Gay Marriage Referendum in Australia

Orthodox Christian leader: ‘There is no same-sex marriage at all’

"Family equals father and mother." -Coptic Pope Tawadros II

SYDNEY, Australia, - The leader of Egyptian Christians says there is no such thing as gay “marriage.”

“According to the Holy Bible, when you read either in the Old Testament or the New Testament, there is no same-sex marriage at all,” Coptic Pope Tawadros II responded to press questions about Australia’s popular referendum on homosexual “marriage.”

Such a union “is completely refused from the Christian faith,” he flatly stated. The Patriarch is visiting the faithful in Australia for 10 days.

“God created man and woman,” Tawadros said. “The first family was made by man and woman.”

Homosexuality “is not acceptable,” the pope, who was elevated in 2012, continued. “It is considered a sin. It is sin.”

“Our constitution as Coptic Christians is the Holy Bible,” Father Angilos Antoun of St. Mina and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church in Dayton, Ohio, told LifeSiteNews.  “God said (one man and one woman) is the only way to have a marriage.”

“We love all people, any religion, but we follow Jesus Christ,” Fr. Antoun quickly added.

Tawadros said much the same thing to guide Coptic youth. He encouraged young Copts at the International Convention Centre in Sydney to “fight for what is right” regarding the national referendum on same-sex “marriage.”

“Family equals father and mother,” the patriarch told the nearly 1,000 attendees.

A coalition of more than 150 evangelical leaders signed a “Nashville Statement” affirming one man and one woman marriage, calling homosexuality and transgenderism “an essential departure from Christian faithfulness.”

Roman Catholics also stand against sodomic unions. Pope Benedict XVI characterized same-sex “marriages” “a threat to global peace.”

And although recently his appointments and actions cause concern among conservative faithful, Pope Francis reiterated last year what Christianity has always taught.

“There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar to or even remotely analogous to God’s plans for marriage or family,” Francis wrote in “The Joy of Love.”

Tawadros is the pastor of 20 million Copts in Egypt and another 2 million worldwide.  His official title is "Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark."

The Apostle Mark, after missionary activities with Paul and Barnabas, went to Egypt in 49 A.D. When he first arrived in Alexandria, his shoe came apart and he sought a cobbler to repair it. The cobbler seriously injured himself fixing Mark's shoe. Mark made clay of his spittle and spread it on the cobbler's hand, which was instantly healed. News of the miracle spread and masses of the Alexandrians were converted to Christ.

Later, after Sts. Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome, Mark went to Egypt again. He preached the Gospel in Libya and the African interior, exorcising many.  Near Easter, Mark was arrested by angry pagans, bound, and dragged over the cobblestones, all the while giving thanks to God.  The next day, Mark was dragged again, to his martyrdom.

The Coptic Liturgy is still called the Liturgy of St. Mark.




cred: LifeSiteNews

Al-Shabaab Beheads four Christian Men in Kenya

Al-Shabaab Beheads four Christian Men in Kenya, Calls Victims Out by Name in House-to-House Raid

MOMBASA, Kenya - Suspected militants from the Somali group al Shabaab beheaded four men in two different attacks in Lamu County on Kenya's north coast on Wednesday, authorities said, a month after 12 people were killed in similar incidents in the region.

Lamu County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said the attacks took place in Silini-Mashambani early on Wednesday where three were killed, while in a separate incident in Bobo village one person was killed.

Kitiyo said about 30 heavily-armed assailants went from house-to-house calling out victims by name before pulling some out and slitting their throats.

"They were dressed in military gear and had AK-47 rifles. They beheaded four men before fleeing into the forest. All the victims are men. Police have already arrived at the scene and taken the bodies to the mortuary," Kitiyo told Reuters by telephone.

He said the attackers surrounded all the victims' houses making it difficult for them to escape.

Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's spokesman for military operations, said the group was behind the attack, and put the number of those killed at five, saying it had targeted non-Muslims.

In August, al Shabaab attackers killed four men in a similar manner while earlier in July, nine men were slaughtered the same way in nearby villages.

After the latest attacks, protesters burned tires on the roads on Wednesday morning in complaint over insecurity. Riot police to fire teargas and rubber bullets to disperse them.

A government-imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew is in force in the area following past attacks.

The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab aims to topple Somalia's United Nations-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam. They have intensified attacks in Kenya since it sent troops into Somalia in 2011.

They have also claimed responsibility for a series of cross-border attacks in recent months, including a spate of roadside bombings targeting security forces.




Cred: Christian Post

Florida braces for Hurricane Irma as Congressman asks for prayers

"We are very concerned and we ask for everyone's prayers.” - Rep. Carlos Curbelo

Miami, FL - As South Florida braces for a direct hit from Hurricane Irma, Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Florida, whose district includes a part of Miami and the Key West, says they are bracing for the worst and asking for prayer.

"We are very concerned and we ask for everyone's prayers," Curbelo told CBN News.


"We just marked in South Florida the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew. I was 12 years old. It was a storm that devastated South Dade, the southern part of our community, and this storm looks awfully similar to it," continued Curbelo.

Curbelo is urging his constituents in mandatory evacuation zones to get out now.

He says this could be one of the deadliest storms the area has ever seen.

"Please keep the people of South Florida, the Florida Keys, other countries like Cuba, the Bahamas in your prayers," the Florida lawmaker urged, "because this is one of the deadliest storms, perhaps the deadliest, that I have ever seen develop in the Atlantic."




cred: CBN.com

When hope is fading

Day 36 (11 Sept 2017, Monday)

(Matthew 24:36 - 25:13)
Hope is fading.  Not because we are helpless.  On the contrary, because we are not helpless, when situations are beyond us, that is when we hope the most.  But when we are comfortable, when all is under control, there is little need for hope.  Take for example, a child in Disneyland is definitely not hoping to go home.  But a child fleeing as a refugee is hoping to go home.

The early church faced much persecution.  In their distress, they looked forward to the blessed hope - Jesus’ second coming, the new heaven and new earth, when there will be no more tears, when they will be in the fullness of God’s presence.  We, in comparison, have life pretty good here and now.  Consequently, we are not eagerly anticipating the hereafter.

Reading Matthew 24:36 - 25:13, you will find that what was supposed to be a blessed hope turned out to be quite the opposite because the servant and the five virgins were not expectant or well-prepared.

Their hope had faded over time.  The servant’s terrible lifestyle and the five virgins’ lack of action showed that they were no longer hoping.  Do your lifestyle and actions testify that the blessed hope is alive and well in you?  Or are you so comfortable with the present, like the child in Disneyland that Jesus’ second coming and eternity have faded into the background?

Pray for Unity in the Body of Christ

Pray that Christian leaders will have godly wisdom, courage and strength as they work together to resolve issues with the government & authorities during these critical times.
Pray for the favour of God to be upon them.

Pray that pastors, church leaders & churches to work together as ONE for the faith of the Gospel so that His blessings will flow in our land.

Declare that the body of Christ will see beyond their offences, and choose to live a life of forgiveness and to grow in maturity, so that the people who are outside the circle of our faith community will see His glory in the church.




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Developing the steadfastness of hope

Day 35 (10 Sept 2017, Sunday)

When trials and tribulations hit the Thessalonian believers, Paul commended their steadfastness of hope in our Lord Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 1:3).  It is through Him we draw our strength and inspiration from God.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us to look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Here are eight ways of developing steadfastness:
Be positive about trials as they produce steadfastness (James 1:2-3)
Do not be anxious or fearful because God is with us (Romans 8:38-39)
Have faith in God to give us wisdom and strength (James 1:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9)
Affirm that the battle is God’s, not ours (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Worship God as if victory has been secured (2 Chronicles 20:21)
With thanksgiving, prayerfully commit our anxieties to God (Philippians 4:6)
Believe that God’s power can do far more than what we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)
Recalling God’s past faithfulness and mercies (Psalm 77:11)

Jesus was able to endure the suffering because of the joyful prospect of seeing man reconciled to God.  Out of the anguish of His soul, He shall be satisfied for many are made righteous (Isaiah 53:11).  Therefore, we need to share the heartbeat of God and pray for the salvation of our nation.  Share Christ as we pray for souls to come into His Kingdom.

Pray for Breakthroughs in Evangelism  

Pray that every believer will possess a passion for the lost, especially for people who are close to us such as our family members, friends and colleagues.
Pray for the urgency and power of the gospel message to reverberate in our hearts that we may live it out daily.

Pray for an enlargement of our vision that will go beyond the confines of our comfort zones.
Pray that the vision for the lost will so consume us that it breaks our fear of rejection when it comes to evangelistic effort.

Pray for more workers to be raised up to reach the unreached in our land.
Pray for wisdom to find means to share the love of God to the unreached people groups.





 Necf Malaysia

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Muslim man became a Pastor in Europe

Testimony of a Muslim that became a servant of God

Your Testimony - God’s Story in You

You have a story and if your story is God’s story in you, then that story is a testimony and can be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ. Sharing your story requires thought but no special training. “You are an expert on what happened to you!” And you can share your testimony anywhere with anyone and give them the “reason for the hope that is in you.”

You can share about Jesus Christ through your story - what God has done for you, what He is doing, and how you have experienced his grace and goodness in your life.


Here’s a question for you: Are you Ready to share your faith story with others and how God’s story has transformed your story?  please use the contact us form or send an email via businessofchrist@gmail.com

Joy above all circumstances

Day 34 (09 Sept 2017, Saturday)

Our moods do rise and fall like the ocean waves.  We can be happy at this moment but, the next moment, quickly sink into depression.  Happiness is unpredictable as it depends on some favourable circumstances.  Joy, on the other hand, is constant as it looks towards a faithful and unchanging God.  Though the harvest failed and the farm animals died, Habakkuk could still rejoice in God.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord;  I will take joy in the God of my salvation”  (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Why?  Because he knew that God is trustworthy and He will prove His faithfulness once again in the midst of such national crisis.  Joy births forth when one comes to experience the truth of God.

Writing from prison where he was incarcerated, Paul encouraged believers yet with a triumphant message:  “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Instead of constantly being worn down by the negative circumstances we face and unfavourable remarks we hear each day, we can now learn to put our hope in the One who causes the morning sun to rise.  Choose, therefore, to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, (and) be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Pray for Strong Discipleship in the communities of faith 

Pray that we will be obedient to the mandate given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ, when He instructs us to “go and make disciples of all nations”, thus fulfilling the Great Commission in our generation.

Pray that we will love people by praying for them, as well as caring nurturing them practically in their growth.  That we have willingness to invest our time and resources in the lives of new believers.  That we will willingly embrace them in our families, in our churches and even into our homes.

Pray that we will teach the whole counsel of God and to be truthful in both Word and life so as to set a Christ-like example for others to imitate.






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The purifying influence of hope

Day 33 (08 Sept 2017, Friday)

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

When Christ returns, believers will be transformed into His image.  When we meditate on this blessed hope-we will be like Christ one day - we will be inspired to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and strive to overcome our evil propensities (Luke 9:23).

Purity implies turning away from what the world loves (1 John 2:15 - 17).  We need to draw close to Christ like the branches that abide in the vine (John 15:4), surrender ourselves to God and renew our minds with effort to supplement our faith with goodness, knowledge,             self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection and love (2 Peter 1:5-10).  Realising that we will be like Him when He returns should encourage us to walk in purity and righteousness.

However, it does not mean we can do it on our own strength.  As we spend time in God’s presence, we will gradually be transformed by the Holy Spirit into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Ask the Lord to realign our minds and our hearts to His, so that our prayers will not be a bitter reaction to our circumstances but an assertive response to God’s agenda and purpose for this nation.

Pray for the Children of our Land 

Pray for an increase in proper child care awareness among parents and care-takers in regards to the welfare and safety of the children.
Pray that children themselves will be educated and well informed to guard against any physical or sexual violations.

Pray for children growing up in Christian homes to be well trained and rooted in the ways of God so that they will not deviate from the path of truth all the days of their life.
Pray that parents will have an understanding of the times and the wisdom on how to raise a godly offspring.

Pray that the hearts and minds of the children will be guarded from ungodly influence from their surroundings and media.  Instead, pray that children who are exposed to the God will influence their peers with godly principles and values even in their young age.





 Necf Malaysia

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Restoring our first love

Day 32 (07 Sept 2017, Thursday)

The church at Ephesus was commended in their:  1) Performance - they excelled in good works;  2) Purity of doctrine - they discerned and overcame false doctrine;  and 3)  Perseverance - they endured hardship.  But they failed in this one area:  ‘first love’.

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, …I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen;  repent, and do the works you did at first…. “ (Revelation 2:2-5).

Hope in God produces faith in Christ Jesus and it motivates us to love all the saints (Colossians 1:4-5).  “First love” is the glow and excitement we had when we first believed in Christ.  With great joy, we served God and testified for Him.  But as we progressed in our spiritual walk, things became routine.  Neither do we spontaneously burst out in worship nor do we seek Him or serve others as earnestly as we used to.

We are called to love God by obeying His commandments (John 14:20), and our good works must be motivated by love (1 Corinthians 13:3).  We must not be driven by our selfish motives like seeking after money, fame or satisfying our personal pride.  It is time for us to examine our hearts and be restored in our first love for Him.  It will be easier for us to pray with compassion when we love our nation and people with the love of God.

Pray for the Youth of our Land 

Pray for God to ignite the fire of revival among the youths, that they will grow up to be men and women who are passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ, and they will have a strong witness among their peers.
Pray for every hindrance to be removed in their spiritual walk with God.

Pray for anointing and strength of God to rest upon the youth pastors, leaders and workers, for them to have vision and courage to spearhead new things, and for a strong mentoring from the spiritual “fathers and mothers” around them who will stand with them through thick and thin.

Pray for Christian fellowships to be established and to grow in schools, colleges and universities, so that this vast mission field will witness a tremendous harvest.





 Necf Malaysia

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Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

Eliza | I've been looking for a job for a years but I've been rejected for so many times please pray pray for me to be hired and get job im hopeless I have many bills to pay sometimes I feel im alone please pray for me i am down and helpless.thank you

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, THANK YOU FOR ABOVE GROUND!.......SELAH

vijay aggarwal | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

Tenisha Mims | I pray That God give me all the Wisdom nd Knowledge I need to be in the word and to continue to follow Him.. I pray for a bigger home, I pray for better finances. I pray that my Best Friend become my Husband one Day.. I pray for my 5 kids to become Good Christian Men one day... I pray for this cruel world to change nd w
alk with God

Aiesha Anderson | Please pray for my daughter sand I to be strong against sin. And to always give when we have plenty. Amen