Christians should ‘know better’, but we also know than only with God’s help can we be genuinely spiritually mature. Pastor Paul offers a few helps here, all not only possible but essential if we are to live in Christian maturity.

1. Stop trying to change others; focus instead on changing ourselves.
2. Accept others as they are.
3. Know that in your, mine and everyone’s point of view, we are all ‘right’.
4. Learn to let go.
5. Be able to drop expectations for a relationship; instead, give for the sake of giving.
6. Be understanding in whatever we do, doing all for peace and reconciliation, which glorifies the Name of our Lord.
7. Stop trying to prove to the world how intelligent we are.
8. Don’t seek approval from others.
9. Stop comparing ourselves with others.
10. Be at peace with, and within, ourselves.

Congratulations to Pastor Paul on his 45th spiritual birthday!

We are so full of thanks to God for the day, 45 years ago on October 10, that He rescued our dear Pastor Paul from a life of drugs, alcohol, and the darkness and deception of Islam. If you haven’t yet, you can read his dramatic, powerful testimony here.

Despite facing obstacles, persecutions and trials at almost every turn along his path, he has survived and continues to lead with strength, compassion and courage.

“Absolutely it is by our Lord’s grace alone,” he says, yet also acknowledges how the prayers of believers worldwide have been his fortress.

On this site alone, we have shared many stories of threats to him and other Bibles for Mideast workers and families, and numerous attempts on his life.

Perhaps the most widely-read was the horrific stoning in Bangladesh when he and many others were attacked while performing a baptismal service. Rushed to hospital, then to another for emergency brain surgery, the story only intensified.  

“The Islamic militants who had attacked us discovered I was undergoing treatment in that hospital, and plotted to kill me,” he explained. “So the believers shifted me from the hospital to Pastor Ayyoob’s house in a nearby forested area.”

Militants again discovered his whereabouts, which brought about our now-famous ‘when the lions rescued the Christians’ story (Stoned by terrorists, protected by a lion!). Still, months of difficulties and several brain surgeries ensued, and at one point he even had to be rescued from a hospital in India where militants, disguised as doctors, attempted to kill him and his wife.

While the world and the work have slowed down, even in this time of coronavirus we must ‘keep up the good fight’ … one of love, compassion and with the spiritual maturity Pastor Paul exemplifies so excellently.