Tag: Christians

Morning Reading: Acts 5.1-11 NLT – truth or consequences

Reading: Acts 5.1-11 NLT

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

The Death of Sapphira by Nicolas Poussin, 1652 Louvre, Paris, France.
The Death of Sapphira
by Nicolas Poussin, 1652
Louvre, Paris, France.

As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”

“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”

And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”

Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

Prayer: Lord God – You know all things… there are no secrets hidden from you. Shine your light of truth into the hidden places of my heart… reveal my sin… restore my good senses – so that I might repent, turn away from my sin, and continue to follow you. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: “I’d Rather Have Jesus” – Rhea F. Miller (1922)

Please pray for Christians in Oman – World Watch List #22

OMAN (Wikipedia) – World Watch List #22 (Open Doors UK)

oman MAPPopulation: 2.9 million (35,000 Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Absolute Monarchy
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism/dictatorial paranoia

The legal system names all citizens as Muslim and all legislation is based on Islamic law. Apostasy is not a criminal offence, but Omani converts face legal discrimination and could lose their family, job, or even their life if their faith is discovered. Almost the entire Christian population is expatriate; there are few indigenous Christians. All religious organisations must register and Christian meetings are monitored. Several foreign workers were deported in 2011 because of their Christian activities.

PLEASE PRAY:

  • That the few indigenous believers will find ways to meet for fellowship
  • Open evangelism is prohibited by law. Pray for wisdom for Christians sharing the gospel
  • Permission is needed from the authorities for the distribution of religious literature. Pray that God’s Word will spread through Christian TV and internet sites.

PERSECUTION DYNAMICS

Oman travelThere has been no visible change in recent years in the situation for Christians in Oman. Islam is the state religion and Sharia (Islamic law) forms the basis for legislation. The very concept of a change of faith for an Omani citizen is anathema. An Omani convert faces problems under the Personal Status and Family Legal Code, which prohibits a father from having custody of his children if he leaves Islam.

All religious organisations must register and Christian meetings are monitored for political messages and nationals who may be attending. Although no violent persecution has been reported, there have been deportations of expat Christians in the past. This was primarily because of their open witness, which is prohibited by law. Permission is needed from the authorities for the distribution of religious literature also.

Oman BazzaarTOP TEN – things to know about what life is like for Christians in Oman

  1. The law prohibits religious discrimination but all religious organizations must register.
  2. All public school curriculums (grades K-12) include instruction in Islam.
  3. Almost the entire Christian population (around 35,000) is made up of expatriates; indigenous Christians number only a few hundred.
  4. Foreign Christians are often tolerated and allowed to worship in private homes or work compounds.
  5. The government records religious affiliation on national identity cards for citizens and on residency cards for non-citizens.
  6. Muslim Background Believers risk persecution from family and society, but the government may intervene on request from the family. In such cases, these believers are often treated as psychiatric patients.
  7. Muslim Background Believers can lose their family, house, and job and can even be killed.
  8. There are some government limitations on proselytizing and printing religious material. Non-Muslim groups are prohibited from publishing religious material, although non-Muslim religious material printed abroad may be imported after government inspection and approval.
  9. The Protestant Church in Oman (PCO) is the fruit of the active presence of RCA, a branch of the Reformed Church of America (RCA), which started its work in Oman in 1893.
  10. Currently PCO, under the combined leadership of the Reformed Church of America and the Anglican Church, ministers to over 1000 believers from 60 countries.

Indonesian Christians Singing at PCO (Protestant Church in Oman)
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Morning Reading: Acts 4.32-37 NLT – shared resources

Reading: Acts 4.32-37 NLT

Shabbat dinner and discussion at a Moishe House. Photo courtesy of Moishe House.
Shabbat dinner and discussion at a Moishe House.
Photo courtesy of Moishe House.

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Everything that I have is on loan from you. You are the giver of all good gifts… you are the giver of life itself. Holy Spirit – Make me a faithful steward of all the resources at my disposal. Give me a willing heart to follow your leading in their use and distribution. Lord Jesus – In all decisions – large and small – may your receive the honor due your name. Amen.

Hymn: “Let All Things Now Living” – Katherine K. Davis (1939)

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Galatians 1.11-19 ESV – direct revelation

Reading: Galatians 1:11-19 ESV

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.  For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

image
The Conversion of St. Paul, 1767
by Nicolas-Bernard Lepicie

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;  nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give me the wisdom to think before I speak… to study before I teach…. to be quiet long enough to hear you. Knock me off my “high horse”… if that’s what it takes to get my attention. And reveal your words of mercy, grace and healing to me… and through me. To God be the glory. Amen.

Hymn: “To God be the Glory” – Fanny J. Crosby (1875)

Morning Reading: Acts 4.23-31 NLT – give us boldness

Reading: Acts 4:23-31 NLT

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.

When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God:

“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.

image
Iris Ministries in Mozambique.

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Prayer: Lord God – Hear my prayer. Give your servants great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And may you receive all the honor and glory due your name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Show Your Power” – Kevin Prosch