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Remembering the Good Thoughts of Christmas – 12 Days of Christmas
Christmas is the time to celebrate the life and birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Who better to share these celebrations with than family and friends. Remember the joys and laughter as you see one family’s act of kindness so that the entire family can come together, and so much more. Greg shared in this segment.
“Even if I say “Jesus Christ”, they may kill me” Amidst Persecution in Iran, The Church is experiencing revival
Here in America, we are able to express our rights and feelings very freely. But, this is not true for everyone else in the world. For those living in Iran, the word ‘oppression’ is an understatement. Just for starters, a group of teenagers were arrestedfor simply being happy. As for the Church in Iran, it is a similar story. But, the Church is actually growing! CBN News was able to sit down with a few Iranian Christians who shared what life is like in Iran.
Raizail is from Iran and grew up hearing about Jesus, “Every time, His name was in my mind. And the next moment I started liking Christianity. It was really sweet to me, the feeling, the stories, everything.” This experience growing up led her to later believe in Jesus Christ when she was 15 years old. But Raizail soon learned that life would no longer be as it was. “Even if I say Jesus Christ, they kill me.” Fearing for their lives, many Christians fled to Turkey seeking safety. Another Iranian Christian, Afshin, shared what it is like now that he is in Iran, “[It’s] totally different from Iran… I can freely praise the Lord. I can easily go to church. It’s completely different.”
From the outside, some wouldn’t perceive that the Church in Iran is experiencing growth. But when we take a closer look, we can clearly see that the Holy Spirit is powerfully moving in this nation. “From 1994, there were about 100,000 believers. Right now, there are 3 million. You can see what the Holy Spirit is doing with the people.” It is vitally important that we pray for the Christians in Iran and for those experiencing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ, just as Pastor Saeed Abedini did.
One man encountered Jesus after he had a car accident. Speaking through a translator he shared, “In the accident, I passed out and so I saw, like a dream.” He was standing outside the vehicle and looking at himself in the accident. He continues to point out exactly what he saw, “There were many black things, they were coming, and they were coming at me, and I just felt myself stressed…and then there was just one bright shiny one, and that one was coming; and when that light was coming, I felt comfortable. I felt safe.”
He continues to point out, “I got a hold of a Bible and I got a hold of a Jesus film.” He learned that the “bright shiny one” that he had seen was Jesus. The more he talked to Jesus, the more he learned. It was in this beginning dialogue with Jesus that he realized Jesus was not allah. “For 27 years, I would call out to allah, but I feel like he was never speaking to me. But when I spoke to Jesus, right away answers would come.” He would receive multiple dreams from Jesus and be shown things in order to understand what Jesus was talking to him about. “I saw the things that were in Scripture, but in my dreams.” He soon decided to give his life to Jesus Christ.
Before these encounters, he was taking marijuana and alcohol. But, after giving his life to Jesus, all of this changed. “After Jesus saved me, I didn’t even want those things.” His entire family had witnessed such a profound change in his life that eventually his brother gave his life to the Lord, as well as his entire family. Recalling his life under Islam, he points out, “There is only One Man that can save us, and that is Jesus. The Sharia Law does not save us. It cannot save us.”
Here in America, we get restless when the temperature isn’t right, when the schedule isn’t right, and a myriad of other factors that we perceive should be present in order for us to follow Jesus. When we look at what other Christians are experiencing throughout the world, potentially being whipped, beaten, or arrested for their faith, we have to remind ourselves that we will all personally stand before Jesus Christ and answer for the life that we live. What are we doing with the freedoms that we have right now?
Be encouraged and lifted up in your faith as you see and hear more about the miraculous stories of what the Holy Spirit is doing in Iran, the entire story of one Muslim’s man powerful encounter with Jesus Christ, being baptized in Iran, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: the Resurrection, refugees, revival, and dreams. Greg and Steve shared in this segment.
Muslim Man shares Testimony of Encountering Jesus and Gets Baptized. “Jesus would show Himself in my dreams so I would understand more and believe more”
Here in America, some perceive that everything has to be “just right” in order to follow Jesus; the air conditioning, the message, the pastor, and on and on. God is moving all across the world and speaking to so many! The Church in Iran is experiencing powerful growth; and some of the testimonies that are taking place are sure to stir your faith.
One man encountered Jesus after he had a car accident. Speaking through a translator he shared, “In the accident, I passed out and so I saw, like a dream.” He continues to point out exactly what he saw, “There were many black things, they were coming, and they were coming at me, and I just felt myself stressed…and then there was just one bright shiny one, and that one was coming; and when that light was coming, I felt comfortable. I felt safe.”
He continues to point out, “I got a hold of a Bible and I got a hold of a Jesus film.” He learned that the “bright shiny one” that he had seen was Jesus. The more he talked to Jesus, the more he learned. It was in this beginning dialogue with Jesus that he realized Jesus was not allah. “For 27 years, I would call out to allah, but I feel like he was never speaking to me. But when I spoke to Jesus, right away answers would come.” He would receive multiple dreams from Jesus and be shown things in order to understand what Jesus was talking to him about. “I saw the things that were in Scripture, but in my dreams.” He soon decided to give his life to Jesus Christ.
Before these encounters, he was taking marijuana and alcohol. But, after giving his life to Jesus, all of this changed. “After Jesus saved me, I didn’t even want those things.” His entire family had witnessed such a profound change in his life that eventually his brother gave his life to the Lord, as well as his entire family. Recalling his life under Islam, he points out, “There is only One Man that can save us, and that is Jesus. The Sharia Law does not save us. It cannot save us.”
Be encouraged and lifted up in your faith as you see and hear more about the miraculous stories of what the Holy Spirit is doing in Iran, the entire story of one Muslim’s man powerful encounter with Jesus Christ, being baptized in Iran, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: the Resurrection, eternity, and dreams. Greg and Steve shared in this segment.
“Jesus is the Will of God” says Todd White; “Jesus is Perfect Theology” says Bill Johnson. There is No Greater Demonstration of Perfection than Jesus Christ
Have you ever wondered what a life of perfection looks like? One Person walked that out: Jesus. Jesus walked out perfection and He wants us to do what He did in His life obeying the Father.
Todd White, of Lifestyle Christianity, articulates this perfectly, “Jesus is the will of God. Anything you see in the life of Jesus is exactly what God would do and exactly what God would say.” White further points out, “Jesus never did anything apart from the Father, showing Him to do it. And, He never said anything apart from the Father, that told Him what to say.” This clearly points out how Jesus was so effectively able to minister and reach all of those that He continually encountered. Regardless of where Jesus went, as White highlights, “He preached, He taught, He healed.”
In America, some may perceive that the dream is to rest, and not being mobile. But, what if God wants us on a plane somewhere bringing the Gospel to another nation? We have to go back and search out the patterns and the roads that God gave us so that we can better live out our lives that God calls us to.
We are only given a moment in time to live out each breath that God gives us. In an environment like many are experiencing in Iran, and the Middle East, you pay attention, but it’s real difficult to pay attention in the blessing. Now is the time to live our lives as Jesus lived His life. If we want to know if we are living right, just look at Jesus. Bill Johnson, of Bethel Church, said it best. “Jesus is Perfect Theology”. Be encouraged and reminded about the power of Jesus Christ and the simplicity of His life that He walked out each and every day, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: Vine Seminar, Emmaus Road Discipleship, Abiding, relationships, and evangelism. Greg and Steve shared in this segment.
A Tribute of Gratitude to All of Our Grocery Stores – 12 Days of Christmas
Of all the preparations and cooking that takes place this time of year, none of it can be possible without the many men and women who work at our grocery stores. We are truly grateful for each and every one of them. Allow your heart to smile as you see a Christmas celebration, with a checkout twist, and so much more. Greg and Steve shared in this segment.
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