From: Gospel for Asia

Tense Situation for Orissa Missionaries

From: The Voice of the Martyrs

Pray for ISRAEL

ISRAEL Church Set on Fire - Compass Direct News
On October 23, suspected arsonists set fire to the Narkis Street Baptist Church, in Western Jerusalem. According to Compass Direct News, the arsonists forcibly entered the building through a side door and set three fires in the sanctuary. The fire damaged 60 chairs and also caused smoke and water damage in the building. Compass News reported that although the police had not yet determined those responsible for the attack, it was suspected they were Jewish militants. According to Pastor Victor Blum, the leader of a Russian Messianic Jewish congregation that meets in the building, an anti-missionary organization named “Yad L’Achim” has threatened him and his congregation over the past few years. The group opposes the church’s local evangelistic work and claims that the believers are members of a “dangerous sect.” Pray God gives these believers boldness to stand against this attack. Pray the testimony of Christians in Israel will draw the attackers and other nonbelievers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7

Pray for INDIA

INDIA Five Nuns Beaten; Militants Attack Church Service - VOM Sources
MADHYA PRADESH - On October 25, five nuns were beaten by 20 Hindu militants in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The militants surrounded the house of a local believer, where the nuns were attending a prayer meeting, and accused the nuns of forcibly converting local Hindus to Christianity. When the meeting was over, the militants attacked and beat them until the police arrived and took the nuns to safety. All five nuns were injured, and one is in serious condition due to head injuries she sustained in the attack. Pray God encourages them as they heal from their injuries.
Psalm 107:20
MAHARASHTRA - On October 23, Pastor Victor Periera and a group of local villagers were beaten by Hindu militants. The militants were angered because the pastor had organized prayer meetings attended by Hindu tribes in the Thane district of Maharashtra state. Pastor Periera was conducting a prayer service at a local church when the attackers stormed the building. The attackers shouted curses at Christianity and beat the pastor and several believers. The pastor’s rib was broken in the attack. Pray for Pastor Periera’s healing. Ask God to give believers in India boldness to share Christ with nonbelievers, despite persecution.
Psalm 91:16

Pray for COLOMBIA

COLOMBIA Evangelical Pastor Killed - Associated Press
Pastor Diego Armando Bejarano, 27, was killed recently in the region west of Bogotá. Witnesses say hooded men took Bejarano by force and stabbed him. The motives for the killing are unknown; however, it is common knowledge guerrillas groups view Protestant pastors who encroach on territory under their control as military objectives. In the last 10 years, guerrillas have assassinated 133 pastors, Protestant missionaries and Catholic priests, according to the Evangelical Council of Colombia. Ask God to encourage and minister to the pastor’s family and church as they mourn. Pray his testimony draws his attackers and nonbelievers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:4

Pray for EGYPT

EGYPT Church Set on Fire - Compass Direct News
Christians Acquitted of Charges of “Insulting Islam” - Compass Direct News
On November 5, Adel Fawzy Faltas, the Egyptian leader of the Middle East Christian Association, and Peter Azzat, an associate, were acquitted of charges of “insulting Islam.” They were also released from prison after being held three months. According to Compass Direct News, journalists, lawyers, clergyman, family and friends gathered at Faltas’ home to celebrate the acquittal and release. “Faltas, 61, and Peter Ezzat, 25, had been held on unsubstantiated charges of insulting Islam and tarnishing Egypt’s reputation abroad. Charges without evidence against Faltas and Ezzat included insulting Islam, posing a threat to national security and tarnishing Egypt’s reputation abroad,” Compass said. Compass reported Faltas said, “I was always a free man. When you respect yourself and what you are doing, then you are free.” According to the report, “Faltas recounted how 30 State Security Investigation officers and plain clothes policeman had raided his house at 2:30 p.m. on August 8. He said the most difficult part of the ordeal was spending the first 14 days in an isolation cell 1.75 meters in length and three-quarters of a meter in width with no seat.” Praise God for the release of Faltas and Azzat. Pray for Christians in Egypt to remain faithful in their relationship with Jesus Christ despite being treated as second-class citizens.
Psalm 91, Romans 8:31

Pray for IRAN

IRAN Christian Couple Sentenced to be Whipped - Farsi Christian News Network
In July 2007, an Iranian Christian couple was sentenced by the Justice Court of Revolution to be whipped, two years after they were accused of attending a house church. According to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), “The couple was arrested on September 21, 2005, by government agents. They had gathered in a house, in a town northwest of Tehran (gohar dasht) for their regular prayer and devotional time.” The FCNN reported, the woman was born into a Christian Assyrian-Iranian family, while the man converted to Christianity long before their marriage. Following the arrest in 2005, the couple was required to check in with authorities on a regular basis until the court decided their punishment. FCNN reported that on one occasion when the wife met with authorities, she was abused and decided not to return. According to FCNN, “After a few days, in September 2007, two female and four male agents went to this couple’s house and showed them a letter from the court saying they should execute the sentence of whipping right there in their house. This couple is under high mental pressure right now.” The Voice of the Martyrs is providing assistance to this couple. Pray for this couple and Christians in Iran who face great challenges because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask that the Holy Spirit will give them peace, health and protection during this difficult time.
Psalm 23; 2 Timothy 1:7

Pray for TURKEY

TURKEY Malatya Murder Trial Date Set - Compass Direct News
Malatya’s Third Criminal Court has set November 23 to open the trial of the confessed murderers of Turkish Christians, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, and a German Christian, Tilmann Geske. The three Protestant Christians were tortured and killed by having their throats cut on April 18 of this year in the Zirve Publishing Company’s office in the southern province of Malatya. Last week, all news about the pending trial in the Turkish press sensationalized justifications the killers offered for their crimes while under police interrogation, including far-fetched allegations against the victims. “It is clear from these statements of the suspects that there is some group of powerful influence behind them,” spokesperson Isa Karatas of the Alliance of Protestant Churches in Turkey told Compass. “These people want to portray Turkey’s Protestants as enemies of the nation.” Pray for justice in this case, but most importantly that the testimonies of the martyrs will draw nonbelievers into the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray for the families of the slain believers.
Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 26:3

I received this devotional today from The Institue for Creation Research — a creationist ministry (the first, I believe) founded in 1970. This very clearly sums up why I feel so passionate about my beliefs as a Christian and a creationist. Creationism is anything but a fringe issue in the church today — it is central to all Christian theology.

Fringe Issues August 18, 2005 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient” (II Timothy 2:24). One of the plagues of modern-day Christendom is that many take up side issues and deem them all important–a point of separation between them and other Christians. Health foods, dress codes, and church constitutions are not unimportant, but Christians can hold different opinions and still be walking with God. Note the Scriptural admonitions: “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace [i.e., primary issues]; not with meats [i.e., fringe issues], which have not profited them that have been occupied therein” (Hebrews 13:9); “foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes” (II Timothy 2:23). On the other hand, there are many Scriptural commands to hold “fast the faithful word” (Titus 1:9); to “k eep that which is committed to thy trust” (I Timothy 6:20). Many of these points of “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9) are absolutely essential, such as the Deity of Christ, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace, the resurrection of Christ, and many others clearly and specifically taught in Scripture. Perhaps the rule might be, if it’s an essential doctrine, teach and defend it at all costs; if it’s a secondary doctrine, teach it in “meekness” and love (II Timothy 2:25). But if it’s a fringe issue, avoid strife over it, allowing brothers to exercise their freedom. Is creationism a fringe issue? No! Few doctrines are so clearly taught in Scripture. Is it crucial to salvation? No! But it is essential to adequately understand the great, primary doctrines for it is foundational to them all. Furthermore, it is the subject of origins which the enemy has identified as a major battleground, vowing to destroy Christianity over this issue. Here we mu st stand, if we are to guard our faith. JDM