LEAVING ISLAM FOR CHRIST’S FREEDOM CONVICTED ME THAT SILENCE IS SIN

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This is a great article by Hedieh Mirahmadi, Exclusive Columnist of The Christian Post. In the process of leaving Islam for Christ’s freedom, she was convicted that not actively sharing your faith is sin.

In a world that vilifies biblical truth, the temptation to stay silent grows stronger every day. Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us there’s “a time to be silent and a time to speak,” yet too often Christians choose silence when the world needs our voice the most.

As a former Muslim who spent years navigating spiritual deception before encountering Christ, I understand the cost of keeping quiet. Silence can feel safe, but it’s a betrayal of the Gospel. We are called to proclaim truth boldly, even when it costs us everything, as it did for Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, whose recent martyrdom ignited a fire for revival.

Silence often stems from unbelief. When we doubt God’s power, we clamp our mouths shut, much like Zechariah, struck mute for questioning God’s promise of a son. Before I knew Jesus, I thought silence was strategic — avoiding conflict to blend in. Faith demands more. As 2 Corinthians 4:13 declares, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We who believe must speak, openly proclaiming truth as Paul urged in 2 Corinthians 4:2, renouncing “the things hidden because of shame.” In a culture quick to brand biblical convictions as “hate speech,” unbelief whispers to stay quiet. Faith shouts.

Speaking truth comes at a price. John 3:20 warns that the world hates the light because it exposes evil. Scripture and history bear this out: Abel, the first martyr; John the Baptist, beheaded for calling out sin; Stephen, stoned for his unyielding testimony in Acts 7. Modern heroes like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Bobby Kennedy paid with their lives for their convictions.

Some call it hate speech, but truth often sounds like hate to those in darkness. Jesus Himself was crucified for speaking the truth. Silent before Pilate, bearing our sins, He spoke when asked if He was King: “For this purpose I have come into the world: to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). Pilate’s scoff — “What is truth?” — mirrors today’s relativism, where truth is sacrificed for tolerance.

My journey from Islam to Christianity taught me that silence enables oppression. In Islamic regimes, dissent is crushed, much like the synagogue leaders who accused Stephen of blasphemy when they couldn’t counter his wisdom. They covered their ears and killed him, just as today’s cancel culture silences truth-tellers. Stephen’s angelic face as he forgave his killers echoes the love that transformed me from legalism to grace. Ephesians 5:11 compels us: “Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.” Charlie’s martyrdom wasn’t murder; it was a spark for revival. After his death and Erika’s powerful speech, Turning Point USA grew from 2,000 to 32,000 chapters. The enemy snuffed out a candle, but God ignited an inferno.

Yet how many of us shrink back? Like Moses, reluctant to lead, or Isaiah, feeling unworthy, we make excuses. Fear of rejection? Loss of approval? Luke 6:26 warns, “Woe to you when all the people speak well of you.” We are sent — dispatched by Jesus, who said, “Just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Silence isn’t an option. Psalm 39:2 describes the pain of holding back: “I was mute and silent … And my pain was stirred up.” Paul, battered in Corinth, heard Christ say, “Go on speaking and do not be silent” (Acts 18:9). Charlie was a megaphone for truth; we must be too.

ARE YOU BOLDLY AND COURAGEOUSLY DECLARING JESUS CHRIST AS LORD & SAVIOUR?

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Our God is awesome! Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.“ 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Scripture defines us as those who are “more than conquerors” in the trials of life.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

We are victorious because we are precious in the sight of a holy, majestic, and loving God. To be a Christian and serve Him who is worthy is the highest calling anyone can receive. We are deemed “a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” and “God’s special possession.” In this identity, we are to “declare the praises of Him who called” us “out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

A mind centered on Christ explains why we exist, where we came from, and where we are going. A mind fixed on Christ allows us to respond to anything we should face.

Why would anyone want to keep the wonderful truth of Christ to themselves? May we be bold and courageous so we are His army — a Kingdom — that reflects a zeal for the Lord and a passion to share His truth and proclaim His name boldly.

FEARLESSNESS IN THE FACE OF DANGER

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In the last days, we will need to be fearless in the face of danger just as David was with Goliath.

“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?… And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth and he has been a man of war from his youth.”…Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”… Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.” 1 Samuel 17:26b,33,36, 45-46

How was David so fearless? David knew that God was in control and he could trust God no matter how hopeless the circumstances.

How about Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

“ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

All three exhibited total trust in God despite the impossible circumstances.

Daniel was also fearless in the face of a horrible fate. The governors and high officials plotted against Daniel because King Darius was going to set Daniel as governor over the whole kingdom. They succeeded in getting the king against his will to cast Daniel into a lion’s den. It is obvious from the following Scripture that Daniel had witnessed extensively to King Darius.

“The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Daniel 6:16

“Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Daniel 6:21-22

“Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:23

How about Joshua? At age eighty after forty years in the wilderness God gives Joshua the task of taking the Promised Land from its inhabitants, after thirteen major battles and many skirmishes God maintained his strength so that he could say “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me“.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.” Joshua 14:10-11

These passages in Joshua aren’t just a proof text for being fearless, they are also a lesson in the paradox of trusting God and also being fearless. Joshua was told to be strong and courageous, but God also told Joshua He would fight on behalf of Israel.

What about the example of Esther. She was fearless: “if I perish, I perish”.

“Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16

When preaching the Gospel we need to be fearless like Peter and I am sure we will see the power of God manifested as did Peter and many other Christians during a time of intense persecution.

“Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:12-16

TIME TO BE COURAGEOUS AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST EVIL

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Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, delivered a scathing open letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) this week, accusing the leader of “rewarding evildoers and punishing the righteous.” More leaders need to be courageous and speak out as MacArthur did regardless of the outcome or cost.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

The Sept. 29 missive, seemingly sparked by Newsom’s decision to place pro-abortion billboards in conservative states, takes aim, among other grievances, at the liberal governor’s use of the Bible on those placards.

As Faithwire recently reported, Newsom employed Jesus’ words in Mark 12:31, placing the following message on billboards advertising abortion in at least two states: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.”

MacArthur took explicit aim at this action and called the governor’s use of Jesus’ words an “act of gross blasphemy.” He then summarized the campaign as sheer “wickedness.”

“In mid-September, you revealed to the entire nation how thoroughly rebellious against God you are when you sponsored billboards across America promoting the slaughter of children, whom He creates in the womb (Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 45:9–12),” MacArthur wrote. “You further compounded the wickedness of that murderous campaign with a reprehensible act of gross blasphemy, quoting the very words of Jesus from Mark 12:31 as if you could somehow twist His meaning and arrogate His name in favor of butchering unborn infants.”

And he wasn’t done there. Earlier in the letter, the popular preacher went on to cite the Prophet Isaiah’s warning against calling good evil and evil good, claiming many of Newsom’s policies reflect an “unholy, upside-down view of honor and morality.”

MacArthur said the “diabolical effects” of Newsom’s beliefs are being seen in crime, homelessness, and other cultural consequences in California.

The pastor wrote that his goal in penning the letter — rather than political posturing or arguing — was to “plead” with Newsom to listen to the Lord.

“My concern, Governor Newsom, is that your own soul lies in grave, eternal peril,” MacArthur wrote. “You will stand in the presence of the Holy God who created you, who is your Judge, and He will demand that you give an account for how you have flouted His authority in your governing, and how you have twisted His own Holy Word to rationalize it.”

MacArthur offered hope Newsom might come to know Christ and turn from the aforementioned actions and said he and others are praying for the governor’s “full repentance” and reliance on Christ.

CHURCH NOT A BUILDING – FAITH TRIUMPHS

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“In the middle of this pandemic there is hope, that there’s strength, and that we will make it through this because He has risen – so will we,” said an emphatic Andre Chambers of Hampton Roads.

A dozen churches in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia put a unique twist on a traditional Easter message during these challenging times. Some directed traffic. Others lined up each car just right as members of 12 Virginia churches rolled up with masks on and maintaining strict social distancing guidelines, to send the world an Easter message.

People gather at the Mount Davidson Cross in San Francisco, Sunday, April 12, 2020. Mount Davidson’s annual Easter Sunrise Service was cancelled for San Francisco’s shelter in place orders over coronavirus concerns.

As Christians around the US and around the world are forced to practice social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pastors and believers are adapting to the loss of Sunday gatherings. These powerful photos prove that the Church of Jesus is not a building, it’s His people. And the God who offers salvation for each individual is still able to meet with you one-on-one, whether it’s the middle of a parking lot, or in your own living room.

DISCOVER THE GIDEON’S IN OUR DAY

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I was reminded by this verse in Judges 6:1,  “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years“, just how often Israel was delivered by God into the hands of some foreign nation for judgement.
What about the church in our day? Is God delivering an apostate church into the hands of the enemy for judgement? God’s word reveals that there will be apostasy in the “last days” church  and that certainly is the case with many of the denominational churches compromising with the world’s values.
However, just as in the days Israel was delivered into the “hand of Midian”, God had his redemptive plan prepared and He chose Gideon a most unlikely candidate to achieve His purposes.
Who are the Gideon’s, God has chosen in our day?
When Gideon was called into action, Israel was in dire straits. Gideon had to winnow grain in secret just so the Midianites would not steal every little bit of food and sustenance from them. “Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.“ Judges 6:11(b)
Image result for picture of Gideon defeating the Midianites
Just as Gideon winnowed the wheat from the chaff, God winnowed Gideon’s army. God winnowed down a fighting force from 32,000 to three hundred. Those who were “afraid and trembling” were asked to leave first.  Cowards go first in Revelation also.  22,000 departed leaving Gideon with just 10,000 now to fight 120,000…outnumbered 12 to 1. God still said, “The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there.” Judges 7:4. God then rejected another 9,700 men with only THREE HUNDRED remaining. What a crazy story but we are meant to learn from it.

God winnowed for two main reasons:

1. So we know, we can’t save ourselves.  “And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Judges 7:2

2. God wants us to develop our faith and trust in Him as did Gideon.  David is another great example. Listen to David, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” Proverbs 28:7  When your heart trusts in the Lord, you can expect help. God only needs 1 person to make 1,000 flee and 2 people to make 10,000 flee. It’s never been about “numbers” with God.

Who are the leaders in the church today who are bold and courageous, who understand that the battle is the Lords and numbers aren’t a problem? They are those who believe God’s inerrant Word,  know we are in the “end times”, know God’s call on their lives and get on with the job, trusting God for the outcome. We need to work with these anointed leaders, confident in our own role in God’s “end times” plan.
Let me name a few humble leaders that I have identified as Kingdom warriors who understand the times: Francis Chan, http://www.wearechurch.com; Torben Sondergaad, http://www.thelastreformation.com; Nelson Walters, http://www.gospelintheendtimes.com; Don Batten, http://www.creation.com; Joel Richardson, http://www.joelstrumpet.com; Alan Kurschner, http://www.alankurschner.com, Jeffrey Daly, http://www.dayofrepentance1.org

TIME TO REDEDICATE YOUR LIFE TO GOD

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Listen to Jonathan on the prophetic significance of Hanukkah for us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. As the world darkens, we need to ask ourselves, what have we let in that has defiled the temple?

Jesus said, “I have called you to be a light to the nations so My salvation can go to the ends of the earth”. Is our light still shining bright.

Arise, shine; for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has come upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16

As the darkness in the world increases we must shine more brightly in these last days. 

Note Jonathan’s reference to two important “last days” books of God’s Word – Daniel and Revelation.

Recognise the anti-christian spirit already active in the world today which will prepare the world for the Antichrist. In response, we need to become more radical for God, for Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must be bold and courageous in speaking God’s Word, regardless of the consequences.

Costco has put the Bible in the category-FICTION. How could this happen and what further compromise will we and the church make? It is a world and a church in apostasy. Biblical morality will be subject to more persecution. Will we take a stand for God, in truth, under persecution? Remember, the saints of old were forged out of the fires of persecution.

https://youtu.be/U_9uIhzc6cY

CHURCH NEEDS A TOTAL MAKEOVER

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Spiritual warfare is about whose version of reality will prevail on earth – heaven or hell

Who is winning the war: the church has no meaningful penetration of Media—and look what media is doing?  Academia is the stronghold of evolution and Marxist indoctrination of our youth. What about Arts and Late Night television? Even businesses fear boycotts by activists so much that they cower in submission. This is true for America and increasingly in Australia as well.

What is God doing:

J.D. Greear, 45, a successful pastor from Durham, North Carolina, last week was elected president of the 15-million-member Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Greear is the youngest leader of the SBC in 37 years, and he brings with him a fresh approach to ministry that could trigger a wave of growth as well as upset some hyper-conservatives.

J. D. Greear Elected Youngest Southern Baptist President in Decades

Greear says, 90 percent of what we are doing in church today needs a total makeover. We are facing the most daunting renovation project in the history of the church. But the task is not impossible. It will require us to take these painful steps:

  1. We must break free from the fear of change. God is always on the move. He might lead us to camp in one spot for a while, but we can never get too comfortable in one place. His trumpet will eventually blow, and the cloud of His presence will shift. Don’t park when God is calling you forward. Stay open to His fresh directives and expect Him to stretch your faith. He is adventurous!

And be prepared for a surprise: Pentecost moments come suddenly! (See Acts 2:2.) The Holy Spirit is not under obligation to give you a two-year advance warning of His shifts.

  1. We must be willing to defy tradition. People who are married to the past cannot embrace the future. Sacred cows do not belong in the pulpit; they must be sacrificed. “The way we’ve always done it” will not work in God’s new season. The crowd chooses the comfortable pews of nostalgia, but God is with the courageous few who are willing to blaze a new path into unreached territory.
  1. We must ask the Spirit to reveal His new strategies. We cannot rely on church growth gurus, popular books or rock-star preachers to lead us into genuine change. Copying spiritual trends is just a form of carnality—and it is a sad substitute for real innovation. If the Holy Spirit does not orchestrate the work of transforming the church, our changes will be shallow. The last thing we need is a superficial upgrade.

And remember: Just because J.D. Greear and his team are attracting big crowds in North Carolina does not mean your church will automatically grow if you copy him. You need your own download from God, not a suit of armour that was fashioned for someone else.

The Lord wants to unleash a gushing river of new wine into the church today, but we must prepare our wineskins. What is old must be renewed by the Spirit, what is outdated must be remodelled, and what is ineffective must be replaced. God wants to do a new thing. Don’t resist it.

GREAT TESTIMONY BY CHRIS PRATT – TIME TO BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS

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“Jurassic World” actor Chris Pratt accepted the Generation Award at this year’s MTV Movie & TV Awards which aired Monday night and used the platform to share nine points of advice that were humorous and offered strong Christian guidance.

“This being the Generation Award, I’m going to cut to the chase and I’m going to speak to you, the next generation. I accept the responsibility as your elder. So listen up,” Pratt declared before listing the “nine rules from Chris Pratt, Generation Award-winner.”

Below are the important six points of advice Pratt offered in his list of nine:

1. You have a soul. Be careful with it.

2. If you’re strong, be a protector. If you’re smart, be a humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons, so do not wield them against the weak. That makes you a bully. Be bigger than that.

3. It doesn’t matter what it is. Earn it. A good deed. Reach out to someone in pain. Be of service. It feels good and it’s good for your soul.

4. God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that, I do.

5. Learn to pray. It’s easy, and it is so good for your soul.

6. Nobody is perfect. People will tell you that you are perfect just the way that you are; you are not! You are imperfect. You always will be. But there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you are willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. Like the freedom that we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood. Do not forget that. Don’t take that for granted.

He ended the epic speech with a “God bless you” to everyone as the crowd cheered.

Hear Chris yourself and be encouraged to share your own testimony and witness wherever/whenever you get the opportunity, to bring glory to your Heavenly Father and your Saviour Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will give you opportunities if you are available and listening.

CHRISTIANS: TIME TO BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS

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Like never before, Christians are being challenged by God to honour Him by standing up for their belief in Him.

Jennie Finch and Jelene Hinkle are to be commended for their stand which invariably costs from a worldly perspective. I am sure it was not there motivation, but they have built up treasure in heaven which is eternal (Matthew 6:19-21)

Jennie Finch on 'Dancing With The Stars'

Olympic athlete and Dancing With the Stars contestant Jennie Finch refused to perform to a popular new Janelle Monae track, citing her Christian faith and desire to honour God. The song, “Make Me Feel,” is sexually suggestive and was deemed to be a “little too risque” for the athlete.

According to the Kansas City Star, Finch was struggling with the song all through rehearsals until she finally made a phone call to producers saying she was not prepared to dance to such a sexually charged track.

“It’s not what I’m about. I need to follow who I am and stand up for what I believe in,” Finch explained on the hit show.

United States defender Jaelene Hinkle (19) and midfielder Carli Lloyd (10) and defender Kelley O'Hara (5) celebrate.

Last year, a Christian soccer star, Jaelene Hinkle, withdrew from the United States Women’s National Team after the team decided to swap out their normal jerseys for LGBT Pride jerseys in international matches.

Hinkle withdrew from the United States soccer roster in June citing “personal reasons.” This came at a time where she was called to play in international games versus Sweden and Norway.

United States defender Jaelene Hinkle 19 and midfielder Carli Lloyd 10 and defender Kelley O’Hara 5.

Hinkle’s resignation from the team came two weeks after the U.S. men and women’s national teams announced that they would be wearing LGBT pride jerseys in support of the June pride month.