from Russian missionaries

[marylou]

The Russian government is again considering
limiting religious freedom in an alarming
way. A new bill released October 12th
would make the following things
illegal.

For anyone visiting Russia, even if they
have a religious visa, any type of evangelism
outside of a church building. This
should not effect us as we have the right to
“reside” in Russia, but we will see.

For anyone visiting Russia to preach,
the church inviting them in will have to get
permission for them to preach even though
it is in their own building and also for each
specific date that person is to preach. 􀂉

For any child under the age of 14 to
be present at any church service without
the express written consent of both parents
of that child. (This is a problem because
anyone could send any child into a service,
then the police could come in and fine the
church for each child, the fine being 500
dollars.)􀂉

Off ering any material benefi t (including
handing out Bibles or a meal for
newcomers), social benefi t (saying that
the church could help your family) or any
“other” benefit will be illegal. 􀂉

All eff orts to rehabilitate (off er help
to those addicted to drugs or alcohol)
minister to orphans, the elderly, or any other
place outside of church buildings, or teach
English or VBS anywhere will be illegal.􀂉

To witness to anyone in the vicinity
of a building of worship of another faith.
Orthodox buildings are everywhere here.
The word “vicinity” could mean anything.􀂉

Here is probably the most disturbing
aspect of this law. Any att empt to
“psychologically pressure” or “manipulate
consciousness” while trying to witness to
someone will be fined 175 dollars for each
time. One reporter said that any mention
of the last judgement or the necessity of
forgiveness of sins, could be categorized as
“psychological pressure”. Any invitation
at the end of a service would be a “manipulation
of consciousness”.

This bill is under consideration and
has not yet become a law but it looks like
there is a very good chance that some or all
of it will pass. Please pray that God will
intervene and that His plan will be done.
_________________
Boots

God loves everyone but probably prefers
fruits of the spirit over religious nuts.

[dailyHIS]

Father,

We know by FAITH that You move mountains, we know by FAITH that Your Will WILL be done. We know by FAITH that nothing, absolutely nothing can nor will stand in the way to squash, hinder or silence You.

We know by FAITH that You rescue, encourage, enlarge and make means for Your Word to be heard, understood and break hearts made of stone, to crush these stones and FREE our brothers and sisters before we know their names.

Thank You Father in advance for knowing their names.

Encourage, lift and give direction to those whom You have chosen to be in this area of the world.

Arm only with the best, the Full Armor of what is You, and covered with and in prayer, send them forward with confidence, quiet when needed, outspoken when directed by You, but witnesses lifted by Your Holy Name.

Father, bless and strengthen all whom step forward in FAITH , remind us all that the joy which Paul wrote of is that which remains when their portion of the Spiritual Battle prepares to clash with those whom hold honor on bended knee!

Lift these brothers and sisters high, surround them with that which You know they need, and keep us promted with prayer on their behalf, focused on the specifics of Spiritual administrations disguised as miracles.

Break down walls Father to show those whom yet believe in the highest meaning of Love WHY they have chosen to stand.

Open their eyes to see the difference between social, political to the very heart of Spiritual, to YOU, Father, in Jesus Christ's name alone.

By the precious blood of our Living Jesus Christ, we ask these things!!!

[deejay]

I remember after the wall fell and representatives of all religions were allowed to enter Russia, set up booths and offer their faith to anyone who came to the booths. I recall the Christian booth had thousands of people coming to it, hungry for the Word. The booth with the fewest comers, not surprisingly, was the atheist booth; only 12 people came to that one.

But all during the Communist era, I remember hearing reports of churches meeting in secret, bringing their Bibles disguised as gifts so they could pretend they were going to a party, and many other ways of hearing the Word despite the official ban. There was a song on Christian radio I used to hear, "All God's People Sing Allelu", that described Soviet believers meeting in the woods, etc..

Persecution has the effect of making strong believers. After the wall fell, Christian groups rushed in with materials to help the Russian believers, but they found the Russians were stronger Christians despite their lack of complete Bibles, etc. than the ones coming with the materials! I heard one Soviet pastor would listen to radio broadcasts made by Christian stations, and he would write down everything they said, before the Soviet government jammed the transmissions. Once, he managed to write down three Scripture verses, and for years he preached on those three verses. When he finally got an entire Bible of his very own, it was found he had done an amazing job ministering to his flock with just the three verses he'd heard on the radio. I don't know what ones they were, though.

God can use persecution to strengthen His church. But you're right, these laws are oppressive.
_________________
Visit my blog: www.myspace.com/cataholic1

Colors of the Rainbow

[VirgilY]

Thanks for the 'heads up". We life our prayers to God knowing that He hears.

Virgil
_________________
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. (NKJ)