Reported by Open Doors...
"An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination & alienation..."
This "should" be a mind boggling but also commonly known fact to ALL Christians, but the sad thing is that the majority of Christians refuse to pay attention, learn the truth or acknowledge their persecuted brethren... I think only 3% [of all Christians] actually support and keep abreast of what is happening to fellow believers who are enduring genuine persecution?
More effort and pain is required to support our persecuted brethren in many areas where other groups are not willing to tread... yet both the saved and unsaved in these area villages and towns reap the benefits from these missions & agencies.
It's ironic because many Christians avoid opening their eyes and acknowledging the extreme suffering of their brethren, because it is so painful.. yet these same people will constantly refer to "the cross and Christ's sacrifice"... It would seem that Jesus' death on the cross is merely some form of "abstract concept" to them, not something that needs to be related to the here and now.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
New Version of UN Human Rights Council will allow Wolves IN !
Changes to the UN Human Rights Council have loosened former restrictions and opened doors that will actually allow the repressive regimes and major human rights violators an opportunity to be voted into the group and part of the future decision making processes and laws.
Quoted from Christian Freedom Intl report...
" The UN General Assembly voted 170 to 4, with 3 abstentions, to create the new body designed to expose human rights abusers and help nations develop rights legislation and policy. The U.S. was joined only by Israel, Palau, and the Marshall Islands in opposing the motion ... "
Although the mandate of the new revised group looks good, it is the criteria that determines the members that is the grave concern here. Less votes will be required to vote a nation in, and those who are well known human rights violators will have rights to be submit for membership. Political pressure will in all liklihood allow new entries [wolves into the fold].
Imagine countries that methodically torture and abuse people making the kind of decisions as to laws on how to "protect people"... This is an absolute travesty of God's justice!
Pray for the Persecuted Church as never before now because the floodgates of evil have been now opened wide through this decision and the innocent will suffer more than ever before. God help and sustain the body of Christ and ALL those who suffer under the evil oppressers.
Quoted from Christian Freedom Intl report...
" The UN General Assembly voted 170 to 4, with 3 abstentions, to create the new body designed to expose human rights abusers and help nations develop rights legislation and policy. The U.S. was joined only by Israel, Palau, and the Marshall Islands in opposing the motion ... "
Although the mandate of the new revised group looks good, it is the criteria that determines the members that is the grave concern here. Less votes will be required to vote a nation in, and those who are well known human rights violators will have rights to be submit for membership. Political pressure will in all liklihood allow new entries [wolves into the fold].
Imagine countries that methodically torture and abuse people making the kind of decisions as to laws on how to "protect people"... This is an absolute travesty of God's justice!
Pray for the Persecuted Church as never before now because the floodgates of evil have been now opened wide through this decision and the innocent will suffer more than ever before. God help and sustain the body of Christ and ALL those who suffer under the evil oppressers.
Open Doors 2006 list of Most Persecuted Nations
Open Doors ministry has released it's 2006 annual report and listing of the top 50 Countries where Christians suffer most for their faith.
North Korea tops the list for the fourth year in a row.
The top ten nations are...
1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Maldives
6. Bhutan
7. Vietnam
8. Yemen
9. Laos
10.China
Although it is hard for many to think of these people as blessed, it is clear in God's Word that they truly are... perhaps those blessings are not apparent at the moment, but eternally they will be made clear. Many of God's children who are suffering and carrying the cross of persecution and those who already wear the white robes described in Revelations have met most [or even all] of the qualities and criteria that Jesus said qualified a believer to be counted as blessed.
Matthew 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Another vitally important thing that greatly blesses these believers is knowing that they have not been forgotten by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ... those of us in nations that are not experiencing the same levels of persecution as they.
Revelation 2:9-10 "The Persecuted Church"
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Remember the plight of the suffering "church of Smyrna", stand in the gap for them through your prayers, advocacy, and the active sowing of seed into those ministries [Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, Christian freedom International, etc...) that would help them not only endure these trials but also supply their very essential needs!
Matthew 25:31-40
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Report of 2006 top ten nations
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/Display.asp?Page=WWL_frontpage
North Korea tops the list for the fourth year in a row.
The top ten nations are...
1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Maldives
6. Bhutan
7. Vietnam
8. Yemen
9. Laos
10.China
Although it is hard for many to think of these people as blessed, it is clear in God's Word that they truly are... perhaps those blessings are not apparent at the moment, but eternally they will be made clear. Many of God's children who are suffering and carrying the cross of persecution and those who already wear the white robes described in Revelations have met most [or even all] of the qualities and criteria that Jesus said qualified a believer to be counted as blessed.
Matthew 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Another vitally important thing that greatly blesses these believers is knowing that they have not been forgotten by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ... those of us in nations that are not experiencing the same levels of persecution as they.
Revelation 2:9-10 "The Persecuted Church"
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Remember the plight of the suffering "church of Smyrna", stand in the gap for them through your prayers, advocacy, and the active sowing of seed into those ministries [Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, Christian freedom International, etc...) that would help them not only endure these trials but also supply their very essential needs!
Matthew 25:31-40
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Report of 2006 top ten nations
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/Display.asp?Page=WWL_frontpage
Thursday, March 09, 2006
SUNDAY 03/12/2006 - Global day of prayer for BURMA
* This Sunday, March 12, 2006...
The nation of Burma will be lifted up in a day of global prayer.
Pray for God to supply all the needs of the faithful and diligently protect those who are persecuted and suffering within that nation. Please intercede for a change of heart among it's leaders and military forces... petition the Lord for a spirit of peace to blanket the land and settle deep into it... Ask for a deep spiritual seeking amongst all the people, a strong desire to know the one true God and to once again [as it did in the early 1800's) have the Holy Spirit sweep across the nation, awakening hearts and leading multitudes to Jesus Christ.
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; nd in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The nation of Burma will be lifted up in a day of global prayer.
Pray for God to supply all the needs of the faithful and diligently protect those who are persecuted and suffering within that nation. Please intercede for a change of heart among it's leaders and military forces... petition the Lord for a spirit of peace to blanket the land and settle deep into it... Ask for a deep spiritual seeking amongst all the people, a strong desire to know the one true God and to once again [as it did in the early 1800's) have the Holy Spirit sweep across the nation, awakening hearts and leading multitudes to Jesus Christ.
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; nd in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
Multitudes of Homeless Burmese
* Multitudes of Homeless Burmese
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The following report [which highlights the day of prayer for Burma] goes into detail about the state of unrest, vast human rights violations and oppression of the Burmese people. There are literally multitudes of displaced people living as vagabonds forever on the move within it's jungles, as well as a huge population of refugees who have fleed from this repression and violence... but there is hope, salvation and peace through Jesus Christ. Inform yourself over the situation in Burma and let God move your heart to intercede for ALL the people within that nation.
----------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Wednesday, March 8, 2006
BURMA (MYANMAR): GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER - 12 MARCH
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)Special to ASSIST News Service
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Sunday 12 March is the Global Day of Prayer for Burma.
BURMA – NATION IN CHAOS
Today, after half a century of continual conflict and chaos, Burmese citizens live under one of the most brutally repressive regimes in the world. Whilst Burma's military junta is defined by a mix of Buddhist and Marxist thought, its real interest is power, not ideology. Meanwhile many of Burma's ethnic minorities have large Christian communities and are pro-democracy. The Karen, Burma's largest ethnic minority - around 20 per cent of the population - are 40 percent Christian. Christianity is dominant amongst the Kachin of the north and the Chin and Naga of the west, and is widespread amongst the Karenni and Karen of the war-wracked east. Burma's military dictatorship brutally and decisively crushes all dissent, but active insurgencies are continuing in the Shan, Karenni and Karen eastern states. Burma's army is infamous for its gross human rights abuses which include forced labour, rape, killings, beheadings, the mutilation of bodies and the use of terror squads. Burma's internal conflicts have created over a million IDPs (internally displaced people) forced to be constantly on the move through dense jungle, as well as more than a million refugees, mostly in camps in neighbouring countries.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
a miracle of peace to Burma, from our Creator God who brought order to chaos and light to darkness, from our Sovereign God who rules over the nations and holds the hearts of 'kings' in his hands. (Isaiah 40:12-26; Proverbs 22:1) May peace, not power, be the heart desire of all Burmese, especially those in positions of influence and authority. And may peace be accompanied by wisdom, justice, grace and reconciliation.
BURMA – CHURCH UNDER ATTACK
In the mid-1960s nearly all foreign missionaries were expelled and all private schools and hospitals, mostly run by Christian missions, were nationalised. Today, Burma's registered church has a limited religious freedom. The government imposes restrictions on witness, the building and repair of church property and the importation and distribution of Christian literature. The government monitors religious activity to ensure there is no talk of human rights or democracy. Christians are frequently discriminated against and persecuted 'in the public interest' because they mostly belong to the restive ethnic minorities. Buddhism is strongly entrenched and is used by the regime as a weapon against the ethnic minorities. The government is known to fund and arm Buddhist militias to burn the churches and violently persecute the Christians amongst the Karen and Karenni minorities. These attacks form what is really government-sponsored religious offensive within a larger civil war.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
God to protect and nurture Karenni and Karen believers, forced to live in constant fear and with abject poverty and hardship, as they face brutal offensives from Buddhist militias and the Burma army. (Isaiah 40:11) the Holy Spirit to fix the eyes of all Burma's repressed and suffering Christians firmly on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). 'Consider him [Jesus] who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.' (Hebrews 12:3) May Jesus be their strength, direction and hope.
BURMA – IN GOD'S HEART
When Adoniram Judson, America's first foreign missionary, arrived in Burma in 1813 it was a hostile and totally unreached territory. He was 24 and worked there for 38 years until his death at age 61. Judson laboured for six years without any fruit. When berated for his lack of results he replied, 'The prospects are as bright as the promise of God.' His first convert Maung Nau was baptised on 27 June 1819. Judson persevered, but with little progress and inconceivable, costly suffering. The first Karen Judson led to the Lord was Ko Tha Byu, a slave and hardened criminal. After his converion in 1828, Ko Tha Byu became a mighty evangelist who ultimately led to Christ multitudes of Karen whom God had prepared to receive the gospel. But it was in 1831 that Judson noticed a distinct change come over the land. He observed: 'A spirit of inquiry is spreading everywhere, through the whole length and breadth of the land.' The Holy Spirit moved in power and many thousands of Burmese from right across the nation sought and received salvation. Less than 200 years later, Burma today has around four million Christians - 8.7 per cent of the population. And the prospects for Burma are still as bright as the promises of God.
PLEASE PRAY:
that God will revisit Burma with another special outpouring of his Holy Spirit, that a 'spirit of inquiry' will once again flood the land, so deep it reaches up into the high places of government and military power. that God's Spirit will bring deep conviction of sin to Burma, that the killings and oppression might end with repentance and restoration.
** Printed with permission **
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The following report [which highlights the day of prayer for Burma] goes into detail about the state of unrest, vast human rights violations and oppression of the Burmese people. There are literally multitudes of displaced people living as vagabonds forever on the move within it's jungles, as well as a huge population of refugees who have fleed from this repression and violence... but there is hope, salvation and peace through Jesus Christ. Inform yourself over the situation in Burma and let God move your heart to intercede for ALL the people within that nation.
----------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Wednesday, March 8, 2006
BURMA (MYANMAR): GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER - 12 MARCH
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)Special to ASSIST News Service
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Sunday 12 March is the Global Day of Prayer for Burma.
BURMA – NATION IN CHAOS
Today, after half a century of continual conflict and chaos, Burmese citizens live under one of the most brutally repressive regimes in the world. Whilst Burma's military junta is defined by a mix of Buddhist and Marxist thought, its real interest is power, not ideology. Meanwhile many of Burma's ethnic minorities have large Christian communities and are pro-democracy. The Karen, Burma's largest ethnic minority - around 20 per cent of the population - are 40 percent Christian. Christianity is dominant amongst the Kachin of the north and the Chin and Naga of the west, and is widespread amongst the Karenni and Karen of the war-wracked east. Burma's military dictatorship brutally and decisively crushes all dissent, but active insurgencies are continuing in the Shan, Karenni and Karen eastern states. Burma's army is infamous for its gross human rights abuses which include forced labour, rape, killings, beheadings, the mutilation of bodies and the use of terror squads. Burma's internal conflicts have created over a million IDPs (internally displaced people) forced to be constantly on the move through dense jungle, as well as more than a million refugees, mostly in camps in neighbouring countries.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
a miracle of peace to Burma, from our Creator God who brought order to chaos and light to darkness, from our Sovereign God who rules over the nations and holds the hearts of 'kings' in his hands. (Isaiah 40:12-26; Proverbs 22:1) May peace, not power, be the heart desire of all Burmese, especially those in positions of influence and authority. And may peace be accompanied by wisdom, justice, grace and reconciliation.
BURMA – CHURCH UNDER ATTACK
In the mid-1960s nearly all foreign missionaries were expelled and all private schools and hospitals, mostly run by Christian missions, were nationalised. Today, Burma's registered church has a limited religious freedom. The government imposes restrictions on witness, the building and repair of church property and the importation and distribution of Christian literature. The government monitors religious activity to ensure there is no talk of human rights or democracy. Christians are frequently discriminated against and persecuted 'in the public interest' because they mostly belong to the restive ethnic minorities. Buddhism is strongly entrenched and is used by the regime as a weapon against the ethnic minorities. The government is known to fund and arm Buddhist militias to burn the churches and violently persecute the Christians amongst the Karen and Karenni minorities. These attacks form what is really government-sponsored religious offensive within a larger civil war.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
God to protect and nurture Karenni and Karen believers, forced to live in constant fear and with abject poverty and hardship, as they face brutal offensives from Buddhist militias and the Burma army. (Isaiah 40:11) the Holy Spirit to fix the eyes of all Burma's repressed and suffering Christians firmly on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). 'Consider him [Jesus] who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.' (Hebrews 12:3) May Jesus be their strength, direction and hope.
BURMA – IN GOD'S HEART
When Adoniram Judson, America's first foreign missionary, arrived in Burma in 1813 it was a hostile and totally unreached territory. He was 24 and worked there for 38 years until his death at age 61. Judson laboured for six years without any fruit. When berated for his lack of results he replied, 'The prospects are as bright as the promise of God.' His first convert Maung Nau was baptised on 27 June 1819. Judson persevered, but with little progress and inconceivable, costly suffering. The first Karen Judson led to the Lord was Ko Tha Byu, a slave and hardened criminal. After his converion in 1828, Ko Tha Byu became a mighty evangelist who ultimately led to Christ multitudes of Karen whom God had prepared to receive the gospel. But it was in 1831 that Judson noticed a distinct change come over the land. He observed: 'A spirit of inquiry is spreading everywhere, through the whole length and breadth of the land.' The Holy Spirit moved in power and many thousands of Burmese from right across the nation sought and received salvation. Less than 200 years later, Burma today has around four million Christians - 8.7 per cent of the population. And the prospects for Burma are still as bright as the promises of God.
PLEASE PRAY:
that God will revisit Burma with another special outpouring of his Holy Spirit, that a 'spirit of inquiry' will once again flood the land, so deep it reaches up into the high places of government and military power. that God's Spirit will bring deep conviction of sin to Burma, that the killings and oppression might end with repentance and restoration.
** Printed with permission **
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