Foolish Things

From: Gospel for Asia

Pray for kidnapped GFA Missionary in Assam, India

ASSAM, INDIA

Dear Friend in Christ,

We are asking you to pray fervently for Gospel for Asia missionary Haresh Kujur, who was kidnapped by anti-Christian extremists Saturday evening. The extremists took the pastor from the GFA-related church in Assam, India, where he serves as pastor.

Haresh was leading a youth meeting when the kidnapping occurred. We have few details about the kidnapping, and are unsure where the militants have taken him.

Please pray for this missionary and his family. Also pray for the kidnappers, that they would come to know the Lord.

Yours for the unreached,

K.P. Yohannan Founder & President

For more information

From: The Voice of the Martyrs

Pray for CHINA

CHINA 21 House Church Leaders Simultaneously Sentenced to Labor Camp - China Aid Association
China Aid Association (CAA) reports 21 senior house church leaders were recently simultaneously sentenced to a labor camp by the Linyi City Re-education Through Labor Commission. According to CAA, “The leaders were detained on December 7, 2007 when they gathered for leadership training with 249 other leaders in Hedong district, Linyi city, Shandong province. After paying fines and finishing detention ranging from a few days to a few weeks, 249 leaders were released. The 21 most senior leaders were sentenced to three years to one year and three months.” The Public Security Bureau has accused and labeled the house church leaders as “evil cult” members. Of the 21 leaders sent to the labor camp, 12 are men and four are women. Pray for these believers and their families during this difficult time. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Pray they will be a good witness of Christ’s love to other prisoners and their captors.
Psalm 27:1

Pray for SRI LANKA

SRI LANKA Pastor Killed, Wife in Seriously Injured in Attack - National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka
On February 17, Pastor Neil Edirisinghe, of the House Church Foundation, was gunned down by two assailants outside his home in Ampara, Sri Lanka. According to a report by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), “Pastor Edirisinghe was engaged in the Lord’s ministry in Ampara for many years. The attackers also shot his wife in the stomach. At last report, she was in the hospital in critical condition. Their two-year-old son who received a minor injury in the attack is also suffering from trauma.” NCEASL added the motive for the attacks was believed to be in response to Pastor Edirisinghe’s ministry. The Voice of the Martyrs is assisting the family during this difficult time. Pray for peace and comfort for Pastor Edirisinghe’s family. Pray for a speedy recovery for his wife and child and for them to rely on the great Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 107:2

Pray for GAZA

GAZA YMCA Library Bombed - VOM Sources
On February 16, unidentified assailants bombed the library of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) compound in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza city. According to VOM sources, shortly after midnight, at least 12 gunmen entered the YMCA compound and kidnapped two guards at gunpoint after asking them why they worked for “infidels.” The men stormed the building and detonated two homemade explosive devices inside the library. All 8,000 books in the library were destroyed and the floor, walls and ceiling were damaged. The attackers stole computers and other equipment from other YMCA offices. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. . However, sources in Gaza reportedly believe that the perpetrators were Muslim militants acting in response to the reproduction of cartoons “ridiculing” Muhammad in a number of Danish newspapers last week. Praise God no one was injured in this attack. Ask God to protect and give wisdom to believers in Gaza. Pray the attackers will come into contact with the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Joshua 1:9

Pray for ETHIOPIA

ETHIOPIA Christian Couple Beaten and Chased From Mosque - VOM Sources
On February 10, Muslin Christian converts, Jemmal Abdo and his wife, were beaten and chased out from a mosque where they both worked in the capital city of Addis Ababa. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, “Jemmal and his wife accepted Christ two months ago. Soon after their conversion Jemmal’s friend saw him talking with Christians and told the imam of the mosque. Jemmal and his wife were interrogated in the mosque during a meeting called by Muslim leaders in an attempt to persuade the couple to recant their faith. The couple refused to do so, even after the leaders offered them higher positions and salaries if they denied Christ. The couple was beaten and dragged out of the mosque.” Jemmal and his wife were able to flee to a new location for safety. Pray for the speedy recovery for Jemmal and his wife, who were injured in the attack. Ask God to strengthen them and provide for them as they stand strong in their new found faith in Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 54:17

From: Gospel for Asia

Two Missionaries Attacked in Haryana, India
Privilege to Suffer

From: The Voice of the Martyrs

Pray for TURKMENISTAN

TURKMENISTAN Pastor Released from Prison - VOM Sources / Forum 18 News
On November 9, Baptist Pastor Vyacheslav Kalataevsky was released after eight months in prison. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, Kalataevsky and his family are thankful for the prayers and support of believers around the world. Forum 18 News reports government officials have warned Pastor Kalataevsky not to meet for worship with fellow believers. Pastor Kalataevsky told Forum 18, “Officials summoned me for what they said was a conversation, but at the end presented me with a pre-written statement saying that I agreed not to meet with my fellow believers. All it lacked was my signature, but I refused to sign it, both on my behalf and on behalf of my wife.” The Forum 18 report added, “Although Kalataevsky’s congregation does not oppose state registration in principle. Officials kept telling him that his congregation does not have enough adult citizen members to apply for registration. They added that unregistered religious activity, including people meeting together for worship in homes, is banned.” Praise God for Pastor Kalatatevsky’s release from prison. Ask God to protect his family and congregation as they face scrutiny and pressure from the government.
Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 54:17

Pray for AZERBAIJAN

AZERBAIJAN Imprisoned Pastor Required to Pay for Necessities in Prison - VOM Sources / Forum 18 News
Pastor Zaur Balaev’s friends and family are said to be “shocked” by the financial demands he is facing in prison. According to VOM sources, Pastor Balaev is required to pay for hot water to wash or do laundry and cook his food. His family is allowed to visit him only after paying “a considerable amount.” Zaur’s wife was allowed to stay with him for three days for his birthday, but as she was leaving the prison, she said, “I am shocked by the conditions and the sum spent, because I was forced to pay for everything.” According to Forum 18 News, officials deny payment was demanded. “The state pays for everything, including food,” said Mehman Sadykov, spokesperson for the Justice Ministry. “Such reports don’t correspond with reality.” Pray for strength for Balaev and his family during this time. Pray their appeal will be successful. Pray that Balaev will be a testimony to other prisoners, demonstrating the love and power of Christ.
Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2

Pray for INDIA

INDIA Christians Attacked, Church Building Destroyed - VOM Sources
KARNATAKA - On November 18, Pastor Siddarama Gokhavi (60) and six other Christians were beaten by Bajrang Dal activists who attacked them as they were worshiping in Ananda Nagara, Karnataka. The attackers vandalized the building, burned Bibles and chanted slogans against Christians. The militants included a senior police officer. Pastor Gokhavi and his wife, Rekha, were injured in the attack, along with five others. The attackers accused the Christians of coercing Hindus into becoming Christians. Praise God there were no serious injuries in the attack. Pray those responsible for the attack will come to recognize the love and grace of God and turn to Him in faith. Pray for the continued ministry of this house church.
Psalm 91, Romans 8:11

CHHATTISGARH STATE - On November 19, Hindu militants attacked a church, tied up and beat the pastor unconsciousness, and burned down a recently constructed church building in Manduwa in Chhattisgarh State, India. There are no reports on the present condition of Pastor Sudharu. The Hindus accused the church of being involved in the conversion of tribal people in the region. According to reports, missionaries in this remote area face regular threats from Hindu militants. Pray for the continued witness of this church. Pray for healing for Pastor Sudharu as he recuperates from the assault.
Psalm 23, Psalm 107:20

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

⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths . . . . ²¹ And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. [Genesis 3:6-7, 21; ESV]

While reading through the early chapters of Genesis, I was struck by the fact of how consistent and purposeful God is. Don’t get me wrong, I already knew this, but it really struck me anew when reading the account of the fall of Adam and Eve (and, through them, all mankind). Three particular elements of the story of the fall really stood out to me and drove home, once again, the reality of justification by faith alone (Sola Fide).

The Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

The first element that struck me is the fruit. Adam and Eve were naked before they ate the fruit, but only after they ate it did they realize that they were naked. Eating the fruit didn’t make them naked, it just revealed their nakedness to them. In the same way, we are all sinners. We may not realize that we’re sinners until we encounter the law, but we are all sinners nonetheless.

The Fig Leaves

The second element that struck me were the fig leaves. Now that Adam and Eve realize that they are naked, they feel they need to do something about it, so they get some fig leaves and make themselves clothes. In the same way, when we see through God’s law that we are sinners we feel the need to do something to “fix it.” We have a built-in spirit-level knowledge that our sin needs to be covered with something so we grab the fig leaves of self-righteousness and try to cover ourselves.

The Garments of Skins

The third element that struck me are the garments of skins that God made for Adam and Eve. Fig leaves are impractical clothing; they just aren’t going to last long without being attached to the tree they came from, not to mention the fact that, at this point, all animals are herbivores. It just wouldn’t do to have some animal eating your clothes while you slept. So, God made Adam and Eve “garments of skins and clothed them.” What a wonderful picture of things to come. God performed the first sacrifice in history and, though it doesn’t state for a fact what skins God used, I like to think that it was a lamb that He used. God knows that our attempts at covering ourselves pale in comparison to what is necessary so He condescends to offer the covering that we need

⁶ But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. [Isaiah 64:6; NKJV]