Monday, September 2, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for Moldova, Monaco - Europe

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Sep 02: Moldova, Monaco

Sep 02: Moldova, Monaco

Moldova, Monaco

Moldova

Republic of Moldova

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 33,700 sq km
Landlocked republic between the Ukraine and Romania.
Population: 3,575,574    Annual Growth: -1.00%
Capital: Chisinau
Urbanites: 41.2%
HDI Rank: 117 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 31 (26% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Moldovan Romanian    Languages: 13 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians2,623,04173.36-1.5
Evangelicals132,4713.73.2
Prayercast

Challenge for Prayer

The influence of the Orthodox Church makes evangelical work difficult. Preaching and planting churches in traditionally Orthodox villages is especially opposed, frequently with violence. Bureaucratic antipathy to any non-Orthodox work means that building and registering churches is a difficult process; houses are usually converted to make new evangelical buildings. Yet there is also life in the Orthodox Church, especially through Agape, a ministry of The Lord’s Army. Pray that the Holy Spirit would deepen the spiritual life of many from the Orthodox faith.
     For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Moldova.

Monaco

Principality of Monaco

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 2 sq km
The second smallest state in the world. On France’s south coast.
Population: 32,904    Annual Growth: 0.28%
Capital: Monaco
Urbanites: 100%

Peoples

Peoples: 15 (7% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: French    Languages: 3 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians27,89684.78-0.1
Evangelicals3791.22.8

Challenge for Prayer

The expatriate community is 78.5% of the population. Apart from the prevalent Catholic Church, three congregations serve the expatriate community – Anglican, French Reformed and the strongly evangelical, bilingual Monaco Christian Fellowship. Pray that committed believers in all three might impact the whole of society.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Monaco.
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Jeremiah 10 (New International Version)



Jeremiah 10 (New International Version)


Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STc5p2t6A1g&feature=share&list=PL82098AFA4E66102F

Jeremiah 10

God and Idols

1 Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel. 2 This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.

5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good."

6 No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.

7 Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.

8 They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols.

9 Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple— all made by skilled workers.

10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath.

11 "Tell them this: 'These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.' " [a]

12 But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

13 When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

14 Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.

15 They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish.

16 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance— the LORD Almighty is his name.

Coming Destruction

17 Gather up your belongings to leave the land, you who live under siege.
18 For this is what the LORD says: "At this time I will hurl out those who live in this land; I will bring distress on them so that they may be captured."

19 Woe to me because of my injury! My wound is incurable! Yet I said to myself, "This is my sickness, and I must endure it."

20 My tent is destroyed; all its ropes are snapped. My sons are gone from me and are no more; no one is left now to pitch my tent or to set up my shelter.

21 The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the LORD; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered.

22 Listen! The report is coming— a great commotion from the land of the north! It will make the towns of Judah desolate, a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah's Prayer

23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
24 Correct me, LORD, but only with justice— not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.

25 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland.

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Proverbs 2 (New International Version)




Proverbs 2 (New International Version)

Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODaoOfYsfwQ&feature=share&list=PL50CF0F4DEEBE0755



Proverbs 2

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,

13 who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

16 It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,

17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. [a]

18 For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;

22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
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Romans 10 (New International Version, ©2010)



Romans 10 (New International Version, ©2010)

Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgrIb7OZ-MA&feature=share&list=PLBA2FE5AFA47422C9 
Romans 10

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: "The person who does these things will live by them."[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'"[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'"[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f]

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"[g]

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."[i]

19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."[j]

20 And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."[k]

21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

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Sunday, September 1, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for Micronesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau - Pacific



Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Sep 01: Micronesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau

Sep 01: Micronesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau

Micronesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau

Micronesia

Pacific

Geography

Area: 1,950 sq km
The 2,000 islands of the Caroline, Marshall and Mariana archipelagos lie in 7 million sq km of the North Pacific. Only 100 are inhabited.

Peoples

Religion

Challenge for Prayer

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Micronesia.

Federated States of Micronesia

Federated States of Micronesia

Pacific

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 702 sq km
Over 600 coralline islands in four main groups: Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap and Kosrae.
Population: 111,101    Annual Growth: 0.31%
Capital: Palikir
Urbanites: 22.7%

Peoples

Peoples: 24 (4% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

    Languages: 19 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians107,37996.650.5
Evangelicals27,00624.30.9

Challenge for Prayer

A large proportion of the population is Protestant, the result of a century of ministry by US Congregationals and the German Liebenzell Mission, but nominalism and cronyism in leadership are widespread. Pray for revival among these long-standing groups. Pray also for the newer, fast-growing Pentecostal groups – negotiating the tension between traditional Micronesian culture and biblical practice is not straightforward.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Federated States of Micronesia.

Marshall Islands

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Pacific

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 181 sq km
There are 34 atolls with 1,156 islands, spread over nearly 2 million sq km of Pacific.
Population: 63,398    Annual Growth: 2.25%
Capital: Majuro
Urbanites: 71.8%

Peoples

Peoples: 7 (14% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Marshallese; English    Languages: 2 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians61,55997.102.2
Evangelicals28,21244.53.0

Challenge for Prayer

The great majority of Marshallese are Protestant and nearly half are evangelical. The churches have great influence at every level in society, but often fail to create mature disciples. The United Church of Christ, which was the de facto state Church, is losing in numbers and spirituality. The Assemblies of God have grown rapidly and generated several splinter denominations in the process.
     For an additional 2 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Marshall Islands.

Northern Mariana Islands

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Pacific

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 477 sq km
A chain of 14 volcanic and coralline islands 650 km north of Guam. The southernmost islands, Saipan, Tinian and Rota, are the largest and most important economically.
Population: 88,409    Annual Growth: 1.97%
Capital: Saipan

Peoples

Official language: Chamorro; Carolinian; English    Languages: 7 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians75,32485.201.7
Evangelicals11,26012.73.1

Challenge for Prayer

The Asian population is diverse. There are over 20 Asian congregations – Korean, Filipino and Chinese; most are growing and have vigorous outreach to their compatriots. Opportunity abounds to reach especially the Japanese and Chinese (both from Mainland China and Taiwan); several thousand migrant Chinese factory workers have been won to Christ over the years. Many Japanese also come to the island as tourists and to visit the Shinto shrines.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Northern Mariana Islands.

Palau

Republic of Palau

Pacific

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Geography

Area: 488 sq km
Sixteen inhabited volcanic and coralline islands.
Population: 20,531    Annual Growth: 0.40%
Capital: Koror
Urbanites: 82.7%

Peoples

Official language: Palauan; English    Languages: 5 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians19,68995.900.4
Evangelicals4,90523.91.4

Challenge for Prayer

Hindrances to the gospel need to be removed. Closed cultures and strong traditionalism make many villages and outlying islands unwilling for change. The debilitating effects of US aid, material comforts and enormous consumption of beer make discipleship and commitment rare. Only the NT is available in Palauan (and nothing in Sonorol or Tobian), so theological depth is lacking. Outreach to smaller unevangelized island communities is complicated by their geographic isolation.
     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Palau.
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All of Grace - Charles Spurgeon 3 of 13




Charles Spurgeon - All of Grace (3 of 13)

Description:

C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), "the prince of preachers", presents the message of salvation--man's need and God's unique provision--simply and sincerely, for honest seekers and zealous witnesses alike. A Moody Classic.

From the Back Cover:

In All of Grace, C.H. Spurgeon outlines the plan of salvation in such clear, simple language that everyone can understand and be drawn to the Father. Any attempt to please God based upon our own works brings self-righteousness and coldness of heart. It is the free grace and mercy of God that makes the heart glow with warmth and thankfulness for God's love.The heartfelt goal of this dynamic classic is summed up in Spurgeon's final cry to the reader, "Meet me in heaven!!""Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." -- Revelation 22:17

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  • License

    Standard YouTube License
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Check out Psalm 83 in the Completed Jewish Bible



Psalm 83 Completed Jewish Bible

1 A song. A psalm of Asaf: God, don't remain silent! Don't stay quiet, God, or still; 2 because here are your enemies, causing an uproar; those who hate you are raising their heads, 3 craftily conspiring against your people, consulting together against those you treasure. 4 They say, "Come, let's wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Isra'el be remembered no more!" 5 With one mind they plot their schemes; the covenant they have made is against you 6 the tents of Edom and the Yishma'elim, Mo'av and the Hagrim, 7 G'val, 'Amon and 'Amalek, P'leshet with those living in Tzor; (Selah) 8 Ashur too is allied with them, to reinforce the descendants of Lot. 9 Do to them as you did to Midyan, to Sisra and Yavin at Vadi Kishon 10 they were destroyed at 'Ein-Dor and became manure for the ground. 11 Make their leaders like 'Orev and Ze'ev, all their princes like Zevach and Tzalmuna, 12 who said, "Let's take possession of God's meadows for ourselves." 13 My God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff driven by the wind. 14 Like fire burning up the forest, like a flame that sets the mountains ablaze, 15 drive them away with your storm, terrify them with your tempest. 16 Fill their faces with shame, so that they will seek your name, ADONAI. 17 Let them be ashamed and fearful forever; yes, let them perish in disgrace. 18 Let them know that you alone, whose name is ADONAI, are the Most High over all the earth.
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Jeremiah 9 (New International Version)




Jeremiah 9 (New International Version)

Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjK46W45Bes&feature=share&list=PL82098AFA4E66102F



Jeremiah 9

1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.

2 Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people.

3 "They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph [a] in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

4 "Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, [b] and every friend a slanderer.

5 Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.

6 You [c] live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

7 Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

9 Should I not punish them for this?" declares the LORD. "Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?"

10 I will weep and wail for the mountains and take up a lament concerning the desert pastures. They are desolate and untraveled, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. The birds of the air have fled and the animals are gone.

11 "I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals; and I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there."

12 What man is wise enough to understand this? Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it? Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one can cross?

13 The LORD said, "It is because they have forsaken my law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed me or followed my law. 14 Instead, they have followed the stubbornness of their hearts; they have followed the Baals, as their fathers taught them." 15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "See, I will make this people eat bitter food and drink poisoned water. 16 I will scatter them among nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will pursue them with the sword until I have destroyed them."

17 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Consider now! Call for the wailing women to come; send for the most skillful of them.

18 Let them come quickly and wail over us till our eyes overflow with tears and water streams from our eyelids.

19 The sound of wailing is heard from Zion: 'How ruined we are! How great is our shame! We must leave our land because our houses are in ruins.' "

20 Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament.

21 Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares.

22 Say, "This is what the LORD declares: " 'The dead bodies of men will lie like refuse on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.' "

23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,

24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

25 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh- 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the desert in distant places. [d] For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart."
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Proverbs 1 (New International Version)



Proverbs 1 (New International Version)


Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNMElLz_Zt4&feature=share&list=PL50CF0F4DEEBE0755

Proverbs 1

Prologue: Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-

6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.

Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against Enticement

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;

12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [b] and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;

14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"-

15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;

16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.

17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!

19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets [c] she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

22 "How long will you simple ones [d] love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.

29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,

30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

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Romans 9 (New International Version, ©2010)



Romans 9 (New International Version, ©2010)


Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFwZZf3MyJk&feature=share&list=PLBA2FE5AFA47422C9

Romans 9

Paul's Anguish Over Israel

1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.
God's Sovereign Choice

6 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."[b] 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."[c]
10 Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."[d] 13 Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."[e]

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."[f]

16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."[g] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?" 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25 As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one,"[i]

26 and, "In the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'children of the living God.'"[j]

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."[k]

29 It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."[l]

Israel's Unbelief

30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
"See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame."

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Saturday, August 31, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the United Mexican States of Latin America

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Aug 31: Mexico

Aug 31: Mexico

Mexico

United Mexican States

Latin America

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 1,958,201 sq km
Latin America’s third largest country. Wide range of topography and rainfall ranging from arid northern plateau, central volcanic plateau and the southern mountains and rain forests. Only 10% of the country is arable.
Population: 110,645,154    Annual Growth: 0.99%
Capital: Mexico City
Urbanites: 77.8%
HDI Rank: 53 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 317 (4% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Spanish; the world’s largest Spanish-speaking nation    Languages: 297 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians105,143,87795.031.0
Evangelicals9,166,3468.33.8
Prayercast

Challenges for Prayer

Ministry to young people is vital. Around one-third of Mexicans are aged 15 or younger. Due to its focus on youth ministry, the evangelical faith has made great inroads among young people in Mexico. This staggering challenge is being only partially met.
a) University students number over 2.5 million in nearly 10,000 campus locations. Outreach is yielding exciting results. Pray for the wide-ranging ministries of CCCI (on campuses and among churches). IFES-linked student movement Compañerismo Estudiantil A C (Compa) has 170 groups in 50 universities with 1,500 students served by seven full-time and 11 part-time staff and 16 volunteers. A number of Mexican-originated movements are also rapidly growing.
b) Young people. Although evangelical churches appeal to the younger generation, too few churches target them; most programmes use the approaches of previous generations. Pray for creative and cutting-edge ministry to today’s youth.
c) Street children, especially in Mexico City. There may be up to 800,000 homeless or street children. They sleep in whatever shelter they can find and desperately need love and help.
d) Child labourers. As many as 11 million Mexicans under the age of 15 work. The income may be crucial to their poverty-stricken families, but many of these children drop out of school in order to work.
Foreign missionaries’ roles have changed significantly. Their presence is still needed in facilitating Bible translations, mobilizing Mexicans for mission, children and youth work, theological education and leadership development. The majority are US citizens, so they need sensitivity and tact in their cultural adaptation in order to overcome perceptions arising from their origin and wealth. Pray that their ministries may assist the Church to be what God desires.
     For an additional 10 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Mexico.
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Jeremiah 8 (New International Version)



Jeremiah 8 (New International Version)

Please click on the link below and it will take you to the Audio Feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK5j7keZVnw&feature=share&list=PL82098AFA4E66102F



Jeremiah 8

1 " 'At that time, declares the LORD, the bones of the kings and officials of Judah, the bones of the priests and prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves. 2 They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, which they have loved and served and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped. They will not be gathered up or buried, but will be like refuse lying on the ground. 3 Wherever I banish them, all the survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life, declares the LORD Almighty.'

Sin and Punishment

4 "Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: " 'When men fall down, do they not get up? When a man turns away, does he not return?
5 Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.

6 I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.

7 Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the LORD.

8 " 'How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?

9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have?

10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.

11 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace.

12 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says the LORD.

13 " 'I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine. There will be no figs on the tree, and their leaves will wither. What I have given them will be taken from them. [a] ' "

14 "Why are we sitting here? Gather together! Let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there! For the LORD our God has doomed us to perish and given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against him.

15 We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there was only terror.

16 The snorting of the enemy's horses is heard from Dan; at the neighing of their stallions the whole land trembles. They have come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who live there."

17 "See, I will send venomous snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you," declares the LORD.

18 O my Comforter [b] in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.

19 Listen to the cry of my people from a land far away: "Is the LORD not in Zion? Is her King no longer there?" "Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their worthless foreign idols?"

20 "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved."

21 Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me.

22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?

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