In a devotional from 23 years ago, author Chris Tiegreen shared some thoughts about the “Spirit of Sacrifice.” I have included an excerpt from his devotional below:
“Jesus’ life can be described as a life of sacrifice. Not only on the cross did He pour out His blood to redeem us from our sins, but during His ministry He constantly worked long hours, washed others’ feet, touched lepers’ sores, suffered the threats of violent men, and dealt patiently with hard-hearted disciples. While we may be thankful that He “made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:7) on our behalf, we cannot escape the implications of His example. Our attitude should be exactly the same as His (Philippians 2:5).
Self-sacrifice is not human nature. We are more inclined toward self-preservation. Yet in fundamental ways, the gospel contradicts human nature. Human nature is the aberration that we fell into with our sin; it is a “fallen” nature. Why would we settle for it? God’s intention for us is entirely contrary to our fallenness. It is to be like Him; we were made in His image, and through Christ He is conforming us to His image. So for those of us who say we have the love of Christ in us, how can we truly believe it if we are not willing to pour out our lives for others as He did? If his love is sacrificial and his love is in us, then we will be sacrificial. If we are not, His love is not in us.
Are we willing to pay any price — even to the point of death — that others might know His love? That is how His love behaves. It sacrifices…”
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On to the House of Blessing…
This first message was received from Dr. Nibras on May 15, 2026.
Peace be upon you, my brother Jack, and upon all the beloved of Jesus, after my absence from you and the House of Blessing for several days. One of the things that has remained constant in recent weeks is the ongoing attacks. Some twenty terrorist groups still roaming the Middle East are involved, fighting amongst themselves, but all seeking to target Jews and Christians to mutilate and kill them.
As we have seen before, no mercy is shown to the elderly, to young mothers, or even to children. They are all brutally slaughtered. It seems there are no limits to the depravity of fallen humanity when driven by demonic hatred and a thirst for blood. What is happening to so many of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East is beyond our comprehension. We must pray for them, not just for a few fleeting moments, but sincerely and wholeheartedly.
I have read several books, many times — I will refrain from identifying them — that are probably the most comprehensive accounts of the atrocities committed by the papacy and the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church over the centuries. There is an evil that has manifested, inventing the most horrific forms of treatment of humanity — often in the name of religion — and it comes straight from the depths of hell.
As I mentioned earlier, statistics show that Christians are being martyred in far greater numbers than in all previous centuries combined since the time of Christ. The blood of martyrs has truly soaked the earth, and continues to do so to this day.
Pastor Abdelrahem said that although he knows he is a target and wanted by them, he will continue his ministry from wherever he is. It is heartening to hear that God is helping him and giving him the strength he needs. He assured me that HOB’s large meeting tent is in use around the clock, given the urgent need to train more missionaries. Two young men who were picked to go to assist him in this task are currently spending time observing and learning before they can effectively take on this vital and necessary role. Thus, Abdelrahem, Hayel, and Arshid have returned to northern Iran to teach and preach, and they do this for long hours each day. But, God is sufficient!
We have witnessed more heavy losses of life among the missionaries of the House of Blessing. In Syria alone, we have just lost 63 missionaries, and in Iraq, another 71. I do not have statistics for other regions today. It is estimated that HOB has lost well over 900 missionaries, just in the last brief amount of time. Yet, despite these losses, hundreds of thousands of souls have been converted. The missionaries themselves have reached tens of thousands, but former Muslims are returning to their homes and reaching out to their families and friends, dramatically increasing the number of those who obey God’s word — just as we read happened in the early church. As I have said repeatedly, the Book of Acts is still being written today!
Remarkable results have been achieved over the past week. According to reports from various ministry locations, nearly 5,000 additional people were reached in Iran today, and another 2,370 in Iraq. In Kurdistan, the results are even greater, with 1,233 people professing their faith in Jesus Christ. In Syria, another 2,900 have joined them, not counting reports from Azerbaijan.
Another amazing and ongoing effort is the work of the widow’s group, led by Ikhlas. These courageous women go from place to place, moving about among the sick and dying, seeking those who wish to pray, especially those preparing themselves for eternity by receiving forgiveness from the One who can grant it, Jesus Christ. No one turns them away, and they continue to reach hundreds! It is truly a great harvest we are witnessing today! You and I will meet all these people when we enter eternity!
In closing this brief update, I want to remind us all that these people are going through some of the most difficult times humanity has ever faced. If we have any love for our Savior Jesus Christ, then these people are our brothers and sisters. We cannot ignore their suffering. Although the situation in the West, my brother Jack — I apologize for the comparison — is losing freedom day by day, it still enjoys relative freedom, and it is difficult for you to imagine how your brothers and sisters in the persecuted church are living. Prayer is their greatest need and their greatest help. Please continue to support them personally with your heartfelt prayers! Omar and his brothers are in a very, very dire situation. Please keep praying for us.
Your brother,
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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At this point, in between communications received from members of the House of Blessing, I will try to fill in some blanks about what has transpired in the past days, especially concerning brothers Omar, Ma’touq, Durgham, and Aylout.
Previous updates explained the basics of a terrible attack on a large gathering of new believers and students enrolled in HOB’s School of Ministry. Overseeing them, of course, were a number of teachers and elders. As readers will remember, there was a vicious attack by a large group of militants who attacked with machine guns. Many were killed outright and of course many more injured. Among those shot were the four elders, Omar, Ma’touq, Durgham, and Aylout. All four were shot in the chest with the bullets exiting their backs. It was a miracle they did not die on the spot, but there was more that I was not aware of. Here in another communication I received, I was told more of the story. I am sharing the report below out of its order (by date) because this part of the story contains information many readers are asking for.
This is what I received from Dr. Nibras on May 18, 2026.
My brother Jack, peace be upon you and all the beloved of Jesus. In the past two weeks, the oppressive Iranian regime’s fighters attacked a group of men, severely wounding them. They unleashed a barrage of heavy bullets on their legs, breaking their bones and causing severe bleeding, effectively condemning them to death. Among the wounded were four leaders, who were taken to receive medical treatment from several doctors. The doctors unanimously agreed that amputation within days was the only way to save their lives. My task was to monitor the injuries.
One of the mullahs, who had been led to his acceptance of Christ by Abdelrahem, heard about the situation. Dr. Bandis, a dermatologist, suggested allowing Sister Ikhlas and her team to go minister to them and pray for them. A messenger was sent to those caring for the men, with a mixture Dr. Bandis had formulated. They were asked to give it a try. Pastor Abdelrahem asked Sister Ikhlas to invite Dr. Bandis to meet with the four suffering leaders. The preparation Dr. Bandis recommended included fig and grape leaves and olive oil ground together and boiled in water. The men were to drink the mixture to aid in their recovery. He also suggested placing fig peels on the wounds to counteract the gangrene. After two days had passed, it became apparent that their situation was not going to be helped through natural medicines. The gangrene had begun to spread and there was little time left. Pastor Abdelrahem then sent for Sister Ikhlas and her 50 widows.
When Ikhlas and her widows arrived, they were greeted, not only by the four suffering brothers, but also by me. When Ikhlas looked at the injured, she realized their condition was very critical. She began by saying that she had no power to heal anyone; only God could do that, and she didn’t know if God would heal them or not. She wouldn’t allow the men’s healing to be a condition for the strength of their faith, as faith was a matter between them and God. After some discussion, they finally agreed to her praying for their healing unconditionally.
Ikhlas, however, said she wouldn’t do anything until she had some time to herself. She spent about half an hour in prayer, alone with God. When she returned to the group, she said she needed a few things before she could pray for them.
One of the brothers gathered what she had requested. She told them that the healing wouldn’t be immediate, that it would take three days, but that God would heal their wounds and hers.
(Note: Ikhlas was not yet able to walk on her own due to the severe stab wounds she had suffered in the attack). Ikhlas distributed the mixture over the eight legs and arms, and asked those present to help each injured man to bite down on wooden sticks so they wouldn’t bite their tongues. (Incidentally, one of the ingredients of the mixture was olive oil). After distributing the mixture, she lit the liquid on fire. The men screamed in agony, but she didn‘t stop. She kept the fire burning, adding more mixture as needed. She did this for about 30 minutes. Those present were furious, thinking she was trying to kill them. They asked her if she was crazy. She raised her hand toward them, looked at them, and asked, “Do you want them healed or not?” Then she told them to either be silent and move out of the way or leave the area. Although she was injured, the Lord had placed the strength of many men in Ikhlas. It was the hand of God. We don’t know why, even though she was severely wounded, the Lord healed her. We had no answer as to why all her wounds that she had been suffering from totally disappeared! He is a merciful Lord.
The four injured men fainted during the procedure and did not wake up, which angered me and the others, who thought she had killed them. She told them it would take three days, and they had to give her that time, otherwise the men would not be healed.
Throughout those three days, the four injured elders and leaders slept. They only woke up when Ikhlas came to them on the third day and called each one by name. As soon as she called one, he woke up. They all jumped up and shouted with joy because they were completely healed. When the onlookers examined their legs, they found no trace of the wounds. It was as if God had given them all new legs!
Those who witnessed what happened, knelt at Ikhlas’ feet, kissing them and asking her to teach them how to know God as she did, even though she and her martyred husband, Judge Hamoush, had been religiously conservative Shiite Muslims before accepting Jesus as their Savior. She reminded them that she hadn’t healed them, but was merely an instrument, and that the Lord had also healed her. Then, a great celebration began — not only here on earth, but also in the Kingdom of Heaven!
Soon, the men will go to the fields to teach about their Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. These elders and leaders are teaching people and are held in high esteem. Thousands are likely to be converted to Christ because of this miracle alone! However, the need for the Gospels remains as more Persian and Arabic speakers throughout the Middle East join the Kingdom of Light. We continue to pray that others will join the House of Blessing in making God’s word available to those living in darkness, while there is still time.
As for me, every time I read the details of this momentous event, which occurred just hours ago, my eyes fill with tears. How great is God’s love for humanity! How far He goes to guide 100,000 men and women who had learned only that their god was a god of hatred, and who demanded the same of his followers. With men like these, God demonstrates his love in a wondrous way. Incidentally, I would like to add that the things God asked this humble widow to use have a special significance, which there is not enough time to share right now
My brother Jack, today, thanks be to God, 10,000 teaching booklets and 2,000 Bibles were sent out from the print shop for distribution. Praise God!
Your brother,
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord
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For some, the details of this episode might be difficult to swallow because it sounds so bizarre. Yet, I remember writing another episode very much like this in 2014. Sister Mufieda and a handful of widows were called into a difficult situation in front of 19 sheikhs where four soldiers had their legs shot up much as HOB’s four elders. The similarities of the two episodes are uncanny. A question that many are probably asking is: why would God ask Ikhlas, or Mufieda, for that matter, to go through such a weird procedure when He could have instructed either of them to just speak a word of healing over the men and have the same results? But then, we could also ask: why did Jesus spit on the eyes of a blind man in Mark 8:22-26 to heal him? In another instance in John 9, He spit on the ground and made mud that He put in the man’s eyes and told him to go wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. As I remember back over the past 14 years of writing for the House of Blessing, I can remember many times when the Lord has instructed His HOB servants to do strange things, but the results were always the same. God sovereignly healed as He wished to. We as His servants just obey. Incidentally, I received word that the brothers have already left their sick beds and are out in the field, doing what they love so much, teaching the Word of God! God is good!!
There have been more communications within the last few days but they will be in the next Mideast Update in a couple days. You will be introduced to Dr. Bandis. As it turns out, he likes to write! Please continue to keep the House of Blessing in your prayers. Your support is also very much appreciated. The printing press is ready to print more orders as the funds become available. Thank You!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)