In 2003, President Bush sent troops into Iraq, but was later disparaged when no weapons of mass destruction (WMD) were found there.  However, the New York Times has recently released clear evidence that WMD were indeed existent in Iraq before, during and after the Iraqi invasion.  NYT Journalist CJ Chivers writes:

“From 2004 to 2011, American and American-trained Iraqi troops repeatedly encountered, and on at least six occasions were wounded by, chemical weapons remaining from years earlier in Saddam Hussein’s rule.  In all, American troops secretly reported finding roughly 5,000 chemical warheads, shells or aviation bombs, according to interviews with dozens of participants, Iraqi and American officials, and heavily redacted intelligence documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.”

For full detail, including an informative video containing actual footage and eye witness testimonies, see New York Times Reveals WMD Cover-up in Iraq.

Meanwhile, in 2013 suspicions arose that Syria was using chemical weapons (likely those secretly transported from Iraq during the Iraqi War) against their own people.  President Obama made his “red line” speech, but reneged on carrying through with the threat, thus empowering evil militants to push the envelope even further.  In August 2014, President Obama stated that Syria’s chemical arsenal was fully destroyed, only to have administration officials back off that declaration and reveal fears that ISIS might have sights set on those WMD.

Those fears may prove to be valid.  Here are some recent headlines:

• ISIS seizes former chemical weapons plant in Iraq
• ISIS storms Saddam-era chemical weapons complex in Iraq
• ISIS used chemical weapons on Kurds
• Doctors Confirm ISIS Use of Chemical Weapons in Kobane

While evil regimes advance their evil agendas, American and other world leaders fail to show leadership in stemming the evil tide.  While militant jihadists rape, maim, torture, and slaughter Christians in the Middle East, Christians and churches in America seem deafeningly silent.

Christian friends, let’s not be silent!  Here are some ways to be vocal:

• Pray! We can all do this!  Our lives are busy, so why not schedule a time to get away from distractions for a few minutes each day to pray for God’s protection of persecuted Christians in the Middle East and around the world; for God to grant wisdom, courage and leadership ability to world leaders; and for God to confuse the evil plans of jihadists.
• Host a prayer meeting. Invite friends to your home, or gather after a church service to pray for the needs mentioned above.
• VOTE for political leaders who share your values. In Arizona, we have a great resource to help us know candidates’ positions on critical issues.  (Arizona Voter’s Guide)  Other states have similar resources, so do some research!
• Communicate with your elected leaders! Let them HEAR your concerns.  (Contact US Congressmen.  Contact Arizona Legislators.  Do some research…your state likely has similar resources.)
• Share what you know! Study to correctly explain the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)!  Learn all you can, and share what you know!  The time is short and it is our responsibility to exhort one another to be ready for the coming of our Bridegroom!  (Matthew 25:1-13)

Don’t be silent while our brothers and sisters around the world are martyred.