Exloring Life Eternal

I received this today from an email list:

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Gary Glenn, chairman of the Campaign for Michigan Families and co-author of the state marriage amendment approved by voters in 2004...says Republican leaders in Michigan are right 'to publicly condemn (Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow) for thumbing her nose at the vote of the people of Michigan -- but cannot in fairness fail to publicly condemn Republican Senator John McCain for voting the exact same way.'
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I disagree with Mr. Glenn.

#1. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He NEVER told us to condemn people. Condemn is the harshest possible judgement that I know of: to curse people to share in damnation. Today, it is very popular for various officials to condemn this person or that person for whatever reason. Sadly, the land is in a state where the wicked condemn the righteous for speaking what is right many times. But a Christian cannot condemn others, or even claim to, & yet be faithful to Jesus at the same time. We ALL sin!

#2. Both Debbie Stabenow and John McCain are siding with bad laws, true enough (see 1 Timothy 1:5-11). Any civil law which does not outlaw homosexual & other perverse behavior is wrong. Those who pass & approve of laws which would give refuge to people who love evil, do not understand their role in office. On this, I believe that both Mr. Glenn & I would agree: homosexual behavior is wrong & unhealthy & dangerous to society.

#3. What is needed though is not "public condemnation." This is something that God alone has the right to do: condemnation. What is needed is:
a. Prayer for various people in authority.
b. Witness to those in authority, at all levels & through many means.
c. Wisdom for all those who vote for various officials.
d. Repentance from dead works & a return to the First Works & our First Love: Jesus!!

That is why I am not a politician in the sense of the world. I desire a polis that is not of this world. I desire to see the Kingdom of Heaven in its fullness & to see Jesus reigning fully over my heart & the hearts of all.

Peace,
Mert Hershberger

Libya, North Africa

Leader: Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Christians: 2-3% (expatriots)
Persecution Ranking: 20th

Libya is a country in the process of reform. It is working to establish itself in the international community after being an outcast throughout the 1990s. One aspect of this is a clear commitment to improving the human rights situation across the country for the benefit of all citizens. However, the government maintains its extensive internal security services. All religious activity is watched to ensure that it poses no political challenge. The expatriate churches are benefiting from these changes, including being allowed to operate from more premises. There are several thousand Christians from sub-Saharan Africa.

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Prayer points:

= Pray that the reform process continues and brings clear benefits to all Libyans.

= Pray for tolerance of those who choose to follow Jesus so that no one will be forced to leave the country.

= Pray that the general change in the country will lead to greater acceptance and better treatment for Christians.

= Pray for the provision of expatriate pastors and that each will be a faithful, wise, and true shepherd of those to whom they minister.

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LORD God, sovereign ruler of all, we thank You for the recent changes in Libya. Continue to open this land to the outside world. Bless this nation for the benefit of all its citizens. May Your Word continue to be available through radio, satellite TV, and other forms of ministry. May those seeking You be found by You, and grant all those who choose to follow Jesus Christ the courage to appropriately express their faith. Amen.

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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, and 3P Ministries
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Just yesterday, I read a report that in 1954 a copy of the Bible was presented to the King of B. & refused. However, 50 years later, the Word has been translated & is available in the majority language. ==> His word will not fail!!!

I look forward to a day before I die when Libya will not be known as a place where terror is sourced (as it was in my childhood), but as a place where the liberating power of the Gospel is running once again, bringing life to barren places.

Don't lose heart ... Amen.

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger

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MSG Received

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers this past month on several important issues in regard to His work in *. The brother who has been facing questioning by authorities has had some reprieve, and he thanks you all for your prayers. He still has not received back his passport, so you can continue to pray for that, but otherwise, things have calmed down.
Pray that the Lord will maintain a hedge of protection around these who are serving Him in *.

We regret to share that the Bible Society was not able to obtain permission to enter the country with Bibles and books for the exhibition in Benghazi. Thank the Lord with us for the efforts of this important institution, and ask that they will not grow weary in exploring every possible door for entry with the Good Book. Ask the Lord to open wide the gates that His Word will be freely available to all * citizens.

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* is an Arab country that is ruled by a version of Sharia law.

BOTTOM LINE: PRAY THAT ALL ARABS WOULD HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THE WORD OF GOD, BOTH TO READ/HEAR IT & TO UNDERSTAND/LIVE IT.

In the shadow of the recent bombings that killed more than 80 people and injured about 200 in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt's first multi-candidate presidential elections are set for Wednesday, September 7.

The bombings on Saturday, July 23, which took place far from where the vast majority of the 72 million Egyptians live, have not become part of the domestic political debate, Reuters reported.

President Hosni Mubarak, 77, has served four consecutive six-year terms since 1981 when former President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists. Although Mubarak has not announced his candidacy for this year's presidential election as of mid-August, he is widely expected to seek a fifth six-year term.

He is unlikely to face a serious challenge because a constitutional amendment in May set tough conditions for independent candidates. Some of the political parties have decided not to field candidates.

The amendment abolished the old system of referendums on a single candidate chosen by parliament, where the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) holds more than 90 percent of the seats. Mubarak announced the principle of multi-candidate elections in February.

Since Mubarak's surprise announcement on February 26 that he wanted multi-candidate presidential elections, and ordering parliament to make the necessary constitutional changes, pro-reform demonstrations and protests have become an almost weekly event, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Pray for:

* A peaceful election in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt. Pray for the Lord to thwart any plans by militant Islamists to disrupt the election with violence.

* President Hosni Mubarak's salvation, as well as his family, including his politician son Gamal, 41, who reportedly will succeed him.

* God to direct Egyptians to vote for the candidate who will protect liberties (in particular religious liberty) and not be drawn into voting for Islamist parties.

* President Mubarak not to retreat from his declaration of promised democratic and human-rights reforms.

* Christians in Egypt to be given more freedom to worship and divine protection from fundamental Islamic attacks. Pray that they will persevere and not grow weary in living out the Christian life, despite their hostile environment.

* A spiritual awakening among the millions of Egyptian Muslims. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to these Egyptians through supernatural means and the witness of His Church.

Sources: World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission and Operation World.

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