Persecution of Indonesian Christians

It is sad to read many cases of persecution of Christians by the majority Muslim Indonesians. Over the years we have read of many killings and attack on Christian churches in Indonesia. The GKI Yasmin Church in Bagor Indonesia is a good example. The local government sealed this Church although their Supreme court legalized it. The local Islamic groups continued their efforts to persecute the Christians. They had been chased out of their Church and now they have to worship in the parking lot near by. Yet the Islamic groups continued their attack on the Christians there.

Despite the persecution, this is what a religious watchdog said "According to religious persecution watchdog The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world and third largest democracy. Although it struggles to maintain religious tolerance, its Christian evangelical count has increased from 1.3 million to 13 million in the last 50 years."

Let us pray for the Indonesian Christians that they may be able to overcome these persecutions.

To read the full article click on the title of this post.

Hate Religion But Love Jesus

On Line evangelist Jefferson Bethke created a video called, "Why I hate religion and love Jesus" which has gone viral on Youtube, now there are 11 million views of this video.

Many people supported it and many also said it may presents a false picture of Christianity to believers and non believers.

To read the full article click on the title of this post.

Prayer Not An Excuse For Laziness

It is a good reminder to many of us Christians. Prayers are powerful but we cannot hide behind prayers and be passive. Pastor Perry Noble of New Spring Church, South Carolina wrote in an article. He encourages Christians to fully participate with God in what we are doing and God will do amazing things for us. He gave an example like praying the pounds away without exercising.

Erik Thoennes, professor of biblical and theological studies at Biola University said“A properly understood biblical understanding of faith in a sovereign God never leads to passivity but active engagement with our world,” he asserted. “God's plan is worked out in and through real life and our actions.”

Throughout the history of the church, Christians had often been major contributors and leaders of great movement, for instance, William Wilberforce with the abolition of slavery, Dietrich Bonhoffer opposing Nazism, and Martin Luther King with the Civil Rights Movement . "

To read the full article click on the title of this post.

Why Can We Trust the Bible

Prayer and Predestination

I came across this article of the above title by Pastor John Piper. He presented it in the form of a conversation between "prayerless" and "prayerful". The main point is to answer why we should pray when God predestines and has control of everything. The conversation is too long to produce here. To read the full text please click on the title of this post. I assure you your efforts will be fruitful to your prayer life!

God bless.

Gospel Gaining in Persecuted Countries

Christians are persecuted all over the world. Open Door USA reported that in countries where Christians are most persecuted are the ones that grow the most. Even in Malaysia Christians are persecuted in subtle ways unlike many other countries where there are violence committed against Christians. Our prayers go to these Christians. The most persecuted country is North Korea and the second group are Islamic countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Egypt and others. Just last year after the fall of Murbarak in Egypt, an Egyptian Christian commented that persecution was good for them. The comment was surprising but it seems persecution has resulted in some good for example growth in countries where there are persecution. Countries like China, North Korea, and also Middle Eastern countries. A commentator attributed this growth to the Holy Spirit. Certainly the Holy Spirit is moving among the Christians in many countries. The other reason is the underground churches in China. Recently in the Middle East underground churches are also growing in numbers.

To read the full article click on the title of this post.

Revival Begins with You

Last year, some evangelists came from Canada and they prophesied that revival with begin in Sarawak, Malaysia. This was the same feelings the local Kuching Minister Fellowship have been sensing for about two years or so ago. More Christians are getting together regardless of denominations to pray and to seek God's direction. This was very positive signs. There are also preachers coming here and said that revival will come only if each and every Christian here yearned for it and pray fervently. Revival begins with us. It cannot happen if each of us is not willing and does not repent before God. Just like the Christians mentioned in the Book of Acts, they died to self and they went all out to seek God.

Jennifer LeClaire of Chrisma magazine said "Again, we can’t manufacture miracles. We can’t work up wonders. But we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit to separate the profane from the holy in our own hearts and in our own minds. We can purge ourselves and lay aside every weight that holds us back. We can allow the Spirit of God to do a deep work in us and so the Spirit of God can do a great work through us. Revival begins with you—and me".

Yes! we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. This was what happened at Ba Kelalan Highland in Borneo in 1984 when revival swept the people there. You can read about it by clicking the title of this page.