Hindu Extremists Pressure Convert to File False Charge against Pastor in India, Sources Say
NEW DELHI, February 5, 2019 (Morning Star News) – A pastor is facing criminal charges in northern India even though the complainant later denied allegations against the church leader of luring him to convert, sources said.
Police in Rupaidiha village, Uttar Pradesh state on Jan. 28 arrested 40-year-old pastor Dharmendra Singh on a charge of “alluring to convert” and two related charges – outraging religious feelings and promoting enmity. He was released on bail on Jan. 31.
Pastor Singh denied all charges against him, saying members of the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal fabricated a story and pressured a new Christian, Ramesh Gautam, to file a false complaint against him.
Gautam said in court on Jan. 30 that the allegations were false, the pastor said.
“He witnessed that his faith is his own choice and nobody has forced him or his family to believe in Jesus,” Pastor Singh told Morning Star News. “‘We have not converted by allurement but have become worshippers of Jesus,’ said Ramesh in the courtroom.”
Pastor Singh leads a church in Nepalganj, Nepal, where he resides just across the India-Nepal border, but he regularly visits the Indian village of Rupaidiha, Bahraich District, to lead the new fellowship there where Gautam worships.
Gautam and other members of his family put their faith in Christ…
ISIS’ Brutality Pushed Muslims to Christ – ‘Their God Is not My God’
The brutality of ISIS made headlines and grabbed the world’s attention over the past decade, but it also had a spiritual impact: It drove Muslims to Christ.
That is the case in Kobani, a Syrian city near the Turkish border that was controlled by ISIS but was freed four years ago, according to NBC News. Multiple beheadings took place in and around Kobani.
A Kobani congregation, the Church of the Brethren, is attracting converts from Islam.
“If ISIS represents Islam, I don’t want to be a Muslim anymore,” church member Farhad Jasim, 23, told NBC News. “Their God is not my God.”
Another convert is 38-year-old Omar, who acknowledges that many factions of Islam, including ISIS, would have punished him by death for converting.
“Even under the Syrian regime before the revolution, it was strictly forbidden to change religion from Islam to Christianity or the opposite,” Omar said. “Changing your religion under ISIS wasn’t even imaginable. ISIS would kill you immediately.”
No one wanted to use their last name. The church’s priest declined to be interviewed by NBC News.
Many Muslims, Omar told NBC News, are open to Christianity.
“Most of the brothers here converted or come to church as a result of what ISIS did to them and to their families,” Omar said. “No one is forced to convert. Our weapon is the prayer, the…
Open Heaven 6 February 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Evangelism made Simple
Topic: Evangelism made Simple (Open Heaven 6 February 2019)
Memorise: “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”- John 4:39
Read: John 4:25-39 (KJV)
25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Bible in One Year: Luke 22, Isaiah 33:10-24
Open Heaven 6 February 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:
Proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ out of genuine love for God and appreciation for all He has done in our lives sums up what evangelism is all about. Several Bible passages emphasize the importance of evangelism and teach us the various means and methods by which we should carry out this all important responsibility. Our evangelism must always proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, beginning with salvation from sin, poverty, sickness and death, highlighting our authority over the devil and the powers of hell, and culminating in the hope of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To this end, in Matthew 28:19, the Lord Jesus Christ gave us a mandate that spells out our mission, known as the Great Commission. Knowing the enormity of the task before us, the Master also promised to empower us with the Holy Ghost, who transforms us into effective witnesses to spread the good news to the uttermost parts of the earth. Acts 1:8 says:
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
In addition to the empowerment that the Holy Spirit gives, our task is made simpler when we apply the method of witnessing one on one to our neighbors, friends and acquaintances, in what is known as personal evangelism. When we tell others about the power of God to save, deliver and transform through Jesus, and we share our personal testimonies, no matter how ordinary they may seem, this usually produces great results. Consider for a moment the story of the Samaritan woman in today’s Bible reading. Her past was nothing to write home about, and physically, nothing new had happened to her. There was no visible miracle for her to present as a powerful testimony. She only told the people in the village that a total stranger had just told her of all her sinful and miserable past. It is therefore surprising that her message had a convincing effect on her listeners, so much so that she get a crowd to follow her to see Jesus. This shows that God can use your own personal testimony to convert souls to His kingdom, even without fabricated or exaggerated testimonies of miracles, signs and wonders. Just be conscious of His unseen power working in the background to empower your speech as you present Jesus to people by sharing your personal testimonies. I pray that henceforth, every effort you make to witness to others will yield great harvests to the kingdom of God in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 6 February 2019 Wednesday Action Point:
Tell someone today the things the Lord has done for you and through this, lead them to Christ.
Open Heaven 6 February 2019 Wednesday Hymn 15: Must I Go, And Empty-Handed
1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,” Thus my dear Redeemer meet? Not one day of service give Him, Lay no trophy at His feet?
Chorus:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?
2. Not at death I shrink nor falter, For my Savior saves me now; But to meet Him empty-handed, Thought of that now clouds my brow.
3. O the years in sinning wasted; Could I but recall them now, I would give them to my Savior, To His will I’d gladly bow.
4. O ye saints, arouse, be earnest, Up and work while yet ’tis day; Ere the night of death o’ertake thee, Strive for souls while still you may.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
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.
The charity Carers UK are calling for employment law to take these statistics into account with five to 10 days of paid care leave.
Joye Manyan cared for her late husband and spoke on Premier Christian Radio’s News Hour about the eight year commitment she kept up until he died.
She said she had already retired but “when I was informed of his illness, following a short spell in hosptial, I decided I would give up everything to look after him because I wanted him to have the best care.
“I was told that in order for me to be a very affective carer I would have to have another life – an outside life – develop some interests, so that when I was home with him I could give him that warmth and love and be an interesting person.
“I had to look after him, I told people at first I wasn’t a carer, I was his wife.”
Joye’s husband, whom she had married 50 years ago in a church, had vascular dementia, meaning she often felt she couldn’t leave him alone: “I also had to anticipate things that he would need, I had to look at him to check and see how he felt about things because he didn’t have the ablilty or the capacity to speak to me and let me know how he felt. “
She explained the practical difficulties of getting him up and down stairs or into the garden but also the struggles it brought to attending church:
“It was harder to get to church and so what I had to do is that I had to get…
Grand Canyon University Disinvites Ben Shapiro from Speaking at Their Campus
Grand Canyon University has rescinded an invitation for conservative commentator Ben Shapiro to speak at the campus.
Shapiro, editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show was initially invited to speak by the campus organization Young Americans for Freedom. Grand Canyon University in Arizona is a Christian school.
A statement released last week by the university, however, said that Shapiro would not be allowed to speak because it would be detrimental to the school’s “unique and united community.”
“We believe in many of the things that Ben Shapiro speaks about and stands for, including his support for ideals that grow out of traditional Judeo-Christian values and his belief in a free market economy. Our decision to cancel Shapiro’s speaking engagement is not a reflection of his ideologies or the values he represents, but rather a desire to focus on opportunities that bring people together,” the statement read.
Shapiro responded to the statement on Twitter, writing “Oh.”
GCU said the decision would most likely disappoint some students, but the change was meant so the university could “bring unity to a community that sits amidst a country that is extremely divided.”
Students and others took to Twitter to voice their disappointment over…
The Victorious Family (Part 4) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: The Victorious Family (Part 4)
Dear Reader,
I believe you must have learned several key points from the teaching of this month and you have begun employing these in your family life. It is my prayer that all your good desires concerning your family life will be fulfilled this year and beyond in Jesus’ name. since the month began, I have shown you what a victorious family is, the benefits of having a successful family as it relates to you, your career, the Church and the nation at large. I also taught last week on two key hindrances to a victorious t family life. Today, I want to show you the characteristics of a Christian home.
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN HOME?
A Christian home is a home run by the principles of Jesus; according to the demands of scriptures, which represent God’s mind, ways and styles for us as believers. It is a home run in the manner Christ would run His own home.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN HOME
Christ-like Manner
A family that is truly Christian is Christ-like; which means that its members will treat each other as they will like to be treated. The Word of God says, All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so, do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). While Jesus commanded this for all relationships, it certainly would have special bearing within a Christian family.
To each member of the family, the acceptance of Christ (being a Christian) will serve as a foundation on which the home is built. When I say a Christian home, it means a home where the people who dwell there are born again. That is a home where everyone has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour.
Accepting Scriptural responsibility
A Christian home is a home where the residents accept their scriptural responsibilities. The Christian father will not provoke his children to wrath but will nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord. This charge was made by Apostle Paul to all Christian fathers in his letter to the Ephesians. (Ephesians 6:4) The Christian sons and daughters will obey their parents in the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-3). Jesus reaffirmed the ancient law: “Honour thy father and thy mother.” He strongly rebuked those Scribes and Pharisees, who sought loopholes in the law and ways of avoiding it
Open honesty and integrity
A Christian home is where open honesty and integrity are practiced resulting incomplete confidence and trust. There is so much in the world that is artificial. There is so much hypocrisy in the world and in the actions of men. In the Christian home, all of this is excluded. Therefore, it is very vital for you to know, that in a Christian home, there must be complete honesty between parents and children.
Hospitality
Hospitality is a willingness to share, with discernment, what God has given us It is an attitude of stewardship because we do not own anything, we are merely caretakers but the real owner is God. He desires that we share His blessings and His love, and we comply out of reverence and gratitude to Him. In relationships, it is honoring the boundaries of others, and sharing all we have without strings attached. (Matthew 25:34-43; Luke 10:30-37; Romans 12:13: 16:3-16; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:1-3; 1 Peter 4:7-11; 3 John 5-8).
There is a catalyst that makes hospitality easy; it is called ‘brotherly love’. The Word of God says, Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality (Romans 12:10, 13). This is what makes you want to reach out to others and give them a helping hand. It is what makes you share what you have with others.
Brotherly love can find expression through giving. It could be a cup of water, a meal, money, a warm smile or a listening ear. Make sure it is what is within your reach to give. Don’t eat your food or drink your water alone. Remember that the liberal soul shall be made fat (Proverbs 11:25). Hospitality is not really in what is given, but in the way, it is given. Philemon ensured that he refreshed the bowels of the saints, therefore he could be called a true brother. As Christians, we are all brothers and sisters since we have the same Father; and except we relate with one another on the basis of love, we cannot please Him.
This was the strength of the first century Church. No one had a need. Those who had eagerly distributed to others who had none. They had all things in common (Acts 2:44-45). As a result of this display of brotherly love, God’s power was evident in their midst. You must be ready to be sold out to hospitality in your home because it is the path to God’s presence. You can make it a point of duty to bring great joy and consolation to members of the household of faith.
The grace to practice the characteristics listed above only comes from God. If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
Fr Howard Stoker, the rector of Holt with High Kelling, wrote to his congregations as a selection process to appoint a new Bishop of Norwich draws near.
The note, which was seen by the BBC, said he – as well as fellow members of the clergy and church-goers – could not “fully accept” having a woman successor to Rt Rev Graham James, who retired last November.
Fr Howard wrote: “If a woman bishop were to succeed Bishop Graham, there would be those clergy and members of our congregations who, unfortunately, would not be unable to accept and receive her sacramental ministry.
“If we wait until an announcement… then our response becomes personal and ungracious.”
According to the letter, the Parochial Church Council for Holt with High Kelling is split over the issue and a vote is due to be held on Monday 18th February.
The Church of England has allowed women bishops since 2014.
While organisations such as Women and the Church affirm women bishops, their appointments have been opposed by conservative elements of the Church of England.
Under Church rules, Fr Howard could ask that a male bishop conduct certain parish duties, in the event a female candidate is selected.
Rt Rev Sarah Mullally became the Church of England’s first female Bishop of London last month
Does Nancy Pelosi’s Favorite Bible Verse Actually Appear in the Bible?
Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared her favorite Bible verse with a group of Christian college and university presidents, but where exactly in the Bible can it be found?
Pelosi said, “I can’t find it in the Bible, but I quote it all the time and I keep reading and reading the Bible. I know it’s there someplace. It’s supposed to be in Isaiah.”
Pelosi then quoted her favorite verse noting that she heard a bishop say it to her once. She said, “To minister to the needs of God’s creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.”
The House Speaker added, “It’s there somewhere in some words or another, but certainly the spirit of it is there.”
According to Relevant Magazine, the verse is actually nowhere to be found. The verse, which Pelosi is first recorded quoting in 2002, does not appear in the Bible and there is no record of a Bishop quoting the Godly sentiment.
The Daily Caller notes, however, that Whitworth University associate professor of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Will Kynes and Taylor University associate professor Greg MaGee did identify a similar verse in the Bible. Proverbs 14:31 says “Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.”
Pelosi’s quote and this Bible verse certainly hold similar sentiments, and both seem to be good…
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Rhapsody of Realities 6 February 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – His Awe-Inspiring Light
Topic: His Awe-Inspiring Light
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).
The Bible lets us know that God is “Light” and the “father of lights”; therefore, we’re children of Light, dwelling in the light. That’s what we read in the latter part of our opening text above; we’ve been brought into God’s marvellous light; that’s your location in the realm of the spirit; you live in His awe-inspiring light. Therefore, there’s no darkness about your life.
It readily brings to mind the words of Jesus in John 8:12; He said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We have, and must walk in the same light in which God dwells and functions. This means we’re to walk in His Word, for His Word is light (Psalm 119:105). Walking in His light means your mindset and perceptions are a result of the Word; you view and live your life only from the perspective of the Word!
God’s Word should be the only light by which, and with which you see. Under that light, you see only possibilities and victories; you see the glory of God; and because you see it, you talk and walk accordingly. When you agree with what the Word says about you, and then affirm accordingly, you’re walking in God’s light. God gave you His Word to light up your path, so there wouldn’t be darkness or uncertainties as you journey through life.
Colossians 1:12-13 says: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” You’ve been brought out of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of God’s love-Son, where there’s no darkness, sin, death, evil and corrupting influences of the world. You’ve been catapulted to the gracious and glorious liberty of the sons of God. See and live from that realm; it’s the realm of victory, dominion, peace and joy evermore.
PRAYER Blessed be God! He brought me out of darkness, and the miry clay, and set my feet upon the Rock to stay; that Rock holds me firm and fortified against the pressures and adversities of life. I dwell in the light wherein there’s no darkness or pain, but victory, dominion, and glory forever, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Colossians 1:12-13; Proverbs 4:18; Isaiah 60:1-3
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 25:31-46 & Exodus 31
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 12:39-50 & Genesis 37
Rhapsody of Realities 6th February 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
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