Proof The Bible Is True

In an age in which Lucifer statues are being erected, and the Ten Commandments are being torn down, it is useful to consider why the Founders believed that religion was necessary for a free society as an “anchor of the soul,” as I call it in my new book, “Liberty’s Secrets: The Lost Wisdom of America’s Founders”: As a young man, [John] Adams asked the same question most human beings have asked in one form or another: What is the meaning of life? His answer placed the divine at the center of it: “What is the proper business of mankind [More]

“Excellent video!”  Admin On August 11 in Dallas, I delivered an hour-long talk as part of the North American Lutheran Church’s “Braaten/Benne Lectures in Theology.” The title of my presentation was “Muslim Persecution of Christian Martyrs: Past and Present.” Topics discussed include Islamic doctrine concerning Christianity; Islamic history as a manifestation of said Islamic doctrine; and, continuity — showing how the same things written in Islam’s core texts, and that have manifested throughout history, are still happening today all throughout the Islamic world. Watch: Video: Raymond Ibrahim talks Islam and Christianity at North American Lutheran Church

Muslim women face oppression in society and even in their own families, sometimes forced to hide even their very faces from the world. JoAnn Doyle leads an outreach to share the truth with Muslim women that they are Not Forgotten, that Jesus Christ loved them so much He even gave His life for them. Listen in as JoAnn shares how we can reach out to Muslim women, even through simple acts of kindness and conversation, and even right here in the United States. We’ll also answer a question from a reader about how Christians inside the world’s most closed nation—North [More]

“Most Christians are unaware of the sacrifices Tyndale and others made to get the Bible into the English language. Let us make sure their sacrifices were not in vain … read your Bible daily.”  Admin If you read the Bible in English, you owe a debt of gratitude to William Tyndale. Today marks the anniversary of Tyndale’s execution at the stake for the “crime” of translating the Bible into English: The “father of the English Bible” was apparently born in a hamlet near the Welsh border about 1490. He arrived at Oxford with a gift for languages and began studying [More]

Many Americans no longer regard Christian persecution and diminishing religious freedom as problems that only exist beyond the borders of the United States. Heightened fears in recent years have been monitored by the Barna Group, which recently published a study that highlights how the political climate and justice system in America have given citizens reason to question whether they are still safe to live out their faith. “Kim Davis, the elected clerk who recently made national headlines over her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, has become just the latest figure in the debate over same-sex marriage and [More]

“Interesting look at America’s Christian religious history.”  Admin He entered Yale College at age 13 and graduated with honors. He became a pastor, and his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God,” started the Great Awakening revival. His name was Jonathan Edwards, born Oct. 5, 1703. The Great Awakening revival can be traced back to earlier revivals in Scotland. Scottish minister William Tennent migrated to Pennsylvania in 1718 and together with his son Gilbert Tennent began the Log College in 1726. It was the first American Presbyterian theological seminary in North America, which led to the formation of [More]

Merv Knight read Richard Wurmbrand’s book, Tortured for Christ, and it changed the path of his entire life. Merv helped found VOM-Australia and worked side by side with Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand for decades. This week he gives us an inside look, with stories of what it was like to minister alongside Richard and Sabina but also what kind of people they were behind the scenes and the deep love for Christ that allowed them to endure persecution while still holding firmly to their faith. Merv will also share the stories of some of the persecuted Christians that have inspired [More]

Even though 78 percent of Americans are self-proclaimed “Christians,” the latest Barna Poll gives a clear indicator that Christianity is losing its grip acrossthe country.A Closer Look“ While the United States remains shaped by Christianity, the faith’s influence — particularly as a force in American politics and culture — is slowly waning,” the Barna Group reports from its recent study. “An increasing number of religiously unaffiliated, a steady drop in church attendance, the recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, and the growing tension over religious freedoms all point to a larger secularizing trend sweeping across the nation.” America might [More]

Pope Francis received a warm welcome in all the places he visited during his six-day visit to the United States, which ended on Sunday. Hundreds of Americans lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of the Roman Catholic leader, and even members of Congress turned emotional while listening to his address on Thursday. However, a survey conducted by Lifeway Research before the Pope’s visit to the US revealed that Protestant pastors are divided on whether they value Pope Francis’ opinion on theological issues. Half of the Protestant pastors interviewed via phone said they do not give weight to the [More]

 Former supermodel Tracy Trinita converted to Christianity, left the industry to study at Oxford and became a pastor. She now travels the world sharing the gospel. Originally from a small village in Bali, Trinita’s life changed when she won a modelling competition and moved to New York to pursue a career in the industry aged just 15. Initially, she was lured in by the wealth and glamour that modelling promised. “I thought that if I had more money I would be happier, so I pursued modelling for happiness, leaving my friends and family behind to travel to New York,” she [More]

Recently I met with a worker in a restricted nation. He related the story of a Muslim woman who had an amazing dream that changed her life forever. In her city, a prominent epicenter in a region dominated by Islam, there is a historic church known by its distinctive color. One evening, the Muslim woman said that Jesus appeared to her in a dream and told her, “Go to the ‘Yellow Church’ and I will show you what to do.” She had never heard anything about a “Yellow Church” and was understandably stunned by the appearance of Jesus in her [More]

Tom Doyle, author of a new book about Christians facing persecution in the Middle East, tells us that, in spite of the advance of Islamic State, God is changing the hearts of people in the region as Christians continue to boldly share the gospel message in spite of the risks and violence. He’ll share the story of a Muslim convert forced to choose between her daughter and her Savior, and a group of pastors ready to die rather than leave the work God has called them to in Syria. Tom also challenges Christians in free nations to live with the [More]

Not only is the Islamic State (IS) persecuting Christians but so are the U.S.-supported “rebel” forces in Syria, which the Obama administration assures are “moderate.” According to a recent National Public Radio (NPR) report, “With backing from U.S. allies, like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, this [U.S. supported] rebel coalition fights both the Syrian regime and the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS. But the coalition has extremists in its own ranks who have mistreated Christians and forced them out of their homes”—just as IS has done. In response, Mideast Christian leaders have made clear that, far from expecting the West to [More]

“Brother Jay” has just returned from Central Asia, where he shared fellowship with Christians facing persecution while trying to reach Muslims with the gospel message. Jay shares the challenges these believers face–including the challenge of connecting with other believers and even just meeting together for worship. Jay tells us how the example of these believers challenges his own faith, and how he prepares to travel into dangerous places where Christians are laying down their lives for Christ. You’ll be able to pray more effectively for believers in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other nations in Central Asia after hearing Brother [More]

VOM’s Todd Nettleton was a guest on yesterday’s episode of In The Market With Janet Parshall, aired nationally on the Moody Broadcast Network. Janet and Todd discussed what God is doing in Iraq, how New Testaments are being delivered in North Korea and the ways Christians worship in Afghanistan in order to avoid detection by radical Muslims. Finally, they pointed listeners to the upcoming International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Listen: Persecution Blog: VOM Featured in Moody Radio Interview

Jesus told his disciples to “Go into all the world.” He didn’t say it would be easy. Verne and Denny Johnson have experienced the joy of seeing people come to Christ while serving as missionaries in Ivory Coast. But they’ve also experienced dark days. They watched their children almost die from malaria. War forced them to evacuate their home and leave the people they loved. But God even used those dark times to bring blessings into their lives, and to open the door for further ministry. Listen as Verne and Denny share their story, and share specific ways for you [More]

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, CEV)   In case you didn’t know it, August is “Happiness Happens Month.” Established by the Secret Society of Happy People, this happy month-long celebration encourages people to do something that makes them happy every single day. OK, you might be thinking, “Michelle, this month is almost over! You should’ve let us know that August was Happiness Happens Month several weeks ago!”   Well, here’s the good news. As [More]

Author Michelle Medlock Adams is celebrating 24 years of a happy marriage. Here are her top 3 tips for keeping your marriage strong. Today, Jeff and I celebrate 24 years of marriage, and I couldn’t be happier about it. You see, I picked him out when I was in eighth grade. I was at my best friend’s house practicing for our upcoming cheer tryouts when I saw him. He was shooting hoops with my best friend’s older brother. “Who is that with Ryan?” I asked. “Oh that’s Jeff Adams,” Angie answered. I stared in his direction for a few minutes longer, [More]

Just as I was finishing up my book signing at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando a few years ago, I noticed a woman waiting at the edge of the Guideposts booth. “We just ran out of books,” I explained, as I walked over to her, “but I’d be happy to mail you a copy from my personal stash at home.” “Oh that’s Ok,” she said. “I actually just want to talk to you.” I smiled but I was actually worried that maybe I’d met her previously and didn’t remember her. Just as I was about to ask [More]

On its way to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., which is being built by Hobby Lobby President Steve Green for $400 million, visitors will find the largest collection of exported Israeli artifacts found on the planet. Slated to open its doors in 2017 after its groundbreaking earlier this year in February, the 430,000-square-foot Museum of the Bible will house Israeli artifacts that include pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls, tablets from Abraham’s time and biblical papyri. The head of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s (IAA) National Treasures Department, Micky Saban, announced on Wednesday that the antiquities being shipped [More]

In the face of a U.S. Supreme Court decision finding a constitutional right to gay marriage and the Oklahoma State Supreme ruling a Ten Commandments monument unconstitutional, many Christians are experiencing increased intolerance in the public square. But does the increasingly secular culture mean believers need to adjust how they share the gospel? “Yes, I mean, and no,” said Tim Keller, founding pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. “No in that you don’t change the good news, but, yes, it does I think change the way you share it.” Keller is the author of several well-known Christian [More]

Why is the church in China growing so quickly? One reason is because Chinese Christians are focused and intentional about sharing the gospel message with others. Jonathan and Nick, two of VOM’s international workers, just returned from visiting bold Christian workers all over China. They saw first-hand the witnessing efforts of Chinese Christians when a Christian woman on their flight began to share the gospel with them! And a couple of rows away her husband was on the same flight, in a middle seat, sharing the gospel with the passengers on either side of him. Listen in to this week’s [More]

 Over the past two years, countless stories of church demolitions and cross removals have come out of China. Estimates vary, but the total figure of churches affected is believed to be somewhere between 1,500 and 1,700 – a move that campaigners have branded unprecedented, or at least not seen since the harrowing days of the Cultural Revolution. The demolition campaign began in Zhejiang province, on the east coast of China, in late 2013. The provincial government had launched a three-year ‘Three Rectifications and One Demolition’ campaign in March of that year, supposedly with the aim of exposing and removing “illegal [More]

An actor who starred in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy has called out the West for ignoring the evils that are attacking Christianity around the world. Citing the persecution and martyrdom of Christians across the Middle East, largely at the hands of the Muslims, actor John Rhys-Davies said, “There is an extraordinary silence in the West. “Basically, Christianity in the Middle East and in Africa is being wiped out – I mean not just ideologically but physically, and people are being enslaved and killed because they are Christians. And your country and my country are doing nothing about it.” [More]

Mary of Magdala, popularly known as Mary Magdalene, is one of the more prominent figures in the Bible’s New Testament. She stayed with Jesus Christ until His crucifixion, while His apostles were in hiding. She was also among the first persons to whom the resurrected Christ showed Himself. Recently, archaeologists unearthed a first-century synagogue under a purchased land in northern Israel, believed to be part of Mary Magdalene’s home town. Along with the synagogue, an ancient altar or “bimah” was also uncovered. This is now being called “the Magdala Stone” by archaeologists. Read More : Synagogue in Mary Magdalene’s town [More]

August 22 is National Be an Angel Day, a holiday created to promote acts of kindness around the world. Here are 10 ways you can bring a little heaven to earth. As the saying goes, No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted, so reach out with a generous heart and make today truly angelic! Read More : 10 Ways to Celebrate Be an Angel Day – Page 1 | Guideposts

I often wonder about our persecuted brothers and sisters: do they struggle with things westerners usually struggle with? Do they struggle with drugs or lust or depression or alcoholism or laziness like we might? They’re humans too, the temptations are evident everywhere in the world, why wouldn’t they struggle with it too? Working at VOM, I’ve heard powerful stories of people in cultures that are also saturated in drugs, alcohol and promiscuity who turn their lives to Christ and are then persecuted. But their eyes are focused completely on Christ, it’s as if their past struggles with these addictive things [More]