Month: February 2013

Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List # 6

Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List #6

Peanut Gallery: Sharia law in “paradise”… no place for Christians.

2013, Novemer 13, News from Maldives: “An American citizen linked to the Bangladeshi who was caught bringing books on Christianity written in Dhivehi into the country, has been blacklisted and banned from entering the Maldives. Maldives Customs said that the American, Kevin Thomas Greenson, was blacklisted following the collection of sufficient evidence by the Police of his connection with the Bangladeshi, Jathis Biswas, 44. Jathis Biswas has also been deported, following accusations of spreading other religions in Maldives in cooperation with a group of Maldivians. Customs found 11 books on Christianity with Jathis Biswas, who arrived in Maldives on 27 September 2012 on Sri Lankan Airlines.” (SunOnline)

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The Maldivian economy is to a large degree based on tourism.

This is the only country in the world which requires all citizens to be Muslim. [The government does not distinguish between national and expat believers.] Conversion to another faith is prohibited by law and converts face extreme persecution from family and society – often having to leave the country. The authorities exert extensive control on the people to correct any deviation from Islam. There are no church gatherings or buildings. Religion is moving towards Deobandi Islam – the religion of the Taliban, whose mission is to cleanse Islam of all other influences. There are very few indigenous Christians. (Open Doors UK)

Pray:

  • For the handful of secret believers to grow in the love of God
  • For young people who seek education outside the islands. Pray that they will receive the gospel and return to share it with their communities
  • That the translation of the New Testament into the Dhivehi language would be completed.

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Open Doors Background: The Maldives are well-known as a dream destination for holidays. The islands are located in the midst of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by blue water and white beaches stretched out under the blazing sun. This is the picture authorities want to give to the outside world. The harsh attitude the government takes towards all Christian believers is less known, darkening the lovely picture of the country considerably. Continue reading “Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List # 6” →

Morning Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT – via dolorosa

Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

In the old town of Jerusalem, paving the way of Jesus Christ, the traditional Way of the Cross took place on the Good Friday towards Saint Sepulchre.
In the old town of Jerusalem, paving the way of Jesus Christ, the traditional Way of the Cross took place on the Good Friday towards Saint Sepulchre.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – you call me to let go of my life… to give up anything that gets in the way of my relationship with you. Forgive me for clinging to the things of this sinful and dying world… trying to drag them along with me on the via dolorosa. You are my Lord and my God. Give me the courage to drop my baggage.. take up the cross you give me to bear… and follow you today. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Take Up Your Cross” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (YouTube)

1st Sunday in Lent: Romans 10:9-11, 13 NLT – saved

Reading: Romans 10:9-11, 13 NLT

Jesus came to see us freeIf you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced….”

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Prayer:  “Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.”

(For more on steps to peace with God – click here.)

Spiritual Song: “Name of Jesus” – Chris Tomlin (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9:18-22 ESV – The Christ of God

Reading: Luke 9:18-22 ESV

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

Passion_of_the_Christ_by_SaviourMachineAnd they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Confession of Faith: Lord Jesus – I confess… “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.”

Heidelberg Catechism (1563):  

1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, wherefore by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him

2. Q. How many things are necessary for you to know, that you in this comfort may live and die happily?
A. Three; the first, how great my sins and misery are; the second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; the third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.

Spiritual Song: “In Christ Alone” – Stuart Townend (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9.10-17 NLT – you feed them

Reading: Luke 9.10-17 NLT

When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”

Old blessingBut Jesus said, “You feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.

Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!

Prayer: Lord Jesus – you are attentive to all our needs… you teach us about your Kingdom… you heal our sicknesses… and you give us our daily bread. Give us the same balance in our life and work… teaching, healing and feeding people who are drawn to you. Forgive us our small minds and limited vision. Open our eyes to the unlimited possibilities of your Kingdom and your power to provide all we need to accomplish your Kingdom purposes through us. May all we say or do honor you. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Five Loaves and Two Fishes” – Corrinne May (YouTube)