August 12, 2016

A Challenge to my Fellow Christians

John 14:6- “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“Islam and Christianity are not two paths that lead to the same God, but two very different paths that lead very different ways.” Nabeel Qureshi 

Most Christians never consider reading the Koran. But, I believe it could be extremely beneficial to your Christian walk. Reading the Koran made my Christian faith stronger and gave me knowledge and credibility in speaking with Muslims.

Because many Muslims don’t read the Koran themselves they only know what their Imans teach them and the verses they memorized when they were young. So, many Muslims are totally unaware of much of what the Koran teaches. Having read the entire Koran makes it possible to challenge Muslims on statements they make – and may even believe – but statements which may not be correct. A Muslim friend told me that the term “infidels” – or nonbelievers – as used in the Koran, does not include Christians and Jews because we all worship the same God. Had I read the Koran at this point I could have told him that some verses seem to support this assertion, but there are many more that make it clear that Christians are considered infidels who are condemned, along with polytheists.

After I read the Koran a friendship developed with a Muslim couple. On several occasions when they mentioned something that supposedly came from the Koran, I was able to point out that it may have come from the Hadith, which is not authoritative as is the Koran, but the teaching to which they referred had not come from the Koran.
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is one of the holiest places in all Islam. While visiting there recently, a Christian friend and I were approached by a young Muslim who offered us a Koran. When I gladly accepted it he said, “You know Jesus was not God.” We discussed that briefly and then I told him I had a question for him, which he appeared anxious to answer. I asked him if he believed what the Koran said concerning their prophets – which included Jesus, John the Baptist, David, Moses, Abraham, etc., in addition to Muhammed. He said yes. Then I asked what it said about the ranking of the prophets, and he responded that all were considered equal? I then asked “why then have Muslims elevated Muhammed to almost godlike status, when the Koran says he is no greater than any of the others.” He had no answer. I asked if he realize that Jesus was mentioned more than Muhammed in the Koran? Did he know that Jesus was called pure, holy and righteous? That the Koran said that Allah raised Jesus to be with him in heaven until the end times? That Muhammed was never described the same way as Jesus? In fact, Muhammed (in another book) said that he was unsure if he would even go to heaven to be with Allah. ”I finished with, “Shouldn’t an objective reader of the Koran conclude that if anyone was to be elevated to a godlike status in the reader’s mind, it should be Jesus and not Muhammed.” Again, he had no response.

I wanted to intelligently discuss with Muslims what the Koran does and does not say. I am convinced the Holy Spirit prompted me to read the Koran. God has used that relatively small investment of time to equip me for meaningful conversations with my Muslim friends. I have shared just a few of many. I hope to have many more. You could too!

April 22, 2016

The California Coast and Christ

I Corinthians 1:4-6- “I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way- with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge- God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.” NIV

I appreciate the diversity of our contributors in the many ways they share Christ with Muslims. Truly they are following the Apostle Paul’s example “to be all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Often the means is ongoing friendship.

This week’s post/testimony is an example of just that, friendship offered freely, faithfully and prayerfully.

“I am still in California visiting my good friends. I return home tomorrow. ”

“I am having a wonderful time staying in their home. Last weekend we took a three day holiday trip up the California Pacific Coast Highway. They have a giant Mormon Temple next to their home. On the trip they asked me if Mormons were Christians and what is the difference between Mormons, Seven Day Adventists and other religions. I took the opportunity and instead of saying what was wrong or bad about the others, I explained about Jesus Christ being God and his sacrifice on the cross for us all. I took what I remembered from our class teachings and I made particular emphasis on our knowing now that we will go to heaven. Also, that we will spend eternity in paradise with God, because of what God in Jesus Christ has already done for us.  But that while we are here on earth, God’s Holy Spirt will live in us.”

“The other day A’idah and I went to the movie Risen. She said this was the first time she heard about what happened to Jesus’ followers after He rose from the dead. The hardest part for her is accepting that Jesus is also God.”

“They still did not make a commitment to accept Jesus, but I can tell they are definitely contemplating all we discussed. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will reveal all that is necessary for salvation. They have a lot to think about.”

April 15, 2016

Coffee Conversion

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14 (NIV)

Recently I read an article in USA TODAY by Nabeel Qureshi’s regarding his latest book, Answering Jihad:A Better way Forward. In the article he states the importance of forming relationships with Muslims so that we might offer Christianity as a alternative to Islam. That is precisely what today’s contributor is striving to do. 

“Akeem is a friend I recently met in some of my classes and we have become friends. He has been in the United States for one year. Akeem is a lot of fun to be around and we get along well.”

“I invited Akeem to go have coffee one day so we could learn more about each other. He seemed surprised that I was interested having coffee with him and very excited at the prospect. I believe he has never been invited to anything by an American. ”

“He is a Muslim coming from a Muslim country, but did not appear to be as involved in his faith as others I have met. I discovered that even though he does not actively participate in his faith on regular basis he will defend it and does attend a Mosque at times. We did not go in depth about religion but simply talked a little bit about how Muslims live where he comes from. Akeem knows that I am a Christian and is cautious, but willing to talk about Christianity at this time.”

“It has been delightful to discover what a great guy Akeem is and our friendship continues to develop and grow. However, it takes time. There are many things calling for Akeem’s attention and affection, i.e., a new country with new culture mixed with his old culture, family he misses back in his country, living arrangements here, job searching, learning English, exposure to Muslim influences in his neighborhood, and much more.”

“I will continue my friendship with Akeem as it has richly influenced my life as well. I know God has a plan for his life. I pray for the day I can share how Christ is the most awesome answer to all of life’s questions. Please pray with me.”

April 1, 2016

Opportunity Knocks

Having an opportunity to share Jesus with others is such a privilege. To think that God would ordain that we would partner with Him is amazing. However, we are also commanded to not only tell about Jesus but to, “go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 29:19) and that is the responsibility of each and every Christian. It starts with sharing Jesus though. You cannot disciple those who have not received salvation.

For those of us that live in the United States we have the advantage that the nation’s come to us! People from all over the world flock to our borders for freedom from oppression, to obtain education and opportunity that they would not have in their own country. Where some in our country call for a complete ban or freeze on immigration by Muslims, Christians in the United States need to recognize the opportunity to make disciples of the nation’s right here in our homeland. All we need is a willingness and surrender of our time and resources. God will supply the rest. 

That is why we write this blog. It is to encourage you to reach out to the thousands of people, especially Muslims that enter our country every year. We want to show you how simple and natural it is to have a conversation, to offer friendship, to build a relationship, to offer the hope of eternal life by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. 

The conversation below is an example of one Christian’s desire to do just that, to reach out, by way of an English as a Second Language class with the reality that Jesus is the Son of God.

Recently I was with some friends at a local church that is a host site for ESL classes. We were serving refreshments during the break time and had the pleasure of talking with several Muslims. One couple was from Palestine and they were very interested in participating in the conversation. We talked about the substitution theory many Muslims believe, that Jesus was raised to heaven without dying and another who looked like Jesus died in his place on the cross. They pointed out how special Jesus and the other prophets in the Old Testament are to their faith. I asked if they believe that all prophets, including Jesus and Muhammed, are equally important. They said yes. I pointed out that there is much more written in the Koran about Jesus and his qualities than about Muhammed, that only Jesus, not Muhammed, was referred to in the Koran as the anointed one, Messiah, Christ. Only he has already been raised to heaven, only he is pure and righteous according to the Koran. I then asked, although Muslims say they do not worship Muhammed, do they not? And if they do, why not worship the prophet Jesus, the one who gets much more acclaim in the Koran than Muhammed?
 
One student said she had never thought of that and it was very interesting. She would love to talk more, but wanted to first speak to her mom. She called her mom and talked in Arabic while she and I walked to my car. I believe that she realized as she gave me her mom’s response that it was very weak. She retreated to her original response, “all prophets are the same.” But, this time the statement seemed to come with less confidence. 

I’m grateful I had been challenged to study the Koran for myself prior to that conversation. Since then I have completed a six page epistle on the points I was making and plan to share them as God gives me opportunity. 

 

March 31, 2016

Severe Mercy

Those of us involved in outreach to Muslims learn to keep expectations pretty low.
It takes years sometimes for a Muslim to get to the point where they are ready to surrender all to Christ.
Then there is the phenomenon of backsliding, rampant among new believers from a Muslim background.
So, when Abdul accepted Christ, we were elated. But then, as he delayed baptism, and grew distant, and then stopped coming to meetings, we expected the worst, and surrendered him to the hands of God.

Then the unexpected happened.

Crossing a street near his home, Abdul was struck by a vehicle and received some non-life-threatening injuries. He spent ten days in a hospital and then was moved to rehab where he did not move from his bed.

We visited him in rehab, encouraged him, and then laid hands on him to pray for healing. As we prayed, he began to weep and cry aloud the name of Jesus.  

The next day he felt well enough to go outside in his wheelchair. When I called him he told me how God had made him better, and he declared joyfully, “As soon as I can walk, I want to be baptized! This is a promise!”

We have visited him again, and he reiterated his promise. More importantly, it seems his joy has returned.

So God is at work, in mysterious ways.

March 10, 2016

Headscarves and Hashtags

Reposted fromdesiringgod.org
Article by Tim Keesee Topic: Middle East

Many voices have weighed in on the debate as to whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Wheaton’s Professor Hawkins was only reflecting the sentiment of half the country — and perhaps a third of self-described evangelicals — when she declared that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.
The “same God” controversy is the kind of “debate” that plays out mostly on social media and largely among Christians and secularists. So it’s really more of a political statement than a debate. But there are other voices that ought to be heard on the subject — stories of men and women who don’t have access to blogs or Facebook because they are being hunted like animals at this very moment.
Stories of Great Awakenings
There is Saditha. I met her and her husband at a Cairo safe house. She had become a Christian, and so her father was desperately trying to kill her. Then there’s the pastor’s wife in Somalia. She and her husband were both Muslim-background believers. Like the apostle Paul, the love of Christ compelled them — at great risk — to go and share the Good News with their people (see 2 Corinthians 5:14). The Good News wasn’t the discovery that Muslims and Christians worship the same God. Rather, it was the stunning, saving message of the gospel, the Word of the Cross. In early February, this pastor was murdered, and his wife and children are now in hiding.
Then there are the three men I met who are sleeping in an old church near Chittagong, Bangladesh. Because they have become Christians, they have been violently cast out of their homes and villages. One young man named Jahru is in his early thirties. Though he is very much alive, his family has already held his funeral. In this communal culture, his prospects for marriage and a career are bleak. I asked him why he would go through so much heartache and trouble, and he spoke of deliverance: “I came to realize that only Jesus could take away the weight of my sin.” Then gesturing to his fellow fugitives he said, “Each believer has his own story, but all must walk through the fire.”
Then there is the joyful testimony of a brother in North Africa named Kamal. His first exposure to the gospel was through Christian satellite TV. The one thing that stood out to him was hearing Christians praying for all peoples — whereas a Muslim’s standard prayer was for Allah to kill all non-Muslims. He saw a way of love and grace that led straight to Christ. He said the word “salvation” appears nowhere in the Koran — whereas the Bible is all about salvation. So Kamal believed on Jesus, the Messiah, and prayed to him in the only place he knew to pray — the mosque!
He had never met another Christian until one day at the café where he was a waiter he greeted a man with the salutation, “Peace and grace.” The standard Arabic greeting is usually only “salam” (peace), but Kamal said, “Peace and grace.” This man, whose name was Mohammed and who also was a believer, said, “Are you a Christian?” Kamal said he was and that he prayed to Christ in the mosque. Mohammed said, “No. You don’t need to go to the mosque to pray. You can pray anywhere, anytime because Christ is in you. And you don’t need to clean yourself by the ceremonial washing because Christ has forever washed you by his blood.” Later these two newfound brothers baptized each other in the ocean near Casablanca.
Kamal and Mohammed, Jahru, Saditha, and thousands of other brothers and sisters have, by the power of the Spirit, shaken off the shackles of Islam. They indeed believe that “there is one God.” But they also know that “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5–6). Their robust Christology started with a great awakening. Endless despair has given way to endless joy because they can say with David, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Psalm 40:2) and with Peter, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
The Muslim Christ
Samuel and Amy Zwemer loved Muslims — a love demonstrated not by headscarves and hashtags, but by living among them in Arabia, the epicenter of Islamic religion and culture. They learned their language, healed their sick, and, above all, loved them enough to speak the gospel to them. Zwemer was a pioneer missionary whose groundbreaking gospel work, combined with the breadth and depth of his scholarship, has earned him the title, “The Apostle to Islam.” Zwemer’s voice also needs to be heard in the current debate as to whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God.
Whatever place Jesus Christ may occupy in the Koran — and the portrait there given is a sad caricature — whatever favorable critics may say about Christ’s honorable place among the Muslim prophets, it is nevertheless true that the large bulk of Muslims know extremely little, and think still less, of Jesus Christ. He has no place in their hearts or in their lives.
All the prophets have not only been succeeded but supplanted by Mohammed; he is at once the sealer and concealer of all former revelations. Mohammed is always in the foreground, and Jesus Christ, in spite of his lofty titles and the honor given him in the Koran, is in the background. Christ is grouped with the other prophets, with Lot, Alexander the Great, Ishmael, Moses, Abraham, and Adam. . . . The sin and the guilt of the Muslim world is that they give Christ’s glory to another, and that for all practical purposes Mohammed himself is the Muslim Christ. . . .
The only Christianity that has a missionary message for the Muslim world is this vital Christianity. It is the only Christianity that can meet the deepest need of our Muslim brothers. Our love for them is only increased by our intolerance of their rejection of the Christ; we cannot bear it, it pains us. (The Moslem Christ, 155–173)

The pain is real, and our brothers and sisters who bear witness while walking through the fire could never relegate their Cross-bearer to a position of “honorable mention” in the same-God debate. Neither should we. Jesus won’t take second place, for he is the great King, lavishing mercy upon us sinners, giving life to all who come to him.
Tim Keesee is the founder and executive director of Frontline Missions International, which for twenty years has served to advance the gospel in some of the world’s most difficult places. He has traveled to 80 countries reporting on the church and is the author of Dispatches from the Front: Stories of Gospel Advance in the World’s Difficult Places.© by the Author. 

February 26, 2016

Little Conversation Big Opportunity 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

My wife and I first encountered…..
Tampa Muslim Outreach through a church seminar on understanding Muslims and engaging them with the Gospel. The challenge resonated with us, so we signed up for information and updates. Soon afterward Matt gave me a call with a reference to a young Muslim couple from the Middle East who were new to the area and in need of English practice. I began meeting with the husband once a week to dialogue. He was friendly, interesting and enjoyable to converse with.

Within a month of establishing the relationship we had the opportunity to host their family for dinner. I confirmed the meal ahead of time in order to ensure none of the ingredients would be offensive or unacceptable and they seemed to really enjoy it. The couple brought traditional Middle Eastern coffee and dessert which we found delightful. The evening went very well. Some highlights were; our five year old daughter, who doesn’t know a stranger, welcoming the wife with lots of attention and hugs, which she graciously accepted, and the husband and wife teaching our family the traditional way to pour and serve their coffee. Shortly after the evening ended, I received a text from the husband expressing thanks for the evening, and excitement for his wife to connect with a woman.
About a month later I was meeting with the husband for coffee and language study. I took the opportunity to bring up the topic of Jesus Christ, and dialogue about the defining difference is how salvation is acquired and relationship with God secured.  Also, that relationship with God through Jesus provides purpose and lasting, eternal assurance of life after death.
We have been invited to their home for a meal soon. It is exciting to make new friends and relate to others. We are thankful for this opportunity, pray and look forward to how God uses the relationship for His glory.

February 12, 2016

Transport Truth

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:4-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
In my walk with Christ it has been extremely helpful for me to read about other Christian’s experiences in their faith journey. I have been inspired, instructed and challenged by Elisabeth Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, and Katie Davis as they have related their stories. Other authors have encouraged me to trust God in greater ways by documenting the lives of Lottie Moon, John Newton, Hudson Taylor, Ivan Moiseyev, and many more.
One of the benefits of technology is the ability to access instantly through videos, social media and online publications the ongoing work God is doing with and through His children. To that end we offer this dialogue between a volunteer and a Muslim. The volunteer was providing transportation to a young man that was relocating to Tampa for educational purposes. The names have been changed to protect the privacy of both individuals.

Ahmad and I met at the airport. He told me about his long trip and about the fact that he was detained in Chicago for about an hour while the immigration held his passport.

We waited for his bags and realized that he was missing a bag. He filed a complaint and we went to my car. As soon we got into my car. When we got in the car, I don’t know if it’s because he saw a card in my car that says “Ambassador for Christ”, but below is how the conversation went.

 

Ahmad: Are you a Muslim? 

Fadi: No.

Ahmad: But your name sounds Muslim.

Fadi: Yes, I was a Muslim, but not anymore. 

Ahmad: You converted to Christianity? How did that happen? Who convinced you?

Fadi: I looked into it for myself and found that Jesus is the only way. It’s a long story and we could meet later, so I could tell you more.

Ahmad: As a Muslim we believed that Jesus was just a prophet.

Fadi: The Bible doesn’t say that though.

Ahmad: You know people make up a lot of things when it come to religion, even killing in the name of God. I was really into debating about religion in the past, but not anymore.

Fadi: I completely agree with you, but tell me, “When you die do you think God will let you in heaven?”

Ahmad: Well, I believe God is merciful.

Fadi: That’s true, but God is also just. Do you think He should judge sin?

Ahmad: Yes, but because He is merciful He will forgive.

Fadi: Why do you think Jesus was crucified? 

Ahmad: (No answer…)

Fadi: God is also love and since He doesn’t want to punish us because of our sins, He came to this earth to pay for the punishment of our sins on the cross and rose after three days. 

Ahmad: How has your life changed since you became a Christian?   

Fadi: It hasn’t been very easy, especially with the parents.

Ahmad: Yeah, that’s what I was going to ask you about.

Fadi: Well, my dad threatened to disowned me. And it was really hard.

Ahmad: And we have to respect our parents, especially our dads.

Fadi: You’re right and it was very hard. At some point though, it felt like I was choosing my dad over God and we definitely cannot do that. Plus, Jesus promised to give eternal life to anyone who would believe in Him and since my dad cannot give me eternal life, I had to chose Jesus. See I wondered, if God is just, why did He allow Jesus who didn’t do anything to be crucified? And the only answer is in the Bible, for my sins. Because I know I can’t pay for my sins, therefore putting my faith in Christ is far better.

 As I was trying to tell Ahmad about God’s love for us, I noticed that he was getting a bit overwhelmed and wanted to change the topic. He started asking me about the weather, the traffic in Tampa… so we changed the subject. We also talked about me changing status after school. We arrived where I was supposed to drop him and there was a church next door. He said “Look there’s a church.” “Yes, indeed!”, I responded!
We got out of the car, unloaded his bags and said goodbye. We agreed to meet again.

Since then we have exchanged a couple emails. I’m looking forward to meeting with him again, face to face. I trust God to accomplish His purposes.

 

January 27, 2016

Friendship Born By God

1 John 4:16 (NLT) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them. 

Last year I began asking God to help break barriers down for a friend of mine from high school that is Muslim. We have been friends for many years but about four years ago I began sharing Christ with her. As I shared Christ with her it became evident that she just chose not to believe. It was also difficult because we lived far apart. In my discouragement, I began praying to God to soften my heart for other Muslims and also that He may use me to disciple someone, preferably a young lady who desired to be discipled.
As God would have it, He arranged for Matt to come speak at our church and that gave me an even greater desire to reach out to Muslim people. I began studying my Bible more and enrolled in a class on apologetics to learn how to defend my faith in Jesus Christ. I finished the course in November and began asking God to send me someone that I could share the wealth of information He allowed me to learn. He answered that prayer in December 2015. I met a young lady who just came from her native country which is predominantly Muslim and she came with a thirst for God. She began asking questions about Christianity and the different denominations within. God used all that I had learned in class and my prayers to begin a journey that exceeded all my expectations in ways I could not have imagined. We began a sweet friendship and I was able to give her a Bible and she eagerly began reading. The more she read, the more questions she had and the Lord granted me the wisdom to share with her.
As she began reading the Bible a month ago, God began revealing Himself and drawing her to salvation in Christ. By the second invitation to church, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior after the church service in January. The gospel became very clear to her and she has been growing in the faith since. God’s word says “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out of from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV) This young lady had heard the gospel in her country and the seed was planted. It was in her heart, but she lacked a disciple to come along side her. That is my purpose in her life and I believe God did all the work. I am just a commissioned servant. There is no way I could come up with such a great plan. God’s Word never returns void.
 There are no words to express how I feel about our new sister in Christ. We have been studying the Bible together and she is growing in her Christian convictions every day. Praise the Lord and thank you all for keeping her and me in your prayers.

January 19, 2016

Pray!

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 


A Muslim-Background Believer here was greatly distressed because she had been disowned by her parents overseas due to her new faith and she was having difficulty in her marriage to a Muslim. In addition, her nephew had been in a car accident, was in a coma in the hospital, and was not expected to survive except possibly with severe brain damage.

 

She met with a staff member at a church, and he encouraged her to pray in faith for her nephew, so she called her nephew’s parents and prayed for his complete healing in the name of Jesus. Within the last week she visited her nephew one evening and put a cross in his hand. Immediately he began to move and respond.

 

Today her nephew is awake, showing signs of extraordinary recovery, and is expected to be discharged from the hospital within days. The whole family is astonished at the power of a prayer made simply in the name of Jesus.

 

This woman’s father, a prominent Imam at a mosque in her home city, having heard about the healing and her prayer, called her from overseas, asked her to forgive him for disowning her, asked her to pray for him, and told her that he wants to learn more about the prophet Jesus.

 

All of these developments are glorifying to our God. Thank you for praying! God is moving his hand in Tampa and across the world in response to your petitions.

 

Please continue to pray that the Word of God would spread among the family, here and overseas, and that the devil would be unable to impede the progress of the Gospel and the joy of the newly redeemed.