China: Between God and mammon
27 Aug 2015
Alongside all the news this week about Chinese stockmarkets, Global Times tells the story of a wealthy businessman who converted to Christianity. He said that Chinese businessmen who converted to Christianity all had common characteristics - they believed their money was tainted with sin. ‘They wanted inner peace, and transformed their behaviour and their companies by changing their crooked commercial dealings.’ The Bible bans bribery, tax evasion and keeping mistresses - all of which are often considered standard conduct in business circles. The businessman said, ‘The only thought that supported me in continuing my faith was that I was following the teachings of Jesus Christ.’ This man is not unique. A number of Chinese businessmen who became wealthy by cutting corners in China’s booming cutthroat business environment have been turning to Christianity for help and spiritual consolation.
Malta: A large majority mistrust the police
27 Aug 2015
72% of respondents taking part in an online poll by MaltaToday agree that Malta’s police force needs a radical shakeup. The 1,586 respondents outnumbered the 550 respondents who stated they trusted the police but agreed the police needed to work hard to inspire more trust. 3.13% said they were not sure whether the force could be trusted or not. Over the years, the police have been embroiled in far too many controversies, with the most recent being the unethical behaviour of the family of police officers who had business interests with the family of a corrupt property entrepreneur. An internal police inquiry is now underway. In December 2014 Transparency International published its annual Corruption Perception Index, ranking Malta 43rd among 173 countries. Malta has dropped a percentage point each of the previous three years. The government's decisions, choices and actions over recent years have manifestly contributed to the perception that corruption has increased.
‘The refugee issue concerns everyone and there is a need of cooperation and common efforts to tackle it.’ said the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Poposki, when speaking at the annual ambassadors’ conference in Skopje. The conference was also attended by the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Albanian Foreign Minister. During the trilateral meeting Mr Poposki said, ‘The refugee issue cannot be solved individually, there is a need for cooperation with everyone in Europe in order to tackle the pressure. Macedonia is looking for cooperation with countries in central and western Europe where these migrants are heading and where they wish to end their journey. Macedonia and Bulgaria are countries with a common border and common fate and we have to cooperate. This year we welcome foreign ministers from Bulgaria and Albania at the annual ambassadors’ conference. This is proof of developing good neighbourly relations.’
The faith of Usain Bolt in five tweets
27 Aug 2015
He is the world's fastest man. Bolt is also a Bible-believing, God-honouring, Jesus-worshipping Christian. But other than crossing himself and offering silent prayers at the start of each race, he is relatively reserved about his faith. However, the occasional tweet reveals a faith that is centred around praise and gratitude. Here are five moments that give us an insight into Bolt's Christian faith: ‘I want to thank GOD for everything he has done for me ‘cause without him none of this would be possible.’ ‘Way up I feel blessed.’ ‘Never forget the true meaning of the day #GoodFriday.’ ‘Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.’ And ‘Give thanks for another day’, followed by an image of the Lord’s Prayer.
1,360 new Christians at Soul Survivor
27 Aug 2015
Christian youth organisation Soul Survivor has announced that 1,360 young people became Christians at its festivals this Summer. The events in July and September have seen tens of thousands gather at the sites in Staffordshire, Scotland and Somerset. Speaking on Premier's News Hour, spokesman Jonny Goodchild said, ‘It has been absolutely amazing. I don't think we're doing anything special - we're just thankful for all God is doing.’ Calling on youth workers to continue to invest in the young people who've found faith, he said, ‘It's that day-to-day relational youth work, getting alongside these young people, really journeying with them. Programmes are important but I think it's far more about relationship.’ Soul Survivor and other Christian festivals are, in many ways, a highlight of the youth ministry year; they're our 21st-century equivalent of a pilgrimage to the Temple. In our age of cynicism it's easy to get jaded, but this rhythm and pattern of youth ministry life is something to celebrate.
In his 2010 book, Erwin Lutzer uses the example of Germany and Hitler’s Third Reich to reveal trends that can transform a modern, educated, well developed society into a oppressive, barbarous, genocidal one that caused the deaths of tens of millions before and during World War II. As you read it, you will most likely see some of the same kind of trends appearing in our own nations, especially in the West. For prayer people, understanding such patterns and where they lead can be helpful in counteracting such moves through prayer and action before they bear such horrific fruit.
In brief, the trends and principles he identifies from Nazi Germany that are also chapter headings in his book are:
- When God is separated from the government, judgment follows.
- It’s always the economy.
- That which is legal might also be evil.
- Propaganda can change a nation.
- Parents- not the state- are responsible for a child’s training.
- Ordinary heroes can make a difference.
- We must exalt the Cross in the gathering darkness.
We would do well to observe our own nations in light of these findings, being ready to pray proactively and act accordingly. When a Nation Forgets God is a valuable resource and is available through Amazon.com.
The Global Isaachar Group for South Asia met for the first time in Sri Lanka in August. Forty mostly senior leaders from the region (plus a few Westerners) came together for sharing insights and prayer. Presentations were made about the battle between darkness and light in each nation, and we noticed some of the similarities between the various gods that were still worshipped by millions in the region.
During the consultation we had many times of prayer. At one of them there was a spontaneous time of reconciliation between leaders from what we call P land and Indian brothers & sisters. This was deemed very important and moving. The very next day the news came that the PM's of each country agreed to meet the following week for talks - a major breakthrough!
Some of the comments from the participants included "the best consultation", "I've met the real generals in God's army", "deeply moving and precious time together", "an awesome event", "I was blessed by the depth and wisdom of the participants", "an incredible event - lots of insights and learning to put into practice" "all the brothers and sisters who shared from vast repertoire of experience and knowledge." Our hosts - all of them senior leaders within Sri Lanka - were wonderful and gracious. Christ oozed out of them.
The GIG (as we call it) is a task force of the International Prayer Council. We would like to see similar consultations in other regions of the world. It is important for us all to have understanding of the times - about the prevailing influences - both current and historic - which keep millions of people in bondage. We need to understand how, through strategic prayer, we can be influential in changing the spiritual atmosphere and bringing Christ's freedom to them.
So, to God be the glory! Pray for the S. Asia core group that will take this initiative forward into the future. I believe it is a new day for the region. "For the first time", the participants said, "we have discovered a South Asian identity"!
In Christ,
Brian.
Stratfor.com
August 15, 2015 | 17:57 GMT
A spate of bombings across Baghdad left 24 people dead Aug. 15, Reuters reported. The blasts went off in Taji to the north, Jisr Diyala, Madaen, Iskan and other areas. The deadliest of these was carried out in the Shiite district of Habibiya and killed 15, wounding 35 others. Earlier, an Islamic State truck bombing in Sadr City killed 70 people Aug. 13. The Iraqi military and allied militant groups are currently fighting the Islamic State in Sunni-dominated areas of Iraq. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is attempting to prevent the country from further fragmentation.
Please pray for the unity of the Christian leaders in Iraq, many of whom we have heard are quite divided. Unless they come together and get reconciled, the evil one can further exploit the situation and divide and destroy the nation. This is a crucial matter that needs our prayers so that Iraq can be healed and restored with its enemies driven out. The spiritual leaders of a nation set the tone for the political ones.
Jonathan Cahn
MESSAGE FROM JONATHAN CAHN: AUGUST 2015 – YouTube
Published on Aug 11, 2015
Jonathan Cahn gives an important word for believers regarding where we are and things to come - to answer the deluge of questions which have been pouring in from around the world.