“But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God.” (Ps.68:3). As we the righteous are gathered here today, let us obey God’s word and be glad and rejoice. Hallelujah!

This summer, Pakistan higher court ruled that blasphemy law abuses should be reined in. However, in the most provocative incident very recently, since this ruling, a Christian couple named Shazad Masih and Shama Bibi, was beaten and burned to death following accusations that the wife, who was five months pregnant, had burned the Qur’an. These two were bonded laborers at a brick-making kiln. They lived in a small Punjab town named after the first Anglican missionary to Pakistan.

It is believed that the incident arose following a neighbor’s overreaction to Bibi disposing of her late father-in-law’s black magic amulets. “Shama never meant any disrespect to Islam as she was totally illiterate,” said her sister-in-law. She had no idea what the amulets contained,” said Parveen Bibi. “A few people recognized partially burned pages in the ash and raised a cry that Shama had burned the Qur’an.” The brick kiln’s owner then refused to let Bibi and Masih flee their village without paying their bonded loan.

The Muslim nation’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, quickly condemned the mob action as “an unacceptable crime.” He authorized the government of Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province and home to most of its blasphemy cases, to prosecute the couple’s killers.

Let us remember to pray for Christians in Pakistan and similar places. We have a freedom to worship God that they do not know. The word of God commands us to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Amen.

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK

1. RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
During Today’s Service

2. KING’S DAUGHTERS MEETING
Today, 6:00 p.m.

3. LUNCH-HOUR PRAYER/ PRESENTATION ON EBOLA
Wednesday, 12:00 noon—Lunch Hour Warfare
Prayer. 5:30 p.m.—Presentation on Ebola Virus
by Dr. Jessica Wilson followed by Prayer by National
Intercessors.

4. CHOIR PRACTICE
Friday, 6:00 p.m. Praise and Worship Practice to follow at 7:00 p.m.

5. PRAYER HOUR
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.

6. NEXT SUNDAY
• Worship & Ministry, 9:00 a.m.
• G.I. / N.I. Meeting, 5:00 p.m.

THANK YOU FROM KINGDOM MEN
We would like to thank all those who participated in making this year’s Kingdom Men Conference a success.

OTHER CHURCHES’ ACTIVITIES
*Sounds of Jubilee is hosting “Worship in Crisis” honoring the Legacies of Dr. Myles Munroe, and his wife, on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 p.m. at Faith Christian Fellowship, Annas Retreat.
*Deliverance Outreach Ministry is hosting “Authentic Praise Splash” on Friday, December 5th at 7:30 p.m. at Walkers by the Sea. Entry is free with food and drinks on sale.
*Gospel Explosion presented by Salvation Soundz Ministries Features Johnathan Mcreynolds and Positive on Friday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m. at CAHS Auditorium. Tickets are $20.00.

Please see the Bulletin Board for additional Activities/ Information.

2,000 YEAR OLD SPROUT

IN JUNE OF 2006, ISRAELI DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS SUCCESSFULLY GERMINATED A 2,000-YEAR-OLD DATE PALM SEED. FOUND AT THE HERODIAN FORTRESS OF MASADA ON THE WEST BANK OF THE DEAD SEA, THE SEED WAS TAGGED “METHUSELAH” FOR THE MAN WITH THE OLDEST RECORDED AGE ON THE BIBLE (GEN. 5:27). IN ADDITION TO THE CHALLENGE OF AWAKENING A LONG-DORMANT SEED, THE TEAM ALSO WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TREE PRAISED IN SCRIPTURE FOR ITS SHADE, FOOD, BEAUTY, AND MEDICINAL QUALITIES.

THE DATE PALM HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE BIBLE. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE TREE IS LINKED TO THE TEMPLE AND PRESENCE OF GOD. THE NEW TESTAMENT DESCRIBES EXCITED CROWDS PRAISING GOD AND THROWING PALM BRANCHES AT THE FEET OF JESUS AS HE RODE INTO JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY.

GOD’S PROMISE TO BLESS THE WORLD THROUGH A DESCENDANT OF ABRAHAM ALSO LAY DORMANT FOR 2,000 YEARS (SEE GEN. 12:1-3). FINALLY, THE SEED OF PROMISE SPROUTED. THAT SEED WAS JESUS, THE LONG-AWAITED MESSIAH. SOON THE STORY OF HIS RESURRECTED LIFE WOULD GO OUT TO EVERY NATION ON EARTH.

THE MIRACLE IS NOW OURS TO EXPERIENCE. TIME IS NOT A FACTOR. NEITHER IS THE BARREN GROUND OF CIRCUMSTANCE. ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT WE ALLOW OUR HEARTS TO BE THE SOUL IN WHICH CHRIST IS WELCOMED AND WORSHIPED.—Mart De Haan

God never makes a promise that He will not keep.

~*~*~*~*~

MEDIA MINISTRY

World Overcomers: WSTA 1340 AM station: Sundays at 12:30 p.m. & Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m.