Happy, Happy Friday

Be Careful What You Pray For by Pastor Bill Scripture: Nehemiah 1:11 "Lord, listen carefully to the prayer of your servant and the prayers of your servants who love to honor you" NCV First Prayer: At a garage sale for the youth mission trip all the "stuff" left over was placed in a large sturdy box. The box was marked with very bold letters "Free Box." The box was strategically placed at the end of the driveway so it was in the sights of every passing car. The garage sale team all gathered together and held hands as a short payer was said, "Lord please have someone take this box." A few minutes later a pickup truck pulled up to the box --- a man stepped out of the pickup smartly dressed. He walked up to the box --- looked around while determining what to do next. He picked up the box with all the contents in it and held it waist high. All the while looking around intensely, like a hunter sure there is prey just beyond the horizon. Then suddenly he glanced down, flipped the box over and allowed all the contents to spill over the driveway. Then as quick as a young buck dashing through the woods he threw the free box into the back of his pick up --- jumped into the cab and drove away with his "Free Box". Second Prayer: A Local TV News photographer was fairly new on the job and wanted to cover a big story to move his career along. He prayed diligently daily for his big break. Then it happened --- a wild fire was burning in a wilderness. He said a quick prayer and called his boss and asked, "May I cover the wild fire in a valley a few hundred miles away. His request approved and his prayer answered, the Local TV News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport. He chartered an immediate flight and was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.  Arriving at the airport, the Local TV News Photographer spotted a twin-engine plane warming up outside the hanger. The photographer jumped into the plane with his bag of video and still cameras, slammed the door shut, and shouted over the whine of the motors, "Let's go, we must leave immediately or we'll be grounded." The pilot taxied out on to the runway --- swung the plane into the wind --- pushed the throttle down and quickly took off. Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, "Fly over the valley and make several low passes while I take pictures for the news tonight. I'd like to get some great pictures of the fires burning out in the wilderness". "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm a Local TV News photographer," he responded, "And I need to get some really good close up shots to enhance our news report this evening." The pilot was strangely silent for a few moments. Then with a look of horror on his face finally stammers, "So, what you're telling me, is --- You're NOT my flight instructor?" Be careful what you pray for and be specific. As the youth mission team above found out when the box was removed without the contents. And the TV News photographer found that he was on the way to cover his big story to further his career with an unqualified pilot! Prayer: Father thank you for revealing what in my life needs prayer so I can understand what to pray for and how. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Daily Smile:

A Second Wife

When our second child was on the way, my wife and I attended a pre-birth class aimed at couples who had already had at least one child.

The instructor raised the issue of breaking the news to the older child.

It went like this:

"Some parents," she said, "tell the older child, 'We love you so much we decided to bring another child into this family.' But think about that. Ladies, what if your husband came home one day and said, 'Honey, I love you so much I decided to bring home another wife.'"

One of the women spoke up immediately. "Does she cook???"

In The News:

The Gospel of Jesus' Wife': Ancient Fragment Stirs Debate
Karen King, a historian from Harvard Divinity School, revealed on Tuesday what she claims to be a fourth-century fragment of papyrus containing the phrase, in Coptic, "Jesus said to them, 'My wife ... '" According to King, the text, referred to as the Gospel of Jesus' Wife, suggests some early Christians might have held the view that Jesus was married, but she stressed that it could not prove Jesus had a wife. Darrell L. Bock, senior research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, said if this papyrus was authentic, it would be the only text among many to suggest that Jesus had a wife. It represents "a very small minority in a much later period than original Christianity," Bock said. "It is a fourth-century text in a fringe gnostic group that is not representative of the larger groups that are [part of] Christianity." Dr. Joel B. Green, professor of New Testament interpretation at Fuller Seminary, echoed Bock: "We have no evidence at all of any debate among the earliest followers of Jesus regarding Jesus' martial status. This debate surfaced later. It's important to put this in context. Popular literature (say, from the third and fourth centuries) made all sorts of claims about Jesus ... These claims really don't tell us anything about Jesus of Nazareth, the historical person who lived in the first third of the first century. They do tell us about how some people in later centuries worked out their own beliefs and practices." Green also expressed concern over the "hype" often surrounding such discoveries, adding that "any claims that might be put forward about what it means will be guesses." Nothing is known about the circumstances of the fragment's discovery; King believes it may have been excavated from an area in Upper Egypt.

Pastors Sue Kenyan Government Over Lack of Protection
Protestant churches in Kenya are suing the country's federal government, alleging a lack of help and protection following recent attacks by Islamic extremists, Christianity Today reports. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which filed suit after Muslim riots in Mombasa in August destroyed four local churches, is claiming the violence was politically and religiously motivated, led by the Somalia-based al Shabaab extremist group. "The government bears full responsibility for the violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the victims who are under its care," said Peter Karanja, general secretary of the NCCK. The NCCK is also seeking response from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Kazakhstan Jails Pastor, Considers Extradition to Uzbekistan
A former Uzbek house church pastor is in prison in Kazakhstan, awaiting a ruling whether he will be returned to his native country, Open Doors News reports.  Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court considers whether to declare him a refugee in the face of almost-certain persecution. Makset Djabbarbergenov was arrested Sept. 5 in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s financial center. He was detained by authorities who have frowned on his leadership in unregistered Christian communities. Djabbarbergenov was at one point an active church leader in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, the autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. At present, Protestant churches in Karakalpakstan are illegal. After appearing before court six different times, Djabbarbergenov and his family fled to Kazakhstan in 2007, where they are considered refugees by the United Nations, although the Kazakh government disagrees. Uzbekistan now wants him back to face charges that he practiced religion outside state regulation. He faces two charges; each carry a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Uzbekistan is ranked No. 7 on the World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

Netanyahu: U.S. Voters Should Consider 'Red Line' with Iran
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to American voters on Sunday, urging them to elect a president willing to draw a line on when Iran would face military attack over its nuclear weapons program, Fox News reports. After Obama refused to set specific boundaries on Iran last week, the Israeli leader took to CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press” to express his frustration. He compared Tehran’s nuclear program to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh to appeal to his American audience. “It’s like Timothy McVeigh walking into a shop in Oklahoma City and saying, 'I’d like to tend my garden. I’d like to buy some fertilizer.' … Come on. We know that they’re working on a weapon,” Netanyahu said. Obama’s Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, has said he is willing to take a tougher stance than Obama against Iran, although his campaign has declined to provide specifics. Meanwhile, Obama continues to insist that the U.S. will not allow Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.

 

Happy Thursday

How Great Thou Art
Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

Refrain

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Thursday's Devotional:
THE BODY - A POSITION IN HEAVEN
By  FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3; 2:5, 6;
Colossians 3:1-3

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." What a blessed truth we see in these two verses concerning the grace of God. We who were "dead in sin," now seated with Christ in the heavenlies. No wonder Paul was inspired to write in 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." From a dispensational view we see this in contrast to Israel's earthly blessings, but we also need to see the practical side.

It is important that we realize our standing and position in Christ, and then we must "walk worthy," on the same plane or level of our calling. We are citizens of Heaven and should live that way down here. Our verses in Colossians 3:1-3, give to us the key on how this is done. We are to "seek those things which are above," and this will enable us to "set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth." The child of God who realizes, his, or her, position in Christ, is enabled to live each day without the burdens of the past and present. Our walk can indeed match our heavenly calling and position. This is indeed God's will for each one of us, to glorify Him here, and to enjoy His glory in the ages to come.


Your Daily Smile:

From Jaden, 10 years old

What did the confused bee say?

to bee or not to bee!

and 

What do bees chew? 

Bumble gum!

In The News:

Movement Day to Transform Cities through the Gospel

Contact: Diane Morrow
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- A powerful gospel leadership movement is coming to New York City on Thursday, September 27, 2012. Known as "Movement Day," this unique program is about "Leaders Changing Cities through Gospel Movements." It connects ministry and city leaders in order to dynamically impact their city through the gospel. Movement Day seeks to gather city leaders to collaborate on best practices and models that can be replicated and adapted by leaders in major cities around the U.S. The vision is to see our cities, and ultimately our culture and the world, transformed with the gospel.

The Movement Day Congress will feature remarkable global leaders such as Richard Stearns of World Vision; Luis Palau of the Luis Palau Association; Ajith Fernando, formerly with Youth for Christ; and several others. This event promises to inspire and challenge leaders, churches and ministries to cultivate partnerships and share best practices to resolve some of the biggest issues facing our cities.

Through consultations hosted during the last 15 years by The New York City Leadership Center (NYCLC) -- and Concerts of Prayer Greater New York -- for more than 10,000 leaders from 50 cities, it has been confirmed that cities all over the U.S. face many of the same spiritual and social issues. These issues include vast populations unreached by the gospel, profound poverty and an emerging youth population that is struggling to surpass the 50 percent high school graduation rate.

NYCLC hosted the inaugural Movement Day in September 2010, a significant success with more than 800 leaders attending from 34 cities and 14 nations. More than 1,000 leaders attended the second annual Movement Day in 2011. The Movement Day Congress is being hosted and designed by The NYCLC with Redeemer City to City. The American Bible Society is one of 22 national and regional Christian organizations that are co-sponsoring the event.

Movement Day is a leadership development initiative of The New York City Leadership Center founded by Dr. Mac Pier. Their vision is to become a model of Christian leaders impacting the spiritual and social climate of an urban center. Their mission is to exponentially increase the leadership effectiveness of ministry and marketplace leaders. Visit their website at www.NYCLeadership.com.  

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Happy Wednesday

Credit or Debit By Skip Heitzig
There’s the story of a frog that fell into a pail of milk. He tried to jump out, but the sides were too high. So he just paddled around and around in the milk. Eventually it was churned into butter, and he was able to jump out and free himself. It’s a cute story, but it illustrates what a lot of people think salvation is like: “Just keep paddling, do your best, and you’ll get to heaven.”

How much different is the truth found in the Bible! Chapter 4 of Romans is a wonderful explanation of justification by faith, and I invite you to ponder it. I want to focus on one verse: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

The fact is, righteousness doesn’t come by the Law, or by baptism, or by joining a church, or by any self-effort…but by faith! “Accounted” in this verse is the Greek word logizomai. It’s a banking term, and it means to apply something to one’s credit.
Picture a financial ledger. There’s a debit side and a credit side. Abraham, with his pagan background, was spiritually bankrupt. His ledger was packed on the debit side, with nothing on the credit side. But the moment he said, “I believe you, God,” God changed the ledger and wrote “righteous” on the credit side.

So it is with us. On our debit side is sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). On our credit side, we try to put “works,” “religion,” “church,” “baptism,” “good deeds,” etc. But the credit of all those things isn’t enough to match the debit. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “The soul that sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
The point is, for there to be enough on the credit side, somebody had to die. So God sent Jesus to die for us. It’s as if God calculated the total number of sins that you individually (and the world as a whole) would ever commit, and He decided that the shed blood of His Son was adequate payment for it all!

So if you believe—not in your works, but in His finished work—the credit side of your ledger reads “righteous.” It’s “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). Abraham isn’t the “father of those who work,” he is “the father of all those who believe…that righteousness might be imputed to them also” (Romans 4:11).
We are saved by the finished work of Jesus Christ. When we trust in that, God says, “I receive you. I declare you righteous.” Sovereign, holy God credits sinful man with the righteousness of Jesus Christ!

We’re not left to paddle on our own. God’s wonderful accounting system has made a way for us!

Daily Smile:

The New Moses

The Rabbi's wife called a psychiatrist and said, "My husband thinks he's the new Moses. Almost like a reincarnation!"

The doctor assured her that these delusions of grandeur were only a passing fancy.

"OK." she responded. "But in the meantime, how do I keep him from parting the waters in the hot-tub?" 
 

In The News: Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff


Lisa Whelchel Struggles with Her Christian Convictions on ‘Survivor’

Lisa Whelchel has always been a huge fan of the show ‘Survivor.’ Now the former ‘Facts of Life’ star will be a contestant, Fox News reports. However, as a devout Christian, Whelchel is wondering how her faith will play out in a game where the only rule is, ‘There are no rules.’  “I didn’t want it to come across that I was asking God to be on my side to help me win a challenge or win a million dollars,”
Whelchel said. “That just doesn’t seem to line up with who God is.” While Whelchel was concerned about how lying- a key component of the game- might come across to other Christians, she wasn’t too concerned about the cursing and
occasional nudity on the show. “Maybe because, personally, I have experienced so much judgment myself, I go  overboard with mercy,” Whelchel explains. If she wins,
Whelchel plans to give ten percent of her earnings to her brother, who recently started a church in a low-income neighborhood in California. “I love what he’s doing and it would be a joy to give away ten percent to him!”



Toronto Churches Face Eviction as School Rental Fees Skyrocket
Churches in Toronto, Canada, that rent space in public schools may face eviction if they fail to pay increased rent of up to 800 percent to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Christianity Today reports. The TDSB announced August 29 that churches renting space in schools would no longer qualify for reduced rental rates as the school district seeks to close a $110 million budget gap -- though other nonprofits still qualify for subsidized rent. Some pastors gathered to protest the rental fee hikes, claiming the increase to be an attack on churches, while other pastors prayed over the school board for divine intervention.

Burma: New Report Exposes Religious Persecution of Ethnic Chin Christians
A new report by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) shows ethnic Christians in Burma's Chin state continue to face systematic religious discrimination at the hands of the government and are often forced to convert to Buddhism, according to Religious Liberty Monitoring. "Chins continue to face religious persecution," says Salai Za Uk Ling, CHRO's program director. "Despite strong government reforms, these efforts have yet to be extended to religious freedom." Benedict Rogers, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's East Asia team leader, says that while there are positive signs of Burmese reforms and grounds for optimism, "there is a danger of premature euphoria. ... There is still a very long way to go. The change of atmosphere has not yet resulted in a change of system." He adds: "One of the most under-reported aspects of Burma's human rights record has been the regime's discrimination and persecution of religious minorities and violations of religious freedom."

German Officials Prosecute Rabbi for Performing Circumcisions
In Germany, officials have pressed charges against a Jewish rabbi for performing circumcisions, WORLD News Service reports. The action comes in the wake of a court ruling in Cologne that banned all circumcisions but those done for "medical" reasons. After the ruling, a physician filed a complaint against Rabbi David Goldberg, who serves as a mohel (ritual circumciser) for the Jewish community of Hof in northern Bavaria. Goldberg, 64, has performed more than 3,000 circumcisions on infant boys, a procedure that is required under Jewish ceremonial law. The German court ruled that when medically unnecessary, circumcision represents a "severe and irreversible interference into physical integrity." Many religious leaders have argued that prosecuting Goldberg represents a major violation of religious liberty. Activists in San Francisco also attempted to ban religious circumcisions in a citywide vote in 2011, but a judge forbade the initiative, noting that state law prevented localities from regulating healthcare providers. Princeton University professor Robert George, a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, has called on Americans to defend Jews' right to maintain the practice, saying that banning religious circumcision is, "in effect, to forbid Jews from being Jews."

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Happy Tuesday

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER TODAY
by C. R. Stam


Grace and faith are the characteristic features of the present dispensation. Not only is salvation now declared to be by grace, through faith, but the Spirit also operates in the believer by grace, through faith. He does not take possession of us and cause us to do what is right, but dwells within each believer (I Cor. 6:19) to provide needed guidance and the strength to withstand temptation, and we may avail ourselves of this provision by faith.

The Spirit, Who first imparted life to us will also impart strength to withstand temptation and overcome sin. In our inability to even pray as we ought, "the Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" and "maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:26). In our weakness we are "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph. 3:16) and God even stoops to "quicken [our] mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in us" (Rom. 8:11).

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (Ver. 12).

The implication from the above passage is that though sorely tempted we are debtors to the Spirit who dwells within and provides overcoming power.

The question, in times of temptation, is generally whether we truly desire to overcome, for we may overcome in any given case by grace, through faith. In the present dispensation it is not true that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but it is blessedly true that in any situation it is possible for him not to sin, for the Spirit is always there to help. 

Daily Smile:

Late for work

Late for work already, I was annoyed to find a strange car in my reserved parking space again. After locating a spot far away, I stormed into my office determined, to have the car towed. As the morning wore on, however, my anger cooled, and I decided to give the driver another chance.

During lunchtime, I went outside and left this note on the driver's windshield:

"Please don't take my parking space. If you do, and your car disappears, don't say I never towed you!"

In The News: Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff

Christian, Conservative Leaders Focus on Romney's Policies, Not Faith
More than two dozen Christian and conservative leaders are trying to put the issue of presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Mormonism to rest by instead focusing on the policies outlined in the GOP's new national platform, the Religion News Service reports. Polls repeatedly show that, while most social conservatives favor Romney, nearly 25 percent express discomfort with his Mormon faith. In a letter delivered Sept. 7 to Romney, the leaders acknowledged that some conservatives had "tempered their enthusiasm for sound governing principles by their concern over differences in a candidate's theological doctrine" but said it was "time to remind ourselves that civil government is not about a particular theology but rather about public policy." The letter went on to say that the principles of the Republican platform -- with planks opposing abortion and defining marriage as between one man and one woman -- are "squarely within the Judeo-Christian tradition." Signers of the letter include Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, Samaritan's Purse president Franklin Graham, Focus on the Family president Jim Daly and GOP strategist Ralph Reed.

Obama Refuses to Set 'Red Line' on Iran's Nuclear Program
President Barack Obama says he won't spell out specific boundaries Iran can't cross in its nuclear program before facing U.S. military action, CBN News reports. In an hour-long conversation Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Obama refused Netanyahu's request to set limits on Iran and draw a "red line," such as the amount of near-weapons-grade uranium Iran can produce. But Obama did promise the U.S. would not allow Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. "The Israelis are worried that once Iran accumulates a bomb's worth of 20-percent-enriched uranium, it's an easy dash to get weapons-grade nuclear fuel," David Makovsky, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told the New York Times. "Before they decide they're on their own, I think they want to know that they and Washington see eye-to-eye that this is a red line that cannot be passed."

California Bill Would Ban Therapy for Gay Teens
Minors with unwanted same-sex attractions could be prevented from receiving "reparative therapy" to combat their desires if California Gov. Jerry Brown signs a ban into law this month, Baptist Press reports. In a first-of-its-kind legislation, California would prohibit even parents who want their children to receive counseling. As gay-advocacy group Equality California sees it, "This abusive practice known as 'reparative therapy' or 'conversion therapy' is not based on science, but on homophobia and a callous disregard for the harm it causes to vulnerable youth." The measure, SB 1172, passed the state senate August 30 on a Democrat-led party-line vote of 22-12 after a similar vote in the state assembly. It is unclear whether Brown, a Democrat, will sign the bill before a Sept. 30 deadline. The pro-family Pacific Justice Institute has led the fight against the legislation and has vowed to file suit if it is signed into law. "We have never seen this level of restriction, prohibition and intrusion in the name of LGBT rights," said Brad Dacus, Pacific Justice Institute president. "We intend to vigorously pursue legal action if this unprecedented attack on family decision-making is signed into law."

Sociologists: Worship at Megachurches May Induce Drug-Like 'High'
A new study by University of Washington sociologists suggests that worship at megachurches may induce a drug-like spiritual "high" that helps explain these congregations' success, WORLD News Service reports. Scientists note that large gatherings around shared experiences, from concerts to football games, can trigger physiological reactions and "feelings of joy and transcendence." They say the brain releases a specific chemical, oxytocin, at higher rates during such events -- and the study indicates that worshipping at megachurches can have similar effects. Professor James Wellman, one of the co-authors, says megachurch attendees they interviewed recounted experiences of "unalloyed joy over and over again," leading the authors to say the feeling of going to a megachurch is "like a drug."

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Happy Monday

Walking in the Word


I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. - Ephesians 3:16

A recent magazine article dealt with our society's growing trend of making celebrities of people involved in criminal or immoral activity. But it really isn't anything new.

Consider life in the time of the prophet Micah. The Bible tells us the land was filled with idolatry, covetousness, oppression, and contempt for the Word of God. The spiritual and political leaders abused their power, leading the people down the path of destruction. There were also false prophets who enjoyed celebrity status as they said that nothing would come of all the evil in their society (see Micah 2:6).

Micah stepped forward with a clear warning from God. Judgment was coming for all who defied the Lord. He also gave a word of comfort to the faithful people of God. Micah 2:12 records God's promise of restoration: "I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people."

How we need to give this word of mercy to hurting and helpless people! I have a friend who went through a time of deep disappointment and hurt. She could hardly hold up her head when she walked. At her lowest point, a friend began praying with her and sharing the Scriptures. Weeks passed, and the Word and prayer began to have their effect. She emerged from her ordeal revived in spirit, with a new sparkle in her eye.

Do you know someone who needs comfort--prayer and a thought from the Word of God? Just like Micah, God can use you to speak boldly and compassionately in His name.

Prayer
Lord, give me a mouth that speaks "only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs." (from Ephesians 4:29) Amen.

To Ponder
No matter how dark our circumstances, God's Word can light our way.



Daily Smile:

From Emelia, 8 years old, CA

What is a duck’s favorate food? 

Quackers!

 

 

In The News:

Christians Ask That President Obama Show the Same Respect and Tolerance Toward the Christian Faith That He is Showing Toward Islamic Extremists and Terrorists

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today White House Spokesperson Jay Carney talked about religious tolerance and respecting all religious beliefs in regard to the anti-American violence spreading around the Muslim world.
However, President Obama has shown a profound lack of respect and tolerance toward the Christian faith by forcing Christians to abandon their deeply held religious beliefs in dictating compliance with the HHS mandate.

This mandate would force people of faith and conscience to violate their core beliefs by having to purchase abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization in their health care plans in direct violation
of their religious values and teachings of their Church.
Mr. President religious tolerance and respect should apply to all faith traditions.  Not just Islamic extremists.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states,

"In today's news conference, the White House talked about religious freedom and religious tolerance. If that is true, Christians are asking that President Obama show the same respect and tolerance to the Christian community that he is showing to Islamic extremists and terrorists.

"President Obama has shown a profound lack of respect and tolerance to the Christian community by forcing people of faith to purchase abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization through their health care plans.

"Sadly, this forces Christians to violate their deeply held core values, religious beliefs and historic teachings of the Church.
"It is difficult to believe that President Obama would crush religious freedom and liberty through this HHS mandate and yet turn around and talk about religious respect and tolerance regarding the making of this anti-Islamic film.

"One could only imagine the violence and uproar around the Islamic world if President Obama forced Muslims to violate their deeply held religious views."

Internet Evangelist Bill Keller Named as Reason Muslims Are Protesting in Middle East

Contact: William Keller, LivePrayer.com,

ST PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 14, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Bill Keller, the world's leading Internet Evangelist and the founder of LivePrayer.com, with over 2.4 million subscribers worldwide reading the daily devotional he has written every morning for 13 years on the issues of the day from a Biblical worldview, says that he is being blamed for the uprising in the Middle East that has lead to the death of the US Ambassador in Libya and other Americans!
Keller has been a target of Muslims in the US since the Muslim advocacy group CAIR, an organization linked to terror groups, began intimidating CBS to cancel his TV program in 2007. Keller has been in the news for sending special video messages viewed by millions worldwide encouraging Osama Bin Laden and Anwar Al Awalaki to reject the lies of Islam and accept Jesus as their Savior!

In an interview with the AP, Keller stated, "Islam is a 1400 year old lie from hell. Muhammad is a documented pedophile, polygamist, and murderer, who was visited by satan himself to start this false religion in 600 AD. Sadly, according to the Bible, those who follow the teachings of Islam will die and end up in hell for all eternity!"

Keller concluded, "The goal of those who embrace the lies of Islam, homosexuality, cults like Mormonism and Scientology, is to silence those who dare to tell the truth about their beliefs. As a Christian evangelist, my job is to tell people the Truth of the Bible and to help lead people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Despite having 15 fatwas issued against me over the years  and the fact I can't even step foot in many countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, I will never be silent until I take my last breath. From day one, Islam has been about intimidation, domination, terror, and death!"

About Live Prayer: In 1999 Bill Keller launched LivePrayer.com. It has gone on to become the most successful online Christian ministry in the history of the internet. Each morning, Bill Keller's Daily Devotional that he has written every morning for over 13 years is emailed to over 2.4 million subscribers worldwide. Information on Liveprayer is available at www.LivePrayer.com.

 

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Happy Sunday

Leaving the Light
Today's Scripture: Hosea 7-8

"This is the verdict: Light had come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." - John 3:19

For those people who think that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath and judgment, with no mix of compassion and love, I recommend reading the book of Hosea. Admittedly, God does eventually unleash His wrath on those who disobey, but it is not His first impulse.

Day after day, sometimes year after year, He pleads with His people to repent and turn to Him. But finally the day of reckoning comes. In the section of Scripture before us, we find these words: "I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien" (Hosea 8:12). God had become a stranger--an alien--among His own people. Hosea records that the Word of God did not fit the people's lifestyle. They were glued to their idols. Sin and immorality were the order of the day. At long last these people had made their final decision: sin, rather than God.

You can be assured that the final act on their part did not happen overnight. It was a long time coming. And it started with a slight deviation from the path--a small sin, an act that looked quite harmless. But it resulted in disorder. So Hosea makes this chilling statement: "My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations" (9:17 KJV).

Christian, take stock. Are you toying with something that displeases the Lord? Take steps to nip it in the bud. Put it to death before it gets a stranglehold on your life.

Prayer
Lord, have mercy on my wayward heart and draw me back to You. Great is Your faithfulness to me. Amen.

To Ponder
Does my lifestyle fit with God's Word?


Daily Smile:

From Harmony A., 10 years old

What did the ocean say to the family at the beach? 

Nothing, it just waved!

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Last Day To Register - October 9, 2012

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Happy Saturday

Our Heart's Desire

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. - Psalm 126:5-6

 "Prayer is not preparation for doing the work of God; prayer is the work of God."  I wrote this down and have given it a good deal of thought. .. prayerful thought! ... thank you, Lord!

The apostle Paul prayed, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved" (Romans 10:1). Paul's heart desire led him to pray.

Perhaps you know someone you would like to see come to salvation in Christ. One of the first steps you can take in bringing that desire to reality is to pray. However, there's more to prayer than walking into God's office and dropping a memo into His in-basket. The context of Paul's prayer is that it grew out of a deep inner longing. In Romans 9:2, Paul said of his desire for his people's salvation: "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart."

Most of us don't have much trouble coming to God with a heart full of deep personal concerns--work, finances, relationships. But are we just as burdened for others? Does their salvation weigh as heavily on our minds and hearts as the material things we think we need?

How can we get the same kind of heart as the apostle Paul? The only way I know is to spend time with Jesus Christ, who was moved with compassion toward people. When Jesus looked at the city of Jerusalem, He wept. The closer we walk with Christ in our life of daily discipleship, the deeper our desires will grow in prayer for others.

Prayer

Lord, as I spend time with You in prayer, give me a heart like Yours for the lost. Amen.

Prayer is sharing our hearts with God, not just reciting a list of people and things for Him to bless.


Daily Smile:

From Reggiena , 10 years old

What do you call a hero that lives in a pot? 

Souper-Man!

In The News:

Christians in Egypt, Libya Could Face More Persecution After Attacks 
The Tuesday attacks on U.S. embassies in Libya and Egypt could have severe consequences for already marginalized Christians in the Middle East and northern Africa, according to Open Doors USA. The violence, including the death of four American embassy staff members in Benghazi, Libya, was allegedly sparked by a film produced in the U.S. that insulted the prophet Mohammed. "It illustrates how hot the fuel is that one spark ignites it so suddenly," said Open Doors spokesman Michael Wood. "At some point we heard that people were protesting because of a film not even knowing what movie this was all about. And as was the case with the publishing of the Danish cartoon several years ago, the movie has been on the internet several months. But it is the unpredictable momentum that suddenly creates a wave of protests and anger. Many of the Muslim fanatics link the U.S. with Christianity. So that puts believers in these hot spots such as Libya and Egypt directly in the line of fire."
 Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff 

Netanyahu: Israel Understands America's Grief
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended Israel's condolences to the families of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other officials at the American embassy in Libya who were murdered Tuesday night by Islamic terrorists, CBN News reports. "The people of Israel grieve with the American people," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We send our condolences to the families. If there's any people in the world that understands what Americans are going through, what they went through on 9/11, it's the people of Israel, who've been standing at the forefront of the battle against terrorism, who've lost loved ones and who deeply sympathize with the people of America at this time." Israeli president Shimon Peres added that the loss of four Americans was "shared by your friends around the world" and foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said the timing of the attacks on the anniversary of 9/11 "proves this is a long and difficult battle against those who believe in sowing death and destruction and only their excuse changes every time."
 Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff 

Hobby Lobby Files Suit Against Abortion Mandate
Evangelical-owned Hobby Lobby has filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration's contraceptive/abortion mandate, becoming the largest business yet to take action against the rule, Baptist Press reports. The mandate, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, requires businesses to purchase insurance plans that cover contraceptives, including "emergency" contraceptives that can cause chemical abortions. The mandate went into effect Aug. 1, but Hobby Lobby won't be impacted until Jan. 1, when the new insurance year for its employees begins. Although Hobby Lobby's insurance plans cover contraceptives that are preventative in nature, the chain's founder and CEO, David Green, says the company won't cover anything that causes a chemical abortion. "These abortion-causing drugs go against our faith, and our family is now being forced to choose between following the laws of the land that we love or maintaining the religious beliefs that have made our business successful," Green said. "... We simply cannot abandon our religious beliefs to comply with this mandate."
 Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff 

Seizure of Texas Professor's Computers, Emails Called Troubling
Although University of Texas professor Mark Regnerus has been cleared of alleged research misconduct in a study that showed negative effects of gay parenting, one group is calling the seizure of his computers and 42,000 emails by university officials "troubling," Baptist Press reports. "It seems to us that UT Austin should take a closer look at its rules to make sure that the provision for sequestration does not become an open invitation to hassle and discourage researchers working within politically charged topics," said the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Regnerus, an associate professor of sociology, found that adults raised by gay parents were more likely to suffer from poor impulse control, depression, suicidal thoughts and other negative life experiences. His study was larger and more random than most previous studies on the subject, and gay-activist blogger Scott Rose accused him of academic fraud and called for a formal investigation. The university announced Aug. 29 that Regnerus was innocent of academic misconduct and that the merits of his study "should be left to debates that are currently underway in the academy and future research that validates or invalidates his findings."
Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff  

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Happy Friday

The Battle Is Won!

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB

In 1861, Francis Pott was serving on a committee that was compiling hymns for a new hymnal for the Church of England. He came upon a poem that had been written in Latin by an anonymous writer, perhaps as early as the 12th century AD. Pott was moved by this poem, and felt that it had a powerful message that Christians needed to hear. He determined to translate this poem into English and find suitable music.

In Pott’s translation, the hymn was called “The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done.” It was decided to set this hymn to music written in 1591 by the great Italian composer, Giovanni P. da Palestrina.

As clearly as any hymn ever written, this inspired masterpiece describes the spiritual battle that took place when Jesus was crucified. It also describes how, in the end, He emerged victorious: “The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun: Alleluia!”

Jesus faced the powers of hell and conquered them all: “The powers of death have done their worst; but Christ their legions hath dispersed; let shouts of holy joy outburst: Alleluia!”

Because of Jesus, we can rejoice: “He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heaven’s high portals fell; let hymns of praise His triumphs tell!” As the apostle Paul wrote, God always causes us to triumph in Christ.

Today, do not allow your life to be filled with fear, worry, or doubt. Celebrate the victory that Jesus won for you. Remember: The strife is over, and the battle already has been won! Through faith, God can cause you to triumph in Christ in everything you do! Praise His name!

Daily Smile:

From Abby, 11 years old, Wisconin 

Why did the teachers tie their students’ legs together?

 

They were taking a class trip! 

 

In The News:

Religion Today Daily Headlines

Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff 

U.S. Ambassador to Libya Killed in Consulate Attack by Muslim Rioters
The U.S. ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans were killed in an assault on the American consulate in Benghazi on Tuesday by protesters angry about an online film considered offensive to Islam. Stevens is the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in an attack since 1979. The mob that stormed the consulate with guns and rocket-propelled grenades -- burning, ransacking and badly damaging it -- were allegedly furious about a 14-minute YouTube video ridiculing Mohammed produced by an Israeli-American real estate developer living in California, according the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. Embassy in Egypt was also attacked Tuesday in response to the film. President Barack Obama called the attack "outrageous" and said, "Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton identified a second victim as Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information management officer who was a 10-year veteran of the State Department, a husband and a father of two. The other two victims have not been named.

'Is This an Act of War?' Obama Turns His Back on Question About Libyan Attack
President Barack Obama took no questions Wednesday at a White House press conference on the attacks in Libya in which U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens as well as three other Americans were killed, walking away as a reporter asked, "Is this an act of war?" Obama, flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said: "The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. We're working with the government of Libya to secure our diplomats. I've also directed my administration to increase our security at diplomatic posts around the world. And make no mistake -- we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people. ... Since our founding, the United States has been a nation that accepts all faiths. We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence -- none. The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts. Many Libyans have joined us in doing so." He added that "this attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya."

Clinton: 'How Can This Happen in a Country We Helped Liberate?'
One year ago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the revolution taking place in Libya, saying, "All of us are inspired by what is happening in Libya." Today, the day after the September 11 attacks in Egypt and Libya in which the U.S. ambassador was killed, Clinton said she was asking herself how it could have happened, CNSNews.com reports. "How can this happen in a country we helped liberate, in a city [Benghazi] we helped save from destruction?" Clinton said at the State Department, adding that question "reflects how complicated, and at times, how confounding the world can be." She went on to say: "This was an attack by a small and savage group. Not the people or government of Libya. ... The friendship between our countries, borne out of shared struggle, will not be another casualty of this attack. A free and stable Libya is still in America's interest and security, and we will not turn our back on that, nor will we rest until those responsible for these attacks are found and brought to justice. We are working closely with the Libyan authorities to move swiftly and surely."

White House Denies Snubbing Israeli Prime Minister
The White House has denied reports that President Obama refuses to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, according to CBN News. Multiple Israeli newspapers reported that Netanyahu asked to meet with Obama, but the White House allegedly said the president was too busy and would not be in the city during that time. However, administration officials say such reports are untrue. "Contrary to reports in the press, there was never a request for Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama in Washington, nor was a request for a meeting ever denied," the White House said in a statement. Meanwhile, Netanyahu -- who has met with Obama on all his U.S. trips since 2009 -- has criticized Washington's refusal to give details of what would provoke a U.S.-led military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. "Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," Netanyahu said. He added that peaceful methods are not working and Iran is getting closer to acquiring a nuclear weapon, comments that generated more speculation about Israel planning an attack of its own.

Happy Thursday

THE OLD MAN IS GONE

John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

JOHN 8:39-47

All of us were born in sin and were therefore "by nature" the children of the devil. That's the reason we sinned. Our sins don't corrupt our nature, but our corrupt nature makes us sin. That's why we must be "born again" and become new creatures (or a new creation) in Christ.

The scriptures teach that everyone was born with a sin nature or old man. For the Christian, the old man is dead. We do not have a nature that is driving us to sin. If that it is the case, then why do we seem so bound to sin even after we experience the new birth? The reason is that our old man left behind what Romans 6:6 calls a body. Just as a person's spirit and soul leave behind a physical body at death, so our old man left behind habits and strongholds in our thoughts and emotions. The reason a Christian tends to sin is because of an unrenewed mind, not because of a sin nature.

Our old man ruled our thinking before we were born again. He taught us such things as selfishness, hatred, and fear and he placed within us the desire for sin. The old man is now gone, but these negative parts of his body remain. Until renewed, our minds continue to lead us on the course that our old man charted.

To experience the resurrection life of Jesus, we have to know that our old man is dead. Then, through the renewing of our minds, we destroy the body that the old man left behind. The end result is that we will not serve sin any longer.

Daily Smile:

From Karen, 9 years old

How do you make an egg laugh?

 

tell it a yolk!

 

 

In The News:

Religion Today Daily Headlines - September 12, 2012

Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff

 

Americans Mark 9/11 Anniversary in Different Ways
According to a Pew Research Center survey taken in August 2011, almost every American adult remembers what he or she was doing when news of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks spread, and three-quarters say they were affected a great deal emotionally. Yesterday, the way Americans lived out the 11th anniversary varied greatly, USA Today reports. The American Pulse Survey found that half of Americans said they would observe the day in an informal way, and 12 percent did it in a formal manner. Families of the nearly 3,000 victims gathered for memorial services at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pa., while other Americans attended local tributes, watched the reading of the victims' names on TV or did volunteer work, which has become linked to the anniversary. For others, however, the day went on just like any other Tuesday: about 30 percent of Americans said they would not do anything different, and 8 percent said they didn't have an opinion. The American Pulse Survey also found that nearly 70 percent of Americans said they somewhat or strongly agreed with the statement "I have moved on from [the events of] Sept. 11." Media attention to September 11 has already waned, says Marywood College sociology professor Brian Monahan, who has researched coverage of the attacks. "Last year, you couldn't avoid it," he said. "This year, you have to go out of your way to find it."

Obama Will Not Meet with Netanyahu During Israeli PM's Visit to New York
President Barack Obama will not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the United States later this month for the U.N. General Assembly in New York, the Jerusalem Post reports. The White House said Obama would not be in New York during the three-day period Netanyahu is visiting, and noted that the president was in the middle of an election campaign. The prime minister's office said Netanyahu would be willing to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet Obama, but the White House said it didn't think that would be possible. Netanyahu has met with Obama on all his U.S. trips since 2009, but tension between Jerusalem and Washington over Iran soared earlier Tuesday when Netanyahu said those who did not place "red lines" in front of Iran had no moral right to put a "red light" in front of Israel when it came to military action. There are continuing speculations if and when Israel will strike against the Iranian nuclear threat, with some terrorism experts suspecting an attack could come as early as this fall.

Protesters Storm U.S. Embassy in Cairo
On the 11th anniversary of September 11, angry protesters climbed the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and hauled down its American flags, replacing them with black flags with Islamic emblems, CNN reports. The replacement flag read, "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger," and protesters chanted anti-American slogans and held up bits of a shredded American flag to TV camera crews in front of the embassy. The incident prompted warning shots to be fired as a large crowd gathered outside, apparently upset about the production of a Dutch film thought to insult the prophet Mohammed, according to CNN producer Mohammed Fahmy, who was on the scene. An embassy operator said the facility had been cleared of diplomatic personnel ahead of the apparent threat, and Egyptian riot police were called to help secure the area. The U.S. Embassy said in a statement Tuesday that it "condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims -- as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions."

Church Demolished by Russian Government Gathers Among Ruins
Members of a Russian evangelical church in Moscow that the government demolished last week gathered to pray early Sunday morning among the ruins of their once-standing church, CBN News reports. More than 200 worshippers from Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church listened to pastor Vasily Romanyuke preach, and also prayed for the country's authorities. Several banners were hung on the remains of the church structure, including one that read, "The building demolished -- Church is ALIVE." Just after midnight on Sept. 6, a demolition crew accompanied by police began tearing down the church, and by morning almost the entire three-story building was destroyed. The sudden destruction -- which was apparently court-ordered -- left human rights groups and church members shocked. One church member explained that the Russian government was "forcibly" relocating churches, giving them land in more remote areas to build new buildings. Holy Trinity is among many evangelical churches kicked out of Moscow in recent months, which many Christian leaders fear is an indication of fading religious freedom in Russia.