You are Not Allowed to Do That!

They were all eyes and ears. They monitored the doings of the people about them. They cast angry looks toward anyone who might dare to commit an infraction, or what they perceived to be wrong. They are self-appointed critics. The speak out at any opportunity, pointing out the sins of those they encounter, those they choose to hate. They are Accusers.

They are the liberals in America pointing fingers at people for doing what is, to the liberal, wrong, which is just about everything a liberal doesn’t like. They are conservatives pointing equally judgmental fingers at anyone whom they don’t approve. Some are worse than others. All have some basis they think gives them the right, the mandate, to be an accuser.

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids–blind, lame, and paralyzed [waiting for the moving of the water;] [for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.] One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.“

John 5:1-10 (emphasis added)

Now here’s the thing: “It is not lawful. . .” What they are saying is, “It’s not me telling you that you that you are not allowed to do that, it is (insert some reference here)!”

Standing upon some ruling, some law, they point there fingers saying, “I don’t judge, but the law says what you are doing is unlawful.” How many times have I heard some Christian say that he doesn’t judge people but the Word of G-d does? Too many. And yet who am I to say that he wasn’t appointed, like Jonah or Elijah, or whomever else, to point out the wrongs he is shown by Almighty G-d Himself?

How do we respond to accusations of wrong doing? To the credit of the newly healed man in the Gospel of John, he didn’t say “@$#%&$ Off!” Rather, he, according to Matthew Henry, wanted to give credit and glory to the One Who healed him, though didn’t know the man’s Name. He said, “He made me whole.” Eventually, the healed man learned the Name of the One who’d healed him, and told the Jews. Matthew Henry points out that while done with a mind to give glory to Y’shuaJesus, was like “throwing pearls before swine.”

Some points come to mind while reading the Word this morning, and reflecting upon it. One I led with, that too many people are self-appointed judges, regardless whether or not they are liberals or conservatives, or Chistians. Worse, I’m right there along with them. I have a very bad habit of pointing out the driving faults of most every one on the road, especially when my kids are in the truck with me. My excuse is that I want them to notice the wrongs so that they’ll know to do right. And I certainly get there attention when my hand goes to the horn, and it blasts away at some unwary offender. Yet, I’m just acting in the self-appointed role of accuser. Just like too many other people in this angry, volatile, ready-to-explode country, world.

But there is a more important point, easily overlooked when I get off on to a tangent. This newly healed man said, “He that made me whole. . .” told me what to do.

Thank You, Y’shuaJesus, for making us all whole in You. May we be bold and stand firm in You when accused of wrongs. For this newly healed man obeyed the One who made him whole. He stood, picked up his bed, and carried it away. In essence, his reply to those who accused him was, “I do not do it in contempt of the law and the sabbath, but I am obeying a greater law than the one you cite, for the One who healed me is greater than those laws.” (paraphrased from Matthew Henry’s Commentary) This man obeyed G-d.

Y’shua was accused of breaking the law, too. Many times. On several occasions he referred to scripture to support his action. He pointed out David’s eating of the showbread, of the priests’ slaying the sacrifices, and of the people’s watering their cattle on the sabbath day. Eventually, when accused of healing this man on the sabbath, Y’shuaJesus goes higher and alleges the example of His Father and His divine authority.

Another point: Y’shuaJesus was a radical. Why not just come back another day. That man had been there 38 years, so another day wouldn’t hurt. Then Y’shuaJesus wouldn’t have caused this man to “break the law” and carry his mat. Y’shuaJesus wouldn’t have broken the law, either. Well, why did Y’shuaJesus heal the man on the sabbath?

The other day I heard someone on the radio speak of the gentleness and kindness of Jesus. This authority on Jesus said Jesus wasn’t a zealot. I sorta figured he meant that Jesus just walked around Israel doing nice things for people, patting the heads of children, talking to outcasts, eating with sinners. Okay, so sure, Y’shuaJesus did those things. But that just isn’t ALL of the things Y’shuaJesus did. And to imply that it was, is to undermine the Word of G-d. It borders on deception. It also marks a man as not truly knowing Y’shuaJesus.

Maybe the Lord was just plain tired of the self-righteousness of a stubborn people who prized the “Law” over the people for whom the Law was given. Perhaps Y’shuaJesus wanted to stir up some trouble to make a point. I’m sure it got the attention of more than one person when He went into the Temple, in an act of fury, and drove out sellers and money changers. This gentle Jesus was also the One Who called Pharisees white-washed, empty tombs, vipers. Hum. Not so very gentle. Y’shuaJesus was a very dangerous man, one that the religious establishment knew would cause them distress, one that would undermine the all they’d done to get along with the Roman rulers. Y’shuaJesus was a rebel.

Y’shuaJesus didn’t come down from His throne to bring a temporary, carnal peace. He came to die violently for a true Peace that is eternal, offered to all. Well, to all as long as they believe that Y’shuaJesus is Lord and Savior. He said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. . .” Hummmmmmm. That’s “hate” speech, isn’t it? I mean, He excluded a lot of people who follow the universalist religious views. And humanist who believe humanity is god, as well as New Agers. Well, let’s not go there, shall we.

The One Who healed me made me whole. Thank G-d. Blessed is the Name of the Lord Y’shuaJesus.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine upon you and yours today and tomorrow, as we long for His coming. . .

Christianity as Religious Extremism

Generally, citizens and guests within the United States of America are free to believe and behave as they please. Constitutional provisions protect various rights, such as freedom of religion. The First Amendment to the US Constitution states in part: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . .” The consequences of such protection has brought about a situation in which two foreign-born men came to America, and have the right to interpret or misinterpret their religion as they please. This interpretation on their part led to the Boston marathon bombing.

For a Christian, there are within the framework of the Bible, various scriptures that self-limit our pure freedoms. Y’shuaJesus taught:

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 19:19

The Apostle Peter spoke about submitting “to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” (1 Peter 2:13)

It’s all part of balance. We have the right to exercise our religion, and we have the duty to self-limit our rights such that we obey various ordinances that are created by our G-d-ordained government to protect all citizens.

But. There is always a “but,” isn’t there. But our responsibility is first to our Lord, our G-d. We must study His Word to be approved. We must study the Whole Word, not pick and choose from various places to suit our fleshly agendas. Our conduct is to be exemplary. We are to be models as citizens. So we do all we can to be good Citizens of G-d’s Kingdom at the same time juggling the responsibilities and duties of the country in which we reside. We want to also be good citizens in a secular sense, too.

Yet increasingly we, as Christians are told by people who aren’t part of the Lord’s Fellowship, the Lord’s Church, how we are to behave. I’ve spoken of this in the past. It is a bit of an irritant to me to hear, “The Bible Says” this or that, “and you should. . . ”

So this morning I noticed a posting on the Lighthouse Blog that bothered me. It’s more of the same setting of a stage for Christian persecution in the future. It is more defaming of Christians. The beginning of the article is taken from an article on Christian News Network, By Heather Clark:

“Washington, D. C. – Over 40 United States Congressmen have signed a letter calling upon the secretary of the Army to rescind a briefing by an instructor who classified evangelical Christianity and other faiths as “religious extremism” next to Al Qaeda and Hamas.

“As previously reported, the training session occurred a year ago in Pennsylvania, and involved an Army Reserve unit that was receiving training on worldwide religious extremism. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) obtained a copy of the Power Point presentation, which includes a slide that lists 18 religious groups that the instructor deemed to be extremist. While it is not known whether the groups were ordered in relation to their severity, evangelical Christianity appears first on the list, followed by the Muslim Brotherhood, Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, a group called “Christian Identity,” Al Qaeda and Hamas.

“The presentation had utilized information and data collected by the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that classifies “hate groups” throughout the country.”

And then there is a related article to which the website refers:

Obama Administration: We Can and Will Force Christians to Act Against Their Faith The article states that “the Obama administration is claiming that the First Amendment—which expressly denies the government the authority to prohibit the “free exercise” of religion—nonetheless allows it to force Christians to directly violate their religious beliefs.” This article details the fight that a nationwide hobby store is engaging in so that it doesn’t have to comply with the presidential mandate in the health laws to provide birth control and abortions to employees.

Now this presentation that declares Evangelical Christians (are there non-evangelical Christians, really?) as Religious Extremists was initially reported a year ago. And this Hobby Lobby fight has gone on for a while, too. The crux of the matter is that as Citizens of G-d’s Kingdom and citizens of a secular nation we must voice our opposition at times to governmental measures and mandates that go against our religious views. We do this by informing our representatives in the US Congress, and we do it by actions within the legal process, in court.

While Christians may submit to ordinances made by governing administrations, they also may act within their rights, objecting to ordinances they deem unG-dly.

What Christians don’t do is kill and injure people at the Boston Marathon. That’s just plain ol’ evil.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Trample on The Name of Jesus or else. . .

. . .be kicked out of class. Those were the options, according to reports, in a college class in Florida. Hum. What if I decided to make my college class trample on the name of Mohammed. Fatwa time. Big time price on my head. Oh, and I’d be fired on the spot.

Florida Atlantic University student Ryan Rotela provides example of Jesus’ name written on paper that students were instructed to stamp on in March, 2013 class. (source: WPEC-TV)

Read about this injustice and the student that refused to trample on the Name of Jesus here.

My Prayer:
Well, Lord, Bless student Ryan Rotela for his stand against the professor’s acts of violence against Your Name. Mr. Rotela glorified You, and should You desire Mr. Rotela to be exonerated, let it be done. Else, let him find peace and acceptance in another university, if one can be found, that is worthy of him.

As for instructor Deandre Poole. . . You, Lord, know what is best, what course of action is necessary. This professor, and all supporters of him, are trampling upon Your Holiness. They have that right, that freedom under America’s Constitution. But to demand that of others! Is not this akin to the sins of Nebuchadnezzar? Requiring a form of idolatry of others whether requiring worship or violence against G-d, is anathema. Is it not? This is a professor who is currently writing a book that sounds as if it will place a man in the position of a god. He is authoring the book, Obamamania: The Rise of a Mythical Hero. It’s Your choice, LORD. Bring Mr. Poole to his knees before You now. Bring him to repentance now. He doesn’t realize that he will one day kneel before You and confess that You are LORD. Let him do so now, that he may live, else he shall forever live apart from You. Should You desire, discredit him today that his book be smeared openly with its darkness, that it not deceive, that it not be accepted in the marketplace where it might deceive sheep who know no better.

LORD, it concerns me that people want to elevate their leaders to the ranks of mythical heroes, i.e., Greek gods. The people of Germany did this already in the 1930s, and a lot of people died as a direct result. LORD, act as You wish, as You know best. Save Americans from the misguided actions and words of those throughout our land who don’t know You. Else shall we all perish and be no more to offer praise to You, LORD. Your Will be Done, here on Earth as it is in Heaven.

AMEN.

Lord Bless y’all. . .

A pastor in Pakistan wrote the following letter:

Shalom,
I think END TIME started since 2013 beginning in Pakistan.
I personally visited Joseph Colony and talked to the people about the number of homes burned in this tragic incident, but exact number is missing, yet Govt. will prepare 257 homes there.

Introduction.
This is a pure Christian colony, only one Muslim family was staying there at rent with a Christian family, and at last this association become a conflict, and it created such a terrible incident.

Reason.
Thursday last[7th March] both of these families quarrel with each other at drinking table and insulted and humiliated, blaming and abusing each other, and in the end it become Blaspheme. The very Christian person Sawan Masih was arrested under rule, he was in police station at that time, mean while it was planned by Muslims and police requested the people to exit the colony and save themselves. People do so and took refuge in their relatives homes in Lahore considering we will come back when all the matter will resume.
After 36 hours the mob gathered and they have a special ammunition material with them as well as equipped with guns, revolvers, and all type of arms run over the colony. They looted first and then set fire each home, not a single left.

Damages.
The mob looted their household things first, and which they could not able to take with them they burned at the place. The burned things are TVs, Fridges, Washing machines, Almarahs, sewing machines, bikes, cycles, boxes, clothes, household utensils, wooden beds, blankets and quilts, gas pipe lines and electricity connections, fans burned and melted on the ceiling, double and triple stories buildings are destroyed in such a manner that they are no more in use. Iron was melted and bricks were in powder form.

Help.
Government has announced to make new homes for them, and PKR 500000/= as help. Now people from all over Pakistan visit them and serve the with food and other necessities of life. Even Govt. is also providing necessities of life for them. At this time they are sitting and living in tents provided to them by different agencies.

Recommendation.
They all are needy so being brothers and sisters in Christ we must help them and pray for them.
In Him

[Name Withheld for the Pastor’s Protection]

Saeed’s Wife: Iran Doesn’t Know Who They’re Dealing With

It seems like a story from a movie. Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-born pastor with U.S. citizenship, is serving eight years in one of the worst prisons in Iran for doing nothing more than preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For his wife and children, this story is all too real.

Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini’s love story began in Iran. Naghmeh has been an American citizen since she was a child, but in 2001, she felt God calling her to go back to her homeland to minister to Muslim women.

One night, in an underground church in Tehran, she first saw Saeed. The young preacher was leading worship in one of the churches he helped start.

When asked why she fell in love with Saeed, Naghmeh answered: “His passion. As a young woman I always prayed, ‘Lord, I can’t marry someone who is mediocre.’ But I had no idea how He would answer my prayer, no idea it would be so radical.”

Not long afterward, the couple married in Iran. Their wedding drew hundreds of well-wishers and aroused the suspicion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

“Our wedding, our union was miraculous because we were both Muslim converts allowed to have a Christian union,” Naghmeh said. “Bibles were passed out; people are still getting saved from that day. It was not a wedding day, it was a crusade.”

Some might say that it takes a special bride to share her big day with others.

“You imagine that day is all about you — it wasn’t but Jesus shined and that’s what we both wanted!” she said.

A Fairytale Becomes a Nightmare

Today, nine years and two children later, Naghmeh is living her worst nightmare.

Last July, during one of Saeed’s routine trips to Iran to establish a government-endorsed orphanage, he was detained and put under house arrest.

In January, the Iranian Revolutionary Court’s so called “hanging judge” sentenced him to eight years in Iran’s brutal and deadly Evin prison. His only crime was preaching the Gospel.

Officials at Evin prison are known for leaving on display the hanged bodies of executed criminals in an attempt to terrify inmates and their family members.

“Just the name really scared me. I’ve had family members who were hanged at that prison, abused, raped,” Naghmeh said.

She is not allowed any personal contact with her husband. Before his sentencing, Saeed was allowed to Skype with his family. But now Naghmeh can only learn news about her husband from reports and letters from her family in Iran.

The latest information is that Saeed is being tortured and pressured to renounced his faith, but Naghmeh said he will never turn his back on Jesus Christ.

“They don’t know who they’re dealing with. It almost made me smile. He would never renounce his faith,” she said.

A Mother’s Heartbreak

No matter how much faith she has in her husband and her God, Naghmeh said it’s difficult to watch her children suffer.

“As a woman, God’s given me the grace to go to Him for comfort, but as a Mom it’s a stab in my heart to see them struggling,” she said. “My son’s character has changed. He’s not as talkative. My daughter, as a girl, cries a lot, ‘Daddy, daddy…where are you?’ They draw pictures of sad children crying, missing their daddy.”

She admitted that she sank into despair for a time.

“I was on the edge of extreme depression, anxiety … almost had to check myself in. But the Lord didn’t let me break…He gave me such peace, such joy,” she said.

“I said, ‘Lord, in Philippians You promise to give peace,’ and He gave me peace,” she continued. “The Scripture is true. He does give peace and that’s my testimony. He’s bigger than the dark hole. Hold on to Him, he’ll get you through.”

Campaign for Saeed’s Release

In the meantime, the American Center for Law and Justice is going full throttle with both a legal and a media campaign to free Saeed.

ACLJ Director Jordan Sekulow said publicity could be a life-saver for Saeed, just as it was for Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkharni. He had been sentenced to death for his Christian faith, but late last year, after a major publicity and prayer campaign, Nadarkhani was freed.

Sekulow told CBN News that putting international pressure on the Iranian regime is the best chance to see Abedini walk free.

“[The] only chance is if people speak out…Chance wise, surviving one day is not great. You could be beaten to death by guards or fellow inmates. If the story is talked about people don’t get beaten as badly,” he said.

People are talking about his case. Nearly 500,000 people have signed the “Save Saeed” petition on the ACLJ’s website and several Christian musicians are also speaking out on his behalf.

Watch Here: Mercy Me, Josh Turner, Michael W. Smith, Toby Mac

Secretary of State John Kerry promised to work for Saeed’s freedom but has made no public comment on the matter since being sworn in.

Naghmeh said she believes prayer — not government — will free her husband and feeds her hope that one day she’ll see him again.

“My flesh wants to say, ‘He’s not going to survive that prison,’ but when I pray, I feel like the Lord, the God of hope, tells me: It’s in His time. He will release Saeed.”

You can sign the American Center for Law and Justice’s petition to free Saeed here.
Related Stories:
Imprisoned Pastor’s Wife: Nightmare is Not Over
Iran Prison Letter: US Pastor Describes Torture
Source: CBN News

Take time to pray for Sudan and South Sudan

The following came from Renewal Ministries Fellowship:

Sudan suffered seventeen years of civil war during the First Sudanese Civil War (1955–1972) followed by ethnic, religious and economic conflicts between the Muslim Arabs of Northern Sudan and the mostly animist and Christian Nilotes of Southern Sudan. After the Second Sudanese Civil War in 1983 and following a referendum held in January 2011, South Sudan (The Republic of South Sudan) seceded on 9 July 2011 with the consent of Sudan.

Despite this result, many crucial issues are yet unresolved. Pres. Bashir, like many of his predecessors, is pushing for a 100% Islamic state in Sudan. Deliberate attempts to eliminate a viable Christian presence are extreme and include bombing of Sunday church services, destruction of churches and hospitals. Persecution is especially severe in the Nuba Mountains, whole areas have been laid waste and lands seized and given to Arabized northerners leading to extreme poverty and famine in these areas.

The threats to people of South Sudan after the referendum are numerous. Christians, in particular, have for many years been experiencing some or other form of oppression. At times there has been persecution. None of them quite anticipated the intensity of persecution that hit during the past 5 months. Some Christians underwent incredible levels of persecution, including extensive physical and emotional torturing.

Pray :

Pray for Unity in the Church. It is incredibly hurtful to hear that some pastors have played into the hands of Sudanese security forces by creating immense difficulties for fellow pastors. Pray for unity in the Sudanese Church and also for wisdom in how to deal with so called “traitors” within the church playing willfully into the hands of evil forces.

Pray for a spirit of prayer. Pray that the Holy Spirit would strengthen the body of believers in Sudan to stand firm and united in prayer.

Pray for the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) to be able to fulfill their difficult role during this time. Christians in Sudan are in desperate need of strong leadership. Pray that the SCC would not be so paralyzed with fear that their actions would become irrelevant during these extremely difficult times.

Pray for Christian families from Muslim background as conversion to Christianity is punishable by death.

Pray for boldness in Christian believers especially for Church leaders. Acts 4: 29 – 31

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Pray for the persecutors. Many of the lower levels of the Sudanese security personnel actually tasked for the implementation of deeds of persecution and torture apologize to those they persecute.

Pray that the Sudanese Christians would not stop fulfilling their mandate of reaching out to Muslims with the love of Christ.

Pray for the multitude of Sudanese who are deeply dissatisfied with their government and in their dissatisfaction, are seeking alternative solutions, e.g. turning to Christ. Pray that this move towards Christ will increase.

Pray that God would reveal Himself to the extremely radical and dangerous groups of people in Sudan, like He did with Saul of Tarsus, in such a way that there would be people among them that turn to Christ.

For more information and regular updates on the situation in Sudan, visit: Sudan 4 Jesus

May God bless you as you pray
Norman Johnson
Sudan Support Network

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Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Persection of Saints

Recently I received the following email from:
Renewal Ministries Fellowship
www.renewal.asn.au
“…May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them…” (John 17:23)

According to the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List, Persecution of Christians in Africa increased immensely in 2012. Mali is a newcomer on the list and holds the seventh position. Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Niger also enter the list and Ethiopia is one of the strongest risers. This rise is due to the increasing influence of Islam, states Open Doors.

Of the African countries, Mali is the most noticeable newcomer on the list. The way the situation in Mali escalated after the March coup shocked Open Doors. “Mali used to be a model country. Although the situation in the North used to be a bit tense, Christians and even missionaries could be active. But now Christians are simply no longer allowed to be there. Hundreds of Christians have fled from the North.”

From: Global Action
I just came to know that, last Sunday , February 10th a group of Hindu Fanatics attacked the house church of R.D. Joshua from Uttar Pradesh Region. He was leading the Sunday worship service when the attackers came and accused him of converting people. They beat him badly and fractured his hand and threatened the believers to stop worshiping the “foreign God Jesus”. He is also banned from entering the village by the fundamentalist group. This group belongs to the higher caste Hindus that are politically influential. The local police has refused to lodge any complaint because this may cause even a stronger threat on his life! We are trying to help Pastor Joshua with the medical treatments but need your prayers as well. Please pray for his speedy recovery and complete restoration of strength.

This is very alarming but similar persecution is quite common. Please remember to pray for Pastor R.D. Joshua and our brothers and sisters in Northern India. Joshua is a GLOMOS graduate from the 2011 group. He is pastor of a church in and is leading quite a church movement there. He has 20 cell groups in different villages with 16 cell leaders. Just a couple of weeks back we did a “Blankets of Love” distribution in one of village churches under Pastor Joshua’s leadership. Pastor Joshua shared with us his vision to reach out to new villages and thanked us for providing the blankets which expressed the love of Jesus in a tangible way. No doubt the phenomenal growth of the local church has prompted the enemy to do these sort of things to dampen the spirit of the leaders like Pastor Joshua.

Please pray for:

The new believers in this house group church who are terrified to see the condition of their pastor;
The cell group leaders who also expect similar threat in some areas after last Sunday;
RD’s wife Mrs. Tara Joshua.;
Police to book the FIR about the incident and justice is done

KENYA — Pastor Killed by Gunmen
Gunmen attacked two Somali pastors on Thursday, Feb. 7, in Garissa, Kenya, wounding one and killing Pastor Abdi Welli. The pastors were leaving a bank when they were shot. Pastor Abdi leaves behind his wife, Helen, and three young sons. “He was a great, faithful believer who continued onward for the sake of the gospel in a very dangerous place,” said a VOM field worker. “Today, he gave his highest act of devotion to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Garissa is a violence-plagued city in northeastern Kenya, where Islamist terrorists have been targeting Christians and churches. Last July, terrorists killed 16 people in church bombings. Please pray for Pastor Abdi’s family and the other believers in this community, who are all affected by his death.

Here is the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List of countries where Christians are suffering the greatest persecution …
1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Afghanistan
4. Iraq
5. Somalia
6. Maldives
7. Mali
8. Iran
9. Yemen
10. Eritrea
11. Syria
12. Sudan
13. Nigeria
14. Pakistan
15. Ethiopia
16. Uzbekistan
17. Libya
18. Laos
19. Turkmenistan
20. Qatar
21. Vietnam
22. Oman
23. Mauritania
24. Tanzania
25. Egypt
26. United Arab Emirates
27. Brunei
28. Bhutan
29. Algeria
30. Tunisia
31. India
32. Myanmar
33. Kuwait
34. Jordan
35. Bahrain
36. Palestinian Territories
37. China
38. Azerbaijan
39. Morocco
40. Kenya
41. Comoros
42. Malaysia
43. Djibouti
44. Tajikistan
45. Indonesia
46. Colombia
47. Uganda
48. Kazakhstan
49. Kyrgyzstan
50. Niger

Countries on the World Watch List do not necessarily experience persecution throughout the country. Countries like China have areas where there is virtually no persecution and areas where there is persecution. However, in some countries like North Korea, there is persecution throughout the country.

In the WWL, persecution is defined as, “any hostility, experienced from the world, as a result of one’s identification with Christ. This can include hostile attitudes, words and actions towards Christians both from within and outside Christianity.”

It is illegal to be a Christian in North Korea and Christians are often sent to labour camps, where they are starved and beaten, or are killed if they are discovered. The conditions in this country have remained the worst in the world for Christians for the past 11 years.

The situation changed in Mali for the worse in 2012 following the capture of the northern part of the country by Tuareg separatists rebels and Islamists fighters and the proclamation of the creation of the independent state of Azawad in the north. Islamists soon established an Islamic state with a Sharia regime in the north. Christians were driven out and churches burnt. There is widespread concern Mali is becoming a jihadist hub.

Based on our media research, we can confirm 89 killings of Christians in Syria during our reporting period. With tens of thousands of Christians having fled the country, abductions, rapes, physical harm taking place, so that clearly explains the fact that Syria has risen so much in its ranking.

###
While most of the Believers in America are free from persecution, it cannot last. Like the parable that Y’shua told of the Ten Virgins, we must be wise and prepare. We must also stand in prayer for Saints in countries that persecute them.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Sentenced to Eight Years in Hell for Home Church Involvement

Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, an American recently imprisoned in Iran on charges of evangelizing, is now sentenced to eight years in prison.

According to the American Center for Law and Justice, Abedini was verbally sentenced in Tehran by Judge Pir-Abassi, known as the “hanging judge,” to eight years in prison for threatening the national security of Iran through his leadership in Christian house churches. He will serve the time in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, known as one of the most brutal.

The evidence, the ACLJ reports, was based on Abedini’s activities primarily during the early 2000s, when house churches were not considered a threat in Iran.

“This is a real travesty – a mockery of justice,” Jordan Sekulow, Executive Director of the ACLJ, who represents Pastor Saeed’s wife and children living in the U.S., said in a statement. “From the very beginning, Iranian authorities have lied about all aspects of this case, even releasing rumors of his expected release. Iran has not only abused its own laws, it has trampled on the fundamentals of human rights. We call on the citizens of the world to rise up in protest. We call on governments around the world to stand and defend Pastor Saeed.”

Although the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said in a statement Sunday the administration is “deeply disappointed that Saeed Abedini has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on a charge related to his religious beliefs.

“We condemn Iran’s continued violation of the universal right of freedom of religion and we call on the Iranian authorities to release Mr. Abedini.”

Meehan added that the State Department remains in close contact with Abedini.

The State Department also called for Abedini’s release.

“Mr. Abedini’s attorney had only one day (January 21) to present his defense, so we remain deeply concerned about the fairness and transparency of Mr. Abedini’s trial,” spokesman Darby Holladay said in a statement.

Iran’s state news agency reported last Monday that Abedini, who was born in Iran but now lives in Idaho, would soon be free. But the report, which came on the first day of Abedini’s trial, was seen by Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, as just another cruel manipulation.

“This is all a lie by the Iranian media,” Naghmeh Abedini said. “This has been a repeated promise by the Iranian regime since Saeed was first thrown in prison on Sept. 26, 2012. We have presented bail. After the judge told Saeed’s lawyer that bail was back on the table, the family in Tehran ran around in circles today to make sure Saeed was let out on bail. But again the bail officer rejected bail.”

She said her husband’s attorney in Iran, Nasser Sarbazi, cautioned her that the report, first carried by the state-controlled ISNA news agency and picked up by The Associated Press, did not mean her husband was closer to freedom.

The 34-year-old father of two denied evangelizing in Iran and claims he had only returned to his native land to help establish an orphanage. Authorities pulled him off a bus last August and threw him into the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran.

The exact crimes he is accused of only became public on Monday, when the prosecutor outlined charges that Abedini undermined the Iranian government by creating a network of Christian house churches and that he was attempting to sway Iranian youth away from Islam.

“This trial apparently is focused on 13 years ago, when Pastor Saeed converted from Islam to Christianity,” Sekulow said in a statement to FoxNews.com last week.

According to the ACLJ, upon hearing the news of her husband’s sentence, Naghmeh Abedini said: “The promise of his release was a lie. We should not trust the empty words or promises put out by the Iranian government. These false hopes amount to psychological torture. You don’t want to trust them, but they build a glimmer hope before the crushing blow. With today’s development I am devastated for my husband and my family. We must now pursue every effort, turn every rock, and not stop until Saeed is safely on American soil.”

FoxNews.com’s Perry Chiaramonte contributed to this report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Iranian-American Pastor Jailed

Iranian-American Pastor Saeed Abedini with his wife, Naghmeh, and his two children. While visiting his parents in Iran in July 2012, Abedini was arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard for his previous Christian work in the country. (Photo: American Center for Law and Justice)

January 22, 2013

On day two of American Pastor Saeed Abedini’s trial in Iran, news has emerged that the Iranian-born pastor has not even been allowed to attend the day’s proceedings.

“It’s unlike any judicial system in the world,” Jordan Sekulow, Executive Director of the ACLJ, said in a press release shared with The Christian Post on Tuesday.

“Pastor Saeed and his attorney were shut out of today’s proceedings. Not permitted to attend his own trial. We have been told that the court summoned other pastors to testify today. We do not yet know what was said in court, but we do know that the Iranian government often uses threats and intimidation to get the testimony it wants,” Sekulow added.

The law group has called the trial a “sham,” especially considering that the pastor’s lawyer in Iran was only allowed 24 hours to speak with the defendant before court proceedings began.

Pastor Abedini converted to Christianity in 2000, and married Naghmeh Abedini, an American citizen. He has helped underground Christian churches in Iran, who are a strict minority, and for the past several years has made trips back and forth between America and Iran working to establish an orphanage for underprivileged children in the Middle East country.

He was arrested by Iranian officials in Sept. 2012 and has been in Evin Prison in Tehran ever since, awaiting trial allegedly for trying to convert other Islamic youth to Christianity in 2000, which is a crime punishable by long term imprisonment or even death.
The ACLJ, which is representing Naghmeh Abedini and the couple’s two children in America, noted that on Monday, during Pastor Abedini’s first day of trial, his lawyer was allowed to present a strong case before the Revolutionary Guard Court in Tehran, but that all changed on Tuesday during the second day of the trial when the pastor wasn’t even allowed to attend the proceedings.

“Today, there was a confirmed hearing with a Christian believer who had worked alongside Saeed. Saeed’s judge, without Saeed or his lawyer present, questioned this individual about converting to Christianity, working with Saeed, and involvement in the house churches,” Naghmeh Abedini shared in a statement about day two of the trial.
“The judge told this individual to expect a summons within a month to return to testify against Saeed. What was released by the Iranian media yesterday was clearly a lie.

As Saeed told me during one of our conversations, he suspected the regime planned to hold him in prison for a long time. This testimony today is further proof that Iran was just trying to silence the media and has no intention of releasing my husband anytime soon,” Mrs. Abedini added.

On Monday, Iranian authorities claimed that the pastor had been released on bail, but his wife maintained that the story was a lie by the Iranian media.

“We have presented bail. After the Judge told Saeed’s lawyer that bail was back on the table, the family in Tehran ran around in circles today to make sure Saeed was let out on bail. But again the bail officer rejected bail. This is a game to silence the international media,” said Mrs. Abedini on Monday.

“The ACLJ is doing all that we can to get the U.S. government to fully engage in Pastor Saeed’s case. Sadly, there’s still silence from the State Department and Secretary of State Clinton. No public call for his immediate release.
No condemnation of the imprisonment of this U.S. citizen,” Sekulow added.

However, the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) has spoken out on Pastor Abedini’s case. The NSC is used by President Barack Obama for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisers and cabinet officials.

“We remain troubled by the case of U.S. citizen Saeed Abedini, who was arrested by Iranian officials more than three months ago on charges relating to his religious beliefs,” NSC spokesman Tommy Vietor has said. “We call upon Iranian authorities to release him immediately.

According to the ACLJ, more than 180,000 people have signed a petition demanding Pastor Abedini’s release and are monitoring his trial closely.

URL: http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-saeed-abedini-shut-out-of-court-proceedings-as-sham-trial-continues-88699/

[This article has been distributed by Renewal Ministries Fellowship.]

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. -Acts 5:27-29

Farshid Fathi; Imprisoned for Christ

FOXE Voices of the Martyrs (Photo credit: Chris Yarzab)

Farshid Fathi
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Arrested: December 2010

The following is excerpted from a letter Farshid wrote to the parents of the children killed in Newtown, CT.

I am so sorry and you are in my prayers. I am sure these high walls cannot stop my prayers for you. Before this tragedy happened, I was thinking about my suffering that I’m going through because of my Lord Jesus Christ, especially being far from my lovely kids… But when I imagine how hard your pain is I forget my sufferings. Because I know by God’s grace I will see my kids at the latest in 2017 when I come out from prison. But unfortunately you have to wait a bit longer. I believe we will have enough time in heaven with our lovely children forever.

You can find more information on Farshid Fathi and other prisoners at:

Voice of the Martyrs

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

The Voice of the Martyrs’ 2013 Prayer Calendar (pastorappreciationblog.com)

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