Saturday, August 24, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Mali in Africa

Aug 24: Mali

Proverbs 24 (New International Version)




Proverbs 24 (New International Version)

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Proverbs 24
1 Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company;

2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;

4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

5 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength;

6 for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say.

8 He who plots evil will be known as a schemer.

9 The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker.

10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house, do not raid his dwelling place;

16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

18 or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.

19 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked,

20 for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

21 Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious,

22 for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good:

24 Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"— peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.

25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive.

29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."

30 I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;

31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.

32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:

33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-

34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Romans 1 (New International Version)



Romans 1 (New International Version)


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Romans 1

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name's sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul's Longing to Visit Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[d] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."[f]

God's Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

    Friday, August 23, 2013

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Maldives - Asia

    Aug 23: Maldives

    Isaiah 66 (New International Version)



    Isaiah 66 (New International Version)

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    Isaiah 66

    Judgment and Hope

    1 This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?
    2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

    3 But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations;

    4 so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me."

    5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: "Your brothers who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!' Yet they will be put to shame.

    6 Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve.

    7 "Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son.

    8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.

    9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.

    10 "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.

    11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance."

    12 For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.

    13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

    14 When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

    15 See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

    16 For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the LORD.

    17 "Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following the one in the midst of [a] those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things—they will meet their end together," declares the LORD.

    18 "And I, because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come [b] and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory.

    19 "I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans [c] and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD -on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels," says the LORD. "They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the LORD in ceremonially clean vessels. 21 And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites," says the LORD.

    22 "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me," says the LORD. 24 "And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."

    Proverbs 23 (New International Version)




    Proverbs 23 (New International Version)


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    Proverbs 23

    1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what [a] is before you,

    2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

    3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

    4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

    5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

    6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;

    7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. [b] "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

    8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

    9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

    10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

    11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

    12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

    13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

    14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. [c]

    15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;

    16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

    17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

    18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

    19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

    20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,

    21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

    22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

    23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

    24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.

    25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

    26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,

    27 for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

    28 Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

    29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

    30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

    31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

    32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

    33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.

    34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

    35 "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"

    Romans 16 (New International Version, ©2010)

     
    Romans 16 (New International Version, ©2010)


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    Romans 16

    Personal Greetings

    1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
    3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

    5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

    6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

    7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

    8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

    9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

    10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

    11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

    12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

    13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

    14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

    15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord's people who are with them.

    16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

    17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

    20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

    21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

    22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

    23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [e]

    25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

    Thursday, August 22, 2013

    Isaiah 65 (New International Version)



    Isaiah 65 (New International Version)

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    Isaiah 65

    Judgment and Salvation

    1 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'
    2 All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations-

    3 a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick;

    4 who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat;

    5 who say, 'Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!' Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day.

    6 "See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps-

    7 both your sins and the sins of your fathers," says the LORD. "Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds."

    8 This is what the LORD says: "As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, 'Don't destroy it, there is yet some good in it,' so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.

    9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live.

    10 Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me.

    11 "But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,

    12 I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me."

    13 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.

    14 My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.

    15 You will leave your name to my chosen ones as a curse; the Sovereign LORD will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name.

    16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.

    New Heavens and a New Earth

    17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
    18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

    19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

    20 "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach [a] a hundred will be considered accursed.

    21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

    22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands.

    23 They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.

    24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

    25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

    Proverbs 22 (New International Version)

    Proverbs 22 (New International Version)


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    Proverbs 22

    1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

    2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.

    3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

    4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

    5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

    6 Train [a] a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

    7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

    8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

    9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

    10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

    11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

    12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

    13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

    14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

    15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

    16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

    Sayings of the Wise

    17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
    18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

    19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.

    20 Have I not written thirty [b] sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

    21 teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

    22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,

    23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

    24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,

    25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

    26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;

    27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

    28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.

    29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

    Romans 15 (New International Version, ©2010)



    Romans 15 (New International Version, ©2010)


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    Romans 15

    1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

    5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."[c]

    10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."[d]

    11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."[e]

    12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."[f]

    13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

    14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
    17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."[g]

    22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

    Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

    23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
    30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in prayer for Malaysia - Asia

    Aug 22: Malaysia, Sarawak

    Wednesday, August 21, 2013

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah - Asia

    Aug 21: Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah

    Isaiah 64 (New International Version)

    Isaiah 64 (New International Version)

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    Isaiah 64

    1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!

    2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!

    3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

    4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

    5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?

    6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

    7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.

    8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

    9 Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people.

    10 Your sacred cities have become a desert; even Zion is a desert, Jerusalem a desolation.

    11 Our holy and glorious temple, where our fathers praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins.

    12 After all this, O LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?

    Tuesday, August 20, 2013

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer of the Republic of Malawi - Africa

    Aug 20: Malawi

    Isaiah 63 (New International Version)

    Isaiah 63 (New International Version)

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    Isaiah 63

    God's Day of Vengeance and Redemption

    1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."
    2 Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?

    3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.

    4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.

    5 I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.

    6 I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground."

    Praise and Prayer

    7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
    8 He said, "Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me"; and so he became their Savior.

    9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

    10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

    11 Then his people recalled [a] the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them,

    12 who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses' right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown,

    13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble;

    14 like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.

    15 Look down from heaven and see from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.

    16 But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

    17 Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.

    18 For a little while your people possessed your holy place, but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.

    19 We are yours from of old; but you have not ruled over them, they have not been called by your name.

    Proverbs 20 (New International Version)

    Proverbs 20 (New International Version)

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    Proverbs 20

    1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

    2 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.

    3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

    4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

    5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

    6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

    7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

    8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

    9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?

    10 Differing weights and differing measures— the LORD detests them both.

    11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

    12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.

    13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

    14 "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

    15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

    16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

    17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

    18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.

    19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

    20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

    21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

    22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

    23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

    24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

    25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

    26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

    27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man [a] ; it searches out his inmost being.

    28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

    29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

    30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

    Romans 14 (New International Version, ©2010)

    Romans 14 (New International Version, ©2010)

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    Romans 14

    The Weak and the Strong

    1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
    5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

    10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
    'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'"[b]

    12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

    13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

    19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

    22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.