Amid Christian Persecution, There Is Good News in the Middle East

4/28/2015 STEVE STRANG  charisma magazine

Egyptian Coptic Christians have suffered mass persecution recently. (Reuters )

At the recent meeting at the United Nations highlighting the persecution of Christians, there was a surprisingly positive report from one presenter who said that the church is growing in Iran, in spite of or because of the persecution of Christians by Muslims.

As already reported, there is plenty of bad news from the region. Each year, 100 million Christians suffer persecution, imprisonment and even death for their sacred religious beliefs. According to The Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide, "more people have died for their faith in Christ in the last 100 years" than in the previous 19 centuries combined.

While it seems in some countries we are literally seeing watching the genocide of Jesus' followers in the Middle East, the Iranian speaker who now lives in the United States says the church is growing largely because of Christian television being beamed into the country. There is a real spiritual vacuum; people long for a spiritual reality that Islam cannot provide.

Recently I interviewed Christian leaders from three different Muslim nations. One source explained to me that ISIS considers moderate Muslims as infidels, so they also have a "price to pay." As Shia and Sunni Muslims fight each other, "a Shia mosque being destroyed (one day) and the next day a Sunni mosque being destroyed (isn't uncommon)," he told me. "And in between, of course, Christians were being smashed especially when they are located under the region of ISIS. So, in general, the Christians are paying a very high price, but other Muslims are suffering too, especially those like the Yazidi people. They pay a very high price exactly like the Christians because they are considered as infidel from the ISIS groups."  

But, now for some good news. For their security, I am giving no names and being ambiguous about locations. For authenticity, I'm quoting my sources as much as possible within the bullet points. Let the facts speak for themselves. To my knowledge, these stories have never before been reported.

• "The good part of the story, is that God is using this to change the perspective of Christians in front of many Muslims. God is using this to open the eyes and ears of many Muslims to see the reality of who God is. God is not the God of violence. God should be the God of love—should be the good God, the God that the gospel is preached so many of them are coming, seeking and asking about the things of Christianity.  
• "While the Christians under the persecution, they were very giving, very loving, blessing. Every time they were interviewed after such a massacre, they spoke positively toward the country, toward Muslims, forgiving their persecutors, praying for them, asking forgiveness for them which is unheard of.
• "Every time Muslims were killed, their families, their parents asked for revenge. Here, every time they asked for forgiveness so many people started to compare. What is this? What spirit do you have? This is completely out of the box, out of their expectations. So God is using this in a mighty way to bring glory to Himself and to bring people to reconciliation with Him, with themselves and with their community.
• "More than that, now in Egypt, the government is trying to do their best to pay back what the Christians did to save the country. It could have been a civil war between the Christians and Muslims, but because the Christians reacted in a loving and forgiving way, (Christians) saved Egypt. The Muslim community came to us and said, Because of you, God saved Egypt. God saved us because of the church. For the first time, the Muslim community is changing their perspective about the church and Christians.
• "Systematically, the radical Muslim, they are doing something to wipe out, if possible, you know, the Christian community, the radical Muslim. But the moderate Muslim actually is good. They are a friend of Christians. But this radical, they are like terrorists, so they keep attacking.

I'll close with an incredible story from Indonesia, where Christians showed love to the Muslims who persecuted them. Outside of Afghanistan, Indonesia, is considered the second largest base of the radical, like al-Qaida, even ISIS. Yet the church is growing at a rate of 2 million converts a year. If you missed my report on this, click here.

Persecution in Indonesia is less in the big cities, where most of the problems where laws are passed to keep churches from renting public buildings. But in some of the outlying islands, there is real persecution. One story of Christian love and forgiveness shows why the church is growing. Again, I'm quoting my source, edited only for space and clarity.

• "So there was a village in the east side of Indonesia. One day radical Muslims used this opportunity to that village. The village is mostly Christian, so they burned their houses, killed them, and they came with 500 soldiers with all the weapons. But then the Christians were cornered into a church building inside, so they killed 211 of them in one day and injured about 140 people. And then, the church, you know, next day they buried the dead and it was so sad. And so they made a monument there. (After this the Christians ministered to the Muslims) and because of the love of the Christian many were born again. They accepted Christ; there was a revival.  
• "(So the Christians) began to pray, 'Lord, we don't have any building on Sunday to worship You. Can you give us money to rebuild it?' So when they prayed, God spoke to them, you know, 'I don't want you to use the money to rebuild your church first. I want you to collect the first offering and give it to the Muslims who killed you, who persecuted you. Give it to them so they can renovate their mosque also.' So they obeyed. Very hard for them, you know, because they were the enemy of them. But anyway, after they prayed, they were convinced by God and then they said, 'OK, God. We want to obey.' So they took that first offering, which is huge for them, $5,000 U.S. dollars. And then, they brought that money with praise and worship. I think about 2,000 people marched to the next village, you know, with joy, came to them and said, 'God told us to give you this money to rebuild your village and your facilities.' The Muslim leader wept. They said, 'Why you love us? We attacked you. We destroyed your building. Why you love us?'
• "The Christians said, 'Because Jesus told us to do this.' They all wept and one of them stood up and said, 'Hey, Muslim people, we need to do something. Go to the jungle and cut all the bamboo tree and donate it to the church.' So they took all the bamboo trees and brought it to the church and donated it. So the government was so moved because of this, what the Christians did to the Muslims, so the government decided to give $15,000 U.S. dollars to rebuild the church building and by the help of many churches, you know, the church was able to rebuild and very beautiful, not only the church building but the people now experience tremendous revival. Now they are born again and almost 100 percent of that village become Christian."

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VIDEO: Israel's Amazing Qumran Caves

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff

In 1946, a Bedouin shepherd went looking for a lost goat and instead found a series of ancient caves that ended up shedding a tremendous amount of light on the early Jewish communities living in the area.

The Qumran Caves and nearby settlement, since partially uncovered in excavations, tell the story of the Essene sect of religious Jews, and contained some of the oldest copies of the Scriptures ever found.

The entire area is today open to visitors and is a popular hiking spot for Israelis. For those who can’t make it in person, local film producer Amir Aloni has provided the following drone’s eye view of Qumran.

Qumran Caves from Amir Aloni on Vimeo.

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THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT - Morris E. Ruddick

Morris Ruddick

THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT (c) Morris E. Ruddick "Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud nor to those who lapse into falsehood." Ps 40:4 The religious spirit has plagued the thrust of God's people from the beginning. Since the first century church, its counterfeit antics have perverted the household of faith's quest for more of God. Its modus operandi is subtle, seductive and entangling. At its root is the perversion, the misapplication of the glory and blessing. At its gates even the elect stumble trying to do the right thing for the wrong reason. Its undermining tactics are why, for so many, that the power is either anemic or it backfires. Combined with mammon, its potential is magnified with an influence bleeding into the infrastructures of culture, economies and seats of power. The core application of the glory and blessing was labeled by Paul as the law or the principle of Christ (Gal 6:2), which he described as "bearing one another's burdens." This core application should be a banner we uphold. The long-standing foundation of this dynamic is outlined in Isaiah 53:4 and Matthew 8:17: "Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows."   Paul wrote Timothy (2 Tim 3:5) to be cautious in dealing with those who are caught up in themselves with a form of godliness, but whose lives are a denial of God's power. The psalmist (Ps 40) describes those who have turned to the proud or lapsed into falsehood. When combined with those who are ever learning without coming to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7), you have a snapshot of those caught in the grip of the religious spirit. The Stumbling The churches in Revelation 2 and 3 demonstrate how communities and institutions of believers can "get it" partially, yet still significantly be blind-sided. Only two of the seven churches noted garnered the Lord's approval: the persecuted churches in Philadelphia and Smyrna. Part of the church at Thyatira had kept their focus and wasn't seduced and waylaid, like their brethren, by religious falsehoods and devices. The rest were clearly instructed to repent, corporately. The pathways into their spiritual slippage included: the presumption of living on past exploits, having lost their original zeal and purpose, along with being encumbered with the cares of the world and straying into becoming compromising and lukewarm. At the core of these revealing judgments against the churches missing the mark was a religious spirit, which distorts and misapplies the glory and blessing. It illustrates the intensity of the battleground within institutions where replacement of the vibrancy and direction of the move of the Spirit has taken root. It punctuates the importance of upholding the mantle and standard that defines true biblical leadership. It is humbling that the churches judged in Revelation were within the generation of churches birthed by those who had walked with Jesus. Since its inception, one of the most subtle deceptions operating against the church has been in accurately assessing the enemy's actions. Evaluating the enemy's capabilities by using the same yardstick used to measure ourselves has been the soft-spot in the tactical underbelly for God's people over the centuries. The lure has been in "being like everyone else." From the beginning God has had His own playbook for His people. In selecting leaders, Moses' father-in-law advised him to choose from those exhibiting not only competence and the fear of God, but those who were truly trustworthy and who had a track record of avoiding covetousness (Ex 18:21). Jesus advanced the secrets from this playbook. They are the principles of the Kingdom. On an individual basis, there are several key factors by which the religious spirit erodes one's purity of heart. It begins with pride and fear, but simultaneous taps covetousness (greed), deceit, division and confusion. Paul's prescient response to this fine-line issue is a key Kingdom principle: that in our weakness, God's strength would be manifested. So it was with the two churches gaining the Lord's approval in Revelation. The others in need of correction, in one way or another had aligned themselves to operate on the same basis, using the same standard and criterion, as the world around them. The Issue Compounded Christian groups, from churches, to ministries, to marketplace organizations seeking to overcome the world, too often measure their success -- and approach their goals as an issue driven by money. In the Kingdom, that is the cart before the horse. In reality it is a matter of stewardship. The loss of this focus leads to the influence of mammon, whereby the love or quest of money rules. Jesus said: "he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10). Good stewardship will prevail in its mastery over whatever resource is truly managed. However, when the religious spirit is compounded with the love or quest of money, then the gates are opened for disorder, division, critical distrust and an array of controlling, manipulating spirits. Given free reign it digresses into sorcery and the misuse of the anointing by what some refer to as Charismatic witchcraft. Many years ago, the Lord spoke a most unique word to me concerning the business I was operating. He instructed me that: "whatever sphere of influence you walk into, to immediately begin looking beyond it, lest it overwhelm you." While I recognized the wisdom this pointed to in applying the dynamic of faith, this word yielded even greater insight into avoiding the breakdown of stewardship in which either mammon or a religious spirit or both could gain access. Illustrating this point of stumbling within Christian organizations was a prayer initiative that was birthed when George W. Bush became president. Designed to mobilize and provide the prayer support needed for the national task of wielding righteous power in corrupt settings, it initially blossomed. The realities of supporting this effort required fund-raising. However, as the initiative evolved, the fund-raising began morphing the focus on prayer until the initiative stalled and then fizzled. The means became the end. It was clearly the right thing done in a wrong way. Curbing the subtle power of mammon begins with the awareness of its devices, even within the context of good stewardship. The ability to make or raise money is not the answer. However, those with a true Romans 12 gift of giving hold the most potential in its mastery. The antidote to this alliance between the religious spirit and mammon begins with unity among those over finances wrapped into a foundation of godly maturity, humility/trust and leadership. The Maturity Factor In His relationship with His disciples there came a time when Jesus told them that He no longer considered them servants, but friends. Jesus was raising the bar. He said that servants don't understand what their master is doing, but that He had made known to them ALL that the Father had shown Him. With that, He extended trust and imparted the essential dividing line for Kingdom maturity. It was the point that their calling and their lives were not about them. "He who loves his life will lose it, but he who hates his life in this world will gain it eternally." John 12:25 Jesus penetrated the spiritual veil (Heb 6:19-20) to embrace the pure power that scatters darkness. This is the process restored. It is the demonstration of the fullness actuated by Jesus' victory over death. This mantle has been passed to those anointed leaders willing to pay the cost and persevere to access the veil and fulfill the law of Christ by destroying the works of the devil. Unfortunately, far too many short-circuit the process and succumb to making an idol out of the calling. Those genuinely anointed to lead, whether as priests, prophets or modern-day Josephs will wield the glory and blessing, often walking into the face of darkness with a purity and authority that risks everything, but makes darkness flee. "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love; ...be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by defiled flesh." Jude 20-23 NIV The Humility and Trust Factor The anointing to lead can result in overcompensating for the enormity of the calling. Cindy Jacobs once told me that many true modern-day apostles, which include today's Josephs, operate with a false humility. Godly humility cannot be contrived. It is forged in the fire and carries with it a recognizable authority. Godly humility is devoid of arrogance and deceit as those who recognize true authority serve as pure God-pleasers. "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with solders under me and I say to this one 'go' and he goes and to another 'come' and he comes." Matt 8:8-9 Stripped of position, Joseph the Patriarch had very little he could depend on, other than the Lord's daily guidance and the authority that came from the mantle of God's blessing that he wielded. Joseph was groomed in a fire of humility to where it became a part of his nature. With the brandmark of humility was the integrity of heart and trust that he could always be counted on to do what he said he would do. With his chief advantage being the guidance and wisdom God was giving him, there was little to no room for pride or scheming. That is the combination needed for true spiritual maturity and the foundation for biblical leadership. The Leadership Factor Understanding the significance God had for Joseph the Patriarch lends a glimmer into understanding the long and very arduous wait-times being endured by many modern-day Josephs. In raising the bar, Jesus described the criteria for true friendship and love, as the willingness to sacrifice for those counted as friends (John 15:13). He defined friends as those who could be trusted with the details of God's strategies and purposes. That dynamic is the foundation for His standard for love -- and with that the real foundation of humility. Without trust, the mantle falls short and is prey to the scheming and selfish ambition provoked by the religious spirit. Weathering the devices of the enemy's onslaughts against Christian organizations takes both maturity and leadership. Mature, godly, sacrificial leadership will have no other foundation apart from humility and trust. Against such, the enemy cannot stand. "This is my instruction, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13 The Fine Line God's preparation time for Joseph galvanized him against the religious spirits and sorcery that prevailed in Egypt. That inoculation gave him mastery over mammon in his role as chief administrator of resources in averting tragedy for those under his charge during the famine. Joseph became the model of a true prophetic steward. His example is the counterpoint to those succumbing to religious spirits who have deviated from the narrow path in their time of preparation. Entrance into entertaining religious spirits is too often triggered by short-cuts. It takes discipline and resolve to hold the course. Joseph's path into maturity and leadership was enriched by humility and the trustworthiness he exhibited in the years of abiding in God's presence. As it was for Joseph, there are no short-cuts. This path into abiding with the Lord involves a fine line described in Hebrews as the "dividing asunder between soul and spirit." Perseverance and waiting on the Lord and His established times are not options. They are in fact the crucible that weeds out the many who are called from the few who are chosen. "The way of the righteous is level and smooth. O Upright One, make the path of the righteous straight. While following the way of your judgments, we have eagerly waited for You. At night my soul longs for You. Indeed my spirit seeks you diligently. For when the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." Isa 26:7-10 ____________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooksand www.BarnesandNoble.com. Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card athttp://strategicintercession.org/support/ Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your congregation on the wisdom the persecuted church has for the West or on anointing the creative. 2015 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org

Kentucky Printer Wins Religious Freedom Battle

CBNNews.com

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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A custom message printer in Kentucky is legally allowed to decline orders that ask him to print messages that conflict with his religious beliefs.

A Kentucky court ruled Monday that the government cannot force the Lexington business Hands on Originals (HOO) to print messages that conflict with the owner's religious and moral beliefs.

The ruling comes a year after the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission ruled that HOO owner Blaine Adamson must print all messages customers order.

The Alliance Defending Freedom appealed the ruling to the Fayette County Circuit Court.

"The government can't force citizens to surrender free-speech rights or religious freedom in order to run a small business, and this decision affirms that," ADF Senior Legal Counsel Jim Campbell  said.

"The court rightly recognized that the law protects Blaine's decision not to print shirts with messages that conflict with his beliefs, and that no sufficient reason exists for the government to coerce Blaine to act against his conscience in this way," he added.

Adamson came under fire when he declined to print custom T-shirts promoting a gay pride festival.

Since he did not agree with the message conveyed on the shirts, he offered to connect the customer with a different printer who would produce the shirts at the same price he would have charged.

Unsatisfied with that solution, the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization filed a complaint against Hands on Originals with the county Human Rights Commission charging HOO with illegal discrimination.  

But the Fayette County Circuit Court concluded this week that Adamson did not violate the law when he declined to print the gay pride T-shirts.

The court reasoned that since Adamson employs and regularly does business with people who identify as homosexual, his decision not to print the shirts was not about discriminating against a homosexual customer, but rather about defending his freedom to decline to convey a message with which he disagrees.

"In short, HOO's declination to print the shirts was based upon the message of GLSO and the Pride Festival and not on the sexual orientation of its representatives or members," the court said.

The court continued, "There is nothing in the record before the Commission that the sexual orientation of any individual that had contact with HOO was ever divulged or played any part in this case."

Ex-Muslim: Koran Revealed a Religion I Did Not Like

By Dale Hurd

CBN News Sr. Reporter

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Mona Walter is on a mission. Her mission is for more Muslims to know what is in the Koran. She says if more Muslims knew what was in the Koran, more would leave Islam. 

Walter came to Sweden from Somalia as a war refugee when she was 19. She says she was excited about joining a modern European nation with equal rights for women. But as a young Muslim woman, that was not the Sweden she encountered. 

A Real Introduction to Islam

It was in Sweden that she first experienced radical Islam on a daily basis.

"I discovered Islam first in Sweden. In Somalia, you're just a Muslim, without knowing the Koran. But then you come to Sweden and you go to mosque and there is the Koran, so you have to cover yourself and you have to be a good Muslim."

Walter says she grew up in Somalia never having read the Koran.

"I didn't know what I was a part of. I didn't know who Mohammed was. I didn't know who Allah was. So, when I found out, I was upset. I was sad and I was disappointed," she recalled.

And it was in Sweden that Walters says she discovered Allah is a god who hates, and that Islam is not a religion of peace.

"It's about hating and killing those who disagree with Islam. It's about conquering. Mohammed, he was immoral. He was a bloodthirsty man. He was terrible man, and Muslims can read that in his biography -- what he did to Jews, how he raped women, how he killed people. I mean, he killed everyone who didn't agree with him," she explained.

Discouraged, Walter left Islam and became an atheist, until one day a family member encouraged her to read the Bible. She still remembers the first time she read Matthew 5:44, where Jesus said to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Christianity, a New Perspective

"It was very strange for me to 'love your enemy,' because in Islam it is 'kill your enemy.' 'Kill your enemy and anyone who refuses Islam.' But Jesus Christ was all about love and peace and forgiveness and tolerance, and for some reason, I needed that," she said.

She went to see Pastor Fouad Rasho of Angered Alliance Church, a Syrian immigrant who ministers to former Muslims in Sweden. 

"She started to believe and she came to me. And that was the beginning of her trusting," he said.

When she accepted Christ, Walter said she felt "so happy" and "filled with joy."

Walter says the Lord gave her a burden for Muslims who still do not know the truth about Islam.  And she began to study the Koran, and began copying verses from the Koran and handing them out on the street to Muslim women. 

Rescuing Muslims with Truth

"Sometimes they listen and sometimes they become very upset, and I tell them, 'You know your husband has a right to beat you if you don't obey him?' And they say 'No, It does not say that.' 'Yes, it does say that.'  I thought if I tell them about Muhammed and about the Koran and about this god of Islam who hates, who kills, who discriminates against women, maybe they will have a choice and leave," she explained.

But in politically correct Sweden, Walter has come under attack for simply repeating what is in the Koran. 

"I've been called an 'Islamophobe,' and yeah [they tell me], 'You've been bought,' 'You're a house nigger,' and stuff like that, terrible things, " she said.

She has also been called a racist. Walter warns that Islamic radicalism is a serious threat in Sweden, and says Swedish society should care more about women trapped in Islam.

"[Swedes] will think, 'Oh, we're in Sweden; we have freedom of religion,' but Muslim women don't have freedom of religion. They live under the law of Allah, not under Swedish law. So they will suppose everyone has freedom of religion. We don't have freedom of religion. It's not for Muslim women. It's for everyone else," Walter argued.

Walter lives under death threats and sometimes travels with police protection.  She wanted to show us Muslim areas around Gothenburg, but had to first dress as a Muslim. She believes if she were to show her face, she would be attacked. 

"I can never go to those areas just being me, flesh and blood Mona. I would never get out of there alive," she said.

"I mean, Muslims are normally good people like everyone else," she continued. "But then when they read the Koran, then they become a killing machine."

"This so-called ISIS or el Shabab or Boko Haram, they're not like extremists. They're not fanatical. They're just good Muslims, good Muslims who follow the teachings of Islam. The prophet Mohammed, he did that. They're doing what he did," she explained.

Walter now uses videos and speaking appearances to spread her message. And she says she won't stop, even though her life is in danger.

Watch here: CBN report

Hillary Clinton Wants Christians to Give Up on Bible Beliefs - Ron Cantor

Hillary Clinton Wants Christians to Give Up on Bible Beliefs

4/28/2015 RON CANTOR  charisma news

Hillary Clinton's religious stance on abortion has changed over the years to match her politics. (Reuters)

Hillary Clinton claims to be Christian. Barack Obama claims to be a Christian. And I am claiming to a brain surgeon! Any takers? 

You see just saying, "I am brain surgeon," doesn't mean I can perform brain surgery. I would need to back it up with a diploma and years of training. In the same way, no American will get elected President claiming, "The Bible is outdated, it's just a bunch of stories. I am humanistic socialist at heart!" Sure the left will have no problem with that, but you can't win without independents. So the candidates claim to be Christian—despite having very unchristian positions.

However in a day where anti-Biblical behavior is celebrated, where Bruce Jenner is called a Hero (not for winning the decathlon, but for identifying as a woman), it is only a matter of time before politicians began to boldly speakagainst the Bible.

Hillary Clinton is testing the waters. It is one thing to take anti-biblical positions, but to publicly call Americans to forsake the Bible is too much. Giving an address at the Women in the World Summit last week, she made this statement:

Far too many women are denied access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth, and laws don't count for much if they're not enforced. Rights have to exist in practice — not just on paper. Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will. And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.

It used to be, you were considered compassionate, caring and humble to embrace the values of the Bible. Now you are the enemy... according Secretary Clinton and President Obama. It is only going to get worse.

Ron Cantor is the director of Messiah's Mandate International in Israel, a Messianic ministry dedicated to taking the message of Jesus from Israel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Cantor also travels internationally teaching on the Jewish roots of the New Testament. He serves on the pastoral team of Tiferet Yeshua, a Hebrew-speaking congregation in Tel Aviv. His newest book is Identity Theft. Follow him at @RonSCantor on Twitter.

- See more at: http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/49375-hillary-clinton-wants-christians-to-give-up-on-bible-beliefs#sthash.7HDaLEaf.dpuf

Creationist Ken Ham Goes Toe to Toe With Arkansas Over Noah's Ark

4/27/2015 A. LARRY ROSS  Charisma Magazine

Answers in Genesis' Ark Encounter phase 1 (YouTube)

Answers in Genesis (AiG) filed a motion in federal court this morning seeking an injunction against Kentucky officials who it believes are discriminating against AiG's Ark Encounter theme park development. The park, which is being built around a life-size recreation of Noah's Ark, is scheduled to open in Williamstown, Kentucky, in 2016.

With the injunction, AiG is asking the court to allow the Ark project to participate in a state sales tax rebate, even as its religious discrimination lawsuit proceeds. The motion today seeks to override the blocking efforts of Gov. Steven Beshear and his tourism secretary and send the incentive application directly to a state tourism board (the Tourism Development Finance Authority), where the ultimate approval for a tax rebate is given.

AiG is asking the court that its rebate application be treated by the state as it would one filed by a non-religious group and go through the approval process without being blocked. The Tourism Authority had already given preliminary approval to AiG's application, but when secularist groups around the country vigorously protested, the governor and his tourism secretary, Bob Stewart, bowed to the pressure and kept the application from being voted on by the Tourism Authority.

AiG and its affiliates, Crosswater Canyon and Ark Encounter, filed their civil rights lawsuit Feb. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The suit shows that Sec. Stewart and Gov. Beshear are engaging in unlawful religious discrimination by "wrongfully excluding the plaintiffs from participation in the Kentucky Tourism Development Program simply because of who the plaintiffs are, what they believe, and how they express their beliefs."

Although the popular rebate program has allowed many other tourist attraction developers to qualify for a gradual rebate of a portion of the new state sales taxes their projects generate, AiG's lawsuit explains that its application for the program has been blocked by state officials simply because of: 1) the Ark project's religious messaging; and 2) the intention of AiG to utilize religious preferences in its hiring for the project.

"The state gave us no choice but to bring this legal action," said Ken Ham, AiG president and the visionary behind the new theme park. "We, along with our attorneys, tried for many months to show these officials why their actions are blatantly violating our rights under the federal and state constitutions, as well as the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. The law is crystal clear that the state cannot discriminate against a Christian group simply because of its viewpoint, but that is precisely what is happening here."

The video features Ham and constitutional law attorney Mike Johnson. Johnson is the chief counsel of the non-profit public interest law firm, Freedom Guard, and is serving as co-counsel in the case pro bono, with Nate Kellum, chief counsel of the Center for Religious Expression. The firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister is also serving in the case as local counsel. The video also includes clips of a 2010 Ark Encounter press conference, at which Gov. Beshear originally expressed his enthusiastic support for the Ark project.

"Every American should be concerned with this kind of overt government discrimination, regardless of their individual perspectives on the Bible," said Johnson. "When such an unconstitutional state action goes unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for all other religious and minority groups.  If our freedom of religion is not vigorously defended, it will be taken away."

- See more at: http://www.charismanews.com/us/49366-creationist-ken-ham-goes-toe-to-toe-with-arkansas-over-noah-s-ark#sthash.fqoeR6mR.dpuf

Beautiful Creations By God - Flowers In North Carolina

Azaleas

Beautiful Creations By God - Flowers In North Carolina

Day lilies

Day lilies

Begonias

Bearded Iris

Bearded Iris

Bearded Iris

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America Is Ignoring God's Clear Warning Signs

4/27/2015 SHANE IDLEMAN  charisma magazine

Will these headlines soon be filled with anti-Christian progress? (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Although fictitious, these imaginary headlines may be more fact than fiction if America continues to ignore the warning signs.

Mandatory Euthanasia Bill: What many call genocide, Congress calls necessary to curtail rising healthcare costs. In the hope of reclaiming financial stability, many legislators plan to sign a mandatory Euthanasia Bill. In defense of the Bill, some State Representatives claim that abortion has helped to offset rising healthcare costs. This new legislation will include those with terminal or chronic illnesses—life will be terminated when rehabilitation is uncertain, and/or when lingering illnesses threaten the economy. Those with extreme religious views, and the elderly, are also being considered.

Congress Lowers Age of Sexual Consent: Congress will vote later this year to lower the age of sexual consent to 12. Members have agreed to consider new research indicating that sex between children and adults may be beneficial. Although this new research is absurd and appears extremely problematic and biased, it may have prompted a trend in the lower Courts to assign convicted pedophiles lesser penalties such as community service, or rehabilitation, for committing lewd acts with children. This movement may explain why many judges now offer rehabilitation rather than imprisonment. Even though research confirms that punishment reduces crime, many appear eager to facilitate this new trend.

Same-sex Marriages Now Exceed Traditional Marriages In Some States: As a result, words such as "mom" and "dad" can no longer be used. Citizens must refer to parents as "partner 1" and "partner 2." Congress, however, is concerned that decreased birth rates will affect the nation's economy. In response, partners will be required to explore creative procreation options. Additionally, traditional families will be limited to two children. If couples fail to comply, infanticide may be considered.

Zero Tolerance for Christians: Homeland Security reports that Christianity is now under control. A recent poll indicates that fewer than 2 percent of the population report adhering to Christian beliefs and biblical absolutes. This decrease is attributed to a successful "Zero Tolerance" policy, which includes hate-speech legislation, outlawing use of the Bible, incarceration for Christians, heavy taxation on evangelical churches, and media scrutiny of anyone associated with the Christian faith. Additionally, many biblical terms dealing with marriage, sexual orientation, and family values are now identified as hate speech and cannot be used in public.

Again, although fictitious, these imaginary headlines may be more fact than fiction if America continues to reject God. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

At the time of this writing, it is said that we live in the greatest country in the world, but the success we cherish is not the result of chance. Many early Americans understood that in order for a nation to thrive and prosper, God's Word must provide the basis for the government and the welfare of society. I'm not suggesting a theocracy, nor were the Founders, but I am suggesting a return to Judeo-Christian values. Just as water rapidly eroded the banks of the mighty Colorado River and created a vast Grand Canyon, America's current belief system (relativism) has eroded her foundation and created a moral void.

Interestingly enough, the stability of America is one of the top concerns on the minds of many today. There was a time in recent history when America felt secure knowing that the most formidable enemies were abroad. Not so today. While we are concerned with terrorist attacks, and rightly so, there is a greater threat from corruption within. There are people and groups who are strongly committed to the destruction of anything rooted in our nation's Christian heritage. They attempt to be "one nation 'above' God," rather than "one nation 'under' God." Scripture identifies this as foolishness, self-exaltation, and arrogance.

There is a saying that one generation plants trees for the next generation. I'm concerned that instead of planting, we are removing and destroying the very covering that protects us. For instance, most schools no longer teach students about the spiritual foundation that has guided America throughout her history. Consequently, America's moral and religious heritage is often deleted, grossly distorted, or revised altogether. This should concern us. The ideas of the classroom in one generation will create the ideas of government within the next.

Today, our culture promotes relativism, and man does what is right in his own eyes. According to Scripture, to his own destruction. God's Word says to confront, confess, and turn from our sins; relativism encourages us to ignore, overlook, and continue in them.

Although this position may seem radical or extreme, we are living in extremely critical times. Make no mistake about it: We are witnessing the rapid deterioration of a nation right before our eyes. But there is hope: 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls out from the past with resounding clarity to America today: "If My people will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land."

Let it not be said of us today: And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord (Judges 2:10​). From the book, One Nation "Above" God at www.ShaneIdleman.net.

Pockets of true revival are breaking out across America. Want to know more about the next great move of God? Click here to see Jennifer LeClaire's new book, featuring Dutch Sheets, Reinhard Bonnke, Jonathan Cahn, Billy Graham and others. 

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his 7th book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at: facebook.com/confusedchurch.​​​​

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