Thursday, December 5, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Europe and Scotland - Europe and Wales - Europe

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Dec 05: United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales

Dec 05: United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales

United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales

United Kingdom

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 244,110 sq km
Two main islands: Britain and the northeast of Ireland. A union of four countries: England 103,400 sq km, Scotland 78,800 sq km, Wales 20,800 sq km, Northern Ireland 14,100 sq km. Also three small autonomous states that are dependencies of the British Crown: Isle of Man 588 sq km (in the Irish Sea); Channel Islands 194 sq km (Guernsey, Jersey).
Population: 62,129,818    Annual Growth: 0.54%
Capital: London
Urbanites: 90.1%
HDI Rank: 21 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 105 (28% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: English; in Wales both English and Welsh. English is the primary language of 400 million in the world, as well as the major language of international communication for over 1.4 billion    Languages: 15 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians37,066,64959.66-0.8
Evangelicals5,490,1308.80.0

Challenge for Prayer

Christianity is increasingly marginalized by a hostile media and public mood. Christian morality and belief in the uniqueness of Jesus are labelled “intolerant”. Government regulations make it increasingly difficult to minister in the public arena. Many believe serious persecution is not far off. Pray that believers may recognize and address the decline of Christianity in the public sphere. Pray that they may recover confidence in the gospel and boldness and passion to share it – lovingly and unapologetically – with the majority who have little concept of its content.
     For an additional 16 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 United Kingdom.

Scotland

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 78,800 sq km

Peoples

Religion

Challenge for Prayer

The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian in structure and is the established church. Membership is in steep decline – half of what it was 50 years ago – and attendance a tiny fraction of membership. There is a shortage of clergy; many current clergy are out of touch with the needs of their congregations. Nominalism is widespread, liberal theology still dominant and Freemasonry influential. Still, there are stirrings of new life through those evangelicals who remain. Pray for the Church of Scotland to return to its biblical roots and to the radical but biblically grounded faith of its early martyrs.
     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 Scotland.

Wales

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 20,800 sq km

Peoples

Religion

Challenge for Prayer

Wales struggles to preserve its own language and culture. About 22% of the population speak Welsh, and Welsh-language education is flourishing. With ageing congregations, however, the decline in Welsh-speaking churches is dramatic. Pray that the Holy Spirit might breathe upon the Welsh culture and revive congregations to again be a blessing to the world.
     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 Wales.
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Ezekiel 42 (NIV)





Ezekiel 42 (New International Version)

Ezekiel 42

Rooms for the Priests

1 Then the man led me northward into the outer court and brought me to the rooms opposite the temple courtyard and opposite the outer wall on the north side. 2 The building whose door faced north was a hundred cubits [a] long and fifty cubits wide. 3 Both in the section twenty cubits from the inner court and in the section opposite the pavement of the outer court, gallery faced gallery at the three levels. 4 In front of the rooms was an inner passageway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits [b] long. Their doors were on the north. 5 Now the upper rooms were narrower, for the galleries took more space from them than from the rooms on the lower and middle floors of the building. 6 The rooms on the third floor had no pillars, as the courts had; so they were smaller in floor space than those on the lower and middle floors. 7 There was an outer wall parallel to the rooms and the outer court; it extended in front of the rooms for fifty cubits. 8 While the row of rooms on the side next to the outer court was fifty cubits long, the row on the side nearest the sanctuary was a hundred cubits long. 9 The lower rooms had an entrance on the east side as one enters them from the outer court.
10 On the south side [c] along the length of the wall of the outer court, adjoining the temple courtyard and opposite the outer wall, were rooms 11 with a passageway in front of them. These were like the rooms on the north; they had the same length and width, with similar exits and dimensions. Similar to the doorways on the north 12 were the doorways of the rooms on the south. There was a doorway at the beginning of the passageway that was parallel to the corresponding wall extending eastward, by which one enters the rooms.

13 Then he said to me, "The north and south rooms facing the temple courtyard are the priests' rooms, where the priests who approach the LORD will eat the most holy offerings. There they will put the most holy offerings—the grain offerings, the sin offerings and the guilt offerings—for the place is holy. 14 Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people."

15 When he had finished measuring what was inside the temple area, he led me out by the east gate and measured the area all around: 16 He measured the east side with the measuring rod; it was five hundred cubits. [d] 17 He measured the north side; it was five hundred cubits [e] by the measuring rod. 18 He measured the south side; it was five hundred cubits by the measuring rod. 19 Then he turned to the west side and measured; it was five hundred cubits by the measuring rod. 20 So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.
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Proverbs 5 (NIV)





Proverbs 5 (New International Version)

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. [a]

6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.

7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,

9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel,

10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house.

11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.

14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly."

15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.

20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife?

21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.

22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.

23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.
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Psalm 52 (NIV)



Psalm 52 (New International Version)

Psalm 52

For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: "David has gone to the house of Ahimelech." [a]

1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.

3 You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah

4 You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!

5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6 The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying,

7 "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"

8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

9 I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

He will be your Guide to the end!


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Ezekiel 41 (NIV)



Ezekiel 41 (New International Version)

Ezekiel 41

1 Then the man brought me to the outer sanctuary and measured the jambs; the width of the jambs was six cubits [a] on each side. [b] 2 The entrance was ten cubits wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were five cubits wide. He also measured the outer sanctuary; it was forty cubits long and twenty cubits wide.

3 Then he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the jambs of the entrance; each was two cubits wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were seven cubits wide. 4 And he measured the length of the inner sanctuary; it was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits across the end of the outer sanctuary. He said to me, "This is the Most Holy Place."

5 Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick, and each side room around the temple was four cubits wide. 6 The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty on each level. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports were not inserted into the wall of the temple. 7 The side rooms all around the temple were wider at each successive level. The structure surrounding the temple was built in ascending stages, so that the rooms widened as one went upward. A stairway went up from the lowest floor to the top floor through the middle floor.

8 I saw that the temple had a raised base all around it, forming the foundation of the side rooms. It was the length of the rod, six long cubits. 9 The outer wall of the side rooms was five cubits thick. The open area between the side rooms of the temple 10 and the priests' rooms was twenty cubits wide all around the temple. 11 There were entrances to the side rooms from the open area, one on the north and another on the south; and the base adjoining the open area was five cubits wide all around.

12 The building facing the temple courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits wide. The wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length was ninety cubits.

13 Then he measured the temple; it was a hundred cubits long, and the temple courtyard and the building with its walls were also a hundred cubits long. 14 The width of the temple courtyard on the east, including the front of the temple, was a hundred cubits.

15 Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits. The outer sanctuary, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court, 16 as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows and galleries around the three of them—everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered. 17 In the space above the outside of the entrance to the inner sanctuary and on the walls at regular intervals all around the inner and outer sanctuary 18 were carved cherubim and palm trees. Palm trees alternated with cherubim. Each cherub had two faces: 19 the face of a man toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other. They were carved all around the whole temple. 20 From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the outer sanctuary.

21 The outer sanctuary had a rectangular doorframe, and the one at the front of the Most Holy Place was similar. 22 There was a wooden altar three cubits high and two cubits square [c] ; its corners, its base [d] and its sides were of wood. The man said to me, "This is the table that is before the LORD." 23 Both the outer sanctuary and the Most Holy Place had double doors. 24 Each door had two leaves—two hinged leaves for each door. 25 And on the doors of the outer sanctuary were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls, and there was a wooden overhang on the front of the portico. 26 On the sidewalls of the portico were narrow windows with palm trees carved on each side. The side rooms of the temple also had overhangs.
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Proverbs 4 (NIV)





Proverbs 4 (New International Version)

Proverbs 4

Wisdom Is Supreme

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,

4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level [b] paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Europe and England - United Kingdom and Northern Ireland - Europe

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Dec 04: United Kingdom, England, Ireland, Northern

Dec 04: United Kingdom, England, Ireland, Northern

United Kingdom, England, Ireland, Northern

United Kingdom

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 244,110 sq km
Two main islands: Britain and the northeast of Ireland. A union of four countries: England 103,400 sq km, Scotland 78,800 sq km, Wales 20,800 sq km, Northern Ireland 14,100 sq km. Also three small autonomous states that are dependencies of the British Crown: Isle of Man 588 sq km (in the Irish Sea); Channel Islands 194 sq km (Guernsey, Jersey).
Population: 62,129,818    Annual Growth: 0.54%
Capital: London
Urbanites: 90.1%
HDI Rank: 21 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 105 (28% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: English; in Wales both English and Welsh. English is the primary language of 400 million in the world, as well as the major language of international communication for over 1.4 billion    Languages: 15 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians37,066,64959.66-0.8
Evangelicals5,490,1308.80.0

Challenge for Prayer

A national awakening is needed. There has been one in virtually every century of the last 800 years – the last was in 1859-69. The steep decline of organized Christianity in the UK is almost unparalleled in Europe – especially among Methodists, Anglicans, United Reformed, Brethren and other Protestant denominations. Pray that Christians might grow passionate for God’s honour, burdened to pray for revival and free from deadening negativism and materialism that pervade the churches.
     For an additional 16 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 United Kingdom.

England

United Kingdom

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 130,400 sq km

Peoples

Religion

Challenge for Prayer

England’s inner cities are in threat of becoming physical and spiritual wastelands, riddled with drugs and crime. Dying congregations, closed churches and churches converted into Muslim mosques, Hindu temples or Sikh gurdwaras are commonplace. Most white evangelicals moved to comfortable, middle-class suburbs and towns a generation ago. Whites trapped in inner-city poverty and joblessness usually have fewer prospects than even their ethnic-minority neighbours. Pray that God may raise up an army of workers with effective ways of meeting the many needs of these impoverished and often troubled areas. Ministries such as The Message Trust (in Manchester) and Street Pastors (in many cities) are brilliant examples of what can be done.
     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 England.

Ireland, Northern

Europe

See Prayer Information

Challenge for Prayer

Church attendance is in decline, even though it remains higher in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK. The frequency of attendance is dropping, even as the number rises of those who claim to be non-religious. As elsewhere in the West, materialism and hedonism grip the hearts and souls of many. However, within a 50 km radius of Belfast is one of the highest concentrations of evangelical churches in the world, and most Protestant congregations remain stoutly evangelical. Pray that the emptiness of the “new paganism” might be exposed and that churches would be able to offer a dynamic alternative full of life and relevance.
     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 Ireland, Northern.
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Psalm 51 (NIV)



Psalm 51 (New International Version)

Psalm 51

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ; you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the United Arab Emirates - Asia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Dec 03: United Arab Emirates

Dec 03: United Arab Emirates


United Arab Emirates

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 77,700 sq km
77,700 sq km of desert and mountains on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain and Fujairah.
Population: 4,707,307    Annual Growth: 2.86%
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Urbanites: 78%
HDI Rank: 35 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 43 (60% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic    Languages: 36 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians402,4758.552.3
Evangelicals60,7741.35.5
Muslim3,184,49367.65 

Challenges for Prayer

Christian ministries:
a) Large numbers of foreign labourers have a much greater opportunity to hear the gospel in the UAE. Their disillusionment with poor employment conditions opens many to hear the good news. Some expatriate Christians have a vision for evangelising within their own ethnic group and beyond, but training is required.
b) Domestic labourers, in particular, have unique access and witness to their Gulf Arab employers, despite frequently enduring difficult conditions. Pray that their humble witness might lead many to Jesus.
c) There are several TEE and broadcast media programmes aimed at training leaders – pray for this vital work.
d) Strategic prayer networks focused on the UAE and Gulf region play a crucial role in preparing the ground for a spiritual harvest.
e) Student ministries and IFES in particular are allowed to establish official campus fellowships in a number of universities, including frequent Muslim-Christian dialogue events.
Medical ministry through a Christian hospital and clinics. These have operated since the “old days” in the 1960s, especially in poorer areas, and have sown many spiritual seeds as well as engendered goodwill from the government with faithful service. Pray for continued useful ministry, for provision of finances and qualified staff, and for visible fruit.
     For an additional 4 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 United Arab Emirates.
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Pray for Peace and Saftey in and around our Schools



Here's a declaration that some have been using:
 We pray the PEACE, PROTECTION, PROVISION, PURITY AND PRESENCE OF GOD for ______________ school -- over every administrator, teacher, student and the families associated with this school, in Jesus Name.
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Ezekiel 40 (NIV)



Ezekiel 40 (New International Version)

Ezekiel 40

The New Temple Area

1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the LORD was upon me and he took me there. 2 In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. 3 He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. 4 The man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the house of Israel everything you see."
The East Gate to the Outer Court

5 I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man's hand was six long cubits, each of which was a cubit [a] and a handbreadth. [b] He measured the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high.
6 Then he went to the gate facing east. He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate; it was one rod deep. [c] 7 The alcoves for the guards were one rod long and one rod wide, and the projecting walls between the alcoves were five cubits thick. And the threshold of the gate next to the portico facing the temple was one rod deep.

8 Then he measured the portico of the gateway; 9 it [d] was eight cubits deep and its jambs were two cubits thick. The portico of the gateway faced the temple.

10 Inside the east gate were three alcoves on each side; the three had the same measurements, and the faces of the projecting walls on each side had the same measurements. 11 Then he measured the width of the entrance to the gateway; it was ten cubits and its length was thirteen cubits. 12 In front of each alcove was a wall one cubit high, and the alcoves were six cubits square. 13 Then he measured the gateway from the top of the rear wall of one alcove to the top of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits from one parapet opening to the opposite one. 14 He measured along the faces of the projecting walls all around the inside of the gateway—sixty cubits. The measurement was up to the portico [e] facing the courtyard. [f] 15 The distance from the entrance of the gateway to the far end of its portico was fifty cubits. 16 The alcoves and the projecting walls inside the gateway were surmounted by narrow parapet openings all around, as was the portico; the openings all around faced inward. The faces of the projecting walls were decorated with palm trees.

The Outer Court

17 Then he brought me into the outer court. There I saw some rooms and a pavement that had been constructed all around the court; there were thirty rooms along the pavement. 18 It abutted the sides of the gateways and was as wide as they were long; this was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits on the east side as well as on the north.
The North Gate

20 Then he measured the length and width of the gate facing north, leading into the outer court. 21 Its alcoves—three on each side—its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as those of the first gateway. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 22 Its openings, its portico and its palm tree decorations had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them. 23 There was a gate to the inner court facing the north gate, just as there was on the east. He measured from one gate to the opposite one; it was a hundred cubits.

For more text press: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
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Proverbs 3 (NIV)



Proverbs 3 (New International Version)

Proverbs 3

Further Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. [a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father [b] the son he delights in.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;

22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;

24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,

32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
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Psalm 50 (NIV)



Psalm 50 (New International Version)

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.

4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:

5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah

7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.

8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,

10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.

12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

16 But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?

17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.

21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether [a] like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:

23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him [b] the salvation of God."
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Monday, December 2, 2013

To Him Who Is Able...


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Ezekiel 39 (NIV)



Ezekiel 39 (New International Version)

Ezekiel 39

1 "Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of [a] Meshech and Tubal. 2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel. 3 Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. 4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. 5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD. 6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD.

7 " 'I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel. 8 It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD. This is the day I have spoken of.

9 " 'Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up—the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. 10 They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign LORD.

11 " 'On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east toward [b] the Sea. [c] It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog. [d]

12 " 'For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I am glorified will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign LORD.

14 " 'Men will be regularly employed to cleanse the land. Some will go throughout the land and, in addition to them, others will bury those that remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search. 15 As they go through the land and one of them sees a human bone, he will set up a marker beside it until the gravediggers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. 16 (Also a town called Hamonah [e] will be there.) And so they will cleanse the land.'

17 "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: 'Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. 18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls—all of them fattened animals from Bashan. 19 At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. 20 At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares the Sovereign LORD.

21 "I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them. 22 From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God. 23 And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.

25 "Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now bring Jacob back from captivity [f] and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. 26 They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. 27 When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations. 28 Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. 29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD."
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Proverbs 3 (NIV)



Proverbs 3 (New International Version)

Proverbs 3

Further Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. [a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father [b] the son he delights in.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;

22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;

24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,

32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
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Proverbs 2 (NIV)



Proverbs 2 (New International Version)

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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AFWIS Joins with Operation World in Prayer for the Ukraine - Europe

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Home > Dec 02: Ukraine

Dec 02: Ukraine

Ukraine

Ukrayina

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 603,700 sq km
A flat, fertile, forested plain with few natural boundaries.
Population: 45,433,415    Annual Growth: -0.65%
Capital: Kyiv (Kiev)
Urbanites: 68%
HDI Rank: 85 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 66 (33% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Ukrainian, but Russian widely spoken    Languages: 42 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian
Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
Christians35,896,94179.01-0.7
Evangelicals1,737,2453.83.1

Challenges for Prayer

Outreach challenges:
a) Students. CCX(IFES), CCCI, the Navigators and others have active campus ministries and student groups are multiplying. CCX groups meet in 16 different cities, and most student missions have a mix of expatriate and national workers. Youth work (YFC and many others) and summer camps (often held in former Communist Youth facilities) have proved fruitful. Pray for continued responsiveness from students; there are allegedly 300,000 students in Kyiv alone.
b) Children at risk. There are tens of thousands of street children, over 100,000 living in orphanages and many others in precarious living situations. Many of these suffer health complications from Chernobyl. The majority of orphans will become involved in drugs, crime or prostitution unless they can be lovingly reached by Christians. The CoMission for Children at Risk brings together dozens of ministries dedicated to doing just that.
c) Crimea – a region in contrast to the rest of Ukraine. Communist beliefs and a strong Russian connection persist here, and churches have not grown as much as in other parts of the country. More than 250,000 previously exiled Crimean Tatars have been welcomed as well. The vast majority are Muslim (although often nominally) and are being sought by Muslim missionaries from Turkey and the Arab world. Significant numbers of Christians are specifically reaching out to them with substantial fruit (Russian Ministries/River of Joy, Crimean Tatar Partnership, YWAM). The increasing number of Tatar believers are noted for their fiery faith.
d) Ukrainian Jews. Many have emigrated to Israel and the West, and the population continues to plummet by 7% annually. Chosen People Ministries has planted several Messianic synagogues, and a Messianic Bible school has been formed. Ukraine’s Jews are among the most responsive in the world to the gospel.
e) Foreign immigrants, often students - most are from the Middle East and Asia. Many are lonely and subject to hostile or racist attitudes from xenophobic elements in Ukraine. A large number are very open to the gospel, and Ukraine’s evangelistically-minded churches are reaping a harvest.
f) Cults remain a serious issue. From Jehovah’s Witnesses to Hare Krishna to indigenous pagan groups such as RUNVira and the Perunists, churches must realize there are other groups at work in Ukraine. In 2010, the Mormons dedicated their first full temple in the former Soviet Union. Pray for the apologetics and research centres whose goal is to promote greater discernment among Christians and encourage outreach to cult followers.
Christian media ministries:
a) Bible ministries. The Ukrainian Bible Society (UBS) restarted in 1991. A need for biblical truth and the restoration of moral values in society have drawn together partners from across the confessional spectrum – Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. The ministry has grown greatly in the past decade and now distributes hundreds of thousands of copies of Scripture every year. More could be done with the provision of further finances; pray for their release.
b) Literature, a great need since most Christian literature was destroyed during the Communist occupation. Russian literature is plentiful, but it is a struggle to get good materials published in Ukrainian. EHC has distributed over six million pieces of literature through Ukrainian churches. UBS/FCBH, Bible League, Mission Without Borders and others all work to get the printed Word of God into the hands of Ukrainians, especially children and students.
c) Radio and television are open for Christian programmes. FEBC and TWR broadcast several hours a week in Ukrainian and Russian with good response. HCJB has partnered with CMAssociates to set up recording and radio studios, and has been instrumental in founding Radio Emmanuel, a local Christian station. CBN has a major television network based in Kyiv, and some of the newer, larger churches are developing their own television programmes.
d) The JESUS film is shown in seven major languages in Ukraine – pray for more workers to show the film at Family Festivals throughout the country.
     For an additional 7 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 Ukraine.
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Psalm 49 NIV





Psalm 49 (New International Version)

Psalm 49

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor alike:

3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.

4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:

5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-

6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

7 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-

8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-

9 that he should live on forever and not see decay.

10 For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their tombs will remain their houses [a] forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had [b] named lands after themselves.

12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is [c] like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah

14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, [d] and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, [e] far from their princely mansions.

15 But God will redeem my life [f] from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases;

17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.

18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed— and men praise you when you prosper-

19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life .

20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
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