33 Vietnamese Christians Are Attacked, Raided after They Refuse to Worship Buddha
33 Vietnamese Christians were terrorized by government officials after they refused to worship Buddha.
According to International Christian Concern, Hmong Christians in Phá Lóm village, Tam Hợp commune, Nghệ An province were given an ultimatum by officials – renounce Jesus or face consequences.
Pastor Hoang Van Pa told the ICC that four of the Christians were beaten and arrested and the village was raided three times, twice in November and then again at the beginning of December.
After the raids, the ICC reports that authorities from the Vietnamese Interdisciplinary Inspection Team put 33 of the Christian’s in the community on public trial where they were asked to “abandon their religion and worship the Buddha statue instead.”
According to Mr. Dzung of the IIT, refusing to denounce Protestantism and convert to Buddhism will result in the expulsion from Vietnam.
CBN News reports that early last year, the Vietnamese government passed legislation which gave the communist government greater control over religious practices in the country.
The outlet reports that of the one million Hmong people in Vietnam, around 300,000 of them are Christians, many of whom have faced various forms of persecution including, “exclusion, harassment, discrimination, loss of property and even violent attack.”
Eduardo Verástegui Córdoba, who is also a pro-life campaigner, has proposed a monument called ‘The Christ of Peace’ which would measure 77 metres in height (252 feet).
Organisers say it would stand as “a message of faith, love, hope, and peace” in Ciudad Victoria the capital of Tamaulipas – considered one of Mexico’s most violent states.
On completion, the statue would eclipse the Christ the King landmark (pictured above) in Swiebodzin, western Poland which is currently the tallest statue of Jesus in the world (52.5 metres high).
It would also be taller than the famous Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (pictured below).
According to the Catholic Church, construction will get underway in early 2019. It is uncertain how much the project will cost or who will foot the bill.
Fernando Romero, whose company conceived Mexico City airport, is designing the figure – which will depict Christ with outspread arms.
Chris Pratt Is Doing the Daniel Fast, Encourages His Fans to ‘Check it Out’
An outspoken Christian, actor Chris Pratt took to Instagram this week to tell his followers that he is doing the Daniel Fast.
The Guardians of the Galaxy actor said in an Instagram story, “Hi, Chris Pratt here. Day three of the Daniel Fast, check it out. It’s 21 days of prayer and fasting.”
The fasting plan based on the Old Testament fasting of the prophet Daniel takes participants on a 21-day prayer and fasting experience that aims to bring participants closer to God, the Daniel Fast website says.
TODAY reports that Pratt, who is staring in the upcoming Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, is participating in the Daniel Fast while also preparing for the movie’s press junket.
Pratt joked in his Instagram story, “It’s going to coincide also, coincidentally, with the Lego Movie 2 junket, so by the time you see me I’ll probably be hallucinating.” “Stay tuned,” he quipped.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is set to hit U.S. theaters on February 8.
Critics are real in the church. And for many pastors, they are incessant. Today, we discuss how to deal with the constant critic in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Praying for a critic not only can change a critic’s heart, but can change your heart toward the critic.
Our goal in resolving conflict should be reconciliation and restoration, not revenge and retribution.
Too many pastors try to satisfy the most negative people in the church and end up ignoring the rest of the church.
If you’re a leader, you can expect criticism.
The seven steps we discuss are:
Pray for him or her.
Request a meeting to attempt reconciliation.
Help him or her to re-dream the dream.
Ignore the critic.
Recognize it is a reality of leadership.
Ask others to help.
Exercise church discipline on rare occasions.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
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Water was released too quickly into sewage pipes, eventually causing the ground to collapse into a sinkhole that grew to 100 feet wide and 250 feet long. Nearly two dozen homes in a neighborhood north of Detroit were evacuated; a major roadway was closed for almost a year for repairs.
We may not see the consequences of our sins today, but that makes them no less dangerous.
We must not be “outwitted by Satan”
The Lord warned Adam that he must not eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” for “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17).
However, Adam did not die on the day he ate from the forbidden fruit. In fact, he lived for a total of 930 years (Genesis 5:5). For many centuries, he might have wondered if God’s warning would come to pass.
A delay in the consequences of sin can tempt us to sin further. Many of our sins are committed in the belief that no one will know, that we will get away with this. The longer we sin without apparent consequences, the more emboldened we become.
This is because we misunderstand the nature of sin and its results.
The Hebrew word translated “die” in Genesis 2 refers to physical and spiritual death. Such death began for Adam the day of his sin. It led to his separation from God (Genesis 3:22-24) and a life of suffering in a fallen world (vv. 17-19) before culminating in his physical death.
Sin can harm the sinner in ways we don’t see. If I slowly turn down the…
Siân Rees, who is originally from Aberystwyth, is also joining the UK-wide leadership team of the EA – the largest and oldest group seeking to draw together the country’s evangelicals.
She said: “I am passionate about equipping, releasing and championing others to become all that God has created them to be.
“I’m excited to be taking up this role and believe that the Evangelical Alliance is uniquely placed at this time to envision, unite and mobilise churches and Christians across Wales and the UK in order to extend the kingdom of God.”
Siân Rees has most recently been leading the performing arts department of a North Wales secondary school. Previously, she undertook a sabbatical studying at Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney.
Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said: “We are delighted to welcome Siân Rees as our new director of the Evangelical Alliance in Wales and member of the UK leadership team.
“Siân is a first language Welsh speaker who lives with a passion to see the church in Wales rise to the challenge of making Jesus known to the diverse communities which make up the nation.
“Siân brings wide experience both inside and outside the Christian community, and we are looking forward to benefiting from all she will bring…
Leaders said an announcement of Felix Tshisekedi’s (pictured above) victory did not reflect the findings of their 40,000 observers who monitored results posted at each polling station.
The secretary general of DCR’s Catholic Church would not reveal who won the vote but, according to diplomats briefed on the results, rival opposition candidate Martin Fayulu won by a comfortable margin.
Donatien Nshole also called for peace as he urged those challenging the official announcement – which had previously been delayed – to do so without violence and within the country’s legal framework.
While backers of Mr Tshisekedi took to the streets of the capital Kinshasa in celebration (pictured below), supporters of Mr Fayulu denounced the result as fraudulent.
According to observers and diplomats, DRC’s outgoing President Joseph Kabila seems to have reached a deal with Mr Tshisekedi to stop Mr Fayulu (pictured below) – an outspoken critic of corruption – from winning.
Speaking earlier this week, a Kinshasa-based worker from the Catholic aid charity CAFOD told Premier a fraudulent result could trigger unrest in DRC.
Bernard Balibuno said: “We are really afraid that, if the person who is announced the winner is not what the people have voted for, this may create issues in the county.”
The US evangelist tweeted to say his older sibling – the second daughter of the late Rev Billy Graham – was still undergoing chemotherapy.
He said: “It’s been tough, but I can’t tell you how much the prayers have meant to her and to our entire family. Thank you for praying – please continue.”
The post, which Anne Graham Lotz shared on her own Facebook page, attracted hundreds of supportive comments.
Nita Heigert replied, “Praying for total and complete healing with minimal complications from the chemo”, while Richard McClain said, “[I] pray for you every day.”
My sister Anne @AGLotz is undergoing chemotherapy. It’s been tough, but I can’t tell you how much the prayers have meant to her and to our entire family. Thank you for praying—please continue. pic.twitter.com/zotntAWtIC
Another response, published by Diane Bridgeman Jendresen, said: “You are such a blessing to me. You are in my heart and in my prayers.”
Lotz (pictured below at the funeral of her father in 2018) said before Christmas that her cancer – diagnosed in August 2018 – had “required immediate, prompt, drastic surgery” and is “potentially fatal”.
She wrote on her website: “It struck swiftly and unexpectedly.
“It required immediate, prompt, drastic surgery and follow-up treatments that include…
JANUARY 2019 PRESERVATION AND POWER COMMUNION SERVICE – 9TH JANUARY 2019 ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S): ACTS 6:4 MESSAGE TOPIC: DEDICATION TO PRAYER AND THE WORD BY: DR. PAUL ENENCHE
SERVICE OBJECTIVE: Understanding the place of prayer and the Word of God in our devotional lives
Throughout Scripture, dedicated people are people of prayer and the Word Prayer and the Word are like dynamite and detonator, weapon and ammunition; they must be merged together to make outstanding Christians and Kingdom stars
DEDICATED PEOPLE THAT WERE PEOPLE OF PRAYER AND THE WORD:
Abraham (Gen. 19:27; 18:23-25; 18:17-19)
David (Ps. 55:17; 119:97, 113, 163)
Daniel (Dan. 6:10; 9:2)
Elijah (Jam. 5:17; 1Kings 18:36)
Samuel(1Sam. 12:23; 3:21)
Paul the Apostle(Eph. 6:18; 1Thess. 5:17; Acts 20:32)
The Master Jesus (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; 4:16-18)
PRODUCTS OF DEDICATION TO PRAYER:
The altar of prayer is the altar of transformation (Luke 9:29)
The altar of prayer is the altar of consecration (Luke 9:29; Acts 1:14; 2:1)
It is the altar of sanctification and purification
The altar of prayer is the altar of empowerment
It is the altar of manifestation
You cannot be prayerful and be powerless
The altar of prayer is the altar of revelation (Jer. 33:3)
Prayer fertilizes spiritual sensitivity
The altar of prayer is the altar of preservation (Ps. 91:1-2)
You cannot be wasted like a chicken if you know what it means to pray
The altar of prayer is the altar of Divine intervention (Heb. 4:16)
You cannot be wasted like a chicken if you know what it means to pray
The altar of prayer is the altar of connection to Divine resources
Whatever is available with God is accessible at the altar of prayer
PRODUCTS OF DEDICATION TO THE WORD:
The Word builds faith (Rom. 10:8, 17)
Every new insight raises your faith level
Light/Rhema is the fuel for faith
The Word builds strength (Matt. 4:4; 1John 2:14)
You cannot be weak if you are worded
You don’t win by size, you win by faith and your faith is fed by your light!
The Word builds hope (Ps. 119:49, 81, 114; 130:5)
Every time you have a situation that looks like your mind is shaky, trust God for a Word from scripture
You cannot be worded and be hopeless
The Word brings joy (Ps. 119:162; Jer. 15:16)
You cannot be worded and be depressed; the Word is therapy for despair
The Word connects man to the Voice of God (Ps. 29:3; Eph. 5:26)
The easiest way to hear from God is through His Word
Inside the verse is the Voice
The Word connects God’s Presence (1Sam. 3:21; John 1:1-5; Ps. 23:4)
The Word is fuel for prayer (Hos. 14:2; John 15:7)
You cannot be worded and be prayerless
The Word is key to Divine health (Ps. 107:20; Prov. 4:20-22; John 1:4)
Whenever you digest Word you receive Divine life (John 6:63)
New light introduces new life (John 1:4)
WHAT IS PRAYER ALL ABOUT? Prayer is the servicing of our relationship with our Heavenly Father through the communication of our value and worship for Him as well as our thoughts and desires to Him Relationship is serviced by communication; the more buoyant the communication, the more buoyant the relationship Every time relationship failure happens, communication breaks down
WHAT IS THE STUDY OF THE WORD? The study of the Word is the accessing of the ways, thoughts, principles and precepts of God from His Book in order to walk better with Him.
COUNSEL:
Pray and study the Word of God habitually (Dan. 6:10; Job 23:12)
Pray and study the Word of God persistently (1Thess. 5:17)
When you become too fat in the realm of the Spirit by feeding habitually and persistently on the Word, you become too fat for the yoke to remain around your neck! (Isa. 10:27AMP)
PRAYERS Father, thank You for Your goodness and kindness in this third day of the fast. Thank You Lord for all the testimonies received so far, Lord in Jesus’ Name – Psalm 105:1-2.
Father, impart me with the fresh fire of prayer and the fresh fire of the study of the Word. I receive it now, in Jesus’ Name
Father, send that fire – the fire of prayer and study of the Word. Send it upon my life, upon the Church, upon Dunamis. We receive the fire of evangelism in Jesus’ Name.
Father, let the prayers of the saints and the declarations of Your Church begin to produce results in our Nation, in Jesus’ Name
Father, establish the souls You have brought into Dunamis Church and Your Church worldwide this week. Father, we make demands for the harvest of souls this week. Add to the church those that should be saved this week, in Jesus’ Name (Acts 2:47)
COMMUNION FOCUS (ISAIAH 25:6-8):
Every veil/covering the enemy has cast over your life ad destiny, by the power of the Blood of Jesus, today that veil is destroyed!
Every premature death programmed for you or your loved ones, in 2019, that death is swallowed up!
Every area of your life where the devil wants you to shed tears, by the mystery of this communion of escape, those tears are wiped off your face forever!
Whatever is a reproach on your life and confrontation on your dignity and destiny, by the power of the Blood of Jesus, it is wiped off!
ANOINTING FOCUS (PSALM 92:10-15):
May this anointing position a horn on your head (Ps. 92:10)
By the reason of this anointing, any power of hell that rises up against you, rises to its destruction and damnation, they rise to come and crash!
By reason of this anointing, the works of your hands are not permitted to be dry; every department of your life shall produce fruit (Ps. 92:12)
By the reason of this anointing, your old age is guaranteed; premature death is arrested! (Ps. 92:13-14)
By the reason of this anointing, people will see the solidity of Your God (Ps. 92:15)
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
Everything that is a trouble in your life, that trouble is over!
Everything that has tied your life down, at this altar of prayer that distraction is arrested
Whatever only God can give, receive it at the altar of prayer
The fire of Divine preservation is your portion
Greater glory is your portion, your testimony and your possession!
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Topic: Your Set Time Has Come [TREM Devotional 11 January 2019]
“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come” Psalm 102:13, KJV
You may have been tried and tested. You may have been through high waters and you may have been through hell. But the good news is that you are still around serving God. People may have mocked you, ridiculed you and even put your name against the very challenge that you are having. Indeed, the Word of God has tried you and you are still standing! I declare to you that your moment of deliverance has come. You are going free from agony! You are going free from every frustration and from every fear!
The Lord that saved you and brought you thus far will do you good. There is going to be a turnaround for you because it is your turn to testify. For too long you have been delayed and held down, but your time is up. They have covered you for too long. It is time for your light to shine. They have hindered you and delayed your testimony for too long. Your time is up! Every chain around you is broken. The anchors are beginning to fall and the mountains are beginning to move. You are about to step into favour.
This is your moment! You have entered a dangerous time frame. All the heavenly resources have been released on your behalf. According to Genesis 41:14, when it was time for Joseph to manifest, things began to happen quickly. First, they brought him out of the dungeon hastily. He shaved, had a change of cloth and put on shoes. All these things were symbolic. The king put a ring on his finger. He was given a wife. As a matter of fact, he married the daughter of a prince. He was promoted, and he became a man of authority. All these happened in quick succession. So shall your miracles happen in quick succession because your time has come. The years of pain and agony are over in your life!
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
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