Month: August 2021

News Of The Day – August 31st

A South Carolina Pastor Quit And His Church Revolts

For years Pastor Todd Elliot and the elders of Beach Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina have been fighting over who holds ultimate power in the church. With no solution in sight, Elliott resigned and received a year’s severance. But church members weren’t going to let their beloved pastor go without a fight. And so they organized on a Facebook page called, Beach Church Together, to defend Elliott. Within days, the Beach Church elders had resigned, the locks on the church had been changed and the doors opened for Elliott’s return. Read more about the revolt here.

 

Nazarene Fund Says State department Stopping Humanitarian Flights

Glenn Beck, whose Nazarene Fund raised over $28 million for rescue operations in Afghanistan, is blaming the U.S. State Department for standing in the way of such missions. He revealed that several neighboring countries to Afghanistan had already stepped up to take in Afghan refugees. However, the U.S. Department told these governments to stop taking in the Afghan refugees. “The State Department has blocked us every step of the way. We have to send people into even greater danger to try to smuggle these Christians out who are marked not just for death, but to be set on fire alive because they are converted Christians.” beck reported. Read more about his mission here.

 

Taliban Killing Christians With Bible App On Their Phone

Taliban militants are even pulling people off public transport and killing them on the spot if they’re Christians or considered ethnically “unpure”.  “We’re hearing from reliable sources that the Taliban demand people’s phones, and if they find a downloaded Bible on your device, they will kill you immediately,” reports Dr. Rex Rogers, who is president of the Christian media group SAT-7 North America. Afghanistan has been rated as the second-most dangerous country in the world for Christians even before the Taliban took control. Read more about the continued danger for Afghanistan  Christians here.

 

Rescue Efforts Under Way For Louisiana Residents Trapped By Hurricane Ida

More than 1 million homes and businesses remained without power in and around New Orleans. At least two people are known to have been killed: a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge. The state’s governor, John Bel Edwards, and Joe Biden said they expected the death toll to rise. Now rescues are underway for scores of coastal Louisiana residents trapped by floodwaters. Dozens of US coast guard helicopters and high-water vehicles had been deployed along with state and local resources. Read more about the rescues here.

 

August 31st – Hebrews 11:25

Hebrews 11:25

Would you willingly leave a life of comfort and ease for one one of suffering and certain death? Silly question right? Yet that’s exactly what Moses did and he’s in great company. Because our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did the same. Living a privileged life in Pharaoh’s house, Moses had it all. Yet he walked away to serve God and His people, fulling knowing the suffering he would endure. Moses purposely choose the everlasting joy of serving God than the fleeting pleasure of a life of sin. Not to say that it was easy. Moses faced persecution, suffering, and death, time and time again. But he knew the heavenly reward waiting for him would surpass anything this life can offer. Jesus did the same. King and Creator of all, the Lord left His throne of majesty to come to earth to die a criminal’s death to offer us life. Both of them chose God over the riches of the world, and so should we.

August 30th – 2 Corinthians 1:7

2 Corinthians 1:7

Some in the Corinthian church were questioning Paul’s qualifications as an apostle. After all shouldn’t a representative of God appear majestic and royal himself? And what was with all of the suffering Paul endured. A true “apostle” should have an easy life right? Such misconceptions about Christianity are common. But we know that suffering comes to everyone’s life, Christians included. Yet, as hard as they are, God always has a purpose for our pain and struggles. In Paul’s case, the suffering he experienced led to the gospel being heard by thousands. And in the hands of God, our struggles will be used for our good as well. For as Dr. Charles Stanley says, “We often learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.” And in the meantime we can trust and rejoice. For the same comfort God gave to Paul, He will generously give to us.

August 29th – Acts 5:41

Acts 5:41

When the Council of Pharisees and the chief priests had Peter and the apostles beaten for spreading the message of Jesus, you’d think they would have stopped preaching. But instead, bloodied and bruised, they rejoiced for being worthy of suffering for the Lord. As Christians we risk persecution and even physical safety for sharing the gospel. Yet like Peter, instead of defeating us, it should empower us to stand firm in faith. For God tells us to consider it a great blessing to suffer and identify with our Savior. Because the Enemy saves his greatest attacks for the strongest of Christians. Those who are actively working for God in expanding His kingdom. The last thing he wants is for us to share the Good News of Jesus and rip souls out of his hands. But that’s what we are called to do, and we need to have courage and determination to serve God above all else. So rejoice when you have the honor of suffering for Jesus, the One who suffered to save you!

August 28th – Jude 1:24

Jude 1:24

I remember going to the circus as a child, and waiting anxiously for my favorite performers, the tightrope walkers. The confidence they showed as they stepped out high above the crowd was awe inspiring. Of course they could do so because of the safety net below them waiting to catch their fall. Life is like a tightrope. Dangers lurk behind every corner with the intent of tripping us up. Not only do we have to watch out for sin, but we also need to be wary of false teachers spreading a false gospel. But thankfully, we too have a safety net. One who can keep us from stumbling, and His name is Jesus Christ. By spending time daily with the Lord and in His Word, we have the greatest safety harness of all. And with Jesus there watching our every move, we too can step out in confident joy knowing He is there to catch us when we fall!

August 27th – 1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9

Being human means without exception, we all falter. Even the most diligent Christian sins daily. And sometimes that sin leads to terrible, painful consequences. Yet no matter how bad we screw up, one consequence we will never face is the loss of God’s love. The Bible is very clear, nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. (Rom. 8:38-39) But the sins we commit break our sweet fellowship with the Lord. They interrupt our walk with Him, causing us to stray off the path of righteousness. Yet even so, when we come back to God in confession and true repentance, He is faithful to forgive our sins, declare us innocent, and welcome us into His loving arms. For we don’t serve an angry, vengeful, grudge holding God. Instead we are children of a loving, merciful Father who not only forgives us completely, He removes all trace of them, remembering them never again! (Psalm 103:12)

News Of The Day – August 26th

Glen beck Raises $30 Million To Rescue Afghan Christians

Popular Syndicated radio host Glenn Beck raised $30 million in less than a week for the Nazarene Fund, which works to rescue Christians and other religious minorities from persecution and slavery in the Middle East and around the world. As the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan last week, Beck urged listeners to “give until it hurts” to rescue some 5,000 Christians, mainly women and children, trapped in the country. “Keep your prayers coming,” Beck said. “Keep your thoughts, contributions moving. It’s working.” Learn where you can donate here.

 

More Evangelicals Are getting Vaccinated 

An August poll by NBC News shows that 59 percent of white evangelicals say they already have received the vaccine. A poll conducted in June by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Interfaith Youth Core showed that 56 percent of white evangelicals either had received the vaccine or planned on getting it. In March, 45 percent of white evangelicals in a PRRI poll answered that way. Together, the polls suggest that white evangelicals are gradually embracing the vaccine as the Delta variant spreads across the United States. Read about the poll here.

 

Chinese Authorities Are Offer Cash To Citizens To Spy On Christian Neighbors

In the latest persecutions of Christians in China, a new reward system is being used in as a way to crack down on Christians who engage in “illegal religious activities.” Earlier this month, the Meilisi Daur District in Heilongjiang Province’s Qiqihar city released “The Reward System For Reporting Illegal Religious Activities Offenses,” saying informants could be eligible to receive 1,000 yuan ($150). This is just the latest step taken by the Chinese Communist Party in an effort to assure that all its citizens comply with the edicts and beliefs of the state. Read more about the persecution here.

 

The U.S. EPA Banning Pesticide Harmful To Children

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it is banning a common pesticide, widely used since 1965 on fruits and vegetables, from use on food crops because it has been linked to neurological damage in children. The EPA said it would publish a regulation to block the use of chlorpyrifos on food. Environmental organizations, health advocates and groups representing farm workers have long sought to stop the use of the chlorpyrifos, after studies showed exposure to the pesticide was linked to lower birth weights, reduced I.Q.s and other developmental problems in children. Read more about the pesticide here.

 

 

 

August 26th – John 16:22

John 16:22

His disciples were grief stricken when Jesus told them about His approaching death. Yet in the very same breath, the Lord also gave them hope through His resurrection, that they would be seeing Him again. Sadly, living in a fallen world means pain and suffering are are a given. But through Jesus, we can have an everlasting joy no sorrow can take away. For the Lord promises to those who believe in Him, pain and suffering are temporary, as compared to the blessings offered by a life in Christ. Jesus uses the example of a woman giving birth. Her labor pain is intense, unbearable, and agonizing. But once that beautiful baby is placed in her loving arms, the pain becomes a distant memory. And in its place is a heart filled with overwhelming love, joy, and thankfulness. In this world pain and persecution will come. But when we are in Christ, and He in us, our grief will be turned to joy. A lasting joy that no one or nothing will ever be able to take away!

August 25th – Job 6:10

Job 6:10

We’ve all asked why the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper. And I’m sure Job asked himself that very question. For Job was “blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:1) Yet God took away his wealth, family, reputation, and his health. Why? Why would God allow suffering in the lives of His children? Although we may not know the reasoning of God, we do know that He uses all things for our good. And just like Job, we can trust in His in goodness, even when that goodness includes the testing of our faith. Throughout his suffering, Job refused to speak against God. Instead he responded with patience and trust. When troubles come knocking, we may not understand why. But like Job, we can trust that God in His goodness will never forsake us, never give us more than we can bear, and will reward our faithfulness. God restored twice all Job had lost. And we can rejoice knowing He’ll do the same for us!