Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  11:28  The spirit which makes one  trust  in his riches

What he said shall occur

In 2011 we were in Mumbai for 18 months. In the flat where we lived, there was a window which will bring bad smell from outside. So we could not open it. One day when we read Mark 11:23, we wanted to apply this. We opened the window and prophesied, “Let all this rubbish and the stench it brings be moved out of this place, fresh air flow in through this window and  fill our house”. The next day the authorities decided to convert it into a park and the work started right away. Within one week it was completed.

Yes our mouth has power in it!

Mar 11:23  For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said. 

Yes, we will have whatever we have said.

In the place where we live now also the same miracle happened. When we came here in 2015, the road we had was of mud and sand. Auto rickshaw drivers were fearful that their tyres may get punctured. We started prophesying! Now without any efforts on our part, there are shade trees  and flower gardens in front of the house, which are watered and cared for! You may produce anything out of your tongue and eat the fruit. Why don’t you try?

The Premise

There are no known church buildings prior to the time of Constantine. During the apostolic era and for the next two centuries, churches met primarily in the private homes of its wealthier members. This necessarily meant that the typical congregation was smaller rather than larger.

The Purpose

Everything in the New Testament was written to churches that met in private homes. The relationships the New Testament describes work best in situations where everyone knows each other. These smaller settings foster the intimacy and accountability that characterized the New Testament church. A loving, family-like atmosphere is more easily developed. Celebrating the Lord’s Supper as an actual meal is much more conducive to a smaller setting. Achieving congregational consensus is easier when everyone knows everyone else and open lines of communication genuinely exist. The many “one another” exhortations of Scripture can be much more realistically lived out. Church discipline takes on real significance. Participatory worship is natural to a smaller setting and is more meaningful.

The Professors

According to Anglican evangelist David Watson, “For the first two centuries, the church met in small groups in the homes of its members, apart from special gatherings in public lecture halls or market places, where people could come together in much larger numbers. Significantly these two centuries mark the most powerful and vigorous advance of the church, which perhaps has never seen been equaled. The lack of church buildings was no hindrance to the rapid expansion of the church; instead . . . it seemed a positive help.”[1]       

A Yale University archaeology pamphlet stated, “The first Christian congregations worshipped in private houses, meeting at the homes of wealthier members on a rotating basis . . . Worship was generally conducted in (either) the atrium, or central courtyard of the house.”[2]

Graydon F. Snyder, professor of New Testament at Chicago Theological Seminary, observed that “the New Testament Church began as a small group house church (Col. 4:15), and it remained so until the middle or end of the third century. There are no evidences of larger places of meeting before 300.”[3] Again quoting Snyder, “there is no literary evidence nor archaeological indication that any such home was converted into an extant church building.  Nor is there any extant church that certainly was built prior to Constantine.”[4] 

The ESV Study Bible notes that “Early Christian churches, since they were small and not recognized as a legitimate (or legal) religion, met in homes . . . There is extensive archaeological evidence from many cites showing that some homes were structurally modified to hold such churches.”[5]

Martin Selman, lecturer in Old Testament at Spurgeon’s College in London, wrote that “The theme of the ‘household of God’ undoubtedly owed much to the function of the house in early Christianity as a place of meeting and fellowship (e.g. 2 Tim. 4:19; Phm. 2; 2 Jn. 10).”[6]

Reformed scholar William Hendriksen, said “since in the first and second centuries church buildings in the sense in which we think of them today were not yet in existence, families would hold services in their own homes . . . The early church numbered many hospitable members, ready and eager to offer their facilities for religious use: meetings, services, etc.”[7]

According to Anglican commentator W.H. Griffith Thomas, “For two or three centuries Christians met in private houses . . . There seems little doubt that these informal gatherings of small groups of believers had great influence in preserving the simplicity and purity of early Christianity”.[8]

In his monumental work New Testament Theology, Donald Guthrie (lecturer on New Testament at the London Bible College) wrote that “the expression ‘in church’ (en ekklésia) . . . refers to an assembly of believers. There is no suggestion of a special building.  Indeed, the idea of a church as representing a building is totally alien to the NT.”[9]

Ronald Sider, in Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, made a good point. He said, “The early church was able to defy the decadent values of Roman civilization precisely because it experienced the reality of Christian fellowship in a mighty way . . . Christian fellowship meant unconditional availability to and unlimited liability for the other sisters and brothers — emotionally, financially and spiritually. When one member suffered, they all suffered. When one rejoiced, they all rejoiced (1 Cor. 12:26). When a person or church experienced economic trouble, the others shared without reservation. And when a brother or sister fell into sin, the others gently restored the straying person (Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2:5-11; Gal. 6:1-3). The sisters and brothers were available to each other, liable for each other and accountable to each other. The early church, of course, did not always fully live out the New Testament vision of the body of Christ. There were tragic lapses. But the network of tiny house churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire did experience their oneness in Christ so vividly that they were able to defy and eventually conquer a powerful, pagan civilization. The overwhelming majority of churches today, however, do not provide the context in which brothers and sisters can encourage, admonish and disciple each other. We desperately need new settings and structures for watching over one another in love.”[10]

The Proof

The word church (ekklésia) in the New Testament never refers to a building. It fundamentally means assembly, gathering, meeting or congregation. [11] It is clear from Scripture that the early church met in the private homes of its more affluent members.[12] For example Philemon, who was wealthy enough to own a slave, also hosted the church in his home (Phlm 2b). Church hostess Lydia was a prosperous businesswoman who sold expensive purple fabric and could afford servants (Ac 16:14). A church met in the home of Aquila and Priscilla who engaged in the lucrative first century trade of tent making (Ac 18:1-3). Gaius, a man with the means to generously support missionaries (3Jn 1-5), had a home big enough to host the whole church (Ro 16:23). Less well known is the fact that the early church continued this practice of house churches for hundreds of years after the New Testament writings were completed.  What are we to do with the fact that the early church met mostly in homes? 

by Steve Atkerson

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Mark 7:22  The spirit of deceit

We read about a righteous father in Bible who prayed for his sons sincerely.

In danger of the fire of Gehenna 

Job 1:5  It was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts.” Job did so continually. 

What are the chances of Job’s sons sinning by cursing God in their heart? Very rare.

This would mean cursing their brethren in their hearts. Because Jesus said,

Mat 25:40  “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 

Mat 5:22  But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. 

When money, fame, popularity increases, there are chances of underestimating, discriminating, judging others.

Getting up early in the morning and offering praises to God is the best sacrifice one can offer to God! That is the best time to hear from God too!

America's Suicide Crisis: Dying For Lack Of Hope

How bad is America's suicide problem? Well, it's so bad that Americans' overall life expectancy has declined for the first time since the 1930s.

As Aaron Kheriaty writes in First Things, the suicide crisis in America has reached epidemic proportions. Rates are growing coast to coast, in rural and urban areas, among the poor and the rich, the young and the old. What in the world is going on, and what do we do about it?

In his article, Kheriaty, director of the Medical Ethics Program at Cal-Irvine, describes a witch's brew of factors behind this epidemic of death--ones we've talked about for years on BreakPoint: social fragmentation, an overall decrease in religious involvement, utilitarianism, and--yes--the growth of assisted suicide laws.

But in the end, Kheriaty boils the problem down to one word: Despair. Despair, as in the utter lack of hope.

In 1995, Robert Putnam first raised a red flag in an essay and subsequent book, "Bowling Alone." He noticed that while more Americans than ever before were bowling, the number of bowling leagues was declining. Folks were bowling alone. 

Similarly, fewer Americans were attending school board or town meetings, volunteering, or even getting together with their neighbors.

And this was long before the isolating effects of internet, social media and cell phones. I doubt that back then Putnam could have imagined a family of 4--mom, dad, sister, and brother--out to dinner together but each one staring into their own mobile devices. But you've seen it, and so have I.

This isolation breeds loneliness. And loneliness can be a major factor behind depression, which in turn can set people on the road to self-annihilation. 

Now, Kheriaty notes that clinical depression can and does have chemical causes as well, but, as he writes, "Your serotonin and dopamine levels may be out of kilter, but you may still have a problem with your Tinder compulsion and dinners alone in front of the television."

So while depression can be a serious mental illness that needs medical and psychological treatment, aloneness is curable. And that's exactly where the Church should be jumping up and down, waving its arms saying, "Come here! Come here! Join us!"

"We now have a sizeable body of medical research," Kheriaty continues, "which suggests that prayer, religious faith, participation in a religious community, and practices like cultivating gratitude, forgiveness, and other virtues can reduce the risk of depression [and], lower the risk of suicide."

One study of 89,000 people showed that those "who attend any religious service once a week or more were five times less likely to commit suicide" than those who don't. 

Obviously, church--or for that matter, synagogue or mosque--attendance reduces isolation. And of course, all three Abrahamic faiths "have strong moral prohibitions against suicide." 

But in the end, what religious faith provides is meaning, belonging, and ultimately hope for something beyond us or our circumstances and our self-isolation.

"Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden," Jesus says, "and I will give you rest." We, my friends, need to bring people to Jesus.

Chuck Colson liked to say that Christianity offers the world a great proposal--a better way to live and flourish--an invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

We have the invitations . . . are we passing them out?

- BY PNW STAFF

State Government in India Passes Anti-Conversion Bill Despite Widespread Opposition

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Jharkhand Assembly, a state legislative body in northeastern India, passed the Jharkhand Freedom of Religion Bill-2017, also known as "Jharkhand Dharma Swatantra Adhiniyam," on Saturday, August 12. The bill will now be sent to the governor, following whose approval it would go to the president for final assent. The bill was passed by the BJP-led government despite significant opposition from religious groups, civil society, and the tribal groups across Jharkhand. 

"This is very unfortunate for the people of Jharkhand," Rev. Dr. Man Maish Ekka, a member of the Jharkhand Sadbhavana Munch, a local religious freedom forum, told ICC. "This is not just an attack on Christians, but is an attack on the religious freedom that the constitution gives to very citizens of this country. The motive of the bill is to divide the tribal people and break their unity."

"[These] anti-conversion laws, ironically titled freedom of religion laws, are actually aimed at taking away the freedom of religion and rights of tribal and other marginalized sections of the Indian society," Rev. Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary Evangelical Fellowship of India, stated in a press statement.

Section 3 of the law states, "No person shall attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by use of force or by allurement or by any fraudulent means, nor shall any person abet any such conversion." Punishment under this bill would include imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of 50,000 Rupees, or both. In cases where a minor, a woman, or a person from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe communities were involved, the prison sentence would increase to four years and the fine to 100,000 Rupees.

Although similar laws exist in six other states in India, those governments have not defined the terms "inducement," "coercion," "force," or "fraud" in the context of religious conversions. Due to this legal ambiguity, these laws have been widely abused by radical Hindu nationalist groups to harass and intimidate Christians while claiming to be under the auspices of state law. 

"The anti-conversion law will ruin the lives and the witness of the church," a local pastor in Ranchi, who wished to remain anonymous, told ICC. "The BJP, having the power both at the national level and the state, wants to implement its Hindutva ideology. This bill will further divide the people of Jharkhand, particularly divide the tribal people who lived in unity for ages."

William Stark, ICC's Regional Manager, said, "We here at International Christian Concern are deeply disappointed to see another state in India pass an anti-conversion law, especially in the face of so much local opposition. These laws are widely abused by Hindu radicals due to the legal ambiguity within the laws themselves. Often, these laws provide an easy excuse for radicals to attack Christian leaders with impunity. One simply needs to claim the pastor was forcefully converting an individual following an assault. As a result, instead of the pastor's assailants being arrested, it's the assailed pastor who is arrested by police following an attack. With attacks on Christians skyrocketing, the adoption of a law that would only incite more violence seems to be another step away from India enforcing religious freedom for all."

Herdsmen in Plateau State, Nigeria Quietly Seizing Christians' Property, Pastors Say

Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacks on predominantly Christian Berom farmers in Plateau state, Nigeria amount to “economic terrorism,” Christian leaders told Morning Star News. While Plateau state officials say “relative peace” prevails, Christian leaders point to herdsmen attacks in the past eight months that saw 18 Christians injured and two villages seized. Whether the “peace” is said to be relative to violence in northern neighbor Kaduna state, where attacks are so prevalent that officials dictated a news blackout, or with Plateau state flare-ups of past decades in which thousands died, Christian leaders told Morning Star News that attacks by Muslim Fulani herdsmen since December have quietly continued.

A pastor and his 5-year-old son were injured in May, four Christian women were raped, 12 Christians were injured and two communities displaced in attacks on 17 villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, said Christian leaders Choji Chuwang, Jatau Gyang, and Da Jelkyes. Chuwang said all those affected were members of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and Assemblies of God.

“As we gleefully wallow in the false sense of peace on the Plateau, know it today that a deliberate economic terrorism and land-grabbing strategy is being launched on Christians of Riyom and Barkin Ladi on a daily basis with the sole aim of making them poor, weak and destitute in their own land,” he said.

Management Committee Chairman of Riyom Local Government of Plateau State Mafeng Gwalson told media in May that the area was enjoying relative peace because the relationship between the security operatives and the citizens had been strengthened. Pastor David Dalyop of the Assemblies of God and his 5-year-old son were wounded when Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacked Gana Ropp, Barkin Ladi LGA, the night of May 25, Chuwang said. In Jol, Riyom LGA, Fulani assailants on March 17 stoned secondary school students, injuring 14-year-old Nehemiah David. When security personnel intercepted the attackers’ cows, Chuwang said, “there were sporadic gunshots into homes of our people. This left them panicking.”

Two Fulani herdsmen on June 6 assaulted and raped a Christian woman (name withheld) in Dayan Rim, Riyom LGA, then tied her to a tree from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m., he said. Later apprehended, the Fulani herders admitted they had raped her and tied her to a tree. Later that night, Fulani herdsmen invaded Lwa community of Riyom LGA and removed the roofs of all the houses while Christians there were away from their homes at a wake. In the past eight months, Fulani herders have attacked eight Christian women, he said: Tanitha Luka, Rifkatu Emmanuel Pam, Victoria Monday, and one identified only her surname, Maichibi. The identities of four other women were not disclosed because they were raped by the herdsmen, he said.

On July 2, Fulani herdsmen ambushed and attacked Christian women returning from a mining site, injuring many of them, he said. On July 7, Fulani pastoralists grazed their cows on maize farms of Christian villagers of Rim community, Riyom LGA, at night, destroying about six hectares of farmland. On the evening of June 17, when inhabitants had returned home, herdsmen grazed their cattle on the farmland of Gyang Yarima and Davou Mwagwong, both of Vwak hamlet in Jol, Chuwang said. The next night, the herdsmen destroyed the maize crops of Joshua Peter of Dajol hamlet, Jol, he said. On June 28, Fulani herdsmen ambushed Christian villagers of Jol who were returning from mining, seriously wounding five of them.

A heated argument on May 1 between Fulani leaders and Solomon Mandiks resulted in an altercation at the Riyom police station; Mandiks had been petitioning against the forceful occupation of lands sacked by the herdsmen. On May 8, Chuwang said, a Fulani man had threatened Mandiks, saying that his days were numbered as Fulanis had just met in Gwav and decided that he should be “silenced” for petitioning their “rightful claim” to lands they have seized. On May 9, Fulani herders attacked and seriously injured Gyang Dambwarang for raising his voice when they grazed their cows into his compound, Chuwang said.

On May 19, Fulani herdsmen attacked three Christians on the Rafin-Acha to Tanjol road, fatally injuring David Yakubu. “They ran away and their cows were apprehended and handed over to security operatives,” Chuwang said. The cows were released to the owner that night “on the excuse that the owner of the cows showed some scratches to his hand, saying that he was also attacked,” he said. On May 17, the head of Darin, in Jol, was attacked by Fulani herders, who left him in a coma, apparently thinking he was dead, he said.

In Werreng Rim, Davou Joro Mangai was attacked on April 4 and seriously injured by suspected Islamic terrorists and/or Fulani herdsmen, who cut down cactus trees that Christians used as a fence around their houses, and grazed their cattle on their lands. Two of the Fulani attackers were apprehended and handed over to Riyom police, Chuwang said. 

“On March 9, Fulani herdsmen mowed down the banana farms of our people of Lwa community of Bachit District in Riyom LGA,” Chuwang said. On Feb. 20, Fulanis erected massive and settlements on the Tagabos area of Sho community, which had been sacked by overnight raids “in a definite statement of occupation,” Chuwang said.

“On Feb. 28, Fulani herdsmen, in a lame excuse of searching for a cow, terrorized inhabitants of Tanjol hamlets with sporadic gunshots,” he said. “Christian inhabitants said it was a ploy to know if any of the villagers would return shots too, so that in an eventual attack, they would know which house to target first.” On Jan. 18, Islamic extremists attacked and injured a Jol woman, Rifkatu Emmanuel Pam, he said. Also in Jol on the morning of Jan. 28, Fulani herdsmen tried to kidnap Dachung Maichibi, his wife and son in the Darin area. Later that night, they destroyed mud blocks molded by Internally Displaced People of Zim community in Ropp District of Barkin Ladi LGA, along with those of Jol who were trying to rebuild their razed houses, he said.

“On Jan. 20, Fulani herdsmen attacked our women on their farms at Mere hamlet of Rahoss Community in Riyom LGA, injuring one Mrs. Victoria Monday as others escaped,” he said. One Dec. 8, 2016, Fulani herdsmen set ablaze piles of freshly harvested millet and beans belonging to the people of Nachur and Sopp communities, he said. On Dec. 9, Fulani herders attacked children at Kum of Byei community; Tabitha Lula of Werreng escaped after she was nearly killed, he said.

On the evening of Dec. 18, Fulani herdsmen led their cows to graze on the cabbage farm of Christians. They were apprehended, and the cattle of one of the herders, Musa Shuaibu of Rankum community (renamed Mahanga by the Fulani), were handed over to security agents, Chuwang said. These encroachments and attacks should not be ignored, he said. “If this doesn’t disturb us collectively as Plateau people, then let’s keep playing the ostrich as they forcefully take Plateau state inch by inch, day by day,” Chuwang said. Predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen have launched numerous attacks on Christians in northern and central Nigeria. Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria’s population, while Muslims living primarily in the north and middle belt account for 45 percent. Nigeria ranks 12th on Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution.

Cuban Pastor is Released from Jail but Kept under House Arrest

A Cuban pastor who was put in jail for homeschooling his children will be allowed to continue his ministry work but under house arrest, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Pastor Ramon Rigal, of the Church of God in Cuba, was told Tuesday in court that he could resume his work.

Rigal and his wife, Adya, were both arrested in February for refusing to send their children to a state-run school. The couple had said that the school was teaching a Marxist-Leninist secular ideology that challenged their Christian beliefs.

"I brought evidence that my children were learning — notebooks and materials — [but] they didn't care," Rigal was quoted as saying.

In April, Rigal was sentenced to one year in prison and Adya was sentenced to one year of house arrest.

In July, Rigal’s sentence was reduced to house arrest, but he had to also enroll his children in state school when school started in September. The July sentencing also said he was barred from serving as a church leader.

The new ruling means that Rigal can continue his work as a church leader, but he still remains under house arrest. His children have also been given scholarships to attend an online course through a Christian institution.

"While we welcome the news that Pastor Rigal will be able to continue leading his church, he and his wife are still under house arrest," CSW senior advocate Anna Lee Stangl said a statement.

“We continue to call for the unwarranted sentences that he and his wife received to be cancelled and for the government to cease its harassment of the family and their church."

For Impoverished Christians and Muslims in India, Aug. 10 is a ‘Black Day’

Although the caste system has been politically outlawed in India, it is so ingrained in Indian society that it is often adhered to still.

Hinduism is the dominant religion in India, so members of other religions, specifically Christians and Muslims, are often at a disadvantage. Most of India’s Christians and Muslims are part of the lowest caste. This caste, to which 70 percent of Christians belong, is known as the Dalit caste.

Dalits face discrimination and sometimes even violence.

Today, August 10, marks a particularly sad day for Dalits, according to Christian Today. On this day 67 years ago, a presidential order was signed by India’s first president, Rajendra Prasad, that stated, “no person who professes a religion different from the Hindu religion shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.”

Dalit Christians and Muslims have come to view this day as a “Black Day” because of this presidential order.

Activists have also marked this day as an opportunity to raise awareness and bring about social change. Rallies, meetings, and vigils have been held, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has called on campaigners to wear black badges to raise awareness of the Dalits’ plight.

The most Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan, Bishop of Chingleput, wrote that August 10, the “Black Day” is “an opportunity for Christians to commit themselves to root out casteism and discrimination from within the Church. All of us acknowledge and even assert that caste discrimination and untouchability are against the fundamental tenets of Christianity.”

Christian Convert Released from Prison in Iran after 4 Years

 A Christian convert from Islam has been released from prison in Iran where she had been held for four years.

Mission Network News reports that Maryam Nagash Zargaran was charged with being a danger to national security and imprisoned four years ago. She was kept in Iran’s Evin Prison, which is known for its harsh conditions. This was the same prison where Saeed Abedini was kept. A spokesperson for Global Catalytic Ministries commented on the prison’s abysmal conditions:

“Historically when people have come out of that particular prison, it literally takes them months to recover physically — partly due to torture and beatings, but also because of just the lack of sanitary conditions and then the food, etc. It’s a tough place to come out of.”

Zargaran was in poor health before being imprisoned, but now that she has been released, her physical ailments are revealed to be even worse. She was reportedly beaten in the prison--once until her leg was broken. She also has suffered mentally.

In addition to these hardships, Zargaran engaged in hunger strikes to protest her unjust imprisonment.

Another spokesperson for GCM said that Zargaran’s case, although horrific, is unfortunately not unique. Christians in Iran often suffer persecution in the forms of discrimination, torture, imprisonment, and sometimes death.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Mark 7:22  The spirit of eagerness for lustful pleasure

Anything more than that

While travelling in train,  I have seen people who can talk incessantly from morning till evening. No doubt, it’s a special talent. When we read the following passage,  we may wonder whether we have to think twice before we speak a word.

“Instead, let your message be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one." Mat 5:37 

This does not mean to limit your words to  yes or no.

Jesus here speaks about  the decisions you have to take yourself. In our daily  life we have to take decisions every moment. Any time,  we are speaking to  ourselves 

Yes

No

If you refuse to say either of the above, or  even if you delay a little while,  you will be carried  away by others or by circumstances and will become a victim of other’s decisions.  

Your life is the result of the decisions you have taken so far.

You said “yes” to

Your studies, subject you selected in studies

The dress you wear now

The hairstyle you are having

The vehicle you own

The wife/husband you have today

Accept Jesus as your personal saviour

Can you think of the times you said “yes” to the above.

Have you delayed in taking decisions for yourself, were you afraid or any time did not  want  to say “Yes” or “No”  to yourself regarding studies, marriage, job, choosing life partner, choosing place of settling down etc etc.

Result?

Others would have decided them  for you.  You allowed somebody else to take decisions for you

Regarding marriage, studies, buying a house, choosing a place for settling down, selecting job,  profession, friends, a Church?

Jesus said, whatever decisions you take in life by saying, “yes”, you hold yourself responsible and you will reap the results.  

“Go and do likewise” (continued)

Leaving him half dead

The thieves left him half dead. Jesus told about the physical condition. But this applies to the spiritual life also. Many believers are spiritually dead or half dead today. They have lost the liberty to exercise the gift of healing, deliverance etc. They are not able to prophesy. Even the very concept is misunderstood as  only predicting the future. So much of ignorance and misinterpretation about the gift of prophecy (Acts 2:17) prevails even among the believers. Jesus said,

“I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”. (Jn 10:10)

Many of the believers are not able to enjoy this abundant life themselves or impart it to others. The reason is that they are bound in a traditional set up of “Institutional Church” and do not allow themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Rom 8:14.

In this dead/half dead situation, the Good Samaritan,

1. Set him on his own animal (34)
2. Brought him to an inn(34)
3. Took care of him (34)

Going on the next day, he gave two denarii to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. And whatever more you spend, when I come again I will repay you’.

He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 

Luk 10:35  And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 

He wanted to take full responsibility of the man who fell among robbers. Perhaps he had cancelled some of his programmes for the sake of that man.

Let us reflect over this.

To how many people have I been a Good Samaritan? How many opportunities have I lost ?

Let us repent and turn to God.

School Officials Declare Playgrounds 'No-Jesus' Zones

A summit meeting has been called, likely as early as next week, to address a backlash after bureaucrats in an Australian state declared their public-school playgrounds "no Jesus" zones.

"It is hard to understand what is so dangerous about Jesus that the Queensland government has to ban children from talking about him, even at Christmas time," said Wendy Francis, the Queensland director for the Australian Christian Lobby.

"Are they worried kids will start living out the values of the Sermon on the Mount?" she asked, urging Education Minister Kate Jones to rescind the new pronouncement.

Jones' comments were reported by the Christian charity Barnabas Fund, which said she now is seeking a meeting of her education agency committee to discuss the issue.

The Australian reported principals have been warned about unacceptable actions such as making beaded bracelets or necklaces with a Christian message to give away. Devising a poem, song or drama to communicate the gospel. Making a speech at a school assembly about something that matters to God. Passing around leaflets advertising church events."

The Australian Christian Lobby said it wants the issue cleared up.

Francis noted that while Jones was quoted saying children were free to speak as they wished, "departmental directives in government reports telling principals to crack down on kids talking about Jesus have not been rescinded."

"It is hard to understand what these unelected bureaucrats fear from children talking about Jesus, exchanging Christmas cards with nativity scenes and with Christmas decorations featuring angels."

Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert and Nina Shea have collaborated to create "Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians," which confirms that groups such as Pew Research, Newsweek and The Economist also identify Christians as "the world's most widely persecuted religious group."

- BY PNW STAFF

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  22:16  The spirit in one which oppresses the poor to increase his riches

In an honest and good heart

Last week  I  attended a night prayer. The participants were divided into groups and each group stood in circle and prayed for every member. In our group there was a young girl who shared a vision or revelation which she received for every member while praying and it was very accurate. She accepted Jesus only 2 months ago. She was a heart patient. Jesus healed her completely and gave her an anointing of seeing visions and revelations.

It was a shocking surprise for the traditional believers in that group. She heard the word of God only two months back but is producing 100% result. How is it possible? We are living among believers who for years are yearning for a single vision and to hear the voice of God at least once! Here is the answer!

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 

Heart is the issue! In what kind of heart are you receiving the word of God is all that matters.

How many years you are hearing the Word of God,

How old a Christian or believer you are!

How much you have donated for building Churches, buying property for Churches

Are not that  matters!

How good and honest a  heart you have in which you store up the word is that matters!

That is why Solomon said:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”. Pro 4:23 

 Heart is the vessel in which we receive all the blessings from God. If it is impure and not clean the stored up substance get decomposed or decayed May the Lord help us to keep our hearts clean and holy amid all the trials and tribulations we face in everyday life!

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  18:1  The spirit in a  man who isolates himself and  seeks his own desire

Cloud received him

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight”. Act 1:9

The Lord will send clouds over you sometimes to cover you with His glory, sometimes to cover you from his enemies. When Jesus finished His ministry in this world successfully, He was taken into the clouds and to the Father’s Kingdom. While being in this world itself, one can be taken away into clouds, i.e. covered by the presence of the Lord.  When the Lord uses you as a prophet  to speak  for Him, (Eze 3:25)  He might take you away from the  usual place, your companies, accustomed situation, friends,  job,  ministry etc. Sometimes it might be for your  safety, (Eze 3:26 ) sometimes as a sign, (Eze. 3:25,26 ) sometimes to talk more about His business  Ex. 34:2,3 etc.

He will send a cloud. It will receive you. One such incident happened  in India  in 2006. A cloud took a person away from the  sight of human beings, to be with the  Lord for 3 months. (Sep 12-Dec 12, 2006) The Lord revealed about what is going to happen to India in 14 years. 2007-2013 will be years of abundance and 2014-2020 will be years of famine. After that India will become a Liberated Nation.  After dictating everything that is going to happen in this land India, the Lord sent that person  to the  real world to the  "so called Churches" to condemn them & to give them a  warning. Now 11 years have passed by. 

30.11.2006 - First warning

2010 - Declaration of 4 years  Emergency to the  Churches

19.8.2013 - 2nd warning

27.10.2014 - 3rd warning

10.10. 2015 -  Rejection of Institutional Churches by the Lord.

Thank you Lord.

Al-Shabaab Militants Kill Seven Christian Men in Eastern Kenya

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that in early July, al-Shabaab militants led a series of attacks in Kenya's Lamu County. Between July 5 and July 8 2017, militants raided three villages, Pandanguo, Jima, and Poromoko, killing three police officers as well as seven Christian men: Said Mbigo, Matei Mlatia, Peter Mburu, Teresio Munyi, Mwangangi Muneni, Katana Karisa Chai, and Musyoka Maithya.

On July 5, over 200 militants raided Pandanguo village in Lamu County, killing three police officers posted at the Pandanguo police station, looting homes and the local dispensary. On July 8, 15 of the militants returned and attacked the nearby villages of Jima and Poromoko.

According to locals contacted by ICC, the militants went door to door in Jima and Poromoko, killing seven Christian men. Schools in the three villages were closed and Christian families have evacuated to a church in Witu town.

"The attackers have been targeting Christians living in Lamu County especially farmers in the interior areas where small-scale agriculture thrives," Pastor Henry Divayo, head pastor of the church in Witu town, told ICC. "[The militants in Jima] were asking the villagers to produce their identification cards and if you were found to be a Christian you would be shot or slaughtered."

"Victims have been evacuated to camps where food and security is provided by [the] government and the Kenya Red Cross," Divayo said. "We are hosting more than 200 people in our church and we expect the number to increase as more families are evacuated from Boni Forest."

Christian Missionary Recounts Ordeal of Being Imprisoned with Brutal ISIS Militants

A Czech national who was captured and imprisoned with brutal ISIS militants recently shared the story of his harrowing ordeal and how God gave Him strength and renewed his purpose.

CBN News reports that Petr Jasek grew up in Czechoslovakia under Communist rule. As a child, his parents were persecuted for their faith. As an adult, Petr followed God’s call to serve with Voice of the Martyrs in Sudan.

While there, Petr was arrested and charged with being a spy. He was given a 20-year prison sentence and imprisoned with ISIS extremists.

Petr was subjected to beatings and name-calling from the extremists, but God gave him the strength to stand by his faith.

After a few months of being imprisoned, Petr began to realize that God still had a plan and was making good come out of this horrific situation.

He ended up leading some fellow prisoners to Christ. “And I suddenly started to realize that there is a purpose, the Lord has a purpose for me to be in prison to share the Gospel with those people," Petr explained.

After 14 months of being in prison, Petr was released. He credits the Czech government for negotiating his release, and also expressed gratitude to the many believers who prayed for him.

"When you come through this situation you realize that everything you have is the grace of God and it is on His strength that it is in prison, it is not your own strength that you can survive. Being humble and being faithful to the last moment, this is the moment when we can be more than conquerors when we go through difficult situations because of our faith in Jesus Christ," Petr said.

Persecuted Christians Face One Trial after Another in Refugee Camps

A Christian charity in London is asking the Greek government to change a policy that is keeping homeless Christian refugees who fled to Lesbos from being able to apply for asylum with the United Nations.

The British Pakistani Christian Association wrote to the U.N. and Green officials, saying that Pakistani Christian refugees fled from the U.N. Moria camp and Lesbos island because Muslims persecuted them inside the camp.

China Releases Christian Human Rights Activist from Prison

A prominent human rights lawyer has been released by the Chinese government after he completed a four-year prison sentence.

The Christian Post reports that Xu Zhiyong was detained in 2013 and convicted of “gathering a crowd to disturb public order.”

Xu had refused to defend himself at his trial, maintaining that the whole event had been rigged. Instead, he gave an impassioned speech:

"Freedom, justice, and love, these are our core values and what guides us in action," he said in the speech. "You may find my ideas too far-out, too unrealistic, but I believe in the power of faith, and in the power of the truth, compassion and beauty that exists in the depths of the human soul, just as I believe human civilization is advancing mightily like a tide."

Although Xu has been released, his supporters and other human rights activists fear that the Chinese government will continue to keep him under close surveillance.

U.K. Gov't Demands 'Queer Theology' In Christian Seminaries

An executive agency of the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a report recommending that seminaries include "queer theology" in their courses and that even Sunday schools teach "LGBTI beliefs."The stunning document, released by Wilton Park, an agency of the Foreign Office, also recommends that the Bible be reinterpreted "to make it compatible with LGBTI ideology."

The Barnabas Fund, an organization that supports persecuted Christians worldwide, was surprised and more than a little worried.

"The recommendations, if implemented, would massively reverse freedom of religion across the globe," the group said.

"Once it is accepted that any ideology can be imposed on those who hold conscientious disagreement with it, a very significant backward step has been taken both in relation to i) Freedom of Religion or Belief and ii) human rights generally."

The anti-Christian bias in the report is obvious, Barnabas Fund said.

- BY PNW STAFF

This Month in NWC we are worshipping for “Kerala”. Lets book your slot for worship. No doubt the nation is going to be shaken during our worship. Be ready and prepare for that.

Contact Us

Email      : worshipcentreindia@gmail.com

Mobile    : 7708505152

National Worship Centre is a centre where the Lord of hosts, the Lord God Almighty will be worshipped in His majesty all the 24 hours.

 Address :

Father’s House,

4/364 E, Anna Salai 1st Cross Street,

ECR, Palavakkam, Chennai – 600041.

Praise God for the successful completion of 14336 slots in National Worship Centre with a Non Stop Worship (24/7)   

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Mark 7:22  The spirit of adultery

Took his garments

Once my friend  lost his purse with all his cards. He went to the police station to file a complaint. He narrated to me one  incident  he witnessed there. Another person who came to the station seeking help was ridiculed by the police, was asked to buy snacks for them. Even though my friend felt pity for him, he could not help!

We can  imagine the mental condition  of a person who is in thirties, if  stripped of his clothes in insult,  in front of a crowd  which awaited his failure & fall. Jesus underwent this pain and shame in the palace of Pilate.  In front of his eyes his garments were divided on Calvary. Jesus had no earnings or  no savings. His only possession was his clothes. Even that was snatched away from him. He was handed over to  a group of hard hearted scoundrels  and  was defenceless. The  Roman soldiers did whatever they wanted to do with  him. His only defender, the heavenly Father, turned His face away from Jesus!

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout”. Jn 19:23

Jesus became in the same condition as the man in Lk 10:30

“……fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

Jesus I adore you.  I worship you for bearing all these humiliations for me. Today I am honoured in the eyes of others because you bore my shame and guilt. I am happy today because you  bore my pain and  sin  on the cross.

I will be ever grateful to you for your mercy on me!

Today there are so many in the society who is in the same condition! Stripped of their clothes of salvation,

wounded, fallen and lying  on the road! What is your reaction towards them?

Troop “Tongues of fire”

Porur, Chennai

1. Sis.Jenny mother of one year old son. She belonged to the Roman Catholic. When her husband (CSI) took the genuine baptism a month ago, she also volunteered and took baptism.  And today she shared the testimony with us. Amazing testimony indeed.  

   Her joint pain which accompanied her right from childhood was healed by Jesus once she took the water baptism.* Earlier she had only one option, pain killers. She had severe back pain for the past 1 ½ year, due to which she was not able to lift her one year old son. That was healed this week, when she commanded the disease to leave in Jesus name. Now she is able to heal sickness by giving command in Jesus name. She tested it on her husband when he had stomach pain caused by food poison. Glory to Jesus.

2. In the last troop meeting held a week ago on 22nd June 2017, Bro.Patrick, had chest pain right from the morning. That day was his first day in the Troop. He was healed of the chest pain as soon as the command was given in Jesus name. It did not recur. Glory to Jesus. 

3. Sis.Jayarani an IT professional and also young mother is only one week old into the troop. She took healing training last Saturday at Army of Jesus, Panniyur. She tested her anointing when her daughter had throat pain. She commanded the throat pain to leave in Jesus name. And her daughter was healed instantly. Glory to Jesus.

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  13:1   The spirit of a scoffer who does not listen to rebuke

“Feel after Him and find Him”

In the last “Be Formed and Form” Training, I was teaching the consequences of idol worship and the curses it passes on to the generations. One sister who had never heard about it, humbly wanted to clarify her  genuine doubt. “If idol worship  takes the toll of  one’s whole life and also throw his  generations into all kinds of devastation,  why can’t the Lord arrest humanity from worshipping idols?

I felt pity for her. But quenching the thirst of this innocent soul within the given time of my period looked like a herculean task. In one second, the Holy Spirit  came to my help. The  Holy Spirit started speaking through the mouth of human beings;

“He is not served with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives life and breath and all things to all. ….And He has made all nations of men of one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth, ordaining fore-appointed seasons and boundaries of their dwelling, to seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him…” Acts 17:25-27

Thanks to the teachers who handled the lessons in that batch, she was able to “feel after Him and find Him” in those 5 days. She was in her fore- appointed season to come to know Jesus Christ, and get salvation by accepting Him. All glory to God!

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you” Hos 4:6 . What painful words! Even those who read the Bible run short of this real knowledge!

“And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”. Jn 17:3 

We thank the Lord, King of Kings, Jesus Christ as He made the TIP scheduled on 26 June 2017 at Rajakkamangalam Thurai a successful one. 11 members participated  and two groups were formed to take it ahead .They planned to take the program to their own places. We thank Jesus for His abundant showers during the anointing session and all the participants took the oath to do this service as Good Samaritan.  Sol. Babisha, Kesavan puthenthurai

Body, Soul and Spirit 

Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins

When one  speaks, condemning  the mistakes or wrongdoings of others, if  it makes the person  repent, we can conclude that he/she is acted upon by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit if  anyone  condemns  a person,  there will be  anger, rage, enmity, hatred, quarrel, riots, rebellion, court cases, it may end up in murder also

The world  is comprised of many nations, clans, tribes, languages, people groups etc.  One by one the whole humanity should accept the Gospel of repentance. Another verse says,

“He will judge all people and convict everyone of all the ungodly things that they have done in such an ungodly way, including all the harsh things that these ungodly sinners have said about him." Jude 1:15 

Here it is said, “all people  & everyone”

Here also the object is the same. “The Whole humanity”.  In other words “everyone”

Have you ever tried to convict anybody of their sins? I have struggled  greatly  in this area. 

Once a sister came to attend  our  training program along with many  people of the same village.  Through  them I came to know that, that particular  sister was a widow and had an illegal affair with a man.

When she came for counseling, she herself opened it up and  expressed her willingness to come out of her sinful life. The Holy Spirit had convicted her about it and she needed help in that area. I never  wanted to get involved in such personal matters of people  other than praying for them. But this time the  Holy Spirit wanted to make use of me in a different way.  I didn’t know that. After one day, while that sister was still staying in the campus, that particular  person with whom she had an affair, came to see her. Since she had mentioned the name of the person, I could make him out. He too was a Christian. He introduced himself as the guardian of that sister.

Usually when guests come, we turn them out because as per rules visitors  are not allowed during the training period. I thought of sending  him away, pointing the rule.

But another strong thought came, “Don’t let him go; this is an  opportunity I am giving him; I have sent him here to this place; His soul is precious.”

As he was  answering  my queries about himself, great struggle, equal to a world war , was  going on inside of  me.

Whether to confront him or not! One  force in me (my human mind)  tells, “Don’t get involved in this. It is his personal matter; He will target you and may kill you later when you travel alone;”

Another force (Holy Spirit) says, “Make use of this opportunity; you will never meet this man again; Let him know that there is a living God.”

"I've appointed you to be a watchman over the house of Israel. Therefore when you hear a message that comes from me, you are to warn them for me. "So when I say to a wicked person, 'You're about to die,' if you don't warn or instruct that wicked person that his behavior is wicked so he can live, that wicked person will die in his sin, but I'll hold you responsible for his death. Ezek. 3:17,18

After much struggle, in my soul I yielded to the Holy Spirit .

I was listening to all that he was telling. Then I started responding. I told him.

“Brother, that sister came and told me everything. Please do not disturb her. She has repented for her sins and wants to lead a holy life.”

Sr.Angelica  (To be continued)

This Month in NWC we are worshipping for “Tamil Nadu”. Lets book your slot for worship. No doubt the nation is going to be shaken during our worship. Be ready and prepare for that.

Next Month - Kerala

Contact Us

Email      : worshipcentreindia@gmail.com

Mobile    : 7708505152

National Worship Centre is a centre where the Lord of hosts, the Lord God Almighty will be worshipped in His majesty all the 24 hours.

 Address :

Father’s House,

4/364 E, Anna Salai 1st Cross Street,

ECR, Palavakkam, Chennai – 600041.

Praise God for the successful completion of 14336 slots in National Worship Centre with a Non Stop Worship (24/7)   

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  11:27  The spirit which makes one  seek evil

For mature in Christ

For more than a year I am teaching about baby food and mature food in Bible. Today while I was meditating Bible, I was stuck with the verse,                  

“Therefore, those of us who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will show you how to think”. Phi 3:15

Here Paul gives certain exhortations about  the  thought patterns of  "those who are mature in Christ".  This is not for infants in Christ. ( Heb. 5:13, Gal.4:1,2)

1. It is about the  goal one sets for life.
2. Goal is: He wants to know 3 things.
3. The Messiah
4. What Christ’s resurrection power is like.
5. What it means to share in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.
6. This goal was not yet achieved when Paul  was writing it.
7. God granted him his  request by allowing Paul  "to become like Christ in his death".
8. Paul  was pursuing it all through his life. (V 12)
9. But Paul  kept pursuing his goal, hoping  somehow to embrace it . And, we the  future

generation only know that he achieved what he pursued.

Dear Church, have we set a goal in our life? In India we are entering into an era the same as in which Paul lived!

Message for year 2017!

Luke 24:47--49"And then repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem".

In order to bring the fruits of forgiveness and reconciliation in your personal life and in the land of India, a two days training is arranged

Peace among men with whom God is pleased

Let us pray

The Lord has declared 2017 as the year of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

This month (June 2017) We  pray for all Christian believers  to receive, in the name of Jesus Christ ,God’s grace of   forgiveness and   reconciliation.

Let us prophesy and command in the name of Jesus Christ  that  all  Christian believers be one.

Week 3

1.That  all believers worship the Father in spirit and truth. (Jn :4:23)

2.That  believers be branches of  Jesus Christ who is the  true Vine. (Jn 15:5)

3.That believers be pruned  and bear more fruit. (Jn 15:2)

4.That all believers be friends of Jesus  Christ (Jn 15:15)

5.That believers  receive the Spirit of truth sent by Jesus. (Jn 16:13)

Body, Soul and Spirit 

Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins

There was a particular priest whom I held in high esteem because of the guidance he gave me, both in my personal life and also in my  administrative works of the religious order. I had great confidence  in him that he will support my new venture of leaving the Congregation and committing myself to Gospel work. But  he could not understand my stand and  the new light  I had received from God. When I went to meet him personally, he insisted that I have to obey my superiors and be obedient to the religious rules. I was terribly disappointed and hence cut off all  relationship with him. I did not contact  him after  that. One day he sent word through a sister, “I am in my death bed; please ask Angelica to come and see me”. It did not make any impact on me  because for me he was already dead and gone! Even though I went to meet him, I did not have the maturity to deal with him the way I should have! Today when I think of it, I feel bad. May God forgive this iniquity!

Repentance and forgiveness of sins

“Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luk 24:47 

In the above Bible verse, let us  replace the words, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins” with “Gospel” 

Gospel = Repentance and forgiveness of sins

Can we   make another man/woman repent for his wrongdoings?

We see it happen in families. Parents can  make their children  repent. How is it possible? Children know that their parents love them, they live for them and all  their hard work is for them. Out of this love relationship they get the hold on their children and convict them of their wrongdoings.

Without having any  relationship with a person, you cannot make one repent of their sins. You may punish a person, even put him in jail as per the authority given to him but one cannot make him repent. He will become all the more bitter  and  revengeful. Only the Holy Spirit can make a person repent for his  sins.

“When he comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment Jn 16:8 

Now the Holy  Spirit is in  the world. All those who have received  the Holy Spirit,  is given the gift of  repentance  for their sins. 

Can  the Holy Spirit  convict the  whole world of its sins? John 16:8 says, yes He can. . How is it possible?. World means  the planet earth.

How can He do it for the whole  world and make them  repent of their sins.

We all know  that the Holy Spirit is a spirit and He can operate  only  through  human beings. Those who surrender their body, soul and spirit to Him,  can be used by the Holy Spirit. Making use of their mouth, He will speak;  Making use of their hands,  He will write etc.

Sr. Angelica

To be continued

Convergence Of Signs Prepares The Way For Third Temple

"The last days aren't near, they are here," said Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries. "We have the convergence of all of the predicted signs. The re-birth of Israel started the convergence in 1948. We see the push towards globalism as outlined in Revelation 13. We see all nations having ‘distress with perplexity' as foretold in Luke 21:25. We see the persecution of Christians and the rise of anti-Semitism. We see the world turning against Israel as predicted in Zechariah 12. These and dozens of additional ‘signs of the times' remind believers that the hour is very late.

"I have often said that Israel's re-birth is the primary sign, followed by issues surrounding Jerusalem, followed by Temple Mount activity. Israel is the watch, Jerusalem is the minute hand, and the Temple Mount is the second hand. It took the recapture of Jerusalem in June of 1967 to allow this to unfold. That is why the world has tried to divide Jerusalem for decades. This is a way in which Satan can slow the end-time plan." Markell also believes there needs to be a literal temple rebuilt for the end times events described in the Bible to take place.

"It says in II Thessalonians 2:3-4 that the Antichrist will enter the Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be god," she told WND. "This is at the three-and-a-half-year point in the Tribulation. He will demand that the Jews worship him. That means there is a Temple and there isn't one now. So one has to be built. The Jews are making preparation to build that Temple, but they have no idea that such a ‘lawless one' will occupy it someday and demand worship. "They are already looking for a perfect red heifer to sacrificial purposes. Priestly robes are being prepared. Unfortunately, after the Six-Day War in 1967, they gave away the Temple Mount to the Muslim world and that is the area that is needed for this Third Temple."

However, there are mixed views on whether there will actually be a literal, physical Third Temple in the short term. Indeed, Mark Biltz, pastor of El Shaddai Ministries, author of "God's Day Timer" and one of the leading advocates for reincorporating Jewish practices into the Christian faith, argues a renewal of faith is more important than obsessing over details of physical construction.

"While many Christians get excited about the building of the Temple from mostly an eschatological point of view, my hope for a rebuilt Temple is based on how badly the world needs the presence of God back on Earth in a real, tangible way," Biltz told WND.

"God asked the prophet Haggai why Israel was content to dwell in their houses while the House of God lies in waste. Today the same question is being put forth. I find the answer to be because of political reasons and a question of who will be in control, the political establishment or a Torah court. It may be a matter that will have to wait for the Messiah to establish when he rules and reigns from Jerusalem. May it happen in our day!"

The Bible story is more miraculous and astounding than you could have imagined. See the remarkable proof of the unchanging nature of God – and the exciting clues to what awaits at the end of days in "God's Day Timer" by Mark Biltz, available as a book or documentary now in the WND Superstore.

Joel Richardson, the New York Times bestselling author of "The Islamic Antichrist" believes there will be something on the Temple Mount. However, what that will actually be, he cannot say. "Certainly, we are nearing the time where biblical sacrifices will be reinstated on the Temple Mount, as the Scriptures state will take place in the acharayit yawm, or last days," he told WND. "Personally, I believe that this will not take place until after there is some significant restructuring of geopolitical realities. I believe that we will see a few drastic Middle Eastern wars and a shifting of present conditions before any such construction will begin. But only time will tell, and God knows best. "Now, whether the forthcoming Temple will be an actual brick and mortar structure or merely something as simple as a tent, we simply do not know. What we do know is that a physical structure of some sort will be re-established on the Temple Mount. The Scriptures make this clear. Theologically speaking, this is going to be one of the most profoundly controversial and divisive realities in all of redemptive history." Richardson warns the reconstruction of the Temple, or whatever structure is created, will open up a huge debate within Christianity, especially about whether "Jewish" practices should be reintegrated into the lives of believers.

"Today there is already tremendous controversy within the Body of Christ over matters of Torah observance such as whether or not Gentile Christians should keep the Sabbath, or eat Kosher, etc.," he said. "Because there is not presently a Temple, however, we have been spared the far greater controversy of whether or not we should participate in the various Temple rituals and sacrifices, etc. Many Christians will point out that the time is coming when the Antichrist will sit in the Temple, and thus Christians should not be involved in any forthcoming Temple.

"Now, at a certain point, the Antichrist will indeed enter and defile the Temple. Before that happens, however, the Scriptures refer to this structure as ‘The Temple of God.' One cannot defile something unless it was first considered ‘holy.' Other evangelicals will be quick to say that Christ's sacrifice was once and for all, and thus any Christian participation in any Temple rituals or sacrifices would be akin to blasphemy. But the Apostles themselves obviously understood the once-and-for-all nature of Jesus' atoning work, yet they continued to take part in the Temple activities long after His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension."

Richardson suggested Christians excited about efforts to rebuild the Temple should think long and hard about the questions that will be raised after its construction.

"When the Temple is rebuilt – and it will be – the question will not be as simple as whether or not it is OK for followers of Jesus to participate in the Temple rituals, but rather the questions will be much more complicated and theologically nuanced," Richardson explained. "Should only Messianic Jews participate in Temple rituals or should all Christians do so? What aspects of the Temple rituals may we be involved in? Obviously, the time will come when the Antichrist will defile the Temple and cause offerings to cease, but before that time, how exactly will we relate to it?

"Again, as I said, this will likely be the single greatest controversy to ever face the Christian movement, in all of its history. Although that time is not yet here, it is coming quite soon and it is time to begin seriously wrestling through these very real issues."

To be Continued

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  20:13 The spirit which makes one  love sleep and  come to poverty

Went near him

I received a phone call today from one of our brothers. He enquired whether I knew a particular family which migrated to Bihar from Kerala accepting the call of Jesus extended to them. The husband is a doctor. The children are educated there. He just could not believe, “how this doctor can leave all the comforts of Kerala and settle in a village in North India.

There are many ministries done in the name of Jesus Christ today. The one Jesus appreciated the most is mentioned in Lk 10:30-37

“Go and do likewise”. Lk 10:37

Since the man went from Jerusalem, he should have been a Jew. Jews are enemies to Samaritans. Jesus appreciated the Samaritan who when he saw his enemy suffering, lying half dead on the road, became his neighbour. Two things which he did worthy of mentioning here are:

1. He was filled with pity (V.33) There are so many type of helps being extended to people today like JIO sim, freebies etc. The intention of such contributions vary.  Name, fame, advertisement, vote banks, political power, disposal of black money etc. But the Samaritan was moved with pity and was forced by an irresistible power to do so. This is the divine nature in him.
2. He went near him. (v. 34). Today lots of financial aid is being poured into mission fields. Our country India has received 1/8 of the total missionary funds sent across the world. Sending money can be done by anybody. It will never be a substitute for identifying with the people whom you want to serve. The Samaritan went near him. It involves high risk. You may be mistaken as the thief who stripped him. Your dress might get bloody and dirty. If police or case involved, your finger prints will be identified. It takes real courage to go near a man who is beaten up to death, lying on the road.

There are thousands around our homes and in society who are beaten up by Satan physically and mentally. Am I in the group of throwing money from far off or going near him, identifying with the suffering ones? 

Body, Soul and Spirit 

Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins

Let us reflect  more on Forgiveness and reconciliation here.

Jesus before He left for heaven after resurrection, took His disciples upto Bethany, lifted  His hands and blessed them.

The last words He uttered were

“You are witnesses of these things. I am sending to you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Lk 24:48, 49 

Witnesses of what?

“Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luk 24:47 

It goes like this.

“Gospel” is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Both are the same.

So we can conclude that

 “Repentance  and Forgiveness of sins” is the Gospel to be proclaimed throughout the world.

This is exactly what the world needs today. Once while I was in prayer, the  Holy Spirit reminded me  of something new which I was never aware of.   He brought to my memory many incidents which I had learned in my history class  about the Struggle for Independence.  In fact when I was writing the vision about India, the Lord wanted me to go  through these incidents  again. So I went to a library, got a book and read the whole history again. The Lord reminded me of the bitter experiences of Indians, who were struggling under the British rule. I  developed a feeling  of hatred in my mind  towards  those who ill- treated Gandhiji and the Freedom fighters and at the same time   love towards the British  people  who  supported the Freedom fighters  indirectly. 

The Lord asked me to forgive those British rulers  who did all this in their ignorance. Even though they were Christians, in their greed for power and land, they committed all the atrocities. I did it even thought I did not understand the meaning of doing it after a period of more than 60 years.   The Lord also asked me  to go and tell about this to one  Bro.Patrick Joshua who conducts a prayer network in Chennai. When I was sharing this with him, he told me another incident. Some years back, a brother from England, came to him, telling him that he was inspired by the Lord to come to India and ask pardon from the Indians for all the atrocities their forefathers did to them. It was amazing!

I learned  more about the ways of the Lord, my Almighty Father!

The following is the principle on which forgiveness operates.

“If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven. If you retain people's sins, they are retained." Jn 20:23 

Even if the whole land of Britain and all its citizens repent,  fast and plead  God for forgiveness for  the sins it committed towards Indians, God cannot forgive unless Indians forgive them!  As per the minimum conditions,  one Indian can do  it on behalf of the whole  nation! 

But in turn, if the Indians say, “No, we will not forgive you”!  God cannot forgive their sins!

What will be the result?

The British  people will not be forgiven of their sins. They will be thrown into prison (there are varieties of prisons for satan) and  have to suffer punishment according to each and every crime they committed.

Indians also will be thrown into prison because they refused to forgive.

This is how humanity is suffering from evil today.

This applies to every individual also.  When we sisters  left the convent, the Lord created such a situation that we had to cut off the relationship with many of our sisters whom we loved  and were friendly for so many years in our convent life.

When I told them about the truths which the Lord had revealed to me, they did not accept. They did not stand with me in my long eventful journey of leaving the convent.  Rather took the stand of being observers or spectators or even against me. After coming out of the convent, I was busy with the ministries. It took a long time for me to realize that I have not forgiven them.  My heart had become hard towards a few persons. I even justified it by saying to my soul,  “ The Lord hates them because they have not accepted the truth”.

Sr. Angelica

To be continued

Pakistani Sewage Worker Dies after 3 Doctors on Ramadan Fast Refuse to Touch Him

A Pakistani Christian sewerage cleaner has died after three doctors refused to treat him till his sludge-covered body had been washed; they said their Ramadan fast would be invalid (“makruh”) because he was “unclean” and also belonged to a low caste. (The word for low caste, “chuhra”, especially derogatory, is reserved for sanitary workers and often used in Pakistan synonymously for “Christian.”) Irfan Masih died on June 1, in Umar Kot Civil Hospital, Sindh, 300 kilometers from Karachi. Umar Kot has about 75 Christian families; almost all of them work as sanitary workers, a job that many Muslims refuse to do. Other experts on Pakistan told WWM that this treatment of minorities has more to do with the legacy of the Indian caste system than Islamic theology about how the Ramadan fast could be invalidated by certain ‘restrictions’ on the faster. For example, there are exemptions from fasting for Muslim travellers or people who are ill.

Disappearing Christians: Their Flight from the Middle East

More than 20 Coptic Christians massacred in a bus on their way to Mass . . . the grisly double bombing at the Mar Girgis church near Cairo that slaughtered at least 45 people on Palm Sunday  . . . these are only the latest outrages against Christians in the Middle East. Such attacks by ISIS and other Muslim terrorist groups—accompanied by the studied indifference of governments that claim to care about religious minorities—have sparked a tragic exodus of believers from their homelands.

That’s bad news not just for Christians, but for everyone. “The exodus leaves the Middle East overwhelmingly dominated by Islam, whose rival sects often clash, raising the prospect that radicalism in the region will deepen,” says Maria Abi-Habib in The Wall Street Journal. “Conflicts between Sunni and Shiite Muslims have erupted across the Middle East, squeezing out Christians in places such as Iraq and Syria and forcing them … abroad” to “Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere.”

China: 100,000 People Turning to Christ Every Year, Says Pastor

Despite increased persecution in China, a pastor who trains Chinese Christian leaders says the Church in China is growing and as many as 100,000 new believers are coming to Christ every year. Rev. Erik Burklin works with China Partner, training Chinese Christian leaders. He is encouraged to see how God is working to build the Church in China, despite the government’s crackdown on Christianity. "Like Jesus said to Peter, 'On this rock I will build my church.' When He said that, He said, 'I will build my church.' Not, 'You Christians build my church,' but, 'I will,'" Burklin told Mission Network News.

U.S. House Passes Bill to Provide Aid for Persecuted Middle East Christians

Legislation that would give government funding to relief groups that help displaced Iraqi and Syrian Christians unanimously passed through the House of Representatives Tuesday. The Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith, (R-NJ) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA). It would allow the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide support to groups and organizations that are helping minority groups who have been forced to leave their homes because of the terror of the Islamic State. The bill also authorizes federal support for entities that are investigating crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq and Syria. Finally, the bill would order the attorney general and the secretary of state to review U.S. criminal statutes on genocide to see whether more statutory authorities are needed to prosecute for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

North Korea: Elderly Man Arrested and Beaten for Visiting Chinese Christians

An elderly man from North Korea has been beaten after he returned from visiting Christian relatives in China, reports Christian Today. Sixty-one-year-old Kim Seung-mo was reportedly arrested three days after returning to North Korea from visiting family in China. He had told his neighbors about visiting his relatives and had even revealed that they attended a Christian church. The neighbors apparently reported Kim to the authorities. “All North Korean travelers returning from China are required to report their whereabouts and details about their activities,” explained a source who asked to remain anonymous. “In Kim's case, he was arrested on charges of spying because he did not report the fact that his relatives are churchgoers and that the church pastor helped him,” the source continued. Kim was reportedly tied with rope and beaten. “I witnessed him being dragged by state security officials in front of Wiyon train station,” said the source. Kim suffered black eyes, a leg injury, and various bruises and scrapes. The Ministry of State Security, the police force of North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un, is known to be ruthless. North Korea is the number one country on Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.

Uncertain future for Indian Christians after BJP’s election victories

Anti-Conversion Law, BJP, Catholic, Catholic Secular Forum, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hindu Nationalism, India, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand. India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have consolidated its political position across India after the party won several state elections. This success of BJP enables it to install a President of its own choice, elected in June 2017, after the present President Pranab Mukherjee, completes his term. For minority groups this is not necessarily good news. In the run up to the elections there were reports of an increase in violence, especially against Christians. According to a report published by the Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum, ‘Indian Christian Persecution’, some 12,000 Christians experienced persecution in 2016 including murder, detention, assault, rape and harassment. Uttar Pradesh registered an almost three-fold increase in cases of harassment of and attacks on Christians (less than 1% of India’s most populous and politically crucial state, where some 80 percent are Hindus). The report said similar spikes were witnessed in Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

Hindu-only India

Perhaps no change within the BJP party; observers, however expect that the results will embolden the party to even more vigorously pursue its Hindu nationalist agenda, increasing the pressure on minority groups. With a stronger representation in the upper house, the BJP-led government could be in position to introduce laws to enact an “anti-conversion law” (already proposed) at the national level. Currently five states already have an anti-conversion law in place: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Promoting dialogue

Most attacks on priests and community leaders have occurred due to accusations of attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity. Top Hindu leaders publicly accused Christians, including Mother Teresa of Calcutta, of working to convert Hindus, which they say destroys Hindu culture and destabilizes society. Several Hindu organisations have conducted a “homecoming” of such people. However, the Forum’s secretary also blamed the Indian Church for not taking a strong stand against atrocities. “The Church has to serve as a catalyst not only to bring all the Christian groups, rites and denominations together but also to promote inter-religious dialogue. It has failed on this front.”

Warfare prayer of the soldiers of the Army of Jesus to bind and destroy the works of the devil

Let us bind and destroy the works of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, satan, curse and death on the cross

Pro  3:7  The spirit which makes one wise in one's own eyes

Two things disturbed my sleep and softened my heart from the stress & strain of the work of  this week.

1. Watching a video clip of a sparrow weaving her nest beautifully, like a handloom weaver with her beak. She was making a shelter for her young ones. She is the best weaver I have ever seen. Without any model or design, she was just using her beak, legs and wings. Hanging on it she knit it so tightly, bringing materials from the woods, plugging every hole to prevent sunlight or rain entering into it. I was meditating on the wisdom given to this little sparrow to protect her eggs till they are hatched. After that she just leaves the nest then and there, sends her young ones away into the wide sky,  without bothering about the efforts she took to knit the nest. There are many references for sparrows in the   How these insignificant ones are cared for by the heavenly Father.
2. Visiting a 10^th Standard girl & her parents in a hut which had two sides covered with rotten palm leaves and the other half covered with a torn saree. It is not protected from sunlight and rain. Her sick father was sitting inside. He was working as a leader in a religion, but now retired. I could guess how that father would have wished to  provide  a safe asylum for her daughter at this age.

 Why so? Who is to be blamed?

Both these incidents gave me deep insights into the verses

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear, you are of more value than many sparrows. Luk 12:7 

“And it shall be, if you will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe and to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, … you shall serve your enemies which Jehovah shall send against you, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in the lack of all things. And he shall put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you. Deu 28:15,48