closed in May 2013, and its leader arrested.

What You Can Do?

• Pray for Pastor Vruir Avanessian. 

• Post this PrisonerAlert.com Prisoner Profile on the bulletin board in your church, Sunday School class or Christian school.

• Share a copy with your pastor, members of your Bible study group or other Christian friends.

• Write to Paster Vruir Avanessian.

Address for Vruir Avanessian:

Evin Prison
Saadat Abad
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

Please Note!

When writing a letter, never mention the name of the source of your information or the name of any organization such as Voice of the Martyrs or Prisoner Alert. It is not dangerous for a prisoner to receive letters from individuals, but if an organization is mentioned they may be accused of links with 'foreign organizations' and receive harsher sentences. Also, please do not state anything negative about their government. For the latest information, including letter writing tools and helps, please visit PrisonerAlert.com.

Visit www.prisoneralert.com for updates on this prisoner.

Vruir Avanessian is also a talented singer! Below is a video of one of his songs:

Vruir Avanessian-Shahre Nasereh وروير آوانسيان شهر ناصره 

IRAN: Harsh Sentences for Believers Upheld

 Bulletin Date: 18 December 2013

On Oct. 12, 2013, an appeals court upheld the sentences given to four believers who have been detained in Shiraz since February 2012. The four, Homayoun, Korosh, Mojtaba and Vahid, were convicted on June 10, 2013, on charges of attending a house church, spreading Christianity, having contact with foreign ministries, propaganda against the regime and disrupting national security. They each were sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. Homayoun and Mojtaba have previous convictions, from 2008, for which they received suspended sentences.

On Oct. 20, four other believers were sentenced to 80 lashes each after being convicted of charges related to drinking communion wine. The men submitted an appeal, but it was rejected, according to a key source.

Across Iran, a number of other believers remain detained for their faith or Christian activities, and others  await court hearings

.
Mohabat News

Photo: Iranian house church

Please Pray!

• Iranian Christians supporting these believers request our prayers that Homayoun, Korosh, Mojtaba and Vahid will know the presence and peace of Jesus each day.

• Please pray that others detained for their faith and/or Christian activities will also know the presence and peace of Jesus, and be released soon.

• Pray also that all officials involved will act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.

"Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." Mic. 7:7-8

The Voice of the Martyrs helps Christians in Iran by providing Farsi Bibles and by supporting Christian satellite broadcasts.

NIGERIA: Christians Killed and Displaced by Boko Haram

Bulletin Date: 11 December 2013

Nigeria

The Gwoza Christian community in southern Borno state has faced increased attacks from Boko Haram insurgents in recent months. Thousands have fled to refugee camps established near the Cameroon border.

As of May 2013, more than 60 Christians had been killed and thousands displaced from many villages in the Gwoza community. About 55 churches and 541 houses have been burned or destroyed. In addition, 180 houses have been vandalized, and some are now occupied by the insurgents. Most concerning is the plight of those who witnessed the murders of their family members.

The Nigerian government has offered no relief materials to save the dying children in refugee camps and has offered no compensation to the destroyed churches. Children suffer from malnutrition and disease, while
many adults suffer from peptic ulcers, high blood pressure and premature death due to repeated attacks on their villages by the insurgents.

Voice Of the Martyrs Sources

Please Pray!

• Pray for the Christians who have lost their loved ones, homes, churches and livelihoods.
• Pray that the government will step in and provide relief.
• Pray for the demise of Boko Haram and that its members will experience God's saving grace.

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." Ps. 16:1

VOM staff are caring for some of the victims of these recent attacks. VOM also assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

Borno State - Nigeria

LAOS: Believers Blamed for Deaths in Village

 

 Date of Bulletin: 27 November 2013

Laos

A group of new Christians in a Laotian village have been blamed for the unrelated deaths of three men. In March 2013, two evangelists brought the gospel message to three remote Hmong and Khmu villages. As a result, 178 people received Christ and 18 were baptized. Less than a month later, three villagers died in a series of unrelated deaths. One was given the wrong medicine, one died in his sleep, and the third was accidentally electrocuted while trying to run a cable line.

The shaken community consulted a witch doctor, who concluded that the strange new religion brought by the evangelists had angered their ancestors. "Those Christians have to renounce their faith or they have to leave the village!" he warned. "Otherwise, more people will die." The community leader told the believers to renounce their faith. So far, all of them remain committed, but they may soon be forced out of the village.

Voice Of the Martyrs Sources

Please Pray!

• Please pray that God will strengthen the new believers and fill them with his peace.

• Pray that the community leaders turn from their false gods to the true, living God.

• Pray that the believers will be allowed to stay in the village and that they will continue to be a light to the community.

"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." 1 Pet. 4:16

VOM provides various means of assistance to Christians in Laos, including Bibles, Christian radio broadcasts, skills training and support for pastors.

The Holy Spirit

A few months ago I studied a wonderful sermon series by John MacArthur called "The Modern Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit", based on Romans 8. There are 13 sermons in the series. The series code is 315, which you can find by doing a search on the Grace to You website under either the series title or code.

Some of the in-depth truths found in Romans 8 about God's amazing love for us are so awesome that there were times during this study that I had to sit & cry!

 Here is a link to the sermon series:  http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/319/the-modern-blasphemy-of-the-holy-spirit

"38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

~ Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) ~

I am trying to find out who the artist is of this beautiful painting. If you know, please leave a comment.

VIETNAM: New Hmong Believers Need Prayer

Bulletin Date: 20 November 2013

In recent months, an evangelist visited a remote village in Vietnam and shared the gospel with about 30 Hmong families. About 20 people gave their lives to Christ and soon began meeting in a believer's home, forming the first house church in the area.

Photo: House church gathering of new Hmong Christians

In October, police raided the home where the believers gathered for worship, confiscating Bibles, hymnals and a cellphone. A policeman was stationed to watch the house, and the believers were not allowed to contact anyone. Police warned them that if they continue meeting they will kick them out of their home and tear it down. In addition, the Christians were told that their leader would be arrested.

These believers are asking us to pray that they will stand strong in their new faith.They are the first Christians in this area. The nearest Christian  outside their village lives more than 6 miles away.

VOM Sources

Please Pray!

• Pray that these new believers will not become discouraged.
• Pray that they will have a hunger for the Word and that they will grow in their knowledge and faith.
• Also pray that the authorities will come to faith in Christ.

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." Heb. 11:24-26

Voice Of the Martyrs assists believers in Vietnam by providing Bibles, shortwave radios, Christian literature and support for families of prisoners, among other means of assistance.

The Beauty of Jesus Christ by Paul Washer

 I'll Be Honest is a media ministry that is part of Grace Community Church of San Antonio, TX (gccsatx.com)

In this video Paul Washer talks about what true Christianity is really about: the beauty of Jesus Christ. When we catch a glimpse of Christ it will radically change us...

Link to video on YouTube: 

http://youtu.be/oRRASF6A2U0

or

Link to / download this video from I'll Be Honest: 

http://illbehonest.com/The-Beauty-of-Jesus-Christ-Paul-Washer

or

Link to / download this video from HeartCry Missionary Society:

http://heartcrymissionary.com/sermons-en#!sid=284

ERITREA: 185 Christians Arrested at Prayer Gathering

 

Bulletin Date: 13 November 2013

Eritrea

Eritrean security forces recently raided a prayer meeting and arrested 185 Christians in Maitemenay, a northern suburb of Asmara. VOM sources say the believers had apparently gathered to pray about the worsening exodus of Eritreans from the country.

The gathering is said to have been organized by an underground fellowship known locally as "Hiyaw Amlak" (Living God). The fellowship is part of a network of underground fellowships that have been in operation throughout the country since 2002, when the Eritrean government closed all churches not belonging to officially sanctioned religious groups.

The believers are being held at a police station near an area known as Edaga Hamus in the adjoining district. Some of the women and children were released after signing an agreement that they would stop meeting with other believers. The arrests have alarmed underground church leaders, who fear that more raids may continue in the future.

VOM Sources

Please Pray!

• Praise God for the women and children who were released.

• Pray that God will grant the remaining believers favour with the authorities and that they will be released unharmed.

• Pray that they and their families will be filled with God's peace.

• Pray that believers in Eritrea will remain steadfast in their faith despite the opposition they face.

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith." 2 Thess. 3:1-2

For more information about Eritrea visit VOM's Restricted Nations Map.

Salvation's Song - Stuart Townend

This is one of my favourite worship songs.

Stuart Townend is an English worship songwriter and singer.  Many of his songs are sung in churches and at events around the globe.


You can link to this video at: http://youtu.be/ccz3-bvkh00

From Mission:Worship
www.stuarttownend.co.uk

@StuartTownend
facebook.com/stuarttownend

 

Salvation's Song Lyrics

Stuart Townend

LOVED BEFORE THE DAWN OF TIME,

Chosen by my Maker,

Hidden in my Saviour:

I am His and He is mine,

Cherished for eternity. 

When I'm stained with guilt and sin,

He is there to lift me,

Heal me and forgive me;

Gives me strength to stand again,

Stronger than I was before. 

So with every breath that I am given

I will sing salvation's song;

And I'll join the chorus of creation

Giving praise to Christ alone. 

All the chains of Satan's curse

Lifted through His offering,

Satisfied through suffering;

All the blessings He deserves

Poured on my unworthy soul. 

So with every breath that I am given

I will sing salvation's song;

And I'll join the chorus of creation

Giving praise to Christ alone. 

Singing glory, honour, wisdom, power

To the Lamb upon the throne.

Hallelujah, I will lift Him high.

Singing glory, honour, wisdom, power

To the Lamb upon the throne.

Hallelujah I will sing with every breath that I am given

I will sing salvation's song;

And I'll join the chorus of creation

Giving praise to Christ alone. 

Stars will fade and mountains fall;

Christ will shine forever,

Love's unfading splendour.

Earth and heaven will bow in awe,

Joining in salvation's song.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

I came across talented singer Sam Robson on YouTube. Below is his wonderful acapella arrangement of the hymn, "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go". I've listened to it a few times & it makes me smile!

If you enjoyed this hymn, here is the link to Sam's YouTube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/traanncce




Link to video: http://youtu.be/XZad7yBVm5o

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

 Written by: George Matheson (1882)