VOM Prayer Guide, John MacArthur Recovering & Jesus’ Lordship Over Creation

Every pastor has a burning passion for the Lord and his church. For Dwight Easler, this burning passion The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) 2023 Prayer Guide expands by four its list of “hostile” nations where Christians are regularly persecuted for their faith despite governmental efforts to protect them.

The African nations of Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mozambique and Niger join 19 additional nations globally where Christians are routinely persecuted by family, community members and/or extremist groups, VOM said in releasing its guide designed to mobilize prayer for persecuted Christians.

In addition to the 23 nations classified as hostile, VOM’s prayer guide classifies 41 nations as “restricted,” where Christians face governmental as well as societal persecution.

While this is not good news for religious liberty or Christians in the area, Todd Nettleton from VOM says this gives believers a better perspective on how they should be praying and for whom they should be praying.
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Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California has issued an update on well-known pastor John MacArthur. The release says MacArthur is at home recovering from a procedure to clear several blocked arteries. The church said the procedure was a success and MacArthur should return to his preaching responsibilities in a few weeks.

The 83-year-old MacArthur has pastored Grace Community Church since 1969.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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In a Lifeway Bible Study on Baptist Press, Jesus found a large number of people gathered as usual around the Pool of Bethesda.

It was there that Jesus encountered a disabled man who had been lying at the pool for a long time. Jesus directed the man to stand, pick up his mat and walk. The man instantly was healed when he followed Jesus’ command.

Jewish leaders questioned the man since he was carrying a mat on the Sabbath. He told them that the One who had healed him told him to do so. However, he was unable to identify Jesus for them. Later, Jesus found the man in the temple and instructed him, “Do not sin anymore” (v. 14). The man reported to the Jewish leaders that Jesus was the One who healed him. At this, the Jews began persecuting Jesus since he had done this act on the Sabbath.

The Lifeway study says this encounter demonstrates Jesus’ lordship over all creation. It also illustrates the value He places on all people. Each person we encounter is no different from the man at the Pool of Bethesda. As Christians, we can offer compassion to others and affirm Jesus’ work in their lives.

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