Currently, loss of jobs is personally impacting many people. We know that prayer is our first defense against this frustration that leads some people to lose hope. However, material assistance along with listening and brainstorming is also great.

1 John 3:17-18 says, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Deuteronomy 8:18 tells us to remember the LORD our God, because it is HE that gives you power to get wealth! Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Be pure in heart, be encouraged, and be thankful!

POWER TO RUN

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, Source: openheaven.com and (ANS) assistnews.net

A missionary in Madhya Pradesh, India, named Chouhan, was kidnapped and beaten this past November. His captors told him to “read Hindu literature, leave the Christian faith, and worship one of their gods.” He refused and was beaten again and locked up for hours. While he prayed, he remembered John 16:33 that says, “. . . In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” and he received courage.

The next day he was able to get a ways from them and began to run. Many were chasing him, and he said, “I don't know from where I got such power to run.” He even fell in a small well, but God helped him to get out, run through the forest without fear, and finally reach safety.

Almighty God is supernatural. 1 Kings 18:44-46 tells us that Elijah told Ahab to prepare his chariot, and get to Jezreel. Verse 46 says, “And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. Elijah was on foot, and he outran Ahab in a horse and chariot. That was supernatural!

As we run the race set before us, let us believe God to do the impossible for us!

MORAL RELATIVISM

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, Source: Focus on the Family

In a random survey of 29,000 of America's school students, 64 percent had cheated on a test, 36 percent plagiarized their school work, 42 percent lied to save money, 30 percent admitted to shoplifting, and 93 percent seemed satisfied with their personal ethics. As is revealed in their behavior, relativism has contaminated our young people. Relativism is “the belief that concepts such as right and wrong, goodness and badness, or truth and falsehood are not absolute but change from culture to culture and situation to situation” (from Encarta Dictionary).

The absolute truth of God’s Word must be taught to our young children and maintained in our lives. Integrity and honesty should be seen by them as we obey the Scripture and love our neighbors as ourselves. This is how we counter the attack made on our children as the poison of moral relativism saturates much of the media and the people they will meet.

Read the Bible with your children. Pray with them. Show God to them by your example. This is God’s way.

JANUARY NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

Russia: Fifty-six religious organizations scheduled for ‘liquidation’ (ANS) assistnews.net

According to Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries, “Al Akimoff, Director of Youth With A Mission Slavic Ministries International, says that he has discovered that on October 15, 2008, a declaration unexpectedly appeared on the webpage of the Russian Ministry of Justice listing 56 religious organizations scheduled for “liquidation.”” Thirty-five of these are Protestant organizations. New visa laws pose new restrictions. It seems some Central Asian countries are following Moscow’s example.

Governor Sued Over Day of Prayer Focus on the Family, citizenlink.org

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and the state of Colorado are being sued by the Freedom From Religion Foundation over a state-sanctioned “Day of Prayer”. However, all 50 U.S. governors issued National Day of Prayer Proclamations in 2008.

Truck Prayer Room in Canada openheaven.com & joelnews.org

A church in Montreal, Canada, rents storage space for some of their prayer time. However, sometimes they rent a U-Haul truck to pray in for 24 hours! In this way they initiated their church to 24-7 prayer. Parking the truck at a gas station located on a main street in Montreal, many came and prayed for individual and the city. The station owner gave the team his electricity and extension cord. A ‘wailing wall’ inside the truck was full of prayer requests. It works for them! You can pray anywhere. Jonah found it proper to pray and repent in the belly of a whale. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man God will hear, where ever it is prayed!!

Hate Crimes Against Christians onenewsnow.com

Homosexual militants in California, Michigan, and elsewhere have increased attacks and harassment of supporters of traditional marriage. This is illegal. Homosexual activists have made it a regular practice to protest outside of California's churches. Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (CADC) is calling on law enforcement to provide protection. Cass contends that, in spite of increasing persecution, Christians must stand for what is right.

Right of Conscience American Family News Network

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has introduced legislation to protect medical personnel who object to providing services based on their religious beliefs. Without this, some hospitals could be forced to close and those who don’t do abortions could be forced out of healthcare.

February

TILL HE COMES

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff. Source: Donna Schambach. Donna has served at Schambach Ministries as both evangelist and general manager of the Global Outreach Center. She has traveled extensively to over 30 nations of the world as both minister and crusade organizer.

“Huge change is on the horizon politically; global unrest steadily increases; and a definite skittishness can be picked up from the most confident of financial wizards,” says Donna Schambach, of Schambach Ministries.

However, in Luke 19:13 Jesus said, “. . . Occupy till I come.” We do not idly wait for His coming, but we must be busy in the harvest field, and prayer is a priority. In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus taught us to pray, and that prayer begins with us talking to our Father in heaven.

“We must have a glimpse of eternity if we are going to be truly productive in kingdom business,” says Donna. Isaiah was changed when he saw the vision of the Lord on His throne (see Isaiah, Chapter 6). First he knew God had to purge him of sin, but then he immediately desired to be used by God! When he heard the voice of the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Donna says, “Judgment and finality are on our doorstep.” Luke 9:24 says, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

SCRIPTURES to read along with February Love of the Truth Newsletter: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans, Chapter 1, 1 John 1:7-9.

GLOBAL by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries, says that one of her guests often tells her, “We are just one global crisis away from global government.”

Markell says, “The words “global society” and “global economy” are mentioned often nowadays.”

America is being urged by European and Asian leaders to create a global financial system. The world is looking for a perfect solution and a perfect man, even at the cost of freedom. Markell says the world will, “. . . first accept regionalism and then globalism.”

GLOBAL TV AND TAX Source: Chad Groening - One News Now

Creation of a global television channel was discussed at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Also discussed was a global IRS, part of “The Global Agenda 2009” report. Cliff Kincaid, president of America's Survival, says, “They talk about this new channel having the ability to connect the world, to bridging cultures and people, and telling us who we are and what we mean to each other. I mean, it sounds like a global brainwashing system. . . .” Kincaid speculates how this relates to end times.

He says, “Clearly they're talking about this global order, the new world order, global taxes [and] now global TV put at the service of some kind of global ruler of the world. I don't know whether that would be the anti-Christ or not.”

FEBRUARY BASICS by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter Staff

CHOICE

What is choice? The words given in the Microsoft Word's Thesaurus for the word "choice" are as follows: option, selection, preference, pick, alternative. fill in the blank using the words above, individually. God has divinely given us this _________ because He loves us.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That leaves it up to the individual, not a government to dictate what you believe.

Must we always follow the flesh? It is left up to us and our faith to do the action of believing. Choose eternal life. (See Joshua 24:15, Deuteronomy 30:19, and John 10:10.)

FEBRUARY NEWS by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

Agenda Against God

Sources: Dr. David Reagan, head of Lamb Lion Ministries, Olive Tree Ministries, www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/civil_rights/, www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/women

Dr. David Reagan of Lamb Lion Ministries says, “We need to pray as we have never prayed before for our President. We need to pray for his heart to be softened and his ideas to be conformed to God's Word (Proverbs 21:1). And we need to pray that all his efforts to implement policies contrary to God's Word will be confused, frustrated, and defeated.”

According to Dr. Reagan, our new President’s agenda includes:

Defeat all constitutional effort to defend the definition of biblical marriage as being a union between one man and one woman.

Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. (This currently keeps states from being forced to recognize so-called "same-sex marriages")

Repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Pass "hate crimes" legislation granting homosexuals and cross dressers special rights denied to other Americans. (This will try to muzzle any criticism of homosexuality as being unbiblical and unnatural perversion.)

Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would force business owners (religious and otherwise) to abandon traditional values relative to sexual morality under penalty of law.

Expand "gay adoption."

Opposition to overturn of the Supreme Court's abortion decision in Roe v Wade.

Support of the Prevention First Act which would provides access to contraception and "preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies" (a euphemism for abortion).

Passage of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), radical abortion legislation.

Demand for division of the land of Israel.

Dr. David Reagan says, “God cannot be mocked, nor can He be deceived (Galatians 6:7). He will not sit idly by and allow our nation to turn its back on Him and do what we please.”

Legal Watch for 2009 Christian Law Association (CLA)

Christians are commanded to pray for their leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We do not agree with sin by praying for leaders we disagree with. It is how you pray that is important. Pray that God of the Holy Bible will make Himself known to them in truth.

“As we pray for our new President, for our Congress, and for our nation, there are several signposts that can help us evaluate just how helpful or unhelpful our new leaders will be in protecting our important religious liberties.” CLA lists the following as key issues to watch in 2009:

The Homosexual Agenda

Appointment of Federal Judges

The Life Agenda

Federalized Euthanasia

The Fairness Doctrine

Death By Mail onenewsnow.com

Montana has the highest suicide rate in our nation, according to Rita Marker of the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Even the flimsy safeguards found in Oregon and Washington (where doctor-assisted suicide is legal) are not in Montana's new assisted suicide law, making it without boundaries. Marker says terminally ill people can request death by phone, and a prescription for a lethal overdose can be mailed to them. Marker says it is judicial activism, malpractice, and arrogance.

Choose Your Own Gender worldnetdaily.com

The state of Massachusetts now allows drivers to select their gender on their license and identity cards. Genuine sex type (male or female) is now worthless in legal identification there. The gender you deem yourself to be is used officially. Men can show police legal and official Massachusetts identification that he is a woman if a medical provider agrees with him.

Conscience Clause Focus on the Family

Department of Health and Human Services has put regulations in place that protect health providers, so that they can opt out of performing abortions and other anti-life practices without fear of losing their jobs. Dr. David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical Association says, “We consider the right of conscience to be the biggest issue we face.”

Christian Lawyers openheaven.com, World Net Daily

A recommendation before the State Bar of Arizona wants to require all new lawyers to swear they won't let their personal religious perspective on homosexuality affect their representation of any client. Attorneys cannot practice law without bar association permission. Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel, says, “If they can license you out of defending traditional morality, they can eventually capture the whole court system.” He said controversial provisions are already in force in Minnesota and the District of Columbia.

March

STRATEGY

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Source: Focus on the Family & Concerned Women for America

John 10:10 first discloses the devil’s plans, and then it reveals God’s plans - “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The devil constantly tries to “wear out the saints of the Most High.” He is constantly trying to steal our souls, our health, and our freedoms, even stealing the lives of the unborn. He is successfully destroying people through sin.

According to Focus on the Family, gay forces have announced a “regional campaign” aimed at legalizing same-sex marriage in the six states of New England by 2012. They have a strategy. Atheists are trying to sue over inaugural prayers. The devil is trying to destroy every decent and moral thing in existence. He is trying to remove even the mention of God and the name of Jesus from our lives, BUT God wants to give us abundant life.

God has a strategy for his people to follow. Every individual in His Body, His army, must begin by loving God with all their hearts. Jesus said in Luke 10:27, “. . . Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

Beverly LaHaye, Founder and Chairman of Concerned Women For America (CWA) says that there is a proven, effective strategy of citizen action. She says, “I am talking about the power of unity—the power of caring Americans linking arms, hearts intertwined, marching toward a common, worthwhile goal.”

Truly there are some natural things we can do, but Ephesians 2:19 reminds us, “Now therefore ye are . . . fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” That is world wide!

What is the strategy of the saints, the army of God? Ephesians 4:3 says, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Our goal is to keep souls from going to hell. We must preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Persecution came to the early church. Acts 4:1-3 says, “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day. . . .” Acts 4:16-18 says, “Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

Acts 4:29-31 says, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

The book of Acts did not end. We are disciples of Jesus, and He said He will be with us until the end of the world. The Word of God applies to us today!

MARCH BASICS

by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter Staff

How bad do you want what God has for you? Do you want it bad enough that you can taste it? Does it make your mouth water as much as food commercials do? Do the words on the page of the Bible stick out like they are alive, or do they just look like black marks on a white page?

The Word of God says in Matthew 5:6 that, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” How hungry are you for change? “. . . This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting,” says Mark 9:29.

INPRISONED, BUT FORGIVEN

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

In “The Hiding Place”, Corrie ten Boom wrote how she and her family helped Jews escape persecution during the Holocaust. Found out, Corrie was sent to prison camp in Germany. Years later Corrie again met one of those prison guards. He had become a prisoner himself. He told her that he had accepted Jesus as his Savior. In her own words, Corrie told how she felt about that. Following is an excerpt from her book, “Not Good if Detached”:

In memory we both recall Carl’s cruelties of those days, but a joyful look lights his face as he says, “How happy I am that my sins have been taken away.” I say nothing, but a dark thought wells up in my soul: Is it as easy as that? Due to your barbarism and the cruelties of others, my father, Betsie, Kik, my cousin, and many of my friends perished in prisons and concentration camps. But you are no longer guilty!

It is an immutable law of God that man finds peace only when he is continually ready to forgive. Suddenly I see what I am doing. Carl’s sins have been cast by Jesus into the depths of the sea. They are forgiven and forgotten - and I am trying to fish them up again! I pray, “Father, in Jesus’ name forgive these thoughts. Lord Jesus, keep me close to you as the branch is close to the vine, that I may be able to forgive and forget, and love my enemies.”

Only now do I trust myself to speak again. “Indeed, Carl, your sins have been taken away. Our Lord has taken upon Himself the sins of the whole world, including yours and mine.”

Because God gave Corrie grace to forgive, she went a step further and asked for amnesty for the man. Forgiveness opens the door for more of God in your heart and for His goodness to flow to others.

MARCH NEWS

Source: One News Now

Planned Parenthood Exits Texas

After 12 years, Planned Parenthood clinics, 19 of them, are all gone from Texas, due to the efforts of the American Life League. One spokesperson says this can be done elsewhere if you are determined. Information is available at http://www.stopp.org.

Mileage Tax or I SEE YOU?

The government is considering taxing motorists on the amount of miles driven. Pilot programs have been tried in some places already. Mileage tracking would be done by Global Positioning System (GPS) units on vehicles. David Williams, vice-president of Citizens Against Government Waste, says, “You know, this is the first step - you put a GPS unit in every car to, quote, 'track mileage.' And what else are they going to monitor?”

In the coming persecution, truly Colossians 3:3 must come to pass for God’s people, “. . . and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

April

SOUL WINNING by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Source: The Legal Alert, www.christianlaw.org

Source: Brother Clendennen, www.schoolofchristinternational.com

In Matthew 9:37 Jesus said, “. . . The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;” Then he admonishes us in Verse 38 to pray, “. . . the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” How radical are you for Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus is Lord and that people who don’t obey God will go to hell? Do you care if anybody else besides you goes to heaven?

The Christian Law Association (CLA) published an article about a pastor who promised God that he would lead at least one soul to Christ each day. Matthew 21:33-46 influenced this commitment to the Lord. Over 14 years later, he says that God has brought someone searching for Jesus into his life EVERY day! At first this pastor was nervous about finding someone every day, but he learned to start in the morning hours. He has witnessed and won souls to Christ on streets, in stores, at funerals, and other places.

CLA mentioned another pastor who asked God to allow him to see one soul saved every day for the rest of his life! He believes God to put souls who need salvation in his path. He says that only rarely does it take more than an hour to win a soul to Jesus. He says usually the first person he witnesses to gets saved, but once it was past 11 p.m. before it happened. In his experience, people have come to know Jesus in homes, parks, offices, airports, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and truck stops.

Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “. . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Another preacher, Brother Clendennen says, “The actual call of Jesus and the response of single minded obedience have an irrevocable significance.” He also says, “The man who disobeys cannot believe, for only he who obeys can believe. When you find it hard to believe, it is a sign of deliberate or unconscious disobedience.”

“Go ye,” is a command. Brother Clendennen says, “If you believe, take the first step. . . . No one wants to know about your faith or unbelief, your orders are to perform the act of obedience on the spot. Then you will find yourself in the place where faith becomes possible. James 2:18 says, “. . . shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” Proverb 11:30 says, “. . . he that winneth souls is wise.”

GOT TROUBLE? by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

“The easiest way out of your trouble is to shout your way out. Sing your way out. Praise your way out. This is the way out,” an 83 year old preacher named Brother Schambach says.

Psalm 27:5-6 says, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

Sometimes we need God to tell us which way to go. Psalm 27:11 says, “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” Verse 14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. . . .” (See also all of Psalm, Chapter 46.)

Confuse the devil and praise the Lord when you are in trouble. Don’t lose your JOY, because God has promised help. Shout and praise God for the victory! The devil is a liar!

Calamity by Sharon Cromwell, Source: WorldNetDaily.com

A highly respected pastor in New York, David Wilkerson, has said that he is “compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message”. He recently prophesied of, “an imminent ‘earth-shattering calamity’ centered in New York City that will spread to major urban areas across the country and around the world – part of what he sees as a judgment from God,” according to World Net Daily. His vision is of fires raging through New York City. He says, “It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires – such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago. There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide.” Wilkerson says, “God is judging the raging sins of America and the nations,” and recommends everyone to stockpile a 30-day supply of food and other necessities, because he says, “. . . I know it is not far off.”

APRIL NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

SILENCING CHRISTIANS

Cancelled Documentary - OneNewsNow

American Family Association (AFA) bought prime-time slots from a West Michigan NBC affiliate television channel to air “Speechless: Silencing the Christians”, but then the station cancelled it, refusing to air a documentary on the homosexual agenda.

No Prayer to Jesus? - OneNewsNow

Six chaplains resigned from the volunteer chaplain program when a new policy required generic prayers at Virginia State Police events. Rex Carter, a State Police officer, was told he could not pray in the name of Jesus. Rex says, “The cross reveals man at his worst. People don't want to look in the mirror and say, 'I'm just an old rotten sinner.' When you preach a precept like that, that bothers people. So what do we do? Well, let's [quiet] people and let's let the Christian crowd be quiet because we don't want to hear that we serve a righteous and holy God, we don't want to hear there's judgment coming, we don't want to hear that there was a man who died for my sins.”

Alternate Fairness Doctrine? -

The Pastor’s Briefing

The U.S. Senate passed a ban on the Fairness Doctrine, but right after that, they passed policies on media ownership that rivaled the restrictions of the Fairness Doctrine! They want to silence Jesus and morality.

PERSECUTION

Kenya - We received this information by email directly from these precious people in Kenya last month. (edited and names withheld for safety)

“Today our government has declared publicly that it’s lacking enough funds to run its government, as they are saying that there is no good relationship between prime minister and president. As you know formed collision government from different political parties. Now everybody is doing his own things while people they lead suffer famine. Already a number of women and children have began dying and rains is not for many months. We kindly request for your prayers for peace and stability of our nation. We do not want such turmoil of last year to come again in our nation. Getting foods has begun being a big problem. You need to travel for long distance to buy foods very expensively.”

God bless you,

Kenyan Pastor

GOOD REPORT (Philippians 4:8)

Prayer at Local Job Fair -

breakingchristiannews.com

In Alabama a pastor organized a community-wide prayer and comfort service. People came and prayed for employment seekers at a job fair at a local High School, and hundreds responded. The pastor stated, “At one point in time, the line for prayer was longer than any line for jobs. You can weather a lot of storms if you know somebody cares, particularly if they know that God cares.”

Knit in the Womb - OneNewsNow

A Canadian preteen named Lia spoke against abortion in her school's speech contest. In her speech she says, “What if I told you that right now someone was choosing if you were going to live or die? What if I told you that this choice wasn't based on what you could or couldn’t do, what you had done in the past, or what you would do in the future? And what if I told you [that] you could nothing about it? Fellow students and teachers, thousands of children are right now in that very situation.” Because of her topic choice, school officials said Lia could not take part in the contest, but her teacher changed her mind. Lia won, although several other situations erupted before she was awarded winner of the class. Lia was asked to remove this portion but refused: [F]etuses are definitely humans knit together in their mother's womb by their wonderful Creator who knows them all by name.”

EDUCATION

Bible Memorization Keeps Kids -

Associated Press

A survey was made of adults who had spent at least 6 years in a certain Christian club as a child where they memorized Bible verses. The president of that club said, “[W]e found that over 90-plus percent of these kids [now adults] remained faithful to the things of God or faithful in church, and are still active in their faith - even sharing Christ with others.” Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Our History Textbooks - OneNewsNow

Some history textbooks downplay Christianity in America's founding and history. Now Christian historian David Barton says that children have no basis for identifying the, “. . . educational trend that presents a biased view of Islam and a sugarcoated picture of Islamic extremism.” In his report about Islam in the Classroom, Gilbert T. Sewall says he finds disturbing deficiencies in Islam-related lessons. “[K]ey subjects like jihad, Islamic law, [and] the status of women are whitewashed." Sewall told Fox News it was, “. . . a treatment he attributes to pressure from Islamic activists on publishers to downplay Islamic terrorism and shine a favorable light on the religion.”

MAY

WHEN TO VENT by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Christians are bought by the blood of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, whose life was violently taken by sinners. Jesus was crucified, but He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. . . .” As Stephen was martyred, his killers heard him say, “Lord lay not this sin to their charge.”

We like to express how we feel; we like to “vent”. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. . . .” We must overcome our desire to “get back” or to let the tongue flow freely!

Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” God highly regards self control.

Romans 12:18-21 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Vent in prayer, not accusing, but interceding. Talk to God about it. Do the spiritual warfare, and win the battle against the devil, the real enemy. This is God’s way for you to “vent”.

References: Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, John 3:16, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 25:15, Isaiah 9:6, Ephesians 4:26, Isaiah 55:8-9.

MAY BASICS by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staff

Steadfastness is a character trait that every Christian should strive for. When you have all the fruit of the Spirit at the same time working together it produces steadfastness. First, keeping your prayer time and vows is easier if you have LOVE toward God, the JOY of salvation, and PEACE in your soul. Second, no matter what the trial, with LONGSUFFERING and GENTLENESS you will get through it. Third, with a will to do good, believing the Gospel shows GOODNESS and FAITH. To keep going on and doing that which is right proves the presence of MEEKNESS and TEMPERANCE. The Bible says in Galatians 5:22-23, “. . . against such there is no law.”

MAY NEWS by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

Webster Redefines Marriage FoxNews.com

We are in the end time, and world views are changing for many. The Merriam-Webster company, which has been publishing dictionaries since 1847, in 2003 added a secondary definition for marriage. A press release from Merriam-Webster, quoted by the Associated Press, says, “Its inclusion was a simple matter of providing dictionary users with accurate information about all of the word's current uses.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary now says that marriage means: (1): “The state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage (same-sex marriage).”

Gospel Trailer WorldNetDaily.com

Thanks to God and the Alliance Defense Fund, the New York Department of Transportation has now agreed that a tractor-trailer owned by Daniel Burritt can remain on his private property that sits beside a public highway. You can see his message on each side from U.S. Route 11: Your way or God’s way? Jesus said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me.” Will you spend eternity with Jesus? Burritt had been told this was in violation of state law, would require a permit, would be declared a “public nuisance” and would be forcibly removed if he did not move it himself! Thank God for First Amendment rights to free speech and God’s power working for the righteous.

Atheists' Ban WorldNetDaily.com

The American Humanist Association sought to ban prayer and the phrase “so help me God” from presidential inaugurations, but a judge dismissed the case. This is Michael Newdow’s third failure in trying to stop inaugural prayer. The president of Pacific Justice Institute said, “This decision hopefully sends a loud signal to church separationists everywhere that the courts in the United States will not allow for the censorship of religious expression from the public square.”

FOCA cwalac.org

Pray that the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) does not become law. According to Concerned Women for America, “FOCA would nullify all state and federal laws that “interfere with” access to abortion before “viability” as determined by the abortion provider. It would overturn partial-birth abortion bans, eliminate parental notification, and force taxpayers to fund abortion.”

Hate Crimes onenewsnow.com

The hate crimes bill threatens religious freedom. Andrea Lafferty, executive director of the Traditional Values Coalition, says, “Your pastor could be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit a hate crime if it passes and becomes law. This so-called 'hate crimes' bill will be used to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute, and persecute pastors, business owners, Bible teachers, Sunday School teachers, youth pastors -- you name it -- or anyone else whose actions are based upon and reflect the truth found in the Bible.”

Soul Winners Threatened christianlaw.org

Several friends were standing on a public sidewalk in front of a closed bank peaceably distributing Gospel tracts when a police officer told them to leave, “because they were engaging in illegal activity on the bank’s private property,” according to the Christian Law Association (CLA). They left to avoid trouble. However, they had a video tape that showed clearly their witnessing activities. The city attorney viewed the tape, which resulted in the attorney scheduling training sessions for the officers concerning protection of free speech rights of private citizens and protection of Christian citizens.

Nigeria worldevangelicals.org

According to Elizabeth Kendal, the Principal Researcher and Writer for the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC), the Nigerian Constitution was defied in 2000, and soon all 12 northern states were under Shari'ah Law. The Federal Government has never challenged the legality of Shari'ah or Hisbah in the Supreme Court nor interfered with Shari'ah implementation.

According to another source, in 2001 a Christian region bordered by seven Islamic Sharia states saw much bloodshed and suffering. Last November violence erupted because Muslims were unhappy with local elections. Extremists tried to rid the city of Jos of Christians and forcibly claim it for Islam. More than 30,000 displaced people are living in camps. Pray for the people of Nigeria.

Israel Jerusalem Post

Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilna'i said in April of this year: “The entire country is within range of Hamas and Hizbullah missiles, and people need to be prepared for the possibility that war can erupt any day.” This will affect the whole world. Modern Israel is 61 years old.

Prayer Requests for Illinois illinoisfamily.org

There is legislation in the Illinois House and Senate that would repeal the right of principals to know about certain communicable diseases. Please pray against this legislation for the safety of teachers and students.

Illinois has been named one of the worst states on pro-life issues. Pray for God’s true revival in our state.

Illinois Family Institute (IFI) requests prayer -”that parents would understand the insidious way the pro-homosexual message creeps into the public schools cloaked by messages of “tolerance,” and preventing “bullying.” Pray for protection of the children.

JUNE

SUCH A TIME by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

In Esther 4:14 Mordecai told Esther, “. . . and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then she prayed and fasted along with others for the sake of her nation. God answered prayer and kept them from being destroyed.

Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Things are happening so quickly in the United States and internationally that some people have a sense of hopelessness. Get rid of that. God is forever on His throne!

Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries says, “If you are in turmoil, you are not alone. In fact, you might be troubling the enemy and be doing something right.”

Psalm 43:5 says, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

Psalm 64:1 says, “. . . preserve my life from fear of the enemy.”

Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Praise the Lord!

PREOCCUPIED

by Pastor Kevin Badgley

Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Jesus explained God’s plan for His life to His disciples, but Peter took the Lord aside and began to chastise Him for the sorrow and dread that came after He told them these things.

Matthew 16:23-26 says, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

It is obvious that Peter’s thoughts were not on the resurrection that Jesus spoke of, but rather the price to pay for it. The Lord looked straight into Peter’s eyes and rebuked the devil. This event took place at the height of Jesus’ power and popularity with mankind. Peter was “riding the wave” of self assurance that he thought could only continue; his thoughts of security, public approval, social position, and religious superiority, were dashed by the words of Christ when He said that only the crucifixion could bring eternal life to all.

Peter thought about what would happen to his place after all he had given up for Jesus. He complained again of losses he incurred for following Jesus. Matthew 19:27 says, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”

The devil was working in a disciple of Jesus to stop the plan of God. We must be ever vigilant against Satan’s wiles that would defeat the church. Only a short time before this incident, the Lord had given the glorious word that He was giving His followers the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and that He would pay the price for man to receive it all. Yet, Satan was able to preoccupy Peter’s mind to the point of possessing him over the things that be of men, rather than the things that be of God. The Lord, in a close battle with Satan, saved Peter at the end.

You must renounce the devil, repent of your unbelief of God’s provision, and then set your eyes on Christ. He has called you for His purpose. Seek to know Him personally by prayer and study of His Word. He cannot fail you. Do not envy other men, nations, churches or organizations. Covet earnestly the best gifts of the Holy Ghost. Let God order your steps. For if you stand on Christ alone, you will never be alone when judgment comes to the world.

PRAY AND TAKE YOUR STAND by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Many people today demand to know what you think so they can expose your opposition to their agenda. They try to intimidate you so you will not speak out against them, even if you don’t join them.

Homosexual activists acquired the names of people who signed the Arkansas petition to limit adoption strictly to married couples, and then they placed those voters’ names on the Internet.

In the Word of God, when the disciples were threatened, they prayed. Acts 4:31 says, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

JUNE NEWS

NO GAY GENE One News Now

A brochure called "Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality," states the following: “There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation.” This American Psychological Association (APA) publication refutes their own statement made in 1998: “There is considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality.”

Peter LaBarbera, who heads Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, says, “Studies show that if people think that people are born homosexual they’re much less likely to resist the gay agenda.” LaBarbera also says, “Many men and women have come out of homosexuality, mostly through a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Matt Barber with Liberty Counsel says, “It’s irrefutable from a medical standpoint that people can leave the homosexual lifestyle.” Both Barber and LaBarbera believe that God changes people through Christ - regardless of the sin.

INTERNET Syria Reuters/Ynet News

Syrian authorities have tightened their grasp on the media and Internet since ties improved with the West, blocking 225 Internet sites last year.

Iran New York Time

The Iranian government uses elaborate technology to block millions of Web sites. However, last July, software created by Chinese computer experts allows some Iranian Internet users to evade government censorship

USA World Net Daily

Roger Hedgecock, a radio talk host in San Diego, California, says, “Under the guise of “cyberspace security,” Sens. Rockefeller, Snowe and Nelson have introduced S.773 which would, critics say, give the federal government control over the Internet including, under emergency conditions, the right of the president to shut down the whole Internet or, sites on it, including the interruption of e-mail.”

ZIMBABWE - Food Crisis Campus Crusade for Christ International

One Christian organization reports, “. . . 5.1 million people are on the verge of facing serious starvation . . . There is no food . . . [We] turned away six orphanages that last week came to the office for food. We didn't have anything.” Pray with compassion for this urgent need in Zimbabwe and other places that are also facing famine.

ISRAEL UNDIVIDED Daily Alert

According to the Daily Alert, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said very recently, “. . . that Jerusalem would "never be divided" and would remain the capital of the Jewish state.” On Jerusalem Day he said, “United Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Jerusalem has always been - and always will be - ours. It will never again be divided or cut in half. Jerusalem will remain only under Israel's sovereignty. In united Jerusalem, the freedom of worship and freedom of access for all three religions to the holy sites will be guaranteed, and it is the only way to guarantee that members of all faiths, minorities and denominations can continue living here safely.”

JULY

HAVE FAITH; by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff Source: website@schambach.org

One of Evangelist R. W. Schambach’s messages mentions some good points about faith.

* FAITH brings God’s best

* FAITH blesses others

* FAITH begets faith

* FAITH glorifies God

Faith that the father would forgive his backslid state caused the father to give the prodigal son the *best robe (see Luke 15:22).

James 2:20 tells us that faith without works is dead. We show our faith by our works (see James 2:18).

When we believe God, and He answers our prayer, we and those we are praying for are *blessed, because the need is met.

It generates (*begets) faith in others to see results of answered prayer.

God is *glorified when we see HE has done the impossible. That is why we pray. There is something we can’t do that needs done! God loves us and is pleased when we have faith in Him.

Caught Up; by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staff

Sometimes we feel like there is no “out”, that there is no end to our temptations, struggles, failures and pains. Luke 21:28 says, “. . . look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Verse 15-18 says, “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

We must believe this word in its entirety. He is coming . . . be ready!

JULY NEWS by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

Sent to Camp? Newsmax.com

A congress woman from Minnesota says the 2010 census information could be used to imprison Americans in detention camps. She says the census brought about the internment of the Japanese during World War II. She says, “. . . private, personal information that was given to the Census Bureau in the 1940s was used against Americans to round them up.” The census has asked for information on race, language, and rent for over 100 years. However, income and heating fuel questions were added around 1940.

The Lord's Prayer LifeSiteNews.com

The ACLU came against teachers and others for “endorsing religion” at Pace High School in Florida. John Jalsevac, of LifeSiteNews.com, said, “Leading up to the graduation ceremony, the ACLU demanded that Pace High School censor students from offering prayers or saying anything religious. In the end, members of the student body were not permitted to speak at the graduation.”

However, many students had painted crosses on their graduation caps, and they took a stand for God by reciting the Lord’s Prayer when others were asked to be seated at the ceremony.

Mathew D. Staver, Dean of Liberty University School of Law, said, “Neither students nor teachers shed their constitutional rights rights at the schoolhouse gate. The students at Pace High School refused to remain silent and were not about to be bullied by the ACLU.”

Britain’s Homeschoolers LifeSiteNews.com

Under new rules in Britain, authorities can enter private homes to check the “quality of education” of home schooled children. Families must register with authorities and could be punished if the education is considered faulty. Annette Taberner, from the advocacy group Education Otherwise, said, “To suggest parents can continue to home educate but then give powers to local authorities to enter our homes and interview our children without an adult being present is just extraordinary. This is nothing short of an attempt to regulate the private lives of people.” In Germany’s Hitler era homeschooling was prohibited, and it still is.

Government Churches Breakpoint / Chuck Colson

In China, Christians can join a government church or an underground church. Next year, because of the Equity Bill, religious institutions in Britain will be forced to hire homosexuals. A Deputy Equities Minister said, “Church groups cannot claim that everything they run is outside the scope of anti-discrimination law.” Chuck Colson, of “Breakpoint” brought up some interesting points: “What happens if a church, under pressure, hires a gay youth minister - and orders him to teach kids about the sinfulness of homosexual behavior? And I can only imagine the reaction of a British mosque when the religion police orders it to hire a lesbian secretary.” Where does our government stand?

Bible Study Permit? Union-Tribune Publishing Co., May 2009 & World Net Daily

David Jones, a pastor in National City, California, holds weekly Bible study groups in his Bonita home, but was warned recently to stop them. His attorney said, “The Citation specifically orders the homeowner to ‘cease/stop religious assembly’ as opposed to all other types of assembly, such as holding secular (non-religious) meetings, parties or events. Therefore, pursuant to well-established legal precedent, the Order is not neutral because it specifically targets only religious meetings.”

The Joneses were told to stop holding religious assemblies until they got a Major Use Permit from the county (involving bountiful red tape and thousands of dollars). They were told that without the permit, they would be fined.

Dean Broyles of the Western Center for Law & Policy, is representing the Joneses. The law center stated that they are “. . . troubled by this draconian move to suppress home Bible studies. If the current trends in our nation continue, churches may be forced underground. If that happens, believers will once again be forced to meet in homes. If homes are already closed by the government to assembly and worship, where then will Christians meet?”

The order to stop the studies quickly became international news, and after hundreds of complaints, the county determined that the Joneses don’t require a permit after all. Jones said, “Everyone has a right as a homeowner to the quiet enjoyment of their property. They’re trying to take that away. We’re not going to let it go.”

St. Louis Christians Focus on the Family

St. Louis officials in 2006 banned a Christian ministry from ministering at the Pride Fest, a gay event. The ban was ended with help from the Alliance Defense Fund. An order now bars St. Louis from stopping this Christian ministry from passing out literature at the annual event.

Mandatory Curriculum World Net Daily

A California school district wants a compulsory homosexual curriculum for five year olds, and won’t allow them to opt-out, even if it is against their religion. Capitol Resource Institute’s Karen England condemned the curriculum stating, “This curriculum ignores the fact that every child has a mom and a dad, to redefine ideas like ‘family’. She says, “Students have to embrace highly controversial social values or risk being labeled as bigots. Five year old kids aren’t ready to think on their own about sexuality – and their families’ values will be dismissed. That’s not an education in critical thinking. It’s social activism.”

Intimidation Concerned Women for America (CLA)

In Lexington, Massachusetts, a father objected to a “diversity book bag” sent home with his kindergarten child. His requests for notification of exposure to discussions about same sex households in the classroom were denied. When the father refused no for an answer, the school called the police. He spent the night in jail and was banned from school property. Beverley Lahaye, founder and Chairman of CLA, asks that you, “Declare your outrage that schools are promoting sexual perversion - masquerading as “diversity” – to our very young and impressionable children!” You can see her website at www.cwfa.org.

August

Your Conscience

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff Source: Daily Alert

This past July, in Gaza, a journalist was detained because she was not wearing a headscarf, and she was accused of laughing out loud! What law condemned her? What kind of standard do you live by? What attitude do you have toward people in general and why? What motivates you to judge or to accuse? Do you imagine things against other people?

A Christian MUST discipline his thoughts and actions. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations. . . .” It also says, “. . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Acts 24:16 says, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Our conscience must FIRST be clear before GOD. If your conscience bothers you, talk to God about it. You don’t want to die without a clear conscience before GOD!

When you are not guilty of wrong, yet you are accused by an evil source, remember that Titus 1:15 says, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”

1 Timothy 4:2 says, “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

We need to maintain a good conscience. 1 Timothy 1:19 says, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world. . . .”

When you get saved, you think differently than the world, because the blood of Christ purges, “. . . your conscience from dead works to serve the living God,” according to Hebrews 9:14.

Evangelist Donna Schambach says, “If Christ has been glorified in you, whether that’s through the Holy Ghost, or the works of Christ through the word that you preach, then there is an anti-Christ spirit that's going to try to shut you up and shut you down.” You will be falsely accused.

Every man has to answer to God for himself, so God gave us His Word to live by. Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “. . . what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

Let us heed 1 Peter 3:16 which says, “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

August Basics

KEEP PRAYING by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staff

We are supposed to pray in the good times and in the bad. Praying BEFORE calamity hits is sound advice straight from our Heavenly Father. Jude 20 commands us to build up ourselves, praying in the Holy Ghost.

1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” It is part of the plan for humanity. Without it we are good for nothing, because we will have no savour (see Matthew 5:13).

Times are tough, but they are going to get tougher. Ephesians, Chapter 6, talks about protecting ourselves with the armour of God. Verse 18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

Pray before the fight. God’s advice always works!

August News

Bible Club tulsabeacon.com

According to the Tulsa Beacon, in July 2009 a Youth at Heart spokesman told Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), “. . . that it could only hold voluntary Bible clubs in the apartments if teachers agreed to not mention God or Jesus and teach moral lessons rather than Bible stories.” Because of national outcry and a successful meeting with the Tulsa Housing Authority, CEF is now allowed to use all of the recreation centers without restrictions.

Censoring Religion in Jails OneNewsNow.com

A Virginia jail has been removing Bible Scriptures and such from letters to prisoners. John Whitehead, founder of The Rutherford Institute, is representing a woman whose son is in jail. He says, “She's a devout Christian, and her son's in jail there and she's been trying to send him letters with Bible passages and whatever - and the jail has actually been going through snipping out portions of letters.” Whitehead says courts have ruled there must be a compelling reason for censoring inmate mail. Bible verses don’t fit that description. Prison Fellowship and other groups sent a letter to the Virginia jail calling the policy illegal, and an investigation is in progress. Whitehead says this is not an isolated case. Some prisons and jails are stopping inmates from receiving Bibles, saying they are dangerous!

Living Hope Fellowship Family Center / School

Living Hope Fellowship Christian School was established in 1999 and is now

10 years old! School starts August 19.

As we teach academics, we intend that the students will also have contact with the Spirit

of the living God, and that this impact will produce lives fruitful for His kingdom.

LHF Pastor: Kevin Badgley

LHFCS Administrator: Collette Badgley

LHFCS Secretary: Rebecca Flores-Perez

Construction on our family center/school has begun! On July 13th the first pole was raised. We appreciate your prayer and support as we obey the Lord.

If you would like to help us in any way, our contact information is below. Many thanks to all who have already helped in this project!

SEPTEMBER

ALL THINGS by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Source: Live (a true story by Cassandra Bennett)

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

An evangelism team and their interpreter were denied access to a school in El Salvador in 2006, so they set up as close as they could, about 100 feet away. However, it was disgustingly close to a pile of garbage (2 week’s worth for the neighborhood). At first only two little boys came, and a small group peeked around a corner. The team sang two songs, and then a garbage truck came and collected all of the trash. When it left, more than 150 children and adults stood there! They stayed to listen to the gospel team. Carefully avoiding liquid garbage runoff, a call for salvation was given. About 60 children came and asked Jesus into their hearts.

What we think is unfavorable to our work could actually be advantageous. God is molding us into the image of Christ, so look beyond the end of your nose. God has a purpose for you and for everything that happens to you. Pray and keep your hands clean (see Psalm 24:3-5) and submit to God (see James 4:7, Romans 12:2, and 1 Peter 4:19).

SEPTEMBER NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

Censoring Religion in Jails (update) lifesitenews.co

The Rutherford Institute, in conjunction with several other groups, sent a letter to the Rappahannock Regional Jail about the religious mail sent to detainees being censored. Anna Williams’ son did not receive any religious material from her, and one three-page letter was reduced to the salutation, the first paragraph, and “Love, Mom”. According to

LifeSiteNews.com, “Jail officials have variously cited prohibitions on Internet pages and religious material sent from home as reasons for the censorship.” Thankfully, the jail has now changed their policy on religious material and other inoffensive information copied from the internet and sent to detainees there.

Honor? assistnews.net

A teenager from Ohio says she ran away after her family threatened to take her life for converting to Christianity from Islam. Her attorney says this is common even in the United States. The girl, a native of Sri Lanka, secretly went to a church where she said that she had an “incredible encounter with Jesus”. Friends of her family’s mosque saw her posting about it on the internet and told her father. There have been suspected “honor” killings in Muslim families in Texas. This teenager said, “They have to kill me because I’m a Christian. It’s an honor [killing]. If they love me more than God, then they have to kill me.” Please pray for this girl and others who want to truly live for Jesus, whose families reject or persecute them.

ENDA Coral Ridge Ministries and the KJV Bible, God’s Holy Word

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is called by some the “gay quota bill”. Robert Knight, guest columnist of Coral Ridge Ministries says, “It turns private sin into a public right and brings the force of government against morality itself.” He says, “. . . a stature that directly contradicts God’s moral law is illegitimate. Laws embody and reflect morality, or they are not laws. They are tyranny.” He says ENDA, “. . . falsely equates a changeable condition (sexual desire) with race and ethnicity,” and “turns traditional values into a form of bigotry punishable under the law.” PRAY AGAINST THIS PROPOSED LAW. Remember that Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”

SEPTEMBER BASICS

by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staf

If you are having trouble bearing the fruit of the Spirit (found in Galatians 5:22-23), then somewhere along the line you have allowed some disobedience in your walk with God. It could be as simple as not obeying the laws of the land – like speeding for example. Rebellion breeds unbelief. Therefore, there is sin in the camp. 1 Samuel 15:23 says, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. . . .”

Galatians 5:24 says, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

1 John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

OCTOBER

IT’S NOT OVER YET by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

Recently Evangelist R.W. Schambach told the story of a boy who accidentally fell from a ship into the water. No one tried to help until the boy went down the second time, almost drowning. A man jumped in and rescued him just in time. When asked, “Why did you wait so long,” the man replied that he had to wait until the boy’s strength was gone, or he would have drowned both of them. He said, “I had to wait until he reached a state of helplessness before I could help him.”

Things in our world seem to be getting hopeless and we seem to be helpless in many ways. However, Evangelist Schambach says the same type thing we hear from the pulpit at LHF. “. . . we’re on the verge of a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost. The fight is not over yet. God’s promise still holds for his children: greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Hallelujah! We are ripe for revival!”

OCTOBER BASICS by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staff

In today's society it is socially accepted to be different, but only by the secular world’s standard. If one goes contrary to that, however, they are considered an outcast.

If you are a Christian, you are a rebel to their view of life. In that respect, I want to be a rebel! I want to stand out for Christ!

It doesn't matter what they do to me or what they may say about me. I am a soldier. I realize that I will be tested for my loyalty to prove it.

Some people live for a “cause”. A cause is a reason, a source, a foundation. It is also something you support.

Do you have a “cause”? Why don’t you make it JESUS!

OTHER NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed. LHF does not issue a blanket endorsement for the policies, beliefs or statements of our news sources.

Health CARE? openheaven.com

Physicians in Britain say their government health system is flawed, saying, “Forecasting death is an inexact science. Patients are being diagnosed as being close to death without regard to the fact that the diagnosis could be wrong.” They say that about one million people have received “poor or cruel care” on the system. Witnesses say patients are denied fluids and food, because they are close to death.

ISLAMIC CONTROL

In Gaza (09/03/09) Christians are now FORCED to abide by Islamic dress. Females have been told that they must wear traditional Islamic robes, and they are required to cover their hair in order to return to class. assistnews.net

In Pakistan, two Christians were arrested for eating during Ramadan (09/01/09). After being served tea and a snack, police asked them why they ate during the Islamic fasting season! They were put in a district jail in Sargodha. assistnews.net

In Egypt, (08/30/09) abduction and forced Islamization of young Christian girls is increasing. No one accused of the abduction of a Coptic girl has been brought to justice, according to Open Heaven Digest. openheaven.com

In Ohio, USA, (09/01/09) is a mosque. According to Charisma, Attorney J. Stemberger says Rifqa Bary, who recently converted to Christianity, is in danger from the Noor Islamic Cultural Center near Columbus. It is reported that the mosque has supported a Muslim scholar connected with Hamas. Charisma (Strang Communications)

Pray for America.

OCTOBER LHF NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

We have had a setback concerning our family center building. Many of us saw the fallen trusses for the first time as we drove in to the church driveway on Sunday, September 13^th, the day of our annual fish fry. We were dismayed.

After the initial shock, we decided to praise and worship the Lord from our hearts. The theme seemed to be “God is good all the time”, and He IS! Brother Enloe Clemons and his church choir from Perks sang for us, and Brother Shayne Baker from Joppa was the special speaker. Brother Baker said that after all his studying and praying, he went back to the original scripture God gave him for the sermon that morning. It was about trusting the Lord, and it was just what we needed after seeing the new building destroyed. He said the devil was wondering what it would take to get us down!

During chapel service, Pastor Kevin asked LHFCS students their thoughts about the destruction of their future school/gym/family center. One boy said, “Ow!” Another one asked, “How are we going to rebuild and when?”

Pastor Kevin reminded them that the Word of God says even the righteous will have trouble. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Verse 6 says, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

He told them that God has shown him the family center finished and them running around in it. Matthew 8:13 says, “. . . and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. . . .” He spoke to them of discipline and how you have to decide to do right and then make a plan to fulfill it. It is not about whose fault it is, but how you react to situations.

Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. . . .” Therefore, we have started the troublesome task of removing nails and such to rebuild what God has called us to. We appreciate all who help us with your prayer, support, and physical labor.

Some people wonder why Christians do - what they do. We are followers of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. His disciples are supposed to live by the Word of God. We believe that many will benefit from the family center we are laboring so hard to build.

This building is multipurpose, and will have various ministry operations within it. We praise our faithful God for what He is going to do, for He is worthy to be praised!

Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

NOVEMBER

Wedges & The Devil Laughs by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff

The devil uses wedges to divide and conquer – continuously. He drives in a wedge, and our selfishness and pride sustain the evil work he starts. He sits back and laughs at us. Webster’s Dictionary says a wedge is “used for splitting”. It is used for “tightening by driving into something”. It causes a “breach or separation”.

The tongue is used to make and hold in place many WEDGES. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue. . . .” Body language conveys messages, so don’t let the devil use you. Romans 6:13 says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God….” John 10:10 says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

James 3:16 says, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” It just gets worse unless you REMOVE THE WEDGE. It continues UNLESS God intervenes. God is the healer of broken hearts. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Search your heart and find out why you are irritated. Pray. Remove the wedge by forgiving and/or asking forgiveness. It works.

NOVEMBER BASICS by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staff

If at first you don’t succeed – try, try again. Naaman had to dip seven times before his leprosy left him. In Mark, Chapter 8, Jesus prayed twice for a blind man. Paul said in Philippians 4:11, “. . . for I have learned. . . .” That means it may have taken him a couple of tries. Some place him on a pedestal for the enlightenments he received and passed on to us in the Word of God, but we all have to LEARN and OBEY.

We’re not automatically endued with power from on High to do the will of God just because we say we’re sorry for our sins. We all have to be tried and proven. God will use anybody who is willing to go through His boot camp to become a soldier in His army. If you’ve fallen, pick yourself up and try again. Kick the devil in the mouth and keep on serving the Lord no matter what the devil accuses you of.

Just remind the enemy where he’s going to spend eternity!

NOVEMBER NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

LHF does not issue a blanket endorsement for the policies, beliefs or statements of our news sources.

Just a T-shirt! OneNewsNow

According to Charlie Butts of OneNewsNow, “A Pennsylvania boy is in a legal battle with his school over his pro-life T-shirt.” The middle school boy’s T-shirt stated bas-

ically that abortion is not healthcare. Because of the school district's policies, his T-shirt had to be removed. The policy prohibits “seeking to establish the supremacy of a particular religious point of view,” said Attorney David Cortman of the Alliance Defense Fund. A lawsuit has been filed against the school.

Childhood Stress – Shorter Life? ABCNews.go.com

According to a new study, six or more traumas in a child’s life can reduce their lifespan by an average of 19 years! A doctor from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Adverse Childhood Experiences study) stated, “The stressors tend to accumulate in people's lives, and it appears that affects the way they develop and can affect the way they think and their emotional control.” Household dysfunction was listed among traumatic events.

Children and TV Telegraph.co.uk

Watching TV is detrimental to the very young. According to Focus on the Family, “Australian statistics show that four-month-old infants watch an average of 44 minutes of television each day.” Australian guidelines caution that being exposed to TV, “. . . can delay language development, affect the ability of a child to concentrate and lead to obesity.” It is recommended that children under two should not watch TV at all. They also say children ranging from age two to five ought not to have exposure to TV more than one hour a day.

HATE CRIME OneNewsNow & American Family Association

The hate crimes bill has been sent to President Obama for his signature. It may be signed when you read this. Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel considers it similar to a gag that puts Christians in an indefensible spot. Barber says the federal bill “will chill religious liberty and free speech - and that is its intended purpose, not to protect anybody from hate crimes.” He says the religious exemption will not protect pastors, because those in authority can, “. . . subjectively determine what is or is not a hate crime.”

Bryan Fischer, director of issues analysis for the American Family Association said, “For the first time in American history we are criminalizing thought. Thomas Jefferson said the reach of legislation should extend to actions only and not to opinions -- and now we are punishing people not just for what they did, but what they were thinking when they did it.”

DECEMBER

CONVICTION VS. PREFERENCE (Part 2)

Gibbs’ most requested sermon (edited by Sharon Cromwell)

Christian Law Association | www.christianlaw.org

727-399-8300 | P.O. Box 4010 Seminole, FL 33775

God defines His church in His Word, but courts say they will define what a church is.

THE TEST OF FAITH

The courts have pointed out two things about convictional beliefs. First, the court has said that you must be able to verbalize and explain these beliefs. Secondly, the court has said that you must have a knowledge of your beliefs. You must understand your beliefs, and then you face the Supreme Court’s religious freedom test. This test determines whether what you say you believe comes from your head or from your life.

Because the courts are faced with many cases involving beliefs and believers, the Supreme Court formulated a test to determine which beliefs would be upheld, and which beliefs would not be honored, or protected, by the First Amendment.

The Court established this test in 1972 in a case that involved education. An Amish man living in Wisconsin told the state that he was no longer going to send his children to state schools beyond the eighth grade. He claimed that this decision was based on his convictions. The state of Wisconsin said he could not do that, but he again refused to allow his children to attend state schools. The state threatened to sue. Then they threatened to send him to jail, but again he refused. Finally, the state told him he could he go to jail and also lose his children, but his beliefs still would not allow him to comply. The state of Wisconsin took Mr. Yoder to court, and he lost. Mr. Yoder still could not obey, because it was a matter of conviction. It did not matter whether a court said he was right or wrong. He appealed, but he lost his appeal. Again he refused to comply. He took his case to the United States Supreme Court who told him, “You do not have to send your kids to the state school because the Constitution’s First Amendment protects you.” The Supreme Court laid down the test for all subsequent cases to determine which beliefs are to be protected, and which are not.

The first thing the Supreme Court determined in applying the test was that every single religious belief is one of two types. It does not matter what your belief structure is or who you are. Every single religious belief is either a conviction, or it is a preference. In the United States of America, only convictions are protected by the Constitution. Preferences are not.

A PREFERENCE is an extremely strong belief. It is a belief you hold with great intensity and strength, yet it could still only be considered a preference.

1. A belief can be so strongly held by you, that you go into full-time service as

a result of it, but that does not prove that what you believe is a conviction.

2. It can be a belief you hold with such intensity that you give all of your

wealth to it. The court considers it still to be only a preference

3. It can be a belief with such strength and fiber that it causes you to be

energetic in proselytizing other people. Being a soul-winner does not prove that your beliefs are anything more than just preferences.

4. You can be so convinced that this belief is good and right that you desire to

teach it to your children. We know that our faith can lead them to a home in Heaven, and can provide them a life that is meaningful. The court says that you can believe all of that and still only have a preference.

WHAT IS A PREFERENCE?

Although a preference is a very strong belief, it is a belief that you will change.

You prefer it, but you will change that belief under some circumstances. There are basically five pressures that the courts use as a test of whether or not a belief is a conviction or a preference. If any of these pressures causes you to change your belief, then all you have is a preference. True conviction cannot be changed!

1. PEER PRESSURE

2. PEOPLE PRESSURE - The courts know that the family is probably the strongest influence of change in a person’s life.

3. LAWSUIT PRESSURE - Lawsuits are expensive and difficult. Misconceptions published by the media can cause immeasurable suffering, but if you change your stand, you only preferred it.

4. JAIL PRESSURE - Jails are horrible places. Would you really go to jail for a matter of faith? For one to be willing to go to jail for a belief, you must have a greater regard for what you believe than you have for yourself.

5. DEATH PRESSURE - There are many things in life worse than dying. Denying your faith and having to live with that fact is one of them. The court asks if you would be willing to die for your beliefs. In a Christian, only one thing should create a conviction - belief that your God requires it of you. A belief that is God ordered is a conviction.

WHAT IS A CONVICTION?

1. A conviction is something that you purpose in your heart.

2. A conviction must be pre-determined. The courts say that your convictions

must be determined beforehand to be convictions.

3. A conviction is a personal belief. The court says that if it is required for other people to stand with you, your beliefs are preferences and not

convictions.

4. A conviction is non-negotiable.

5. A conviction is not contingent on victory.

In Part 3 we will tell you what Gibbs of the Christian Law Association says the courts use as the ULTIMATE TEST OF CONVICTION.

DEFECTIVE BIBLES

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, Source: Chick Publications, chick.com

Some Bibles leave out the word hell. I visited a church that had a booklet saying they do not believe in hell. I wonder why they call it a church. Heaven and hell are real according to God’s Word. If there was no hell, why do we deny ourselves anything? Why obey God?

Author David W. Daniels says there is history of a stream of manuscripts that came about because some believed the Bible only contained the word of God. Therefore they did their own picking and choosing and made their own conclusion about what in the Bible was of God or of men. He says that some early copies of scripture studied by Egyptian scholars became defiled when they altered the scriptures to fit their own beliefs. The polluted documents were used by others as the foundation for modern Bible versions. Men used the same liberty again, and this produced several dozen versions which omit and change hundreds of verses.

Daniels says history records that true scripture copies came from the original apostles (in Jerusalem) to Antioch. These copies were preserved and eventually used to produce God’s Word in English, the King James Bible. It is the true Bible.

DECEMBER NEWS

by Sharon Cromwell, newsletter staff, sources listed

Beauty Secret Unethical OneNewsNow

A Swiss company uses aborted baby tissue to construct anti-wrinkle cream. According to Charlie Butts of One News Now, “The process creating this cream was produced at the University of Luasanne from a 14-week-gestation aborted male baby. Debi Vinnedge, executive director of a ministry called Children of God for Life, discovered the happening.”

Visions & Dreams Olive Tree Ministries

There is true revival in the Middle East. Many have come to God as a result of visions and dreams. Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries says, “. . . God may at any time choose to use what we may consider to be unorthodox means to reach some people for eternity who are the most resistant to the gospel. Muslims absolutely fall into this category. . . .” Joel Rosenberg says, “Very few people realize just how many millions of Muslims - both Sunnis and Shias - are becoming followers of Jesus Christ." The number is confirmed by Muslim leaders.

Arctic Prayers ASSIST News Service

Alaskan radio station KICY, located on the Bering Sea, will have been in ministry fifty years on Easter, 2010. KICY is heard by English-speaking listeners in Alaska and is heard in Russia. Listeners also are reported from Japan, China, Scandinavia and other areas of Europe. They have a program called CareForce that is devoted to prayer, and each night someone shares the needs of fellow believers via the KICY microphone. They request continued prayer for the ministry.

Chaplains Faith and Action

According to Faith and Action some Christian chaplains have been court-martialed and forced out of the U.S. Military. Their pensions and health benefits have been removed, all of this after serving their country for years. It is said their “crime” is that they have prayed with soldiers in public in Jesus’ name! Even generals who speak about Christians are silenced. Personal freedoms and religious freedom is eroding in America. Pray for these who take a stand for Jesus publicly.

Allah and Jehovah Not the Same Chick Publications

The Malaysia government confiscated 15,000 Bibles that use Allah for the God of the Bible. Muslim leaders know that Allah is not the same God that Christians and Jews worship. The Koran says Allah does not have a son. Jesus of the Bible is the only begotten son of God, the Father, who was sent to die so our sins can be forgiven. Our God then sends us gifts and blessings. Jehovah is a good God. In Isaiah 44:8 in the King James Bible, Jehovah God says, “. . . Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.”

DECEMBER BASICS - YOUR VOICE

by Rebecca Flores-Perez, newsletter staff

God designed our voices to GLORIFY GOD! We proclaim His mighty works by singing praises and worshipping Him. What about all the other ways we can glorify Him? Our voice doesn’t always consist of physical vocal chords, but is shown in our actions.

Some people will never see Christ unless they see Him in you first. We are to be so filled with the love of God through the Holy Ghost that whatever ground our feet step on, we can claim it for Jesus.

Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, showing them how to serve. He was also getting them ready to go and preach His name among all nations. Ephesians 6:15 says, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Are you peaceable? Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Everywhere we go as Christians we are to be laying a foundation for the Gospel of Jesus

Pastor Kevin Badgley

P.O. Box 111

Grand Chain, IL 62941

PHONE/ FAX: 618-634-2541

E-mail livinghope@hughes.net