Did you know that the last statistics in regards to the percentage of money that goes to foreign missions and the truly poor in the world, that is of ‘christian’ givings in the so called church in America, is only 3% of the church givings leaves the United States.  Is this shocking to you?  Let’s look at a passage of Scripture and apply it to ourselves and our statistic above.  Now I know that the passage below is toward the people of Jerusalem, but this is not an excuse to not apply God’s Word and His holiness to our lives and our present realities within our failing ‘christian’ culture.  It is good for us not only to understand and know the true historical context, but it is better for us to examine ourselves, as individuals, in regards to our own guiltiness and repent.    

“Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominations; within a very little time you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.  As I live, declares the Lord God, your sister Sodom and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done.  Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.”

Ezekiel 16:47-49

        “For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”  Titus 2:11-12

      Did you notice why the grace of God has appeared? 

1. Bringing salvation for all people

2. Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions

3. Live self-controlled, upright and godly lives – right now

       Most so called christianity in America only half preaches just the first part of this verse.  Let’s now add what Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12.  “Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  How many will be persecuted?  Who will be persecuted?  Read again up in verse 12 of Titus 2.

       You see, grace that is the true and pure grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, causes a regenerate soul to desire to live a godly life whereby persecution becomes a privileged by-product.  Grace without persecution, is not grace.  A form of grace that is without dying to self, dying to the flesh and dying to worldly passions is not grace.  Any such grace that cheapens the Gospel, denies repentance, softens the edge of the Word of God and teaches this is your best life now, is not true Christian grace.  It is not grace and it is not love.  To be given grace, the Father must see humility within the heart. (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5)

       For we are to “declare these things” and “exhort and rebuke with all authority.” (Titus 2:15)  It is to do as Jesus commanded us, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” (Luke 24:47 – notice what is to be preached first?)  We are to remind ourselves and others to “be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”  (Titus 3:1-2)

       Did you notice that this verse comes after the opening verse.  The context then points out that true saving grace is such that leads us to:

1. To be submissive to rulers and authorities

2. To be obedient

3. To be ready for every good work

4. To speak evil of NO ONE

5. To avoid QUARRELING

6. To be gentle

7. To show perfect courtesy towards ALL people

        “What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin still live in it?”  (Romans 6:1-2).

Having said this, we find that we barely begin to scratch the surface of true saving grace. 

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed (anathema – gk.).  For am I now seeking the approval of man, or God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  Galatians 1:8-10 (Also see 1 Timothy 6:3-5)

      This letter below comes from a good friend and brother in Christ from Eldoret, Kenya, which is in the northeastern part of Africa, within the 10/40 window.  Please read and respond as the Lord shows you how.

        Greetings from Kenya, East Africa in Jesus Name! This year is soon ending and inspite of all the challanges that the enemy brings we praise God for His salvation, grace and mercies. Christmas time is very near. When I visited the US and Canada in June I was so surprised to see food in plenty. Every time I ate I remembered the needy orphans in Africa.

       During Christmas many people spend lots of money on food and other items. Can you imagine there are very needy children here who may not be having anything to eat this Christmas, no good clothes, shoes or something to celebrate? You can make a difference this Christmas.

       On the 25th December we are planning to have a special treat for our children at the orphanage. We need your help. I am writing to you because you are a special friend of mine and this ministry. No gift is small in the eyes of God. Your support will enable us to buy food and gifts for the children this Christmas. On the afternoon of Christmas children from 5 other orphanages will be joining us for celebration whereby poems,songs,drama and testimonies will be shared. Please, do something today! I am counting on you.

       You can wire funds through paypal account on the website www.urgencytorise.com/worem or contact Jeremy Strang in New Mexico at urgencytorise@yahoo.com . Please, let me know when you do so. God bless you! We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year 2010!

NB: Attached are photos for the children

Rev Sebastian Ombima, Director,

Jireh Orphanage/WOREM inc

Africa

       I just thought I would share with my readers an interesting comment that I received on the Barnes & Noble website.  Just click on the book cover to view for yourself or add a comment yourself.  As I have said, you will either like or hate the new book – no room for anything in between!  Just so you know, this does not bother me whatsoever. The Word of God is convicting and the refusal or denial of God’s Word will be punished by God through Christ Jesus, not by me.  So the question is, what will you do with the Word of God?  His Scriptures are not open to your beliefs or your opinions.  By the way, God will use this comment to spread even more books to people who needs His Word.  So I thank the person who left the comment.  American’s love to see negativity on the web – God bless him.   Notice the inconsistency within the comment itself?  Good information… yet he could read it any more.  Who then is the “info” good for?  Please carefully consider the verses under the comment and see how they relate, not only to the comment, but to your personal lives as well.  Be blessed!

How bad is this world anyway?

Reader Rating

       Posted December 6, 2009, 2:54 PM EST: If you are one that enjoys reading about how bad this world is this book is for you. I have to admit that I only read half the book and paged through the other half but I had enough. It is clear to the author that he feels we are all going to hell. It has some good information in it but it is given in a totally negative context. Considering that God is the only true judge there is a lot of judging going on in this book. For the person that gets moved to make changes in their life by a negative scare you into submission type of message this book is for you. I would have rather seen a book on how to become a true Christian rather than a book telling everyone that they are NOT a true Christian.

Proverbs 1:28-31 (English Standard Version)

²⁸Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
   they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
²⁹Because they hated knowledge
   and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
³⁰would have none of my counsel
   and despised all my reproof,
³¹therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
   and have their fill of their own devices.

Also read 1 Peter 4:12-19.  This is a good verse to get into your mind and deep into the reality of your walk with Christ!  If ‘fiery’ trials have not yet come upon you, they will be soon enough.

This is taken directly from the Voice of the Martyrs website.  Click here to go directly to VOM. 

Pakistani Christians Sandul Bibi and her father, Gulsher Masih, were released from jail today after a court found them innocent from charges of blasphemy against the Quran.

The pair had been in custody since October 2008, when a radical Muslim mob gathered outside their home after mosque loudspeakers announced rumors that Sandul had torn pages from a copy of the Quran. Police arrested Sandul and her father, and filed a case under Pakistani penal code section 295-B, also known as Pakistan’s so-called “blasphemy law.” The law prohibits the “defiling of the Quran,” and the offense shall be “punishable by imprisonment for life.”

Both Christians have been taken to a secure location where they can rest and be reunited with their family.
Since their arrest, the pair has had more than 40 court hearings as their case made its way slowly through the judicial process. Many times prosecution witnesses failed to appear, or the investigating officer did not attend, and the case was delayed while Sandul and Gulsher were held in prison.

“We are thrilled with this verdict,” said VOM spokesperson Todd Nettleton. “It is encouraging to see that our brothers and sisters in Pakistan can find justice in the court system there, though it is often a long process. We are thankful to God for sustaining Sandul and Gulsher during their imprisonment, and thankful to all those who prayed for them and wrote letters to encourage them.”

One Pakistani contact told VOM that the government of President Asif Ali Zardari appears to be more favorable toward minority groups, such as Christians, than past leaders have been. It is unknown what role that may have played in the verdict for Sandul and Gulsher.

At one point during Sandul’s incarceration she was given a copy of Tortured For Christ, a book written by VOM’s founder, Richard Wurmbrand, about his 14 years in prison in communist Romania. Sandul later told VOM workers that the book was a great encouragement to her, and wanted to arrange for a copy to be given to her father as well.

CAIR is attempting to ban Christmas cards sent to Rifqa Bary.  Will you help her?  Click on the image to view entire story and to see how you can help her.  Christian persecution is here!  …and this is only the very early stages of its physical manifestation in America!