Saint of the Day — 17 June
Saint Emily de Vialar
She Gave Away Her Inheritance to Serve in Secret

She was born into wealth.

Saint Emily de Vialar
came from a prominent French family
in 1797 —

comfortable,
respected,
secure.

She could have lived
a quiet, comfortable life
and no one would have thought
any less of her.

But something in her heart
was restless
for more than comfort.

When her grandfather died
and left her a significant inheritance —

Emily did something
that startled her family.

She used the money
to begin caring for the poor,
the sick, and the uneducated
in her own town.

Quietly.

Without seeking permission
to be praised for it.

She gathered a small group
of women
who shared the same conviction —

and in 1832,
she founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph
of the Apparition.

The congregation grew rapidly —
not because Emily sought attention,
but because her work
was simply, deeply real.

She sent her sisters
to Algeria,
to Tunisia,
to Malta,
to the Middle East —

opening schools,
hospitals,
and orphanages
in places where almost no one else
was willing to go.

She faced devastating setbacks.

An outbreak of cholera.
A community nearly destroyed by plague.
Internal conflicts within her own congregation.
Even opposition from Church authorities
who misunderstood her methods.

Through all of it —

she kept serving.

Quietly.

Not for recognition.

For the people
in front of her.

By the time she died in 1856,
the Sisters of Saint Joseph
of the Apparition
had spread across multiple continents —

a legacy built almost entirely
in secret,
through patient, hidden faithfulness.

She was canonised in 1951.

And today's Gospel
could have been written
about her life:

"Your Father who sees in secret
will reward you."

Emily never sought
to be seen.

She simply served.

And God saw everything.

"Whatever you did
for the least of these,
you did for me."
— Matthew 25:40

"She opens her hand
to the poor."
— Proverbs 31:20

Prayer

Saint Emily de Vialar,
you gave away comfort
to serve in hidden faithfulness.

Pray for us —

that we may stop seeking
to be noticed,
and start simply
loving the people
in front of us.

Teach us that the most lasting work
is often the work
no one ever sees.

Amen.

Truth for Today

The most important work you do today
might be work no one will ever know about.

That is exactly where it matters most.

Reflection

Is there a quiet act of service
God is asking you
to do today —
without needing anyone
to notice?

Comment "St. Emily, pray for us"
or "Amen"

#SaintOfTheDay #SaintEmilyDeVialar
#June17 #RiseWithTheWord

private homes, informal gatherings, and other hidden meeting places. The report says the shutdowns have been systematic since 2017 and reflect a broader legal and administrative system that makes public Christian worship increasingly difficult.
According to the report, at least 58 Protestant churches have been closed since 2006, including nearly all those linked to the Protestant Church of Algeria. Christians say state approval for non-Muslim worship is rarely granted, leaving even small gatherings vulnerable to police raids, detention, and prosecution.
The article also says Algerian law can treat Christian witness, public discussion of faith, or attempts to share Christianity with Muslims as criminal acts. Despite that pressure, Algeria’s Christian community has continued to grow, though much of its life now takes place quietly and out of public view.
#Algeria #PersecutedChristians #ProtestantChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianPersecution #UndergroundChurch

BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS # 65
Section 6- Sure Word of Prophecy.

CHAPTER 65, The Eastern Question.

1. What, briefly stated, is the Eastern question?

The driving out of Turkey from Europe, and the final extinction of the Turkish Empire, with the world-embracing events that follow. It has been otherwise described as "the driving of the Turk into Asia, and a scramble for his territory."

2. What scriptures are devoted to the Turkish power?

Dan. 11:40-45; Revelation 9; and Rev. 16:12.

NOTE: In the eleventh chapter of Daniel Turkey is dealt with under the title of the "king of the north;" in Revelation 9, under the Bounding of the fifth and sixth " trumpets; " and in Revelation 16, under the symbol of the drying up of the water of the chief river of the Turkish Asiatic possessions, "the great river Euphrates." The actual drying up of the river Euphrates was the signal for the overthrow of ancient Babylon.

3. When did Turkey take Constantinople, and thus the northern division of ancient Greece and Rome?

In A.D. 1453, under Mohammed II. See chapter 64.

NOTE: After the death of Alexander the Great the Grecian Empire was divided by his four leading generals, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy, into four parts,- east, west, north, and south,-the first three of which were shortly afterward absorbed into one kingdom, the kingdom of the north, Egypt remaining the king, or kingdom, of the south. In the breaking up of the Roman Empire the Turks gained possession of the Holy Land in A. D. 1058, and finally of Constantinople, and considerable portions of eastern Europe,-the kingdom of the north,-in 1453, to which, with varying fortunes and shrinking geographical boundaries, it as held ever since.

4. How has Turkey been regarded by European nations?

"The Turks have ever remained quite insensible to the influences of European civilization, and their government has been a perfect blight and curse to the countries subject to their rule. They have always been looked upon as intruders in Europe; and their presence there has led to several of the most sanguinary wars of modern times. Gradually they have been pushed out, from their European possessions, and the time is probably not very far distant when they will be driven back across the Bosporus."-Myers's "General History," edition 1902, page 463.

5. When did the independence of Turkey cease?

In 1840, at the close of a two years' war between Turkey and Egypt, when the fate of Turkey was placed in the hands of four great powers of Europe,-England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. See reading in Chapter 64. of this book.

6. What is one of the last predictions of the prophecy of Daniel concerning the king of the north?

"But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him : therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Dan. 11:44.

NOTE: Upon this, Dr. Adam Clarke, writing in 1825, said: "If the Turkish power be understood, as in the preceding verses, it may mean that the Persians on the east and the Russians on the north will at some time greatly embarrass the Ottoman government." Such indeed was the case, and these conditions brought on the Crimean war of 1853-56: between Russia and Turkey. In this war England and France came to the help of Turkey, and prevented Russia from grasping Constantinople, her coveted prize, and thus gaining access to the Dardanelles and the Mediterranean Sea, and so possessing herself of the gateway of commerce between Europe and Asia. Without an outlet to the sea, Russia cannot be a strong naval power. In his celebrated will, Peter the Great of Russia (1672-1725) admonished his countrymen thus: "Take every possible means of gaining Constantinople and the Indies, for," said he, "he who rules there will be the true sovereign of the world; excite war continually in Turkey and Persia; . . . get control of the sea by degrees; . . . advance to the Indies, which are the great depot of the world. Once there, we can do without the gold of England." The authenticity of this will has been questioned, but it outlines a policy which Russia has quite faithfully pursued.

7. What since 1840 has saved Turkey from complete overthrow?

The help and interference of various European powers.

NOTE: "It is not too much to say that England has twice saved Turkey from complete subjection since 1853. It is largely-mainly-due to our action that she now exists at all as an independent power. On both these occasions we dragged the powers of Europe along with us in maintaining the Ottoman government."-Duke of Argyle (1895), in " The Turkish-Armemian Question," page 17.

8. Why have these powers thus helped Turkey?

Not from love for Turkey, but for fear of the international complications that its downfall might entail.

NOTES: In his Mansion House speech, Nov. 9., 1895, Lord Salisbury, responding to a wide-spread demand for the overthrow of the Turkish power, said: "Turkey is in that remarkable condition that it has now stood for half a century, mainly because the great powers of the world have resolved that for the peace of Christendom it is necessary that the Ottoman Empire should stand. They came to that conclusion nearly half a century ago. I do not think they have altered it now. The danger, if the Ottoman Empire fall, would not merely be the danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire consists; it would be the danger that the fire there lit should spread to other nations, and should involve all that is most powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest. That was a danger that was present to the minds of our fathers when they resolved to make the integrity and independence of the Ottoman Empire a matter of European treaty, and that is a danger WHICH HAS NOT PASSED AWAY." "The Balkan, or Near Eastern, question has been one of the most complicated political problems of the world's history for half a century. . . . For four centuries and a half, or ever since the conquering Turk crossed the Bosporus and took Constantinople, the grim contest has been on to dislodge him by war and diplomacy."-American Review of Reviews, November, 1912. Nearly a century ago, Napoleon, while a prisoner on St. Helena, explained that when emperor of France, he would not consent for Alexander, the czar of Russia, to have Constantinople.. "foreseeing that the equilibrium of Europe would be destroyed."

9. What is the divine prediction regarding the future and final downfall of the king of the north?

"And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Dan. 11:45.

NOTE: It would seem natural that the Ottoman government should make its last stand at Jerusalem. Around the city of the Holy Sepulcher and the tombs of the "saints" has been waged for long years a war between the followers of Islam and the believers in the Christian religion. In this place, many Bible students believe, Turkey will come to her end in fulfillment of this scripture.

10. Under which of the seven last plagues is the water of the Euphrates (Turkey) to be dried up, and for what purpose?

"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared." Rev. 16:12.

NOTE: For years the drying-up process of the Turkish Empire has been in progress, as may be seen from the following:-

(1) In 1783 Turkey was compelled to surrender to Russia the territory of the Crimea, including all the countries east of the Caspian Sea.

(2) In 1828 Greece secured her independence.

(3) In 1830 Algeria was ceded to France.

(4) In 1867 Turkey was forced to recognize the independence of Egypt.

(5) In the same year Turkey lost possession of Servia and Bosnia.

(6) In 1878 the Treaty of Berlin granted autonomous government to Bulgaria, and independence to Roumelia, Roumania, and Montenegro.

(7) In 1912 Tripoli was taken over by Italy.

(8) In 1912 and 1913 the Balkan States and Greece dispossessed Turkey of nearly all of her remaining territory in Europe.

11. Under this plague, what incites the nations to war?

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Verses 13,14.

12. At this time, what event is near at hand?

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Verse 15.

13. To what place will the nations be gathered for battle?

"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." Verse 16.

NOTE: Armageddon consists of a great triangular plain in northern Palestine, twelve by fifteen by eighteen miles, extending southeast from Mt. Carmel, otherwise known as the plain of Esdraelon, or valley of Jezreel. It has been the scene of many great battles, such as that of Gideon's overthrow of the Midianites (Judges 6,7), when "the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow;' of Saul's defeat by the Philistines (1 Sam. 29:1; 1 Chronicles 10) ; and of Josiah's defeat by Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29,30; 2 Chron. 35:20-24): and, as this scripture indicates, it is the place where, under the influence of evil spirits just preceding Christ's second coming, the great armies of the world will be gathered for their final struggle and utter destruction under the seventh plague.

14. When the king of the north comes to his end, what, according to the prophecy, is to take place?

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1.

NOTE: The expression "stand up" occurs eight times in this line of prophecy (Daniel 11 and 12), and in each case means to reign. See Dan. 11:2,3,4,7,14,20,21; 12:1. Michael is Christ, as will be seen by comparing Jude 9, 1 Thess. 4:16, and John 5:25. When the Turkish Empire is brought to an end, therefore, the time will have come for Christ to receive His kingdom (Luke 19:11-15), and begin His reign. This great change will be ushered in by the downfall, not only of Turkey, but of all nations (Rev. 11:15); by the time of trouble here spoken of; by the seven last plagues described in Revelation 16; and by the deliverance of all God's people,-those whose names are found written in the book of life (Rev. 3:5; 20:12),-which shows that probation and the investigative judgment will then be past.

15. What will take place at this time?

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Verse 2.

NOTES: At the resurrection of Christ there was a special resurrection, when many of the saints were raised from the dead, were seen of many, and were taken to heaven with Christ at His ascension. Matt. 27:52,53; Eph. 4:8. So, just prior to Christ's second coming and the general resurrection of the righteous, many of the sleeping saints, and some colossal sinners (those that "pierced Him," Rev. 1:7), it seems, will be raised to witness His coming, and hear God's covenant of peace with His people. This line of prophecy, therefore, brings us down to the resurrection of the righteous, which takes place at the second advent.

16. What false message will go forth before destruction comes upon those unprepared for Christ's coming and kingdom?

"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5:2,3.

NOTE: The so-called Christian nations will not go to Palestine merely to expel the Turks from the land. As in the crusades of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the idea will be to rescue the Holy Land from the Mohammedans, and make Jerusalem the center of a glorious kingdom, with Christ as king. The Papacy itself, it is thought by some, will at this time remove its seat to Jerusalem, and issue a great peace proclamation, directing the nations to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks, and calling upon all to come up to the mountain of the Lord, as described in Isa. 2:2-5 and Micah 4:1- 5. Infatuated by the doctrine of a temporal millennium, many nations will join in the call, and say, "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isa. 2:3. But this will be but the signal for the battle of Armageddon and the "sudden destruction" that is to overtake the world and bring to an end the present order of things. See Rev. 19:17-21; Eze. 38:14-23; 39:17- 22. Toward this consummation passing events all indicate we are rapidly hastening.

Watchman on the walls of Zion,

What, O tell us, of the night?

Is the day-star now arising?

Will the morn soon greet our sight?

O'er your vision shine there now some rays of light?

Tell, O tell us, are the landmarks

On our voyage all passed by?

Are we nearing now the haven?

Can we e'en the land descry?

Do we truly see the heavenly kingdom nigh?

I would like to thank God for using the Bible Reading for the Home Circle to bless millions of souls. To the author and original producer, (though in truth and reality it's God's) “No Copyright Infringement Intended.” What I have found which are available online I made them available offline...

Some interesting facts about our English Bible

The Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world. Hopefully those who are stealing it are reading it.

The first English Bible was written was that of John Wickliffe in 1382 AD

Let's look at a verse from it and compare it to our Modern version

Wycliffe Bible

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generacioun of Jhesu Crist, the sone of Dauid, the sone of Abraham.

NKJV

Matthew 1:1 NKJV The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

You might think , it is not that hard to read let's look at Psalms 23

Psalms 23:1-6 Wycliffe 1 The salm, ether the song of Dauid. The Lord gouerneth me, and no thing schal faile to me; 2 in the place of pasture there he hath set me. He nurschide me on the watir of refreischyng; 3 he conuertide my soule. He ledde me forth on the pathis of riytfulnesse; for his name. 4 For whi thouy Y schal go in the myddis of schadewe of deeth; Y schal not drede yuels, for thou art with me. Thi yerde and thi staf; tho han coumfortid me. 5 Thou hast maad redi a boord in my siyt; ayens hem that troblen me. Thou hast maad fat myn heed with oyle; and my cuppe, fillinge greetli, is ful cleer. 6 And thi merci schal sue me; in alle the daies of my lijf. And that Y dwelle in the hows of the Lord; in to the lengthe of daies.

Not so easy to read now.

The Protestant Bible Has 66 Books. 929 chapters in the Old Testament and 260 chapters in the New Testament. Which makes a total of 1,189 chapters.

The shortest Chapter in the Bible is Psalms 117 only two verses ,

The Longest Chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119 with Hundred Seventy nine verses.

And the Middle Chapter of the Bible is Psalms 118.

The Longest verse in the Bible is found in the Book of Esther Chapter 8:9. The Book of Esther and Song of Solomon are the only books where name God in it.

The Bible took a total of 1500-1700 years to write. The Bible has over 40 authors.

The Bible has 3 chapters in the Old Testament which was written by Gentiles ( non Jews) Which are Daniel 4 , Proverbs 30, 31 and the Bible has 3 Books in the New Testament which was written by a Gentile Luke , Acts , Hebrews.

When the the Bible was first written, it did not had any chapters except for Psalms and it didn't had any verses that came many years after .

Jesus is the first name mentioned in the New Testament and the last Name mentioned.

Cardinal Stephen Langton (1150 – 9 July 1228 AD) was who in 1205 AD divided the Bible into the chapters we have today .

The first person to divide New Testament chapters into verses was the Italian Dominican biblical scholar Santes Pagnino (1470–1541)

And Rabbi Isaac Nathan ben Kalonymus (1400- 1480) is believed to be the one responsible for the verses in the Old Testament.

The Shortest Verse in the Bible is John 11:35 NKJV Jesus wept.

The Jewish Bible is 39 Books which they call the Tanakh which Protestants call their old Testament.

The Roman Catholic Bible has 46 Books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament which Totals to 73 Books

The Samaritan's Bible is only the First 5 Books of the Bible which are the Books of Moses.

There are 52 countries where the Bible is illegal.

A list of 52 countries where the bible is illegal and/or severely persecuted.

1. Afghanistan

2. Iran

3. Kazakhstan

4. Kyrgyzstan

5. Maldives

6. Mauritania

7. North Korea

8. Saudi Arabia

9. Somalia

10. Tajikistan

11. Turkmenistan

12. Uzbekistan

13. Yemen

14. Algeria

15. Bhutan

16. Brunei

17. China

18. Cuba

19. Djibouti

20. Eritrea

21. Kuwait

22. Laos

23. Libya

24. Malaysia

25. Morocco

26. Oman

27. Sudan

28.Tunisia

29. Bahrain

30. Bangladesh

31. Central African Republic

32. Columbia

33. Egypt

34. Ethiopia

35. India

36. Iraq

37. Jordan

38. Kenya

39. Lebanon

40. Mali

41. Myanmar (Burma)

42. Nepal

43. Niger

44. Nigeria

45. Pakistan

46. Philippines (Mindanao)

47. Sri Lanka

48. Syria

49. Tanzania

50. Turkey

51.United Arab Emirates

52. Vietnam

Hope you enjoyed these little facts about our Bibles.