Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  11:2  The spirit of  pride which brings  shame 

Workman worthy of his food 

Jesus while sending His disciples for preaching, gave them a lot of instructions. The list of items not to be taken with

• Gold
• Silver
• Copper

This shows extra money or  long time savings.

Bag for the journey, sandals or staff – shows extra dresses or materials

Then He adds- The workman is worthy of his food.

The minimum need - food is guaranteed. Extra clothing, bags, sandals, staff, gold, silver, copper, luxury nothing is guaranteed.

No bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. Mat 10:10 

Wherever a missionary is sent, only his food, nothing else  is guaranteed by Jesus. If any other  need in ministry arises, the Lord provides  it.  

A sister 77 years old, was in charge of 24 hours prayer in an area. She was so sincere and faithful in doing it. She used to collect all the news about the nation from the newspaper, T.V. and prepare prayer points over that, teach others how to prophesy over them, bind the activities of satan and release the heavenly blessings over the nation and the people. Her contacts started increasing. She started doing it through a simple mobile. When the work expanded, contacts increased and she had to resort to email. Since she was not familiar with the technology, she had to approach others for it. Sometimes she had to wait patiently for others’ timings. In this process,  she  learned how to send  mail by herself. Still she had to approach others since her mobile did not have the facility. All of a sudden, one day, an unknown man came to her and gave her a gift. When she unwrapped it, to her surprise, it was a hi tech mobile with all the facilities. This gift was sent from heaven through an unknown man! How faithful our Lord is!

Duty of the soldiers of AOJ - Drive out the enemies

"Tell the Israelis that when they have crossed the Jordan River to the land of Canaan, 

they are to drive out all the inhabitants of the land and destroy all their idols and their molten images. You are to demolish all their high places,  take possession of the land, and live in it, because I've given you the land to inherit. ‘You are to divide the land among yourselves by lot according to your families. The larger the families are in number, the larger their inheritance is to be. The lesser the families are in number, the lesser their inheritance is to be. To whomever the lot falls, that inheritance goes to him. Divide it according to your ancestral tribes. (Num 33:51-54)

• Num 33:55  "But if you fail to drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, their survivors will become irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, to prick your sides and afflict you in the very land in which you'll be living. 
• Num 33:56  Then, what I had planned to do to them, I'll start to do to you." 
• Time given to them to drive out the enemies

Sis. Angelica AJ

Police foil Hindu students' bid to storm Catholic college

India(Madhya Pradesh):Right-wing group wanted to conduct religious rite in what Madhya Pradesh Christians said was an act of intimidation. Hundreds of right-wing Hindu students clashed with police in central India Jan. 4 after they tried to storm a Catholic-run college to conduct a Hindu religious rite, church sources said. Police were forced to charge about 800 students from the group Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parisahd (ABVP) when they tried to gain access to St. Mary’s College in Vidisha, in Madhya Pradesh state to conduct the Aarati, a Hindu ritual prayer hailing Bharat Mata (Mother India). “They did seek prior permission, but it was refused,” college director Father Shaju Devassy said. Student leader Ankit Garg, told ucanews.com that all they wanted to do was to promote patriotism among students. Father Devassy said the attempt to storm the college was not about prayer or patriotism, but was a symbolic attempt to impose Hindu dominance over minorities.

It challenged the constitutional right of religious and ethnic minorities to own and manage institutions to help their communities, he added. Madhya Pradesh is run by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party and has witnessed many incidents targeting Christians, who form less than one percent of state’s 72 million people, Christian leaders say. The state witnessed 21 violent attacks on Christians and hundreds of cases of harassment, threats and intimidation at the hands of Hindu groups from January to November 2017, according to data published by voluntary group Alliance Defending Freedom. Critics accuse the ABVP, the student wing of the BJP, of supporting the idea of making India a Hindu nation.

New Report Shows Countries Where Christian Persecution is Expected to Increase in 2018

A new report highlighting the countries where persecution and attacks on Christians is expected to increase has been released. The annual Persecution Trends Report, from the U.K.-based group Release International, said that those countries include China, India and Nigeria. In China, a “key country of concern for 2018,” Christians could face stricter restrictions. In some districts, Santa Claus and Christmas hats have already been banned. The country is expected to impose more restrictions in February, when the community country takes control over some places of worship.

"Those new rules will mean unregistered house churches will face increasingly tough measures to control their activities,” the report says. Under the regulations, anyone who organizes unapproved religious activities will be fined up to $45,000. Anyone providing a place to host those unapproved activities could face a fine up to $30,100. In 2017, 13 Chinese Christians were imprisoned for attending a Sunday service at a house church. A pastor was tortured and sentenced to 12 years in prison, and some Christians who owned devotionals were sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing the books. In Nigeria, the Fulani herdsmen, who are trying to drive Christians away, have attacked Christian villages. In India, militants believe that every Indian should be Hindu and there is pressure on the government to close Christian churches.

Christians are Killed on Christmas Eve in Burma

Government military operations in northern Burma (Myanmar) escalated in December, culminating in civilian casualties on Christmas Eve that left Christians feeling attacked in part for their faith. Offensives against rebel groups in Kachin state, where predominantly Christian, ethnic Kachin live, displaced dozens of villagers and seriously injured two civilians on Christmas Eve, local sources said. Burma army artillery fire on Dec. 24 struck a village near Laiza, headquarters of the rebel Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), seriously injuring a schoolteacher and a student, according to the local sources. Sin Gau, assistant pastor with the Kachin Baptist Convention in northern Kachin state, said fighting should have halted on Christmas Eve, when many celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. “They launched attacks when Christmas approached – it happens almost every year,” Sin Gau told Morning Star News. “So, we even felt as if they deliberately did it.”

Area Christians felt the fighting disrespected their religious rights, he said. “As we are Christian, Christmas Eve is the most important thing for us, but we couldn’t fully enjoy Christmas as fighting continued,” Sin Gua said. The Burma army and KIO’s military wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), have been fighting since 2011 following the breakdown of a bilateral ceasefire. Clashes also broke out on Dec. 22 and 23 between KIA and the Burma army in Mansi Township, northern Kachin state, forcing more than 100 villagers to flee their homes. They are now staying in Man Wing Gyi village tract, according to local humanitarian organizations.

Thang Zua, a Kachin refugee in Tanai township, northern Kachin state, said he was saddened as the fighting continued into Christmas Eve. “We as Christians should have had celebrated Christmas without fear, but we couldn’t fully enjoy Christmas,” Thang Zua said.The Burma army has intensified offensives on KIA military outposts in Hpa-Kant, Tanai and Mansi townships since early December. Local sources said the Burma army wanted to gain control of those areas, which are rich in natural resources such as jade and other precious gems. The fighting that escalated in early December in Kachin state has spread to Shan state, in northeastern Burma, where the Burma army reportedly also used helicopters and jets, according to rebel sources. Shelling further spread in Shan state on New Year’s Eve, forcing more than 900 local villagers in Kyaukme Township and Namhsan Township to flee, according to the Relief and Resettlement Department in Kyaukme.

KIA is one of some 20 ethnic rebel groups that have fought for self-determination, autonomy, freedom and other fundamental rights since Burma gained independence from the British in 1948. The Burmese government and ethnic rebels have been in peace talk since 2011, and eight rebel groups have signed bilateral ceasefire agreements and a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Burmese government. More than 10 ethnic rebel groups, including the powerful KIO and ethnic Wa, Kokang and Palaung peoples, haven’t signed the agreements.

Ethnic groups believe the fighting in Kachin state is meant to pressure the KIO to sign the ceasefire agreement.  Christian ethnic minorities have long suffered in Burma, where the government has recognized the special status of Buddhism and promoted it as a means to consolidate support. Burma is about 80 percent Buddhist and 9 percent Christian. The Burma military routinely occupies churches and summons entire congregations for interrogation, according to a report the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released in December 2016. “The Tatmadaw [Burmese armed forces] occupied Chin, Naga, and Kachin areas and routinely occupied, desecrated, or destroyed places of worship, Christian crosses, and other sacred sites,” the report states. “This practice continues today in active armed conflict zones.” The military continues to perpetrate grave human rights violations with near total impunity, including sexual violence in church compounds and the torture of pastors, church workers, and ordinary civilians, according to the report, “Hidden Plight: Christian Minorities in Burma.” After more than five years of intensified conflict since Burma violated the 17-year cease-fire in 2011, many Kachin face protracted displacement and are desperate to return home, according to the report.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  13:2  The spirit of  the  unfaithful which feeds on violence 

Fell on face

During the  preparatory works of the National Worship Centre, an officer gave me an advice,  “While arranging seating facilities, please leave some space in front for the people who love to worship the Lord prostrating, falling on their faces”. It seemed to be a good advice. So it was done.

Falling on face in Eastern culture is a sign of showing respect. It is humbling oneself and at the same time submitting  fully  to the authority of the other. While showing respect to superiors and elders,  Indians  fall on face. Our Hindu, Muslim  brethren do the same in worshipping the Lord. In Lk 5:12, we see the Jewish people having the same culture.

“One day while Jesus was in one of the cities, a man covered with leprosy saw Jesus and fell on his face, begging him, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." Lk. 5:12

Jesus healed him.  "I do want to. Be clean! Instantly the leprosy left him”.  Lk. 5.13

We can fall on face  while worshipping the Lord. We seldom see Christians doing it. In the new year  we can make a decision regarding this in  worshipping  the Lord. Ample examples are there in the Bible for this. Joseph’s brothers prostrated in front of Joseph, the Israelites prostrated  when they saw the presence of the Lord in the  pillar of cloud, Ruth prostrated in front of Boaz, People with Ezra prostrated while reading the word of God,  etc… Peter when he saw the big catch, fell at the feet of Jesus prostrated. Peter received His calling then and there.

Every Christian,  in the beginning of faith life,  would have such an experience of falling at the feet of Jesus.  It is marvellous to have this experience!  Let us yearn to prostrate and worship the Lord Almighty every day ! He is  worthy to receive honour, praise reverence and worship.

Why Study Bible Prophecy In 2018?

Why study bible prophecy?

Is it really important?

And if so, how important? And aren't people who expend more than a passing moment examining bible prophecy simply uneducated crackpots and lunatics yearning for the destruction of the world?

These are just a few of the questions bombarding today's Christians when it comes to the study of bible prophecy.

That bible prophecy is irrelevant to the Gospel or a mere playground for the mentally unstable is a message we constantly receive from the media, pop culture, and many so-called church leaders. It's unfortunate, because this false image of bible prophecy has succeeded in turning many Christians away from the Gospel.

Although recent history is marked by an untold number of date setters and false prophets claiming to speak for God, this is no reason to ignore bible prophecy. Such people were never true Christians, but rather enemies of God in disguise.

So instead of relying on the words of ministers, priests, journalists, and other humans, let?s examine the primary source. Here's what the bible says about prophecy, including every verse of God's Holy Word:"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God?s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

The word "all" includes bible prophecy, and that's good, considering more than 25% of the bible is fulfilled or yet to be fulfilled prophecy.

Why is so much of the bible dedicated to prophecy?

There are many reasons, but in the end, there is only one purpose: to direct the attention of the human race to Jesus Christ.

"For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." Revelation 19:10 (NLT)

Previously fulfilled prophecies lend unprecedented credibility to the bible's claim to be the Word of God, and the Messianic prophecies fulfilled by the birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth authenticate his claim to be the one true Christ.

In essence, bible prophecy is the most powerful witness to the divinity of Christ. So don't listen to those who claim that bible prophecy distracts us from the true Christian mission. Quite to the contrary, all bible prophecy points to Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus Instructs Us

Despite its many detractors, the study of bible prophecy is an essential aspect of proper Christian living. The Lord Himself expected his disciples to carefully examine the Word of God and to be prepared for His return:

"So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42 (NLT)

In fact, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not recognizing the signs of the times, for the religious leaders of His day had full knowledge of the prophecies of the Messiah, yet they still chose not to believe in Him.

"One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus' claims by asking him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven. He replied, 'You know the saying, 'Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow, red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.' You are good at reading the weather signs in the sky, but you can't read the obvious signs of the times!'" Matthew 16:1-3 (NLT)

Jesus expected the people of His day to fully recognize and eagerly await the time of His first coming. As we patiently await His second coming, he holds our generation to the same standard of accountability.

There are many reasons for the Lord's repeated command to study bible prophecy, but three of the most significant are found below:

1) Authentication of the Bible

Bible prophecy offers the clearest indication that the bible is the verifiable Word of God.

Yet despite the millions of people who attend church and synagogue every week and the existence of countless books on the subject, most people are simply unaware of these prophecies.

They feverishly search through the writings of Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, the Koran, and countless other "sacred texts" in hope of finding a profound truth or revelation concerning the future, only to be disappointed time and again.

Somehow, the most credible source of information on future events, the Bible, escapes notice. Yet the fulfilled prophecies of the bible are backed by mountains of historical data, archaeological evidence, and the staggering mathematical probability of their occurrence merely being the result of chance

No other source of historical knowledge can make the same claims, and for good reason. No other source is the inspired Word of God.

"And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God - I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish." Isaiah 46:9-11 (NLT)

The very definition of God includes His unique ability to see from the distant past to the distant future, from the beginning to the end. He alone can foresee world events with 100% accuracy centuries in advance.

The apostle Peter testified to this fact:

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God." 2 Peter 1:20 (NLT)

Unlike other sacred texts that claim divine origin, the bible can point to its unprecedented track record in foreseeing future events. This is because the bible is not the product of imaginative men, but rather the testimony of prophets who were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak from God.

Fulfilled prophecy authenticates the bible, proving it to be the Word of God. For this reason alone, bible prophecy is worth every iota of our attention.

However, when it comes to spreading the Word of God, there is no greater tool of evangelism than bible prophecy.

2) Assistance in Spreading the Gospel

One of the easiest and most natural methods for spreading the Gospel is the sharing of bible prophecy.

In fact, in the early days of the Church, sharing of fulfilled bible prophecy was the primary method for spreading the Gospel. On the day of Pentecost, Peter gave a rousing speech in Jerusalem in which he cited fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies as clear proof that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah (Acts 2:14-42). This speech led to three thousand people devoting their lives to Jesus Christ.

Later in the same book, we learn the story of Philip and the Eunuch, in which Philip uses a fulfilled prophecy from the Book of Isaiah in order to explain the Gospel to an Ethiopian traveler (Acts 8:26-39). These are just two of many instances in which the early church emphasized bible prophecy as a tool for evangelism.

In one of the New Testament books which bear his name, Peter underscores the important role of bible prophecy:

"For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes. And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, 'This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him.'

We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain. Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place - until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:16-19 (NLT)

In Peter's words, bible prophecy is "like a light shining in a dark place."

Bible prophecy provides us with confidence in the coming glory of Christ and the necessary hope to see us through the daily rigors of life until that day appears. He further proclaims his confidence in the words of the prophets, both fulfilled and unfulfilled, because he has witnessed firsthand the authenticity of the scriptures.

Therefore, we should afford the utmost respect for the words of the prophets, and rejoice in the fact that we are able to understand their fulfillment in the life of Christ:

"This salvation was something the prophets wanted to know more about. They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you, even though they had many questions as to what it all could mean. They wondered what the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ?s suffering and his great glory afterward.

They wondered when and to whom all this would happen. They were told that these things would not happen during their lifetime, but many years later, during yours. And now this Good News has been announced by those who preached to you in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.? 1 Peter 1:10-12 (NLT)

The prophets yearned to know more about bible prophecy, and the Spirit of Christ was within them. Even the angels are eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of bible prophecy. If this is true, then how can we say bible prophecy is insignificant or of secondary importance?

-By PNW Staff

Gunmen Kill 16 Christians Leaving New Year"s Day Church Service in Nigeria

Unidentified gunmen shot and killed at least 16 Christians following a New Year's Day church service in Nigeria.

BBC News reported Tuesday that the attack occurred in the oil-rich region of Rivers state, which has seen heightened tensions between rival gangs. The Nigerian Independent reported that the gunmen opened fire at random early Monday morning on people leaving the church who had gone to welcome in the New Year, though there were conflicting reports on the number of casualties. At least 12 others are believed to have been hospitalized following the shootings. The public relations officer of the command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, responded to the incident, stating, "The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operation and other tactical heads have been mobilized there to restore peace." Omoni added, "The Commissioner of Police (Ahmed Zaki) has launched a manhunt for the bandits to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted. 

"When the DCP and the teams there conclude we will know the total number of people involved." BBC noted that at first, residents in Omuku town had difficulty distinguishing the gunshots from the firework celebrations. The town is known for its violent crimes, and has seen an increase of violence this past year, with militants aiming to control a greater share of the oil-producing region. While it is not yet clear whether the attack on the church was connected to the oil conflict, Christians in Nigeria suffered violently at the hands of different groups in 2017.

Four Christians taking part in Christmas carols were killed just two days before Christmas, with another 10 critically injured. The suspects were identified as Fulani herdsmen, who've slaughtered hundreds of believers over the year. Southern Kaduna People's Union responded to the killing during Christmas, with national public relations officer Yakubu Kuzamani stating, "This has left us wondering why people who had gathered peacefully for joyful Christmas carols in their village should be gunned down for no reasons." Southern Kaduna Progressive Youth Forum National Chairman Andrew Kure called the act "barbaric, wicked, and inhuman" and one that "should be condemned by all people of good conscience." Stephen Mamza, chairman of the local Christian Association of Nigeria, said that at least 100 people were killed by the Fulani on attacks on several villages in December alone, with many others missing. Islamic terror group Boko Haram has also separately been waging a war on Christians, government officials, and Muslims who do not support it for years, seeking to drive out all followers of Jesus Christ from the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Takes Stand for Persecuted Iranian Christians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he stands with Christians in Iran. “We stand with you, brothers and sisters,” he said. “The world stands with you.” The supportive statement comes after Iran’s foreign minister tweeted a “hypocritical” tweet days before Christmas. "A very happy and peaceful Christmas to all. May Christ's universal message of peace be embraced in the coming year,” he said. Netanyahu says, however, that the Christmas greeting is hypocritical because Iran has been ranked as one of the world’s harshest persecutors of Christians. "I wonder what the Christians jailed this month in Iran would think about that tweet," he said in a taped message posted on his Facebook and Twitter pages. In Iran, house churches are considered illegal and government security raid the churches regularly. Many of the worshippers and leaders are imprisoned, while bibles are confiscated. "Imagine praying quietly in your home, surrounded by your family—and all of the sudden, armed thugs burst in and drag you away to prison. They torture you merely for practicing your Christian faith. Welcome to Iran. Saying 'Merry Christmas' while jailing Christians in your own country is the height of hypocrisy," Netanyahu said. This is not the first time that Netanyahu has brought awareness to the persecution of Christians in Iran.

In October, he told Christian journalists to investigate Iran’s treatment of Christians. "Profile the brave Christian leaders jailed for practicing their faith. Sit with the families, the school teachers jailed for years merely for converting to Christianity... Call out the lies of President (Hassan) Rouhani, who promised in 2013 that all religions would 'feel justice' in Iran while so many Christians live there in constant terror," he said. "Some world leaders are willing to ignore this repression and seek to appease Iran, but I am not one of them," Netanyahu added. "I think that how a country treats religious minorities is a very good indicator of how it will treat its fellow citizens and its neighbors." 

Extremists Attack Egyptian Church as Worshipers Leave Mass

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that following today's conclusion of mass at Mar Mina Church in Helwan City, terrorists attacked the church as congregants were exiting to attend Sunday School. One of the attackers was wearing a suicide vest and attempted to enter the church, but was prevented by police. One of the Sunday School teachers, Ihab, shared with ICC, "Following the end of the church mass, as the congregation of the church began to leave and I began to collect the children to start Sunday School, we heard shooting outside the church. There was a situation of terror among all the people inside the yard: they all were screaming and running. The situation was terrible, the sound of the shooting was very dense and lasted more than 20 minutes. Many of the congregation who were in the church yard preparing to leave hurried inside when they heard the shooting. They hid inside the church and closed its inside door." He continued, "The situation was very terrible, it was like war against the church, the sound of the shooting was very terrifying. Those terrorists used automatic weapons."

A member of the congregation, Abanoub, added, "These terrorists arranged the attack of the church with precision. They knew everything about the church and the time of the ending the mass...One of them was wearing [a] suicide vest under his clothes and tried to enter the church while the worshippers were leaving the church to explode himself and kill many of them.

Abanoub elaborated, "First, the terrorists attacked the security men (police) who were assigned to guard the church and they exchanged fire with them. The terrorist wearing the suicide vest tried to storm the church during the exchange of fire to explode himself inside, but the police managed to shoot him and prevent him from storming the church."

During the exchange of shots between the police and terrorists, five Christians were killed and more than seven others injured. One of the security forces, a Muslim, was also killed.

Claire Evans, ICC's Regional Manager, said, "This brutal attack further demonstrates the ruthlessness with which extremists target Egypt's Christians. Thankfully, the attack was not as violent as the terrorists intended. But our hearts are heavy with the news of the lives lost during this assault. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost a loved one today, and we pray for the speedy healing of all those who were injured during this terrible attack."

Indonesia: 9,000 Jailed Christians Receive Reduced Sentences

Indonesia reduced the sentences of more than 9,000 Christian prisoners on Christmas Day, according to reports. According to Jakarta Post, Indonesia’s Law and Human Rights Ministry cut down the sentences of 9,333 Christian prisoners. “Of the total, 175 inmates were freed upon receiving remissions,” a Law and Human Rights Ministry official told reporters. The changes in sentences came because of administration considerations and consideration for the type of crimes jailed for. “If an embezzler wants a remission, for instance, they must first obtain justice collaborator status,” the official said.

The length of sentence reduction received depended on how much time had already been served. Reductions varied from 15 days to a maximum of two months, with the month-long reduction mostly given to prisoners who had already served from one to three years. One of the Christians whose sentence was reduced was former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who was sentenced to two years in prison after he was falsely accused of blasphemy in 2016. The former governor was used in an edited Facebook video that showed him allegedly blaspheming the Quran, although Purnama had really issued a warning against politicians who used the Quran for political advancement. The video led to protests of Purnama and a call for punishment. A man named Buni Yani admitted to editing the video and was convicted. Meanwhile, Purnama was sentenced to jail.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  28:4  The spirit which makes one   forsake the law of God

What he said shall occur

In 2011 we were in Mumbai for 18 months. In the flat where we lived, there was a window which will bring bad smell from outside. So we could not open it. One day when we read Mark 11:23, we wanted to apply this. We opened the window and prophesied, “Let all this rubbish and the stench it brings be moved out of this place, fresh air flow in through this window and  fill our house”. The next day the authorities decided to convert it into a park and the work started right away. Within one week it was completed.

Yes our mouth has power in it!

Mar 11:23  For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said. 

Yes, we will have whatever we have said.

In the place where we live now also the same miracle happened. When we came here in 2015, the road we had was of mud and sand. Auto rickshaw drivers were fearful that their tyres may get punctured. We started prophesying! Now without any efforts on our part, there are shade trees  and flower gardens in front of the house, which are watered and cared for! You may produce anything out of your tongue and eat the fruit. Why don’t you try?

Is The United Nations Fulfilling Ancient Biblical Prophecy?

On December 21, 2017, the UN united as one to stand against one city on the planet: Jerusalem. Twenty-five centuries earlier, the prophet Zechariah wrote these words from the Lord, "I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle" (Zech. 14:2) Did the UN just move us one step closer to fulfilling this ancient prophecy?

Before answering this question, let's look at the events on the ground.

First, the UN once again distinguished itself for hypocrisy by targeting Israel for its criticism - specifically, America's support of Israel - while remaining silent on so many issues of world importance.

What has the UN been doing during the horrific war in Syria? Where has the UN been during the attempted genocide of Christians in the Middle East? Decades earlier, what did the UN have to say about Tiananmen Square in China or Saddam Hussein's chemical warfare against the Kurds? Yet when America recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the UN is an uproar.

As I noted previously, groups like UNWatch.org have documented the UN's consistent policy of singling out Israel for rebuke and condemnation while virtually ignoring atrocities committed on a mass scale by other nations, including Israel's neighbors.

To give one case in point, during the UN General Assembly's 61st session (2006-2007), "the time spent by ambassadors on enacting the 22nd anti-Israel resolution of the year was time not spent on passing a single resolution on Sudan's genocide in Darfur."

So, while Sudanese Christians were being slaughtered en masse by Muslim soldiers and gangs, the UN General Assembly spent its time enacting 22 anti-Israel resolutions.

In 2015, as noted by Israeli journalist Noga Gur-Arieh,"At the closing of the 59th UN Commission on the Status of Women . . . only one political resolution was passed; one that accuses Israel of mistreating Palestinian women, in all aspects of life."

A similar resolution was passed in 2016 by the same UN Commission.

So, of all the nations on earth, only Israel was singled out for its alleged mistreatment of women.

That's why Abba Eban, Israel's legendary diplomat, once remarked, "If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions."

Second, in anticipation of the UN vote, the United States handled things exactly as it should have: with a strong word of rebuke and warning.

After all, different international leaders did not simply called President Trump and say, "We strongly differ with your recognition of Jerusalem." Instead, in the most public forum available, 128 nations stood together to condemn America for doing was what right and righteous, declaring our decision "null and void."

Nikki Haley's words to the UN before the vote said it all: "To its shame, the United Nations has long been a hostile place for the state of Israel. Both the current and the previous Secretary-Generals have objected to the UN's disproportionate focus on Israel. It's a wrong that undermines the credibility of this institution, and that in turn is harmful for the entire world."

Good for you, Mrs. Haley. Call the UN on the carpet.

Then, after articulating all the good our country does around the world, along with its support for the UN, she rebuked the UN for disrespecting America, saying, "The United Stateswill remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation. We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world's largest contribution to the United Nations, and so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit."

And finally: "America will put our embassy in Jerusalem.That is what the American people want us to do and it is the right thing to do. This vote will make a difference in how Americans look at the UN. And this vote will be remembered."

Here, here, Ambassador Haley!

Third, the 7 nations that stood with Israel and America today are a most unusual group, consisting of Guatemala, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Togo, and Palau. Honestly, now, how many of us heard of some of these countries before? And how many of us could locate some of them on the map?

Whether it was out of economic dependence on the USA, a connection to Israel, or something else, these nations should be remembered for good in the days to come. They did what was courageous and correct.

As for the countries that abstained (35 in all), two (the Czech Republic and the Philippines) already stated they are considering relocating their embassies; a number of African nations have developed solid ties with Israel; some might have considered their need for American dollars; and others might have remembered Israel's kindness to them (such as Mexico, which was greatly aided by Israel after their disastrous earthquake in September, although Mexico did use its floor time to speak critically).

Already, "U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley invited representatives of countries who didn't vote in favor of the United Nations General Assembly's Jerusalem resolution to a reception as 'thank you for your friendship to the United States.'"

But what of the matter of ancient prophecy? Is there a connection between the UN's vote and the Bible?

I would say yes, for at least three reasons: 1) The vote confirms international hostility towards a Jewish Jerusalem. 2) The vote reminds us that the biblical authors were inspired when predicting that an end-time coalition of nations would come against a Jewish Jerusalem. 3) The vote tells us that, just as Scripture indicates, the city of Jerusalem alone is the whole world's business (see Zech 12:3).

Of course, this does not set a time frame for a united attack on a Jewish Jerusalem, and we don't know if "all nations" (in the words of Zechariah) means every nation on earth or simply a worldwide coalition.

But, after watching the last 2,500 years of history, coupled with the UN's anti-Jerusalem vote this week, it's hard to read the Bible and think that the writers just guessed things right. What are the chances of that?

-By PNW Staff

Teaching the disciples

Judas – not the Master, but an instrument

Killing Jesus was not the goal of Judas Iscariot. This was very well planned out by the Jewish religious leaders. Judas was used by them. Since Judas loved money more than Jesus, he became an instrument in the hands of the Jewish leaders for executing their plan.

Disciples – Be careful!

Jesus warned his disciples to be innocent like dove and prudent like serpent. If a disciple is  not prudent, his innocence and imprudence  can be an instrument in doing much harm to another disciple and bring damage to Jesus’ name. 

King Constantine when he became a believer of Jesus Christ, in the 3^rd century A.D.,  the leaders of the Church in their hunger to get recognition and acceptance after a long period of suffering, allowed certain sanctions like

1. Constructing buildings for worship
2. Appointing priests for conducting services
3. Continue his chief priesthood of sun god etc.

This became a trap for Christianity from which it has not survived fully even after 1700 years.

I remember one incident that happened in my life. The Lord has called us to conduct Troop meetings in houses which is now converted into Troop Churches! Troop meetings were conducted in houses. Troop meetings witnessed many miracles. When it went on increasing in number, a command came from the Roman Catholic Church not to allow this troop meetings any more in houses! We were very much worried. The same day during prayer, the Lord told us,

“It is me who brought you out, not the bishop, pope or anybody else. Continue to do it. Hereafter I will bring people to you. You need not go to houses to start troops. Same day the schedule for Shekinah Evangelization Programme was  given. So far 937 batches of Shekinahs were conducted throughout India. When thousands of students attended Shekinah, it became like a feeder  for the Pentecostal Churches. Shekinah teachers were all lay people. After the conclusion of Shekinah training, all the students became believers and they went to join the Pentecostal Churches! Then came the temptation! Some of our teachers came to me with a suggestion,

“Why should we train up students to become believers and send them to Pentecostal Churches? Why can’t we register ourselves as a Pentecostal  Church? The growth of Shekinah was so fast that it had the prospects of becoming one of  the biggest Churches in  India!

I could sense that this idea came from Lucifer. I waved it off. But day by day, many teachers were getting attracted by this concept and we had to have a meeting over this!

Even though those who spoke for registering ourselves into a Church were very strong and convincing, somehow the Lord put words in my mouth and by His grace, we escaped from the ambush satan had set for us.

Sis. Angelica AJ (To be Continued)

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Christmas violence and arrests shake Indian Christians

There has been a surge in anti-Christian attacks following the election of Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government. The strains of Hindi carols have rung out in the Aligarh Church of Ascension every Christmas since 1858. Armed police on the grounds is a more recent tradition.

This year the officers will be out in force. On Thursday night in the north Indian city, Rahul Chauhan was playing tabla drums while the rest of his Seventh–Day Adventist choir sang Christmas songs in the home of a follower.

Outside, a small group of men had gathered. One forced his way into the room. “He kicked the musical instruments before trying to attack my brother with a knife,” said Jitesh Chauhan, a singer in the group.

He claims the men cast anti-Christian slurs and damaged the instruments. Rahul and the 30 carollers were unharmed but shaken.

A group of carol singers perform in a Christian locality in Aligarh the day after a carol group was attacked with knife by a suspected Hindu activist in Aligarh. Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman for the Guardian

Days earlier in Aligarh, hardline Hindu activists distributed letters warning Christian schools in the city against involving Hindu students in Christmas activities. In nearby Mathura, seven Christians were arrested by police while praying inside a home. In Satna, Madhya Pradesh state, an entire choir was detained while going door to door.

Worries about religious persecution in India usually centre on the country’s 180 million Muslims. Lynchings of Muslim dairy and cattle traders by “cow protection” vigilantes have become increasingly frequent. Hindu groups including members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) openly lobby to stop Muslims buying property in Hindu neighbourhoods.

Christians in India increasingly under attack

The series of Christmas incidents has turned the spotlight on another minority. More quietly, Indian Christians are also feeling the walls close in, says John Dayal, the secretary general of the All-India Christian Council, following a surge in attacks last year. “Anything that impacts the Muslims in a different way impacts the Christians,” he says.

In 2014, Indians elected a Hindu nationalist government in a landslide. Its leader, Narendra Modi, is a lifelong adherent of “Hindutva”, the conviction that India’s culture and institutions ought to reflect an inherent Hindu nature. Religious minorities – regarded as Hindus led astray by foreign influence – are tolerated, provided they acknowledge Hindu hegemony.

Modi has repeatedly emphasised his government will promote “complete freedom of faith”, but his elevation has been a green light for radical Hindutva groups, says Dhirendra K Jha, an author whose latest book studied these “shadow armies”.

“After Modi became prime minister, these groups started thinking they have assumed power, it is their government,” Jha says. “So they have gone amok. They don’t fear law and order or any democratic institution. They are on a rampage.”

Christian pastor Rajpal Samuel with a first generation Christian family. Hindu groups claim that pastors, are forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. Pastor Samuel said such charge is baseless. “If people are embracing Christianity they are doing it purely of their own free will.” Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman for the Guardian

A “perfect parallel”, he says, is the growing boldness of white nationalist groups in the US under Donald Trump.

“Modi would never come out and openly help them,” Jha says. “But he rarely criticises them. Because of his silence, the message goes to the state machinery that they don’t have to take action against them.”

One popular calumny is that Muslim men are trying to woo Hindu women as part of a “love jihad”. The fear is regularly fanned by senior BJP leaders. Two weeks ago, a Rajasthan state man, Shambhu Lal Raigar, raved about love jihad as he used a pick-axe to murder Mohammed Afzarul, a migrant labourer, in an attack filmed and posted online.

For Christians the primary charge is of “forced conversions”. “It means putting pressure on people to convert, sometimes physically,” says Dayal. “But according to [Hindutva groups] it could mean anything from praying for Jesus to heal you, to offering to put you in a Christian hospital or school, to paying a person American dollars or British pounds.”

In practice, any kind of public prayer in the presence of Hindus – particularly the downtrodden Dalits, formerly “Untouchables”, whose leaders regularly threaten to abandon Hinduism – can attract police attention.

One morning in October, a group including Hindus and Muslims arrived at the Faith Assemblies of God Church for a workshop on accessing government welfare. The crowd piqued the suspicion of neighbours, who tipped off local hardliners.

“Around 20 or 30 people of this group came into the church and started threatening people,” says Joel R George, who assists his disabled father to run the ministry.

A village church in a Hindu-dominated village of Asroi in Aligarh district. In 2014 Hindu activists stormed into the church and installed Hindu idols on its pulpit aiming to convert it to a Hindu temple. Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman for the Guardian

Police arrived in their wake and detained several people including George, releasing them after it was clear no religious ceremony had taken place.

“The men made videos and interrogated people,” George says. “They asked: are they giving money to you? Are they converting you?”

The roots of Christianity on the subcontinent stretch as far back as AD52, writes the historian William Dalrymple. For centuries, western wanderers in south India returned with tales of Christians who traced their origins to the arrival of Saint Thomas in Kerala state nearly two decades after Jesus’ death.

The seeds of the contemporary backlash were sown centuries later, when British preachers fanned out across colonial India to win souls for Christ, prompting several princely states to institute laws limiting conversions.

In recent decades, Hindutva ire has focused on evangelical crusades such as the AD2000 project, which sought to flood north India with American missionaries and money, aimed especially at Dalits trying to shed the burden of their caste.

Critics such as Arun Shourie, a journalist and former BJP politician, say such efforts mostly produced “rice Christians” – shallow converts swayed by offers of food and welfare. “They join out of necessity, and when necessity compels them they will join something else,” Shourie says.

Today, at least eight Indian states prohibit conversion by force, fraud or inducement, with BJP leaders repeatedly pushing to take the bans nationwide.

India’s largest international donor, the Christian charity Compassion International, was forced to cease its Indian operations in March after the government cut off its foreign funding over concerns it was using the money for proselytisation.

In contrast, Hindutva groups freely conduct mass conversions of Muslims and Christians in ceremonies they call ghar wapsi, or “homecoming”.

In this charged atmosphere, pastors and priests in Aligarh assiduously avoid the C-word. “We don’t convert. We make disciples for Jesus,” George says.

“I haven’t converted anyone in five years,” says Rev Jonathan Lal. “People come to us, sometimes they’re non-Christians, and I pray for them.”

“People see the miracles, they see the healing,” says an elder at the Ascension Church, Vincent Joel, his voice rising. “They want to come. What should we do? Chase them away?”

Children are busy cleaning and decorating a church for the Christmas in a small Christian locality in Aligarh for Christmas celebrations. Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman for the Guardian

However many new adherents can be persuaded to file past the police for Christmas mass on Monday, Christian numbers in India will remain small.

The faith has relatively few adherents to show for its two millennia on the subcontinent, and the millions of dollars and hours its champions have spent trying to sway Indian hearts.

“Our population in India is only 2.3%,” says Joel, in the church courtyard. “If we did so many conversions we should be increasing. But we are shrinking.”

Not so, says Dayal. Worshipping “sometimes in the dead of night”, rarely registering new converts with the state, flocks in the Indian hinterland are holding steady, he says.

“Christians will survive, even as an underground church,” he adds. “We have survived here for 2,000 years.”

Indians celebrate Christmas despite fears of anti-Christian backlash

Government asked states to increase security for Christmas celebrations after recent isolated attacks on Christians

Christians and others in India celebrated Christmas despite fears of a backlash in some parts of the predominantly Hindu country.

The Indian government asked states to increase security for Christmas celebrations this year after recent isolated attacks on Christians in northern India. No new incidents had been reported as of late Monday.

Vigilante groups have increasingly targeted Muslims since a Hindu nationalist party came to power in India in 2014, and some Christian leaders fear the attacks may now be spreading to their community.

“The poison of polarisation has now made Christians also a target,” said Madhu Chandra, the administrator of the All India Christian Council, a national alliance that works for religious freedom and the rights of marginalised people.

This month, members of a militant Hindu group allegedly beat up a group of Catholic seminarians and priests in Madhya Pradesh state.

Two Sudanese Pastors' Evictions Upheld by Court

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Muslim judge upheld the court-ordered eviction of two Christian families from their church-owned homes in Omdurman, Sudan. Pastors Yahiya Abdelrahim Nalu and Siddiqe Abdallah of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) filed an appeal against the eviction that was conducted on August 15, claiming that the property belonged to Hisham Al-Neel. This appeal was denied on December 3, 2017.

"The house that was marked for eviction was not ours. Our house number is 772 and the house that should have been vacated is 574. The judge went on with his ruling even after confirming from the housing authorities and the engineering surveyor that this was a mistaken raid. This is an outright breach of the law and it is done on purpose. The church is under siege and we are very disappointed," decried Pastor Yahiya.

Pastor Yahiya, his wife Manal, and their child Matthew, have been sleeping out in the open ever since. They are expecting their second child soon and winter is fast approaching. "We have been living outside in the streets with our wives and children after the forceful eviction four months ago. With the court ruling that didn't favor us, life will just become harder. This is an evil government that mistreats her people in the name of religion. We long for a nation that will give the minority groups protection and space," added Pastor Yahiya.

ICC spoke to pastor Siddiqe Abdallah, who has also been unable to find housing. "We are living under a tree in Khartoum city because a Muslim investor has taken over our house. Our hearts are broken and we can only ask our brothers to lift us in prayer. We are in great suffering and hopelessness," lamented Pastor Siddiqe Abdallah. He, his wife, and their two children are forced to live in the streets due to this injustice.

While speaking with ICC, Reverend Kuwa Shamal of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC), who was arrested in December 2015 and released in January 2017, expressed his dismay after the court upheld the eviction of the two Christian families. He said, "This is a ploy to finish the church in Sudan. The government has been oppressing the church by not only giving church properties to private developers but also forming a Muslim committee to oversee all the churches in Sudan. We are very disappointed by the move to turnover ownership of the property to a Muslim investor. The property might be demolished anytime as we speak."

ICC's Regional Manager, Nathan Johnson, stated, "The government in Sudan has long desired to end Christianity within its borders. It has worked tirelessly since South Sudan gained its freedom in 2011 to make Christianity illegal. We pray for the faith of these two families that are suffering and for those who are sure to suffer in the coming years. Sudan's flagrant human rights abuses must come to an end, and its citizens must be protected."

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  17:13  The spirit which  makes one reward evil for good

Let a king rule over us

Two days back a brother called me from France - an Indian  trained and employed for  the French collaboration projects in India, Kalpakkam Atomic unit, Salem steel plant etc.  now settled in France,  is paralyzed below hip. He took all the treatments in France and in India and went to all the possible prayer centres. But no cure. I asked him a question. “Did you consult Jesus about this?

The answer was, “Many priests came to my house. I also travelled from one centre to another. They all prayed for me.”.

I understood that he is not trained how to  communicate  with God and is not trained to have a close walk with God. All along his life he had mediators like priests, dead saints etc.

The Israelites provoked God and rejected Him  when they insisted,

"No! Let a king rule over us! We, too, will be like all the nations! Our king will govern us and go out before us to fight our battles." 1 Sam 8:19,20

It is the same problem with Christians today. They want to be under their own kings, (Church leaders) whom they think will fight for them, recommend their cases to God etc. This is equal to rejecting God.

Jesus came as Immanuel (God with us).  Those Christians who accept a lifelong spiritual authority over them, other than Jesus, is rejecting Jesus’ authority over them. This results in many evil effects including sickness, witchcrafts, attack by evil spirits etc.  How sad! Even after 2000 years of Jesus’ birth in this world, still His children, Christians are not liberated from the slavery of Pharaohs who do not allow them to worship Jesus in truth and spirit!  

Suicide Attack on Church in Pakistan Darkens Christmas Celebrations

Terror struck Christians in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province today as four terrorists allegedly linked with the Islamic State (IS) attacked a church, killing at least nine worshippers and injuring more than 50 others. Police and church officials told Morning Star News that four suicide attackers stormed the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in the provincial capital, Quetta, in the southwestern part of the country.

Hiding Under Benches

Broken wooden benches, shards of glass and musical instruments were scattered around a Christmas tree inside the prayer hall that was splashed with blood stains. Sunil Pervaiz, who was present in the church with his sister when the attack happened, told Morning Star News that the congregation was busy worshipping when the firing started. “We hid the women and children under the benches, but just then a deafening explosion occurred, breaking the wooden door and the glass windows,” Pervaiz said. “I saw several people covered in blood … some were lying on the floor, some limping away to safety. It was sheer chaos.” Aqil Anjum, who was shot in his right arm, said bullets were hitting people inside the closed hall. “The situation was so chaotic that my mind had numbed,” he told Morning Star News. “My condition was such that I initially didn’t even feel the bullet piercing my arm.”

Mehreen Joseph, 43, said her 17-year-old son suffered multiple wounds from gunfire and the explosion. “I am thankful to God Almighty that my son is alive, but my heart grieves for the families of our congregation who have lost their loved ones today,” she said. “The church was brimming with activity for the pre-Christmas Mass, and we all were very excited to be there, but our happiness has been turned into sadness.” According to Balochistan Police Chief Moazzam Ansari, the injuries resulted mainly from wooden splinters from the door and from glass blown out of the church’s windows in the explosion. Ansari praised the quick response of the police guards posted to the church, which he said had prevented the attackers from causing maximum damage. The assailants were between 16 and 20 years old and had strapped 15 kilograms of explosives to their bodies. One successfully detonated his explosive vest, while the other was defused, Ansari said, adding that two other attackers fled without putting up a fight. Authorties are searching for them.

Islamic State Claims Responsibility

The church attack came a day after the third anniversary of a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed 144 persons, mostly schoolchildren, one of the single deadliest attacks in the country’s history. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa condemned the attack, calling it an attempt to cloud Christmas celebrations. The United States also strongly condemned “the shocking and brutal attack on innocent worshippers,” U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale said in a statement.

Christian political and religious leaders condemned the attack and urged the government to provide maximum security to churches across the country for Christmas services next week. Rufus Solomon of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that terrorist attacks would not cease in Pakistan until the country implements the National Action Plan in letter and spirit. He urged Christians in Pakistan the world over to keep the grieving families in their prayers. Christians make up 2 percent of Pakistan’s population and face persecution from hard-line Islamists who want to see a strict interpretation of Islamic law take precedence in the legal system. Pakistan ranked fourth on Christian support group Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

Somalia: Ex-Muslim Converts to Christianity and Now Leads Others to Christ

A former Muslim came to know Christ in the Muslim-dominant nation of Somalia, and he is now sharing the Gospel with his countrymen, leading others to Jesus. According to The Christian Post, Somalia is 99 percent Muslim and is very hostile toward Christianity, but despite these odds, many Somalians are coming to Christ and boldly sharing their faith. Greg Kelley of World Mission, the organization through which the former Muslim came to faith, is encouraged by those who are turning to Christ in Somalia:

"People are coming to know Jesus," Kelley said. “So that was so encouraging to us in and of itself but it's really at great risk and at great cost. The Lord is using our solar-powered audio Bible, called the Treasure, in the Somali language." Kelley went on to say that the Muslim man who converted and is now sharing the Gospel, knows the risks he is taking by being vocal about his faith. “And so this guy goes around, ministering to Muslims, understanding what's at stake and the recent report that we received as he's using the Treasure to do this is that three new house churches have formed, and 15 new families have come to know Christ." Somalia is number two on Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.

Danger in reporting before human beings

When Jesus sent his twelve disciples with the authority to cast out demons, they could not do it. (Lk.9:40). Then He appointed another seventy and they did it, came back and joyously reported. Jesus forbade them from doing so because He sensitized the danger in the joyous reporting (which is called testimony sharing in today’s Churches).   

“Yet do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven”. Luk 10:20 

There is a custom in the Churches to make the believers share the testimonies as soon as they accept Jesus Christ.  Certain believers have made  testimony sharing  their lifelong ministry. As they travel from stage to stage, go on getting captive audiences, there will be a tendency  to add on to the real incidents  in order to make the listeners enthusiastic!

Rather Jesus asked His disciples to rejoice over the reward they are going to get in heaven! Yes! A believer’s eyes should be fixed on the reward they get in heaven!

Some of the activities listed out in Bible which will guarantee our reward in heaven:

Secret prayers, secret almsgiving and secret fast Mat 6:4,6,18)

Loving enemies, doing good, and lending, hoping for nothing in return Luk6:35

Planting and  watering in the Kingdom of heaven 1Cor 3:8 

Building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and if the work remains 1Cor 3:14 

Preaching gospel willingly 1Cor 9:17 

Whatever one does in serving Jesus Christ Col 3:24 

Confidence  Heb 10:35 

Esteeming the reproach of Christ Heb 11:26   

Let us hope for the reward in heaven instead of receiving applause on earth!

Hanukkah and The End Times

'those who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits...' Dan 11:32

While this verse has been a source of encouragement to countless Christians down through the ages, few have considered its original context.

This beautiful promise comes immediately after Daniel's description of an anti-Christ like figure from the 'kingdom of the north' who puts an end to sacrifices in the Temple and erects the 'abomination of desolation'.

While I believe these verses ultimately are talking about the End Times, in this article we will see how it specifically applied to the Jewish heroes of Hanukkah and how it might apply to us today.

In AD 175BC, 400 years after Daniel wrote down his prophecies, Antiochus Ephiphanes became ruler over the dominant and powerful Seleucid Empire based in Syria to the north of Israel.

At this time, Hellenism was a powerful force in society, seducing many Israelites to the Greek materialistic, pleasure seeking and idol worshipping culture. Jason - a Hellenised and corrupt Levitical priest - entered into a treaty with Antiochus, which enabled Jason to become High Priest in Jerusalem.

In exchange Jason helped erect an idol in Jerusalem and built a gymnasium in town - a place that openly promoted homosexual activity. Jason's actions split Israel - outraging those who remained faithful to the Torah, while many Hellenised Jews rallied to Jason's side.

Three years down the track, Antiochus - who called himself 'Epiphanes' or the "god man made flesh" - suffered a humiliating loss in battle against his arch-rivals in Egypt.  Returning from this stinging defeat, he heard of insurrection and trouble brewing in Israel and launched an enraged attack on the city of Jerusalem.

When the dust had settled 80'000 Jews had been butchered. Antiochus proceeded to defile the Holy of Holies in the Temple - sacrificing a pig on the altar of God and pouring swine broth over the holy parchments.

As foretold in Daniel 11:31, Antiochus then put an end to the daily sacrifices in the temple and erected an idol of Zeus in the Temple - bearing his own image on its face. The Jews at the time called it the 'abomination of desolation' - drawing on the imagery of Daniel 11:31.

Truly it became an 'abomination of desolation', for as soon as the idol was erected, intense house-to-house persecution broke out across the entire land of Israel. Houses were searched meticulously, and those found keeping God's laws were mercilessly tortured and killed.

Daniel 11:33 predicted that many of the faithful would fall by the sword and the book of Maccabees tells many such stories. One such story is that of the elderly scribe Eleazer. Eleazer's captors desired to treat him kindly due to his advanced age and implored him to only pretend to go along with their demands.

Eleazer however refused to compromise and went willingly to a torturous death, setting an example that was to be followed by many - young and old, men, women and children in the days to come. These precious Jewish heroes who paid such a high price for their faith could well be those that the writer of Hebrews refers to when he talks of those who 'were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection' (Heb 11:35).

Antiochus' plan to Hellenise Israel seemed to be slowly but surely working. Much was at stake, for if Antiochus' diabolical plan had succeeded, then there would have been no nation of Israel, no books of the Law, no temple and no one keeping or knowing God's commandments by the time Jesus was born 150 years later.

But in these dark days of suffering, as Daniel had predicted, a small minority who knew their God were raised up to 'carry out great exploits'.

Under the command Judah Maccabee, the rebels gradually gained strength. Although they were hopelessly outnumbered and facing undoubtedly the greatest super-power of their day, Judah was undaunted through firm faith in God.

Antiochus sent wave after wave to crush the rebellion - yet time and again Judah emerged victorious. Finally, Antiochus sent 47'000 men to squash Judah's rag-tag army of around 3000 men once and for all.

Hearing of the impending onslaught, Judah and his men first spent a day in fasting and repentance, where Judah reminded his men of the great victories of Israel in the Bible. The next day the Maccabees launched a surprise attack of their own on the main enemy camp - against all odds delivering another crushing blow to their enemies. After 3 years of battles and stunning military wins, the brave Maccabees finally retook Jerusalem, cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it to the God of Israel.

As the Jewish people today commemorate this great victory with the feast of Hanukkah, they say to each other that 'a great miracle happened here'. Truly this was a great miracle, and one which ultimately prepared the way of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem some 150 years later.

Hanukkah and the End Times

The reign of Antiochus bears many parallels to the End Times and carries powerful lessons for the final end time generation. Firstly, the story of Hanukkah is an annual reminder to the Jewish people of the danger of compromising their values and entering into a treaty with a foreign ruler for peace.

Secondly, to us as Christians, the story of Hanukkah carries a powerful message of standing firm in the face of persecution. As it is becoming increasingly unpopular to stand for Biblical values, may we too count the cost, and be faithful to our Lord no matter what lies ahead.

On the other hand, let us also take courage from the Maccabees who stood against such insurmountable odds and were victorious.

We too might feel like a tiny minority in our society, but truly those who know their God in these days, 'shall be strong and carry out great exploits...'. Let us not give up on our nation or our world, but keep praying and sharing the Gospel - believing that a 'great miracle' can happen here in our midst as well

- By PNW Staff

Hindu Extremists Beat Pastors, Stop Gospel Event in Chhattisgarh State, India

Berating and slapping two pastors into signing an apology letter before police, Hindu extremists stopped a planned three-day gospel meeting in Chhattisgarh state, India minutes before it was to begin, sources said. Hindu nationalists beat pastor Vijay Jogi and pastor Santosh Rao minutes before the start of the first meeting, where about 1,000 people had gathered at the Railway Grounds in Charoda, Durg District on Nov. 16, pastor Amos James told Morning Star News. “Pastor Vijay Jogi and Pastor Santosh Rao were receiving the people at the entrance,” Pastor James said. “Suddenly a mob of 70 Hindu Dharm Sena and Bajrang Dal activists gheraoed [encircled] the entrance, and Pastor Jogi and Pastor Rao were beaten and summoned to the police station.”

As in the previous 20 years, church leaders had obtained prior permission from both the railway and the railway police to conduct the event, a campaign that in past years has seen many people turn to Christ, he said. The Hindu extremists claimed organizers also needed permission from the sub-judicial magistrate. “In the pamphlets we distributed earlier inviting people to attend the meeting, I quoted Luke chapter 7 and verses 22 and 23,” Pastor Jogi said. “The Hindu activists began arguing with us, ‘You are promoting blind beliefs. How can lame walk? How can deaf hear? How can you raise the dead? When your God can do all this, why are you people going to the doctors then?’ “They told me it is very wrong that I have written these lines. I said, ‘I did not write these words. It’s a verse taken from the Holy Bible and applies to the entire humankind.”’

Pastor Jogi tried telling them that in those verses Jesus Christ was telling John the Baptist the things people had seen and heard, and they told him, “We are offended by these lines,” he said. “For which I immediately responded with apologies,” he said, telling them, “If because I quoted these lines in the pamphlet, it is offending you at personal level, I apologize to you brothers. We are very sorry!” Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in May 2014, the hostile tone of his National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist BJP, against non-Hindus has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians, religious rights advocates say.

India ranked 15th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List of the countries where Christians experience the most persecution.

Occult Groups in Nigeria Kill, Kidnap Christians

Besides Islamic extremist Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, occult groups are also terrorizing Christians in Nigeria. Pastor Victor Kanayo of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was killed in a town in Lagos state on Nov. 26 by an occult group known as Badoo, a week after suspected Badoo members killed Iyabo Alaba and her two children, 4 and 8, at Celestial Church of Christ in Lagos city, according to local reports. Originating last year with a sole killer who called himself Badoo before authorities apprehended him, the Badoo group carries out serial, ritual killings rooted in the founder’s methods.

Pastor Kanayo was killed in Offin, Igbogbo, a suburb of Ikorodu town in Lagos state, and his wife, Gloria, and their 10-month-old child, Goodness, were seriously wounded, sources said; both were being treated at Ikorodu General Hospital. On Nov. 20 in Lagos city, Alaba and her two children, 4-year-old David Alaba and 8-year-old Rachael Alaba, were reportedly killed at their church premises in the city’s Temu village at about 2 a.m. Three-quarters of the occult attacks in Ikorodu target a church member or pastor or their relatives, he said. 

“They either occurred on the church premises or a building housing a church,” he said. “We must protect the women and children.” The Pentecostal pastor said that in 24 years of ministry he has received various death threats from occult groups. His ministry has included evangelism campaigns and medical outreaches. “There are times people confess to belonging to the Ogboni Fraternity, and they bring their materials and books for burning,” he said. “I have done this many times in different parts of the country.” Another RCCG pastor was killed in Ondo state, in southwest Nigeria, on Nov. 24 when armed men ambushed him and his son at Ore town, Odigbo Local Government Area, according to area police.

Hindu Extremists Beat Pastor Unconscious in Southern India Following Conversions Among Banjaras

A pastor led a southern village’s first five families to faith in Christ, masked men on motorbikes intercepted him on his way home from worship and tried to kill him. Pastor Banothu Sevya, 26, was in a coma for 48 hours after the drunken Hindu extremists beat him in Govindapuram, on the outskirts of Jamandlapalli village in Telangana state, last month. They had threatened him twice before, he said. Pastor Sevya first preached Christ in Jangi Thanda, a village in Govindapuram, at the request of a relative. When five families came to Christ, he had been as astonished as anyone.

“I too belong to the same Banjara tribal community, and it is not possible by human strength to separate them from idolatry – they have a number of gods enshrined in rocks, trees, water and the like,” he said. “The five families left everything behind and have been walking in the Light since they invited Jesus Christ into their hearts. It is a miracle.” On the evening of Oct. 5, more than 60 villagers had gathered at his relative’s house to study the Bible and worship in a service that lasted until 9 p.m., he said. As he rode home on a motorcycle, he noticed the masked men following him. “They attempted to murder him,” she said. “Doctors in Mahabubabad and Warangal districts told me he would die, and my father and father-in-law arranged for 100,000 rupees [US$1,545] and shifted him to a private hospital in Hyderabad.” Doctors told her he had blood clots in the cerebral area, brain coordination problems, injury to his eye and a damaged eardrum, she said. The pastor said he was alive only by the grace of God. “I forgive the youth who attacked, and I am praying for them,” he said.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  11:26  The spirit which makes one withhold  grain without selling it

Many a times I have wondered “why the children of God are put to various kinds of sufferings even after Jesus Christ has brought victory into this world through His death & resurrection”.

Bible threw light on this matter last Saturday while I was preparing a message to be given for the night prayer.

"Tell the Israelis ….. to the land of Canaan, they are to drive out all the inhabitants of the land and destroy all their idols and their molten images. You are to demolish all their high places,  take possession of the land, and live in it, because I've given you the land to inherit.  "But if you fail to drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, their survivors will become irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, to prick your sides and afflict you in the very land in which you'll be living.  Then, what I had planned to do to them, I'll start to do to you." Num 33:51-53,55-56

How to inherit the land? By removing the inhabitants – the territorial spirits (not human beings) which are ruling over the land. This is the first and foremost duty of a believer wherever he/she goes to settle down. If they fail to do so, the survivors will trouble them. God’s anger also will be upon them! 

The surviving spirits- those which we fail to drive out will torment & afflict us our eyes and sides like thorns!.

Since we fail to do our duty, God’s punishment will be upon His children too! Since believers are not taught in spiritual warfare, they compromise with the demonic powers (Lk 14:31). This invokes Lord’s punishment on them!

Advent: Jesus Is Coming, and This Time It's Different

TV commercials, radio stations, and shopping malls are all proclaiming that it's the Christmas season! But actually, it isn't.

Last Sunday, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, in churches all around the world, the Gospel reading was Matthew 25:31-46. The passage opens with words that should make our hearts soar, or, perhaps, shiver with dread: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."

As the passage makes clear, Christ's second coming will be very different from his first. He will return in glory, not obscurity. He will return as the King of the Universe, not as a nobody in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire. And this time, He will do the judging. This, and not shopping, or who saw whom kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe, is what we're supposed to be thinking about these next four weeks, the season known as Advent. Now if you're wondering, "Wait, isn't this the Christmas season?" the answer is, well, "no." Of course, we wouldn't know that from watching television, where some networks have been running "Christmas" movies--none of which ever mention Jesus--since late October.

Beginning Sunday, December 3rd through Christmas Eve, many Christian traditions celebrate the season of Advent. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "come to." Thus, Advent is the season Christians anticipate the celebration of God's coming to live and die as one of us. And to better appreciate the immensity of that gift, we are to put ourselves in the place of ancient Israel which yearned for the promised Messiah who would set things right. One of the ways to do this is through hymns. The ancient Advent carol "Creator of the Stars of Night," which dates from the 7th century, expresses this Old Testament yearning in a way that has literally stood the test of time. "Thou, grieving that the ancient curse/ Should doom to death a universe/ Hast found the medicine, full of grace/ To save and heal a ruined race," the hymn reads.

The "medicine" required to "save and heal a ruined race" was Jesus, as Paul told the Philippians, emptying himself and becoming obedient to death.

But that's not the entire story. We also sing "At Whose dread Name, majestic now/ All knees must bend, all hearts must bow/ And things celestial Thee shall own/ And things terrestrial, Lord alone."

That's because Advent is not only a time of anticipating Christ's first coming but also anticipating the next and final time Jesus comes to Earth. And, I repeat, this coming will be very different from the first: The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem during the reign of Caesar Augustus will return as the "judge of the living and the dead," and "his kingdom will have no end." This makes Advent not only a time of reflection, but also a time of repentance. This season is a time to examine our lives and ask ourselves whether we are sheep or goats. Are we living, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, for ourselves or for Him who died for us and rose again?

-By PNW Staff

Training Disciples

Jesus gave the great commission of Training  the disciples. Today every minister of God highlights “discipleship”. Still India seems to be dry and poor in discipling.  The reason may vary from generation to generation,  ministry to ministry but we can make some generalizations from our experience. This article is a humble search into this matter along with the Holy Spirit  and answer received in prayer. I am privileged to share it with my beloved brothers and sisters especially who stand with me in  the warfare.

Mat 28:19-20 Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you.

In the International Standard Version of the Bible we read it this way,

Mat 28:19-20 Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you.

“disciple people” in all nations is the command given by Jesus.

Let us meditate on how Jesus trained  his disciples

Selection of disciples

How did he select his disciples?

Lk 6:12-13  Now it was in those days that Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.   When daylight came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also called apostles:

Jesus was about to choose his disciples for the ministry, Instead of breaking his head with his 30 years of carpentry experience and human knowledge in this world,  Jesus went to pray the whole night.

Night prayer gives you uninterrupted  long time to  be with  the heavenly  Father. Recruitment of disciples was  made by the  Father and training work only was given to Jesus. When the training was completed, when Jesus was about to be handed over to death He  handed His disciples  over to the  Father again. (Jn 17:10-26) The heavenly Father in turn poured His Spirit upon them and anointed them for the ministry. After that the  Holy Spirit took over.

Jn 6:45  It is written in the prophets, 'And all of them will be taught by God.' Everyone who has listened to the Father and has learned anything comes to me.

There was perfect understanding between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All the three persons in the Trinity work together in the ministry.

The Heavenly Father does only the  recruitment. After selection they come to Jesus. The Holy Spirit arranges and facilitates the work of training. i.e. provides co-workers, finance, assigns places, etc. 

It is your responsibility to train them up.

Training of disciples

Jesus trained them in 2 ways.

By teaching them

By sending them with authority to do practical

By Sr.Angelica(AJ)

This Month in NWC we are worshiping for “chennai". Book your slot for worship. No doubt the nation is going to be shaken during our worship. Be ready and prepare for that.

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Kidnappings, Threats of Massacre Terrorize Christians in Kano State, Nigeria

When the 50-year-old church elder and leader of Kano state’s Samaila village heard gunshots shortly before midnight, he rushed out of his house to try to find security agents. It was a natural reaction for Mai’angwa Samaila, given recent Islamist attacks in northern Nigeria. What the elder for the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) did not know was that the armed Islamic extremists, having killed two Christians in front of their Catholic church building, were coming for him next.

Not finding him at home that night (Aug. 15), they instead kidnapped his wife, Safiya Samaila, 45. They then kidnapped two other women, 20-year-old Yaha Gabriel and Hauwa Bebi, 18, both members of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Samaila, in Tudun Wada Local Government Area (LGA). Such kidnappings, along with threats of massacres by Islamic extremists, are continuing with the approval of some state officials in a concerted effort to eliminate Christianity, church leaders said. 

“As the shooting and capturing of the women was going on, some residents in our village rushed to the Catholic church and rang the church’s bell, alerting others on the attack on the village,” he said. “This forced the armed Muslim men to beat a retreat. This saved so many lives that would have perished during the attack.”  As the gunmen retreated, they shot at those who had run to the church building, Samaila said.

“We believe that Christian communities here are being persecuted because of our faith,” he said. “The government is aware about such invasions of Christian communities but has not done anything to put an end to the menace. The sad thing is that it is only Christians that are being killed or kidnapped in our area, as there was never any Muslim community attacked or a Muslim kidnapped.”

Death Threats

Morning Star News found that kidnappings of Christians in the Tudun Wada area have forced many Christians to flee, while many others continue to receive text messages and letters threatening massacres in their villages if no payments are made to kidnappers.

“Even yesterday [Nov. 21], the gunmen again sent a letter to me saying they were not yet done with me,” he said. “They stated in the letter that I should keep aside 3 million naira [US$8,253] for them, as they’ll be coming for the money at any time, and that failure on my part to give them the money would mean death for me.” Sallau said he had no money to give them. “I am prepared to die if that is the only price I have to pay for being a Christian,” he said.

State Conspiracy : The Rev. Ayuba Hassan of the ECWA Church, Tudun Wada Dankadai, and chairman of the Tudun Wada Local Area Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said that armed Muslims are carrying out attacks and kidnappings on Christians in order to force them to embrace Islam. “Christians here are being persecuted for refusing to embrace Islam,” he said. “We are constantly under attack. We are not allowed to freely worship as Christians. These kidnappings are aimed at forcing us to recant or make us run away from here so that they can take over our lands and expand Islam’s frontiers.” “These attacks are being instigated and supported by the agents of the Muslim-controlled Kano state government to force indigenous Hausa Christians, who we are, to embrace Islam,” he said. “Our refusal to do their biddings is what has made them adopt this strategy of kidnappings and attacks in order to force our people to tow their line. This is a jihad against the church of Jesus Christ.”

Kano state officials declined to speak with Morning Star News about attacks on Christians in the Tudun Wada LGA. The state police headquarters in Kano, a spokesman confirmed the attacks but declined to speak further, saying only that the cases are being investigated. Nigeria ranks 12th on Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution. Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria’s population, while Muslims living primarily in the north and middle belt account for 45 percent.

Government Officials Break into Jiangxi Church,  Assault Elderly, and Vandalize Property

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on the morning of November 21, more than 100 government officers in uniform raided the Beimen (North Gate) Catholic Church in the city of Ji'an in Jiangxi Province. They tore religious posters, shattered religious icons and statues, and injured four elderly Catholics who were defending the church. These officers from City Urban Administrative and Law Enforcement Bureau, commonly known as Chengguan, are part of city management agencies responsible for handling daily aspects of urban life. They are notorious for their use of violence and capricious crackdowns. In this instance, they were employed to confiscate the church property, although they had no legal basis for doing so.  

Somali Muslims Break In, Beat Children of Christian Widow in Kenya

Hard-line Muslims on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya attacked a Christian widow’s children, ages 13, 17 and 21, leaving two of them seriously injured and still in pain 11 days after the assault, sources said. Hadiya (surname withheld), an immigrant from Somalia, had not yet returned from a trip to a funeral when the assailants of Somali descent broke into her home at a town (undisclosed for security reasons) outside of Nairobi, at 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 17. Hadiya’s 17-year-old daughter was asleep in her room, while the brothers (siblings’ names withheld for security reasons) were asleep in the front room, when the Muslim gang knocked on their door, the older brother told Morning Star News. The brothers asked who was at the door. Refusing to identify themselves, the Muslims smashed a window, the older brother said. “We have warned you several times to stop taking the children to church,” one shouted, he said. “You have become an embarrassment to our clan as well as the entire Muslim community. We are here today to finish you and your children.” Their sister began screaming as the assailants broke in through the window, and the three siblings tried to escape through the door, Hadiya said. The gang beat them so much that blood was found throughout the front room, a Christian neighbor told Morning Star News.

Neighbors soon arrived and rescued the three children. “We are living in great fear and experience sleepless nights,” she said. “It is not safe for us to stay in this particular place. We need prayers and financial help at this difficult moment.” Having fled Somalia more than 13 years ago after the death of her husband, Hadiya has eight children – two from remarriage, though her second husband recanted his Christian faith amid a wave of persecution and returned to Somalia in 2010.  She called for the government to offer protection. “We will not recant the Christian faith,” she said. “We will continue putting our faith in God.”

U.K. Raises Awareness of Persecuted Christians by Lighting Buildings up Red

On Nov. 22, the British Houses of Parliament and more than 30 churches and schools, mostly in the U.K., bathed their buildings in red light to bring attention to the worsening problem of Christian persecution around the world. The initiative was part of Red Wednesday—the second annual centerpiece of Aid to the Church in Need’s efforts to remember the most persecuted religious group in the world. Special services and vigils also were held throughout the week. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) urged people to wear red, the color of martyrdom, and post photos on social media using the hashtag #RedWednesday. Speakers of the House of Commons and House of Lords agreed to participate in Red Wednesday after constituent pressure, according to ACN. “We all need to get behind #RedWednesday—we need to stand together against violence carried out in the name of religion—we need to speak up about regimes which persecute people of faith,” one citizen who lobbied his lawmaker told ACN. ACN’s Patricia Hatton told me that Red Wednesday is designed “to wake up the Christian community to the nature and scale of Christian persecution today, especially in the Middle East, and to call for prayer and practical support for all who need our help.”

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  24:1  The spirit which makes one  desire to be with evil men

This Month in NWC we are worshiping for “chennai". Book your slot for worship. No doubt the nation is going to be shaken during our worship. Be ready and prepare for that.

Contact Us

Email      : worshipcentreindia@gmail.com

Mobile    : 7708505152

National Worship Centre is a centre where the Lord of hosts, the Lord God Almighty will be worshipped in His majesty all the 24 hours.

 Address :

Father’s House,

4/364 E, Anna Salai 1st Cross Street,

ECR, Palavakkam, Chennai – 600041.

Praise God for the successful completion of 15678 slots in National Worship Centre with a Non Stop Worship (24/7)   

YouTube Pulls Plug On Bible Videos

Videos promoting ISIS and violent jihad can be found on YouTube. So can those of the KKK, communists and antifa. But the Bible lessons and radio interviews posted on the personal channel of Carl Gallups, a popular pastor and author, can't. They've been censored by the Internet giant. Pulled down. Dropped.

According to Gallups, the channel was terminated over Thanksgiving weekend without explanation, even though there had been no "marks" against it and he rigorously followed the rules.It's not the first time a faith-focused or conservative-oriented channel has been censored by YouTube. At least three other major cases developed this year, against columnists Michelle Malkin, Michael Brown and Dennis Prager, all of whom have conservative views.

Nor is it the only time there's been a hint that the company is not fond of conservative thought. An undercover video by Project Veritas captured Earnest Pettie, the brand and diversity curation lead at YouTube, admitting he helped "push to the top" the videos of an editor for the left-leaning New York Times.

"In very rare cases, we will try to make up for the fact that something isn't in the trending tab," Pettie said. "We will, like, use some type of intervention ... to encourage the thing to be there."

He said "algorithms do control everything but sometimes you need humans to provide a check."

WND commentator Michael Brown said in August that 900 of his videos were demonetized.

"Debates I had with rabbis were flagged; powerful stories, like a Muslim woman being healed by Jesus, were flagged; videos where I answered questions like, ‘Should Christians Homeschool Their Children?' or ‘Did Jesus Claim to Be God?' were flagged, along with videos of spiritual encouragement (like the one encouraging believers to look to the Lord in the midst of chaos)," he said. "Teaching videos were flagged (like the one explaining that the preface to the King James Version of the Bible refutes King James Onlyism), along with motivational videos (like the one where I talked about how I lost 95 lbs.). All these were flagged, along with the many videos that focused on LGBT issues or radical Islam or politics. Seriously?"

-By PNW Staff

U.K. Raises Awareness of Persecuted Christians by Lighting Buildings up Red

On Nov. 22, the British Houses of Parliament and more than 30 churches and schools, mostly in the U.K., bathed their buildings in red light to bring attention to the worsening problem of Christian persecution around the world. The initiative was part of Red Wednesday—the second annual centerpiece of Aid to the Church in Need’s efforts to remember the most persecuted religious group in the world. Special services and vigils also were held throughout the week. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) urged people to wear red, the color of martyrdom, and post photos on social media using the hashtag #RedWednesday. Speakers of the House of Commons and House of Lords agreed to participate in Red Wednesday after constituent pressure, according to ACN.

Christians in Egypt Lose More Worship Sites

Fear of Islamist attacks was again cited as the cause of stopping worship in Egypt this month, even though parishioners said local Muslims supported the opening of the shuttered church outside Cairo, sources said. Anba Morcos, Coptic Orthodox bishop of Shobra El-Kheima, decided to close the Pope Kerlis VI and Archdeacon Habib Gerges church before Nov. 17 services after consulting with the governor of Qalyubia, who had warned of possible Islamist attacks, according to Egyptian newspaper Almasry Alyoum.

After Friday mosque attendance on Nov. 17, Muslim families gathered outside the closed Coptic Orthodox church building in Shobra El-Kheima, about 30 miles outside of Cairo, to show their support for it, an area Christian told Morning Star News.

Anti-Christian Hostilities

On Oct. 15, local police closed the Virgin Mary church in El-Sheik Alaa village, Minya, due to tensions with Islamists following a Christian’s attempt to open the church for worship. The church had been closed following Muslim extremists’ attacks in 2015, and since then it has never re-opened, according to Bishop Makarios’ statement. The same day the customary reconciliation session took place, area Muslims in Ezbit Zakaria, Minya city, stoned St. George church. A Coptic woman was injured, and police later brought control. On the same Sunday (Oct. 22) in El-Karm village, Abu Qurqas city, local police shut down Abu Sefeen church. On that occasion there was reportedly no sign of religious tensions or potential attacks. The same village last year witnessed one of the most severe Islamist attacks against Christians. Local extremists attacked and looted seven houses owned by Christians, and they assaulted an elderly Coptic woman, Soad Thabet, and stripped her clothes off in the streets.

Despite Law, State Department Misses Deadline to Name Religious Freedom Violators. The U.S. State Department often misses its deadline to release a list of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom — or doesn’t release a list at all. This year, Congress had hoped to break it of the habit. In December, lawmakers passed a law mandating that the department name those “Countries of Particular Concern” within 90 days of releasing its International Religious Freedom report.

That report came out on Aug. 15, making Monday (Nov. 13) the deadline for the State Department. But there is still no list of CPCs, even though Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said religious freedom is a “human rights priority” for the Trump administration. The delay bothers some religious freedom watchdogs, including members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan body set up by Congress in 1998 to monitor the issue.

“Failing to designate CPCs tells the violators of religious freedom around the world that the United States is looking away,” USCIRF Chairman Daniel Mark said in a written statement.

The Countries of Particular Concern are a list of nations that violate religious freedom in a “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” way, according to USCIRF. USCIRF must provide its own list of recommended CPCs to the State Department by May 1, according to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The department does not always include all of the commission’s recommendations on its list — the one to which world leaders pay more careful attention. In April, USCIRF recommended 16 countries as Countries of Particular Concern, including North Korea, China and, for the first time in the history of the list, Russia. The commission noted in its report that in 2016, Russia has passed a new law “effectively criminalizing all private religious speech not sanctioned by the state,” all but banned Jehovah’s Witnesses and tried Muslims “on fabricated charges of terrorism and extremism.”

Watchdogs had hoped the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act passed last year would prod the State Department to release its list sooner, Mark told RNS, “but they did miss the deadline.” The act, named for the Republican former congressman who made international religious freedom one of his signature issues, also requires the White House, for the first time this year, to name “Entities of Particular Concern,” in addition to CPCs. USCIRF recommended that list include the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the Taliban and al-Shabab.

That new requirement may be what’s holding up the State Department’s list: The White House has not yet delegated authority to the State Department to name Entities of Particular Concern, as it has with the CPCs. That’s what Ambassador Michael Kozak, senior adviser to the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said during a briefing on religious freedom streamed Wednesday on the U.S. Helsinki Commission’s Facebook page.

“People like to think this is due to some titanic bureaucratic battle going on, but it tends to be more mundane stuff,” Kozak said. A State Department official told RNS in an email Friday that those designations would be released soon and reiterated that religious freedom is a priority to the Trump administration. The official did not comment on why the list was delayed. Mark said there has not been much reaction to the missed deadline, as few Americans, even those concerned about religious freedom, are aware of the new law aiming to get the CPC list released faster.

Pray for the Persecuted Church-Abroad and at Home

Sunday, November 5 and Sunday, November 12, 2017, have been designated as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Moore said, "There were 2000 graduates to this Bible school…and yet, before they got their diploma and a bicycle and a one-way train ticket to an unreached place of their choice, they had an extra step. They had to actually stand up and take a ‘martyr's oath.’ They had to pledge that if they had to die for their faith, they would be willing to die for their faith." “I AM A FOLLLOWER OF JESUS. I believe he lived and walked among us, was crucified for our sins, and was raised from the dead, according to the Scriptures,” begins the “Martyr’s Oath,” which Moore includes in the appendix of his book. This is the same type of pledge that the Indian bishop administered. The oath continues, “I believe he is the King of the earth, who will come back for his church….As he has given his life for me, so I am willing to give my life for him. I will use every breath I possess to boldly proclaim his gospel.”  Moore reflected on how this struck him at the time: "Here I was, a sheltered American, never having been exposed to such a thing; and all of a sudden, I was in the heart of the persecuted church. And I felt like I was standing in the book of Acts." He notes that persecution of Christians has often been the norm in history, not the exception.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Mark 7:22  The spirit of foolishness

“I am a sinful man”

During the trainings, the participants come for interviews and personal counselling. In one such incident, one doctor, a gynaecologist, came to meet me for 5 minutes. She was in tears and was wiping it throughout. “all these three days I feel like crying!.  I could not control my tears. I accepted Jesus three years back. All these years I thought I knew something about Bible and about Jesus. But now I feel I knew nothing and   I am far away from Him”

As we approach God closer and closer, the more we realize our wretchedness and worthlessness.

 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus' knees and said, "Leave me, Lord! I am a sinful man!" Lk 5:8 

Those who talk more about themselves and take pride in their achievements,  know very little about God. Knowing more about His majesty, power, might, sovereignty, supremacy is the real invention of a man in this world. Taking time  to watch & enjoy the sweetness and innocence of a child, the beauty of a blossoming flower, the way the seeds are arrayed inside a pomegranate, the triangular snow covered top of a mountain, the appearance of countless stars in the sky at night,   might help one realise the  beauty and omniscience of God.

The “big catch” experience of Peter  made him commit his life to follow Jesus  and led him to a death on the cross upside down.

What is your experience of Jesus? What led you become a believer?

“And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. 2 Kings 19:3”

In May 2014, a pastor called me over the phone. He was assistant pastor in a big church and God asked him to leave that church. Though it was tough for him he obeyed the instruction of God .He said that when he sat for prayer the Lord showed him Isaiah 19

Accepting this message from this unknown pastor I waited upon the Lord and He spoke to me giving some explanations. THIS IS THE MESSAGE GIVEN BY THE LORD TO HIS CHILDREN ON THE FUTURE OF INDIA (V. 18-25)

- Sis. Angelica AJ

Scary China Citizen Loyalty Score To Determine Privilege

At the root of the problem is the philosophy behind the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward so many decades ago. In its attempt to reshape Chinese society into a Communist utopia that would sweep away all the old oppressive structures, to be replaced only by the Party, the traditional sources of values and trust were weakened or destroyed. Religion, family and community organizations were all torn down and replaced with the machinery of the State. But the State was not loving and did not build relationships. Corruption and abuse in government officials only amplified a problem that had festered deep in a culture that had stripped away its own moral values. The Citizen Score is social control taken to levels that even Orwell never imagined. Disagree with the party, push for greater freedom of speech, freedom to worship or a more open Internet, and your score will suffer. The interest rates you get offered on loans will rise and the jobs you want will suddenly become unavailable. If the score drops low enough, you can be blocked from buying plane, train or bus tickets. Drop even lower and your bank accounts may be frozen, your social media accounts cut off and your email restricted.

Police records, bank data, traffic violations, educational histories, personal communication, purchases you make online and videos you watch are only just part. Your score can be affected by those linked to you in your social circle. Associate in person or online with someone who has a low Citizen Score and your score will suffer as well. Toe the party line, inform on your neighbors and you may see your score rise a few points. The system represents the ultimate goal of any totalitarian regime and for the Chinese Communist Party, obsessed with control, realizing the Social Credit system would bring it measurably closer to its version of utopia.But the plan is not without its challenges. Implementing such a system for 1.3 billion people is an immense technological challenge and the algorithms that adjust the scores run the risk of being subjective in a way that unbalances the system or bring negative public opinion.

When the Citizen Score becomes compulsory in 2020, there may be no escaping its hold or reach and no end in sight. If applied subtly enough, it can bend and shape every Chinese into an obedient servant of the State.The penalties for "breaking trust" may be small at first as they act as incentives to obey, but at their full application they can turn all of China into a prison for entire classes of people. For the Chinese Community Party, this may be the harmonious utopia it has always lusted after, but for the human beings living under its thumb, the Citizen Loyalty Score could be the worst dystopia for individual freedom imaginable.

-By PNW Staff

Despite Law, State Department Misses Deadline to Name Religious Freedom Violators

The U.S. State Department often misses its deadline to release a list of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom — or doesn’t release a list at all. This year, Congress had hoped to break it of the habit. In December, lawmakers passed a law mandating that the department name those “Countries of Particular Concern” within 90 days of releasing its International Religious Freedom report. That report came out on Aug. 15, making Monday (Nov. 13) the deadline for the State Department. But there is still no list of CPCs, even though Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said religious freedom is a “human rights priority” for the Trump administration.

“I suspect it’s also balanced by the fact that the administration has been doing good things (on the issue). There is some leeway and benefit of the doubt being given,” said Mark, who was appointed to the commission by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis. But, the chairman added, “I think if we get to the end of 2017 and this hasn’t been done, I think people will be disappointed and frustrated and will begin to worry if there’s something problematic going on in the background.”

Chinese Christians Forced to Replace Posters of Jesus with President Xi

Christians in a village in southeastern China have reportedly been asked to replace their posters of Jesus Christ with posters and photos of Chinese President Xi Jinping if they want relief from poverty and illness. According to the South China Morning Post, Chinese government officials are encouraging the change. Xi has publicly said that he is working to end poverty by 2020. That work includes government visits to Christian families to encourage them to follow the Communist Party policies and solve their problems. "Many poor households have plunged into poverty because of illness in the family. Some resorted to believing in Jesus to cure their illnesses,” said Qi Yan, chairman of the Huangjinbu people’s congress."But we tried to tell them that getting ill is a physical thing and that the people who can really help them are the Communist Party and General Secretary Xi,” he added.

The Huangjinbu township gave more than 1,000 portraits of Xi to families.Officials deny that they suggested religious icons would need to be removed. But residents have said that officials are calling for the removal of religious artifacts."They all have their belief and, of course, they didn't want to take them down. But there is no way out. If they don't agree to do so, they won't be given their quota from the poverty-relief fund," the resident said. In October, Xi secured his rule for another term after the National Party Congress did not select a successor to Xi.

Indian Christians Accused of Kidnapping, Forced Conversion

A court allowed seven Christian children in India to return to their families a week after Hindu radicals falsely accused their chaperones of kidnapping them to forcibly convert them. It was the third situation of its kind in Madhya Pradesh state since May. The children and adults were traveling to Mumbai for a Christian event when extremists intervened, beat them, and accused the caretakers of kidnapping, The Indian Express reported. Forced conversion is a crime in the state. Police took the Christians into custody. Parents provided baptism certificates proving the children were Christians already, and the state’s high court authorized their return. Two female chaperones remain accused and jailed, UCA News reported. Several Christians accused of the same crimes in a nearby town in May were released on bail but await prosecution, according to International Christian Concern (ICC). ICC’s William Stark said the accusations not only cause direct harm but also are “definitely having a chilling effect on the church itself” because many Christians are afraid even to attend church. Complaints aren’t only being directed at Christians when they travel. An India-based attorney who works with Alliance Defending Freedom told UCA News that Hindus falsely accused Christians in Madhya Pradesh of forcibly converting people at least 27 times this year.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  18:2   The spirit in a fool who takes delight in expressing his own heart

Guard it night and day!

The other day one sister called me and asked me to pray for her. She said, “Whenever I pray the Lord speaks to me and answers me. But for the past few days I cannot hear His voice, nor do I  sense His presence within me. I fear whether he is angry with me?”

When we prayed for her, the answer came like this:

“I, the LORD, watch over it And I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can harm it.  I am not angry. If only the vineyard could give me briers and thorns to battle, I would march against it, and I would burn it all up.” Isa 27:3-4 

How amazing is His protective love towards His creation! Not even  doctors can protect their  own children night and day!

Dearly beloved! God loves you! He is not angry with you! The common image people have about God is ‘He is a terrifying authoritative punisher of offenses’! How sad! His love towards each and everyone is so tender and  sweeter than anybody’s love in this world!

Today I attended the funeral of a 5 months old baby! Before burying it, while the  father took the body in his hand to  kissed it,  his whole body shivered and the sigh that came from him moved  all the people there. Even though he loved his child so much, he could not arrest the child’s death!

The Almighty  Father  who created you and me guard us day and night, 24 hours of the day. Nothing can harm us, damage us, arrest us, stand against us or block our ways without His prior permission!

May God make us live in this awareness and relationship every day!

Scary China Citizen Loyalty Score to Determine Privilege

China has already implemented its Citizen Score on a voluntary basis but this month government officials released details about how the program will operate in 2020 when it becomes compulsory for all Chinese citizens. For those who may be curious, think of the Citizen Score, sometimes referred to as a trust score, as akin to a credit score but one that encompasses every conceivable aspect of one's life. Buy video games and your score drops because the government assumes you are idle, buy diapers and it rises because you seem more stable.

Get a traffic ticket or speak out about the government, and your score drops, but earn a degree or support the Party and your score might rise. Miss paying your bills or don't support your parents and your score will suffer. Read books that the party doesn't deem ideologically sound or watch foreign movies, and your score will take a hit. China has spent years integrating its digital surveillance infrastructure so that it can connect every aspect of its citizen's lives. Compliance with the Communist Party, by individuals and businesses alike, can now be rated quantitatively on a scale through secret algorithms that constantly monitor thousands of behaviors. And the Citizen Score matters.

For a Chinese citizen, it determines what schools and universities will accept him, what jobs he can apply for, the interest rate and availability of loans and it is even being used to determine if someone is fit for dating.

The system was first outlined in a 2014 document entitled "Planning Outline for the Construction of a Social Credit System" and it came in response to an appalling number of scams, governmental corruption and sporadic violent reactions by citizens to abuses of power.  The Social Credit system promises to solve both problems as it attempts to blacklist with low trust score those Chinese responsible for swindling their comrades and allows the central government to keep tight control on any dissent in the citizenry.

-By PNW Staff (To be continued)

And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.2 Kings 19:3”

In May 2014,  a pastor called me over the phone.He was assistant pastor in a big church and God asked him to leave that church. Though it was tough for him he obeyed the instruction of God .He said that when he sat for prayer the Lord showed him Isaiah 19

Accepting this message from this unknown pastor I waited upon the Lord and He spoke to me giving some explanations. THIS IS THE MESSAGE GIVEN BY THE LORD TO HIS CHILDREN ON THE FUTURE OF INDIA (V. 18-25)

• - Sis. Angelica AJ

 Message for year 2017

Luke 24:47--49"And then repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem".

Peace among men with whom God is pleased

The Lord has declared 2017 as the year of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

November, 2017 – We pray for Forgiveness and Reconciliation between Employers and Employees

Week - 2

1. That employees fear Him alone who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mat 10:28)
2. That they be worthy to be praised, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mat 25:21)
3. That they be set over much for being faithful over a little. (Mat 25:23)
4. To be honest and sincere in order to enter into the joy of the master. (Mat 25:23)
5. That they do not be wicked or slothful. (Mat 25:26)

This Month in NWC we are worshiping for “chennai". Book your slot for worship. No doubt the nation is going to be shaken during our worship. Be ready and prepare for that.

Contact Us

Email      : worshipcentreindia@gmail.com

Mobile    : 7708505152

National Worship Centre is a centre where the Lord of hosts, the Lord God Almighty will be worshipped in His majesty all the 24 hours.

 Address :

Father’s House,

4/364 E, Anna Salai 1st Cross Street,

ECR, Palavakkam, Chennai – 600041.

Praise God for the successful completion of 15638 slots in National Worship Centre with a Non Stop Worship (24/7)   

Indian Christians Accused of Kidnapping, Forced Conversion

A court allowed seven Christian children in India to return to their families a week after Hindu radicals falsely accused their chaperones of kidnapping them to forcibly convert them. It was the third situation of its kind in Madhya Pradesh state since May. The children and adults were traveling to Mumbai for a Christian event when extremists intervened, beat them, and accused the caretakers of kidnapping, The Indian Express reported. Forced conversion is a crime in the state. Police took the Christians into custody. Parents provided baptism certificates proving the children were Christians already, and the state’s high court authorized their return. Two female chaperones remain accused and jailed, UCA News reported. Several Christians accused of the same crimes in a nearby town in May were released on bail but await prosecution, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).

ICC’s William Stark said the accusations not only cause direct harm but also are “definitely having a chilling effect on the church itself” because many Christians are afraid even to attend church. Complaints aren’t only being directed at Christians when they travel. An India-based attorney who works with Alliance Defending Freedom told UCA News that Hindus falsely accused Christians in Madhya Pradesh of forcibly converting people at least 27 times this year.

Muslim Fulani Herdsmen Ambush, Kill Nine Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria

Nine Christians were buried in north-central Nigeria yesterday after Muslim Fulani herdsmen ambushed and killed them earlier this week, sources said. “We shall therefore overcome this season, as it is written, “weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning,” he said. A similar attack was carried out in the same area a few weeks ago, when a Christian woman and her son and a daughter were brutally killed by armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen who have been raiding Christian communities in the central Nigerian states of Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba and Niger. The chairman of the Riyom Council, Emmanuel Damboyi, called for the arrest of Fulani leaders in Riyom, according to Nigerian newspaper The Nation, as they had vowed to attack Berom communities due to the alleged killing of a missing Fulani boy. “Eleven people who were returning from a weekly village market of Makera were shot dead at about 7:30 p.m.,” he said. “No arrests yet, but investigations are ongoing, and we shall definitely get to the roots of this.” Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria’s population, while Muslims living primarily in the north and middle belt account for 45 percent. Nigeria ranks 12th on Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution.

Christian Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng Escaped, Recaptured

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that, with the help of two friends, Chinese Christian human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng escaped in August from his home in Shaanxi, where he was under house arrest. For 23 days, he hid in a vacation house in Jiexiu city in neighboring province, until Shaanxi police mobilized a large number of officers to cross the border and recapture him. While his friends were detained, Gao vanished again and now is believed to be under police custody in Beijing. One of his friends who assisted with the rescue, Mr. Li Fawang, was released on October 26 with bail pending trial. Four days later, he reached out to his reporter friend to recount how they successfully brought Gao out and give details of subsequent development. Gao's wife Geng He expressed her concern on Twitter earlier today, "Waiting, waiting...Finally the 19th Party Congress is over, yet we still have no news of Gao Zhisheng."

Pray for the Persecuted Church---Abroad and at Home

Sunday, November 5 and Sunday, November 12, 2017, have been designated as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I planned to write about this topic and focus on anti-Christian persecution overseas at this time. And then came this tragedy---the mass shooting in a church in Texas, killing 26 and wounding 20 on Sunday. The killer was described as one who “preached atheism” and “hated religious people.” Of course, killing Christians just because they are Christians is the exception in America. However, in about sixty countries on earth, for millions of professing Christians, it is dangerous to be a practicing believer in Jesus, yet God is using Christian martyrdom to grow the church. "We are witnessing an astonishing escalation in Christian persecution, like we have rarely seen since the first century," writes Johnnie Moore in his new book called The Martyr’s Oath: Living for the Jesus They’re Willing to Die For. Johnnie wrote a book a few years ago that was a bestseller, called Defying ISIS. After writing that first book, he was able to raise $25 million on behalf of the persecuted church. In a radio interview with him about his new book, Moore told me he got involved in this because, as a college student at Liberty University, he witnessed an unusual (to him) graduation ceremony in India.

Moore said, "There were 2000 graduates to this Bible school…and yet, before they got their diploma and a bicycle and a one-way train ticket to an unreached place of their choice, they had an extra step. They had to actually stand up and take a ‘martyr's oath.’ They had to pledge that if they had to die for their faith, they would be willing to die for their faith." “I AM A FOLLLOWER OF JESUS. I believe he lived and walked among us, was crucified for our sins, and was raised from the dead, according to the Scriptures,” begins the “Martyr’s Oath,” which Moore includes in the appendix of his book. This is the same type of pledge that the Indian bishop administered. The oath continues, “I believe he is the King of the earth, who will come back for his church….As he has given his life for me, so I am willing to give my life for him. I will use every breath I possess to boldly proclaim his gospel.” Moore reflected on how this struck him at the time: "Here I was, a sheltered American, never having been exposed to such a thing; and all of a sudden, I was in the heart of the persecuted church. And I felt like I was standing in the book of Acts." He notes that persecution of Christians has often been the norm in history, not the exception.

Moore told of a Muslim couple that converted to Jesus and left Syria for a neighboring country. One of their relatives wrote, saying he knew what they had done (leaving Islam), and he knew where they lived. When he caught up with them, he would crucify them, unless they changed back. Moore said the couple wrote back to the relative, answering that they were glad to know Jesus and were willing to die for Him—but that they were not worthy to die in the same manner as He did.

Decade after Church Burnings in Nigeria, Officials Forbid Rebuilding

A decade after Muslims attacked and displaced Christians in a town in northern Nigeria, Kano state officials have forbidden church buildings to be rebuilt there, sources said. Eight church buildings destroyed in late September 2007 in predominantly Muslim Tudun Wada Dankadai, Kano state, are still in ruins, a Morning Star News correspondent observed earlier this month.

The buildings of St. Mary’s Catholic, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Baptist, Assemblies of God, Charismatic Renewal, Mountain of Fire and Miracle and Deeper Christian Life Bible churches, along with that of another  church, have not been rebuilt because local Muslims have refused to allow it, Joseph Opeyemi Ibinkule, a 42-year-old a Christian resident of Tudun Wada Dankadai, told Morning Star News. “Christians who have braved it and returned after the attacks in 2007 have no worship buildings up to today,” Ibinkule said. “The reason is that the government of Kano state has banned us from rebuilding our churches.”  No pastor lives in the town, he said, and only a few come to lead services to a smattering of church members in the hostile environment. “These are the ECWA pastor and the Catholic priest,” he said. “Both of live in the city of Kano and only come to conduct services under trees for their members.”

China Deports Hundreds of South Korean Christians for Helping Persecuted North Koreans

China’s government is not only cracking down on its own Christian citizens, it is also targeting South Koreans who are in the country and allegedly helped persecuted North Koreans who escaped Kim Jong-un’s oppressive regime. According to The Christian Post, the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang have together deported hundreds of South Korean Christians who are evangelizing and engaging in missionary work. In the province of Jilin, all South Korean churches have reportedly been closed due to China's campaign to “eradicate extremism.” Christians who continue to participate in unauthorized religious activities can face up to $45,200 in fines and possible arrest and imprisonment.

According to Bob Fu, the founder and president of China Aid, a ministry which seeks to help persecuted Chinese Christians, "the top leadership is increasingly worried about the rapid growth of Christian faith and their public presence, and their social influence. It is a political fear for the Communist Party, as the number of Christians in the country far outnumber the members of the Party." China’s president Xi Jinping, who is commissioning the crackdown on Christians, is becoming more and more powerful. Last month, the Communist Party in China voted to enshrine Xi’s name in its constitution in order to ensure his legacy.