We share the world with modern pagans who worship the sun—or idolize an imagined primordial Big Bang—so we need to be truth witnesses unto a world drowning in deception and delusion…
Transmitting Truth in a Modern Pagan World
Category: Missions/Missionaries
David Brainerd “It might have convinced an atheist, that the Lord was indeed in the place!”
American Minute with Bill Federer
David Brainerd was born in Haddam, Connecticut, APRIL 20, 1718. His parents died while he was a young teenager…
ALSO SEE: https://fsmandfsmwo.blog/2020/01/14/today-in-church-and-u-s-history-10/
News from the PERSECUTED CHURCH
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:10
More than 340 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
That’s 1 in 8 worldwide, 1 in 6 in Africa, 2 out of 5 in Asia, and 1 in 12 in Latin America.
NOT ALONE, NOT FORGOTTEN NOT EVER
[Urgent Prayer] Suicide bombers attack church in Indonesia, at least 19 wounded
’God is alive!’—in Nigeria, this pastor finds hope in the rubble
Eritrea is rounding up and arresting Christians—37 in two days
Terminally ill and 62—Christian convert faces prison in Iran
The Chinese church is exploding … but will it survive?
CLICK HERE for a list or an interactive MAP of countries where persecution is taking place today.
Main website: OPEN DOORS INTERNATIONAL
An Educational Antidote to a Rising Tide of Tribal, Religious, and Political Violence in Africa
Giving Meaning to ‘Never Again’ in Africa
Myanmar Massacre: GFA World Calls for Prayer Amid Military Coup
Christian Newsline
News updates on the persecuted Church
The following stories and more can regularly be found updated at barnabusfund.org/news
Five Out of 39 Nigerian Students Kidnapped From Kaduna College Released
Islamist Attacks Illustrate the Growth of Jihadism in Mali and Niger
Church Minister and Three Worshipers Killed by Gunmen in Benue, Nigeria
Christian Families Lose Everything as Fire Engulfs Rohingya Refugee Camp in Bangladesh
Dozens Killed and Thousands Flee as Jihadists Attack Town in Northern Mozambique
Eight Christians Abducted by Bandits in Kaduna, Nigeria
Praying for the Persecuted Church review of 40 countries and 7 other areas to pray for
Pakistan:
When 13-year-old Shakaina Masih’s mother arrived to take her home from the job at which she helped with housework, she was informed that her daughter had already left. When Shakaina never showed up, concern soon became alarm as her parents urgently filed a missing person report. After initially delaying to respond, police informed Shakaina’s parents that she had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man last month.
Devastated to learn that their teenage daughter was supposedly married to a man whose name they had never even heard, Shakaina’s parents believe she was abducted. “Shakaina is just a kid,” Shakaina’s father, Johnson Masih told Morning Star News. “She was kidnapped and taken to Okara, where they forcibly converted her and conducted the fake marriage to give it a religious cover.” Many Christian parents in Pakistan fear exactly this occurrence — and it is all too common.
Hundreds of girls from Christian and Hindu backgrounds are kidnapped each year and forcibly converted before being raped and often forced to live as their abductor’s wives. Widespread discrimination and the government’s failure to protect religious freedom creates an environment that enables horrific incidences of forced marriage to thrive. Islamic clerics who solemnize underage marriages, magistrates who make the marriages legal, and corrupt authorities who refuse to investigate all contribute to the problem.
For more on this issue and what the United States can do about it, check out Family Research Council’s new publication titled, “Combatting Forced Marriage of Young Women in Pakistan.“
Africa:
Hardly a day passes without accounts of mass kidnappings of Nigerian schoolchildren, Christian clergy and aid workers gunned down, villages torched, or churchgoers massacred. Africa is in trouble, and the United States and other global leaders must wake up to the horrifying levels of violence suffocating Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Read more in Lela’s op-ed in Newsweek.
China:
In coordination with the United States, new sanctions were placed on several Chinese officials responsible for atrocities in Xinjiang by the United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada. In retaliation, China decided to sanction two U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCRIF) Commissioners, including FRC President Tony Perkins.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s sanctions are nothing but tactics of intimidation, designed to help them save face in an international community that’s denounced their brutal and repressive policies,” Perkins said. It is telling that while Western countries sanction Chinese officials over human rights abuses, China sanctions individuals who merely speak out in defense of the oppressed.
See FRC’s resources:
- Hong Kong Has Gone Dark
- Here’s How Biden Can Get Tough On China’s Muslim Genocide
- New Report Confirms China’s Genocide. It’s Time to Get American Companies Out of Xinjiang.
What we’re working on:
We recently started an “International Religious Freedom 101” series on the FRC Blog. Check out our second installment, “Pakistan Is Captive to Islamist Mob Rule.” Stay tuned for more!
GLOBAL PRAYER GUIDE
Christian Mother Recently Widowed
Christian Women Released from Island Prison
Christians Endure Persecution as God’s Kingdom Advances
Tough Times for Ethiopian Believers
Believer Facing Prison and Family Harm
Two Christians Sentenced to Prison for “Shaking Faith”
Family Barred from Two Villages for Christian Faith
Christians Rejoice After Church Destroyed
Many Audio Bibles Already Distributed This Year
News from the PERSECUTED CHURCH
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:10
Kidnap ‘two girls a day’: The shocking agenda of Islamic extremists
CLICK HERE for a list or an interactive MAP of countries where persecution is taking place today.
You can also download the 2021 World Watch List report free
Court of Appeal Rules against Christian Public Servant
Melbourne, Australia Pastor Arrested for Incitement
Christian Newsline
News updates on the persecuted Church
The following stories and more can regularly be found updated at barnabusfund.org/news
New Armenian Genocide Campaign Video
Boko Haram Death-Threat Ultimatum to Kidnapped Nigerian Pastor
Dutch Parliament Passes Motion Calling on Government to Recognize Armenian Genocide
Iranian Convert Released From Prison But Charges Against Him Remain
Pakistani Christian Couple’s Appeal Hearing Against “Blasphemy” Death Sentences Postponed Again
DAILY PRAYER LINK
MARCH PRAYER FOCUS UPDATE
MARCH/APRIL PRAYER DIARY
Praying for the Persecuted Church review of 40 countries and 7 other areas to pray for
There is still time to take part in The Voice of the Martyrs’ FREE virtual event on March 5, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. CST. More than 75,000 Christians around the world have already registered to hear these inspiring testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
Register Now
Man Accused of Blasphemy Faces Death
Rejected Son Now Leading Others
Imran Released After Decade-Long Imprisonment
Christians Arrested in Somalia
Syrian Refugee Growing in Faith
CHRISTIANS FACING PERSECUTION, their first request is for prayer. ADOPT A WORKER FOR PRAYER
Get a Free 2021 Prayer Guide
Devotional Thought for Today – 02/27/2021
Isaiah 6
Isaiah 6 can be broken down into two simple parts, Isaiah’s vision (v.1-7), and his call to ministry (v.8-13). Isaiah’s vision is of the Lord and His holy temple complete with all the majesty and glory that one could ever imagine. Then God calls Isaiah to warn or maybe better put fortell of Irael’s destruction for their contunial disobediance.
Our text begins Isaiah’s call and is similar in nature to that of Samuel when he says here I am in v.4 & 16 of Chapter 3. God is calling and has a mission for Isaiah one that may not be pleasant, may require unknown sacrafices, may cause him to make enemies of powerful people yet how did Isaiah respond? Isaiah had three (3) choices in his response, Here I am, No; Here I am, send someone else; or unconditional obediance Here am I; send me.
Would we repsond the same way? What luxuries of life are we willing for forfeit for the kingdom? (Most churches today have trouble collecting tithes) Would we sacrafice all just to serve our Risen Savior?
Last November we published a devotional, that had as it’s focus Tim Hughes song Here I am to Worship. I concluded then with; we never know what God’s Will will be for our lives tomorrow. So the next time we are signing songs of praise to the Lord of Lords maybe we need to think about the consequences of what we sing. Here I am Lord…
Are you ready to Unconditionally Serve God today?
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me more of Who You are and show me how flawed my understanding is of who I truly am and of all that Christ has done for me. Thank you for cleansing my lips and washing me clean in the blood of Jesus. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in me and for building me up, into the living Temple, with all who are saved by grace, through faith in Christ. In a world that has lost its way, I pray in Jesus’ name, “Lord. Here am I, send me.” AMEN.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Isaiah/6/8
News from the PERSECUTED CHURCH
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:10
Christian Newsline
News updates on the persecuted Church
The following stories and more can regularly be found updated at barnabusfund.org/news
New Interreligious Aide to Imran Khan Says Minorities in Pakistan “Not Second-Class Citizens”
Two Pakistani Christian Men Accused of “Blasphemy”
Iranian Christian Convert Ends Prison Hunger Strike on Promise of Release * See article on his re-arrest below
Chinese Government’s Tight New Regulations for Ministry Include Database of Church Leaders
Pastor in Turkey Defends Himself Against Deportation as “Threat to National Security”
DAILY PRAYER LINK
Barnabas Prayer January/February 2021
MARCH/APRIL PRAYER DIARY
Praying for the Persecuted Church review of 40 countries and 7 other areas to pray for
Pregnant Mother Beaten, Loses Baby
Local Officials Oppose Church Being Rebuilt
From Smuggling Drugs to Smuggling Bibles
CHRISTIANS FACING PERSECUTION, their first request is for prayer. ADOPT A WORKER FOR PRAYER
Get a Free 2021 Prayer Guide
Pray! 42 abducted in Nigeria school attack—including Christians
Chinese pastor sentenced to nearly 6 years for fighting cross removal, CCP oppression
‘All I could see was fire’—Sri Lankan bomb survivor’s face glows with the joy of Christ
China’s AI surveillance spreads—and Christians brace for terror
Pray by name for these 5 Christian prisoners in North Korea
Forced abortions, executions, and torture: A sickening new report from North Korea
Christians after the Myanmar coup: ‘It feels like our hope has been taken away’
CLICK HERE for a list or an interactive MAP of countries where persecution is taking place today.
You can also download the 2021 World Watch List report free
News from the PERSECUTED CHURCH
As India fights to become a purely Hindu nation, our brothers and sisters in Christ there continue to suffer and die. Your prayers are needed as they continue to stand for Jesus in the land of countless false idols and gods.
Family Blessed By Christmas Care Pack
Authorities Try to Force Church from Home
On the Run as Converts to Christianity
Permission to Follow Christ Denied
Get a Free 2021 Prayer Guide
Christian Newsline
News updates on the persecuted Church
The following stories and more can regularly be found updated at: barnabusfund.org/news
At least 13 people killed in suicide bomb attack in Cameroon
Pakistani Christian girl raped by Muslim robbers selflessly saves younger sister from assault
Pressure increases on Indian Christian community as prayer meetings come under police scrutiny
A daily prayer request from Barnabas Prayer is available from the “View Daily Prayer” link below. The prayer is also available on Facebook, Twitter, and as an insert in our free bi-monthly Barnabas Aid magazine.
Today: Wednesday 13 January 2021
An evangelical missionary from Switzerland was murdered in Mali by Islamic militants in September 2020. Beatrice Stöckli (59) had been kidnapped and held captive for over four years by a group called Jammat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM). Three other European hostages and a Malian politician were released by JNIM about a month later, reportedly in exchange for over 100 jihadists who had been captured by the Malian authorities. Beatrice had had an earlier experience of kidnapping in 2012 when she was held for nine days and tortured. On her release, the terrorists warned her not to come back to Mali. Despite this, she decided that she would return to her ministry in Timbuktu. Pray that her many years of work in Mali will bear much fruit in this country where Christians are about 2% of the population.
DAILY PRAYER LINK
Barnabas Prayer January/February 2021
Prayer Persecuted Church Update November 2020
Prayer Focus Update is a monthly information bulletin with up-to-date news on the persecuted Church to help Christians pray for their suffering brothers and sisters. You can use this for prayer groups, your own information and for inclusion in church publications.
It is available in various formats on the Barnabas Aid website or can be sent through the mail free of charge. Please contact the national Barnabas Aid office if you would like to receive this in the mail.Persecuted
PRINT VERSION LARGE PRINT
Devotional Thought – 10-13-2020
AMP and RVR 1960
There are three types of “Christians” in the world. You are probably thinking I have gone off my rocker but hear me out. If we take this one verse in context 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 I believe we can see them all. Paul tells us that Light (God and His chosen) can have no fellowship (union) with Darkness (Satan, sin and unbelief).
The pretenders: Those who remain unequally bound together with unbelievers they try and live in both worlds and as Christ relates to John will be spit out Revelation 3:14-16 in the end.
The Legalist: You know these folks they seperate from all things (except maybe nice cloths, cars, homes etc.) They do not smoke, drink, go to movies, dance, even their music is “appropriate” and are quick to condemn anyone who does not comply. They believe what they believe and everyone else be damned.
The Pilgrim: Those who understand that all are sinners saved by Grace. That all “worldly” things are bad for us, and even those that we can participate in should never be done in excess. We are pilgrims or sojourners and exiles (1 Peter 2:11) and as such our focus must always be on the eternal not the temporal.
One last note you can not evangelize if you stay locked in your church, home etc. you have to go out into the world, that is the nature of the Great Commission. Nowhere does God tell us to bring the world into the church, He calls us to go into the world. We must do so with caution and being well prepared.
News from the PERSECUTED CHURCH
Pray for the Persecuted Church
Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily Hebrews 13:3 (CSB)
Acordaos de los presos, como si estuvierais presos juntamente con ellos; y de los maltratados, como que también vosotros mismos estáis en el cuerpo RVR 1960
This year’s International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians (IDOP), Sunday, Nov. 1, is fast approaching. Be among the first to watch The Voice of the Martyrs’ new IDOP video, Janette: Central African Republic.
Free IDOP Resources
They Go Where We Can’t
Bao and Chi, a husband-and-wife team, work on the front lines of Christian ministry in Vietnam, training and discipling believers from 10 different tribes.
Authorities have arrested them numerous times, trying to end their ministry work in Vietnam’s rural areas. But each time they are released from jail, Bao and Chi get on their motorbikes and return to their work.
Bao and Chi are two of the more than 40,000 front-line workers The Voice of the Martyrs serves as they risk everything to share the gospel. We invite you to help equip these workers with the tools they need to advance God’s kingdom in restricted nations and hostile areas.
Support Front-Line Workers Today |
Your support for those advancing God’s kingdom on the world’s most difficult and dangerous mission fields equips faithful workers with tools like these:
- motorbikes that help evangelists increase their ministry outreach from one or two villages to 10 or more
- outreach tools like DVDs, digital memory cards and solar-powered projectors to help Christian workers reach more people with the gospel in hostile areas and restricted nations
- Retreats for pastors that provide training and encouragement as well as fellowship with others risking their lives to spread the gospel
When pastors, evangelists and other front-line workers receive these ministry tools, they are reminded that they are part of God’s global family and that they are not serving alone.
For Stories on the Persecuted Church Please Go to: icommitTOPRAY
Christian Newsline
News updates on the persecuted Church
The following stories and more can regularly be found updated at: barnabusfund.org/news
Chinese Communist Party rewrites Gospel story to depict Jesus Christ as “killer and sinner
China’s extreme surveillance, forced sterilization of non-atheists in camps “much worse” than Soviet gulags
Chinese Christian leader calls for prayer as surveillance pressure on Christians escalates
Indian Christians in “fear and shock” after extremists warn leave faith or die
Indian Christians beaten, humiliated, forced to chant Hindu affirmation in Jharkhand
Indian government freezes bank accounts forcing human rights charity to halt work
Pakistani Christian acquitted of “blasphemy” after six years on death row
Indonesia’s ban on Bible app contradicts religious tolerance philosophy of Pancasila
Prayer Focus Update October 2020
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