Let's take this time to be thankful for our lives and then lets WAKE UP and OPEN OUR EYES to what is going on! I am convicted of my selfishness and in recent months my eyes have been opened to more of the evil in this world. We need to realize that God gave us all a purpose to pray for our brothers and sisters!
LETS COME TOGETHER AND BE KINGDOM FOCUSED FOR GODS GLORY!!
Right now we need to pray-
I received in the mail, a newsletter from Samaritan's Purse. The article written below is by Franklin Graham who wrote about just one person's story being affected by the evil in this world.
'CONVERT TO ISLAM, OR DIE BY THE SWORD'
"As Islamic terrorists called ISIS have seized much of Iraq and Syria, they have been merciless and gruesome in their efforts to wipe out Christians and other religious minorities. We hear of children cut in half, people buried alive, believers crucified, journalists beheaded, and young girls abducted into sexual slavery. In my generation, I've never seen worse wickedness and evil.
Just a few miles from the front lines in northern Iraq, Samaritan's Purse is working to provide food, shelter, bedding, and other assistance for Christians and others who have fled for their lives. We've set up hundreds of tents in Erbil, where our team has been ministering to refugees, meeting their daily needs, and sharing the hope of the Gospel.
Many of these refugees are Christians, at least nominally. ISIS doesn't care if you're a Catholic, a Chaldean, or a Baptist. If you bear the Name of Christ, you've declared you own death sentence.
On August 7, ISIS forces stormed into Qaraqosh, known as the largest Christian town in Iraq. This is in the plains of Nineveh, where Jonah preached. A church worker named Diana described what happened next: "We were given three choices: Pay a tax, convert to Islam, or die by the sword." They had 10 minutes to leave town.
I was in northern Iraq last December, when Samaritan's Purse helped refugees from the civil war in Syria. The collapse of much of Iraq has made the situation in the Middle East even more dangerous. Over a million Iraqis have fled into Kurdistan, the only part of Iraq where Christians and other religious minorities are protected.
Next door in Iran, jailed ISIS militants have threatened to kill Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen imprisoned for his faith in Jesus Christ. Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, has organized a nationwide prayer vigil September 26 and has invited me to speak the night before in Washington, D.C. There will be events in cities and towns across the country, and I especially ask that you pray for Saeed and other persecuted Christians around the world.
When you watch the news, it seems like our world is falling apart. Christians are under persecution around the globe.
None of this should surprise anyone who has listened to what Jesus said in Matthew 24, warning us about wars, famines, plagues, disasters, tribulation, betrayals, hatred, and false prophets. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:12-14).
That's our mission- to share the hope of the Gospel with a world that desperately, desperately needs it. Thank you for standing with us in prayer. May god bless you.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
So, I bring this up because media is a way to get the word out more! Please take time to inform yourself about what is going on in the world and most importantly pray! Plan a regular time to pray! That is the BEST thing we can ever do!
Below are some ways to get yourself or others involved:
1. PRAY!
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." 1 Timothy 2:1 (Take time to read whole Chapter too!)
Pray that we take time to pray. God is the reason we are all here living and breathing today. He is sovereign over all. May we trust in his mighty works and put our faith to action in this time of NEED for our world! God has been here since day 1! Lets recognize his presence and let HIS WILL BE DONE!
2. Pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini. HERE
As mentioned in the article! Pray for him, for his family, for those who are doing the persecuting, for all people affected. September 25 is the day that is set aside for prayer as many all over the nation and the world will be praying together. THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER! Franklin Graham will also be speaking in Washington, D.C at this time.
3. Inform yourself
With all the media today it is hard to know what the true facts are. A site I like to use is CNN. HERE
4. Do Something
While there are so many problems and trials in the world, whether it is global, community, or personal, DO SOMETHING! This is a problem and we cannot sit back, relax and act like nothing is happening. Take the time to pray for each other, go do ministry, volunteer your time, let someone know you are thinking of them. We cannot waste time! SHOW LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER! CHERISH THE MOMENTS YOU HAVE TOGETHER! GO DO SOMETHING!
We are getting in the the Thanksgiving and Christmas season soon! Prepare your heart for making a difference for Gods Glory! Maybe its volunteering at a shelter, maybe its getting involved with Operation Christmas Child and packing a package for a child overseas! HERE Maybe its giving money to relief during this international crisis HERE
Whatever it is lets get the focus off of ourselves and on Jesus Christ- the one who SAVED US! May we then take the time to be in community with those around us! THE TIME IS NOW! LETS PUT OUR FAITH TO ACTION! I myself am challenged and feel that we just need to get the word out there!
