Caryl Matrisciana - Hinduism, Yoga, New Age Teachings have crept into the Church
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Ainda que eu Andasse pelo Vale…
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/ainda-que-eu-andasse-pelo-vale/
John W. Schmidt
Uma das razões porque os Salmos causam tanto impacto e têm tanta força para nos ajudar é porque falam das dificuldades, batalhas e problemas que o rei Davi enfrentou na vida. Pensando bem, não é isso o que muitos dos “grandes homens” de Deus — Abraão, Moisés, os profetas, Jesus e os discÃpulos — tinham em comum? Apegaram-se a Deus, que lhes deu vitórias surpreendentes quando se viram diante de do que pareciam ser grandes derrotas.[1]
Esse pensamento me consolou quando vi as dificuldades da minha querida esposa recentemente, após uma intervenção cirúrgica. Não foi fácil vê-la no dia seguinte, toda entubada. Ela teve um inÃcio de vida bastante difÃcil e esta foi apenas mais uma de inúmeras operações à s quais se submeteu.
No hospital, convivi com o que muitos enfrentam todos os dias: enfermidades, dificuldades e até a morte. Só posso agradecer a Deus pela Sua graça, forças, Palavra, consolo e EspÃrito. Sinto pena daqueles que não conhecem Deus e, por isso, não podem se apegar a Ele. Os momentos que passei na UTI foi como andar pelo vale da sombra da morte. Mas aqueles que conhecem o Senhor podem repetir as palavras de Davi no grandioso Salmo 23: “Não temerei, pois tu Senhor, estás comigo. A tua vara e o teu cajado me consolam”.[2] O Salmo 91 é outro que está cheio de ótimas promessas e palavras de consolo. Fiquei muito emocionado com o testemunho de Abigail Smith na postagem “Um Legado de Fé,” no Âncora, como ela conseguiu ficar em paz e ter fé em Deus mesmo diante da morte.
Durante uma batalha desse tipo, é muito importante apegar-se a Deus, ler a Palavra e falar dela. Em alguns paÃses, as pessoas têm uma grande fé em Deus e é fácil falar sobre oração em situações como esta. Em outros, a fé no plano espiritual não é tão comum. Mas até mesmo nesses casos é importante elevar o Senhor e o poder da oração tanto quanto as pessoas consigam entender e aceitar. Foi uma grande alegria quando, conversando com o médico que fez a operação, nós lhe agradecemos, falamos do poder da oração e ele admitiu que ele tem suas limitações, e que a cura vem de Deus.
Essa experiência despertou em mim mais carinho pelos médicos e pelas enfermeiras. As pessoas que trabalham na área de saúde e têm um contato com Jesus contam com uma grande vantagem. A sua confiança em Deus as capacita a encarar o sofrimento dos pacientes com fé e ânimo. Fiquei impressionado com o poderoso testemunho do Dr. Benjamin Carson na postagem “À Sua Semelhança”, no Âncora, pois mostra que, com a ajuda de Deus, podemos passar pelos vales mais escuros e sair do outro lado para a luz. E que à s vezes passamos por experiências tenebrosas justamente para podermos consolar outros.[3]
Outra vitória que podemos ter quando enfrentamos problemas e enfermidades é o fato de eles nos ajudarem a deixar de lado coisas sem importância, a nos concentrarmos no Senhor e nas coisas que realmente contam na vida. Nossa fé pode se tornar muito mais forte com as provações do que se tudo transcorresse tranquilamente.
Às vezes, o fato de continuar confiando em mim quando nem tudo se resolve como você esperava ou gostaria — mesmo tendo orado e agido como devia — é um testemunho ainda maior da sua fé. — Jesus falando em profecia[4]
Essas provas nos ensinam paciência e nos dão esperança para situações aparentemente desesperadoras.
E não somente isso, mas também nos gloriamos nas tribulações; sabendo que a tribulação produz a paciência; e a paciência a experiência, e a experiência a esperança. E a esperança não traz confusão, porquanto o amor de Deus está derramado em nossos corações pelo EspÃrito Santo que nos foi dado. — Romanos 5:3–5
Certa vez, enquanto esperava que ela acordasse para visitá-la na UTI, peguei o carro e fui até um local tranquilo para também dormir um pouco. Acordei no meio de uma experiência impressionante, um misto de sonho, visão e realidade. Foi uma daquelas raras experiências em que eu sabia que “aquilo” tudo era verdade, tudo o que lemos na BÃblia, tudo o que aprendemos sobre o plano espiritual. Naquele momento, vi e senti a realidade da situação. Não era por fé, era real. Acho que foi assim que Jacó se sentiu depois de um sonho que teve, quando passava por um perÃodo de grande provação e precisava tanto do encorajamento de Deus.[5] Deus é bom e não nos permitirá sermos tentados além do que podemos suportar, mas nos dará a vitória em cada situação.[6]
Por fim, quero reconhecer o poder da intercessão. Mesmo que às vezes tenhamos de colocar nossas vidas nas mãos dos médicos, ainda assim devemos pedir a Deus para nos curar, pois só Ele pode realizar esse milagre. Estamos muito agradecidos por nossos preciosos irmãos e amigos que oraram pela cura da minha esposa, pois funcionou! Sua cura e rápida recuperação foram um grande testemunho também para nossos amigos cristãos, uma demonstração do poder milagroso de Deus. Até mesmo uma enfermeira que não tem fé em Deus e que cuidou da minha esposa disse que foi um milagre ela ter se recuperado tão bem em apenas uma semana.
Senhor meu Deus, a ti clamei por socorro, e tu me curaste. — Salmo 30:2
Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.
[1] Veja Hebreus 11:33–35, 1 CorÃntios 15:57, 2 CorÃntios 4:8–9, 16–17.
[2] Salmo 23:4.
[3] Veja 2 CorÃntios 1:4.
[4] Com Amor, Jesus—Meu Toque de Cura.
[5] Veja Gênesis 28:12–17.
[6] Veja 1 CorÃntios 10:13.
John W. Schmidt
Uma das razões porque os Salmos causam tanto impacto e têm tanta força para nos ajudar é porque falam das dificuldades, batalhas e problemas que o rei Davi enfrentou na vida. Pensando bem, não é isso o que muitos dos “grandes homens” de Deus — Abraão, Moisés, os profetas, Jesus e os discÃpulos — tinham em comum? Apegaram-se a Deus, que lhes deu vitórias surpreendentes quando se viram diante de do que pareciam ser grandes derrotas.[1]
Esse pensamento me consolou quando vi as dificuldades da minha querida esposa recentemente, após uma intervenção cirúrgica. Não foi fácil vê-la no dia seguinte, toda entubada. Ela teve um inÃcio de vida bastante difÃcil e esta foi apenas mais uma de inúmeras operações à s quais se submeteu.
No hospital, convivi com o que muitos enfrentam todos os dias: enfermidades, dificuldades e até a morte. Só posso agradecer a Deus pela Sua graça, forças, Palavra, consolo e EspÃrito. Sinto pena daqueles que não conhecem Deus e, por isso, não podem se apegar a Ele. Os momentos que passei na UTI foi como andar pelo vale da sombra da morte. Mas aqueles que conhecem o Senhor podem repetir as palavras de Davi no grandioso Salmo 23: “Não temerei, pois tu Senhor, estás comigo. A tua vara e o teu cajado me consolam”.[2] O Salmo 91 é outro que está cheio de ótimas promessas e palavras de consolo. Fiquei muito emocionado com o testemunho de Abigail Smith na postagem “Um Legado de Fé,” no Âncora, como ela conseguiu ficar em paz e ter fé em Deus mesmo diante da morte.
Durante uma batalha desse tipo, é muito importante apegar-se a Deus, ler a Palavra e falar dela. Em alguns paÃses, as pessoas têm uma grande fé em Deus e é fácil falar sobre oração em situações como esta. Em outros, a fé no plano espiritual não é tão comum. Mas até mesmo nesses casos é importante elevar o Senhor e o poder da oração tanto quanto as pessoas consigam entender e aceitar. Foi uma grande alegria quando, conversando com o médico que fez a operação, nós lhe agradecemos, falamos do poder da oração e ele admitiu que ele tem suas limitações, e que a cura vem de Deus.
Essa experiência despertou em mim mais carinho pelos médicos e pelas enfermeiras. As pessoas que trabalham na área de saúde e têm um contato com Jesus contam com uma grande vantagem. A sua confiança em Deus as capacita a encarar o sofrimento dos pacientes com fé e ânimo. Fiquei impressionado com o poderoso testemunho do Dr. Benjamin Carson na postagem “À Sua Semelhança”, no Âncora, pois mostra que, com a ajuda de Deus, podemos passar pelos vales mais escuros e sair do outro lado para a luz. E que à s vezes passamos por experiências tenebrosas justamente para podermos consolar outros.[3]
Outra vitória que podemos ter quando enfrentamos problemas e enfermidades é o fato de eles nos ajudarem a deixar de lado coisas sem importância, a nos concentrarmos no Senhor e nas coisas que realmente contam na vida. Nossa fé pode se tornar muito mais forte com as provações do que se tudo transcorresse tranquilamente.
Às vezes, o fato de continuar confiando em mim quando nem tudo se resolve como você esperava ou gostaria — mesmo tendo orado e agido como devia — é um testemunho ainda maior da sua fé. — Jesus falando em profecia[4]
Essas provas nos ensinam paciência e nos dão esperança para situações aparentemente desesperadoras.
E não somente isso, mas também nos gloriamos nas tribulações; sabendo que a tribulação produz a paciência; e a paciência a experiência, e a experiência a esperança. E a esperança não traz confusão, porquanto o amor de Deus está derramado em nossos corações pelo EspÃrito Santo que nos foi dado. — Romanos 5:3–5
Certa vez, enquanto esperava que ela acordasse para visitá-la na UTI, peguei o carro e fui até um local tranquilo para também dormir um pouco. Acordei no meio de uma experiência impressionante, um misto de sonho, visão e realidade. Foi uma daquelas raras experiências em que eu sabia que “aquilo” tudo era verdade, tudo o que lemos na BÃblia, tudo o que aprendemos sobre o plano espiritual. Naquele momento, vi e senti a realidade da situação. Não era por fé, era real. Acho que foi assim que Jacó se sentiu depois de um sonho que teve, quando passava por um perÃodo de grande provação e precisava tanto do encorajamento de Deus.[5] Deus é bom e não nos permitirá sermos tentados além do que podemos suportar, mas nos dará a vitória em cada situação.[6]
Por fim, quero reconhecer o poder da intercessão. Mesmo que às vezes tenhamos de colocar nossas vidas nas mãos dos médicos, ainda assim devemos pedir a Deus para nos curar, pois só Ele pode realizar esse milagre. Estamos muito agradecidos por nossos preciosos irmãos e amigos que oraram pela cura da minha esposa, pois funcionou! Sua cura e rápida recuperação foram um grande testemunho também para nossos amigos cristãos, uma demonstração do poder milagroso de Deus. Até mesmo uma enfermeira que não tem fé em Deus e que cuidou da minha esposa disse que foi um milagre ela ter se recuperado tão bem em apenas uma semana.
Senhor meu Deus, a ti clamei por socorro, e tu me curaste. — Salmo 30:2
Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.
[1] Veja Hebreus 11:33–35, 1 CorÃntios 15:57, 2 CorÃntios 4:8–9, 16–17.
[2] Salmo 23:4.
[3] Veja 2 CorÃntios 1:4.
[4] Com Amor, Jesus—Meu Toque de Cura.
[5] Veja Gênesis 28:12–17.
[6] Veja 1 CorÃntios 10:13.
Faith and Love vs. Fear and Worry
http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/faith-and-love-vs-fear-and-worry/
By John W.
As all our plans seemed to be falling apart, I was attacked with fear, discouragement, and worry. There were no solutions in sight at all!
Our little family wants to adopt another one or two abandoned kids in Congo. But there is a new law which forbids taking adopted kids out of the country. They even put two white people in prison recently who tried to take out orphans.
The head chief is still blocking the further construction of our school buildings, asking for bribes, and so far none of our contacts have been able to persuade him otherwise. The cadaster office wants us to pay bribes too, for further registration of the land where we build the school.
The Ministry of Education registered our school over a year ago but doesn’t pay the teachers yet, which means we have to carry that bill longer than expected.
The contact who helped us a lot in the city where we land before going into the bush doesn’t help anymore. No idea how we will continue without that help.
Although the Lord did a big miracle of supplying a nice place to stay in Kinshasa near the school which offered to take in Anissa free of charge, there arose a new challenge: after her operations Lenka has a cyst which is growing, and Congo is really not the place for such health issues. And I’ve been waiting for her here for two months already.
We didn’t know if all this happened because we were going over the top or because we were off track. We asked the Lord to show us why He allowed all this and what He had in mind. Abandoning our project? Not adopting kids after He told us to do it? It wasn’t easy to accept, but we had to be open.
Even if the Lord hasn’t shown us a solution to any of these problems at this time, He has shown us clearly not to worry, but to trust Him.
He also showed me a new tactic. Whenever a negative thought, doubt, or fear comes up, I should raise my shield of faith and immediately think about Him. The same goes for any other problems, weaknesses, or temptations. Whenever anything negative comes up, I should just ask Jesus for help. If sadness appears, ask Him for joy. If weariness tries to come in, ask Him for strength. Feeling confused, ask Him for clarity, etc. I’m still learning to apply this, but I can see it has helped me to stay closer to Him and have His strength to “fight the good fight of faith.”1
One day, as I was feeling very low, I received word that the 40-year-old cousin of our friend in Kinshasa had died that morning in the hospital. All she had was pneumonia! So many people here die in the hospital for lack of proper care. Then I found out that she and her now widowed husband have ten kids, and seven grandkids, and not enough money to pay the hospital bill or for the burial. I really felt sorry for them, and suddenly my problems were small. Thinking of other people’s bigger problems can bring things back into perspective real quick. Even if all our plans and projects fail, so what!? He’s still there, we are still alive, and He always has a solution.
During this time I felt so weak that I had to spend extra time with Jesus and His Word, which strengthens my faith and love for Him and drives out fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.”2 “Fear not: for I am with thee.”3 “The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”4
I didn’t feel strong enough to do a lot of physical activities. I didn’t even know exactlywhat He wanted me to do, so I opted to lie low and take more time to read and study His Word and listen to His voice. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”5 I took more time to rest and meditate. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”6
In the article “The Spiritual Disciplines: Celebration” I saw these famous verses in a new light: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow.”7 Peter says: “This doesn’t mean we take no action, but that we bring our needs and concerns before God in prayer, and in doing so, that we put our confidence in His love and care rather than worrying.” I always thought that “seeking His kingdom” meant that I have to do something for the Lord, but before doing so, I should first seek Him.
My wife sent me some helpful quotes from the book Stay Alive All Your Life by Norman Vincent Peale:
See your fears for what they are; then stand up to them and kill them. But in doing this you must have, not bravado, but faith. Nor is it a vague kind of faith; it is a strong, substantial faith in God. Only faith in God can kill your fear. The ultimate technique for ending worry is to bring God into every fear situation. No fear can live in the presence of God. The deeper your faith in God becomes, the less power fear will have over you. The Bible outlines the process, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).8
The Lord has also shown me to be more childlike in my faith. Children have so much faith and overcome obstacles much easier than adults. No wonder Jesus said that we need to be like children.9 They generally don’t worry about things, and if they do, it usually gets solved quite quickly and easily. They usually have a positive, carefree attitude which I’d like to acquire.
In this process of drawing closer to Jesus I need to bring my thoughts more into subjection,10 especially when there is an overload of thoughts about all the things that are not going well. Whenever I take time with the Lord and some thoughts about my work come in, it saps my focus on His Word.
Meditating is not easy for me. I’ve found that the best time for me to meditate is right when I wake up in the morning. There is a moment when I’m still in the spirit world, many times connected to a dream, and as my mind wants to let thoughts of the day and the work come in, I shut out those thoughts and hold on to the Lord, thinking about Him, loving Him, praising Him, and thinking about the good things, the many things I can be thankful for.11
The Lord is showing me that He is all that matters. Everything else can fall apart. The circumstances of our situation may not change at all, but if we look to Him, we don’t have to worry about any plans and projects. If they are His plans and projects, He has to do it. And if they are not, we don’t want to do them anyway. Only He can solve those problems. It’s all under His control. The most important thing is Him and our love for Him. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.”12
PS added two months later: We can see how the Lord honors our trust in Him. He never fails! Here are some miracles He did in removing the obstacles we faced:
The Minister of Education intervened: after one week all the confiscated building materials were returned and the construction of our school is under way again.
The Minister also promised to work out the payment of our teachers, which will be another miracle, as the department that is responsible for this is known to ignore such requests, pocketing the money which is supposed to go to the teachers for as long as possible.
Lenka’s cyst disappeared, and besides battling the heat, her health is doing very well.
Concerning the adoption, we still don’t know how this will work out, but even if it doesn’t, we are thankful for the adopted child that the Lord gave us six years ago. She is such a treasure, and we have peace that everything is in God’s hands.
We don’t have to worry about anything, but rather just trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Him.
1 1 Timothy 6:12.
2 1 John 4:18.
3 Isaiah 43:5.
4 Exodus 14:14.
5 Psalm 27:13–14.
6 John 14:27.
7 Matthew 6:33–34.
8 New York: Prentice-Hall, 1957, 79–80.
9 See Matthew 18:3.
10 2 Corinthians 10:5.
11 Philippians 4:6–8.
12 Matthew 22:37–38.
By John W.
As all our plans seemed to be falling apart, I was attacked with fear, discouragement, and worry. There were no solutions in sight at all!
Our little family wants to adopt another one or two abandoned kids in Congo. But there is a new law which forbids taking adopted kids out of the country. They even put two white people in prison recently who tried to take out orphans.
The head chief is still blocking the further construction of our school buildings, asking for bribes, and so far none of our contacts have been able to persuade him otherwise. The cadaster office wants us to pay bribes too, for further registration of the land where we build the school.
The Ministry of Education registered our school over a year ago but doesn’t pay the teachers yet, which means we have to carry that bill longer than expected.
The contact who helped us a lot in the city where we land before going into the bush doesn’t help anymore. No idea how we will continue without that help.
Although the Lord did a big miracle of supplying a nice place to stay in Kinshasa near the school which offered to take in Anissa free of charge, there arose a new challenge: after her operations Lenka has a cyst which is growing, and Congo is really not the place for such health issues. And I’ve been waiting for her here for two months already.
We didn’t know if all this happened because we were going over the top or because we were off track. We asked the Lord to show us why He allowed all this and what He had in mind. Abandoning our project? Not adopting kids after He told us to do it? It wasn’t easy to accept, but we had to be open.
Even if the Lord hasn’t shown us a solution to any of these problems at this time, He has shown us clearly not to worry, but to trust Him.
He also showed me a new tactic. Whenever a negative thought, doubt, or fear comes up, I should raise my shield of faith and immediately think about Him. The same goes for any other problems, weaknesses, or temptations. Whenever anything negative comes up, I should just ask Jesus for help. If sadness appears, ask Him for joy. If weariness tries to come in, ask Him for strength. Feeling confused, ask Him for clarity, etc. I’m still learning to apply this, but I can see it has helped me to stay closer to Him and have His strength to “fight the good fight of faith.”1
One day, as I was feeling very low, I received word that the 40-year-old cousin of our friend in Kinshasa had died that morning in the hospital. All she had was pneumonia! So many people here die in the hospital for lack of proper care. Then I found out that she and her now widowed husband have ten kids, and seven grandkids, and not enough money to pay the hospital bill or for the burial. I really felt sorry for them, and suddenly my problems were small. Thinking of other people’s bigger problems can bring things back into perspective real quick. Even if all our plans and projects fail, so what!? He’s still there, we are still alive, and He always has a solution.
During this time I felt so weak that I had to spend extra time with Jesus and His Word, which strengthens my faith and love for Him and drives out fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.”2 “Fear not: for I am with thee.”3 “The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”4
I didn’t feel strong enough to do a lot of physical activities. I didn’t even know exactlywhat He wanted me to do, so I opted to lie low and take more time to read and study His Word and listen to His voice. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”5 I took more time to rest and meditate. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”6
In the article “The Spiritual Disciplines: Celebration” I saw these famous verses in a new light: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow.”7 Peter says: “This doesn’t mean we take no action, but that we bring our needs and concerns before God in prayer, and in doing so, that we put our confidence in His love and care rather than worrying.” I always thought that “seeking His kingdom” meant that I have to do something for the Lord, but before doing so, I should first seek Him.
My wife sent me some helpful quotes from the book Stay Alive All Your Life by Norman Vincent Peale:
See your fears for what they are; then stand up to them and kill them. But in doing this you must have, not bravado, but faith. Nor is it a vague kind of faith; it is a strong, substantial faith in God. Only faith in God can kill your fear. The ultimate technique for ending worry is to bring God into every fear situation. No fear can live in the presence of God. The deeper your faith in God becomes, the less power fear will have over you. The Bible outlines the process, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).8
The Lord has also shown me to be more childlike in my faith. Children have so much faith and overcome obstacles much easier than adults. No wonder Jesus said that we need to be like children.9 They generally don’t worry about things, and if they do, it usually gets solved quite quickly and easily. They usually have a positive, carefree attitude which I’d like to acquire.
In this process of drawing closer to Jesus I need to bring my thoughts more into subjection,10 especially when there is an overload of thoughts about all the things that are not going well. Whenever I take time with the Lord and some thoughts about my work come in, it saps my focus on His Word.
Meditating is not easy for me. I’ve found that the best time for me to meditate is right when I wake up in the morning. There is a moment when I’m still in the spirit world, many times connected to a dream, and as my mind wants to let thoughts of the day and the work come in, I shut out those thoughts and hold on to the Lord, thinking about Him, loving Him, praising Him, and thinking about the good things, the many things I can be thankful for.11
The Lord is showing me that He is all that matters. Everything else can fall apart. The circumstances of our situation may not change at all, but if we look to Him, we don’t have to worry about any plans and projects. If they are His plans and projects, He has to do it. And if they are not, we don’t want to do them anyway. Only He can solve those problems. It’s all under His control. The most important thing is Him and our love for Him. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.”12
PS added two months later: We can see how the Lord honors our trust in Him. He never fails! Here are some miracles He did in removing the obstacles we faced:
The Minister of Education intervened: after one week all the confiscated building materials were returned and the construction of our school is under way again.
The Minister also promised to work out the payment of our teachers, which will be another miracle, as the department that is responsible for this is known to ignore such requests, pocketing the money which is supposed to go to the teachers for as long as possible.
Lenka’s cyst disappeared, and besides battling the heat, her health is doing very well.
Concerning the adoption, we still don’t know how this will work out, but even if it doesn’t, we are thankful for the adopted child that the Lord gave us six years ago. She is such a treasure, and we have peace that everything is in God’s hands.
We don’t have to worry about anything, but rather just trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Him.
1 1 Timothy 6:12.
2 1 John 4:18.
3 Isaiah 43:5.
4 Exodus 14:14.
5 Psalm 27:13–14.
6 John 14:27.
7 Matthew 6:33–34.
8 New York: Prentice-Hall, 1957, 79–80.
9 See Matthew 18:3.
10 2 Corinthians 10:5.
11 Philippians 4:6–8.
12 Matthew 22:37–38.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Faith of Christians in Niger Grows Stronger in Face of Unprecedented Violence
Morning Star News, Jan. 23, 2015
Christians in Niger are joyfully meeting in homes under police protection as they plan to rebuild church buildings and houses after attacks last weekend (Jan. 16-18) that were unprecedented in scale.
“Nothing of this magnitude has ever happened in this nation,” wrote one missionary couple in the capital, Niamey. “Nearly every church in the capital city of Niamey was burned or looted, along with some schools and orphanages and several other churches and Christian homes throughout the nation.”
Muslims protesting the depiction of the prophet of Islam in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo destroyed 72 church buildings and killed at least 10 people in attacks that began in Zinder on Jan. 16 and hit Niamey the next day, according to Christian support organization Open Doors. A church leader today put the total of ruined church structures at 68, and a final count remained uncertain.
Analysts suspect a growing amount of Islamic extremist preaching, coupled with political rivals fanning flames of furor over Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou participating in a unity march in Paris against the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo offices, contributed to the scale of the attacks. More than 170 people were reported to have been injured.
“Last night the church members met for prayer as the pastor, who lost everything, encouraged them by flashlight to not only stand strong, but to move forward and to know that this attack will grow the church,” wrote the missionary couple to concerned partners. “The room was dark on the outside but illuminated by the fire in the hearts of His people, even as stones were being thrown on the roof.”
In spite of the violence, so many present at the church meeting were eager to share testimonies of God’s faithfulness during the attacks that they were asked to wait until Sunday, they added.
The Rev. Mai’aki Kadaidai, president of the Evangelical Church in the Niger Republic (EERN), told Morning Star News by phone that attacks on Christians and churches were spread across five regions and the capital.
“This is the first time we are witnessing violence of this magnitude against the church and Christians,” Kadaidai said. “In all, 68 churches were destroyed across five regions of Agadez, Damagaram, Diffa, Maradi, Zinder, and in our country’s capital city of Niamey. The Muslim rioters destroyed five of our [EERN] churches, destroyed four homes of our pastors and many of our members were adversely affected.”
Attacks began on Jan. 16 in Zinder with the destruction of several church buildings and Christian-owned homes. Several other towns suffered damages as the violence spread to the capital by the next day, with angry Muslims also looting shops, attacking police stations, bars and hotels, and ransacking businesses that were either of French origin or owned by non-Muslims.
Charlie Hebdo had published a cover cartoon of Muhammad carrying a sign with the slogan (“I am Charlie”) that signified solidarity with free speech and the 12 victims of the shooting deaths by two Islamic terrorists at the magazine’s offices on Jan. 7. Depictions of Muhammad are forbidden in most branches of Islam, and prominent schools of Islamic jurisprudence prescribe death for defaming him.
Muslims make up about 98 percent of Niger’s population and have lived in relative peace with the country’s miniscule (0.3 percent) Christian minority. In spite of growing Islamic extremist elements within the country, few in Niger expected to hear the chants of “Kill the infidels, kill the Christians,” as protesters ransacked the nation. Niger was unranked on Open Doors’ 2015 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.
Christians in Niger are joyfully meeting in homes under police protection as they plan to rebuild church buildings and houses after attacks last weekend (Jan. 16-18) that were unprecedented in scale.
“Nothing of this magnitude has ever happened in this nation,” wrote one missionary couple in the capital, Niamey. “Nearly every church in the capital city of Niamey was burned or looted, along with some schools and orphanages and several other churches and Christian homes throughout the nation.”
Muslims protesting the depiction of the prophet of Islam in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo destroyed 72 church buildings and killed at least 10 people in attacks that began in Zinder on Jan. 16 and hit Niamey the next day, according to Christian support organization Open Doors. A church leader today put the total of ruined church structures at 68, and a final count remained uncertain.
Analysts suspect a growing amount of Islamic extremist preaching, coupled with political rivals fanning flames of furor over Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou participating in a unity march in Paris against the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo offices, contributed to the scale of the attacks. More than 170 people were reported to have been injured.
“Last night the church members met for prayer as the pastor, who lost everything, encouraged them by flashlight to not only stand strong, but to move forward and to know that this attack will grow the church,” wrote the missionary couple to concerned partners. “The room was dark on the outside but illuminated by the fire in the hearts of His people, even as stones were being thrown on the roof.”
In spite of the violence, so many present at the church meeting were eager to share testimonies of God’s faithfulness during the attacks that they were asked to wait until Sunday, they added.
The Rev. Mai’aki Kadaidai, president of the Evangelical Church in the Niger Republic (EERN), told Morning Star News by phone that attacks on Christians and churches were spread across five regions and the capital.
“This is the first time we are witnessing violence of this magnitude against the church and Christians,” Kadaidai said. “In all, 68 churches were destroyed across five regions of Agadez, Damagaram, Diffa, Maradi, Zinder, and in our country’s capital city of Niamey. The Muslim rioters destroyed five of our [EERN] churches, destroyed four homes of our pastors and many of our members were adversely affected.”
Attacks began on Jan. 16 in Zinder with the destruction of several church buildings and Christian-owned homes. Several other towns suffered damages as the violence spread to the capital by the next day, with angry Muslims also looting shops, attacking police stations, bars and hotels, and ransacking businesses that were either of French origin or owned by non-Muslims.
Charlie Hebdo had published a cover cartoon of Muhammad carrying a sign with the slogan (“I am Charlie”) that signified solidarity with free speech and the 12 victims of the shooting deaths by two Islamic terrorists at the magazine’s offices on Jan. 7. Depictions of Muhammad are forbidden in most branches of Islam, and prominent schools of Islamic jurisprudence prescribe death for defaming him.
Muslims make up about 98 percent of Niger’s population and have lived in relative peace with the country’s miniscule (0.3 percent) Christian minority. In spite of growing Islamic extremist elements within the country, few in Niger expected to hear the chants of “Kill the infidels, kill the Christians,” as protesters ransacked the nation. Niger was unranked on Open Doors’ 2015 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.
Monday, January 26, 2015
The Religion Of The Masonic Lodge
by David Padfield
The Masonic Lodge claims six million members worldwide. In its ranks you will find some of the greatest men in American history. Men like Henry Ford, General Douglas MacArthur, George Washington and 12 other U.S. presidents. You will also find doctors, lawyers, judges and, unfortunately, many Christians.
I have a great deal of respect for Freemasons as individuals. Many of my uncles are in the Lodge. While I respect these men, I hold their lodge in total abhorrence. It is an insidious evil for it duplicates the sin of Absalom when he "stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:6). Masonry will steal the heart of a Christian. The Masonic temple is the temple of Baal, and at its altar unsuspecting men solemnly vow their lives to a pagan god.
If we can establish that Masonry is a religion, then surely any honest Christian would feel compelled to abandon the Lodge. God's prophet of old asked, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Can a man worship the God of Masonry and the God of the Bible at the same time? In Matthew 12:30 Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad."
Is Masonry A Religion?
The answer to this question depends upon whom you ask. The Grand Lodge of Indiana publishes a small tract titledFreemasonry, A Way Of Life. This tract, given to outsiders, says, "Though religious in character, Masonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for one." This would be good, except the story changes after a man has become a Mason. For example, the Indiana Monitor says, "Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational, and religious society." The Kentucky Monitor goes even further when it states, "...as Masons we are taught that no man should ever enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity. This is because Masonry is a religious institution..." Albert Pike (a 33rd Degree Mason), one of the most celebrated Masonic scholars, claims that "every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion." (Morals and Dogma, p. 213). This book was published under the auspices of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree of the Scottish Rite.
The problem is that the Lodge lies to candidates before their initiation. "Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hereticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it ... So Masonry jealously conceals its secrets, and intentionally leads conceited interpreters away." (Morals and Dogma, p. 105). Can you imagine a sane man joining any organization if he knew they were going to "intentionally" mislead him?
Another Masonic scholar, Albert Mackey (a 33rd Degree Mason), claims the only reason to defend Masonry is because of its religious element. "I contend, without any sort of hesitation, that Masonry is, in every sense of the word, except one, and that its least philosophical, an eminently religious institution that it is indebted solely to the religious element which it contains for its origin and for its continued existence, that without this religious element it would scarcely be worthy of cultivation by the wise and good." (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p. 727).
The Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist church has issued a report urging men not to join the Masonic Lodge since it is a "competitor of Christianity." The report also states, "There is a great danger that the Christian who becomes a Freemason will find himself compromising his Christian beliefs or his allegiance to Christ, perhaps without realizing what he is doing." (Evansville Courier, June 13, 1985). If the Methodist church can understand this, why can't some of my brethren? Listen to Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"
Attitude Towards The Bible
One of my greatest concerns about the Lodge is its attitude towards the Bible. "The Volume of the Sacred Law is an indispensable part of the furniture of a Lodge. In our jurisdiction it is usually the Bible, but any candidate not a Christian may have substituted for it any other volume which he considers sacred: e.g., the Old Testament, Koran, Vedas, or Laws of Confucius. In one lodge in China, there are three Sacred Books open on the altar at the same time, and the candidate elects one of the three on which he is obligated." (Indiana Monitor, p. 38). While the Bible might be described in various ways, it is not a piece of furniture! It is the source of all religious truth. It is the book of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
When a candidate bows before the Masonic altar he kisses the "Volume of Sacred Law." This volume can be any book he deems to be religious. "The explanation of the presence of the Holy Bible on the altar could not tell the whole story, although true in itself. It represents the Sacred Book of the Law, but has not exclusive rights as such on the altar of Freemasonry, for the supremely sane reason that no one religion has exclusive rights within the Fraternity. The Vedas of the Brahman, the Zend-Avesta of the Parsee, the Koran of the Mohammedan, have, among Masons of these faiths, as rightful a place upon our altar as the Holy Bible. In any faith, however, its Sacred Book of Law is the symbol of man's acknowledgement of and his relation to Deity. And in this universality of Masonry we find one of our greatest lessons: Toleration." (The Entered Apprentice, Grand Lodge of Indiana, p. 14). This toleration is too much for any man who claims to be a Christian.
Barbaric Oaths
If nothing else, the oath a man takes when he joins the Lodge ought to forever settle the question, "Can A Christian Be A Mason?" While blindfolded, half naked and kneeling at the altar, the candidate takes an oath swearing he will never reveal the "secrets of the Lodge." The oath ends with these words: "I furthermore promise and swear that I will not write, print, stamp, stain, cut, carve, hew, mark or engrave them on anything moveable or immovable, capable of receiving the least impression of a sign, word, syllable, letter or character, whereby they may become legible or intelligible to any person under the canopy of heaven, and the secrets of Masonry be thereby unlawfully obtained by my unworthiness. All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep the same, without the least equivocation, mental reservation or secret evasion whatsoever, binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots and buried in the sands of the sea at low water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I in the least, knowingly or wittingly, violate or transgress this my Entered Apprentice Obligation. So help me God and keep me steadfast." (King Solomon's Temple, Indiana edition, pp. 24, 25). What a contrast to our Lord who said "do not swear at all ... but let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.'" (Matt. 5:33-37).
To those who are in the Lodge, let me beg you to heed the words of Paul and "come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor. 6:17).
The Religion Of The Masonic Lodge, a very detailed sermon outline which explains that the Masonic Lodge is a religion -- a religion that is not compatible with the religion of Jesus Christ. The lesson explores the "secret" ritual of the Blue Lodge and the barbaric oaths that are taken at the Masonic altar. Freemasonry is a pagan religion and Hiram Abiff is a false saviour (PDF file size: 292k).
This article is also available as a free Bible tract that you can reprint.
You can also read an article on Captain William Morgan, a man who was filled by Freemasons in Batavia, New York.
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Sunday, January 25, 2015
I Found Out Where God Lives! Do You Know Where?
By Dennis Edwards:
Do you know where God lives? I think most people would say in Heaven. I was reading in the Bible the other day and came across God’s habitation. In Isaiah it says,
“For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”[1]
In other words, God lives in a humble heart!
In Psalms we find something similar when David prays,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”[2]
Again, we see the importance of a humble or broken heart.
In another Psalm we read,
“But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”[3]
God is saying He lives in the praises of His people. If we have praise on our lips and within our heart, God's presence is with us.
In another Psalm we read,
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.”[4] "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs."[5]
God is more pleased with our attitude of praise and thanksgiving, than any sacrifice we could offer Him in goods or money.
“For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”[1]
In other words, God lives in a humble heart!
In Psalms we find something similar when David prays,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”[2]
Again, we see the importance of a humble or broken heart.
In another Psalm we read,
“But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”[3]
God is saying He lives in the praises of His people. If we have praise on our lips and within our heart, God's presence is with us.
In another Psalm we read,
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.”[4] "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs."[5]
God is more pleased with our attitude of praise and thanksgiving, than any sacrifice we could offer Him in goods or money.
So what have we learned? We have learned that God dwells in a broken heart. He dwells with those who are thankful, regardless of what problems or hardships they are going through. He dwells with those whose hearts and lips are full of praise.
Has your heart been broken by disappointment, by failure, by the lack of love of others, by the seemingly bad circumstances in your life? Take heart, be thankful. God loves you and is near to those of a broken heart. Offer to Him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and He will be with you. Paul admonishes,
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."[6]
In another place we read,
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice!"[7]
It seems like praise is something very important!
But, if you are feeling far from God, remember, God is not far from any of us, as Paul teaches.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.”[8]
Has your heart been broken by disappointment, by failure, by the lack of love of others, by the seemingly bad circumstances in your life? Take heart, be thankful. God loves you and is near to those of a broken heart. Offer to Him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and He will be with you. Paul admonishes,
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."[6]
In another place we read,
It seems like praise is something very important!
But, if you are feeling far from God, remember, God is not far from any of us, as Paul teaches.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.”[8]
Are you trying to do good and love others, but things don’t seem to have worked out for you? Don’t fret. God’s word says,
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears; and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.”[9]
Keep humble. Keep trusting in the Lord. Keep doing good. For He has promised, if you commit your way unto Him and trust also in Him, that He will bring it to pass.[10]
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears; and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.”[9]
Keep humble. Keep trusting in the Lord. Keep doing good. For He has promised, if you commit your way unto Him and trust also in Him, that He will bring it to pass.[10]
And if you have yet to enter into personal relationship with Jesus, and you hear Him knocking at the door to your heart; just open up and let Him in. He says,
"Behold, I stand at the door , and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." [11]
Don't you want to fellowship with the God of the universe? He’s better than Mr. Clean and will renew your heart and mind and give you joy unspeakable. It’s just that simple. He’s just that wonderful. Try Him, you won't be disappointed.
"Behold, I stand at the door , and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." [11]
Don't you want to fellowship with the God of the universe? He’s better than Mr. Clean and will renew your heart and mind and give you joy unspeakable. It’s just that simple. He’s just that wonderful. Try Him, you won't be disappointed.
[1] Isaiah 57:15
[2] Psalm 51:10, 15-17
[3] Psalm 22:3
[4] Psalm 116:17
[5] Psalm 69: 30-31
[6] 1Thessalonians 5:18
[7] Philippians 4:4
[8] Acts 17: 24-28
[9] Psalm 34: 17-18
[10] Psalm 37: 5
[11] Revelation 3:20
Friday, January 23, 2015
Nietzsche's "Death of God" quote!
Contemplation on Nietzsche by Dennis Edwards
THE MADMAN
"Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market place, and cried incessantly: "I seek God! I seek God!" -- As many of those who did not believe in God were standing around just then, he provoked much laughter. Has he got lost? asked one. Did he lose his way like a child? asked another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? emigrated? -- Thus they yelled and laughed.
"The madman jumped into their midst and pierced them with his eyes. "Whither is God?" he cried; "I will tell you. We have killed him -- you and I. All of us are his murderers. But how did we do this? How could we drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon? What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plunging continually? Backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there still any up or down? Are we not straying, as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is not night continually closing in on us? Do we not need to light lanterns in the morning? Do we hear nothing as yet of the noise of the gravediggers who are burying God? Do we smell nothing as yet of the divine decomposition? Gods, too, decompose. God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.
"How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it? There has never been a greater deed; and whoever is born after us -- for the sake of this deed he will belong to a higher history than all history hitherto.
"Here the madman fell silent and looked again at his listeners; and they, too, were silent and stared at him in astonishment. At last he threw his lantern on the ground, and it broke into pieces and went out. "I have come too early," he said then; "my time is not yet. This tremendous event is still on its way, still wandering; it has not yet reached the ears of men. Lightning and thunder require time; the light of the stars requires time; deeds, though done, still require time to be seen and heard. This deed is still more distant from them than most distant stars -- and yet they have done it themselves.
"It has been related further that on the same day the madman forced his way into several churches and there struck up his requiem aeternam deo. Led out and called to account, he is said always to have replied nothing but: "What after all are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?"1
Dennis Edwards: Nietzsche knew that the rejection of God would plummet mankind into an endless abyss of hopelessness. Jesus said the love of many would wax cold as a result of the increase in iniquity in the last days. Has it not become colder? It certainly seems like in our lifetime that it's become a bit colder even with all the talk of global warming! Is not night continually closing in on us? We have chosen darkness rather than light, because our deeds are evil. We have rejected the love and light of God. We have killed Him and have embraced the darkness. That darkness that promised us liberty was itself the servant of corruption and now we are in bondage to it. We cannot escape.
But there is an escape. God has made a way of escape. Turn around and call out to the Father in Jesus' name and He will hear you. He that confesses and forsakes the way of darkness shall have mercy. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."2 Are you seeking the truth? Then come to the light, the light of Christ, the true light and He will set you free! As Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."3
1. http://historyguide.org/europe/madman.html [Original source: Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science (1882, 1887) para. 125; Walter Kaufmann ed. (New York: Vintage, 1974), pp.181-82.]
2. John 8:12
3. John 8:31,32
France to get better guns, more intel agents to fight terror
By Sylvie Corbet And Nicolas Vaux-Montagny, AP, Jan 21, 2015
PARIS (AP)—France announced sweeping new measures to counter homegrown terrorism Wednesday, including giving security forces better weapons and protection, going on an intelligence agent hiring spree and creating a better database of anyone suspected of extremist links.
The measures detailed by Prime Minister Manuel Valls came as four men were handed preliminary charges of providing logistical support to one of the Paris terror attackers—the first charges issued for three days of mayhem that left 20 people dead, including three gunmen.
The new security measures include increased intelligence-gathering on jihadis and other radicals, in part by making it easier to tap phones. Valls said Internet providers and social networks “have a legal responsibility under French law” to comply with the new measures.
Some 2,600 counter-terrorism officers will be hired, 1,100 of them specifically for intelligence services. Anti-terror surveillance is needed for 3,000 people with ties to France—some at home, others abroad, the prime minister said.
France will spend 425 million euros ($490 million) over the next three years for all the counter-terror efforts, he said.
France has repeatedly strengthened its counterterrorism laws over the years, including a measure passed in November that focused on preventing French extremists from joining fighters abroad. Another measure—expected to be activated in the coming weeks—would allow authorities to ask Internet service providers to block sites that glorify terrorism.
PARIS (AP)—France announced sweeping new measures to counter homegrown terrorism Wednesday, including giving security forces better weapons and protection, going on an intelligence agent hiring spree and creating a better database of anyone suspected of extremist links.
The measures detailed by Prime Minister Manuel Valls came as four men were handed preliminary charges of providing logistical support to one of the Paris terror attackers—the first charges issued for three days of mayhem that left 20 people dead, including three gunmen.
The new security measures include increased intelligence-gathering on jihadis and other radicals, in part by making it easier to tap phones. Valls said Internet providers and social networks “have a legal responsibility under French law” to comply with the new measures.
Some 2,600 counter-terrorism officers will be hired, 1,100 of them specifically for intelligence services. Anti-terror surveillance is needed for 3,000 people with ties to France—some at home, others abroad, the prime minister said.
France will spend 425 million euros ($490 million) over the next three years for all the counter-terror efforts, he said.
France has repeatedly strengthened its counterterrorism laws over the years, including a measure passed in November that focused on preventing French extremists from joining fighters abroad. Another measure—expected to be activated in the coming weeks—would allow authorities to ask Internet service providers to block sites that glorify terrorism.
Quotation from Chris Jackson "The Two Lives - Which Will You Live!"
“There are 2 lives awaiting you. The first is the life of common sense & sensibility. It is the safe, risk-free life of conventional wisdom & practicality. Many people settle into this vein of living. They go to college, they attend church, they marry, they have children, they retire. And often they love God. As wonderful as all these things are, they still wrestle with a secret question: ‘Is there more to life? Is this the extent of the life I anticipated when I came to Jesus?’ The Lord will still love you if you choose the ordinary life. But then there is the other life—THE LIFE THAT YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE. The life that has been buried deep inside of you—buried so deep, in fact, that sometimes only an encounter with Eternity can awaken it. This is the life that whispers to you in your dreams. This is the life that will ruin you for all other living. This life will break your heart 1,000 times & fill you with the inspiration to change the world. It will be a harder life than you ever dreamed you would live, but it will be more beautiful & satisfying than anything you have ever imagined. This is the life to which God is calling you.
Your relationship with God is real. You’re a hero. Do you believe that? Do you believe that you should stand alongside those people listed in Heb.11? Quite a résumé, isn’t it? Unfortunately, there’s more to the text - the Bible goes on to say that they were also: tortured, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in 2, persecuted, left destitute, & afflicted. But then the Bible gives them the ultimate commendation when it says that they were those ‘of whom the world was not worthy’ (v.38). Do you know that God views YOU that way? Do you know that He’s mindful of the price you’ve had to pay, & that Heaven is probably sick-&-tired of hearing Him brag about you? He loves you! His call to the other life was not a trick—there is more awaiting you! It will be more exciting than anything you can imagine. Your life will impact the world in a way that you’ll never understand until you see it from His eternal perspective in Heaven.” -- Chris Jackson
