timothyu
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Post by timothyu on Oct 5, 2018 10:16:58 GMT -5
I fail to understand why American Christians prefer the politics of their land to the ideals of the Kingdom. The whole concept of Christianity was to focus on the Kingdom and leave the world of man behind. As said before, many of these persecutions are the result of worldly activity/politics and not against the Gospel of the Kingdom.
The Way was persecuted for hating the world and ways of man, not for rebellion against any state or religion. They gave to Caesar what was Caesar's but lived outside the political realm where division and conflict thrive. Christianity was a way of life that stepped on no one else's toes, be they political or religious. They simply did not participate in the games man plays with each other for gain.
How often are 'do-gooders' persecuted giving aide around the world unless their motive is political or religiously adversarial in nature? Is trying to direct others simply sowing seeds or is it also self determining how those seeds grow, a job God said was His responsibility, not ours.
In other words, how many of these persecuted are trying to make over others in their own national or political image? Are they being persecuted for simply loving neighbour as self? If so, their reward is in the Kingdom, not in the world of man.
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JesusIsTops
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Post by JesusIsTops on Oct 5, 2018 12:08:09 GMT -5
Feel free to start your own thread. As a Pastor and a Christian, shouldn't you be praying for all who are persecuted? Why are we limiting it to just Christians?1. Note very well I do not have to answer to you or to anyone else. 2. Since you have 2,065+ posts since April it looks like you have a lot of time on your hands. Therefore, if you are that concerned about the matter feel free to start your own thread. If you do not, some might view you as a troll. 3. That is it. Period. I will no longer respond to you in this matter. PS. -- I see timothyu was kind enough to start his own thread --- something about chat. Please feel free to follow his example.
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timothyu
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Post by timothyu on Oct 5, 2018 14:31:14 GMT -5
Well thank you JIT. Yes I've started a number of threads here and at the old site that deal directly with the Gospel of the Kingdom and do not require people to treat Christianity as if it was some team sport where one cheered on their side. Carry on with your contribution to putting the will of the Father over that of mankind's will, and loving all neighbours as self.
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weaslespit
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Post by weaslespit on Oct 5, 2018 15:27:18 GMT -5
As a Pastor and a Christian, shouldn't you be praying for all who are persecuted? Why are we limiting it to just Christians? 1. Note very well I do not have to answer to you or to anyone else. 2. Since you have 2,065+ posts since April it looks like you have a lot of time on your hands. Therefore, if you are that concerned about the matter feel free to start your own thread. If you do not, some might view you as a troll. 3. That is it. Period. I will no longer respond to you in this matter. PS. -- I see timothyu was kind enough to start his own thread --- something about chat. Please feel free to follow his example. I'm asking an honest question about this particular thread as it struck me as odd (especially since you say in the OP that this is your practice in your Church). Most men of Faith I know don't limit their prayers as you have indicated in this thread (as timothyu said, this isn't a team sport where we only root for 'our side').
I'm not asking that you change the purpose of this thread as you are free to do what you want, I'm just asking why the narrow scope to begin with since Christians are called to pray for all who are persecuted, not just other Christians.
I must say, I am quite disappointed with your combative responses given the position you claim to serve. We should all be following His example...
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JesusIsTops
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Post by JesusIsTops on Oct 5, 2018 19:34:38 GMT -5
10 / 6 / 18 1 - Yemen - After leaving Islam recently and placing his faith in Christ, Khalid has faced several tests of his new faith. His wife left him, taking their two young children with her, and said she would return only if Khalid returned to Islam. And his three closest friends told him that news of his conversion had spread and he could be killed for rejecting Muhammad. Khalid faced the choice of remaining faithful to Christ and facing persecution or returning to a perceived safety in the form of a false religion. After much prayer, Khalid chose Jesus. He knows, however, that his life won’t be easy. His wife has returned to him, but she still urges him to follow Islam. Pray that Khalid will remain firm in his new faith and continue to grow through reading the Scriptures, praying and fellowshipping with other believers. Pray that his wife and two children will also come to know Jesus. Pray for the protection of Khalid and his family, and that his life will prompt others to seek Christ.
2 - Sri Lanka - In mid-July, four Buddhist monks and about 20 villagers gathered outside an Assemblies of God church as its Sunday worship came to a close. As worshipers left the building, villagers shouted insults, obscene language and even death threats at them. The four monks approached the pastor and demanded that he stop his religious activities in the village. They also threatened to assault the Christians if they continued to worship. Pray that this congregation remains steadfast in faith and that the prayers of other believers will give them strength.
3 - India - Pastor Nakul and a church member named Ansh were assaulted on June 18 by 10 Hindu radicals. The attackers hit them with sticks and punched them repeatedly in the head and chest, leaving them bleeding and bruised. Neighbors took them to a hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. Pastor Nakul required stitches on his head, and the two were later admitted to another hospital for a week, where they continued to be monitored until their release on June 25. Charges were filed with local authorities, and two arrests have been made. Please pray for the continued healing of Pastor Nakul and Ansh. Pray that they will be able to share their testimony of God’s faithfulness and healing with Hindus in their village, and pray that those who attacked them will repent of their sins and seek forgiveness and salvation in Jesus.
4 - Indonesia (ICC) - On September 27, officials in Indonesia shut down three churches. Indonesia’s constitution guarantees religious freedom for all citizens, and therefore churches cannot be closed for religious reasons. As a result, they claimed “administrative reasons,” yet no official statement has been made to clarify why the churches were closed. Pray for authorities to allow these three churches to reopen. Pray for these congregations to remain strong in their faith despite this obstacle. Pray for these churches to grow and reach even more people during this time.
5 - Turkey (ICC) - For the past 40 years, land belonging to the St. Augin Syriac Orthodox Monastery located in southeastern Turkey has been illegally occupied. Multiple promises have been made that the land will be returned to the church, but no action has followed. The local Christian community requests renewed prayer that the situation will come to a speedy resolution. Pray for the property to be returned to its rightful owners. Pray for the conflict to be resolved quickly and peacefully. Pray for this property to serve as a beacon of hope and hospitality in the community.
6 - Nigeria (ICC) - Due to continued violence in Plateau State, Nigeria, the capital city of Jos has been put under curfew again. This is the second time in several months that the city has been forced into homes after sundown. This curfew kicked off as a result of violence, led by suspected Fulani militants, in which nearly 20 people were killed. Pray for the protection of vulnerable Christians in Plateau State. Pray for the curfew to be effective at keeping the community of Jos safe from Fulani militant attacks. Pray for Fulani militants across Nigeria to come to Christ.
7 - Pakistan (Pakistan Today) - The home and van belonging to Bashir, a retired sanitary worker in the Punjab Health Department, were torched by a mob of 12 men on September 21. The mob attacked the couple in their home, beating them and mocking their faith. Shortly after, Bashir heard of the attackers threatening his adult children and physically assaulting their families. Pray for the physical and emotional healing of this family. Pray for police to quickly apprehend those responsible for the attack. Pray for the family to cling to their faith following this traumatic event.
In prison: Asia Bibi (Pakistan), Andrew Brunson (now under house arrest in Turkey), Pastor John Cao (China), Gao Zhisheng (China), Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (Iran)
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timothyu
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Post by timothyu on Oct 8, 2018 12:48:09 GMT -5
Actually Jesus says to pray that God's will will be done in earth as it is in heaven, AND NOT MAN'S WILL. It was the whole reasoning behind the Gospel, that is Kingdom (rulership) of God replacing that of man. Make the Kingdom great again, not some institution of man that serves man's purposes. (take that to the political forums)
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weaslespit
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Post by weaslespit on Oct 8, 2018 13:41:29 GMT -5
Actually Jesus says to pray that God's will will be done in earth as it is in heaven, AND NOT MAN'S WILL. It was the whole reasoning behind the Gospel, that is Kingdom (rulership) of God replacing that of man. Make the Kingdom great again, not some institution of man that serves man's purposes. (take that to the political forums) 100% agreed.
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JesusIsTops
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Post by JesusIsTops on Oct 8, 2018 18:22:06 GMT -5
Umm. Don't know if this is too late or not but I will give it a try. From ACLJ
THIS COULD BE HER LAST CHANCE.
Pakistan could determine whether Asia Bibi is hanged TODAY.
Today, a special bench of the Pakistani Supreme Court will hear Christian mom Asia Bibi's appeal of her execution sentence for her faith.
Sign the Petition Now
Bibi was convicted in 2010 under Pakistan's medieval blasphemy laws and sentenced to death for offering water to a Muslim co-worker.
Since then the Christian mother of five has languished on death row, praying for a miracle.
Today a three-member special bench of Pakistan's Supreme Court will hear the final appeal to halt the execution of Asia Bibi. Our legal team in Pakistan will be at that hearing.
We've presented Asia Bibi's plight to the U.N. to urge intervention. We've sent legal letters directly to Pakistan, demanding her immediate release. Asia Bibi has committed no crime - she is facing this outrageous barbaric sentence because of her Christian faith.
She needs you. Demand her freedom NOW.
Sign Our Emergency Petition: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi. PLEASE SIGN HERE!Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel
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timothyu
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Post by timothyu on Oct 9, 2018 14:21:14 GMT -5
JIT.. if you liked that it is a shame to miss out on your input in the MM & Nuts thread. There has always been a lingering misconception there regarding that. No need to get in disputes, just state your peace/piece regarding man's will vs God's.
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JesusIsTops
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Post by JesusIsTops on Oct 11, 2018 21:28:38 GMT -5
No word yet on Pakistan's Supreme Court's decision.
---------------------
Asia Bibi has committed no crime - she is facing this outrageous barbaric sentence because of her Christian faith.
She needs you. Demand her freedom NOW.
Sign Our Emergency Petition: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi.
PLEASE SIGN HERE!
Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel
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JesusIsTops
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Post by JesusIsTops on Oct 12, 2018 10:01:05 GMT -5
CONTINUE TO PRAY. THIS JUST IN FROM PERSECUTION.ORG ...
You may have heard that Pakistan’s most famous persecution victim, Asia Bibi, had her case presented to Pakistan’s Supreme Court this past Monday.
While many people and organizations are ringing the alarm bells, saying that she is about to be put to death, we believe that she is about to be released. There are several developments in the background, that most don’t know about, which point to her being released soon and sent to another country.
This is the usual solution in very high-profile cases like this and, from what we’re hearing, we expect the high court to release its verdict soon after she has been released and sent on her way.
Regardless of the outcome though, we need to pray!
We need to pray for this sister who has been through a horrible ordeal. Whether she’s released or not, she will need our prayer support.
Secondly, can you please pray for the safety of Pakistan’s Christian community? If Asia is released, the fundamentalists will be in a fury and may take out their anger on the Christians left behind. The body of Christ in Pakistan is very vulnerable, so let’s lift up their plight to the Father together.
Please feel free to lift this up publicly and in your churches this Sunday.
Be Blessed,
Jeff King
President
International Christian Concern
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And, some of you might be aware of this but Pastor Brunson, who had been in prison then in house arrest in Turkey, has been released!!!!
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weaslespit
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Post by weaslespit on Oct 12, 2018 15:14:28 GMT -5
Myanmar Rohingya: What you need to know about the crisis
"Risking death by sea or on foot, nearly 700,000 have fled the destruction of their homes and persecution in the northern Rakhine province of Myanmar (Burma) for neighbouring Bangladesh since August 2017.
The United Nations described the military offensive in Rakhine, which provoked the exodus, as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing"."
Pray for these folks!
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reb
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Post by reb on Oct 12, 2018 17:47:47 GMT -5
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JesusIsTops
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Post by JesusIsTops on Oct 13, 2018 20:20:51 GMT -5
10 / 13 / 18 1 – Laos - Three pastors in northern Laos are planning to meet with authorities to discuss the status of 23 Christian families who were recently ordered to leave the village. The pastors hope to persuade the authorities to allow the Christians to remain in the village by explaining a new law that allows for religious freedom. Although a few believers have lived in the village for years, more families have turned to Christ recently through the strong witness of a local church. VOM will help cover costs associated with the pastors’ meeting to ensure that it takes place. Pray that village leaders and police authorities will see the positive effects of Christianity on the community and allow the believers to stay. Pray that the Christian families will remain firm in their faith and that the gospel may be presented during these meetings.
2 – Nigeria - Hasina Yakubu, whose husband was killed in a 2009 attack by Fulani Muslims, died in a roadside accident in September 2018. Since her husband’s death, Hasina had been supporting her three children as well as a niece, whose father was killed in the same attack that took her husband. In 2011, her oldest son also was killed when Fulani herdsmen attacked a village where he was working. VOM had provided food, school fees and skills training to help Hasina and her family. Tragically, Hasina died a few weeks ago after being hit by a truck that veered off the road. “Today is a really sad day for the team here in Nigeria,” a VOM worker wrote. “Hasina died this morning around 7 a.m.” Pray for Hasina’s surviving children, who have suffered great losses in their lives. Pray that the Lord will supply their needs.
3 - Central Asia - Rinat and Richa face increasing pressure from authorities and family members for their evangelistic work, which includes leading a secret house church, distributing Christian literature and sharing the gospel in their restricted nation. Rinat, a taxi driver, has been harassed by secret police for sharing the gospel with his passengers and has since started working in another area. Richa, who owns her own business, recently served jail time after being falsely accused by a client; she and Rinat had to sell their apartment to pay her fine. In addition, their families continue to pressure them to leave Christianity, saying their lives will return to normal when they do. Pray that truth and justice will prevail and for a quick resolution to Richa’s ongoing legal problems. Pray for the couple’s health, as they have endured high levels of stress, and pray for fruitful ministry work despite these challenges.
4 – Vietnam (ICC via Facebook) - Last Sunday, local authorities attempted to shut down a Montagnard church. The officials finally said, "We are giving you warning this time, but next Sunday if you still gather, we will bring more crowds to shut you down." The church is asking for prayer as they face continued harassment and threats this Sunday.
5 - Kenya (ICC) - On October 10, Somali Islamic militants ambushed a school at 1:00 a.m. in Mandera East and bombed the teachers’ house. As a result, two non-local teachers were killed and three others were severely injured. The two victims, Johnstone Okumu and Simon Wekesa, taught at Arabia High School which is situated along the porous Kenya-Somalia border, a terrorist hotbed. Pray for the family and friends of the two victims who were killed in this attack. Pray for the healing of the three injured teachers. Pray for greater security measures to protect teachers in the region.
6 - Myanmar (ICC) - On October 5, a month after the United Wa State Army started detaining clergy members and shutting down several churches, 100 Wa Christians were freed. Christians who were freed had to promise that they would pray only at home and not in churches by signing a document. Seven who refused to do so are still being detained. Pray for greater religious freedom so that Christians can pray openly in Myanmar. Pray for the release of the seven ministers who remain detained. Praise God for the release of the 100 Christians who were freed.
7 - Pakistan (Washington Post) - Pakistan’s Supreme Court has postponed its ruling on the final appeal for Asia Bibi. In this highly publicized case, Bibi was convicted of committing blasphemy in 2010 and has been sitting on death row ever since. Many Christians rightfully claim that Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws unfairly target their community with devastating, sometimes deadly, consequences. Persecution.org has stated there are signs she will be released and go to another country. If this does occur, certain Muslim groups will be very angry and there will be a heightened risk of persecution of Pakistani Christians. Pray for their protection. Pray for the official acquittal and release of Asia Bibi. Pray for the court to stop postponing Bibi’s case and take quick action to release her. Pray for blasphemy laws to be overturned in Pakistan.
8 - China (ICC) - Three years ago in the Hebei province in northern China, Liu Honggeng, a minister in the underground church was taken away by government authorities. Since his arrest, his whereabouts remain unknown. After the minister went missing, the police were contacted, but there was no investigation regarding his disappearance. Pray for the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of Liu Honggeng. Pray for authorities to release the minister if he is in their custody. Pray for peace for the family and friends affected by his disappearance.
9 – Rejoice that Pastor Brunson has been freed!
In prison: Asia Bibi (Pakistan), Pastor John Cao (China), Gao Zhisheng (China), Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (Iran)
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weaslespit
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Post by weaslespit on Oct 15, 2018 13:27:28 GMT -5
Don't forget to pry for ALL who are persecuted around the world, even for those persecuted by those who would identify as Christians!
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