Campaigners at the British Pakistani Christian Association say they have been confident the three justices will not undo their previous ruling which cleared Asia Bibi in October last year.
But hard-line Islamists, who accuse the mother-of-five of insulting the Islamic prophet Mohammad, have been calling for her to be publicly executed. Ms Bibi has always denied any wrongdoing.
In a deal they struck with the Government, officials – keen to bring an end to the violent demonstrations – agreed to allow a review of Ms Bibi’s acquittal. The court could give the green light to an appeal.
Yesterday, Premier covered reports that a member of Asia Bibi’s legal team, Saif ul-Malook, was returning to Pakistan to support Ms Bibi. After her acquittal, he fled the country – citing threats against him.
Tmrw Pakistan will review its own acquittal of #AsiaBibi. Pls pray that the Supreme Court would uphold its long overdue ruling. Let’s also remember others imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan like Sawan Masih, Zafar Bhatti, Qasir, Amoon, Nabeel Masih, Patras Masih & Anwar Kenneth
— ReleaseInternational (@ReleaseInt) January 28, 2019
The case of Asia Bibi has brought Pakistan’s blasphemy laws under intense scrutiny. Some human rights activists claim the legislation has been misused to persecute believers and settle personal vendettas.
California Megachurch Pastor Commits Suicide after Long Struggle with Mental Health
A California megachurch pastor was found in his home on Wednesday, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to the Christian Post, Jim Howard of the 6,000-member Real Life Church took his life on Wednesday, ending his long-time battle with mental illness.
Rusty George, another lead pastor at Real Life Church, released a statement on Facebook on behalf of the church announcing the heartbreaking news. George wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm we suffered a tragic loss on our church staff this week. On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, Jim Howard — a beloved pastor here at RLC — took his own life.”
George continued, “Sadly, Jim suffered in private with mental health challenges — some of which he bravely discussed in public — and was wrestling with some personal issues in recent months. This week he made the tragic decision to end his pain. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, the RLC family and all those who were blessed to know him.”
According to The Signal, paramedics were dispatched to Howard’s home around 3:40 pm after receiving reports of a gunshot wound to the head.
Homicide detectives evaluated the scene. On Thursday, Sergeant Tim O’Quinn of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau said that he could not confirm the cause of death but he could only confirm that it was “not a…
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Church of Scotland calls for end to violence in Zimbabwe
Former Moderator, Very Rev Dr John Chalmers, said the Church’s World Mission Council was “deeply disturbed” by the situation in the southern African country, which has seen a brutal crackdown on people protesting against a 150 per cent rise in fuel prices.
Action by the police and army followed a breakdown in law and order in Harare and Bulawayo two weeks ago which led to some looting and rioting.
Twelve people were shot dead by police while many more were assaulted amid the worst violence seen in Zimbabwe in ten years.
Observers say there is now a “warlike feeling in the air” in parts of the land-locked country, which borders Zambia.
The Council of Churches in Zambia is a partner of the Church of Scotland.
It, along with other civil groups, has urged the Zimbabwean government to stop the persecution of citizens and called on the international community to intervene.
The statement is fully endorsed by the Church of Scotland, which has urged the Scottish and UK Governments to make representations.
It said: “Civil society in Zambia remains deeply concerned with the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe and the reported human rights violations against citizens of the state.
“As civil rights groups, we are particularly concerned about the reported beatings, arrest and killings of unarmed citizens who were peacefully demonstrating against the dire economic situation in Zimbabwe.
The…
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13 States that Have Ruled Unborn Babies Are Children
Last week, New York state shocked the nation by passing an abortion law that allows pregnant women to terminate their pregnancies up until their due dates. The progressive law is the first of its kind, but New York appears to only be the first of many states who are considering adopting similar legislation. New York now has the most radical abortion law in the nation, and while abortion is nationally legal under Roe v. Wade, many states have written their laws to define unborn babies are human beings.
Here is a list of 13 states that define the unborn as people.
Photo courtesy: Pixabay
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Jail sentence for human rights lawyer in China
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), he was arrested in August 2015 as part of the ‘709 crackdown,’ in which over 300 lawyers, human rights defenders, and their colleagues and family members were detained, interrogated or
imprisoned and has already spent three years in detention.
Wang has reportedly been charged with ‘subversion of state power.’
CSW says for just under three and a half years following his arrest, Wang was detained incommunicado, with no information made public about his current status or well-being, or even if he was dead or alive.
The organisation says on 26 December 2018 he was put on trial, but his wife Li Wenzu was prevented from attending, as were other activists, journalists and diplomats.
CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: “CSW condemns the sentencing of lawyer Wang Quanzhang in the strongest terms and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. Nobody should be imprisoned for defending human rights, the
detention of Wang Quanzhang is entirely arbitrary and a violation of international law.”
Wang’s sentencing comes amid a severe deterioration in China’s human rights situation which has taken place under President Xi Jinping.
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‘I’m Not Here to Represent a Religion’: New York Governor Stands Behind New Abortion Law
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he stands behind the new state law that legalizes abortion up until birth.
Cuomo told WAMC radio that he supported the “Reproductive Health Act,” which he signed last week. The law allows for abortions up to the point of birth if the life or health of the mother is at risk or the baby is not viable.
“With the signing of this bill, we are sending a clear message that whatever happens in Washington, women in New York will always have the fundamental right to control their own body,” he said last week.
Cuomo is Catholic, but some Catholic bishops have said they would support excommunicating him from the church.
Tennessee Bishop Rick Stika of Knoxville tweeted: “This vote is so hideous and vile that it warrants the act (of excommunication).”
However, Cuomo said in the radio interview that he doesn’t “represent” the church.
“The Catholic Church doesn’t believe in a woman’s right to choose…I understand their religious view,” he said. “I’m not here to represent a religion.”
“I’m here to represent all the people and the constitutional rights and limitations for all the people, not as a Catholic.”
New York City Cardinal Timothy Dolan called the law “ghoulish, grisly and gruesome.”
“Any thinking human being that would want a baby, allow a baby, to be aborted…
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DCLM Daily Manna 30 January 2019 – Preach, Anyway!
Topic: Preach, Anyway! [DCLM Daily Manna 30 January 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Isaiah 6:9-13 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” (Isaiah 6:10).
MESSAGE:
Polycarp, who lived in the first generation after the apostles, was born in Smyrna and later became the bishop of the city. He was the last survivor of those who had talked with the eyewitnesses of Jesus. As a very old man, he was arrested, tried and condemned. When asked to renounce his faith in Christ, he replied, “Eighty-six years have I served him and he hath done me no wrong. How can I speak evil of my King who saved me? He was set ablaze. But the flames refused to consume him, he was killed with the sword and then burned.
Isaiah was commissioned to a spiritually insensitive people, a people who were dull of hearing. They were dull of hearing because they had no interest in hearing the word of God preached. Thus, the prophet voiced his frustration because of the futility of the mission.
Despite the desolution determined against the people for the dullness of their heart, the Lord God promised that “the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.” The desolation of the people for their stiff-neckedness would be almost complete. But out of the stump, the promised seed-line given to Abraham would be continued through the Davidic seed-line. The remnant would emerge and remain. From that remnant, one would come forth who would be a blessing to humanity.
Naturally, the heart of man is unyielding and wilful. Despite God’s warning through His faithful servants, they take His word for granted and continue in their evil ways. Although their hearts are hardened, the Lord wants His servants to continue to reveal His mind to them.
The attitude of the world to the word of God will not change His plan. Therefore, believers will not change His plan. Therefore, believers should be faithful in dispensing the Word of Life to sinners and backsliders, their disposition notwithstanding.
Thought For The Day: ‘Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can’.
Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 4-5
If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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 post DCLM Daily Manna 30 January 2019 – Preach, Anyway! appeared first on Flatimes.
10,000 people queue to collect Pope tickets from Dubai church
Tickets were made available for the public to apply for free of charge since January.
Officials allocated the parish 43,000 tickets for the public Mass in Abu Dhabi next week despite about 7,000 more local worshippers indicating that they wanted to attend.
Mathew Thomas, vice president of St Mary’s parish council told Middle East website The National: “We have people here this evening from communities all over the world and it has been a hectic day.
“Because we only have 43,000 tickets for the 50,000 people who registered, we had to allocate them on a first come, first served basis.”
Pope Francis is set to arrive in the UAE for the first time on Sunday.
He will celebrate a public Mass at Zayed Sports City in the capital Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning.
Thomas added that he was overjoyed by the huge response to the pontiff’s visit.
“There has been a huge response and it’s been really encouraging to see,” he said.
“The biggest representation has been from the Filipino and Indian communities.”
St Mary’s parish has announced it will be running a bus service to the Mass from Dubai on the night before.
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Mom Defends Letting 4-Year-Old Boy Become Transgender Girl
A San Francisco-area mother is defending her decision to let her four-year-old boy transition to living as a transgender girl, saying it prevented the child from growing up depressed and ashamed.
The child is now seven and called “Gracie” but began transitioning at age four, according to KQED, a San Francisco-based public radio station. KQED interviewed Molly, the mother. The family isn’t using last names to protect their privacy.
“As soon as Gracie could tell us, it was, ‘I’m a girl. I’m a sister. I’m a daughter. I’m that girl on that show. I’m that girl in that book. I’m the princess.’ She took every opportunity to tell us she was a girl. She took every towel and blanket and turned it into long hair,” Molly said.
Molly and her husband tried to discourage a transgender identity and “filled her world with trucks and dinosaurs and superheroes,” she told the radio station.
“Like, ‘No, you can’t be Elsa for Halloween. You have to be Superman. No, you can’t have the dolls for Christmas. We’re going to get you a pirate ship.’ We just really tried everything we could. That’s the part I’m ashamed of now,” Molly said.
A therapist who deals with transitioning cases encouraged the parents to let the boy live life as a girl. This means the child dresses like a girl and is considered a girl, even though the child biologically is a boy.
“We…
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Open Heaven 30 January 2019 – Care for the Needy
Open Heaven 30 January 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Care for the Needy
Topic: Care for the Needy (Open Heaven 30 January 2019)
Memorise: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”- Proverbs 19:17
Read: James 2:14-17 (KJV)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Bible in One Year: Luke 9, Isaiah 28:14-29
Open Heaven 30 January 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:
Caring for the needy is an issue that is very dear to the heart of the Almighty God. In Deuteronomy 15:11, He reveals His mindset to us concerning the poor:
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
Because God is sovereign, it is needless to ask why there should be poor people in the land, and it is equally unwarranted to query Him as to why He did not put an end to poverty. The good thing is that God has made provision for the needy in His infallible word. It is left for us to obey His commands and be blessed in return. Someone is in need when he or she lacks what matters for his or her existence, and we are commanded to meet such needs if we are in a position to do so. Without any form of ambiguity, today’s memory verse reaffirms God’s concern for the needy, and this is further established by the Holy Spirit in today’s Bible text. Through these verses, caring for the needy is established as a work of faith. In other words, we are not people of faith if we are not mindful of the condition of the needy in our midst.
In Matthew 15:32-38, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated His care for the needy when after some days of spiritual retreat, He said to His disciples:
“…I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” – Matthew 15:32
In this scripture, we see that it was not just a situation of the people not having money to buy food but also that there was no food to buy. This shows that money can be of no use when what you need is not available to buy. We should therefore learn that the needy are not just those who don’t have food, clothes or money; even “rich people” among us can be in serious need of things that money cannot buy. Naaman had money, but the healing that he needed could not be purchased. Thanks be to God of Israel who met that need in his life through His prophet, Elisha (2 Kings 5:10-14). God also used Elisha to meet the needs of the Shunammite woman, whose money could not conquer her barrenness (2 Kings 4:8-17). I pray for you that the Almighty God will take care of your needs today in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 30 January 2019 Wednesday Prayer Point:
Father, please equip me with Your divine blessings so that I can take care of the needs in my community on Your behalf.
Also Read: Open Heaven 29 January 2019 – From Above or From Abroad?
Open Heaven 30 January 2019 Wednesday Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You
1. While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Open Heaven 30 January 2019 Wednesday 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. Open Heaven 30 January 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional
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 post Open Heaven 30 January 2019 – Care for the Needy appeared first on Flatimes.
