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Current News

Enjoy Our Current News Files

The Great Face Illusion!

News

View this, what do you see? It looks like a tree, but hidden are many faces. Some times people at first glance can seem amazing, look past the outer shell. Paul said try the spirit to see if it be of God. Every person has a spirit, soul and a body. We must look past the flesh and see what is inside, discern their inward man. Sometimes the true person is hidden by the attraction of the outside, time brings out the real person

The Great Face Illusion!

CAN YOU SEE 10 FACES IN THE TREE?

The Greatest Man in History J E S U S

News

Take heart in this!!
The Greatest Man in History
J E S U S
had no servants,
yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree,
yet they called Him
T e a c h e r.
Had no medicines,
yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet
He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet
He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us

Christians Please Click & Read This, Protect Your Children Against Filth
Make Sure It's Not On Your Machine, A Virus That Changes Christian Ads

Virus that changes all Christian ads

Broadening Of The Prayer Initiative

News

HigherPraise encourages believers to pray with us for the needs below. We are so blessed in our country, to be able to worship God with freedom

UZBEKISTAN: PERSECUTION PRODUCES OPPORTUNITY

Authorities in Uzbekistan are cracking down on Christians. Recent raids, detentions, and other forms of government stalking have been on the rise in the last few days. Sergey Rakhuba with Russian Ministries is concerned about the pattern he’s seeing. “It looks like officials are targeting everybody who is talking about his faith, claiming that Christians are there to destroy the country.”
Ironically, this harassment has nothing to do with the new religion law. “The believers were in their homes, they were in their churches, they were doing what their constitution allows; they were praying and reading the Bible. But government officials incriminate them under their terrorist act or regulation, implying that they’re trying to put people in an uprising against their own government, which is totally not true.”
The pressure, thankfully, hasn’t stopped the Gospel. Evangelical Christians have gone underground. “And that’s really who they are after. The more pressure they create, the more success we see in the underground movement.”
----------

UZBEKISTAN: BURIAL OF BELIEVERS DENIED

Growing religious intolerance in Uzbekistan now includes the dead.
Officials in the nation’s northwest region have obstructed the burial of a Muslim because his widow and son are believers, according to Forum 18 News. Mahalla administrators admitted to Forum 18 that the burial had been stymied but denied that the idea came from them.

In Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan’s independent regime, sources said that authorities don’t allow local residents to be involved in burials of Christians, as would be typical in Central Asian culture. The local community’s non-involvement in a funeral equates to an expulsion of the deceased person’s family from the community.

Forum 18 says locals are shocked as sources report that officials are telling people: “Your dead will not be buried.” Officials also threaten punishment for anyone who accepts Christianity; all non-state-controlled religious activity in Karakalpakstan is a criminal offense.

Current persecution reflects the worsening situation in Uzbekistan, with three Christians recently imprisoned after a home raid. Authorities are cracking down not only on Christians, but on Hare Krishna sects and Jehovah's Witnesses as well.
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CHINA: UPDATE ON UYGHUR CHRISTIAN’S FATE

Communist officials in Xinjiang province will decide the fate of Uyghur Christian Alimjan Yimit, detained for the past 14 months despite a judge dismissing his case.
A high-level government committee in Xinjiang is now reviewing Alimjan’s case – ten months after a trial judge ruled last May there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to convict him of ‘endangering national security’. The judge ordered his case be sent back to Public Security Bureau (PSB) prosecutors.

This news coincides with a report from China Aid which suggests that the case of another Uyghur Christian, Pastor Lou Yuanqi, is becoming a mirror image of Alimjan’s. Pastor Lou, who was arrested in May 2008, was tried in December on charges of ‘using superstition to undermine the law’. It has now emerged that, at his trial too, the judge ruled there was ‘insufficient evidence’ against him – and his case was sent back to the PSB.

Pastor Lou, who suffers from hepatitis B, remains at the Huocheng County Detention Centre. His wife, children and congregation continue to meet, believing that the best response to Pastor Lou’s imprisonment is to share the Gospel with more people.
Ethnic minority Uyghur Christians have suffered intense persecution from officials in Xinjiang province in north-west China over the past year. Most Uyghurs are Muslim.

Meanwhile, the wife and two children of Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng have managed to escape the PSB’s tight surveillance and flee to the US, with the help of China Aid among others. Gao, a Christian, was seized by Chinese security forces in February (7x7, February 24, 2009) and has not been seen since.
His family are very worried about him: he was tortured when he was detained in 2007 and has spoken publicly about this abuse, despite death threats warning him to keep quiet.
----------

VIETNAM: PRAYING WOMAN IMPRISONED

Concern is growing for a Vietnamese Christian who has not been seen since officials seized her in the Central Highlands a year ago.
Puih H’Bat, an ethnic minority Montagnard and a mother of four children, ran into trouble by leading prayer meetings in her home in Ploi Bang village, Gia Lai province.

Police raided one such meeting at Puih’s home on April 9, last year. Officers tried to force all 20 Christians present to sign documents agreeing to join the government-sanctioned Evangelical Church of Vietnam. They all refused. Two days later, at 4am, the police arrested Puih and took her into custody.

Puih’s plight has now reached the attention of the European Commission (EC) which says it is ‘closely monitoring’ her case. EC sources suggest that Puih H’Bat has been convicted of the ‘destruction of the unity of the people’s solidarity’ and sentenced to five years in jail, according to news agencies.
Security officials have reportedly told Puih’s family she is in T-20 prison in Pleiku – but have not allowed them to visit her. Puih’s four children are currently being cared for by her elderly mother. Puih’s estranged husband has fled to the US.
----------

ERITREA: TIME TO ACT, TIME TO PRAY

Since 2002 the autocratic regime of President Isaias Afewerki has detained well over 2,000 Christians without trial, and has forced dozens of churches and Christian ministries to close. Many believers have been tortured to force them to renounce their faith.

Since 2002 the Eritrean Government has recognised only three churches: the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran-affiliated Evangelical Church of Eritrea. All other churches have been closed.
Well over 2,000 thousand Christians have been detained without trial. Some estimate the total could be nearer 3,000 - out of a tiny population of only five million.

Many leading pastors and Christian activists have been arrested. In most cases they have disappeared without trace inside Eritrea's prison system. Relatives often do not know if they are dead or alive.
Some Christian prisoners have been tortured by being locked in metal shipping containers where they suffer extreme heat during the day, and biting cold at night.

Other forms of torture are common, including what is known as 'helicopter' torture, where a prisoner is forced to balance on their stomach for prolonged periods, with their hands and feet tied behind them.
Christians undergoing military service are not allowed to meet together, to worship or to read a Bible. Many have been told to renounce their faith. Those who do not face lengthy terms in jail. The secret police routinely spy on Christians.
----------

ERITREA: THREE ELDERLY BELIEVERS RELEASED

Thousands of Eritrean believers are languishing in military prisons, in labor camps, and in shipping containers in the open desert. Carl Moeller with Open Doors reports a spot of good news:
“Two elderly members of the Kale Hiwot church who were arrested last November and held at a military concentration camp have been released, apparently on bail. In addition to that, we also learned that another gentleman, Solomon Mengese, was released.”
Their detention was linked to Christian activities. Though the government denies religious persecution, Open Doors notes a heavy concentration of arrests and detainment of Bible-believing Christians.
“Pray that the church in Eritrea will continues to stand strong in the midst of this. We need to pray for those imprisoned, that they would know that they are not forgotten. And then third, we need to pray that the denominations that have been sanctioned by the government would speak out on behalf of those who have been imprisoned.”
----------

COLOMBIA: SIX MONTHS LATER, PASTOR STILL MISSING
The Rev. William Reyes’ wife awaits word, fears for safety of her children.

Six months after the disappearance in Colombia of the Rev. William Reyes of Maicao, La Guajira, no one knows what happened to him. This week marks six months of agonizing uncertainty for the family of Rev.
Reyes. On Sept. 25, 2008, the pastor of Light and Truth Inter-American Church disappeared en route home from a ministers’ meeting in Valledupar, a city in the neighboring department (state) of Cesar. Family members and friends fear that guerrilla fighters kidnapped the veteran minister; they have not seen or heard from him since his disappearance.

Rev. Reyes and colleagues in the Fraternity of Evangelical Pastors of Maicao had received repeated threats from illegal armed groups operating in the La Guajira peninsula since March 2008. Guerrillas or their paramilitary rivals may have assassinated Rev. Reyes and disposed of his body, and some observers even speculate that he may have fallen victim to rogue units of the Colombian army that murder innocent civilians to inflate the body counts of “terrorists” killed in battle.
But nobody knows for sure what happened to the 41-year-old father of three, ages 9 to 19. “Some days I feel so desperate, I don’t know what to do,” his wife, Idia Miranda de Reyes, told Compass by telephone from her home in Maicao. Through tears, she added, “My daughter Estefania helps me stay strong. She tells me, ‘Mama don’t cry,’ remember that God is with us.’”
----------

RUSSIA: AUDIO BIBLES REACH OUTSIDERS

One of the most-marginalized people groups of Russia is the focus of an outreach by Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH). Lori Koch (coke) with FCBH says a partner named Sergey had been working among the Buddhists, but was urged to begin a ministry to the Roma. “He was resistant at first,” because the Roma are often regarded as thieves, sorcerers, and troublemakers.
Koch continues, “Sergey shared the prevailing attitude of most Russians: ‘These are the Roma; they’re unreachable. If I did want to spend my time with them, it would be wasted time because there’s no value in reaching this people group for Christ.’”

FCBH then released the New Testament in a Romani dialect, and things changed for Sergey. “His full-time ministry now is to the Roma people. His goal is to establish a Roma church with a Roma pastor.” Koch says their ministry approach is unique.
“We’re not simply distributing the audio Scriptures, but rather, we have workers and partners on the ground and in the field who are insuring that people are actually engaging with the Scripture in a systematic way.”
----------

AFRICA: LOCAL RADIO STILL REACHES THE MOST

Next, new research has revealed the best way for Christian ministries to reach people in East Africa. Dr. Robert Fortner, researcher for a branch of the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC), says, “The thing which emerged most clearly was the very high degree of dependence that people have on the medium of radio, and the very high degree of press that they place on the information that they receive from the radio compared to other media.”

Research also indicated that Muslims and Christians alike turn to the radio instead of religious leaders for information. “People don’t necessarily trust what they’re hearing from the clergy because they don’t see the clergy as being any better informed, any more highly educated, or any more connected to the world than they themselves are.”
This gives Christian broadcasters an open door for outreach. A symposium will be held in April to inform others about what media forms are best for evangelism.
----------

Cuts from the Wycliffe Prayer Focus Bulletin

Indigenous worship music: sensitive location.*
People in this region are writing their own songs in their own languages and style for evangelism and worship. In one group, 15 songs have been prepared for professional recording on CDs.

Pray that these CDs will become popular and be widely distributed.
Pray that more believers will become interested in producing indigenous worship music and that God will bless and increase their creativity.
Pray too for those who are training them that the training process may be passed on to many others.

*Giving more specific details could cause danger for the work being done or for the people involved.

Scripture in film versions: sensitive location*.
From March 23 through April 3, the films ‘Magdalena’** and ‘Acts’ are being dubbed for use in languages here. The original JESUS Film continues to be produced in other languages throughout the region.
Pray that the right voice actors can be found for the ‘Magdalena’ film and that organizational difficulties can be quickly resolved.
Pray that once produced, these films can get to their intended audiences without delay.
Pray for creative ways to distribute the films, if needed.

*Giving more specific details could cause danger for the work being done or for the people involved.

**’Magdalena’. The film ‘Magdalena’ uses a new perspective to tell the story of the JESUS Film. Through Mary Magdalene’s eyes, this film portrays how Jesus values women by focusing on historical accounts of His interactions with them.

Cameroon: Cluster approach in early stages
Plans are underway for language development and Bible translation for about 10 languages called the Tivoid Cluster in a remote area of Cameroon. First steps included a church consultation in early February.
Twenty-five church leaders from six denominations in the northern part of the area walked for hours to meet together in the district center, Akwaya. The pastors went away with a strong determination to pray for a project to be started and to talk about the need with Christians in their home locations.
Please ask God to protect, guide and bless this new program from start to finish.

New media company: undisclosed location.
Pray for the people with plans to set up a media company in a new location.
Pray for God’s grace and favor as they raise money for the company and make preparations to relocate.

Colombia: Three missions work together.
Three missions, including the Colombian mission that directs the El Alfarero Bible Institute are working together to provide teaching and discipling in village locations of the Colombian Amazon region. They will teach through Bible storying**, media tools and personal testimony. They will visit some of the communities of the El Alfarero Bible Institute students, where students can minister in their own villages.
Pray that God will keep the teams safe, united and filled with His wisdom.
Pray that many will learn of Jesus and put their faith in Him.

=======

SLINGSHOTS

Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire.
Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.
A. W. Tozer

If revival is being withheld from us it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that ‘It is not by might, but by My Spirit.
Jonathan Goforth
----------

Meditation In Schools

News

In the Classroom, New Focus Quieting the Mind
Christian Schools Being Introduced To Meditation

If you have a child in either a public or private school, please contact the school immediately and find out if your child is being introduced to any type of meditation exercise (this includes lectio divina and breath prayers). Tell the school you do not want your child participating in any of these activities. This would include Rob Bell's popular Nooma films and his book Velvet Elvis, which are both being used in Christian junior high and high schools.

The following June 16th news story from The New York Times illustrates how serious this matter is. The New Age is overtaking our society. Children are the newest target! This is not only affecting children in public schools. Through the contemplative prayer movement (i.e., spiritual formation) and the emerging church, children and teens in Christian schools are also being introduced to meditation. A whole generation is being taught how to enter dangerous demonic realms through practicing mantra meditation!

See our links below for more information on children and meditation.

The New York Times

"Focus on Quieting the Mind"
by Patricia Leigh Brown
OAKLAND, Calif., June 12 - The lesson began with the striking of a Tibetan singing bowl to induce mindful awareness.

With the sound of their new school bell, the fifth graders at Piedmont Avenue Elementary School here closed their eyes and focused on their breathing, as they tried to imagine "loving kindness" on the playground.

"I was losing at baseball and I was about to throw a bat," Alex Menton, 11, reported to his classmates the next day. "The mindfulness really helped."

As summer looms, students at dozens of schools across the country are trying hard to be in the present moment. This is what is known as mindfulness training, in which stress-reducing techniques drawn from Buddhist meditation are wedged between reading and spelling tests. Click here to read the rest of this news article.


Related Research:

Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey - Promoting Contemplative?

Yoga for children (in public school, that is)

Christianity Today: Contemplative for Children


Jesus Camp, Film Reveals the Mystical and the Militant, Not Biblical Christianity

NOTICE TO PARENTS: Christian Schools Introducing Teens to Mysticism Proponent

Ancient Wisdom for Babies

For more information on how the New Age is coming into schools, read For Many Shall Come in My Name. If you know a school administrator or teacher that would be willing to read this book, contact us, and we will send him or her a free copy.
Please fee free to distribute this special report.

The American Dream

News

American Dream Article, Casting Crowns Video
Click Photo Below To View American Dream Article And Music Video
Click For The American Dream

The American Dream! Traditionally, Americans have sought to realise the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. However, the industrialisation of the 19th and 20th centuries began to erode the dream
Click Above Photo To View Article And Video

Islam Challenge Of The 20th Century

News

Islam Perhaps The Most Neglected Mission Field In The World
Islam Challenge Of The 20th Century


Islamic Radicals need Christ, They have a set of beliefs that are evil. Christ is the answer, let us send the Gospel. Bombs will not change the heart. But the millions we spend on war could put a Bible, television and Christian videos in every Muslims home. We could build Churches by the hundreds, the gospel could go to every home. Maybe our focus should be God's focus, not our agenda.

The millions spent for war would support the largest crusades ever to come to these nations. We could use the best Christian music, Greatest Preachers Etc.. Is it wrong to bring healing to a nation that needs Christ?

"When you say Islam" - Immediately the world thinks of the Middle East, the Arab Block, Political Tension, Oil Cartels, World Turmoil... but the Christians cry ought to be "Lost Souls, People without Jesus, World Evangelism."
"Islam!" "What is it? Other than perhaps the most neglected mission field in the world, it has also become the world's fastest growing religion. According to statistics in my study, in 1976 there were 300 million Muslims in the world, in 1981 they numbered 450 million, and by the end of 1985 they boasted a phenomenal 900,000,000 adherents to the religion of Islam, since then it has trippled and growing fast.
One-fifth of the world's entire population is Muslim, yet the average Christian knows very little of the meaning of Islam, and even fewer are doing much to reach them with the Life Changing Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need a spiritual revolution to take place in the ranks of Christianity, to mobilize the church to reach the Muslim world with the Love of the Living Lord.
Islam is more than just a religion, it is an all encompassing way of life which influences the thinking and actions of its followers. "Islam" literally means "submission to the will of God." A Muslim is one who submits to Allah, and holds to the Islamic faith.

THE PROPHET MOHAMMED
The beginning of Islam revolves around one central figure, Mohammed, born around 570 A.D., in the city of Mecca in Arabia. By the age of 40, the then religious Mohammed began having visions. He questioned whether these revelations were Godly or demonic in origin, until his wife Khadijah encouraged him to believe that had come from God. These visions and subsequent writings of the prophet (occasionally accompanied by ecstatic seizures) were recorded and later formed the Qur'an (KORAN), the Muslim holy book.
When Mohammed and his teachings were rejected in his home town of Mecca, he fled to Medina in 622 A.D. He was also rejected by the Jews and Christians, and so, in militant power, he returned and captured the city of Mecca in the name of Allah, enacting his own teaching, "Take what you can by love and take the rest by the Sword!" The three cities, Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are all esteemed holy to the Moslem today. Mohammed died in 632 A.D., leaving behind a religion that has currently grown to encompass one-fifth of the world's population, and pursues a goal of total global domination.

ISLAMIC TEACHING
To understand the Muslim, one must know something of what he believes.
The main articles of the Islamic faith are briefly summed up here.
There is one true God and his name is Allah. Allah is not a personal God as the Christian knows, but an aloof Omnipotent Being whose emphasis is on Judgment not grace; on power, not mercy. A Muslim does not see himself as a child of God the Father, but as a slave of Allah. God has predestined his life, so there is no sense in trying to change it, because Allah has willed it so. Hence a strong "Fatalism" exists, and every circumstance of life is to be accepted as the will of God, for Allah is the source of both good and evil and his will is supreme. No precautions or safety features need be employed. What will be, will be!
The Koran is the authoritative scripture of Islam. About four-fifths the length of the New Testament, it is divided into 114 Surahs (chapters) and believed to be the supreme Word of God for mankind.
Mohammed taught that God had given previous revelations, and these ironically were from the Bible. These main books are the TORAH (of Moses), the SUHUF (books of the O.T. prophets), ZABIN (Psalms of David) and the INJIL (the gospel of Jesus).
Sounds good, but here comes the devil's insidious twist. They say that the Koran supercedes all other revelations, both fulfilling ahd replacing them, for the Bible has been corrupted almost beyond recognition. The New Testament as we have it is not believed to be the gospel of Jesus, but only words about Jesus. Only the Koran, God's most recent and final word to man is infallible. (Of course the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls intellectually refutes the argument of changed manuscripts, and the Miracle Power of God's Word spiritually blows the argument. Our book the Bible works. God confirms His Word.)
It is taught that every Muslim has two angels, one to record his good deeds and one to record the bad. One day of judgment each man's deeds will be weighed out. If the bad deeds outweigh the good, he will be tormented by Satan forever, but if the good is greater, the Muslim will enjoy a sensuous life in Paradise. . . "where they will recline on soft couches quaffing cups of wine handed them by the Huris, or maidens of Paradise, of whom each man may marry as many as he pleases."

MUSLIM PRACTISE
There are five foundational practises which every Muslim must observe. These form the five main Pillars of the Faith.
1. THE CREED - "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah." This is the bedrock of Islam and the statement one must publicly make in order to become a Muslim.

I prefer Peter's declaration to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God!" (Mt. 16:16)
2. PRAYER - is central to a devout Muslim. Muslims ritualistically pray five times a day (upon rising, at noon, in mid-afternoon, after sunset, and before retiring.) The worshipper recites prescribed prayers while facing Mecca. The call to prayer is sounded by the Muezzin (a Muslim crier) from a tower called a Minaret which is part of the mosque, (the place of public worship).
DAVID of the Bible said, "Seven times a day do I praise thee," and then added, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee. . ." Ps. 119; 164 & 62. 0 Christian, you that truly know the Living God, how often do you pray?
3. ALMSGIVING is considered a part of one's salvation and it is the giver's responsibility and duty to give. To the Christian, giving is also important, but our salvation cannot be bought. It is paid for in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:18-19)
4. FASTING is practised by faithful Muslims, from sun up to sun down each day for one entire month of the year, to develop self control and consecration to God. During the month of Ramadan, no food or drink may be enjoyed during the daylight hours, but many Muslims still eat two meals a day, one before sunrise and one shortly after sunset. Again, fasting cannot earn salvation. I have heard many belittle the Muslim fast because of its after hours eating and granted, that really makes it several short daily fasts, but, 0 Christian, how many meals have you missed to pray for personal consecration and world wide revival?
5. THE PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ) to the holy city of Mecca plays an essential part in Muslims gaining salvation. It involves a set of ceremonies and rituals too numerous to name, which serve to heighten and solidify Islamic faith. Thank God, the trip we need to make can be made right where we are, on our knees, in the Spirit of Repentance to the cross of Christ.
6. There is a sixth religious duty known as "JIHAD," the "HOLY WAR," which we hear much of today. This duty requires that when the situation warrants, men are required to go to war and spread Islam or to defend It against infidels. One who dies in a Jihad is guaranteed eternal life in Paradise. Hence, in today's troubled society, the readiness of a few radical zealots to go on Suicide Missions.
MOSLEM SALVATION , reasons for 911
We have briefly touched on Muslim history, doctrine and practise to enable the reader to pray more knowledgeably and fervently for the salvation and blessing of these precious people.
We must acknowledge that the Muslim does have some very commendable points. He is fiercely monotheistic and abhors idols or any replica of God. Nevertheless the Muslim operates under a legalistic system and attempts to earn his salvation, which depends on total obedience to the will of Allah, and in no way resembles Biblical salvation. He does not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, but merely another prophet who didn't actually die on the cross. The key doctrines of the Christian faith. . . the Trinity, the Diety of Christ, Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection, the Sin of man, and Salvation by God's grace alone through faith in Christ, are all rejected. Muslim salvation must is earned. True Christian salvation is God's Gift and is availableto all who come to Jesus. (Eph. 2:8-9)
In conclusion, Islam was founded by a dead prophet; CHRISTIANITY was FOUNDED BY THE LIVING SAVIOR! The Love of God is available and stretched out to every Muslim today. To everyone whose heart cry is to know the Living God, I have important news. "His Name is not Allah! It is the Lord Jesus Christ!" Hallelujah.

OBSTACLES TO CONVERSION
It is not so simple as to just inform the Muslim that Christ is the true Savior. Islamic thought and culture is woven into almost every part of their society. In fact, Islam is thought of more as a cultured heritage than a religion. Even though a Muslim may not go to the mosque regularly, the thought of becoming a Christian would, in his thinking, mean becoming a traitor to his people and his country. For a Muslim to confess Christ publicly almost always involves a complete rejection from his family and friends.
When the cost of commitment is so dear, it is obvious that it will take more than just a Sunday School sermon to convince the Muslim. Something powerful must jolt him to make him so aware of the Living Christ, that he is willing to pay the price of ostracism to know the True God. That Something is the Mighty Power of the Living God, manifested in healing, delivery and blessing the sick, diseased, bound and oppressed, which goes far beyond either Mohammed's and Allah's capabilities or will; to reach down in love and get involved with mankind at his point of need. Thank God, our Lord is not just a God afar off, but a very present help in time of trouble.

Devout Muslims accepting Christ. - Pakistan.

BREAKTHROUGH AMONGST
MUSLIMS - PAKISTAN

Pakistan has 801,000 square kilometres and almost 90,000,000 people of which 97% are Muslim (only 1 % are Protestants). There is a government declared intention to make the country a fully Islamic Republic, but there is at present full religious freedom. Pakistan is not glamour or flamboyancy, nor on the other hand provast harvest field with few harvesters. Thank God for every Christian worker laboring there, but the need is great, the fields are white, the doors are still open, the time is now. We must do all we can while the country is open to the Gospel.
Higher Praise has a vision for the Muslims and supports missionaries to PAKISTAN and other Muslim nations. Hundreds of emails come in from Muslims around the world . We have made it a point to keep all items free on Higher Praise for these that are seeking so they will find Christ. We are now seeing the fruits of labour after years of trying to reach the muslims, PTL. The true and living God is dealing with these in need of Christ, they are coming to the Lord in secret. Please pray with us as we lead these to the Lord. We are needing interpreters to write articles for us in Arabic. Please contact Higher Praise if you would like to work in this part of our ministry.

On short notice Recently Pastors From Pakistan George Rakha and Rev. Samuel Azariah arranged a campaign in Karachi with Len Linstrom a Brother In Christ and dear friend from my years in Bible Collage. The first crusade night began with about 400 people, then 600 and as God's Power was manifested, within a few days the crowd was estimated at 25,000 people.
The Spirit of the Lord was mightily released upon these peoples during the altar calls. Thousands were transfixed, rivited in place, and then, in unison cried out earnestly to God for forgiveness of sins. Harold Hanson was at the back of the crowd night after night. He described how elderly and middle-aged Muslim men were so engrossed in the message, praying with all their hearts, tears rolling down their cheeks in repentance, as they committed their lives to the Living Christ. This was not up in the front where you would expect such repentive activity from the more zealous, but at the back and throughout the crowd, a good 100 yards from the platform. The Spirit of the Lord was making Christ real to the multitudes.
The same earnest desire and faith was released during the mass prayers for healing. As precious newly converted, ex-Muslims cried out to the Living Christ, deaf ears popped open, speech was restored, blind eyes opened, crippled limbs were made whole and the Buddhist, Hindu, Shintoist, Taoist, Muslim or nominal Christian, all long for a True God, when the precious Pakistanis saw and experienced the reality of the Living God. The Good News rapidly spread and by the fifth night 25,000 were gathered on the church grounds. Every night, an estimated 75% of the crowd arrived as Muslims and left changed, having prayed the sinner's prayer.
The pastors conservatively estimated that over 20,000 Muslims came forward during the campaign to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour. WHY? What could shake these devout people from their zealous commitment to Islam? The Answer was simple. They had heard Truth. They had seen Reality. They had experienced God. Jesus had manifested His Love and Power to them. (Jn. 10:37-38) Regardless of religion, be it Buddhist, Hindu, Shintoist, Taoist, Muslim or nominal Christian, all long for a True God, who cares enough to get involved, to meet the basic cry of the human heart for reality, purpose and meaning to life, and to intervene supernaturally in the natural realm of their world. Christ's Power meets and fulfills that cry, even for the Muslim.

REACHING MUSLIMS IN INDIA
On to India with its 268,000,000 square kilometres and approximately 800,000,000 people of which 80% are Hindus and 11% are Muslims (almost 90 million) and only 1 % are Protestant (many in name only).
Dr. Jesumani Sigamini arranged the campaign in Katpadi. Tremendous miracles took place and multiplied thousands received Christ as Lord and Savior. On one Sunday alone, over 80 deaf and/or dumb were instantly healed, plus numerous others of blindness and crippledness. Among the converts and recipients of miracles were a great number of Moslems, proving again that the quickest and most effective way to reach the Muslim is with the Mighty Power of the Risen Christ.
Undoubtedly, Muslim numbers diminished by the thousands in these 2 campaigns, and each soul is worth more than the whole world, but that barely scratches the surface. There is need of thousands of these campaigns all over the world. We are not talking about glamour or flambouyancy, nor on the other hand proseletizing or a religious shift. If Allah or Mohammed could save, I would say, "Don't bother the Muslim world," but the truth of the matter is that only Christ can save a human soul. (Acts 4: )
Consequently, this Christian life is not a game we play with. It is spiritual warfare, a battle for the souls of men, and it is time that we as Christians became serious about it. We have an awesome responsibility, and we cannot win the battle sitting on the sidelines. We must get involved and have a God Focus of these people.

THE CHALLENGE
One thousand Muslim missionaries are said to be trained in Cairo each year and many of them are sent to Europe and North America as well as other lands. Thousands of Muslim missionaries are streaming into Africa. Arab oil wells are pumping out petrol dollars to finance massive thrusts for the Muslim faith. Islam is undoubtedly on the March!
Furthermore, it is commonly said that Islam is a closed door to the gospel. Almost the entire Arab world of North Africa, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, North and South Yemen, the Arabian Gulf Nations, and also the non-Arab lands of Turkey, Iran and Israel, plus the Asian Muslim nations such as Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia pose an almost impregnable barrier to the Gospel, and present the Christian missionary and the Christian church world wide with one of the.biggest challenges of the 20th Century and to the completion of the job of world evangelism.
Do you like a challenge? There it is! Get involved! Let's go for souls! Let's be Real Christians! Let's do what God said - Fulfill our Mandate - Evangelize this World! Time for Luxury, Comfort and Relaxation later... in Heaven... Let's get on with the Job Now!
But, you ask, what can I do? PRAY - pray for Revival in the Muslim world. SUPPORT - help to finance someone that is laboring amongst them. GO - Respond to the call of God and go as a missioanry.
Remember, today Islam, with its zeal, nationalistic fervor, and petrol dollars is the fastest growing religion in the world. But, we have something better. WE HAVE GOD!!! That far over-balances the situation in our favor! If you and l, and other Christians like us begin to ardently do their part, by God's Grace and Power, we will get the job done! Then Christianity can become the fastest growing "REALITY" in the world. We as Christians can reach the Muslim world today! Let us not miss the "Golden Opportunity" God has placed before us.


How Much God Loves Us

News

The Cross Was Central To St. Pauls Preaching
How Much God Loves U
s


By Max Solbrekken

"Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away. And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgatha: Where they crucified Him, and two other with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews." (John 19:16-19)

Our Lord, Jesus Christ when Roman soldiers put the crown of thorns upon his head

Matthew 27:22 (KJV)  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?  They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:23  (KJV) But the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done?  But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:24  (KJV) When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood on this just person:  se ye to it
Matthew 27:25  (KJV) Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Matthew 27:26  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Matthew 27:29  And when they had patted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews."

Matthew 27:30  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Matthew 27:31  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Matthew 27:32  (KJV)  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name:  him they compelled to bear his cross.

The face of our Lord Jesus before the crucifixion

Matthew 27:33  (KJV)  And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
Matthew 27:34  (KJV)  They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall:  and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

Matthew 27:35 (KJV)  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matthew 27:37  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Matthew 27:45-46  (KJV) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, E-li, E-li, la-ma sa-bach-tha-ni?  that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:47  (KJV)  Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
Matthew 27:48  (KJV)  And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
Matthew 27:49  (KJV)  The rest said, Let be, let us see whether E-li-as will come to save him.
Matthew 27:50  (KJV)  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Matthew 27: 51   And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27:57  (KJV)  And the even was come, there was a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
Matthew 27:58  (KJV)  He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

Mary, the mother of Jesus after the crucifixion, claiming the body of Jesus to be buried in the tomb.

St. Paul wrote, "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are SAVED, it is the power of God." (I Cor. 1:18)

The irony is that mankind has - by and large - rejected the Gospel of Christ because of it s simplicity, and in its place substituted an alternate gospel which is powerless because it is not based in truth and righteousness. The great apostle fully understood this.

He stated, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness:

"But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. 1:22-23) Again St. Paul declared, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save (except) Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (1 Cor. 2:2)

PREACHING OF THE CROSS WAS CENTRAL
TO ST. PAUL

To the Jews who were tempted to discard the simplicity of the gospel for "law-keeping" he writes, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace."

"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." (Ga. 5:4-6)

His argument was that if we trust in the works of the law - like circumcision - we have then made the "work of Christ on the cross of no effect" and, "Christ shall profit you nothing." He speaks of the "offense of the cross" which he had to suffer because of embracing the truth. (Gal. 5:11; 6:12) It cost Paul everything to serve Christ.

"But God forbid that I should glory, save *(except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal. 6:14)

The bottom line is that rituals, ceremonies, keeping of laws and following traditions do not save souls or change lives. The Bible says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision but a new creature." (Gal. 6:15)

The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17)

St. Paul gloried in THE CROSS OF CHRIST, because only through His substitionary, all-atoning death for the sins of the world is there redemption for fallen man! That is why the apostle declared, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (heathen)." (Rom. 1:16)

The Bible says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

"Where for God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:5-11)

In this treatise, I wish to share the teaching of God about the cross and the blood of Jesus. I will answer the question, "What does God say about the cross and what does the Cross of Christ teach us"? The Cross of Christ teaches us five things:

What does God think about our sins?

How much God loves us

The doctrine of substitution

Christ's victor over Satan

The Value of an eternal soul

#1 - The Cross Teaches Us What God Thinks of Our Sins

The Bible warns: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezek. 18:4,20)

God had warned Adam and Eve about the sin of disobedience and the awful consequences of such an act. He stated unequivocally, "...of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (lit. heb. - in dying thou shalt die). (Genesis 2:16-17)

God's command was definite and irrevocable - "You can enjoy this beautiful garden forever, providing you obey My commands and keep them. If you do not, you will begin to die and eventually return to the ground out of which you came."

Please note: Ever since that fateful day, every baby has been born with death in their mortal bodies.

When our first parents sinned, they threw the entire human race into turmoil and jeopardy. Human kind was cascaded into physical as well as eternal death.

In His great mercy, God came searching for Adam and Eve in order to redeem them. He asked Adam & Eve the big question - 'WHY?' Then He passed judgment upon them and the earth, because of their rebellion and sin.

"And the Lord God said unto the woman, "What is this that thou hast done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." And the Lord God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman He said, I will gratly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

"And unto Adam He said, "Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, til thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Genesis 3:13-19)

GOD PRONOUNCED A CURE UPON THE SERPENT. It would lose its ability to walk and would have to crawl and eat dust. Scientists now believe that at one time serpents walked upright. He would put enmity between the human race and serpents. In a USA survey it states that 98% of Americans hate snakes more than any other animal.

That enmity was a type of pre-picture of the battle pitting Satan and his minions against God and His children.

Then God dropped a bombshell. He revealed a great truth hidden from before the foundations of the world. He would send a redeemer!

This was the first mention of the Coming Messiah! His own Son would be incarnated (become a man) in order to suffer, bleed and die to save us. He would redeem the human race through the sacrificial death of His Son, on the Cross. As a type of that ultimate sacrifice, God killed an innocent animal shedding its blood, to atone for Adam and Eve's sins. And from the skins, He made clothes to cover them;

GOD PRONOUNCED A CURSE UPON THE WOMAN

And unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception: in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee."

During my world travels, I have observed how men treat their wives. In most pagan cultures, wives are like a piece of property. They are inferior to men and cannot even eat with their husbands or sons. And females are often aborted before birth, due to their little value! Ungodly, chauvinistic, over sexed men often marry four wives or more. (I once met a Muslim man in Kenya who had 65 wives.) Often such a man is able to accuse his wife - rightly or wrongly and have her put to death on false charges. Or divorce her on the spot!

It is not uncommon for mothers to choke their young daughters to death, because of the unjust Hindu caste system which would bankrupt a poor family with several daughters.

Only Jesus Christ gives women liberty through the glorious gospel which was purchased by His shed blood. Only the gospel sets women free.

Among all the world's religions, only Christianity treats women with respect and honor, as a special creation of God, through the New Birth!

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male or female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26-28)

GOD PRONOUNCED A CURSE UPON THE GROUND

"And unto Adam He said, "Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;" (Genesis 3:17-18)

Because of Adam's sin, there would be a curse upon the ground. Man would not enjoy the fruit of his work. Thorns and thistles would come forth to plague him as he tilled the earth to eke out a living. "In sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life."

THEN GOD PRONOUNCED A CURSE UPON MAN

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, til thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Gen. 3: 17-19)

Man, who was created for immortality would die and return to the dust. God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden and kept its gates guarded with a flaming cherubim, lest man would enter the Garden and eat the fruit of the TREE OF LIFE and live forever in their sins. Thus, He salvaged the human race from being lost forever with the same fate as Satan, the liar.

CAIN & ABEL - THEY BOTH KNEW THE RULES

After these traumatic experiences, Cain & Abel were born to them. One day the two sons came with an offering unto the Lord. They both knew the rules. There is no doubt that Almighty God had communicated to their parents what was required of them.

SINCE THE 'FALL', every man had to bring a sacrifice to atone for his sins. And the sacrifice had to be like the original one which God himself killed, to atone for the sins of Adam and Eve.

The truth is that 'sin' is so terrible that a life had to be taken and innocent blood shed in order for it to be forgiven. The blood had to be innocent - not contaminated by man's sinful nature - so God used a lamb from the flocks to provide the sacrifice, until "the fullness of time" when he would sacrifice His own Son - as the Pascal lamb - To die as the Lamb of God for the sins of the world.

That is why God accepted the sacrifice of Abel - the firstling of his flocks - and rejected the offering of Cain - the fruit of the ground. Cain is a type of the pagan religions as well as modernists who seek to please God with their own kind of offering, rather than following God's prescribed ways. This is a classic example of 'SALVATION THROUGH GOOD WORKS' rather than by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Golgatha's Hill.

Ever since the fall, God has demanded a blood sacrifice in order to forgive the sins of fallen man. All the patriarchs built alters and sacrificed unto the Lord. Then came the sacrificial system.

God instituted the 'sacrificial system' under Moses - the great Jewish prophet and law giver - so that He coul dhae fellowship with His people and forgive them for their continual sinning. This continued for 2,000 years until Jesus came to pay the supreme price and redeem us all from the curse of the law and the power of the 'wicked one'!

The Bibe says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeh on a tree:" (Galations 3:13)

It is estimated that each year on 'THE GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT' during the reign of Solomon, that 500,000 lambs were sacrificed. History confirms that the blood flowed in a stream, across the Kidron Valley for days, after that event. When Jesus hung on Golgatha's Hill dying upon 'The Cursed Tree', an estimated 250,000 lambs died on the alters of the temple in Jerusalem. And every lamb, goat, bullock or red heifer that was slain under Jewish Law pointed to Jesus of Nazareth, God's own Lamb.

The law stated, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sin", (Hebrews 9:22) and "It is the blood that maketh atonement for sin." (Lev. 17:11) And St. John declares, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other and the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son cleanseth us from all sins." (I John 1:7)

The Bible says, "And from Jesus Christ...that loved us and washed us from our sins in His won blood." (Rev. 1:5)

My precious friend, the cross of Christ delivers a powerful message to this world. The cross teaches us what God thinks about our sin. He hates our sins. They are a stench in His nostrils and an abomination in His sight.

From God's word we learn the awful truth about sin, and its eternal consequences.

God had to send His Son to die the awful death of the cross - meeting the demands of Divine Justice - in order to redeem us and purchase our freedom from the chains of satanic bondage and hell forever.

The Bible says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

#2 - The Cross Teaches us how much God loves us

Martin Luther called John 3:16, "a miniature Bible". It is the central verse of the New Testament.

Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

St. John, overwhelmed by God's great love, exclaimed, "We love Him because He first loved us." (I John 4:19)

What an enormous subject that brings up. We love Him because...There are so many reasons why we love God and St. John's explanation is a good place to start. WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US! Then, we must ask ourselves: "Why does He love us? How does He show His love to us?"

God's love is magnanimous, beneficent and all encompassing. It is an ocean divine reaching out in every directoon of His great universe, touching things that touch people - saving, healing, sustaining, providing and ever loving everyone unconditionally. Hallelujah!

The hymn writer, anointed by God, wrote:

"Oh love of God, so rich and pure
So measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the sky of parchment made
And every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade

To write to love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
And could the scroll contain the whole
Would stretch from sky to sky!"

The premier reason for us to love God, is that He first reached down to us. The Bible says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)

St. Paul writes, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that ye through His poverty might become rich." (2 Cor. 8:9)

About 20 years ago while studying the dictionary, I came across the word 'apodictic' taken from the Greek 'apodeiktikos' which mean "EVIDENT BEYOND CONTRADICTIONS". It also conveys the meaning: "incontestable because demonstrated and demonstrable; necessarily true or logically certain and proving fully."

Immediately, I knew that that words belongs only to God, for who else can guarantee anything to be "evident beyond contradictions?

Certainly, man in his unregenerate state is unbelievable inconsistent, changeable and vulnerable to moral corruptions.

The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: Who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9)

The power of God is apodictic - 'evident beyond contradictions'. The wisdom of God, the peace of God, the joy and mercy of God is apodictic.

Who can deny that the Love of God is apodictic - evident beyond contradictions? Even the hardest sinner and cruelest skeptic and unbeliever cannot contradict God's love, mercy, grace and compassion - CALVARY PROVES GOD'S LOVE.

Who else, but our Heavenly Father, would send His own Son to die upon a rugged cross - as a common criminal between two thieves - to rescue the world that had gone mad through unbelief, rebellion, fear and evil?

The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

St.Paul tells it like it really is! "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things." (Romans 8:32)

The world was hopelessly lost in sin, degradation and death through Adam's transgression. Then, Almighty God acted out of love, compassion and mercy to save us. He sent His one and only Son down to this earth to be incarnated (God became flesh) so that He could shed His pure and perfect blood as a ransom or penalty for our sinfulness.

This is without doubt one of the greatest scriptures in teh entire Bible because it speaks of our Saviour. Who died willingly and gladly for our sins so that we could be saved.

The Bible says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (perfecter) of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' (Heb. 12:3)

GOD SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON

God gave His best when He offered up His own Son as a ransom price for a world which needed to be redeemed from the curse of the