Commentary on Song of Solomon

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter content

The title. (1) The church confesses her deformity. (2-6) The church beseeches Christ to lead her to the resting-place of his people. (7,8) Christ's commendation of the church, Her esteem for Him. (9-17)

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:1

(Read Song of Solomon 1:1)

This is "the Song of songs," excellent above any others, for it is wholly taken up with describing the excellences of Christ, and the love between him and his redeemed people.

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:2-6

(Read Song of Solomon 1:2-6)

The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances of pardon with which believers are favoured, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and causing them to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gracious souls take most pleasure in loving Christ, and being loved of him. Christ's love is more valuable and desirable than the best this world can give. The name of Christ is not now like ointment sealed up, but like ointment poured forth; which denotes the freeness and fulness of the setting forth of his grace by the gospel. Those whom he has redeemed and sanctified, are here the virgins that love Jesus Christ, and follow him whithersoever he goes, Revelation 14:4. They entreat him to draw them by the quickening influences of his Spirit. The more clearly we discern Christ's glory, the more sensible shall we be that we are unable to follow him suitably, and at the same time be more desirous of doing it. Observe the speedy answer given to this prayer. Those who wait at Wisdom's gate, shall be led into truth and comfort. And being brought into this chamber, our griefs will vanish. We have no joy but in Christ, and for this we are indebted to him. We will remember to give thanks for thy love; it shall make more lasting impressions upon us than any thing in this world. Nor is any love acceptable to Christ but love in sincerity, Ephesians 6:24. The daughters of Jerusalem may mean professors not yet established in the faith. The spouse was black as the tents of the wandering Arabs, but comely as the magnificent curtains in the palaces of Solomon. The believer is black, as being defiled and sinful by nature, but comely, as renewed by Divine grace to the holy image of God. He is still deformed with remains of sin, but comely as accepted in Christ. He is often base and contemptible in the esteem of men, but excellent in the sight of God. The blackness was owing to the hard usage that had been suffered. The children of the church, her mother, but not of God, her Father, were angry with her. They had made her suffer hardships, which caused her to neglect the care of her soul. Thus, under the emblem of a poor female, made the chosen partner of a prince, we are led to consider the circumstances in which the love of Christ is accustomed to find its objects. They were wretched slaves of sin, in toil, or in sorrow, weary and heavy laden, but how great the change when the love of Christ is manifested to their souls!

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:7,8

(Read Song of Solomon 1:7,8)

Observe the title given to Christ, O Thou whom my soul loveth. Those that do so, may come to him boldly, and may humbly plead with him. Is it with God's people a noon-time of outward troubles, inward conflicts? Christ has rest for them. Those whose souls love Jesus Christ, earnestly desire to share in the privileges of his flock. Turning aside from Christ is what gracious souls dread more than anything else. God is ready to answer prayer. Follow the track, ask for the good old way, observe the footsteps of the flock, look what has been the practice of godly people. Sit under the direction of good ministers; beside the tents of the under shepherds. Bring thy charge with thee, they shall all be welcome. It will be the earnest desire and prayer of the Christian, that God would so direct him in his worldly business, and so order his situation and employment, that he may have his Lord and Saviour always before him.

Commentary on Song of S

The old man

A WORD FOR TODAY: THE OLD MAN IN YOU    "But now ye also put off all these; anger,wrath,malice,blasphemy,filthy communication out of your month,lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the 'OLD MAN' with his deeds" (colosians 3:8-9) Beloved your relationship wit God determines how life will be. Who is that old man,it means the character in you this morning,check urself the way you react to things are they right or wrong. One more thing,are u righteous. It is personal. Prayer Point: Father,every old deeds in my life,i send u out by fire in Jesus name (amin) . Gudmorning Sir/Ma

Christian, Gay Rights, and Jewish Groups Help Muslim in Head Scarf Case Against Abercrombie & Fitch; Win Likely After Supreme Court Oral Arguments By Napp Nazworth February 25, 2015 | 5:18 pm

Muslim woman Samantha Elauf (R), who was denied a sales job at an Abercrombie Kids store in Tulsa in 2008, stands with U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lead attorney Barbara Seely (C) at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, February 25, 2015. The Court on Wednesday considered whether Elauf, who wears a head scarf, or hijab, was required to specifically request a religious accommodation at her job interview at the store in Tulsa in 2008 when she was 17. The company denied Elauf the job on the grounds that wearing the scarf violated its "look policy" for members of the sales staff. If Wednesday's oral arguments are an indication, Abercrombie & Fitch will likely lose in a Supreme Court religious freedom case involving a Muslim job applicant wearing a head scarf. The case, EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch, has united a wide range of groups concerned about the religious freedom implications in the case. Christian, gay rights, Jewish and Muslim groups have all filed "friend of the court" briefs on the side of the Muslim job applicant. In a Wednesday interview with The Christian Post, Eric Baxter of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who was at the oral arguments, said he was optimistic that the court would rule against Abercrombie & Fitch.

Samantha Elauf was 17 when she had a job interview with the clothing store chain in 2008. The interview was going well and the manager was ready to hire her. After checking with a senior manager, however, he told Elauf that he could not hire her because she was wearing a head scarf, garb often worn by Muslim women for religious purposes. Abercrombie has a strict dress code for its employees, which includes no head scarves and no black. Abercrombie & Fitch does not deny that Elauf was turned down for the job because of her head scarf. Instead, the company's lawyers argued that Elauf shouldn't be able to win a religious freedom complaint because she never expressly stated that she was wearing the head scarf for religious reasons. Baxter said that one of the most telling exchanges was between Justice Samuel Alito and the Abercrombie & Fitch lawyer. Would a Sikh man wearing a turban, a Jewish man wearing a yarmulke or a Catholic nun wearing a habit have to expressly state that they were wearing those garments for religious reasons? Alito asked, according to Baxter. The lawyer admitted they would not.

The Heart of a Pastor

“Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). They were killing Jesus. They would run up and spit on Him, then back off and laugh at Him and call Him blasphemous names. They would quote His words back to Him and dare Him to come down from the cross and prove Himself. They were mean-spirited and ugly and hatefilled, and He loved them. As they killed Him, He prayed for them. That, my friends, is a pastor. A shepherd. A lover of God’s people. The heart of a pastor is a wonderful thing. Something inside me wants to say preachers either have hearts of a pastor or they do not. And if not, they should turn down every invitation from search committees to become pastors because it’s a perfect set-up for disappointment on his part and disaster on theirs. The preacher who can deliver a fine sermon but who is unavailable and ineffective during the week one-on-one should ask the Lord to show him other ways to use his gifts and calling. The pastorate is not for him. On the other hand, I imagine a large segment of pastors have dominant drawings to study and preaching, and with a minor, if you will, in the actual pastoral work. Even so, any minister of the Gospel without a strong appreciation for the people of God and his accountability to God for their care and nurture is missing something essential in his makeup. Case in point. Hunter and have wife have been family friends for many years. But from our frequent conversations over the last few years, Hunter’s pastor seems to have been AWOL the day Heaven handed out the quota of “pastors’ hearts.” (That would be one per person, presumably.) For reasons unknown, he did not get his. Hunter says his pastor insists he received a calling from God and a love for God’s word. What he seems to have missed out on, however, was a love for God’s people with the accompanying desire to see them prosper in Christ. (Please allow me not to give specifics on this. Even though it may appear otherwise, my purpose here is not to dump on this brother. He is not on trial and I’m no prosecuting attorney.) I grieve about this because Hunter and his family need a pastor now as much as ever in their lives. My friend is in the grips of a terminal disease. We’re told he has one year to live at best. The hospital where my friend has been treated is some miles away from their small town. But the pastor has been mostly a no-show. A close friend of mine has been calling on Hunter and praying with him and his wife. Then, around 8 am one morning this week, Hunter’s neighbor, an 84- year-old pastor of another denomination, walked into the hospital room. He ministered to my friend and prayed with him the way pastors do. Two hours later, I walked into Hunter’s room. After an exhausting weekend of ministry, I drove 200 miles the night before in order to spend a few minutes with my friends going through the darkest valley of their lives. It’s what pastors do. It’s what people with “pastors’ hearts” do. It’s that simple. Ministers without pastors’ hearts–tell me if that’s not an oxymoron!–look for excuses not to make these trips. “I ran by but you were asleep.” “We prayed for you in staff meeting.” “My car has been giving me trouble.” “Those hospital rooms are so small and I know you’ve had a lot of company.” “I’ve not been feeling well lately.” My buddy Hunter is being ministered to by three brothers each with the heart of a pastor: my friend in that city who has been calling on him in the hospital, the next-door neighbor (the 84-year-old), and me. (I baptized Hunter and his wife decades ago and we have maintained our close friendship ever since.) I gladly confess with a grateful heart that when the Heavenly Father called me into this work at the age of 21, He gave me a heart of a pastor. The contrast with the compassionless pastor grieves me a great deal. Were such a minister to ask for advice–which is not going to happen–I would urge him to pray the Lord who called him into His service either to open up some other field of service more appropriate to his gifts or to grant him the heart of a pastor. Question: What does a minister-with-a-pastor’s- heart look like? How can he tell if he has one? –Instead of looking for excuses not to be at the hospital to minister to the family who needs him, he looks for ways to make it happen. Rising at 4 am to make a two-hour drive in order to arrive before surgery? No problem. –The distance is irrelevant. If necessary, he will hitchhike to get there. He is determined to bless his people in the name of Jesus. –The minister with a pastor’s heart will not do a cost analysis to determine if he should go. You know the drill: “What benefit would come from my visit? and is it worth the time and trouble?” Such reasoning is insulting to the Holy Spirit who can take nothing and make something, can turn a spoken word or a human touch into something eternal and glorious. The shepherd with a pastor’s heart is a true servant of the Lord and is devoted to His people. –A pastor’s heart will not allow the minister to “check someone off his list” after he has made the visit. He will continue to pray for them and check on them, by phone or emails or personal calls. His caring is genuine. A child had been killed in a hit-and-run accident and the family was beside themselves with grief. The community overflowed the church to share the family’s pain during the funeral. The young pastor told me later, “That service was the hardest thing I have ever done.” I said, “All right. I have a question.” “In the middle of that gut-wrenching experience, when your heart is breaking and your soul is crying out to God for help, did you have the feeling that I would rather be here doing this than anyplace else on earth?” He looked surprised, as though I had found out his secret. “That is exactly how I felt.” I said, “You, my friend, have a pastor’s heart.” Now, keep your heart and guard it well. Sin of any type will soil the heart. Rebellion will deaden its sensitivy. And a refusal to confess and forsake the sin will begin to encase the heart in a protective callous. Before long, the minister who showed such promise and blessed so many people now has become a professional. From this time on, he/she serves as a professional and not as a brother or sister who truly cares. You must not let that happen. The day you can minister to a family that is burying a child and not weep with them, you are becoming a professional. The moment you can stand at a bedside of a dying saint and not join with the family’s tears, you are becoming a professional. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He was a shepherd, a Savior with a heart that hurt for the hurting. “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Thank God our Savior has a shepherd’s heart. “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are…” (Hebrews 4:15). I rejoice at having such a Pastor in Heaven. I so want to be a shepherd like Him. By Joe McKeever

Kenneth hagins Is your miracle passing you by

IsYourMiraclePassingYouBy.pdf

Categories: Christian novels

AVOIDING A BAD MARRIAGE

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After salvation, the most important choice you will need to make is who to marry. This choice is so important that if you miss it, you will suffer for long, if you get it right then you will enjoy forever. A bad marriage can affect every other area of your life. This subject is so important, so many married people are hoping to be single again so as to make the right choice. If you are single please don't just be in a hurry to get married, you have the best opportunity to prepare for it.
For two people to come together to live in peace and harmony, they must agree spiritually, mentally and physically. Just like an elephant cannot marry an ant so also a believer cannot marry an unbeliever. If an elephant marries an ant how would they live, if a goat marries a fish where would they meet? You must look for a Godly man or a Godly woman to marry, nothing can beat this. The devil's primary target is the family. He knows that everyone belongs to a family and if he can make two wrong people meet then he has succeeded affecting the community and nations negatively. Ignore your age and the pressure for a moment, the pressure in a wrong marriage is far worse. God has somebody for you but you must set your priorities right. What do you need in a woman? What do you need in a man? Marriage is not about what you want, it is about who you need, that will make you better while you make him better. It is about destiny. That is why you must know your purpose before you get married. Genesis 2:18. You must pray before you choose. God knows the best person for you, it is only wise to seek His will. It is very easy to know God's will when sex is not involved. The moment sex is involved and you want to know His will then He will blank you out.Why? Because you have broken His first Law of NO SEX before marriage. If you have had sex in the past then you need to repent totally and stay away from each other for sometime then you can seek the face of God. Your marriage will not be hell on earth. Your
marriage will be honorable in the name of Jesus Christ. Don't marry for sex, don't marry because you are of age, don't marry because you are getting old, don't marry because you are lonely, don't marry because you need someone to support you financially, don't marry because you mistakenly got pregnant, don't marry because you don't want to lose the person, don't marry because of family pressures, don't marry because you like the idea of marriage and admire every wedding gown you see, don't marry because all your friends are getting married. But get married because you want to fulfill destiny. Get married because you want to be a help mate. As a man, get married because you want to fulfill your purpose. God will help you in choosing, please let His will be done in your Life. Amen!

Forward to the singles you love.
Shalom

Explaining Mathew 4:1

Evening, Feb 20

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
— Matthew 4:1

A holy character does not avert temptation—Jesus was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; but in Christ’s case, it was like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes on striking when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of. Though you become greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but even seclusion will not guard us from the same trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human society into the wilderness, and was tempted of the devil. Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow us into the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritual-minded persons endure the same; and in the holiest position we may suffer the darkest temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against Satanic temptation. Christ was consecrated through and through. It was his meat and drink to do the will of him that sent him: and yet he was tempted! Your hearts may glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, and yet the devil will try to bring you down to Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armour, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation. Like the old knights in war time, we must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first unguarded hour to make us his prey. The Lord keep us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear.

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Displaced Iraqi Christian Girl Who Fled Home to Escape Death Asks God to 'Forgive' ISIS, Despite Her Terrible Living Conditions in Half-Built Mall

Even though her village was seized by the Islamic
State and she's now living a rough life in an
unfinished mall in Kurdish-protected Northern Iraq,
a displaced Christian refugee child is asking God to
"forgive" the ISIS militants.
After ISIS seized most of the Mosul region of Iraq
last June, over 400 mostly Christian displaced Iraqi
families from the villages of Qaraqosh, Bartella and
Kharamles descended upon the Kurdish capital of
Erbil to live in a half-built mall in the in the
Christian neighborhood of Ainkawa.
As the families had picked up and fled their villages in
a hurry before the ISIS militants reached their
towns, the families could only afford to bring bare
necessities and are now living in the mall without
much more than the mattresses, blankets and other
handouts they receive from humanitarian
organizations.
A correspondent with the Arabic Christian television
network SAT-7 's "Kids" program interviewed
children living in the Ainkawa Mall's refugee camp
and asked them what they missed the most about their
lives back home.
In talking with the reporter and camera crew, a little
girl named Myriam, from Qaraqosh, assured that
although her life has changed drastically in the last
year and her family's future remains uncertain, God
continues to provide for her and her family.
"We used to have a house and were entertained,
where as here we are not," Myriam said. "But thank
God. God provides for us."

The reporter was a bit perplexed by Myriam's
comment and asked what she meant by "God provides
for us."
"God loves us and wouldn't let ISIS kill us," she
explained.
(PHOTO: REUTERSR/AZAD LASHKARI)
Displaced Iraqi Christian children who fled from
Islamic State militants in Mosul, gather around a
Christmas tree at a mall still under construction, used as
a refugee camp in Erbil, December 24, 2014.
The reporter followed up by asking Myriam what she
would do if she ever had the opportunity to retaliate
for ISIS' onslaught of her hometown.
"I won't do anything to them," Myriam asserted. "I
will only ask God to forgive them."
After the interview, the reporter thanked Myriam for
her time. Then, Miriam replied, thanking him for his
sympathy.
"You felt for me," she said. "I had some feelings and
I wanted people to know how I feel."
Two other girls from Qaraqosh were also
interviewed. They were asked what they missed the
most about their lives before ISIS took over the
region.
"Our school and our church," Flourine responded.
Maryouma added that, although they miss their
church, "Jesus will be with us no matter where we
go."
The reporter subsequently asked, "Is Jesus with you
in this camp?"
"Yes," Fluorine asserted. "In our hearts."
The video concludes by showing the refugee children
outside the entrance of the mall singing: "My love for
my glorious Savior will increase with each new day.
A new life, a happy day, the day I reunite with the
Lord."

Explaining Matthew 6:21

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 NIV)

You are going to enjoy forever what you invest in Heaven, and you invest in Heaven every time you use money for good.

Yesterday we talked about investing in eternity by using your money to grow your character, encourage fellowship in the Body of Christ, and serve others in need. There are two more funds that you should invest in so that you can yield eternal dividends in Heaven. 

The fourth of God’s investment funds is the Global Fund. This is when you use your money to share the Good News and bring people to Jesus. Luke 16:9 says, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (NIV). A lot of people have no idea what this verse means. Is it saying that you can buy friends? Not at all. It means that God wants you to invest in things that help get people into Heaven so that when you get to Heaven, they will welcome you there. It’s the greatest investment of your life. Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of you?The last investment fund is God’s Treasury Fund. When you give money to God as an act of worship, that’s called the Treasury Fund. God makes a promise in Proverbs3:9: “Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines” (TLB). A tithe is when you give the first 10 percent of your income to God. Anything given above a tithe is called an offering. You can’t really give God anything, because he already owns it all. But think about the allowance you got as a child. If you went out and bought a birthday present for your mom, you’re really using her money. Does that mean she would like the gift any less? No! Because she cares more about the thought and the love behind the gift. God feels the same way about your giving.

The Bible says that wherever our treasure is, our heart will also be there. If what’s most important to you are the things of this earth, then every day you are moving further and further away from your treasure. Because every day you are here on Earth, you’ve got one less day here on Earth. You’re moving further and further away from the things you’re going to leave behind.

But, if you’re investing in God’s funds and using your money to serve God’s purposes, then you’re storing up treasure in Heaven every day. You’re getting closer and closer to your treasure instead of further and further away.

Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Pray this aloud or in your hearttoday: “Dear God, forgive me for all that I’ve spent on things that aren’t going to last. I want to start investing in Heaven. I want to invest in these godly funds. I want to use my money the way you want me to use it. Today I commit to using my money to grow my character and grow in spiritual strength, wisdom, and knowledge and become all that you want me to be. Help me to see ways that I can use what you have given to me to strengthen relationships and show love to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to invest in eternity by using my money to serve others. I want to learn to be generous. I want to be a blessing to others. And I want to use my money to bring people to you. I want people to be in Heaven because I gave. I want to spread the Gospel through my acts of service. And Father, I want to show where my treasure is by investing in eternity through my gifts and offerings to you. I want to honor you by giving you the first part of all my income. I want to give up my lust for money so that the Almighty himself will be my treasure. Help me to remember that I’m not a fool to give up what I cannot keep to gain what I cannot lose. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”-Pastor Rick Warren

Explaining 1JOHN 2:15

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:15-17 The things of the world may be
desired and possessed for the uses and
purposes which God intended, and they are
to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but
believers must not seek or value them for
those purposes to which sin abuses them. The
world draws the heart from God; and the
more the love of the world prevails, the more
the love of God decays. The things of the
world are classed according to the three
ruling inclinations of depraved nature. 1. The
lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of
the heart, the appetite of indulging all things
that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2.
The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted
with riches and rich possessions; this is the
lust of covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a
vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a
vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after
honour and applause. The things of the world
quickly fade and die away; desire itself will
ere long fail and cease, but holy affection is
not like the lust that passes away. The love
of God shall never fail. Many vain efforts
have been made to evade the force of this
passage by limitations, distinctions, or
exceptions. Many have tried to show how
far we may be carnally-minded, and love the
world; but the plain meaning of these verses
cannot easily be mistaken. Unless this victory
over the world is begun in the heart, a man
has no root in himself, but will fall away, or
at most remain an unfruitful professor. Yet
these vanities are so alluring to the corruption
in our hearts, that without constant watching
and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or
obtain victory over the god and prince of it.

Fire Chief Fired for Writing Religious Book that Addressed Homosexuality Files Lawsuit

Kelvin Cochran, the
Atlanta fire chief who
made national headlines
after being fired for
writing a religious book that addressed
homosexuality, has filed a lawsuit against the city
and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
Fox News reports that the lawsuit asks for
Cochran to be reinstated and financially compensated
for the previous loss of his job.
Cochran’s book, entitled “Who Told You That You
Were Naked?” was written for a Bible study that
he was leading. It mentions homosexuality on six
pages; still, an unidentified person showed some of
the book’s passages to city Councilman Alex Wan
who called it discrimination.
“I respect each individual’s rights to have their own
thoughts, beliefs, and opinions, but when you’re a
city employee and those thoughts, beliefs and
opinions are different from the city’s, you have to
check them at the door,” Wan said in an interview
last November.
Cochran is represented by Alliance Defending
Freedom (ADF) attorneys. ADF senior counsel
Kevin Theriot said, “Every American should be
concerned about a government that thinks it can fire
you because of what you believe.”
The ADF is calling Cochran’s dismissal
unconstitutional, arguing that the fire chief lost his
job because of his religious beliefs.
“Americans are guaranteed the freedom to live
without fear of being fired because of their beliefs
and thoughts. The city of Atlanta is not above the
Constitution and federal law. In America, a
religious or ideological test cannot be used to fire a
public servant,” ADF senior counsel David
Cortman said.

Christian Florist Who Refused Gay Wedding Found Guilty of Discrimination

A Washington woman
who refused to make
flower arrangements for
a gay wedding in 2013 has been found guilty of
discrimination.
Christian Today reports that Barronelle Stutzman,
who operated Arlene’s Flowers, refused to provide
the floral arrangements for Robert Ingersoll and
Curt Freed’s wedding because her Christian beliefs
prevented her from doing so in good conscience.
After two years of legal proceedings, Stutzman was
found guilty of discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation.
Stutzman will be likely fined, though the damages
sought by the couple will be determined at a later
date.
Legal group Alliance Defending Freedom
represented Stutzman in the suit; a statement from
the group said that the attorneys intend to appeal
the court’s decision.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Kristen
Waggoner said in a statement, "You put your home,
your family business, and your life savings at risk
by daring to defy a government mandate that forces
you to promote views you believe are wrong."

Court Rules 'God Bless America' Not Unconstitutional

The Florida high
school that told a
student not to say “God
bless America” during
morning announcements said this week that the
student did not violate the U.S. Constitution.
"Upon consultation with legal counsel and review of
legal advisories, the Nassau County School
District has taken the position that a student's use
of the phrase "God Bless America" during the
morning announcements at Yulee High School does
not violate the Constitution of the United States,"
the school district said in a statement.
Charisma News reports that the student will still
have to remain on-script during announcements.
The unidentified student has not been named, and
according to school officials, he was not punished.
"The student in question has been quite cooperative
and understands not to add to the script," said
Nassau County School District spokeswoman
Sharyl Wood.
The controversy started when the American
Humanist Association sent a six-page letter to the
principal at Yulee High School on behalf of two
atheist students at the school.
In the letter, the Humanist Association said the
phrase "God bless America" is a religious message
that "is invidious toward atheists and other
nonbelievers," and that it violates the U.S.
Constitution's First Amendment that "commands a
separation of church and state.”

A Prophetic Warning From the Holy Spirit

It is no secret that the spiritual environment in the world is undergoing a radical change. A great gulf is beginning to divide those who reject absolute truth and those who see what is happening and respond by renewing their commitment to the faith.

The winds of change are blowing, separating the wheat from the chaff.

Even identifying who is "wheat" and who is "chaff" can become a point of contention, depending on the group to which one belongs. Unfortunately, what we currently see and feel is only the beginning of the rift that is developing within the church world. Unless a major revival occurs, this rift will only grow deeper and wider. If repentance doesn't melt the hearts of people throughout the church world, it will eventually seem like there are three churches:

        A church who holds fast to the truth and faces the brunt of opposition because it refuses to bend.
A church in the middle trying to "ride the fence" through accommodation or compromise in order to avoid persecution and societal rejection (see Rev. 2:12-17).
           A lukewarm, "Laodicean-like" church (see Rev. 3:14-22) who has allowed compromise to run its full course, stripping it completely of the power of God and leaving Jesus standing on the outside.
It is not too late for the body of Christ to make a full recovery. In fact, it is never too late as long as there are believers who are willing to hear and hearken to what the Spirit is saying to the church. However, in order for the church to receive the divine power it needs for correction, change and restoration, it must undergo a transformation from the highest to its lowest levels.
The Holy Spirit is prophetically warning His people that the only way they can thwart this impending dark spiritual season is to heed Christ's warning and apply His prescribed solutions found in His Word. Christ's words to all seven churches in the book of Revelation are vital for this top-to-bottom transformation.

However, this is especially true regarding Christ's message to the angel and congregation of Pergamum, who were under assault in the very area being discussed.

The cross is always the path for believers who have decided to walk the straight path with Jesus. The cross is never enjoyable, but it always results in resurrection. Therefore, believers today must be willing to face the cross and believe for resurrection power to flow through them—even if it means they have to suffer the brunt of a changing society that has no tolerance for people who hold to an exclusionary faith or to fixed moral absolutes. If the church has no fixed, non-negotiable biblical truths to stand on, it will simply become a spiritually weak humanitarian organization with a "Christian" philosophy that lacks the power of God.
In Jesus' message to the church of Pergamum, He commended the Pergamene believers who refused to be intimidated by the forces of darkness that were lambasting them from all sides, trying to make them abandon their commitment to the gospel (see Rev. 2:13).

These opposing forces took on a variety of forms for all early believers, ranging from strife among family members to communal ostracism to large-scale government crackdowns against the church.

However, despite the diverse ways in which this antagonism might manifest, these attacks against the early church were all deeply rooted in one common defining characteristic—an adamant adherence to the system of beliefs collectively known today as "paganism."

Now we are approaching the end of this age in an educated, highly sophisticated, and technological world, and we are witnessing a return to that pagan premise of the past that everyone's belief system can be right. More and more, society has no stomach for spiritual or moral absolutes.

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In fact, the public reaction to moral proclamations is often so adverse that many pastors today are hesitant to take strong positions on issues of morality, even though these truths are clearly stated in the Word of God. Rather than answer difficult moral questions, they dodge the questions and skirt around the issues in an attempt to avoid conflict.

We will discover that this is precisely what the errant leaders, whom Christ called Nicolaitans, were doing in Pergamum. Theirs was a doctrine of self-protecting compromise and accommodation with the pagan culture that surrounded the Pergamene congregation.

As a result, it is possible that the pastors and spiritual leaders in that city who decided to "take a stand" and preach the gospel in its pure, unadulterated form were labeled as irrelevant or intolerant hate-mongers.

Early believers endured bullying, ridicule, imprisonment and even death because they refused to conform to the pluralistic pagan world that surrounded them on all sides. The religious, social, cultural and political forces of the city exerted tremendous pressure to coerce these Christians into modifying their message to encompass a more moderate, inclusive view that would make them compliant with the spirit of the age. Although some believers collapsed under this pressure, many steadfastly resisted this coercion to conform and held fast to their faith.

A Prophetic Warning From the Holy Spirit

It is no secret that the spiritual environment in the world is undergoing a radical change. A great gulf is beginning to divide those who reject absolute truth and those who see what is happening and respond by renewing their commitment to the faith.

The winds of change are blowing, separating the wheat from the chaff.

Even identifying who is "wheat" and who is "chaff" can become a point of contention, depending on the group to which one belongs. Unfortunately, what we currently see and feel is only the beginning of the rift that is developing within the church world. Unless a major revival occurs, this rift will only grow deeper and wider. If repentance doesn't melt the hearts of people throughout the church world, it will eventually seem like there are three churches:

        A church who holds fast to the truth and faces the brunt of opposition because it refuses to bend.
A church in the middle trying to "ride the fence" through accommodation or compromise in order to avoid persecution and societal rejection (see Rev. 2:12-17).
           A lukewarm, "Laodicean-like" church (see Rev. 3:14-22) who has allowed compromise to run its full course, stripping it completely of the power of God and leaving Jesus standing on the outside.
It is not too late for the body of Christ to make a full recovery. In fact, it is never too late as long as there are believers who are willing to hear and hearken to what the Spirit is saying to the church. However, in order for the church to receive the divine power it needs for correction, change and restoration, it must undergo a transformation from the highest to its lowest levels.
The Holy Spirit is prophetically warning His people that the only way they can thwart this impending dark spiritual season is to heed Christ's warning and apply His prescribed solutions found in His Word. Christ's words to all seven churches in the book of Revelation are vital for this top-to-bottom transformation.

However, this is especially true regarding Christ's message to the angel and congregation of Pergamum, who were under assault in the very area being discussed.

The cross is always the path for believers who have decided to walk the straight path with Jesus. The cross is never enjoyable, but it always results in resurrection. Therefore, believers today must be willing to face the cross and believe for resurrection power to flow through them—even if it means they have to suffer the brunt of a changing society that has no tolerance for people who hold to an exclusionary faith or to fixed moral absolutes. If the church has no fixed, non-negotiable biblical truths to stand on, it will simply become a spiritually weak humanitarian organization with a "Christian" philosophy that lacks the power of God.
In Jesus' message to the church of Pergamum, He commended the Pergamene believers who refused to be intimidated by the forces of darkness that were lambasting them from all sides, trying to make them abandon their commitment to the gospel (see Rev. 2:13).

These opposing forces took on a variety of forms for all early believers, ranging from strife among family members to communal ostracism to large-scale government crackdowns against the church.

However, despite the diverse ways in which this antagonism might manifest, these attacks against the early church were all deeply rooted in one common defining characteristic—an adamant adherence to the system of beliefs collectively known today as "paganism."

Now we are approaching the end of this age in an educated, highly sophisticated, and technological world, and we are witnessing a return to that pagan premise of the past that everyone's belief system can be right. More and more, society has no stomach for spiritual or moral absolutes.

advertisement
In fact, the public reaction to moral proclamations is often so adverse that many pastors today are hesitant to take strong positions on issues of morality, even though these truths are clearly stated in the Word of God. Rather than answer difficult moral questions, they dodge the questions and skirt around the issues in an attempt to avoid conflict.

We will discover that this is precisely what the errant leaders, whom Christ called Nicolaitans, were doing in Pergamum. Theirs was a doctrine of self-protecting compromise and accommodation with the pagan culture that surrounded the Pergamene congregation.

As a result, it is possible that the pastors and spiritual leaders in that city who decided to "take a stand" and preach the gospel in its pure, unadulterated form were labeled as irrelevant or intolerant hate-mongers.

Early believers endured bullying, ridicule, imprisonment and even death because they refused to conform to the pluralistic pagan world that surrounded them on all sides. The religious, social, cultural and political forces of the city exerted tremendous pressure to coerce these Christians into modifying their message to encompass a more moderate, inclusive view that would make them compliant with the spirit of the age. Although some believers collapsed under this pressure, many steadfastly resisted this coercion to conform and held fast to their faith.

Bibles Banned Because Some 'Uncomfortable' With Word of God

Students in Aberystwyth are pushing for thousands of Gideon Bibles to be removed from university accommodation.

A poll conducted by the students' union claims that more than half of students felt that having the Bibles in university accommodation as a matter of course was "uncomfortable" or "unacceptable."

The call to ban Bibles mirrors action by the University of Huddersfield in 2013—it said it wanted its properties to be "ethically neutral."

'Safe Space'
Student John David Morgan raised the matter at a student council meeting that 50 people attended in January.

He claimed that the "inclusion of Bibles in university bedrooms is inappropriate in a multicultural university such as Aberystwyth."

The student went on to say: "It could be offensive for some, and the university should provide a safe space for students to explore and develop their beliefs in a neutral environment."

'Support and Encouragement'
A spokesman for The Christian Institute said: "It is hard to imagine how a person could actually be offended by a Bible simply being in their room.

"The Gideons have been supplying Bibles free of charge for over a century now, providing support and encouragement for Christians and non-Christians alike.

"Banning the Bible because some people might be uncomfortable with it would be a huge overreaction.

Engagement
"Students who feel uncomfortable having a Bible in their room could instead see this as an opportunity to try and engage with it.

"Local evangelical churches and the Christian Union will be only too happy to help them."

The University of Huddersfield's decision to remove Bibles from its student accommodation was branded 'anti-Christian' by a retired local minister, Rev. Mike Smith.

'Tragic and Bizarre'
Last year nationwide hotel chain Travelodge removed Bibles from all of its rooms in a move criticized by the Church of England.

A spokesman said: "It seems both tragic and bizarre that hotels would remove the Word of God for the sake of ergonomic design" or "economic incentive."

The motion calls for all of the Bibles in university bedrooms to be removed at the end of the current academic year.

http://www.charismanews.com/world/48304-bibles-banned-because-some-uncomfortable-with-word-of-god

Ben Carson Placed on 'Extremist' Watch List by Southern Poverty Law Center

A legal advocacy group has labelled potential
presidential candidate Ben Carson an
“extremist,” according to reports. The
nonprofit Southern Poverty Law Center
(SPLC) assigned Carson the label for his
support of biblical marriage, which the group
calls “anti-LGBT.”
Charisma News reports that the SPLC
gathered quotes Carson said in interviews as
well as his recent book “America the
Beautiful” to determine his place on the
extremist watch list.
Carson was quoted as saying “[I]f we can
redefine marriage as between two men or
two women or any other way based on
social pressures as opposed to between a
man and a woman, we will continue to
redefine it in any way that we wish, which is
a slippery slope with a disastrous ending, as
witnessed in the dramatic fall of the Roman
Empire,” in a 2013 interview with Sean
Hannity.
In response to the “extremist” label, Carson
told WND, "When embracing traditional
Christian values is equated to hatred, we are
approaching the stage where wrong is called
right and right is called wrong. It is
important for us to once again advocate true
tolerance."
Publication date: February 11, 2015

Marquette University Suspends ProfessorWho Objected after Student was Forbidden from Opposing Gay Marriage

A Marquette University professor has been
suspended from his teaching position after
writing a blog that criticized another
professor who prohibited a student from
expressing views supporting traditional
marriage.
Christian Today reports that John McAdams,
a professor of 37 years, received a letter of
suspension from Dean Richard Holtz that
said he will be banned from campus and
suspended with pay until the establishment
concludes an investigation.
McAdams reportedly wrote about fellow
professor Cheryl Abbate who told her class
that any speech against gay marriage would
be deemed offensive. The professor also
told a male student who disagreed with her
stance on gay marriage that he could drop
the class.
In his blog, McAdams wrote, "Abbate, of
course, was just using a tactic typical
among liberals now. Opinions with which
they disagree are not merely wrong, and are
not to be argued against on their merits, but
are deemed 'offensive' and need to be shut
up."
Marquette University released a statement
saying that McAdams’ blog was a “personal
attack” against another professor.
"As stated in our harassment policy, the
university will not tolerate personal attacks
or harassment of or by students, faculty and
staff,” the statement read. “To be clear, we
will take action to address those concerns.
We deplore hatred and abuse directed at a
member of our community in any format."
Marquette University is a “Catholic and
Jesuit university” in Milwaukee, according to
the establishment’s website.

Obama Condemns ‘Distorted’ Faith at National Prayer Breakfast

President Obama on Thursday (Feb. 5)
called for an emphasis on what is just about
the world’s religions as a way to counter the
ways faith has been distorted across the
globe.
“We see faith driving us to do right,” he said
to more than 3,500 people attending the
annual National Prayer Breakfast. “But we
also see faith being twisted and distorted,
used as a wedge — or worse, sometimes
used as a weapon.”
He urged believers of all faiths to practice
humility, support church-state separation and
adhere to the golden rule as ways to keep
religion in its proper context.
“As people of faith, we are summoned to
push back against those who try to distort
our religion — any religion — for their own
nihilistic ends,” Obama said. “Here at home
and around the world we will constantly
reaffirm that fundamental freedom: freedom
of religion, the right to practice our faith
how we choose, to change our faith if we
choose, to practice no faith at all if we
choose, and to do so free of persecution and
fear and discrimination.”
Obama denounced the so-called Islamic
State that is waging a bloody war across
Syria and Iraq against fellow Muslims and
religious minorities, labeling the group “a
brutal, vicious death cult.”
The breakfast has often turned controversial,
and this year was no exception with the
inclusion of the Dalai Lama, the exiled
spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who
attended but did not speak and was not
seated on the dais with other speakers.
Under pressure from China not to recognize
the Nobel laureate, Obama nonetheless
opened his remarks by welcoming the Dalai
Lama, calling him “a powerful example of
what it means to practice compassion” and
someone who “inspires us to speak up for
the freedom and dignity of all human
beings.”
Chinese officials had criticized the Dalai
Lama’s plans to appear at the event.
“We are against any country’s interference in
China’s domestic affairs under the pretext of
Tibet-related issues, and are opposed to any
foreign leader’s meeting with the Dalai Lama
in any form,” said Hong Lei, spokesman for
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before
the breakfast.
Obama and the Dalai Lama have met several
times at the White House, but the White
House usually keeps the meetings private
and low-key so as not to anger China.
NASCAR commentator Darrell Waltrip, the
keynoter of the breakfast, joked about his
being invited two years after conservative
neurosurgeon Ben Carson raised eyebrows
by directly confronting the president about
Obama’s signature health care reform.
“I’m not a brain surgeon and I’m not running
for office so I’m the perfect guy to be here
this morning,” he said.
From a distance, Pope Francis joined Obama
in calling for greater religious freedom.
“I ask you to pray for me and to join me in
praying for our brothers and sisters
throughout the world who experience
persecution and death for their faith,” the
pontiff wrote in a letter to attendees that
was read in part by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.,
who co-chaired the breakfast with Sen.
Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
Following the recent deadly attacks on a
French weekly that had published satirical
cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad,
Obama also spoke of the need to support
both freedom of speech and freedom of
religion.
“If, in fact, we defend the legal right of a
person to insult another’s religion, we’re
equally obligated to use our free speech to
condemn such insults,” he said, drawing
applause, “and stand shoulder to shoulder
with religious communities, particularly
religious minorities, who are the targets of
such attacks.”
Obama expressed thanks for the safe return
of Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, who
was held in North Korea for more than a
year, and recounted his recent meeting in
Boise, Idaho, with the family of U.S. pastor
Saeed Abedini, who remains imprisoned in
Iran and has become a cause celebre for
many evangelicals.
“We’re going to keep up this work for Pastor
Abedini and all those around the world who
are unjustly held or persecuted because of
their faith,” the president said, noting that
Rabbi David Saperstein, the new U.S.
ambassador-at-large for international
religious freedom, would be heading soon to
Iraq to work with religious leaders there.
The breakfast, in its 63rd year, is chaired
each year by members of Congress who
meet weekly for prayer when Congress is in
session. It draws politicians, diplomats and
prominent evangelical Christian leaders but
often includes an interfaith roster of
speakers.
Rabbi Greg Marx of Maple Glen, Pa., gave
the invocation and former Ambassador
Andrew Young, once an aide to the Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr. and a president of the
National Council of Churches, gave the
benediction.
Wicker read from the Gospel of Luke in
place of the scheduled speaker, King
Abdullah II of Jordan, reciting the story of
the good Samaritan. Abdullah had to return
home after a hostage crisis involving the
Islamic State turned deadly.
“We all know the heartbreaking
circumstances his country is experiencing at
this point,” Wicker said. “Our prayers are
with the people of Jordan during this
troubling time of crisis.”
Courtesy: Religion News Service

Top 10 Christian Rappers

Lecrae
Lecrae is easily the best Christian rapper out
there. He places actual scripture alone with
great production and the flow is off the chain.
It really doesn't get much better then 'Crae
No competition. Lecrae owns everyone on this
list. His song Transformers is amazing! I have
never even heard of these other fools y'all
musta never heard a Lecrae song otherwise
he'd be number one.
Man! This dude is just way too cool! He is
suppose to be the number 1st Christian rapper
ever! This guy can rap better than Eminem or
Lil Wayne!
He is the best rapper.
More comments about Lecrae
[Newest]

Andy Mineo
This guy can rap! Listen to his: heroes for
sale...
Andy Mineo is the cure if your missing music
that bumps. Not only does he deliver the word
so everyone can understand it but I got my
unsaved friends really interested in Jesus
because of his music. I love this dude!
Andy is awesome if you're looking for good
clean fast rap and a good bass kick Togo with
the Andy is the best. He also give a great
message.
He's beast with sick bars
[Newest]

Trip Lee
Ok Lecraes the best, but in my opinion Trip
Lee is just as good.
As for others above trip:
Toby Mac has turned more to pop (have you
heard Eye On It? )
Thousand Foot Krutch is mainly rock (not
much rap)
Manafest is good (but not better than trip)
& Kj-52? Come on. He has some good stuff
but he has to have 24 tracks on a cd to
produce one good song (because the rest is
junk)
I LOVE TRIP LEE, clearly deserves to be #1...
But I have to pay my respects to lecare he's
just as good.
I love Trip Lee music... Reach Records can't
be touched...
One of the most unique hip hop
figures of our modern era
[Newest]

KB
Insane rapper! He puts Eminem and Lil wayne
to shame!
KB is a beast with Church Clap, Go Off, and
Zone Out these songs are great pump up
songs.
KB should be near the top! Songs like Go and
Angels are awesome!
He should be the best because his
lyrics of all his songs are straightly about God
and not women and guns. he is also a better
rapper then most of the unchristian rappers
out there
[Newest]

Flame
He is just awesome. He flows with the beat
and his creativity is incredibly rear. That's
watsup for the man himself. "Flame"
Flame is one tot the greatest I've heard!
Joyful noise is awesome! So is surrender
feat.V. Rose! Several of his albums have
gotten top 10 on the billboard! But all
Christian rappers are GREAT as long as they
pursue and rap about Jesus Christ.
He is just awesome... For example letgo kool
one
Flames the best rapper
[Newest]

Tedashii
Don't no what tedashii is doing down here
Have you heard Tedashii? Trip Lee? Andy
Mineo? These Reach guys are as good as
they come. They have to be at the top.
HE IS THE BEST. I hear a lot of people say
how good Lecrae is but Tedashii (in my
opinion) is better. He just can't be beat...
Wait... WHY IS HE DOWN HERE, LISTEN TO
SOME OF HIS SONGS HE DESERVES TO BE
#1.
letdot52
He has definitely started a Riot!
[Newest]

Canon
If we are judging purely off of musical talent
and control, Canon is simply the best rapper
on the market right now, secular or Christian.
Eminem has his moments, but is simply not
the same artist he was in the early 2000s.
Jay-Z is quite overrated. Lecrae is a good
rapper, but his position at the top of the list
is based mainly on his total success and
market exposure. He had accomplished much
more than Canon with the help of a much
more successful record company. However,
one listen to Canon's latest projects such as
Mad Haven and Loose Canon Volume 2 show
a mature and extremely skilled musician.
Canon is absolutely the best Christian rapper
there is no comparison just listen to his
songs, good to go, ten toes deep, loud music,
and where is mad haven, also hear him
freestyle every one of his lyrics syllables are
spoken perfectly and he is like three times
faster than Eminem who sucks
So fast and he has good lyrics with awesome
beats and a good flow
He has really good lyrics and is
definitely the fastest rapper I have ever heard!
[Newest]

KJ-52
I love his music. He can be both funny
(Fivetweezy), strait forward (Cry No More).
kj 52 is awesome, and probably the best
christian rapper out there. he is also good for
people who love eminem music, but can't
stand the vulgarity.
He's great listen to the songs, Right Here, and
You're Gonna Make It. He's so motovational. I
love him
Best Christian rapper I've ever seen!
This guy is the best for meaningful, fun and
serious music. All of his albums are
awesome! #KJ52
[Newest]
Bizzle
The most passionate christian rapper I have
heard in my life. His songs are both
encouraging the listener to be righteous and
Holy, his flow and beat is awesome and he
gives GOD all the honor and glory. Bizzle is
way too underrated.
Bizzle in my opinion is just as easy talking
when reaching the youths getting tainted by
negative rap as he is hard on those rappers
that need to be beat into submission.
Bizzle is lyrically the best. Lecrae and him are
up there lecrae is more catchy more accepted
from the outside. Bizzle will never be invited
to 106 or other mainstream events prolly not
even sway because he has more conviction in
his rhymes. The reason he isn't ranked higher
than 5 on everyone's list is because not too
many people know about him but his we'll
wishes album has so many collarborations
things will change. By the way the albums
proceeds go to helping people in Africa with
there supply of water100%.
Should be higher for SURE
[Newest]

Da' T.R.U.T.H.
Speaks the truth just as his name...
Jesus is for everybody!
Umm hello? I can't believe he's not on the list
yet- "i can't believe", "Jesus is for
everybody"?
Him and Lecrae are top 2 world
wide. This chart is full of 116 heads voting

NATALIE GRANT LYRICS

"In Christ Alone"
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Muslims Attack Christian School over Charlie Cartoons

Some 300 armed Muslim
students attacked a
Christian boys' school in
northern Pakistan in
retaliation to French
satirical newspaper
Charlie Hebdo's
controversial drawings of
Mohammed.
According to the
Christian Post , the
incident took place at
Panel High School,
which is located in the
province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At least four boys were injured and the school
was badly damaged.
Nasir Saeed, director of the NGO Center for
Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS),
called the attacks "sad."
"It is very sad that Islamic radicals attack
Pakistani Christians because of Charlie Hebdo.
Christians condemn the blasphemous cartoons,"
he told Fides News Agency .
"It is a shame that even after 67 years since the
birth of Pakistan, Christians have not yet been
considered Pakistani citizens, but are seen as
'Western allies,'" he said.
Saeed explained that such attacks on Pakistan's
minority Christian community are not uncommon.
"Whenever incidents occur in Western countries,
the faithful Pakistanis are attacked. Christians,
who are already living under constant fear for
their lives, become even more vulnerable," the
CLAAS director said.
"It is the politicians' duty to create a cultural
environment and a society in which Christians
and religious minorities feel safe," he added.

Nigerian Christians in Danger of Valentine's Massacre?

The lives of Christians in
northern Nigeria are in
grave danger - they are being targeted, attacked
and killed for their faith. The violence is
expected to get worse because of the upcoming
Feb. 14 presidential election.
"The upcoming election will likely be a
Valentine's Day massacre for poor Christians of
Northern Nigeria," Human rights lawyer
Emmanuel Ogebe warned during a Jan. 27
congressional hearing.
Anne Buwalda, executive director of The Jubilee
Campaign , believes there are three major
components contributing to the attacks.
"One [component] is the fact that the northern
states of Nigeria, there are 13 specifically that
have Sharia law, and a minority Christian
community," she explained. "Second, you have a
Muslim opposition candidate who is contesting
the election against the existing Christian
candidate Goodluck Jonathan."
The third component Buwalda gives for the
fierce attacks on Christians in Northern Nigeria -
Boko Haram.
"(Boko Haram) wants to destabilize the country
and which has come out time and time declaring
it's efforts to remove democracy from Nigeria. It
wants to turn all of Nigeria into a Sharia Islamic
state," Buwalda told CBN News.
***Anne Buwalda, executive director of The Jubilee
Campaign, spoke more with CBN News about why
she believed Christians in northern Nigeria being
targeted. Click the player for her comments.
Many parallels are being drawn between the
Feb. 14 election and Nigeria's last election from
April 2011. During that time Buwalda says 528
churches were burned, at least 200 Christians
were killed, and thousands of Christian homes
were burned to the ground.
"That was an outbreak of violence that was
general communal violence. This time we have
the lethal component of the Boko Haram
terrorism," Buwalda said
J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council's
Africa Center, addressed the matter in a
prepared statement for the House Subcommittee
on Foreign Affairs.
"Between victims of raids by the militants and
those killed by its campaign of terrorist
bombings, more than 10,000 people lost their
lives in 2014 to violence connected to Boko
Haram," he wrote.
Escaping the violence doesn't appear to be an
option.
"It's very challenging to escape. First of all you
already have at least 1.5 million IDPs (Internally
Displaced People) from the north of Nigeria that
have fled across the border to Cameroon and
Niger, " Buwalda explained. "There is simply no
place to go."
"It's very grim; the fear of what could happen in
less than two weeks is disconcerting," Buwlada
said.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Nigeria
earlier this week. He urged presidential
candidates to refrain from stirring up violence
after next month's vote. Kerry also promised
that America will continue to support Nigeria's
military in the fight against Boko Haram.
On Wednesday, Nigerian and Chadian jets
bombed northeast Nigerian towns and villages
dominated by Boko Haram. The strike marks the
first major offensive action against the terror
organization.
"There's a hope that perhaps this international
contingency of forces could have some advance
against the Boko Haram terrorists," Buwalda
said.
CBN International plans to provide assistance to
those who may be impacted by the election day
violence. If you'd like to donate, click here.
Please also join in our interactive prayer
campaign leading up to the Feb.14 election. If
you would like to raise awareness and share your
prayers - you can do that on social media using
the hashtag #PrayersForNigeria.

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