The Water of Life overpowers the waters of death

With reporting by Pastor Peter Haneef, President, Assembly of Loving God

Sept. 11, 2018: Our Lord Jesus Christ showered His great blessings through the Holy Spirit over the just-ended 21 days of prayer and fasting held by Assembly of Loving God churches in Asia, Africa and Middle East. All ALG churches actively participated and over the three weeks, and 2,016 new believers went through the waters of baptism. Among them were 1,575 former Muslims, with the remainder being mainly from the Hindu and Buddhist faiths.

Due to persecution from religious authorities, government and militants in many areas, the services in numerous churches could only be held secretly, between midnight and dawn. But God and joy prevailed!

As we reported earlier, several days before the time of prayer and fasting began, severe flooding and landslides lashed through one of our mission regions in South India (Devastating flooding in Kerala, India: PLEASE PRAY). More than 500 people lost their lives in the floods, and close to one and a half million found shelter in relief camps.

Leaders and members of Bibles for Mideast and the ALG joined in rescue efforts, helping in relief camps, praying for those affected and sharing the wonderful love and salvation of our Lord. While most from the camps have been able to return to their homes, close to 5,000 remain in the shelters, having no homes to return to.

Many of our own church members needed rescue and shelter as well. Nineteen families lost all of their household items when their residences were partially destroyed, and seven other families completely lost their homes. By God’s grace and the prayers of His children, we are so thankful no one sustained injuries.

Other ALG churches decided to help in the rebuilding of homes, despite having barely enough for their own needs.

The rains and flooding have ended in the region and as mentioned, many from the camps have been able to return to their damaged homes.

Region again under high alert

Kerala residents wading through flood waters contaminated with numerous pathogens—the prime means of transmission of the Leptospira bacterium that causes leptospirosis, also known as rat fever. It enters wounds on the skin from faeces and urine of infected dogs, rats and farm animals [image courtesy Reuters].

The area is unfortunately again on high alert due to diseases being spread in the after-flood conditions. Hundreds of people have contracted a serious bacterial infection called leptospirosis, or rat fever, and at last count about 60 had died.

We are SO thankful to those of our supporters who have offered prayers and financial help in the rebuilding efforts. We praise and thank God for the support, and thank all who have offered such compassion and kindness. Please continue praying for this region and all of its people.

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[Related story: 1,268 baptisms and many miracles in three days!]

Devastating flooding in Kerala, India: PLEASE PRAY

[Aug. 16] India’s southwest coastline has been pummeled relentlessly by heavy rainfall over the past week. In the state of Kerala it has reached a dangerous climax in recent days. The flooding there is described as the worst in at least a century as normal life grinds to a halt.

More than 300 people are known to have died so far as a result of flooding and landslides, with countless more missing. Thousands and thousands have lost their homes—among them seven ALG church families. We are thanking the Lord that two of these families miraculously escaped a landslide which tragically claimed the lives of many others. The 38 million living in the state live now in constant fear.  Over 12,10,000 at last estimate have found refuge in relief camps.

In this region Bibles for Mideast has mission fields and ALG churches among tribal  and jungle people.

Many areas there is no electricity, no network, no pure water to drink, and it is very difficult to reach many places, because we are unable to travel by road.  Roads are filled with water.

On Thursday, people were being air-lifted to safety from several inundated areas.

 “Our state is in the midst of an unprecedented flood havoc,” Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s chief minister, says. “The calamity has caused immeasurable misery and devastation.”

Periods of heavy rain are expected to persist in the days ahead across the west coast of India. While there is perhaps some hint that the torrential onslaught may ease by early next week, the forecast through the weekend includes multiple inches of rain for Kerala and surrounding areas.

Please remember these dear people and the entire region in your prayers. Let’s be praying God has His agents in these shelters and in all the emergency situations and efforts, and He will be somehow glorified in the midst of tragedy and loss.

 If you are able to contribute  to Bibles for Mideast’s efforts to help,  please visit the SUPPORT OUR WORK section of the CONTACT US page.  Most importantly of course, please pray.

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.”  —2 Chron. 7:13-15

Prayer can change the world! Please join us for three weeks of prayer and fasting

Report:  Bibles for Mideast

The Assembly of Loving God (ALG) Church and Bibles for Mideast call for 21 days of prayer and fasting from August 20 to September 9.  ‘PRAYER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD’ will be the main focus.

All members of the ALG’s 300 underground house churches in Asia, Africa and the Middle East will take part. We also invite churches, prayer warriors and children of God around the globe to join with us for this time of dedicated and fervent prayer.

We request prayers for:

♦  mighty protection for the Christian world and its families;
♦  persecuted Christians;
♦  Christian ministries around the world;
♦  protection, provision and guidance for the churches of the Assembly of Loving God and Bibles for Mideast in spreading the Word of God and establishing more churches in the Middle East, Asia and Africa;
♦  divine protection for all ministers and workers (both full-time and voluntary) of the ALG Church and Bibles for Mideast, all of its members, the many secret believers, and for more courage to proclaim the gospel fearlessly and boldly.
♦  the baptism of new believers in the various ALG churches (more than 1000 former Muslims are preparing to be baptized);
♦  the salvation of the whole Muslim world, especially in the Middle East. Pray for every Muslim to know the love of Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior and Lord.

ABOUT OUR FASTING AND PRAYER

Most members of the ALG church will be on a partial fast, following the model of Daniel in the Old Testament (see Daniel 1). We will avoid food between midnight until 2:00 p.m., and generally eat vegetarian when we do. We also of course will spend extra time in prayer.

For those unable to do a fast like this, we simply request that you avoid at least one meal during the 21 days, and join with us. If that isn’t possible, please try to pray at least three times per day for the subjects outlined above.

Please also ask our Lord to abundantly bless each and every person praying and supporting His work around the globe, along with their families and generations: that they would be blessed with the joy of the Holy Spirit, good health, prosperity, and all and everything else they require.

The church also offers prayers for whoever requests them. Simply email: algchurch@gmail.com.  Your needs will be prayed for in all ALG churches during the days of prayer and fasting. 

'Breaking a barrier' by Ineke Hopgood

Approximately two billion Muslims live in this world, Islam being the second largest faith after Christianity. Muslims claim that by 2050 Islam will be the first, and they strive diligently towards that goal.

Yet our Lord Jesus Christ said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”(Luke 10:18-20)

So we must pray for the Muslim world to confess before the true and living Lord Jesus Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, accept Him as their savior and Lord. By the prayers of our Lord’s children, the Muslim world can redirect their minds and hearts towards the real savior.

Our Lord suffered, was crucified and died for us. He paid a ransom for all. And He has risen indeed!

Jesus promised: “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14: 13-14) 

PLEASE PRAY  ... IT WILL BE ANSWERED

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church

Report: Bibles for Mideast

We honor today the memory and legacy of two faithful workers for what is now Bibles for Mideast. Both lost their lives in brave service to the Lord they loved in Kashmir, a region rife with Islamic extremism and home to one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. [India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir since both countries gained their independence in 1947—Ed.]

Evangelist Manzoor 

Manzoor Ahmad Chat, 33, worked as an evangelist and pastor in the area. A strong believer in the saving, redeeming power of Jesus, he felt 'where better to serve the Lord than Kashmir?' He helped many find their way into the Kingdom and led a small but active underground church that met in his home.

Eleven years ago, Hizbul Mujahideen—Muslim extremists aiming to turn Kashmir into an Islamic state—kidnapped and beheaded Manzoor. The terrorists wrapped his head in a plastic bag and left it outside of a mosque where police recovered it. 

Evangelist Bashir

A year earlier, evangelist Bashir Ahmed Tantray, 50, was also allegedly shot dead by Islamic militants. Bashir had been a public campaigner and a Bible teacher with Bibles for Mideast. A well-known Christian in the area, he been featured in numerous media reports.

We also think of and honor the memories of two teenage sisters, Arifa and Akhtar, who were shot dead by Islamic militants in 2011 simply for reading the Bible. They had found faith in Jesus thanks to the work of Bibles for Mideast evangelical outreaches in their area of Kashmir.

We remember and celebrate all of these martyrs’ faithful lives and service.

Jesus said: "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit."    (John 12:24)

Encouragement for your walk: "Why should I ... ?"

By Pastor Paul, Bibles for Mideast

1. Why should I say I can't
when the Bible says
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength?
(Phil. 4:13)

2. Why should I lack
when I know that
God shall supply all my needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus?
(Phil. 4:19)

3. Why should I fear
when the Bible says
God has not given me a spirit of fear,
but of power, love and a sound mind?
(2 Tim. 1:7)

4. Why should I lack faith
to fulfil my calling knowing that
God has allotted to me a measure of faith?
(Rom. 12:3)

5. Why should I be weak
when the Bible says that
the Lord is the strength of my life and that
I will display strength and take action because I know God?
(Ps. 27:1; Dan. 11:32)

6. Why should I allow
Satan supremacy over my life when
He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world?
(1 John 4:4)

"hand in hand with the King' by Ineke Hopgood

7. Why should I lack wisdom
when Christ gave wisdom to me from God and
God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask for it?
(1 Cor. 1:30; James 1:5)

8. Why should I accept defeat
when the Bible says that
God always leads me in triumph?
(2 Cor.  2:14)

9. Why should I be depressed
when I can recall to mind
God's loving kindness, compassion,
and faithfulness and have hope?
(Lam. 3:21-23)

   10. Why should I worry and fret when
I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me?
(1 Peter 5:7)

11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that
there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is?
(Gal. 5:1)

12. Why should I feel condemned
when the Bible says
I am not condemned because I am in Christ?
(Rom. 8:1)

13. Why should I feel alone
when Jesus said
He is with me always,
and He will never leave me nor forsake me?
(Matt. 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)

14. Why should I feel accursed or a victim of bad luck
when the Bible says that
Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law
that I might receive His Spirit?
(Gal. 3:13-14)

15. Why should I be discontented
when I, like Paul, can learn
to be content in all my circumstances?
(Phil. 4:11)

16. Why should I feel worthless when
Christ became sin on my behalf that
I might become the righteousness of God in Him?
(2 Cor. 5:21)

17. Why should I have
a persecution complex knowing that
nobody can be against me when God is for me?
(Rom. 8:31)

18. Why should I be confused when
God is the author of peace and
He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit?
(1 Cor. 14:33, 2:12)

19. Why should I feel like a failure when
I am a conqueror in all things through Christ?
(Rom. 8:37)

20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me
when I can take courage knowing that
Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations?
(John 16:33)

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The painting in this post, called 'Hand in hand with the King', is by an amazing prophetic artist and friend of mine named Ineke Hopgood. She lives in Australia and paints prolifically and entirely Spirit-led. You can visit her website here: Ineke Hopgood Prophetic Art.
† Susanna