Israel: Death to Christianity
April 6, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in VOM Fridays | Leave a commentTags: Israel, Jerusalem, persecution
For more news on what’s really happening to Christians around the world go to the Voice of the Martyrs website: www.persecution.com
Israel: Death to Christianity
A Jerusalem church was vandalized on Monday, Feb. 20, in an attack reflecting the sentiments of Jewish nationalists.
Vandals spray-painted the words “Death to Christianity” on the wall of the Baptist Narkis Street Congregation church. The graffiti included profanity about Jesus and the words “Price Tag,” a slogan used by Jewish extremists to protest policies they perceive as anti-settlement. The vandals also slashed the tires of several cars parked in the church compound.
Police have launched an investigation into Monday’s attack, which is similar to a graffiti attack two weeks ago on the 11th-century Monastery of the Cross, also in west Jerusalem. “Officers are investigating a strong possibility of a nationalist motive, but no one has been apprehended yet,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Ynet News. It is unlikely that Muslim vandals would have denigrated Jesus, who is considered a holy prophet in Islam.
When asked for comment on the attack by a local reporter, a VOM contact in the region said, “Jesus told us persecution would happen, and he told us to forgive when it does happen. So that’s what we think about the incident.” Continue Reading Israel: Death to Christianity…
Sermon Sunday – J.C. Philpot – Israel’s Departure and Return
March 11, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in Sermon Sunday | Leave a commentTags: ateasetees, Israel, J.C. Philpot, repentance
Israel’s Departure and Return
Preached at Providence Chapel, London, on Tuesday
Evening, July 17, 1849, by J. C. Philpot“O Israel, return unto the Lord your God; for you have fallen by your iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord—say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously—so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses—neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, You are our gods—for in you the fatherless finds mercy.” Hosea 14:1-3
Our text is rather a long one; but it presents such a connected chain of blessed truth, that if I were to attempt to make it shorter, I could only present to you broken links and scattered fragments. As it stands, it is complete in itself—a beautiful and blessed exposition of divine truth. But it is only so as taken in its connection. Tear it asunder; take separate verses; and the beauty and sweetness of it are lost. I shall, therefore, as our text is long, and contains much matter, proceed at once to consider its contents. And I think that we may observe in it three or four leading features. Continue Reading Sermon Sunday – J.C. Philpot – Israel’s Departure and Return…
Persecution Fridays – Egypt – Video Sparks Protest
November 4, 2011 at 9:49 am | Posted in VOM Fridays | Leave a commentTags: abortion, America, army, ateasetees, beat, Bible, Cairo, Christian, church, compromise, Coptic, death, Egypt, evangelism, extremist, faith, God, gospel, grace, hell, holy, hope, hospital, Islam, Israel, Jesus, judgment, law, life, love, marriage, martyr, mercy, money, murder, Muslim, pastor, peace, persecution, prayer, repent, Salafi, salvation, scripture, sin, Sohag, soldier, ten commandments, truth, vehicles, video
For more news on what’s really happening to Christians around the world go to the Voice of the Martyrs website: http://www.persecution.com
Egypt: Video Sparks Protests
A YouTube video of 25 Egyptian soldiers beating Coptic Christian Raef After Faheem prompted a protest by thousands of Coptic Christians on Sunday, Oct. 9.
“[I] would like to let you know that millions of Egyptian Christians will go out to the streets all over Egypt — from all the cities — to demonstrate against the army leaders because of the video,” a VOM contact wrote the day before the protests. “The Muslim group and Salafi movement are threatening the Christians, saying that we do not have any rights in the country. We do not know what could happen tomorrow, but we decided to go out and [use] our voices against persecution.”
The military fired at demonstrators when the protests began Sunday afternoon, and videos posted online show increased violence as military vehicles ran over protestors. According to VOM contacts, the Egyptian military eventually attacked the hospital where injured Christians were being treated and even tried to kill hospital employees. International news agencies report that at least 24 people have been killed, including at least 17 Christians.
The violence began after Muslim extremists attacked a recently rebuilt Christian church in Sohag, near Cairo. The governor of Sohag protected the church’s attackers and said, “If the Muslims did not destroy the church on that day, I would go destroy it myself.” Shocked by the governor’s comment, the Christians held a demonstration at a TV and radio building, and the Egyptian army responded to the demonstrations. A VOM contact said, “They were very [tough] in beating and attacking the Christians instead of restoring their rights. [This] situation is too hard and really unbelievable. We are waiting for the Lord to show mercy on the martyrs’ families. Please keep praying for us, and ask our beloved friends everywhere to pray.”
Genesis 18:16-33
October 17, 2011 at 6:30 am | Posted in Bible Study | 1 CommentTags: abortion, Abraham, America, angel, ateasetees, Bible, children, Christian, church, city, compromise, criteria, culture, death, destroy, erase, evangelism, faith, God, Gomorrah, gospel, grace, heir, hell, holy, homosexuality, hope, house, Islam, Israel, Jesus, judgment, law, life, lifestyle, Lot, love, marriage, mercy, money, murder, pastor, peace, prayer, repent, righteous, salvation, scripture, sin, Sodom, ten commandments, truth, wicked
Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. “I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. Continue Reading Genesis 18:16-33…
Sermon Sunday – Charles Spurgeon – Job’s Sure Knowledge
October 16, 2011 at 6:30 am | Posted in Sermon Sunday | Leave a commentTags: abortion, accuser, Advocate, America, ateasetees, avenger, Bible, blood, Boaz, body, bondage, Calvary, certainty, Christian, church, compromise, condition, death, difficult, disease, divine, Eden, evangelism, faith, flesh, glory, God, gospel, grace, grief, hell, holy, Holy Spirit, hope, humble, husband, Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jew, job, judgment, just, kinsman, know, knowledge, law, life, love, marriage, mercy, Messiah, money, mourning, murder, New Testament, pain, paradise, passage, pastor, peace, poverty, prayer, prince, rebuke, Redeemer, repent, reputation, sacrifice, salvation, Satan, scripture, seed, serpent, sin, Spirit, sympathy, ten commandments, toil, trial, truth, Vindicator, wife, worms
Job’s Sure Knowledge
September 10th, 1876
by
C. H. SPURGEON
(1834-1892)
“For I know that my Redeemer liveth,”—Job 19:25.
I daresay you know that there are a great many difficulties about the translation of this passage. It is a very complicated piece of Hebrew, partly, I suppose, owing to its great antiquity, being found in what is, probably, one of the oldest Books of the Bible. Besides that, different persons have tried to translate it according to their own varying views. The Jews stiffly fight against the notion of the Messiah and his resurrection being found in this verve, while many Christian commentators see here everything that we can find in the New Testament, and translate the passage as though Job were as well instructed in this matter as we are now that Christ “hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Others say that, while there is, no doubt, a reference to the person and the resurrection of Christ, yet it is not so vivid as some seem to think. Continue Reading Sermon Sunday – Charles Spurgeon – Job’s Sure Knowledge…
Persecution Fridays – Iran – Government Takes Child
October 14, 2011 at 6:30 am | Posted in VOM Fridays | Leave a commentTags: abortion, adopted, America, ateasetees, Bible, child, Christian, church, complaint, compromise, convert, death, emotion, evangelism, faith, God, gospel, government, grace, hell, holy, homosexuality, hope, hostage, intelligence, Iran, Islam, Israel, Jesus, judgment, law, life, love, marriage, mercy, Mohabat, money, murder, Muslim, pastor, peace, prayer, pressure, prison, repent, salvation, scripture, sin, stress, ten commandments, threat, truth
For more news on what’s really happening to Christians around the world go to the Voice of the Martyrs website: www.persecution.com
Iran: Government Takes Child
Agents of Iran’s intelligence ministry recently took a Christian couple’s adopted child, demanding that the couple file a complaint against other Christians being held in prison, according to Mohabat News. The couple was taken to the hospital because of emotional stress caused by the loss of their child. “This is the first time I have ever seen this tactic — taking a child hostage,” said a VOM contact. “In the past, it is always the parents.”
The Christian couple legally adopted their child after years of waiting, according to Mohabat News. Security officers reportedly took the child as a way to pressure the Christian family and other Christian converts. Mohabat News reports that the security agents threatened the couple, saying, “If you want your child back, you must file a complaint against your fellow Christians in prison.”
Within the past year, Christians have been arrested, falsely charged and imprisoned for extensive periods of time. House and church raids are common occurrences, and the Christian community faces continual threats and pressure. Please pray that this Christian couple will get their child back soon and that they will rely on God during this time of extreme emotional stress.
Design of the Week – Leaves Change
October 12, 2011 at 6:30 am | Posted in Designs of the Week | Leave a commentTags: abortion, America, ateasetees, autumn, Bible, change, character, Christian, church, compromise, death, design of the week, eternal, evangelism, faith, Fall, frame, God, gospel, grace, hell, holy, hope, Islam, Israel, Jesus, judgment, law, leaves, life, love, Malachi, marriage, mercy, money, murder, old, pastor, peace, prayer, repent, salvation, scripture, season, sin, ten commandments, truth
This week’s design is called Leaves Change.
The design shows a photo of fall leaves that fades out from color to black and white to nothing. You’ll also see that the design has an ornate frame and the phrase “I, the Lord, do not change” which is found in Malachi 3:6.
The basis for the design is the idea that everything we know changes. Time continues on and almost nothing stays the same. People get older, days get shorter/longer, and seasons change. In the fall the leaves of deciduous trees all change colors and fall off in preparation for winter. With all of these changes going on, we get used to it. We also take for granted that things change and expect all things to be like that. This can be difficult when we’re facing problems and need something/someone to be consistent.
There are numerous places in the Bible that talk about God’s unchanging character. He always has been and always will be the just, holy, righteous Creator of the universe. He will also always be the forgiving, merciful God that sent His Son to take our place. The fact that God doesn’t change is something that bring solace to all of those who are Christians. Regardless of the trials and tribulations we face, God doesn’t change. He is always there and always will be…
Genesis 18:1-15
October 10, 2011 at 6:30 am | Posted in Christianity | Leave a commentTags: abortion, Abraham, Abram, America, angel, ateasetees, Bible, blaspheme, cakes, calf, Christian, church, compromise, controversy, covet, death, evangelism, faith, favor, God, Gomorrah, gospel, grace, hell, holy, hope, hospitality, Islam, Israel, Jesus, judgment, just, laugh, law, lie, life, Lord, love, lust, Mamre, marriage, men, mercy, milk, money, murder, Muslim, oak, pastor, peace, prayer, presence, repent, righteous, salvation, Sarah, Sarai, scripture, sin, Sodom, steal, ten commandments, tent, truth, water
Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. “Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.” And they said, “So do, as you have said.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.” Continue Reading Genesis 18:1-15…
Sermon Sunday – George Whitefield – The Almost Christian
October 9, 2011 at 6:30 am | Posted in Sermon Sunday | Leave a commentTags: abortion, Agrippa, almost, America, Ananias, apostle, ateasetees, Belial, Bible, brave, Christian, church, compromise, confess, conscience, creator, danger, darkness, death, defense, devil, duty, Elijah, evangelism, exhortation, faith, fate, Festus, fickle, fig, George Whitefield, God, gospel, grace, heaven, hell, holiness, holy, hope, humility, hypocrite, Israel, Jesus, jewel, Judaism, judgment, king, Laodicea, law, life, light, love, mammon, marriage, master, mercy, money, murder, naked, neighbor, pastor, Paul, peace, Peter, piety, prayer, reason, religion, repent, reputation, salvation, Sapphira, scripture, self denial, shipwreck, sin, sober, Solomon, sorrow, temper, ten commandments, trifle, truth, world
The Almost Christian
by
George Whitefield
(1714-1770)
Acts 26:28 – “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
The chapter, out of which the text is taken, contains an admirable account which the great St. Paul gave of his wonderful conversion from Judaism to Christianity, when he was called to make his defense before Festus a Gentile governor, and king Agrippa. Our blessed Lord had long since foretold, that when the Son of man should be lifted up, “his disciples should be brought before kings and rulers, for his name’s sake, for a testimony unto them.” And very good was the design of infinite wisdom in thus ordaining it; for Christianity being, from the beginning, a doctrine of the Cross, the princes and rulers of the earth thought themselves too high to be instructed by such mean teachers, or too happy to be disturbed b such unwelcome truths; and therefore would have always continued strangers to Jesus Christ, and him crucified, had not the apostles, by being arraigned before them, gained opportunities of preaching to them “Jesus and the resurrection.” St. Paul knew full well that this was the main reason, why his blessed Master permitted his enemies at this time to arraign him at a public bar; and therefore, in compliance with the divine will, thinks it not sufficient, barely to make his defense, but endeavors at the same time to convert his judges. And this he did with such demonstration of the spirit, and of power, that Festus, unwilling to be convinced by the strongest evidence, cries out with a loud voice, “Paul, much earning doth make thee mad.” To which the brave apostle (like a true follower of the holy Jesus) meekly replies, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” But in all probability, seeing king Agrippa more affected with his discourse, and observing in him an inclination to know the truth, he applies himself more particularly to him. “The king knoweth of these things; before whom also I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him.” And then, that if possible he might complete his wished-for conversion, he with an inimitable strain of oratory, addresses himself still more closely, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest them.” At which the passions of the king began to work so strongly, that he was obliged in open court, to own himself affected by the prisoner’s preaching, and ingenuously to cry out, “Paul, almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Continue Reading Sermon Sunday – George Whitefield – The Almost Christian…
Get the Word out! 