Sunday, July 6, 2014

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for Indonesia, Java in Asia

Jul 06: Indonesia, Java

Romans 7 (NIV)



Romans 7 (New International Version, ©2010)

Romans 7

Released From the Law, Bound to Christ

1 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

The Law and Sin

7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."[b] 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature[d] a slave to the law of sin.

Psalm 71 (NIV)



Psalm 71 (New International Version)

Psalm 71

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you?

20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.

24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

    Saturday, July 5, 2014

    AFWIS Program #13 Dual Citizenship



    Dual Citizenship: Program  # 13 created 7.5.2014
    Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
    We are citizens of Heaven and the World and can have all the right and privileges of both.
     

    Romans 6 (NIV)



    Romans 6 (New International Version, ©2010)

    Romans 6

    Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

    1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
    5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

    8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

    11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

    Slaves to Righteousness

    15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
    19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for Indonesia, Sumatra - Asia

    Jul 05: Indonesia, Sumatra

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for India, The Seven Union Territories - Asia

    Jul 04: India, The Seven Union Territories

    Psalm 70NIV



    Psalm 70 (New International Version)

    Psalm 70

    For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

    1 Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.
    2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

    3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.

    4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"

    5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

    Friday, July 4, 2014

    Americans are Proud of our Godly Heritage, We are a Christian Country!




    Romans 5 (NIV)



    Romans 5 (New International Version, ©2010)

    Romans 5

    Peace and Hope

    1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
    6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

    9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

    Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

    12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
    13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

    15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

    18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

    20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Psalm 69 (NIV)



    Psalm 69 (New International Version)

    Psalm 69

    For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of David.

    1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
    2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

    3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

    4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

    5 You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.

    6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.

    7 For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

    8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons;

    9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

    10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

    11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

    12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

    13 But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

    14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

    15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

    16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

    17 Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

    18 Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

    19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

    20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

    21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

    22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and [a] a trap.

    23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

    24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

    25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

    26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

    27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.

    28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

    29 I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

    30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

    31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

    32 The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!

    33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

    34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

    35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

    36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.
    _______________________________________________________________



    Thursday, July 3, 2014

    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for India, Uttarakhand, West Bengal - Asia

    Jul 03: India, Uttarakhand, West Bengal

    Let us Pray for one Nation Under GOD!

    Let us continue to Pray for America and Her Leadership,
    We should not give up on our worthy goal.
    One Nation Under GOD!
     
     

    Revelation 3 NIV ~ Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)



    Revelation 3 (New International Version, ©2010)

    Revelation 3

    To the Church in Sardis

    1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
    These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

    To the Church in Philadelphia 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
    These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

    To the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
    These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
    _________________________________________________________________________________


    Revelation 3 NIV ~ Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

     

    Chapter 3

    Epistles to the church at Sardis; (1-6) at Philadelphia; (7-13) and Laodicea. (14-22) 1-6. The Lord Jesus is He that hath the Holy Spirit with all his powers, graces, and operations. Hypocrisy, and lamentable decay in religion, are sins charged upon Sardis, by One who knew that church well, and all her works. Outward things appeared well to men, but there was only the form of godliness, not the power; a name to live, not a principle of life. There was great deadness in their souls, and in their services; numbers were wholly hypocrites, others were in a disordered and lifeless state. Our Lord called upon them to be watchful against their enemies, and to be active and earnest in their duties; and to endeavour, in dependence on the grace of the Holy Spirit, to revive and strengthen the faith and spiritual affections of those yet alive to God, though in a declining state. Whenever we are off our watch, we lose ground. Thy works are hollow and empty; prayers are not filled up with holy desires, alms-deeds not filled up with true charity, sabbaths not filled up with suitable devotion of soul to God. There are not inward affections suitable to outward acts and expressions; when the spirit is wanting, the form cannot long remain. In seeking a revival in our own souls, or the souls of others, it is needful to compare what we profess with the manner in which we go on, that we may be humbled and quickened to hold fast that which remains. Christ enforces his counsel with a dreadful threatening if it should be despised. Yet our blessed Lord does not leave this sinful people without some encouragement. He makes honourable mention of the faithful remnant in Sardis, he makes a gracious promise to them. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment; the purity of grace shall be rewarded with the perfect purity of glory. Christ has his book of life, a register of all who shall inherit eternal life; the book of remembrance of all who live to God, and keep up the life and power of godliness in evil times. Christ will bring forward this book of life, and show the names of the faithful, before God, and all the angels, at the great day. Verses 7-13 The same Lord Jesus has the key of government and authority in and over the church. He opens a door of opportunity to his churches; he opens a door of utterance to his ministers; he opens a door of entrance, opens the heart. He shuts the door of heaven against the foolish, who sleep away their day of grace; and against the workers of iniquity, how vain and confident soever they may be. The church in Philadelphia is commended; yet with a gentle reproof. Although Christ accepts a little strength, yet believers must not rest satisfied in a little, but strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Christ can discover this his favour to his people, so that their enemies shall be forced to acknowledge it. This, by the grace of Christ, will soften their enemies, and make them desire to be admitted into communion with his people. Christ promises preserving grace in the most trying times, as the reward of past faithfulness; To him that hath shall be given. Those who keep the gospel in a time of peace, shall be kept by Christ in an hour of temptation; and the same Divine grace that has made them fruitful in times of peace, will make them faithful in times of persecution. Christ promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer. He shall be a monumental pillar in the temple of God; a monument of the free and powerful grace of God; a monument that shall never be defaced or removed. On this pillar shall be written the new name of Christ; by this will appear, under whom the believer fought the good fight, and came off victorious. Verses 14-22 Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia. Here our Lord Jesus styles himself, "The Amen;" one steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. If religion is worth anything, it is worth every thing. Christ expects men should be in earnest. How many professors of gospel doctrine are neither hot nor cold; except as they are indifferent in needful matters, and hot and fiery in disputes about things of lesser moment! A severe punishment is threatened. They would give a false opinion of Christianity, as if it were an unholy religion; while others would conclude it could afford no real satisfaction, otherwise its professors would not have been heartless in it, or so ready to seek pleasure or happiness from the world. One cause of this indifference and inconsistency in religion is, self-conceit and self-delusion; "Because thou sayest." What a difference between their thoughts of themselves, and the thoughts Christ had of them! How careful should we be not to cheat our owns souls! There are many in hell, who once thought themselves far in the way to heaven. Let us beg of God that we may not be left to flatter and deceive ourselves. Professors grow proud, as they become carnal and formal. Their state was wretched in itself. They were poor; really poor, when they said and thought they were rich. They could not see their state, nor their way, nor their danger, yet they thought they saw it. They had not the garment of justification, nor sanctification: they were exposed to sin and shame; their rags that would defile them. They were naked, without house or harbour, for they were without God, in whom alone the soul of man can find rest and safety. Good counsel was given by Christ to this sinful people. Happy those who take his counsel, for all others must perish in their sins. Christ lets them know where they might have true riches, and how they might have them. Some things must be parted with, but nothing valuable; and it is only to make room for receiving true riches. Part with sin and self-confidence, that you may be filled with his hidden treasure. They must receive from Christ the white raiment he purchased and provided for them; his own imputed righteousness for justification, and the garments of holiness and sanctification. Let them give themselves up to his word and Spirit, and their eyes shall be opened to see their way and their end. Let us examine ourselves by the rule of his word, and pray earnestly for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, to take away our pride, prejudices, and worldly lusts. Sinners ought to take the rebukes of God's word and rod, as tokens of his love to their souls. Christ stood without; knocking, by the dealings of his providence, the warnings and teaching of his word, and the influences of his Spirit. Christ still graciously, by his word and Spirit, comes to the door of the hearts of sinners. Those who open to him shall enjoy his presence. If what he finds would make but a poor feast, what he brings will supply a rich one. He will give fresh supplies of graces and comforts. In the conclusion is a promise to the overcoming believer. Christ himself had temptations and conflicts; he overcame them all, and was more than a conqueror. Those made like to Christ in his trials, shall be made like to him in glory. All is closed with the general demand of attention. And these counsels, while suited to the churches to which they were addressed, are deeply interesting to all men.

    Romans 4 NIV



    Romans 4 (New International Version, ©2010)

    Romans 4

    Abraham Justified by Faith

    1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a]
    4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

    7 "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
    8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them."[b]

    9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

    13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

    16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[c] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

    18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

    Psalm 68 (NIV)



    Psalm 68 (New International Version)

    Psalm 68

    For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.

    1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.
    2 As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

    3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

    4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds [a]— his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him.

    5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

    6 God sets the lonely in families, [b] he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

    7 When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah

    8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

    9 You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

    10 Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.

    11 The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:

    12 "Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.

    13 Even while you sleep among the campfires, [c] the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold."

    14 When the Almighty [d] scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.

    15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan.

    16 Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?

    17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

    18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from [e] the rebellious— that you, [f] O LORD God, might dwell there.

    19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

    20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

    21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.

    22 The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,

    23 that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share."

    24 Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

    25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines.

    26 Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.

    27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah's princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

    28 Summon your power, O God [g] ; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.

    29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.

    30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

    31 Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush [h] will submit herself to God.

    32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, Selah

    33 to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice.

    34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.

    35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!