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VARIOUS KINDS OF CREW MEMBERS

various kinds of crew membersCheck out this important Podcast! The speaker really nails it: he emphasizes that the Church, the Ark of Our Salvation, is not a cruise ship where we're just passengers on vacation, relaxing and having a good time. No, we're sailors and marines who have battles to fight and various tasks to do on this warship. He explains three very important passages of Holy Scripture:

"Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are various kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as He desires. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:4-12).

"For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy: abhor that which is evil, cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:4-10).... [read more...]

 

Here's our next free online course: (click →) Intro: Ministry to Handicapped and Poor – deadline to enroll: Sep. 1 (← click). So enroll today, before you forget!

 


 
 

PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING $5, $15, or $25 TO SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY! ARS Paypal QR code

Keep our ministry going! Use our QR code or click on "Donate One-Time or Monthly."

If 5% of the people who see this would give $5 per month (just 17¢ per day!) - two cups of coffee with your favorite friend at your favorite coffee shop - we could cover our operating expenses and do much more in spreading the word, supporting orphans, and providing accessible housing for the disabled. My wife and I left our careers over 30 years ago to serve in Russia as missionaries: we're now "semi-retired" - we've put on a new set of semi tires and keep on trucking! We live on our retirement income and volunteer our time: we receive no financial support from Agape Restoration Society. Our websites and ministry are funded by us and just a few friends. ...thanks!

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NEXT, THE NEWS:
 

TOP MYTHS DEBUNKED: LATE OR 'LATE-TERM' ABORTIONS
from: LiveAction

SYNOPSIS: The common pro-abortion claims are that late-term abortions are rare and medically necessary, labeling these as misconceptions designed to evoke emotional support for unrestricted abortion access. It highlights that most late-term abortions are elective and not due to medical emergencies, and challenges the narrative that abortion is safer than childbirth. The article emphasizes that late-term abortions are more common than portrayed and criticizes the media's role in perpetuating these myths.
Pray for people, especially Christians, to comprehend that an unborn baby is a real human being with the right to life from the moment of conception to natural death, and that "late-term" abortions can include post-birth killing a newborn baby. People who believe in post-birth abortion must realize their hypocrisy if they don't practice what they preach on themselves rather than on innocent babies. See also "Standing for the Value of Life in a Culture of Misinformation."

 

IVF BECOMES A BURNING ISSUE IN THE US ELECTION
from: Mercator

SYNOPSIS: As predicted, IVF has become a significant issue in the 2024 American election. Liberals are using IVF to appeal to voters by portraying it as "pro-life," appealing to some Evangelicals and Catholics who are sympathic for couples unable to conceive and have a family. Despite its support among some of these Americans, opposition exists due to the ethical concerns around frozen embryos. Pro-life people believe that human life begins at conception, so if it requires fertilizing hundreds of eggs to succeed in growing one egg in a dish ("in vitro"), all the remaining little human beings are eventually destroyed. Also, the ethical issue arises of one man possibly impregnating dozens or hundreds of women.
Ask the Lord for Christians to think hard and seriously about the moral questions on IVF as it becomes an issue that splits their ranks by appealing to their sympathy for infertile couples: may they consider adoption as the better moral choice. See also "Assessing the destructive impact of ‘Stalinist feminism’."

 

OCCUPIED UKRAINE: ORTHODOX PRIEST'S 14-YEAR "ESPIONAGE" JAIL TERM
from: Forum 18 News Service

SYNOPSIS: Ukrainian Orthodox (MP) priest Fr. Kostiantyn Maksimov was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian labor camp by the Russian-controlled Crimean Supreme Court on espionage charges. His mother, in shock, hopes for a prisoner exchange. He may be illegally transferred to Russia. Additionally, a Protestant named Olena faces up to 10 years for remarks at a prayer meeting, with a verdict expected on August 15. Other religious figures face similar persecution under Russian occupation.
Intercede for Fr. Kostiantyn Maksimov that he will be set free in a prisoner exchange, after receiving a 14-year sentence for trumped-up "espionage" charges, even though he is a priest of Moscow's misnamed "Ukrainian" Orthodox Church, not the revived Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as it was when Orthodoxy came to ancient Rus' in 988 A.D.

 

MILLIONS HEADED TO STATES TO SUPPORT DISABILITY HOUSING
from: Disability Scoop

SYNOPSIS: Federal officials are sending millions of dollars to states in an effort to provide better housing options for people with disabilities. Today’s awards will support Americans with disabilities by both creating affordable housing and expanding crucial support services. Housing agencies in each of the selected states will receive between $4 million and $8 million to help people with disabilities access affordable homes within existing, new or renovated multifamily developments, officials said. The grants are going to housing agencies in several states and are expected to support more than 3,000 housing units.
Pray for Christians to realize that $135,000,000 for 50,000,000 elderly people with disabilities amounts to merely $262 per person for housing: the real need is for Christians to wake up to their own responsibilities to do social ministry.

 

UKRAINE'S PARLIAMENT PASSED THE BILL BANNING THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE IN UKRAINE
from: Religious Info Service of Ukraine

SYNOPSIS: On August 20, 2024, members of the Verkhovna Rada passed Bill 8371 to ban the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine. 8371 on the inadmissibility of the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. On July 23, 2024, a group of MPs blocked the rostrum at the plenary session, demanding that the bill be included in the agenda and considered in the second reading. The MPs' demand was not met, and the meeting was adjourned until August 16, the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy supported the amendments to the final version of draft law 8371. This means that UOC-MP parishes and monasteries on state-owned land will be transferred to the OCU.
Praise the Lord that Ukraine can now fully establish its own Orthodox Church independent of Moscow, and pray that the 32+ years of Moscow's interference in the religious affairs of the independent Ukraine will cease.

 

DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL FOUNDATIONS IN CHILDREN'S LANGUAGE
from: Disabled World

SYNOPSIS: Researchers analyzed children's conversations to understand how moral concepts develop. They focused on words related to moral foundations (like care, fairness, loyalty) as outlined by Moral Foundations Theory. Results show children primarily discuss care and fairness early on, with concepts of loyalty and authority emerging later. This suggests moral understanding develops gradually, with a focus on individual well-being before broader societal concerns.
Thank the Lord for researchers discovering that moral concepts are based on several innate, modular foundations and cultural influences, and pray that children's built-in sense of morality will be nurtured by a wholesome family and religious environment.

 
 

 
 FASTDOMAIN 

NOW, OUR VIEWS:
 

 

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

 

 

Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow's Patriot ParkThis photo is the Cathedral For Russia's Armed Forces... Merging Militarism With Faith. We read in John 10:10 – "The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." And in Matthew 7:15 – "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Again, in Matthew 10:16 – "I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

This is when false pastors, priests, and leading religious figures dress in fine robes, but are actually wolves in sheep's clothing. The Apostle Paul forewarned us to beware of "vicious wolves [who] will enter in among you, not sparing the flock, men [who] will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverted things" (Acts 20:29-30). The word "perverted" here can refer to both moral and doctrinal perversion. And The militarization of religion is when false religion becomes merely an ideological tool to brainwash people into believing that stealing other nation's land, killing their people, and destroying their homes, farms, and businesses is God's will.

Get the full article on our ARC-News blog at blogspot.com.

 

 

A Personal Note: the pump for Vision ComplexTHE PUMP IS WORKING! Vision Complex in Tanzania is an orphanage and school for 50 orphans. We provided Vision Complex with funds to buy the pump and two 1,000-liter storage tanks. Simon at Vision Complex sent us these photos: here's the pump they bought at this store. It goes inside the well and brings the water up and into a storage tank. There is a switch that turns on the pump when the water level is low in the tank. This switch prevents the pump from running constantly and burning out the motor.

1000-liter water tankYou can see in this photo the small pipe that runs from the well to the top of a 1,000-liter tank that's sitting on a stand so that people can put a bucket under the faucet and turn it on to take the water where it's needed. This process provides the people at Vision Complex with enough water for drinking, washing, cooking, and watering their gardens.

Also, neighbors are coming to Vision Complex for water and are being invited to volunteer making bricks from clay to make bricks from clay that Vision Complex can sell to pay for medical care for the kids who have Sickle Cell Anemia and need life-saving blood transfusions every month. On September 1, Simon must take ten of these kids to the hospital for blood transfusions, which will cost $270. Would you Donate $27 One-Time or Monthly to save s kid's life?

 

 

The latest about Maureen: We helped Maureen Maureenrestart her shop in the market after a flood last year, but in the late spring this year anti-government riots broke out and she couldn't open her shop. Another woman in a shop in that market tried opening it, but was raped, beaten and robbed. So when a bunch of rioters came to Maureen's neighborhood recruiting more rioters, she hid under her bed, breaking a couple of teeth. Maureen needs a sponsor: please designate your support for "Maureen" – thanks again, and pray for peace in Kenya!

Maureen's daughter Kayla is doing very well in kindergarten. But we're coming to the end of our not-profit's resources and she also needs a sponsor: Please designate your gift for "Kayla's school fees" – thanks in advance! Sadly, another little girl, only two years old, was raped and murdered amid the rioting and looting that has been going on in Nairobi. Pray for her soul!

Maureen has been through the wringer throughout her life: her parents both died of HIV-Aids, so Maureen's Grandma raised her. After she grew up and got married, Kayla was born, then Grandma became disabled and moved in... but Maureen's husband didn't like it so he bailed out, leaving Maureen to care for Kayla and Grandma. Her house in the slums was destroyed in a slum fire a few years ago, so we helped her rebuild, then that house and her shop were destroyed in a massive flood. All this may sound incredible, but we've monitored these disasters in the news.

 

 

Who Are We?   Please remember to pray for Christians in Secularized Countries, and for...

  Your fellow-servants,

 

  Bob & Cheryl

  

  p.s. Unless I love God with all my being and my neighbor as myself, all my ideals, health & wealth "ain't wuth a hill o' beans!"

 

 

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