I have Asperger’s Syndrome. How can I serve God as an Aspie? As a Christian with Asperger’s, shouldn’t I be able to overcome it?



First, you should always remember that God loves you and you are “remarkably and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14, HCSB). You are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). It’s also important that you not view Asperger’s Syndrome as a disability; as an Aspie, you simply have a different way of thinking. You process information differently. It’s true that Asperger’s Syndrome brings its own set of challenges in life, but your relationship with Jesus is based on His grace, not your condition.

The Bible is the guidebook for all of us, regardless of whether or not we have Asperger’s Syndrome. Scripture is capable of thoroughly equipping you for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17), regardless of your Asperger’s. Philippians 2:12 says, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” This means you should keep on growing in your walk with God. Keep studying the Bible, keep praying, and keep trusting Jesus.

Asperger’s is real, but it doesn’t have to be your identity. As a Christian, “your life is now hidden with Christ in God. . . . Christ . . . is your life” (Colossians 3:3–4). You may have Asperger’s, yet you can still be an obedient child of God.

Don’t allow Asperger’s to numb your sensitivity to God’s Word. Remember that, in the ministry, some level of social interaction is necessary. Fulfillment of the Great Commission entails some measure of personal contact. Interacting with others may be outside your comfort level, but you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13). Set goals in regards to social interaction, and pray for God’s strength. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). You don’t have to be somebody you’re not; just be the person God created you to be, grow in the Lord (2 Peter 1:5 – , and be a light to those around you (Matthew 5:16).

As a believer with Asperger’s, you are part of the Body of Christ. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body . . . and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:12–14). Not only is interaction beneficial within the Body of Christ, it is needed. Better yet, you are needed! You make up one of these many parts of the Body of Christ, and those in the church need you.

Second Peter 1:1–11 is worth some study, because it shows us what the Lord gives us as we grow in our faith and trust in Him. What we gain in Him far surpasses any discomfort we may experience, and He has given us everything we need to live godly lives for Him.

God gives us all different gifts and abilities, and He has given you gifts and abilities, too. The Lord is aware of your Asperger’s; in fact, He knows exactly what you struggle with and the trouble you have in social and sensory areas. Pray to the Lord and ask Him to use you the way you are. God may give you a ministry that requires little or no social interaction, or He may place you somewhere that will stretch your comfort level. Either way, He will help you follow Him, giving you opportunities to serve Him in ways that will use your talents and gifts.

Don’t despair! There is a place for you. Just ask God to reveal it to you. Tell Him you want to honor Him by being Christlike (remembering that Christlikeness is found in humility and other internal virtues, not just service) and be willing to be used by the Lord. Then ask Him to put you somewhere where you can best glorify God.

To paraphrase Romans 8:37–39, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that Asperger’s Syndrome (or anything else) will never be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/03/i-have-aspergers-syndrome-how-can-i-serve-god-as-an-aspie/

What Would Jesus Wear?

I love to dress Goth and my best friend is very much into the punk scene. We both love Jesus. We don’t do drugs, worship other gods, drink, or any of the “bad” stuff sometimes associated with Goths and punks. We just like the selfexpression. Some Christians give us a hard time for my black outfits and eye makeup and her Mohawk. We’ve been told that Christians don’t look this way. Are we really doing anything wrong?

God loves everyone. He loves the conservative pastor in a threepiece suit, the prostitute wearing less clothes than she should be, and the rock musician with 15 tattoos and 10 piercings. God loves you not for what you do or wear but for who you are inside (1 Samuel 16:7). You are a child of God. Christ didn’t die on the cross just for a group of people that look a certain way.

Because of that truth, there’s no certain look for Christians. Christians can have Mohawks, tattoos, or dress in black. It’s OK. How wonderful it is that in the Christian life there is room for diversity!

Of course, you cannot just do whatever you want. You have to be careful of dressing in revealing ways, for instance, because that can hurt those who see you or give the impression that you don’t value yourself. If your look includes permanent things like tattoos or body piercing, you need to talk to your parents about it. Parents have a lot of experience and wisdom to share. It’s good to listen carefully to their advice.

The other question I would ask is this: What statement are you trying to make with your look? If you have pure motives, fine. If you are making a statement against your parents or the church, then I would question your motives. Here’s the deal: In choosing to look Goth or punk, you’re definitely making a statement. People inside and outside the church will look at you and judge you. You’ll need to feel secure in the honesty of your motives. If you believe you are living for God, feel like you are reflecting him in your look, and have your parents’ blessing, then do what you believe is right.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/05/what-would-jesus-wear/

Is God Calling Me to Be a Missionary?



I was doing my devotions and felt God lead me to Isaiah 49:6, which says, “I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” I felt like God was telling me to be a missionary. I was so excited and amazed, I ran to tell my dad. But he thought I was taking it too seriously, and told me there’s work to be done in our own backyard, that I don’t have to go to the “ends of the earth” to serve God. I don’t think he understands that I really feel God calling me to missions. How can I get my dad to take me seriously?

I’m a little torn when I read your letter. As a fellow Christian, I’m excited you feel this call to missions. It’s a challenge not everyone is cut out for. If that’s where you feel God leading you, I hope you’ll follow that lead thoughtfully and prayerfully.

But I can also relate to your dad. Before our children were born, I used to pray God would use them to bring the gospel to the world. After they were born, I secretly started hoping God would lead them to live close to us for the rest of our lives. It’s hard for parents to imagine their children growing up and heading out into the world to do their own thing. But eventually, we get a little more used to the idea.

So be patient with your dad. I know you were disappointed by his response. But remember, God spoke to you, not him. As you grow in your commitment to God’s leading, your dad will hopefully begin to respect and honor your decision.

People who feel a strong sense of calling are convinced God has pointed them in one direction and they must follow. God may very well intend for you to serve as a missionary overseas. But your dad’s comment about serving God in your own backyard is something you should think about. I think your dad wants you to see that God calls each of us to serve the people we meet every day. In other words, you don’t have to wait till you’re in a foreign country to share God’s good news with others.

Finding ways to start living your missionary life now will be the very best way to prepare yourself for a future on the mission field. Talk to your youth worker or pastor about service opportunities in your community. Or ask your dad to help you find ways to reach out to people around you. You can serve lunch at a local soup kitchen, offer to mow lawns in your neighborhood, or visit senior citizens in an area rest home. You may also want to talk to your youth pastor about doing a short-term missions trip during a school break. Whatever you do, do it with a heart of joy and and attitude of servanthood.

There’s another verse I’d like to throw your way, which says “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Now that you have this sense of call from God, your job is to remain faithful and follow God as he prepares you for his will. I hope you will delight in the plans God has for your life. When you take joy in following God, others, including your dad, will begin to see God working through you.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/05/is-god-calling-me-to-be-a-missionary/

His Parent Are wicked for doing this to this child at this age. God help us

timidapsin:
Why would they even allow this? how did the boy get so enticed my the beer?
still surprising


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58tIoKij3oo


mobile phones watch here=>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58tIoKij3oo

What does the Bible say about MouthAction?



MouthAction, also known as “cunnilingus” when performed on females and “MouthAction” when performed on males, is not mentioned in the Bible. There are two primary questions that are asked in regards to MouthAction: (1) “is MouthAction a sin if done before marriage?” and (2) “is MouthAction a sin if done within a marriage?” While the Bible does not specifically address either question, there are definitely biblical principles that apply.

Is MouthAction a sin if done before or outside of marriage?
This question is becoming increasingly common as young people are told that “MouthAction is not really sex,” and as MouthAction is promoted as a safer (no risk of pregnancy, less risk of sexually transmitted diseases*) alternative to sexual intercourse. What does the Bible say? Ephesians 5:3 declares, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity…because these are improper for God’s holy people.” The biblical definition of “immorality” is “any form of sexual contact outside of marriage” (1 Corinthians 7:2). According to Hebrews 13:4, only the “marriage bed” is pure and undefiled. According to the Bible, sex is to be reserved for marriage. Period. So, yes, MouthAction is a sin if done before or outside of marriage.

Is MouthAction a sin if done within a marriage?
Many, perhaps most, Christian married couples have had this question. What makes it difficult is the fact that the Bible nowhere says what is allowed or disallowed sexually between a husband and wife, other than, of course, any sexual activity that involves another person (swapping, threesomes, etc.) or that involves lusting after another person (pornography). Outside of these two restrictions, the principle of “mutual consent” would seem to apply (1 Corinthians 7:5). While this text specifically deals with abstaining from sex/frequency of sex, “mutual consent” is a good concept to apply universally in regards to sex within marriage. Whatever is done, it should be fully agreed on between the husband and his wife. Neither spouse should be forced or coerced into doing something he/she is not completely comfortable with. If MouthAction is done within the confines of marriage and in the spirit of mutual consent, there is not a biblical case for declaring it to be a sin.

In summary, MouthAction before marriage is absolutely a sin. It is immoral. It is in no sense a biblically acceptable alternative to sexual intercourse for unmarried couples. Within the confines of marriage, MouthAction is free from sin as long as there is mutual consent.

*While MouthAction is safer than sexual intercourse in regards to sexually transmitted diseases, it is definitely not safe. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and other STDs can be transmitted through MouthAction.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/05/what-does-the-bible-say-about-oral-sex/

Algerian Churches Still Fighting for Freedom of Worship



Churches in Algeria are facing intimidation and harassment, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of worship in the country.

On Sunday 24 April, 2016, a church in Mâatkas, in the north-eastern province of Kabylie, was ordered to cease all religious activities on the grounds that it was in breach of a 2006 law which regulates non-Muslim worship.

The authorities have threatened to commence legal proceedings against the church if Christian worship continues in the building currently being used by the church.

The notice provides no further detail about the alleged infringement, nor any timeframe within which steps should be taken to ensure compliance with the law.

The church in Mâatkas is affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria (known as EPA, its French acronym), which is legally registered. In response to the notice, the president of the EPA, Rev. Mahmoud Haddad, said it was a violation of the freedom of worship enshrined in the Constitution.

“The new Constitution, passed in February 2016, has duly established freedom of religious worship. Its Article 36 clearly states that freedom of religious worship is guaranteed in compliance with the law,” he said. “The house where church conducts its worship was rented on behalf of the EPA, which has an official agreement from the Ministry of the Interior.

“The majority of churches affiliated to the EPA are in the same situation. They rent rooms or houses to celebrate their worship. Are authorities going to send such notifications to all these churches?”

It is the second case encountered by a church affiliated with the EPA since the beginning of the year. In February, authorities issued a notice to the church in the town of Aït Djima, also in Kabylie, ordering it to close for breaching the 2006 law. But the church has continued its activities, arguing that there has been no breach of law.

The church leaders told the regional authorities about their activities and provided all relevant documentation, including a statement confirming the church’s affiliation with the EPA.

This situation reflects a long-standing legal difficulty faced by churches in Algeria. The 2006 law stipulates that permission must be obtained before using a building for non-Muslim worship, and that such worship can only be conducted in buildings which have been specifically designated for that purpose.

But in practise, the authorities have failed to respond to almost all applications from churches for places of worship, including churches affiliated with the EPA. In view of the authorities’ failure to respond to applications, it has become standard practice for churches to rent premises and inform the local authorities that they have done so.

In May 2011, the mayor of Béjaïa invoked the 2006 law to order the closure of seven protestant churches accused of operating ‘’illegally.” However, as a result of pressure from the EPA and a wave of protests from activists and human rights groups, the mayor withdrew this order.

Persecution tool

The 2006 law, which is aimed at regulating all religious worship except Islamic, is used as a tool of persecution by the authorities, said Rev Haddad, who is also pastor of a Protestant church in Algiers, the capital.

“It is an unjust law against Christians, who were denied their right to worship and the opportunity to share the Gospel freely,” he said.

Since the law was adopted, several Christians have been sentenced to suspended prison terms and fined. In 2008, Christian teacher Habiba Kouider was charged under the 2006 law for illegal possession of bibles. Her trial drew widespread media attention and rebukes from the European Parliament and human-rights watchdogs such as Amnesty International. The case is still pending.

Rev. Haddad says “the situation of Christians in Algeria will not improve until the outright law, which is no longer justified, is repealed”.

The challenge of finding places to worship

The issue of finding places to worship is a real headache for the church in Algeria, which is experiencing remarkable growth, particularly in the north-eastern province of Kabylie.

Of the 43 local churches affiliated with the EPA, only 15 own their places of worship. Some churches have either rented premises, which they have then turned into places of worship, while others gather in homes. In some remote areas, Christians gather in the forest or on the top of mountains to avoid hostile reactions from neighbours.

The situation of these churches, devoid of permanent places of worship, prohibits their stability and development. Five churches have closed for lack of a place of worship.

To remedy this situation, the EPA has established a special fund for the benefit of affiliated churches in need.

“Our aim is that every church has its own place of worship,” said Rev. Haddad. “We will establish a list of all the communities that have no place to meet, or those who are occupying places as tenants, and see how to help them get their own place of worship.”

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/algerian-churches-still-fighting-for-freedom-of-worship/

Officials decide that bulldozed property does belong to the church after all.



Nearly two weeks after a Chinese pastor and his wife were buried alive defending their church from destruction, local authorities have ruled in favor of the church’s claim to its land.

After a local business wanted to take over the property that Beitou Church in Zhumadian sat on, a government-backed demolition crew was sent to destroy the church. And when the pastor, Li Jiangong, and his wife, Ding Cuimei, stepped in front of a bulldozer, it didn’t stop.

“Bury them alive for me,” a member of the demolition team said, according to China Aid which reported both the tragic incident and the ensuing legal victory. “I will be responsible for their lives.”


The couple were shoved into a pit and covered with dirt, according to China Aid.

Li manage to free himself. But before he could dig his wife out, Ding suffocated.

The demolition crew is being detained while their actions are being investigated, the local police station told China Aid.

While criminal charges are still pending, a government investigation has concluded that the land belongs to the church.

“This is a definite legal victory for the church,” stated China Aid. “The task force concluded the investigation [by] stating … that pastor Li Jiangong's church has the sole authority for the usage of the land as a religious site and should belong to the church for use. It rules no individual or other organization should claim the land from the church.”

"While we are glad to see and commend the local authorities under international pressure acted swiftly and fairly to resolve the church's land with this right decision, we are still deeply concerned about the justice for this family of martyr which is still ...

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/after-pastors-wife-buried-alive-chinese-church-wins-land-battle/

Christian Counseling Student Expelled for Refusing to Counsel Gay Couples

A Christian graduate student in counseling has been expelled from the program because he declined to counsel gay couples.

Andrew Cash, who was pursuing a Master’s degree in counseling at Missouri State University (MSU) is suing the university for expelling him, according to The Daily Wire.

Cash was reportedly fulfilling his counseling hours with the Christian counseling organization, Springfield Marriage and Family Institute, which was approved by MSU. Another MSU student was also working with the Institute.

Cash had arranged for someone from the institute to speak to his class as part of a project. The visiting counselor ended up answering questions about counseling gay couples and also praying. Employees of the Springfield Marriage and Family Institute will pray with those who specifically request prayer. The Institute also refers gay couples to other counselors because of their religious beliefs.

After this incident, Cash was told that his hours working with the Institute would no longer count toward his degree. He was also forced to retake two classes. Eventually, he was told he had been expelled from the program entirely.

A statement issued by Cash’s lawyer, Thomas Olp, said:

“Traditionally, universities have been places for free exchange of ideas and values, both religious and secular. Unfortunately, Missouri State University departed from its mission by denying educational opportunity to Mr. Cash simply because he expressed, in an academic setting, sincerely-held religious beliefs which his advisor deemed hostile to her own and therefore unacceptable. An educator should not permit her own ideology and agenda to ruin the educational opportunities of her students. We feel the responsibility, on Mr. Cash’s behalf, to try to correct this.”

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/christian-counseling-student-expelled-for-refusing-to-counsel-gay-couples/

Pakistani Christian Woman is Gang-Raped and Threatened by Muslim Attackers



A Pakistani Christian women has been targeted by Muslim extremists for her faith. The men reportedly broke into her home, raped her, and threatened her.

The Christian Post reports that the woman was at home with her two-year-old daughter at the time of the attack. Her husband was away serving in the army.

“The men treated me like an animal, telling me I was a worthless Christian, but I know my God is a great God. When I screamed they told me that they knew my husband was away and that I was unprotected. They threatened to kill my child if I did not comply with their perverse demands,” said the victim, 30-year-old Asia Mushtaq from the Toba Tak Singh district.

“They said Christian women are all whores and they would come back and repeat their debauchery if I ever told anyone. I feel so unclean now, but have done nothing wrong. I want these men to be punished and hope the law will protect me,” she added.

In the morning, Mushtaq immediately reported the crime to the police, according to the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), but the Muslim men who attacked her come from wealthy families, so government authorities were hesitant to take action against them.

“Another woman finds herself a target of the whims of brutal Muslim rapists in Pakistan, in a society that targets its most vulnerable community: Christians. Furthermore, this time a soldier, whose only desire was to serve and protect his country, has found that the majority of his country do not feel the same way about him,” said Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the BPCA.

The army with which Mushtaq’s husband serves has also offered little protection to his family.

Christian persecution in Pakistan has been escalating, and Christians often are threatened if they report attacks to the police, who are often swayed by the Muslim majority in the country.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/pakistani-christian-woman-is-gang-raped-and-threatened-by-muslim-attackers/

Pentecostal Christian Leads Effort to Impeach Brazilian President

A Pentecostal Christian is leading the effort to impeach Brazil’s left-leaning Workers’ Party president, leading some to take note of the growing influence evangelicals have in the country.

CBN News reports that Eduardo Cunha, a Pentecostal Christian, is leading the effort to impeach President Dilma Rousseff who is accused of mismanaging finances and spending government funds recklessly in order to maintain support.

Although Rousseff has defended such measures as standard conduct for Brazilian government, Cunha and others believe she should be impeached.

Although Brazil is a traditionally Catholic country, the power Cunha has been able to amass shows that evangelicals are becoming more of a presence in the country.

Brazilian historian Karina Bellotti told the Christian Science Monitor that “during the last roll call vote for the continuation of the process of impeachment in the lower house, several politicians dedicated their vote ‘for God.'”

“Some of them were Catholic, but most were evangelical, from the Pentecostal churches,” she added.

Brazil is estimated to have about 45 million Pentecostals.

“Brazil is at the vanguard of the global trend of the Pentecostalization of Christianity,” as well as “the epicenter of world Christianity, with the largest Pentecostal population,” Andrew Chesnut, author of Born Again in Brazil, told the Christian Science Monitor.

Brazil’s lower Chamber of Deputies has voted in favor of impeaching Rousseff. A majority vote of Senators is now needed to complete the process. The vote is expected to take place by mid-May.

If the majority vote of Senators is gained, Rousseff would be subjected to a trial, and suspended while the trial takes place, in which case Vice President Michel Temer, a Maronite Christian, would take over leadership of the country.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/pentecostal-christian-leads-effort-to-impeach-brazilian-president/

Why I Left the Jehovah’s Witnesses: A personal testimony by a person born into the Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jean Eason



I was a third generation Jehovah’s Witness (JW). When I recall the days of my youth, it seems that what I heard most often was how wrong the “religionists” were in comparison to the JWs who were right about everything.

As a JW, I was concerned with works — not only doing such things as preaching from house to house, but with the things I must not do, such as celebrate holidays and birthdays. Every word written by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS) was considered “truth” that must be followed to the letter, whether it was rejecting a blood transfusion, refraining from voting, or refusing to serve in the military. To do otherwise was considered sinning against Jehovah, resulting in the possibility of losing the hope of eternal life.
Developing Doubts

I was married and had three children before I began having serious doubts about the WBTS being God’s only channel of communication. These doubts began to emerge when I had to make some very important decisions that simply went against the grain of my personality. I have in mind decisions like signing papers to let a baby die rather than take blood. You see, I had an RH factor blood condition, and in those days they transfused the baby at birth should a problem occur. I refused the procedure. Fortunately, I was spared — but I was ready and willing to let my child die! Why? Because I was convinced that the WBTS had the “truth” and should I do differently, I would lose the hope of eternal life, and so would my child, should death occur.

I developed further doubts when the WBTS got “new light” (additions or changes to what had been previously taught). On one occasion, the “new light” revealed that if you see a JW sinning and do not report the person, then you are guilty of that sin yourself. Shortly after this “new light” came, a sister in our congregation took blood when she hemorrhaged at childbirth. My options were either to report her or have the sin fall on me. Both options bothered me. But, you see, when you have no personal relationship with Jesus, you follow people blindly, trusting them to be in God’s will. Like a good JW, I reported her, and she had to appear before a disciplinary committee of elders.

This, along with other “new light,” caused me to start thinking about where and how they get their new light. I inherited a WBTS library from one of my relatives, and I began reading the older publications. I learned they had changed their interpretations of Scripture many times. I took note that the modern literature quoted often from the older publications. Now I was able to pick up the very book they quoted from — and guess what? I discovered that they often misquoted their own writings, or else took them out of context or misapplied them! After two years of research I realized I was following a supposedly infallible organization that was based upon the constantly changing opinions of men.
Experiencing the Holy Spirit

I stopped attending all JW meetings and activities, and I entered into a state of spiritual loneliness. Where could I go? I had been taught that all other religions were false. Where could I find real truth?

After a great deal of searching, I decided to try out a Christian church. My husband and I attended for a while, but we did not come to know the true person of Christ. I remained convinced that churches were of the devil. After all, I reasoned to myself, churches believe in the concepts of the Trinity, Hell fire, and the soul leaving the body at death. I didn’t believe any of those doctrines.

While I was trying desperately to sort out all these doctrines, the WBTS got “new light.” They issued a new edict that said if any JW attended a Christian church, they would be disfellowshipped. Not knowing whether I was following Satan or Jesus, I submitted to the elders when I was called to a disciplinary meeting. I agreed to stop attending church. I was just not yet ready to be disfellowshipped for something I was not sure of.

Fifteen years later, my Catholic sister-in-law shared that she was “born again.” I’d never heard of a born again Catholic! But I knew something had happened to her because I saw change in her life. She began giving up bad habits such as smoking. She was aglow with something — I didn’t know what. She spoke of prayer meetings in the Catholic Church, and she challenged me to attend one of the meetings.

I went out of curiosity. Right away, I realized this was not a typical Catholic meeting. The speaker shared the love of Jesus in such a way that I’d never heard before. It was obvious that his focus was on the personage of Jesus Christ. Oh, how I needed that message! When he finished, he asked that we stand, join hands, and sing the Lord’s Prayer.

When we did so, something very unexpected happened. Suddenly, I felt God’s liquid love pour over me from the top of my head to the tip of my toes! Without knowing what had happened, I instantly realized I had been searching for the “truth” in all the wrong places.

In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by Me.” Yes, Jesus is The Truth, and He “was there all the time!” No wonder a song was written by that title. The song, “He Touched Me,” came to mind. Now, I understood that also. I felt such a joy in my heart. I just wanted to rejoice, but I restrained myself, thinking people would notice a strange look on my face.

When we left, my friend said, “How did you like it?” I just started laughing. I couldn’t restrain the joy any longer!

She said, “Something happened to you, didn’t it?”

I replied, “Yes. I can’t explain it, but I feel as though I’ve been cleansed from head to toe!” I realize now that I was touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. God knew I could never find the “truth” by searching through definitions of words. I had my Watchtower blinders on. I couldn’t believe the simple gospel — I had to experience it!

Now, I understood why Paul had to be knocked from his horse to become a believer — some of us are just like that! I thought for sure my new-found joy would be gone the next morning, but it wasn’t. I woke up anxious to read the Bible and pray! As I read through the book of John, I wondered when the word, Jesus, was added to so many pages. I had never before noticed how the Scriptures focus on Him.
Making a Dangerous Promise

I got on my knees, and in the privacy of my living room, I asked Jesus to come into my life. I promised I would do anything He asked of me. Well, don’t pray that prayer if you’re not willing to be obedient. I had no idea what He had in store for me.

My husband liked the change in me, so he was willing to visit prayer meetings and, finally, even church. We were subsequently visited by two JW elders who told us we were going to be disfellowshipped. Think of that — disfellowshipped after 15 years of non-attendance! We were okay as non-attenders, until we started attending a Christian church!

My husband decided to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The next year was spent in deprogramming ourselves. We had to learn everything over. Meanwhile, we were completely ostracized by family and friends.

Then the Lord put it in my heart to write a book about my spiritual pilgrimage. After it was published, I was invited to appear on national television along with three other former JWs. Soon, all of us began receiving a ton of mail! I had not expected to go into ministry any more than I had expected to write a book — but here I was, living out the promise: “I’ll do anything!” Before I knew it, I was sharing my research and my newly learned orthodox views with hundreds of JWs and Christians who needed to help loved ones in the JWs. I became a Christian discipler over night, and discovered that my JW discipling skills came in handy.

I feel so very privileged to be called of the Lord to share Jesus with JWs who have been deceived into believing in a false Jesus whom they identify as the archangel Michael.

My husband and I continue ministering to those ensnared in the cults. We also feel a call to educate Christians about the dangers of the cults. Additionally, Christians need in-depth instruction as to why they believe what they believe. Keep in mind that Christians convert unbelievers whereas the cults convert Christians.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/why-i-left-the-jehovahs-witnesses/

U mean?

promise101:
If you really know what you deserve when you weren't saved, you wouldn't have asked this.

She felt Ray took advantage of her weakness and use that against her. According to her counsellor, She needed Man presence in her life and her father did not get dat close with her. this is a lesson to d would be fathers in d house.

ICorth10:11-13
11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

analice107:

I don't understand. How is this an abuse? For one year she willingly went with Ray. He never for onece forced her. Well, maybe it's me.

I Was Sexually Abused: I should have told someone he made me feel uncomfortable.

I smoothed my skirt, checked my makeup in the mirror, grabbed my purse and breezed out of my bedroom. It was my first day at a new job, and I didn’t want to be late. I’d be working in a used bookstore with Ray, a man I’d known from church most of my life.

Ray had asked me to work for him a few Saturdays before, when I was in his store shopping. He had a stack of book posters, but he didn’t know where to hang them. I made some suggestions that worked.

“Tiffany,” he gushed, “Everyone who’s ever met you knows you’re an artistic genius, but I think you’re an advertising genius, too! This place looks fantastic!” I smiled self–consciously. I was flattered by his compliment. “Seriously, you should work here.”

I loved books and was excited about the thought of working in a bookstore. I also thought about how fast I’d be able to save up for a car, and accepted right away.

On my first day, Ray taught me how to run the registers and how to catalog new books. Between customers, Ray asked me a lot of questions. He seemed especially interested in knowing about my favorite books and music. Slowly his questions became a little more personal, and then he asked one that seemed awfully private.

“So, Tiffany, are you a virgin?”

“Yes,” I answered uncomfortably, “of course I am.”

“Going to wait until you get married?”

I nodded.

“Good girl,” he said, moving closer and stroking my hair.

The awkward moment ended abruptly when the phone rang. I moved away to answer it, thankful for the distraction.

As my brother drove me home from work that night, I stared out of the window, silently thinking about Ray’s question. Replaying the conversation in my head, I decided Ray just wanted to know if I was living up to what the Bible teaches.

That was perfectly innocent, wasn’t it?

A few nights later, Ray came from the back office to help me stock books.

“Tiffany, do you have a boyfriend?”

I blushed. “N–no, no I don’t.”

“But you’re so pretty,” he smiled. “Those high school boys are just idiots.”

I changed the subject with a question about the books. I didn’t know what to think—I was a little flattered, but uneasy, too.

This went on for months. Whenever I was the only employee in the store and there weren’t any customers around, Ray would come out of his office and talk to me, making comments about how pretty, smart, talented or special he thought I was. Part of me was scared and confused. But another part was like a sponge, soaking in his compliments.

Gradually, the scared and confused part of me became quieter. The fear was overcome by the thrill—a goodlooking, single guy was actually interested in me, even though he was in his 30s and I was only 16.

One night, my brother had to work late. “I’ll drive you home,” Ray offered.

As I threw my backpack into the backseat of his convertible, he said, “Let’s stop at my place, OK? I’ve got some great first editions I know you’ll love.”

This doesn’t feel right. I don’t think I should be alone with some guy at his house. But it’s just Ray, right? And I don’t want to make him mad. I like my job. …

Standing at Ray’s bookshelf, I looked at the spine on an original copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Ray slowly took the book from my hands, leaned over, and kissed me. My heart raced. He smiled. “Wait here.”

He walked down the hall and into his bedroom. Then he called my name.

I knew what would happen if I walked down the hall, and I didn’t want it to happen. But at the same time, it seemed inevitable. It seemed like it was meant to happen, though everything within me knew it was wrong.

I walked down the hall.

After Ray dropped me off at home, I took the longest, hottest shower of my life. Giving him my virginity had unleashed feelings more powerful than I could have possibly imagined just hours earlier.

I’d violated God’s laws and everything I believed in. But I was also hurt and confused. Ray hadn’t forced me to have sex with him. At the same time, I felt like a victim. I felt like he’d been planning this for a long time, counting on my being flattered and confused. Ray made me feel important and loved, but the price was too high. I felt trapped.

Over the next few months, Ray adjusted my work schedule so I worked more hours. He drove me home afterward, and we almost always stopped at his house. I wasn’t worried about getting caught. My mom was too busy to notice what was going on, and she was usually asleep when I got home. My dad wasn’t around. Slowly, my mixed feelings became easier to live with.

I hated myself for what I was doing, but I didn’t stop.

At church, a few months after that night, my pastor stopped me after service one Sunday. I’d won a Scripture memorization contest. “Tiff, I’m proud you’re such a good example to the young women in our church,” he said, giving me a side hug. “I wish more of our girls were like you.”

I went home and cried for two hours. No one knew what a lie my life had become, and the guilt and shame I’d stuffed away in the corner of my mind suddenly covered me.

The next week, my period was late, and I vomited once before breakfast. I panicked, wondering if I was pregnant. After work, I told Ray about my missed period and vomiting. I’d expected him to be worried, to stop at a grocery store and buy a home pregnancy test. If it was positive, we’d talk about a wedding and how we’d break the news to the people at our church.

His response shocked me. “You’re not old enough for an abortion in this state without parental consent,” he snapped. “I’ll have to go with you. I could pass for your father.”

There was no concern for me in his words, just raw fear that the consequences of our actions might catch up with him. I was stunned. Ray had been active in the prolife movement for years. “I don’t believe in abortion,” I protested.

His glare terrified me.

It turned out I wasn’t pregnant, but the way Ray had reacted shattered my illusions. I’d convinced myself that I was important to him, but deep down, I knew the truth: Ray was using me, and I had given him part of myself that I could never get back.

Ray ended his involvement with me after about a year, but I kept what had happened a secret for a long time. When I finally opened up to a counselor, I poured out years of hidden shame, self-hatred, and anger.

I was angry with God for letting this happen. I was angry at Ray for taking advantage of me. I was angry at myself for needing attention, and for not telling someone what was going on. If I’d just said something—to my brother, my mom, my pastor, anyone—after that first weird comment, the whole situation would have been very different.

My counselor helped me understand that I’d been vulnerable to a man like Ray. I had a normal hunger for male attention—and because I didn’t have a good relationship with my dad, I didn’t know what kind of attention was appropriate and what was inappropriate. I also didn’t trust my instincts. Like many abusers, Ray understood my vulnerability and used it to his advantage.

Now that the ugly episode with Ray is in my past, I’ve slowly healed and found peace. I no longer blame God for what happened. I no longer blame myself, either. I know God forgives me and loves me. And I now know that God can even use my awful experience to help others. Each time I share my story, I believe it helps bring healing to those who’ve experienced sexual abuse. I also believe it serves as a warning to those who might be vulnerable to a sexual predator like Ray.

God can take bad situations and redeem them for his glory. I’m grateful for that.

*Names and identifying details have been changed.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/i-was-sexually-abused/

Forgiving a Rapist: Does Jesus call us to forgive even something this terrible?

Rebecca St. James




On the road, one of the harshest realities I came face to face with was the large number of girls whose lives have been devastated by rape. Two or three young girls have shared parts of their painful stories with me.

One commonly asked question among the girls I’ve talked to is, “Why did God allow this to happen to me?” Increasingly difficult are the cases where shortly after the assault a girl discovers she is pregnant. Imagine a Christian girl in this situation. She is embarrassed and scared. Abortion isn’t an option, but thoughts of it plague her. Every time she thinks about the baby, she remembers what happened. She feels anger toward the baby as well as toward those who hurt her.

As I thought about this situation, I realized that the baby doesn’t choose to come into the world in that way; he is a victim, too. I remembered that Jesus once felt abandoned too, as he called out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) And as Jesus hung on the cross, God also felt pain and loss. In times of trial in our lives, we all need to know that God can relate to our pain and that God really does work in all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

I can’t begin to imagine these girls’ anguish, but I do know that in any situation we can either turn toward God or turn away from him. The girls I spoke to chose to turn toward God. If they had chosen to hold on to their pain, continue to blame God, and not forgive the people who hurt them, they would have been inwardly destroyed.

We don’t know why certain things happen to us in life, but we do know that we can trust God. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:14-15 just blow me away: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Forgive all the sins of others? God says, “Yes.” Talking behind our back? Yes. Lying? Yes. Stealing? Yes. Rape? Yes, even rape.

Every day in our relationships, we must choose whether or not we will forgive. We decide if we will let the circumstances of life make us bitter or better. We really hurt God when we won’t forgive others. Maybe part of the reason our unforgiving spirit is so offensive to God is that it shows how much we underestimate his power. It is only God’s power that allows us to forgive—we just can’t do it on our own.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/forgiving-a-rapist-does-jesus-call-us-to-forgive-even-something-this-terrible/

mentorandfriend:
Exactly sir. Good morning and Happy Sunday to you.

Yes sir

micfoley:
Rip to the dead

Rip

China: Christian Woman Killed by Bulldozer while Protesting Demolition of Church

A Christian woman and wife of a pastor has been killed in China while she and her husband protested the demolition of their church.
Christian Today reports that Ding Cuimei suffocated to death after a bulldozer pushed her and her husband into a ditch where they were covered in soil. Ding’s husband, Li, was able to escape, but Ding was killed.

Bob Fu, the president of human rights organization China Aid, called Ding’s death a “serious violation of the right to life, religious freedom and rule of law.”

“Bulldozing and burying alive Ding Cuimei, a peaceful and devout Christian woman, was a cruel, murderous act,” he continued. “The Chinese authorities should immediately hold those murderers accountable and take concrete measures to protect the religious freedom of this house church’s members.”

Police are reportedly investigating the incident and have taken two members of the demolition team into custody.

Many fear that the Communist party in China, under President Xi Jinping, is becoming more and more hostile toward Christianity. The government’s campaign to take down crosses from churches and to apprehend pastors and Christian leaders has grown in recent months.

Up to 1,700 churches have been demolished or had their crosses taken down in a single province.


http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/china-christian-woman-killed-by-bulldozer-while-protesting-demolition-of-church/

Ecuador: 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Leaves 272 Dead, Over 2,500 Injured

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Ecuador on Saturday (April 16), leaving 272 people dead. An additional 2,500 civilians suffered injuries.

CNN reports the devastating earthquake hit the coastal Manabi Province hardest, where 200 people were killed. The cities of Manta, Portoviejo and Pedernales saw the most severe damage, CNN reports.

The region was also rocked with 163 aftershocks.

In the days since, rescue crews have been digging through the rubble in search of survivors.

President Rafael Correa said, "The immediate priority is to rescue people in the rubble. Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovered, and that's what hurts the most."

Temporary hospitals and shelters have been erected in Pedernales and Portoviejo to tend to the needs of the injured and homeless. Ecuador’s armed forces and police have been deployed to the affected areas to maintain peace and security.

Pope Francis called for prayer for those affected by the Ecuador earthquake, as well as those affected by two previous earthquakes that struck Japan last week. During his Sunday prayer Francis said, "Last night a violent earthquake hit Ecuador, causing numerous victims and great damages. Let's pray for those populations, and for those of Japan, where as well there has been some earthquakes in the last days."

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/ecuador-7-8-magnitude-earthquake-leaves-272-dead-over-2500-injured/

Jesus would have allowed killing of ISIS militants, Christian militia commander in Iraq believes




If Jesus Christ were living in today’s world where terrorism is a real threat, would he allow the killing of Islamic State (ISIS) militants? The answer would be yes as far as this Christian militia fighter is concerned.

In a recent interview with BBC News, Rayan al-Kildani, the head of the 100,000-member Christian militia group known as the “Babylon Brigade,” said while Jesus Christ taught about mercy and compassion, wielding the sword to end the lives of these jihadists would have been acceptable to Him given the various atrocities they have committed. Kildani said he has personally killed several members of this terror group.

He made it clear that his group’s primary mission is to prevent the ISIS from advancing further and taking more territories in Iraq.

“What Islamic State is doing to the Christians is terrible. They are the devil,” Kildani said, as quoted by The Gospel Herald.

“I know the Bible says that if you get hit on one cheek you should offer the other. But we have really good defence forces now. No one is going to do anything bad to the Christians. Some Christians had their homes taken over. I have personally been to those houses to tell the new people living there to get out. Christian suffering is over,” he added.
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When asked about how he would reconcile his militia group’s actions to the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not kill,” Kildani answered: “We have to fight. We have to defend ourselves…Jesus himself told us that if you don’t have a sword you should go out and buy one.”

The militia leader even used this Bible quote from Luke 22:36 to justify his group’s actions: “If you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

Some theologians interviewed by BBC, however, said that this verse should not be taken literally.

Thousands of Christians have already suffered in the hands of the ISIS since 2014. Members of the terror group have been torturing, raping and killing Christians and taking over their homes in the Middle East.

Syrian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II revealed that at least 230 citizens, including scores of Christians, were recently kidnapped by the ISIS from the town of Qaryatain in central Syria.

Aphrem reported that some Christians were killed while attempting to escape, while some were killed for breaking the terms of their “dhimmi contracts,” which require them to submit to the rule of Islam.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/jesus-would-have-allowed-killing-of-isis-militants-christian-militia-commander-in-iraq-believes/

Is it wrong for a Christian to have a roommate of the opposite sex?



Are opposite-sex roommates or housemates biblically allowable? Financial and social struggles lead many singles to consider rooming with friends of both genders, but Christians often wonder whether this is wise.

For the purposes of this article, we will refer to “roommates” as those who share the same living space but who maintain a strictly platonic relationship with no romantic or sexual overtones. Sexually involved roommates are clearly in violation of God’s commands (1 Corinthians 6:18). But if a guy and a girl enjoy each other’s company, have healthy sexual boundaries, and would both benefit from sharing a house or apartment, is there a clear biblical commandment against being roommates?

Living arrangements were different when the Bible was penned, so no clear-cut command exists to address having an opposite-sex roommate. However, that does not mean that there are no biblical principles we can apply. When we know God and seek to please Him, we want to know more than the bare minimum. We want to hear His every whisper and seek to obey it.

In considering the issue of opposite-gender roommates, we should examine the following passages:

1. Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (NASB). To “make provision” means we put ourselves into situations that our weak flesh may not be strong enough to combat. A 14-year-old boy and girl lying alone in the dark “watching a movie” are making provision for the flesh. They have put themselves in a compromising position where emotions and availability can combine for sinful effect. So when two people of the opposite gender who already enjoy each other and get along well move in together and play house as though they were married, they may be creating a situation neither expected. A girl walking through the house with only a towel wrapped around her may create unwanted desires in her roommate. A friendly comforting hug from the guy when she is upset can easily turn into more in the right atmosphere. A question that all opposite-sex roommates must answer honestly is this: might we be making provision for the flesh in placing ourselves in such an intimate living situation?

2. First Corinthians 10:31–33 says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved” (NASB, emphasis added). This is the kind of verse that separates carnal, baby Christians from those who truly desire to honor God. This verse frees us to limit ourselves, not by a list of Do’s and Don’ts, but by the law of liberty (James 2:12). To “give offense” is to be a stumbling block; that is, to hinder someone’s walk with God. The natural questions to accompany this verse are these: by having an opposite-sex roommate, might I be hindering someone’s walk with God? Will those who know I am a Christian believe I am committing sexual sin by living with this person? Would we be “giving offense” to our families, our Christian friends, or our mentors? Are we glorifying God by living together as opposite-sex roommates?

3. An even stronger warning about offenses was given by Jesus in Luke 17:1. “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” God takes it very seriously when someone causes an unbeliever or baby Christian to turn away from truth and violate his or her conscience, and we should take it seriously, too. God holds us responsible to limit our own freedom in order not to cause others to stumble as they make their way toward Jesus. So the obvious question to ask ourselves is this: might my taking in an opposite-sex roommate limit my effectiveness as a Christian witness?

4. First Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (KJV). Some translations use the word form or kind rather than appearance, but the basic meaning of the verse is the same. This is a warning to avoid evil altogether. Being aware of our witness to the world and of our duty to support fellow believers, we stay far away from anything that even looks sinful. Suppose a person is walking along the very edge of the Grand Canyon, assuming that he will not fall over the side. But that assumption is foolish because it’s based upon factors outside his control, such as wind gusts, shoe malfunctions, dizziness, and rock slides. First Thessalonians 5:22 instructs us to keep far away from the edge of the canyon so that we won’t be toppled by factors outside our experience or expectation. We should be aware of our own tendencies toward sin. Rather than flirting with what could lead us into sin, we should take preventative measures to avoid sin. Questions we should ask are, is there anything about living as opposite-sex roommates that has the appearance of evil? Will people who do not know us well assume that we are living in sexual sin—and will that hinder our witness?

For those who profess faith in Christ, lifestyle decisions often illustrate the validity of that profession. Culture speaks with a loud voice, but it always has. Believers hear the voices of Culture and Reason and Expediency, but they are more attuned to the voice of God in their lives. Jesus has called us out of the culture, to live extraordinary lives filled with surrender, struggle, and self-sacrifice (Matthew 10:34–39; Romans 12:1–2). When we ask Him to rule our lives, then everything we do must pass His inspection. He does not settle for simply getting a vote in our decisions. Lordship is not a democracy. He is either Lord, or we are (Luke 16:13). When faced with ambiguous situations, we can still find answers in His Word if we truly want to find them.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/is-it-wrong-for-a-christian-to-have-a-roommate-of-the-opposite-sex-2/

Hebrews 13:4King James Version (KJV)

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

turboG:
Cohabitation Rates Rising, Even among Christian Couples

More Christian couples are choosing to cohabit before marriage, according to a Gallup poll.

According to WorldMag.com, nearly seven in 10 teens, and almost half of teens with a religious background, support living with their significant other before marriage.

“It’s surprising. … I will meet with a couple actively engaged in Bible studies, regularly attending our services, and living together, and they don’t feel convicted about it,” said Houston pastor and marriage author Gary Thomas.

Christian couples that live together say they can live together without sex and often choose to live together because of finances and convenience.

Mike Mobley, a Dallas church staffer who tried cohabitation, says that it often doesn’t work out.

“I’ll be the first to tell you from personal experience, [our] excuses do not justify the actions.”

When he first moved to Tennessee, Mobley moved in with his Christian girlfriend and slept in a separate bedroom while they saved money for marriage.

As they tried to apply for membership to churches, they were rejected. Over the course of a year, Mobley moved out and the couple broke up.

“If we had married, our foundation was ‘us first.’ We were the main characters in our story. … We were trying to attach God to that,” he said.

Today, Mobley lives in Texas with his wife of six years. They have two children.

He encourages people to find a church because church attendance means couples are four times less likely to cohabit.


Get More Interesting Stuff and updates From:
http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/cohabitation-rates-rising-even-among-christian-couples/

God will deliver HIS Own in Time of Trouble.

TalkWithLizy:
God's Elect Will Be Deliver Up


Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

What are the signs of the end = Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21

Jesus said: God's elect will be deliver up for the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Who does the calling?
As the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Read More: http://www.biblestudyforlife.com/deliver_up.htm

Jesus The same Yesterday Today and Forever More

nepapole:
Lies evriwia.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,

And, the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,…

1 Corinthians 1:27-28

Muhammad descendant sees vision of Jesus 3 times — the last one saves him after getting stabbed by Muslim extremist



A devout Muslim whose family has direct ties to the prophet Muhammad saw a vision of Jesus Christ on three occasions, leading him to turn his back on Islam and follow the one true God, even if this means being labelled an “infidel” and marked for death by Muslim radicals.

Ali Sayed Husnain Shah narrated his astounding spiritual journey in his new book, “The Cost: My Life On a Terrorist Hit List,” according to God Reports.

Ali said his conversion began when at 15 years old, he traveled from his home in Pakistan to Oxford, England to visit his ailing aunt Gulshan.

After his arrival in England, he was shocked to find out that his aunt was no longer a Muslim, having embraced Christianity several years before he was born.

Ali could not understand why his aunt would dishonour their prominent Shia family by following Jesus. He became curious. After reading a book written by his aunt about her embrace of Christ, Ali decided to attend church service with her to learn more.
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During the church service, the pastor asked the congregants, “Who wants to see Jesus?”

Ali said something inside him compelled him to rise up and walk towards the pastor, saying, “I wanted to see Jesus.”

The pastor then began praying for Ali. While this was going on, Ali said he felt heat coming from the pastor’s hand. At the same time a light behind his eyelids shone brighter and brighter. Ali said he suddenly felt weak as he crumbled on the floor.

Then Jesus appeared to him for the first time in a vision.

“My son, You wanted to see me. I’m here. Obey me. I will forgive your sins and give you eternal life.” Ali said Jesus spoke these words in his heart.

That night, while sleeping at his aunt’s house, Jesus appeared to him a second time in a dream.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Ali. “I will protect you.”

When Ali returned to Pakistan, he stopped worshipping in the mosque and secretly prayed to Jesus instead on the rooftop of their house so that no one could see him. He said whenever he prayed to Jesus, he felt totally at peace.

Although he was trying his best to keep his faith hidden, he got into a discussion with his classmates about religion and he inadvertently blurted out the name of Jesus. “If you want to know how to deal with sin, you have to pray to Jesus,” he told his stunned Muslim classmates.

He knew that he had placed himself in great danger by revealing his faith. Soon enough, his classmates attacked him and pinned him to the ground. An old man with a beard and turban then appeared with an angry face.

“You tried to make kafir out of our children,” the man shouted. “Islam gives me the right to kill any infidel who does that or speaks against our beloved prophet.”

The man then drew a knife and stabbed Ali in the chest, just narrowly missing his heart but puncturing his lung.

Ali felt an unbearable pain and then lost consciousness. Then—for the third time—Jesus appeared to him.

“You were injured because you were defending me. I will not let you die … I will protect you,” Jesus told him.

Ali survived the attack and is now a devoted disciple of Christ.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/muhammad-descendant-sees-vision-of-jesus-3-times-the-last-one-saves-him-after-getting-stabbed-by-muslim-extremist/

delishpot:
Man using religion to divide and conquer since time immemorial

True

Islamists Close Indonesian Church Weeks after it Opened

An Islamist group in Indonesia has, in front of a local police commander, sealed off a brand new church, torn down its sign and demanded that the local mayor cancel its permit. The Santa Clara Church in Bekasi, a heavily-populated commuter city to the east of the capital, Jakarta, only opened on 7 March.

The Islamic Forum Community (FUI) and other Islamist organisations have been protesting since the church obtained its permit in July 2015, claiming its leaders had used false identity cards to get it.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has started an appeal on the church’s behalf, and asked for supporters to send letters to ten top Indonesian leaders, including the President. The AHRC added that it will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

The AHRC noted that local law enforcement agencies failed to intervene on the church’s behalf, leaving the congregants in “fear and uncertainty”.

The FUI complained that the church had been built in a community where the majority are Muslims and where Islamic boarding schools also exist. However, the Bekasi mayor refused to annul the church’s permit, saying it had fulfilled all the legal requirements necessary for construction. Indonesia’s Minister of Religion supported the mayor’s decision.

“Despite this, law enforcement agencies have failed to protect the Santa Clara Church congregants; in fact, it seems the agencies have no will or policy to enforce the law against vigilantes. As a result, the church congregation lives under pressure and intimidation,” wrote the AHRC in its letter of appeal.

The AHRC called upon the local police to “take a strong stance” against the FUI and “ensure that the government guarantees protection to the Santa Clara congregation to practise their religion”.

“Furthermore, the government should revise the law on the establishment of worship places without any discrimination among the various religions and beliefs that exist in Indonesia,” the letter concluded.

“In the last decade, the existence of intolerant vigilante groups has become a serious problem in Indonesia,” wrote the AHRC in its letter to supporters. “More importantly, the country’s law enforcement does not seem to be willing or committed to enforcing the law against such groups, despite their actions being in violation of the right to freedom of religion and belief guaranteed in the 1945 Indonesian Constitution. Article 29, Paragraph 2 requires the State to ‘ensure the freedom of every citizen to choose their own religion and to worship according to their religion and belief itself’.”

Indonesia is No. 43 on the 2016 Open Doors World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

The current events in Bekasi are all too familiar for Christians in the Jakarta area.

In March 2013, the Batak Protestant Church, also in Bekasi, was torn down almost immediately after it had been built. Again, protesting Muslims claimed the church’s leaders had falsified signatures to obtain a permit.

Meanwhile, about 70 kilometres away in Bogor – also a commuter city outside Jakarta – another church continues to hold open-air Sunday morning services next to a main road, because its city mayor is afraid to insist that a Supreme Court order is carried out.

In April 2010, Bogor’s Taman Yasmin Indonesia Christian Church (GKI Yasmin) was sealed and padlocked by order of the mayor of Bogor and the city government. According to a national paper, he claimed that the previous sub-village head had falsified community signatures and that the church brought trouble with local Muslim neighbours. Later he said that the church should not be built on a street with an Islamic name.

In December 2010, the Indonesian Supreme Court affirmed the church’s constitutional right to freedom of worship; however the mayor refused to reopen the church. The Indonesian Ombudsman’s Office also urged the Bogor city administration to withdraw its later 2011 decree annulling the church’s construction permit.

GKI Yasmin’s congregation has resorted to conducting services on the pavement in front of their former church for more than two years. Then they moved to a monthly service in front of the Presidential Palace, alternating with services in other premises. In September last year, the church held its hundredth service outside the palace. A church leader told World Watch Monitor that number has now increased to 115 services.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/islamists-close-indonesian-church-weeks-after-it-opened/

Cohabitation Rates Rising, Even among Christian Couples

More Christian couples are choosing to cohabit before marriage, according to a Gallup poll.

According to WorldMag.com, nearly seven in 10 teens, and almost half of teens with a religious background, support living with their significant other before marriage.

“It’s surprising. … I will meet with a couple actively engaged in Bible studies, regularly attending our services, and living together, and they don’t feel convicted about it,” said Houston pastor and marriage author Gary Thomas.

Christian couples that live together say they can live together without sex and often choose to live together because of finances and convenience.

Mike Mobley, a Dallas church staffer who tried cohabitation, says that it often doesn’t work out.

“I’ll be the first to tell you from personal experience, [our] excuses do not justify the actions.”

When he first moved to Tennessee, Mobley moved in with his Christian girlfriend and slept in a separate bedroom while they saved money for marriage.

As they tried to apply for membership to churches, they were rejected. Over the course of a year, Mobley moved out and the couple broke up.

“If we had married, our foundation was ‘us first.’ We were the main characters in our story. … We were trying to attach God to that,” he said.

Today, Mobley lives in Texas with his wife of six years. They have two children.

He encourages people to find a church because church attendance means couples are four times less likely to cohabit.


Get More Interesting Stuff and updates From:
http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/04/cohabitation-rates-rising-even-among-christian-couples/

Philippians 2: 9-11

9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10[b]That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [/b]

11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus IS COMING SOON

Judas2013:


Ask your god to kneel before me.

lol
if it is possible. i will

cold:
^^^ why not just cut and paste the entire bible here. Sigh

JESUS LOVES U. ACCEPT HIM INTO UR LIFE TODAY. TOMMOROW MAY BE TOO LATE.

Judas2013:


Ask your god to kneel before me.

noted

johnw74:
The Holy Spirit did good works in Jesus,
the pharisees knew of the good works Jesus had done including casting out devils, but they claimed Jesus done them by the spirit of the devil.

Calling the good works of the Holy Spirit, works of the devils spirit, is the sin against the Holy Spirit that won't be forgiven.



Mat_12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.