5 Crucial Things Christians Should Know about ISIS

The name “ISIS” has been a dominant presence in the news in recent times, but the frequency with which we hear this name does not always equal understanding of it. Johnnie Moore, former campus pastor at Liberty University and author of Defying ISIS, provides insight into five crucial things Christians should know about the terrorist organization so that we can better understand world events.

1. WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF ISIS?

Moore states that “ISIS has been around in some form for at least a decade.”

Moore goes on to say that “They are not a new threat. They are an old threat that the United Stated underestimated, and now they control one contiguous piece of land larger than the United Kingdom and have affiliates in at least 30 countries.”

Malcolm Nance, a counterterrorism consultant, adds that “ISIS is a child of the invasion of Iraq” and “is the fifth generation of al-Qaeda.”

Nance also said that the Syrian Civil War gave ISIS the political climate it needed to grow into the organization it is now.

2. WHAT IS ISIS’ GOAL?

ISIS is shockingly brutal, but also seemingly fearless. Moore says that radical ISIS militants have “nothing less than total, global domination” in view.

Moore goes on to provide an insightful distinction between ISIS fighters and those who fight against them; a distinction he calls “a significant and dangerous difference. “Everyday they fight to achieve a goal they believe is inevitable. The best thing that can happen to any of them is to die in pursuit of that goal. For most of those fighting them the best thing that can happen is that they live to fight another day.”

The lack of fear of death exhibited by ISIS militants poses a particular threat and brings to light why they have proved to be a formidable foe for the rest of the world.

3. WHO IS ISIS’ TARGET?

Moore succinctly sums up the answer to this question by stating, “Everyone that disagrees with them.” This includes Christians and other religious minorities like the Yazidis, he says, but even includes other Muslims.

However, ISIS’ persecution of Christians is especially intense. In an article for the Christian Post on August 11, Moore called on world leaders to recognize that ISIS has created a Christian genocide and we must take action to stop them.

While writing about Christians as the target of ISIS violence, Moore said that, “In every written or spoken statement by Baghdadi [the leader of ISIS] he has specifically mentioned marching all the way to Rome and along the way promising to break the crosses of the Christians and capturing and enslaving their wives and daughters.”

4. IN WHAT WAYS DID ISIS’ RISE TO POWER LEAD TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS, AND WAS THE CRISIS PART OF THEIR PLANS TO INFILTRATE EUROPE AND AMERICA?

Moore unequivocally asserts that ISIS rise to power “absolutely led to the refugee crisis, and it is the most significant refugee crisis since World War 2.”

According to Moore, the implications of the failure of America and other nations to deal with ISIS in a way that befits the serious threat they pose has resulted in the necessity of spending as much money on resolving the refugee crisis as it would have cost to initially deal with ISIS before their actions led to the refugee crisis.

Although Moore doesn’t believe that ISIS strategically planned the refugee crisis, he does say that “they are very intent on using it to their benefit.” He then cites the recent Paris terrorist attacks in which two of the attackers entered Europe by posing as refugees  … read more

Source : Christian Headlines
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/The-Vagabond

The Lost Glory

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: The Lost Glory [04/05/2017]

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Genesis 3:7. Read: Gen 3:1-11

In Genesis 2:25, the Bible said, And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. This is because man was created from the image of God and God covered man with His glory. God covered the reproach of man. But in Genesis chapter 3 when man willingly gave his headship and authority to the devil, the glory covering him departed and he    discovered that they were naked and were ashamed of themselves. They went to look for artificial covering for their nakedness. What a loss? Suddenly they heard the voice of the Lord and they began to be afraid of their Maker. They lost their glory to the devil and as a result, fear, struggling, sickness, death, fruitless efforts and wickedness came in that made God to regret creating human being. Whatever God has given to you (especially your salvation) you must guide it jealously. You must guide your heart like an egg because out of it is the issues of life. Rev 3:11, Pro 4:23. Adam and Eve lost their glory to the devil and untold hardship came into their lives. Have you carelessly lost your God given glory (in form of potential) to the enemy? God Almighty can restore it back to you if you repent and pray unto Him. You must do everything within your power to plead with God to bring back your lost glory and honour. Pray

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, wherever my glory is buried, let your power bring it out and restore it back to me now in Jesus Mighty Name

* Father, destroy every destiny destroyer and every glory killer and stealer in Jesus name


David Abioye's Daily Devotional May 4, 2017 – Beware Of Help From Men

Topic: Beware Of Help From Men [Thursday May 4, 2017]

And the LORD said unto Abrah, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. – Genesis 13:14-15

Where you are now is the platform for your future placement.

You don’t wait to become big to manage well: you manage well to become big.

Don’t wait to have fruits to be faithful.

It is when you are faithful that you can become fruitful.

Appreciate where you are and you will not cease to appreciate in life.

Appreciation of God is the spring board for appreciation of destiny.

I have never met with an ungrateful progressive man.

Unthankfulness will always lead to depreciation.

There is no doubt a grateful heart will result into a graceful life.

If you want to be graceful, be grateful.

Use gratitude to enhance your altitude.


Joyce Meyer's daily devotional May 4 2017 – The Help of the Holy Spirit

Topic: The Help of the Holy Spirit [Thursday May 4, 2017]

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. — Romans 8:5 KJV

Romans 8:5 teaches us that if we “mind” the flesh, we will walk in the flesh. But if we “mind” the things of the Spirit, we will walk in the Spirit. Our actions follow our thoughts!

Let me put it another way: If we think fleshly thoughts, wrong thoughts, and negative thoughts, we cannot walk in the Spirit. It seems as if renewed, godlike thinking is a vital necessity to a successful Christian life.

Your life may be in a state of chaos because of years of wrong thinking. If so, it is important for you to come to grips with the fact that your life will not get straightened out until your mind does. You should consider this area one of vital necessity.

Ask God to help you learn to think thoughts that He would have you think. You cannot overcome any problem by determination alone. It is important to be determined, but determined in the Holy Spirit, not in the effort of your own flesh. The Holy Spirit is close to you. He is your Helper—seek His help. Lean on Him. You can make it with His help.

Give the Holy Spirit control of your life. He will lead you into the perfect will of God for you, which includes exceeding, abundant blessings, peace, and joy.


Open Heavens 4 May 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Help for The Helpless

Topic: Help for The Helpless [Thursday 4, May 2017]

Memorise: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.Psalm 46:7

Read: Psalm 9:18-20 (KJV)

18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 1, Jeremiah 25:17-33, Hymn: Sing hymn

MESSAGE:

There are general blessings and also personal blessings. I have observed that anytime David wanted to discuss something that was very important to him, he normally personalised it. For instance, in Psalm 23:1, he says,

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

He did not say, “The Lord is our shepherd.” He was simply saying, “I can only speak for myself; I don’t know about you.” I pray that you will experience God as the Good Shepherd, so that you can testify personally and not just by sharing other people’s experiences. A shepherd is a person who looks after sheep. One thing you will observe about sheep is that they are very defenceless against predators. They cannot bite, they have no claws, and they cannot run fast; their only defence is the shepherd.

You will agree with me that it is a very frightening thing to be defenceless in a hostile world. It is indeed a horrible feeling to be completely hopeless. When a man is sick, he runs to the doctor hoping to be healed, but when the doctor tries his best and says there is nothing else he can do, the sick becomes hopeless. When a man has serious financial problems, he runs to his bank expecting a bail-out, but what will he do when the bank insists on using assets he doesn’t have as collateral? In the same way, when a child is sick, he looks up to his parents for help and care, but how will the child feel if his parents tell him that the forces battling against him are beyond their capability? Worst still, imagine how you will feel if your pastor tells you that after praying all manner of prayers, there is nothing more he can do to help you! It is a terrible thing to feel lonely or forsaken by relatives and loved ones. A man who once experienced such a situation used these words to express his feelings in Psalm 102:6-7:

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.”

Have you been in such a situation? Do you feel exposed, naked and prone to shame? Are you facing the worst of times with no one to defend you? Has everyone you thought could help deserted you and now you think life is worthless? I bring you good news today! There is hope for the hopeless and cover for the naked. God is so very close to you, and He will reach out and touch you today. The Lord will make a way for you! Call on Him and tell Him you have no one to help you but Him. Ask Him to help you now. He will answer and turn your situation around for good.

Key Point: When everything else has failed, never give up your hope for a better life; although it may take time, help will surely come.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.


Kenneth Copeland’s daily devotional May 4, 2017 – No More Surprises

Topic: No More Surprises [Thursday May 4, 2017]

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. – 1 Corinthians 2-10

God is not full of surprises. He’s not an unpredictable being who likes to keep you guessing. Countless believers, however, have the idea He is.

“You just never know what God is going to do,” they say. They base that idea on 1 Corinthians 2:9 which says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” They interpret that scripture to mean that God is keeping secrets from His people.

But, praise God, He isn’t!

In fact, verse 10 says He’s given us His Spirit to reveal those secrets to us! He desires for us to know everything that’s on His heart.

If you’re in the dark about God’s will for you, you don’t have to stay that way. He wants you to know about His plans and provisions for your life. He’ll show them to you if you’ll let Him.

So, don’t depend on guesswork. Determine today that you’re going to start receiving that revelation from the Holy Spirit. As you read the Word, pray in the spirit and ask Him to reveal to you the reality of the Scriptures. Ask Him to shed His light on them and show you exactly how they apply to you.

Remember: God isn’t in the business of keeping secrets from you. He’s in the business of revealing them. Take time to listen to Him and you’ll never have to settle for a life of uncertainty again.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.


Billy Graham’s daily devotional May 4, 2017 – Everlasting Peace

Topic: Everlasting Peace [Thursday May 4, 2017]

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace . . . — Ephesians 2:13,14

Meaningless mouthings about peace will not bring it to the world. In Glasgow, Scotland, we watched the Communists march around St. George’s Square carrying their banners with the words, “Our motto is PEACE!” My thoughts raced back to Korea, where I had seen the havoc and suffering caused by these people who now use “peace” as their motto.

Peace is more than five little white letters painted on a piece of red cloth, carried by a goose-stepping zealot in a Red parade. It is not a mere cessation of hostilities, a momentary halt in a hot or cold war. Rather, it is something positive. It is a specific relationship with God into which a person is brought. It is a spiritual reality in a human heart which has come into vital contact with the infinite God.

Prayer for the day: Your everlasting peace transcends the promises of mankind, Lord Jesus.

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.


DCLM Daily Manna May 4, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi – His Perfect Sacrifice

Topic: His Perfect Sacrifice [Thursday May 4, 2017]

Text: Numbers 19:1-10

Key Verse: “And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face” (Numbers 19:3).

The practice in the Old Testament was sacrificing animals to atone for the sins of the people. There were different kinds of animal sacrifices: daily, weekly and yearly sacrifices as well as sabbatical sacrifice. Without these sacrifices, nobody could have a relationship with God, including the priests.

The sacrifices, notwithstanding, the people could not be rid of their sins. The sacrifice could not last more than a few days; so the people lived in bondage to sin. In addition, the sacrifices only gave them an abridged sense of peace, offering temporary relief. God, being a holy God, will have nothing to do with impurity. He therefore commanded Moses and Aaron in the text to institute an ordinance of purification for sin. God saw the way people struggled with sin despite the various sacrifices they performed. Hence, He decided to perform one perfect sacrifice for man that would take away sin once and for all (Hebrews 10:12). He provided a sinless Lamb for that purpose. That Lamb is Jesus Christ.

He was sacrificed for the sins of humanity, completely abolishing the sacrifice of anything or anyone else for the remission of sins. Unlike the animal sacrifices that could not rid people of sins, the sacrifice of Christ has remitted the sins of the whole world (Isaiah 53:3-6). In spite of the huge sacrifice Jesus made for humanity, it is sad to note that many people are still in bondage to sin.

Are you still under the weight of guilt and condemnation of sin, when Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God has paid the ultimate price for your freedom? We were to have died for our sins because “the soul that sinneth, it shall die”. Yet, Jesus died in our stead to redeem us from eternal damnation. Sin gives the devil unlimited access to afflict and drag a soul to hell. Accept Christ’s sacrifice in absolute faith and submit to the sovereignty of His will to appropriate the fullness of redemption benefits for time and all eternity.

Thought for the day: Without Jesus, life is as the twilight with the dark night ahead.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Chronicles 12-15

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.


Dunamis’ Daily Devotional May 4, 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche – Ingredients for Greatness

Topic: Ingredients for Greatness [Thursday May 4, 2017]

Scripture: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Psalms 147:5

Thought For The Day: Until you are trained, you cannot reign in life.

We serve a great and mighty God. He is the ‘agidigbacious’ and mighty-breasted One.  Since we were created in the image of that same mighty God, it is an abomination for anyone to exist as a nonentity on the earth. Our DNA forbids littleness of life.

However, there are ingredients which when judiciously combined and effectively harnessed will lead to the manifestation of greatness in life.

What then are these ingredients for greatness in life?

1) Potential:

The word potential connotes latent qualities, abilities or capacities of a person that may be developed for current and future usefulness or impact. Everyone on earth has been wired by God with potential(s) for great achievements in life.

2) Packaging:

The right packaging of potential is a vital ingredient for greatness.

3) Presentation:

This simply means exhibition. The way you present yourself and your product (potential) determines your relevance in life.

4. Training:

Until you are trained, you cannot reign in life. It is training that produces quality staff and administration in any organization.

5. Communication:

It does not matter what is in your heart, until it is clearly communicated, nobody would be interested in it.

Dare to be great in life; deal with every spell of littleness in your life. Embrace the life of greatness.

Remember this: Until you are trained, you cannot reign in life.

Assignment(s):

1.     Make up your mind to be great in life.

2.     Company with the great God to experience His greatness

3.     Release the ingredients of greatness in you.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: POTENTIAL IS NOT ENOUGH.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask that You remove the mindset of littleness from my life. Grant me the grace to release the ingredients of greatness in me that will make me great, in Jesus’ Name. Draw me closer to Yourself LORD so I can be like You, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: God has no place for His people but the top. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 12:1 to 13:23, John 7:1 to 30, Psalm 108:1 to 13, Proverbs 15:4.

Amazing Fact: Children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults laugh on average only 15 times a day

Today In History: 4/5/1979 – Margaret Thatcher, leader of the Conservative Party was sworn in as Britain’s first female prime minister.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.


Our Daily Bread Devotional, May 4, 2017 – Five-Minute Rule

Topic: Five-Minute Rule [Thursday May 4, 2017]

Read: Psalm 102:1–17, Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 16–18; Luke 22:47–71

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. Psalm 102:17

I read about a five-minute rule that a mother had for her children. They had to be ready for school and gather together five minutes before it was time to leave each day.

They would gather around Mom, and she would pray for each one by name, asking for the Lord’s blessing on their day. Then she’d give them a kiss and off they’d run. Even neighborhood kids would be included in the prayer circle if they happened to stop by. One of the children said many years later that she learned from this experience how crucial prayer is to her day.

The writer of Psalm 102 knew the importance of prayer. This psalm is labeled, “A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.” He cried out, “Hear my prayer, Lord; . . .  when I call, answer me quickly” (vv. 1–2). God looks down “from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he [views] the earth” (v. 19).

God cares for you and wants to hear from you. Whether you follow the five-minute rule asking for blessings on the day, or need to spend more time crying out to Him in deep distress, talk to the Lord each day. Your example may have a big impact on your family or someone close to you.

Prayer: Teach me to be aware of Your presence, Lord, and to talk to You freely and often.

Prayer is an acknowledgment of our need for God.

Insight:

Our Father welcomes us into His presence in prayer, but we also have the encouraging record of Jesus Himself praying for us! As the Teacher moved ever closer to the cross, Jesus prayed for His followers who walked with Him and all (including us) who would later come to Him (John 17:20). And when we pray, the Holy Spirit helps us align our prayers with the Father’s purposes (Rom. 8:26–27).

This message was written By Anne Cetas [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]