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)

NIGERIA: Christian Killed by Boko Haram Militants

Bulletin Date: 5 November 2013

On Sept. 24, Boko Haram militants surrounded the home of 60-year-old Sunday Luka in Gwoza (Borno State) and set his house on fire. Luka died of smoke inhalation inside the burning house.

About three months earlier, Luka and his 14-year-old son fled their home in Gwoza after receiving death threats from Boko Haram. A pastor in Adamawa state provided refuge for Luka, his son and another refugee from Gwoza while Luka looked for a safer place to relocate his family.

On Sept. 23, Luka returned to Gwoza to share food and funds that he had received from Voice Of the Martyrs with his family. The following morning, members of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram burned down the house with Luka inside.

VOM Sources

Please Pray!

Please pray for Sunday Luka's family in their time of grief and loss. Pray that Boko Haram will be uprooted from Nigeria and that a spirit of peace will reign in their place.

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20

VOM assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

NIGERIA: Twenty-Five Christian Buildings Marked for Demolition

Bulletin Date: 23 October 2013

Nigeria

Government authorities in northern Nigeria's Borno state plan to demolish 25 churches and schools,  ostensibly to make room for new housing. However, no plans for the housing development have been produced. Christian leaders believe this is yet another attempt by local governments in northern Nigeria to persecute the Christian minority.

The proposed demolitions would compound the security challenges that these believers are already facing from the militant group Boko Haram. "We have seen the eviction notice from the Borno state government," says Dr. Asake, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria. "We are Nigerians, and there are other places where the state government can develop. The areas earmarked for demolition are already developed with churches and schools. Christians have already suffered enough in Borno state."

VOM Sources, All Africa

Please Pray!

Please pray that believers will be spared the loss of their churches and schools. Pray that believers will remain firm in their faith, regardless of the outcome, and continue to serve God.

"Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." Is. 8:12-13

Voice Of the Martyrs assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

Jesus' Parable of the Tenants

 Found in:

Luke 20:9-19
Matthew 21:33-46


Video link: http://youtu.be/yQfZ8PljVMM



View the full length movie for free at: http://ow.ly/qvlB0

Psalm 118:22 (ESV)

"The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone."

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)

therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
    a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
    ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

 Acts 4:11-12 (ESV)

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

 

Ephesians 2:18-22 (ESV)

  ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²² In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

 1 Peter 2:6-8 (ESV)

 ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

⁷ So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

⁸ and

“A stone of stumbling,
    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Iran: Mostafa Bordbar Released!

Give thanks & praise to our precious Lord!

Today, World Watch Monitor announced that Mostafa Mohammed Bordbar was released from prison on 3 November 2013. Mostafa was serving a 10 year sentence in Evin Prison, Iran.

"An Iranian Christian sentenced to 10 years in prison has been released after three months.

Mostafa Bordbar, 27, was released Nov. 3 from Tehran’s Evin Prison after overturning charges of participating in an “anti-security organisation and “gathering with intent to commit crimes against Iranian national security”.

Bordbar was arrested in December last year during Christmas celebrations with friends and sentenced in July. He was detained for a total of 11 months.

The Oct. 30 appeals court hearing cleared him of all charges."

Source:  World Watch Monitor

Pray Request: Saeed Abedini - Iran

Yesterday, the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) sent out an urgent update on Pastor Saeed Abedini. Below is a copy of the email.

"Pastor Saeed's life is in grave danger.

Yesterday, he was transferred to another Iranian prison – a deadly cellblock in one of Iran's most dangerous and obscure prisons.

He is no longer sharing a cell with political prisoners but with murderers. Rajai Shahr Prison is where prisoners are sent to disappear – many are murdered at the hands of other prisoners.

President Obama, who has already spoken to the President of Iran about Pastor Saeed, must take immediate diplomatic action to save Saeed's life. Time is of the essence.

Join our urgent new effort to urge President Obama to take decisive action. There is no more critical time than now. 

Sign our New Petition: Immediately Intervene to Save Saeed.

Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel

P.S. Please earnestly pray and share this critical message. A U.S. citizen's life hangs in the balance."

Gohardasht Prison is in the town of Gohardasht, which is situated in the northern outskirts of Karaj, about 20 km from Tehran. Gohardasht Prison is also known as Rajai Shahr Prison.

Please pray:

• That the Lord will comfort Pastor Saeed, be his strength, keep him safe and remain close to him;
• That the other prisoners held in Rajai Shahr Prison will hear about the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Lord & Saviour;
• That the Lord will also comfort, strengthen & provide for Saeed's wife, Naghmeh & their two children who live in USA.

Naghmeh Abedini

You can help support Naghmeh Abedini with prayer by joining her Facebook page, Pray For Pastor Saeed Abedini.

You can also follow Free Pastor Saeed & Naghmeh Abedini on Twitter.

Naghmeh Abedini shares her wonderful testimony in the video below. You can also link to the video at: https://vimeo.com/76932333


Naghmeh Abedini from Calvary Chapel on Vimeo.

Save Syria

Open Doors has been active in Syria since before the war. They are helping the church in Syria to care for thousands of families in desperate need. "I believe the Lord has been preparing the church for this day," says Pastor Edward in Damascus. "Who else can give hope and really spread peace other than our Lord?"

The church in Syria is asking for your help. Please join other Christians to speak out, provide emergency relief and pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria.

 

 

The church in Syria is on its knees. Will you stand with them in their darkest hour?

Please sign the petition by visiting Open Doors.

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/campaign/savesyria/forms/signup.php?src=story3