Think on These Things

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.   Hebrews 13:3 (ESV)

Christian Persecution

Church Pastor's Niece, 10, Gunned Down Leaving Sunday School Class, Dozens Injured as Attacks Against Egypt's Christians Continue

 

By MidEast Christian News

August 7, 2013|11:49 pm

 

 

An horrific attack has taken place against Egypt's Christian Coptic community, after several unidentified individuals indiscriminately opened fire in front of the Evangelical church in Ain Shams, a suburb of Cairo, killing Jessi Paulis Issa, 10, and injuring dozens of Copts.

 

 

 

 

 

Muslim Brotherhood Not Respecting Rights of Christians in Egypt, Judiciary Led by Ideology Not Law, Says Egyptian Leader

 

By MidEast Christian News

June 27, 2013|12:16 pm

 

 

 

George Isaac, a leading member of Egypt's National Salvation Front, has rebuked the lack of action taken against those involved in attacks that target Coptic Christians and their churches.

 

Isaac stressed that the people taken to trial for such crimes have not been punished. In sharp contract he also highlighted the harsh rulings that Copts face when they are accused in various ways of "insulting Islam." He has described them as a sectarian punishments.

Isaac blamed the existence of Islamic elements in Egypt's judiciary, adding that they issue their rules according to their ideology not the law. He criticized authorities for not appointing Christian Copts to any leading positions while blaming the vision adopted by the Muslim Brotherhood towards Copts as people who do not have rights.

 

Four Egyptians Killed in Outbreak of Sectarian Violence

 

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013
    

In one of the most explosive outbreaks of sectarian violence since the June 30 protest in Egypt, four Christian men were killed and others were hospitalized. These life threatening injuries, from being stabbed and beaten, occurred after a mob of Muslims stormed their homes. In addition to the dead and wounded, more than 27 Christians’ homes were looted and destroyed by the mob. Despite repeated calls from local residents and religious leaders, the security forces did little to intervene on behalf of the Christians in the village of Nagaa Hassan in Al-Dabaiya, near Luxor Egypt.

Persecution in Syria

Published: 16:00 GMT Daylight Time - Wednesday 10 July 2013

Christian teenager in Syria raped by 15 Islamist rebels and killed

Country/Region: Middle East and North Africa, Syria

A Christian teenager in Syria was seized by Islamist rebels, forcibly married and raped by 15 different men before being killed.

Christian women are extremely vulnerable in Syria

The tragic sufferings of Mariam (15) from al-Qusair have only just come to light but happened during the rebel occupation of the town, which was recaptured by the Syrian army at the beginning of June. 
Mariam was seized by militants linked to the al-Nusra Front (AKA Jabhat al-Nusra), which has become one of the leading rebel groups fighting against President Bashar al-Assad. Her family managed to escape the town.
One of the Islamists “married” and raped the 15-year-old before repudiating her. The following day, she was forced to marry another militant who also raped her and then repudiated her. Mariam was repeatedly subjected to this terrifying ordeal by different men for 15 days, leaving her psychologically disturbed.
The militants eventually killed the Christian teenager.
The rebels in Syria have been encouraged to rape non-Sunni women as part of their campaign. Earlier this year, Salafi sheikh Yasir al-Ajlawni issued a fatwa saying it was “legitimate” for Muslim fighters who are trying to put in place an Islamist government to “capture and have sex with” Alawites, the sect to which President Assad belongs, and other non-Sunni, non-Muslim women.
It followed a similar edict by Saudi cleric Muhammad al-Arifi in which he told jihadi fighters that they had the right to have sexual intercourse with captured Syrian women.
Thousands of Christians were forced to flee al-Qusair during its takeover by the rebels last year. They started to return after government troops recaptured the town, finding a scene of almost total devastation.
Church leaders have been gathering accounts from Christian families such as Mariam’s about their sufferings at rebel hands. 

The Test of a Person's Character

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. 

 

Titus 2: 11-15 (NIV)

 

 

Dwell upon these things in your heart and mind before our Lord God and pray that He will guide you in all your decisions and actions.  Finally, pray for the strength to do His will for His glory and the true love of self and others.     JNP