Franklin Graham Calls on Christians to Battle Culture; Stand for God, Biblical Values

 

The Rev. Franklin Graham recently reiterated his remarks from earlier this year, calling on Christians in America to stand for biblical values despite social opposition.
In a column published in the July-August edition of Decision magazine, the head of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, declared that "Heaven is not for cowards!"
"Christians cannot ignore parts of God's Word because they are unpopular or cause division. Our commission is to proclaim Christ and all He stands for," wrote Graham.
"This is what the church's presence in the world is all about. We cannot sincerely proclaim the truth of God's love while ignoring what He hates, and God hates sin."
Graham also stressed the need for "godly courage" and for Christians to speak out against abortion and homosexuality.
"We are soldiers in God's army, and we cannot stand down on biblical issues out of fear of being labeled a homophobe or judge," wrote Graham.
"People make judgments every day. The world's system passes judgments accepted by governments and citizens. But the world considers Christian judgment to be biased, judgmental and intolerant," he added.
Graham's column for Decision magazine echoes comments he made in May at the Family Research Council's Watchmen on the Wall conference held in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Franklin Graham addressing pastors at the Watchmen on the Wall National Briefing, held at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 22, 2014.

21:8, wherein God lists eight groups of people who will be "in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
The first group listed in the verse are the "cowardly;" this led Graham to declare in his remarks that "God hates cowards."
"The definition of a coward: a coward will not confront an issue that needs to be confronted due to fear," said Graham, whose speech was titled "Standing Strong on the Controversial Issues."
"God hates cowards. And the cowards that the Lord is referring to are the men and women who know the truth but refuse to speak it."
As with his more recent column, Graham argued that churches need to speak out on the moral issues, including abortion and homosexuality.
"We have a responsibility to speak on the moral issues. Abortion, homosexuality, these are moral issues. This is a free country, you can do what you want to do, but I want you to know it's a sin against God," Graham asserted.
"Could we get our heads chopped off? We could, maybe one day. So what? Chop it off!"
In recent years, Franklin Graham has garnered controversy for his comments on same-sex marriage, President Barack Obama, and the religion of Islam.
Some have contrasted Franklin Graham with the comparably less controversial nature of the ministry of his father, renowned preacher the Rev. Billy Graham.
"Franklin has always leaned toward being more political than his father," wrote Sally Quinn, founding editor of the site On Faith.
"Where Billy Graham has always been a voice for inclusion, even of religions other than his own, Franklin has not."

Meriam Ibrahim Flies Out to Italy; Prime Minister Declares 'Day of Celebration'

Christian mother Meriam Ibrahim and her family have left Sudan and flew to Italy, where they were met by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, according to reports. Renzi declared a "day of celebration" for the woman, who had initially been sentenced to death for renouncing Islam and marrying a Christian Sudanese-American.
"Mission accomplished," said Lapo Pistelli, Italy's vice-minister for foreign affairs, who accompanied Ibrahim, her husband, Daniel Wani, and their two young children on the flight from Khartoum.

BBC News reported that there had been no prior indication of Italy's involvement in the case.
Following an international outcry over her sentence, Ibrahim was released from prison in June. She was briefly re-arrested while attempting to fly out of Sudan, with authorities claiming she had attempted to use fake travel documents.
The family had been staying at the U.S. embassy in Sudan while awaiting permission to fly to America. Several persecution watchdog groups had taken up Ibrahim's cause, while U.S. lawmakers had called for her and her family to be granted safe passage to the U.S.
A senior Sudanese official confirmed that Sudan's government had approved of Ibrahim's departure to Italy, Reuters said.
Earlier this week, New York City pastor William Devlin revealed that he had met with Ibrahim and her family in Khartoum, and offered to pay for their trip to the U.S. and house them indefinitely in his family's home.
"I, along with another brother in the Lord, were able to go to the Safe House where this persecuted family is currently living in Khartoum and minister to them for over an hour," the pastor said in an email to The Christian Post.
"I had the joy of asking Meriam if I could hold little Maya (who was crying at the time) and my eyes welled up with tears as this little girl, born in prison, fell asleep in my arms as I rocked her. At the end our time together, I was able to lay hands on this family and pray for them in the Name of Jesus."
Ibrahim refused to deny her Christian faith while in prison, even after being told it could spare her the death penalty. While the Sudanese court had attempted to prove that she is a Muslim, the mother said that she was raised by her Ethiopian Orthodox Christian mother and has identified as a Christian her entire life.
Ibrahim's Muslim relatives in Sudan had claimed that she belongs to her Muslim father, who abandoned the family when she was a child, but the lawsuit was dropped last week.

Meriam Ibrahim Departure From Sudan Is 'Answered Prayer' for Thousands, Watchdog Groups Hail

 

Persecution watchdog groups who have campaigned for the release of Christian mother Meriam Ibrahim are celebrating her family's departure from Sudan to Italy, with one calling it an "answered prayer" for the thousands who had signed petitions and offered prayers.
"We are thankful for the Italian government's critical involvement in this case, and for the ACLJ supporters who never ceased to bring attention to Meriam and her family," said Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice.
"The ACLJ, in conjunction with nations and organizations worldwide, fought for Meriam and her family their basic religious liberties. Because of the unwavering dedication of the American people, the four are now safe in Italy and hoping to be in the United States soon."
Over 177,000 people had signed an ACLJ petition urging the U.S. government to press for Ibrahim's safe passage to the U.S.
The Christian mother had initially been sentenced to death in Sudan for refusing to identify as a Muslim and for marrying Daniel Wani, a Christian Sudanese-American. She was forced to give birth to her second child while in prison, but denied to renounce her Christian faith despite being told it could spare her the death penalty.
Following an international campaign by several watchdog groups, the sentence was overturned, and she was granted her freedom.
Ibrahim was briefly re-arrested in June when attempting to leave Sudan with her family, however, and was given shelter at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum.
On Thursday, the family was finally able to leave the country, after Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli helped arrange their flight and travelled with them from Sudan to Italy.
Only hours after landing in Rome, Ibrahim, Wani and their two young children were welcomed by Pope Francis at the Vatican, who praised the Christian mother for her "courageous witness to perseverance in the Faith" and offered blessings for the family.
Other Christian groups also praised the latest development, with NRB President & CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson offerings thanks to God for the family's safe journey out of Sudan.
"May the Lord richly bless them as they start a new chapter in their lives. And may He bless those in the world who continue to endure hardships and persecution because of their faith in Him. Let us not forget them," Johnson said.
 

Open Doors USA, which also petitioned for Ibrahim's release, was thankful for the news but also pointed out that many others remain captive in Sudan and other countries that repress religious freedom.
"The news of Meriam's release is so very heartening and an answer to many prayers worldwide offered up to Jesus on her behalf. The challenge remaining is to eliminate violence and persecution against individuals for their faith," said Dr. David Curry, President/CEO of Open Doors USA.
"Women of Sudan and elsewhere should have the freedom to read the Bible if they so choose and decide for themselves what they believe. Thankfully, Meriam now has that freedom, but sadly the rest of Sudan's female population does not."

Crisis Hits Pastor Ireti Ajanaku’s Burial …Family Rubbish July 17 Date, Accuse Wife Of Killing Him

 

The word controversy seems to have become a permanent fixture in the late Pastor Ajanaku family that no single week passes without one form of controversy wrapped around the name.
When he was alive, so many dirty tales trailed him, especially his crisis with sensational singer, Tope Alabi.
But he was able to weather the storm that he came out stronger from them.
His sudden death, however, was believed to end every controversy around the spiritual head of Revival Victory Chapel International (CRVCI), but this was not to be as his death sprang up other controversies too.
The circumstance in which the light-skinned Pastor died was also enveloped in controversy that so many of his church members did not know how and where he died, not to talk of outsiders who were not close to him. There was also the allegation levelled against him that he belonged to different secret cults which was supported with the appearance of ORO cult group at his church after his death. That is not all, while people were trying to come to terms with what exactly killed him, the question of who would bury him between his wife, Joy and his family became another source of fracas.
Before now, many people had thought the late General Overseer would have been laid to rest, but the widow in her wisdom felt the husband was still alive despite the confirmation by doctors that life has left him.
This went on for almost a year before she now decided to bury the husband.
The announcement, however, did not go well with the family of the late pastor because to them it is totally wrong for the wife to bury him without consulting the family members.
The pastor’s siblings are furious that how could the wife claim ownership of his living and death when he still has family members who could contribute their own in burying their son and brother.
Even, we were reliably informed that the first son of Ajanaku was kept in the dark as to when his father would be buried.
According to the family members, the wife must have been the one that killed the pastor because she was invited by the family members but she refused to meet with them before solely taking the decision to bury Pastor Ajanaku.
The family queried if the wife has danced to the demand of the cult group that visited the house when Pastor Ajanaku died; or how else could the cultists give their consent now when they vehemently objected to his burial in the first place, they reasoned.
To the family members, it means she had done their (cultists) bidding now that she has picked the 17^th July date.
Speaking on the significance of the date, they questioned the rationale behind the 17^th date because they believe the wife manipulated Ajanaku’s birth date which is 13^th September and not the 17^th of July as claimed by the wife.
The date is fast approaching and we are so sure that the story has not ended because the family members are threatening thunder and brimstone. With all these, the burial may end up being Charly Boy’s Show where anything can happen.
 Culled from Global Excellence Magazine

Don’t give up, Kumuyi tells Nigerians

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Sunday urged Nigerians not to give up over unpleasant life circumstances and challenges they may be facing, assuring that all would soon
be over.
Kumuyi pointed out that some difficult life conditions were meant to serve as training for believers in God and, as such, were meant to be taken in good faith.
He, however, declared that there was light at the end of the tunnel if they remained steadfast in God’s ways.
The cleric spoke during the church’s monthly revival programmed tagged, ‘soaring on eagle’s wings’ held at the Deeper Life Conference
Centre along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State.
“God will not fail you; you will rise above life challenges and circumstances,” Kumuyi declared to the several thousands of participants,
who gathered for the two-day revival meeting.
The cleric gave the example of Joseph in the Bible who passed through several challenges before becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt.
While emphasising the importance of training, the Deeper Life leader noted that the trials and temptations Joseph passed through prepared him ahead of the leadership position he later occupied in Egypt.
He said, “Joseph’s dreams became fulfilled because he went through the training; everything happening to you is a training school for you. You
will get there. Don’t quit the school of training; don’t quit when things appear
tough, it is your training and you are soon getting there.
“What if Joseph had thought of the difficulties of his life challenges and gave up one month before the fulfilment? You will not give up!
All those things that are happening to you are for your good; and they will turn out right in Jesus name!”
Consequently, the cleric urged the participants and Nigerians to look on to God in every situation they were passing through, adding that their time of blessings would soon come.
While praying for the participants, he said, “Your time will not pass you by! Every step of your way will come at the appropriate time… every mark and calling in your life will come at the appropriate time.
“Pharaoh (King of Egypt in the Bible) had a dream and there was no one available to interpret the dream except Joseph. When you are the person to interpret, there will be no one else that will be available to interpret it! When God has trained you and it is time for you to assume your post, no one else will occupy your place and position in Jesus name!”
Quoting from Romans 8: 28, the clergy further prayed, “All things will work together for good for you. Dry your tears; you are in a training school.
All those things happening are meant to train you up and they are preparing you for the place where you will be. This is because all things work together for those who love God.”

ISIL Members Dig Up Grave of Biblical Prophet Jonah, Torch 11 Churches as Christian Population Rapidly Shrinks in Iraq

A local Nineveh official in Iraq confirmed last Friday with almost certainty that militant members of the Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) dug up the grave of revered biblical prophet Jonah (Younis in Arabic) in the east of Mosul as Christians continue to flee that country by the hundreds daily.
In an Iraqi News report, the official, Zuhair al-Chalabi said since ISIL militants invaded Mosul, they have controlled the mosque of Jonah and have strong evidence suggesting that his grave has been disturbed.
"The elements of ISIL controlled the mosque of the Prophet Younis in Mosul since they invaded the city. It is still held by them until now," said Chalabi, explaining that "elements of ISIL engaged in the process of tampering with the contents of the Mosque."
"There is almost certain information stating the fact that the elements of ISIL dug up the grave of the Prophet Younis," he added.
Christian leaders in Iraq insist that Muslims and Christians have lived peacefully together for a long time but fear the current violence could hasten the end of nearly 2,000 years of Christianity in Iraq.

(Photo: Shoebat.com)

An unverified photo of an ISIL militant destroying the grave of Prophet biblical prophet, Jonah in Mosul, Iraq.

According to archbishops from Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk in a Reuters report, war and sectarian conflict in Iraq shrunk the country's Christian population to about 400,000 from 1.5 million in 2003. Now Christians are fleeing to places like Turkey, Lebanon and Western Europe, hastening the demise of almost 2,000 years of Christianity in Iraq.
"The next days will be very bad. If the situation does not change, Christians will be left with just a symbolic presence in Iraq," said Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako, who is based in Baghdad. "If they leave, their history is finished."
"Our presence was a symbol of peace, but there's so much panic and few Christians see their future in Iraq," said Kirkuk's Chaldean Catholic Archbishop, Youssif Mirkis.