Friday, January 10, 2014

Amos 1 (NIV)



Amos 1 (New International Version)

Amos 1

1 The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash [a] was king of Israel.

2 He said: "The LORD roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, [b] and the top of Carmel withers."

Judgment on Israel's Neighbors

3 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth,
4 I will send fire upon the house of Hazael that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.

5 I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in [c] the Valley of Aven [d] and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir," says the LORD.

6 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom,

7 I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses.

8 I will destroy the king [e] of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines is dead," says the Sovereign LORD.

9 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,

10 I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses."

11 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath . Because he pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion, [f] because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,

12 I will send fire upon Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah."

13 This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders,

14 I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah that will consume her fortresses amid war cries on the day of battle, amid violent winds on a stormy day.

15 Her king [g] will go into exile, he and his officials together," says the LORD.
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Proverbs 10 (NIV)


Proverbs 10 (New International Version)

Proverbs 10

Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. [a]

7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

10 He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

14 Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.

27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
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Psalm 88 (NIV)


Psalm 88 (New International Version)

Psalm 88

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1[a] [b] O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.
2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. [c]

4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah

8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;

9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you.

10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah

11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction [d] ?

12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.

16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.

17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.

18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.
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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Joel 3 (NIV)



Joel 3 (New International Version)

Joel 3

The Nations Judged

1 "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. [a] There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

3 They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine that they might drink.

4 "Now what have you against me, O Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done. 5 For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples. 6 You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland.

7 "See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done. 8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away." The LORD has spoken.

9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, "I am strong!"

11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD!

12 "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.

13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!"

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.

16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Blessings for God's People

17 "Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.
18 "In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house and will water the valley of acacias. [b]

19 But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.

20 Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.

21 Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon." The LORD dwells in Zion!
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Proverbs 9 (NIV)


Proverbs 9 (New International Version)

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.

4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.

5 "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.

7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

13 The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way.

16 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.

17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.
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    Psalm 87 (NIV)


    Psalm 87 (New International Version)

    Psalm 87

    Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

    1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;
    2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

    3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God: Selah

    4 "I will record Rahab [a] and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush[b]— and will say, 'This [c] one was born in Zion.' "

    5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her."

    6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion." Selah

    7 As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you."
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    Wednesday, January 8, 2014

    Proverbs 8 (NIV)


    Proverbs 8 (New International Version)

    Proverbs 8

    Wisdom's Call

    1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
    2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

    3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:

    4 "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

    5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

    6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

    7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

    8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

    9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

    10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

    11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

    12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

    13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

    14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

    15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;

    16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. [a]

    17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

    18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

    19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

    20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

    21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

    22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, [b] , [c] before his deeds of old;

    23 I was appointed [d] from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

    24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

    25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

    26 before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.

    27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

    28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

    29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

    30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

    31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

    32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

    33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

    34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

    35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

    36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
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    Psalm 86 (NIV)


    Psalm 86 (New International Version)

    Psalm 86

    A prayer of David.

    1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
    2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

    3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

    4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

    5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

    6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.

    7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

    8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

    9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

    10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

    11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

    12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

    13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. [a]

    14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life— men without regard for you.

    15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

    16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. [b]

    17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
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    Joel 2 (NIV)



    Joel 2

    New International Version (NIV)

    An Army of Locusts

    2 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
        sound the alarm on my holy hill.
    Let all who live in the land tremble,
        for the day of the Lord is coming.
    It is close at hand—
    2     a day of darkness and gloom,
        a day of clouds and blackness.
    Like dawn spreading across the mountains
        a large and mighty army comes,
    such as never was in ancient times
        nor ever will be in ages to come.
    3 Before them fire devours,
        behind them a flame blazes.
    Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,
        behind them, a desert waste—
        nothing escapes them.
    4 They have the appearance of horses;
        they gallop along like cavalry.
    5 With a noise like that of chariots
        they leap over the mountaintops,
    like a crackling fire consuming stubble,
        like a mighty army drawn up for battle.
    6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;
        every face turns pale.
    7 They charge like warriors;
        they scale walls like soldiers.
    They all march in line,
        not swerving from their course.
    8 They do not jostle each other;
        each marches straight ahead.
    They plunge through defenses
        without breaking ranks.
    9 They rush upon the city;
        they run along the wall.
    They climb into the houses;
        like thieves they enter through the windows.
    10 Before them the earth shakes,
        the heavens tremble,
    the sun and moon are darkened,
        and the stars no longer shine.
    11 The Lord thunders
        at the head of his army;
    his forces are beyond number,
        and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
    The day of the Lord is great;
        it is dreadful.
        Who can endure it?

    Rend Your Heart

    12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
        “return to me with all your heart,
        with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
    13 Rend your heart
        and not your garments.
    Return to the Lord your God,
        for he is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and abounding in love,
        and he relents from sending calamity.
    14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
        and leave behind a blessing—
    grain offerings and drink offerings
        for the Lord your God.
    15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
        declare a holy fast,
        call a sacred assembly.
    16 Gather the people,
        consecrate the assembly;
    bring together the elders,
        gather the children,
        those nursing at the breast.
    Let the bridegroom leave his room
        and the bride her chamber.
    17 Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
        weep between the portico and the altar.
    Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
        Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
        a byword among the nations.
    Why should they say among the peoples,
        ‘Where is their God?’”

    The Lord’s Answer

    18 Then the Lord was jealous for his land
        and took pity on his people.
    19 The Lord replied[a] to them:
    “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
        enough to satisfy you fully;
    never again will I make you
        an object of scorn to the nations.
    20 “I will drive the northern horde far from you,
        pushing it into a parched and barren land;
    its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea
        and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea.
    And its stench will go up;
        its smell will rise.”
    Surely he has done great things!
    21     Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
        be glad and rejoice.
    Surely the Lord has done great things!
    22     Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
        for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
    The trees are bearing their fruit;
        the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
    23 Be glad, people of Zion,
        rejoice in the Lord your God,
    for he has given you the autumn rains
        because he is faithful.
    He sends you abundant showers,
        both autumn and spring rains, as before.
    24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
        the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
    25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
        the great locust and the young locust,
        the other locusts and the locust swarm[b]—
    my great army that I sent among you.
    26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
        and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
        who has worked wonders for you;
    never again will my people be shamed.
    27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
        that I am the Lord your God,
        and that there is no other;
    never again will my people be shamed.

    The Day of the Lord

    28 “And afterward,
        I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
        your old men will dream dreams,
        your young men will see visions.
    29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
        I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
    30 I will show wonders in the heavens
        and on the earth,
        blood and fire and billows of smoke.
    31 The sun will be turned to darkness
        and the moon to blood
        before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
    32 And everyone who calls
        on the name of the Lord will be saved;
    for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
        there will be deliverance,
        as the Lord has said,
    even among the survivors
        whom the Lord calls.[c]

    Footnotes:

    1. Joel 2:19 Or Lord will be jealous … / and take pity … / 19 The Lord will reply
    2. Joel 2:25 The precise meaning of the four Hebrew words used here for locusts is uncertain.
    3. Joel 2:32 In Hebrew texts 2:28-32 is numbered 3:1-5.
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    Tuesday, January 7, 2014

    AFWIS Joins with Operation World in Prayer for the World and The Great Commission

    Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
    Home > Jan 07: World, The Great Commission

    Jan 07: World, The Great Commission

    World, The Great Commission

    World

    World

    See Prayer Information

    Geography

    Area: 134,940,000 sq km
    Antarctica, with 14 million sq km, is not included.
    Population: 6,908,000,000    Annual Growth: 1.20%
    Urbanites: 51%

    Peoples

        Languages: 6,909

    Religion

    Largest Religion: Christian
    Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
    Christians2,229,951,31532.291.2
    Evangelicals545,886,8187.92.6

    Answer to Prayer

    The unprecedented harvest of new believers continues across Africa, Asia and Latin America, in contrast to the relative stagnation or decline in the rest of the world. The tables below reveal a remarkable story of a growing, spreading and diversifying Church. The table of statistics shows the relative change of the world’s population for each of the MegaBlocs. Christianity has slightly declined as a percentage of the world’s population since 1900 – only the Protestant, Independent and Marginal MegaBlocs have defied this trend to gain a proportion of the world’s population.
    a) Christianity re-affirmed as a global religion. The concept of Christianity as a European "white-man's religion" is demonstrably a myth. Though sometimes small in number, all but concealed, or mostly members of a minority people group, there are now Christians living and fellowshipping in every country on earth. World mission, globalization and high migration rates have dispersed the Church into every corner of the world, both to previously unevangelized areas and back to traditionally Christian regions where the Church is in sharp decline.
    b) The astonishing shift of Christianity’s centre of gravity to the Majority World. The tables reveal that, though Christianity’s percentage in the world population has changed little, the proportions between the Majority World and the West/North have changed dramatically. This is praiseworthy, as hundreds of millions heard the good news for the first time in the past century. It is also an indication that the missionary efforts of the past 200 years have borne incredible fruit, though at times it was slow in coming. Years and generations of prayer and faithful service to the unevangelized world by both missionaries and indigenous Christians have not been in vain.
    c) The strength and growth of the Church in lands that now have, or have had in the past, severe persecution. Some examples of places where both persecution and Church growth are prominent include China, India, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Iran and Myanmar, to name but a few.
         For an additional 7 Answers to 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 World.


    The Great Commission

    World

    See Prayer Information


    Challenge for Prayer

         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 The Great Commission.
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    Joel 1 (NIV)



    Joel 1 (New International Version)

    Joel 1

    1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel son of Pethuel.

    An Invasion of Locusts

    2 Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers?
    3 Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.

    4 What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts [a] have eaten.

    5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips.

    6 A nation has invaded my land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness.

    7 It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white.

    8 Mourn like a virgin [b] in sackcloth grieving for the husband [c] of her youth.

    9 Grain offerings and drink offerings are cut off from the house of the LORD. The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the LORD.

    10 The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up [d] ; the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the oil fails.

    11 Despair, you farmers, wail, you vine growers; grieve for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field is destroyed.

    12 The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree— all the trees of the field—are dried up. Surely the joy of mankind is withered away.

    A Call to Repentance

    13 Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.
    14 Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

    15 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. [e]

    16 Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes— joy and gladness from the house of our God?

    17 The seeds are shriveled beneath the clods. [f] The storehouses are in ruins, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up.

    18 How the cattle moan! The herds mill about because they have no pasture; even the flocks of sheep are suffering.

    19 To you, O LORD, I call, for fire has devoured the open pastures and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.

    20 Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the open pastures.
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    Proverbs 7 (NIV)


    Proverbs 7 (New International Version)

    Proverbs 7

    Warning Against the Adulteress

    1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
    2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

    3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

    4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman;

    5 they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

    6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.

    7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.

    8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house

    9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

    10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

    11 (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;

    12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)

    13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:

    14 "I have fellowship offerings [a] at home; today I fulfilled my vows.

    15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!

    16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.

    17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

    18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!

    19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

    20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."

    21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.

    22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer [b] stepping into a noose [c]

    23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

    24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

    25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.

    26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.

    27 Her house is a highway to the grave, [d] leading down to the chambers of death.
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    Psalm 85 (NIV)


    Psalm 85 (New International Version)

    Psalm 85

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

    1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
    2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah

    3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

    4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.

    5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

    6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

    7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

    8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly.

    9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

    10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

    11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

    12 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

    13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
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    Monday, January 6, 2014

    Again we find it's time to pray for our Children and Schools.


    Dear Father,
     We invite you back in to our Schools to walk the school property to walk the halls and to provide YOUR  PEACE, PROTECTION, PROVISION, PURITY and your very PRESENCE in Every School -- over every administrator, teacher, student and the families associated with this school, in Jesus Name, Amen.

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    AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for The Church Worldwide - World

    Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
    Home > Jan 06: World, The Church Worldwide

    Jan 06: World, The Church Worldwide

    World, The Church Worldwide

    World

    World

    See Prayer Information

    Geography

    Area: 134,940,000 sq km
    Antarctica, with 14 million sq km, is not included.
    Population: 6,908,000,000    Annual Growth: 1.20%
    Urbanites: 51%

    Peoples

        Languages: 6,909

    Religion

    Largest Religion: Christian
    Religion               Pop %Ann Gr
    Christians2,229,951,31532.291.2
    Evangelicals545,886,8187.92.6

    Answer to Prayer

    The unprecedented harvest of new believers continues across Africa, Asia and Latin America, in contrast to the relative stagnation or decline in the rest of the world. The tables below reveal a remarkable story of a growing, spreading and diversifying Church. The table of statistics shows the relative change of the world’s population for each of the MegaBlocs. Christianity has slightly declined as a percentage of the world’s population since 1900 – only the Protestant, Independent and Marginal MegaBlocs have defied this trend to gain a proportion of the world’s population.
    a) Christianity re-affirmed as a global religion. The concept of Christianity as a European "white-man's religion" is demonstrably a myth. Though sometimes small in number, all but concealed, or mostly members of a minority people group, there are now Christians living and fellowshipping in every country on earth. World mission, globalization and high migration rates have dispersed the Church into every corner of the world, both to previously unevangelized areas and back to traditionally Christian regions where the Church is in sharp decline.
    b) The astonishing shift of Christianity’s centre of gravity to the Majority World. The tables reveal that, though Christianity’s percentage in the world population has changed little, the proportions between the Majority World and the West/North have changed dramatically. This is praiseworthy, as hundreds of millions heard the good news for the first time in the past century. It is also an indication that the missionary efforts of the past 200 years have borne incredible fruit, though at times it was slow in coming. Years and generations of prayer and faithful service to the unevangelized world by both missionaries and indigenous Christians have not been in vain.
    c) The strength and growth of the Church in lands that now have, or have had in the past, severe persecution. Some examples of places where both persecution and Church growth are prominent include China, India, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Iran and Myanmar, to name but a few.
         For an additional 7 Answers to 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 World.

    The Church Worldwide

    World

    See Prayer Information

    Challenge for Prayer

    Leadership development is the crucial bottleneck to Church growth. There is a worldwide lack of men and women truly called of God and deeply taught in the Scriptures to lead the churches, people willing to suffer the burdens and responsibilities of leadership for the sake of the Saviour who redeemed them; in many contexts this means deprivation, scorn and even risk of death. Those who accurately and effectively expound the Scriptures are few, especially in areas where the churches are growing rapidly. New methods and means of multiplying well-trained, godly, effective leaders must be developed; traditional methods alone will not suffice to produce the number and quality required to meet the need. Ministers who are seminary graduates are often the least likely to have a biblical worldview. Pastors, ministers and elders all need constant upholding in prayer.
         For an additional 9 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 The Church Worldwide.
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    Hosea 14 (NIV)



    Hosea 14 (New International Version)

    Hosea 14

    Repentance to Bring Blessing

    1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
    2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. [a]

    3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."

    4 "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

    5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;

    6 his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

    7 Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.

    8 O Ephraim, what more have I [b] to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."

    9 Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
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    Proverbs 6 (NIV)


    Proverbs 6 (New International Version)

    Proverbs 6

    Warnings Against Folly

    1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
    2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,

    3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!

    4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.

    5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

    6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

    7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,

    8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

    9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

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

    11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. [a]

    12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,

    13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,

    14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up dissension.

    15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

    16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

    17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

    18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

    19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

    Warning Against Adultery

    20 My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
    21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.

    22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

    23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

    24 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.

    25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,

    26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

    27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?

    28 Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?

    29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

    30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

    31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

    32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

    33 Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away;

    34 for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

    35 He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.
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    Psalm 84 (NIV)


    Psalm 84 (New International Version)

    Psalm 84

    For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. [a]

    1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
    2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

    3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

    4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah

    5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

    6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [b]

    7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

    8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah

    9 Look upon our shield, [c] O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

    10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

    11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

    12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
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