Would I have eaten the fruit? (Jesse Tree)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Genesis 3:6


Tuesday: The First Sin; Genesis 3; symbol: forbidden fruit

As a child I would hear this story and think to myself.."I wouldn't have eaten that fruit." It was hard for me to grasp my sinful nature.

It wasn't until I became an adult and a mother that I began to fully grasp my sinful nature and realized that I would have eaten that fruit. The fruit represented willful disobedience to God's commands. I make the same choice Adam and Eve made every time I choose to disobey the Lord because I want do to things my way.

When the devil spoke to Eve, he was trying to get her to doubt God's good intentions towards her: "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'" Gen. 3:1. He wanted her to disbelieve God's wisdom. Do we do that today? Do our children?

Do your children question your rules? Do they sometimes think they could find a better way to do something? Do they trust in your wisdom all the time? Unfortunately, the answer is probably no, especially as they grow older. Yet, God has said: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1 and "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."  Colossians 3:20 Discussing this with them may help them to see their sinful tendencies and their need for Jesus.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil...what an interesting name. Adam and Eve already knew Good. God is good, all of the creation was good, the Garden was good, they were good. So what exactly was Eve reaching for when she reached out and took the fruit? She was reaching for the knowledge of evil.

Do we still do that today? Well, have you ever told your children you don't want them to watch a certain television show because it might be scary? Or not say a certain word because it's not a nice word? Or not behave a certain way because it is not kind? The sinful nature chafes at these restrictions and desires the knowledge of evil.

Helping your child realize their sinful inclinations is important. When they realize this, they will see their need for a Savior. They will understand that they can't be good enough to get into Heaven. Only Jesus' death can cover over their sins.

The above commentary on Genesis is part of a 4-week Advent Reflection for the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is similar to an advent calendar. Every day you will read a Bible passage to your child(ren), discuss what it means to them in personal terms and color an ornament to hang on your Jesse Tree. A fuller description of this can be found at The Jesse Tree

When you are finished today, you might want to talk about how Christmas is about giving much more than getting. One way that your family can give is through their daily prayers. This might be a good time to pray for a specific country or for a group of people who do not know about Jesus. Two great websites to help you do this are:

Unreached of the Day

Operation World  go to Featured Nation and click on Country Profile

The Jesse Tree

Olive tree in Israel

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord--
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. 
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 
but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. 
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
Isaiah 11:1-5


Yesterday marked the first Sunday in Advent...a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the upcoming celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many families may read a weekly devotion and sing Christmas carols. Some may use an advent wreath or an advent calendar to anticipate Christmas. The Jesse Tree is another way to help your family think about and focus on the birth of Christ.

The Jesse Tree comes from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a way to tell the story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a Biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected Messiah: "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land." Jeremiah 23:5 


A Jesse Tree does not require much work or time. You can use a real tree, a tree drawn on a piece of poster board, a tree you make yourself with craft supplies or it can be a banner. Each day you will read to your child(ren) a Scripture passage and talk about its meaning in relation to the coming of Christ and God's promises. Then your child(ren) will color an ornament to hang on the tree. The ornaments can be found at the below websites or you can have your children draw a picture of their own.

I plan to have a Jesse Tree with my children beginning today. I plan to blog about each day's Jesse Tree message so if you like, you can return to this blog each day to find out the Scripture reading, some thoughts on its meaning and the symbol.

Here are some websites where you can find more information and black-n-white drawings of the daily symbols:
The Jesse Tree: Celebration of Advent
Jesse Tree ornaments
The Jesse Tree

If you begin the Jesse Tree today, you will want to talk to your children about yesterday's message and today's.

Sunday: The Jesse Tree; Isaiah 11:1-10 and 1 Samuel 16:1-13; symbol: a tree
Jesse was the father of David, beginning a line of descendants that will lead to Jesus, the Messiah. The tree represents Jesus...the branch springing from the root of Jesse. You can introduce the Jesse Tree to your children at this time.

Monday: Creation; all of Genesis 1 or just Genesis 1:24-26; symbol: earth, Adam & Eve, garden
God created a world of peace and harmony...a beautiful world with no sin. He created man in His image, making us different from the animals. We can have relationships, we have intellect, we have creativity, we were given stewardship of the earth...a good time to talk to your children about what makes us unique and what it means to be created in the image of God.


When you are finished each day, you might want to talk about how Christmas is about giving much more than getting. One way that your family can give is through their daily prayers. This might be a good time to pray for a specific country or for a group of people who do not know about Jesus. Two great websites to help you do this are:
Unreached of the Day
Operation World  go to Featured Nation and click on Country Profile


May this Christmas season be a time when each of us drawer nearer to Christ and help our children do the same. God bless you!

A Time to Give Thanks

 

Seven Things to Do With Your Family This Thanksgiving

Many of my happiest memories as a young man, and now as the head of my own household, come from Thanksgiving. Traditionally, Thanksgiving has been a day where our dearest loved ones gather around the table and feast, followed by a time of poetry reading, Scripture recitations, song, more feasting, and family story-telling. But more than anything, Thanksgiving has come to be a time when we focus as a family on gratitude. It is a time to humble ourselves in the face of God’s great mercy and to chronicle the providences and blessings of God in our life. One of the blessings for which we are most grateful is you — the many friends of Vision Forum. So this year, the Phillips family wants to begin our Thanksgiving Celebration by sharing seven simple recommendations for your own day of thanksgiving.

1. Stop and Thank God from the Bottom of Your Heart and the Depths of Your Soul

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. —Psalm 95:1-6

If you were to spend every waking moment of every day for the rest of your life noting God’s goodness, you would never begin to chronicle all the things for which you should thank the Lord. His blessings are innumerable. But on this day, take time to chronicle much. Get very specific. Thank the Lord for all things: Thank him for your provision, and the protection He has given to you all year. Thank Him for the pains and sorrows that are driving you closer to Him. Thank Him for the problems you have, and thank Him for all the horrors from which you have been spared. Thank Him for your parents, your children, and your loved ones. Thank Him for the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. Thank Him for those friends who love you and whom you love. Thank Him for the opportunities He has given to you. Thank Him for the mentors in your life. Thank Him for the sweet seasons and the beautiful memories He has given to you. Thank Him for His Church and His Word. But, most of all, thank Him for Jesus Christ. Because of Christ, you can be forgiven of sins, reconciled to the Father, and have the promise of eternal life.

2. Share the Greatest Stories of the Pilgrim Fathers and God's Providence

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.—Deuteronomy 32:7

Thanksgiving Day is a time for quizzes and story-telling. A great place to begin is by dedicating time to recount the rich historical evidence of the providence of God in the life of this nation through the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims. From their humble beginnings as a cadre of faithful friends and devoted Christians meeting in Scrooby, England, to their visionary leadership and perseverance in the New World at Plymouth Plantation, these faithful Separatists left one of the greatest legacies in the history of the New Testament Church. Yet most American Christians know little to nothing of the true story of these indefatigable men and women of God. This Thanksgiving, remedy the problem by telling their story. If you don’t have any of the many books on the Pilgrims available from Vision Forum, do a little online research. Visit the website of Pilgrim Hall Museum, for example. Share the stories of the friendship of William Bradford and William Brewster; of the persecution of the Scrooby Congregation; of the hardship and perseverance of the families on board the Mayflower; of the first Sabbath at Pulpit Rock; of the importance of the Church covenant; and of the long first winter in America. Tell how God used a young Indian boy named Squanto to save the colonists, and share the story of the peace treaty between the Pilgrims and Chief Massasoit which lasted fifty years. Make sure to read the farewell letter of pastor John Robinson to his congregation. Have your children join in the story-telling. Make sure to emphasize the faithfulness and providence of the Lord.

3. Read the Fourth Chapter from Of Plymouth Plantation Aloud to Your Family

Last and not least, they cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, or at least making some ways toward it, for the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world, even though they should be but stepping stones to others in the performance of so great a work.—William Bradford

If you only read from one book outside the Bible this Thanksgiving, make it Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford. And if you only have time for one chapter, make sure it is the fourth. It is in this chapter that we learn about the true reasons why these home-schooling pilgrims debated over whether or not they should risk their lives to go to America, the ultimate reasons for their departure (including concern over bad peer influences with their children), and their tremendous confidence in God. Most importantly, it is here that you read of Bradford’s multi-generational vision of victory. Note: From the approximately fifty survivors of the first winter, more than 30 million descendants have come.

4. Take a Pilgrimage to the Homes of the Pilgrims — From Your Living Room

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.—Proverbs 22:28

We are losing our landmarks to liberty in our nation. As I documented in my article, “Plymouth Crock”, we are even desecrating the landmarks to our Pilgrim fathers. This is one reason why I believe it is so important that we physically bring our children to the great Ebenezers of our freedom while they yet remain. Finally, after more than a decade leading families to Plymouth, home of the Pilgrim fathers, I was able to take 100 Americans this year on a journey to Scrooby, England, and the little manor house where the Pilgrim congregation was birthed. What a journey! Please let me share it with you by watching the video which I have posted on my blog. Then learn about the little eight-hundred-year-old manor house that changed the world in my article, “A Pilgrimage to Scrooby”.

5. Read George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation at the Dinner Table

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.—George Washington

The practice of setting aside days of prayer, days of fasting and humiliation before the Lord, and days of thanksgiving for the mercies of Jesus Christ was practiced by our Pilgrim and Puritan fathers, promoted by our legislatures and Congress, and honored by our presidents. On this national day of Thanksgiving, let’s remember that we do not honor a “turkey day,” but the God of Heaven who George Washington described in his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, as “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” I recommend that you print off the proclamation and read it before your dinner meal.

6. Tell the Story of the Providence of God in the Life of Your Family

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. —Psalm 78:2-4

The Lord has not only blessed this nation with a rich providential history, but you too have a story that needs to be told. Your children need to hear it and understand the mercies of God in the life of your family. So, this Thanksgiving, chronicle all that God has done in the history of your family. How many generations has your family been in America? How did they get here? When, if ever, did your fathers embrace the Gospel?

7. Purpose to Fight Hard and Hold Fast

History is not made by majorities, but by dedicated minorities of like-minded friends who have joined together in common cause. This was the Pilgrim legacy, and it must be ours as well. To change the world, courageous men and women must “fight hard and hold fast” to the things they know to be true. Most people will not fight hard and hold fast (which is why most people are spectators instead of world-changers). If you are grateful, purpose to be engaged. Purpose to be part of an important work for the Lord. Purpose to stand with those who are fighting hard and holding fast. Purpose to be a twenty-first-century pilgrim for Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This comes from an article by Doug Phillips at Vision Forum

What and who are Unreached Peoples?

Psalm 117

Praise the LORD, all nations!

Extol him, all peoples!

For great is his steadfast love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the LORD!

Who Are the "Peoples," the Nations?

"Nations" and "peoples" in the Bible don't refer to political states like America, Spain, Brazil, China, but to ethnic or language or cultural groupings in these political states. For example, if you go to the website China Source you will see, for starters, a list of sixty Chinese "peoples" (Hui, Dulong, Li, Lisu, Shui, Salar, Yao, etc.). And in the Bible you read about, "the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites" (Genesis 10:16-18).

So when Psalm 17:1 says, "Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!" it means, "Praise the Lord, Hui of China! Praise the Lord Bahing of Nepal! Praise the Lord, Baluch of Pakistan! Praise the Lord, Maninka of Guinea! Praise the Lord, Bugis of Indonesia! Praise the Lord, Somali and Dakota of Minneapolis!" These are the kinds of groups Jesus was referring to when He said after his resurrection, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (panta ta ethne, same phrase in Psalm 117:1). These are the groups that Jesus meant when he said, "This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

So a huge question for followers of Jesus today is - or should be - how many peoples are there and how many of them are still unreached with the gospel of the kingdom? How many still have no church who obey Psalm 117 and praise the Lord?

Let's just take one reliable research effort, the huge Southern Baptist International Missions Board. For their missionary purposes they calculate 11,227 people groups in the world. Of these, 6,614 have less than 2% evangelical Christians. Of these, 68 peoples have populations over 10 million; 433 populations between 1 and 10 million; 1,452 between 100 thousand and 1 million.

The following video does a good job of explaining the unreached people groups and why we should pray for them. The video can be found at Did You Know? A great place to go to pray daily for an unreached people group is Unreached of the Day

The greatest obstacle to reaching the unreached is the obedience of the church. May we be obedient in prayer, giving and going!!!

Pray for Asia Bibi

To watch the video of this story go to Asia Bibi

Christian faces blasphemy death sentence

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Incident began when Bibi dipped her cup into a bucket of drinking water used by co-workers
• The co-workers complained the water had been contaminated by a non-Muslim
• Bibi is a Christian
• Pakistan has never executed someone convicted of blasphemy

Itan Wali, Pakistan (CNN) -- In this village in Pakistan's Punjab province a tearful 12-year-old girl ponders if the Pakistani government will soon hang her mother.

"Whenever I see her picture I cry," Isham Masih told CNN. "I want my mother back. That's what I'm praying for."

This month a Pakistani court sentenced Isham's mother, 45-year-old Asia Bibi, to death, not because she killed, injured or stole, but simply because she said something.

Prosecutors say Bibi, who is a Christian, broke Pakistan's strict blasphemy law by insulting Islam and the prophet Muhammad, a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment according to Pakistan's penal code.

Mafia Satar said she was there and heard Bibi's insults.The alleged incident happened in June 2009 when Bibi, a field worker, was picking fruit in a village two hours west of Lahore. Prosecutors say when Bibi dipped her cup into a bucket of drinking water during a lunch break, her co-workers complained the water had been contaminated by a non-Muslim.

Court records show the women got into a heated argument.

"She said your Muhammad had worms in his mouth before he died," Satar told CNN, a crude way of saying Muhammad was no prophet.

The town cleric, Qari Muhammad Salim, reported the incident to police who arrested Bibi. After nearly 15 months in prison came her conviction and the death sentence.

"When I heard the decision my heart ached," Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih told CNN.

Masih denies his wife ever insulted Muhammad. He said death threats forced him and his daughters, one of them disabled, to flee their village.

Neither the Koran nor the prophet Muhammad's teachings in the Hadith call for the execution of blasphemers, but Islamic scholars and jurists from generations past included the death sentence when drafting Islamic law.

Human rights groups have long blamed Pakistan's blasphemy laws for persecution and violence against religious minorities like last year's attack on a Christian village in Punjab Province and recent bombings of minority Muslim mosques.

Activists say the government has refused to amend the law for fear of backlash from Islamist groups and their followers who deem scrapping the law as un-Islamic.

At the time this report was filed, Pakistan's law minister had not responded to CNN's request for an interview.

Bibi has appealed her death sentence and asked for bail, the chief prosecutor of Punjab province told CNN.

The prosecutor, Chaudhry Muhammad Jahangir, said the appeal will be heard by the Lahore High court and a decision could be months away.

Pakistan has never executed someone convicted of blasphemy but in Bibi's village public opinion was unanimous.

"Yes, she should be hanged," a group of villagers cried out.

The town cleric, who made the initial complaint against Bibi, called her death sentence one of the happiest moments of his life.

"Tears of joy poured from my eyes," Qari Salim told CNN.

The clerics tears are in stark contrast to those shed by Bibi's daughter Isham, who wants her mother to live.

Robert Park speaks out about his time in North Korea

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly; 

defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

Nearly a year has passed since the Korean American missionary, Robert Park, crossed the frozen Tumen River and walked from China into North Korea. Attentive border guards immediately arrested Park and took him to a North Korean prison where he suffered sexual abuse and torture.

Many of Park's friends are North Korean defectors--they told him how Christians and others are sent to concentration camps, tortured and left to die. Park knew what he was up against before crossing the border, yet he was willing to pay the price.

Whether or not you agree with his conduct, one cannot help but admire his passion, advocacy, and commitment to Christ. Tired of Christians "talking the talk" but not "walking the walk," Park decided to do something to draw attention to the plight of Christians in North Korea. As a result, he suffered excruciating pain and suffering at the hands of the brutal totalitarian regime. He doesn't like to talk about it or give much detail of the torture he experienced, but he reportedly told one reporter that he would "never be able to have a marriage or any kind of relationship."

How are Christians faring in North Korea today and what does he think about those who are evangelized in China or South Korea and then sent back to the North? He responds to those questions in clip one of our CBN News interview.

In clip two, Park explains what he did when he first crossed the border into North Korea.

In clip three, he discusses how he was treated by his North Korea interrogators and what he said to them.

In our fourth and final interview clip, Park explains what Christians can do to make a difference for our North Korean brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please take the time to view all four clips and then pray. Few Christians suffer worse than those in North Korea.

Clip 1 - Underground Church:

Clip 2 - When Park Entered North Korea:

Clip 3 - What He Told His Captors:

Clip 4 - How to Make a Difference:

Print     Email to a Friend    posted on Monday, November 08, 2010 8:03 AM

In the words of an Iraqi brother

Picture of Iraqi church prior to attack

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, 
when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 
Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; 
at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 
You sympathized with those in prison 
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, 
because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 
So do not throw away your confidence; 
it will be richly rewarded. 
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, 
you will receive what he has promised. 
For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come 
and will not delay. 
But my righteous one will live by faith. 
And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." 
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, 
but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:32-39


On Oct. 31, Islamic extremists attacked worshipers at the Syrian Catholic Church of Baghdad, Iraq, killing 59 Christians and severely injuring more than 80 others, according to Voice of the Martyrs sources. Several gunmen armed with automatic weapons and explosives entered the church during a worship service and opened fire on worshipers. Two priests were among those killed in the attack.

"[This church was attacked] because they are very active, especially among the youth and community," VOM contacts said. "This church works closely with the United Bible Society and VOM by distributing Bibles and Action Packs in Iraq. This is the second time this church has been targeted; in 2004 it was hit with a car bomb."

A militant organization called the Islamic State of Iraq, which has links to al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Compass Direct News. Following the attack, sources told VOM that churches throughout the city had received death-threat letters, warning them to stop their Christian activities or face similar consequences. The threats have caused many churches to cancel services.


Just two days ago I received an email from our friend Malath. Our family met Malath at our church, Jubilee in South Korea. He was attending seminary there. Since then, we have remained friends. Below is his email message and plea for prayer.



Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, that how I would like to start sharing with you how we are doing in Iraq/ Baghdad.

Actually we are not doing very well these days, as you know the extremists attacked one of the Catholic Church last week which is three blocks far from my church, and they killed more 50 people and so many injured people. what happened created among  Christians frustration and fear. if  you have a look at the pictures and hear the stories of those who were in there you cannot hold your tears and even your feelings. the situation was so hard even beyond our imagination. all I can say we are truly living the book Acts. we are seeing with our hearts, minds, and eyes what dose it mean to be Christian.   the Christians stayed at their homes after that, as long as they cannot protect their families from the hand of terrorists in the churches, however today the extremists killed many Christians in their houses by using guns and explosive things. that made the situation more hard and worse.

I do not want to say we are doing great, and we have great faith during this time. I am personally so concerned about my church, my people, and my family. at the same Sunday when they attacked the Catholic Church the Iraqi Police came to my church at the middle of our service and talked to me. the police guy told me "please stop the service and let your people go home NOW NOW, we are not able to protect you if anything happens so just run". I was in a situation that could not imagine for a while, and could imagine my church people would be hostages or murdered, however that what the Lord said to all of us in john 16 "All this I told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue, in fact a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God"

 I am reading the Bible now in a different way that I never read it before, in a way when I could imagine all what the Lord said I might go through, and all what happened in early church could my church also go through. Now I can understand more Paul when he said "And now, compelled by the Holy Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- that task of testifying to the Gospel of God's Grace" now I could feel what Paul said and what was his heart and emotions.

brothers and sisters, "Christianity without suffering is tasteless", we believe God has something very special to our churches in Iraq. we do not know yet, but it could be unity among the churches, let the whole world know what is going on among in Islamic countries, revival among the catholic church and even the evangelical church in Iraq and the whole world

As I am writing this e-mail to you, I got a message on my phone I would like to share it with you " dear malath please be carful because today they killed many Christians and they put under their cars explosive things so watch and search your car carefully before every time you drive it. also I heard they are collecting information about Christians in our areas, and even they are spying on our phones, take care" that just to make the picture more clear to you and to know how to pray for us.

please keep us in your prayers, ask the Lord to let us speak always about him and his love. and being faithful to him in our faith, action, word, and prayer. He is so good, and I love Him and His kingdom so much. please pray for me so I can say and Live what Paul says " I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Jesus has given me- that task of testifying to the Gospel of God's Grace"

Thank you so much, and let us always remember and believe God is good all the time

God bless you

Malath




Please pray for Iraqi Christians, especially for the families of those killed and injured in the Oct. 31 attack. Ask God to comfort and minister to them during this difficult time. Pray that in the aftermath of this brutal violence, Iraqi Christians will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in faith, and not grow weary or lose heart. Pray for peace and stability in Iraq.

Prayer for the nations

When man works, man works; When man prays, God works.

The ministry of the children of God is not doing but praying, not strategizing, but prostrate before God seeking His will, not clever stratagies for manipulating people and events but trusting in God who moves in the hearts of even His most implacable enemies. Through prayer Nebuchadnezzar, and today’s dictators get converted, Manassah’s and today’s persecutors repent and kingdoms of Babylon and Iron Curtains are torn down. We do not engage in ministry and pray for God’s blessing on it, prayer IS the ministry from which all other ministries must flow.

Psalm 2 reveals the Father’s Great Commission to His Son and how the destiny of nations is tied in with their rejection of or submission to His Kingly Son. Look at the command and promises of Ps 2:8.

'Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, And dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.'

Operation World, a wonderful Christian organization which gathers information on every country in the world, including percentage of Christians, economic and political background and ways to pray, is sending out a daily email for the next 60 days. 

Each day will focus on a different country with a bit of information on the country, ways to pray for that country and a short video on the country. You can join this daily prayer movement here.

This is an excellent way to pray for the nations, not only on your own but with your children. You can also purchase the Operation World book which provides greater insight into each country and its prayer needs. 

The content of Operation World  website give something of the needs and challenges of our needy, sin-sick, doomed world. The nations are there for the asking. God is calling you and me into the ministry of intercession for them. Through these prayers much will happen – above all we could ask or expect.

Daniel heard God’s voice in Daniel 7:27:

'The kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; Their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them. 

The cost is great, for these words were preceded in verse 21-22 by:

As I looked, this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgement was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints received the kingdom.'

The enemy will seek to frighten us and dangle allurements to distract us from the vision of a heavenly, eternal kingdom filled with people from every race, tribe, people and tongue. Yet Jesus offers you a share in his reign. We may look up to Him in agony at times, but see your true position looking down with Him exercising the authority bequeathed to you by Him in the Great Commission He has given to you and every Christian. 

May you become an intercessor with a world vision that prays Satan-defeating, kingdom-taking, people-reaching, captive-releasing, revival-giving, Christ-glorifying prayers.

Prayer not only changes people, situations and even the course of history, but also those who pray! 

It is dangerous for the enemy and also 'dangerous' for you. There is a price to pay to be a person who stands in the gap in prayer. That price may mean becoming an answer to your own prayers in giving time, finances and even going out as a witness in your Jerusalem (where you now live), your Judea (your own country), your Samaria (the other ethnic groups in your own country) or even to the ends of the earth. 

I have been using the Operation World website for over a year now to pray daily for the nations. May each of us prayer give our whole lives for this most noble of causes – to obey Jesus’ last command in making disciples of all nations and so ready the Church and the world for the grand climax of His glorious return!

1040 Christianity in the New Asia

I just got done watching an incredible movie/documentary entitled 1040: Christianity in the New Asia.

In 78 minutes, the host, Jaeson Ma (a Korean pastor from Los Angeles), travelled to various countries in Asia, showing the movement of Jesus throughout this region.

Singapore, China, Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan...an incredible growth in the Christian church in regions that have never known the name of Jesus until now.

I believe, like many of those interviewed in the movie, that Asia and Africa are the site of the next great movement of God. The youth, especially, are on fire for Jesus!

We experienced this while living in Seoul, South Korea and it's this passion and fire for the Lord that draws my heart back to Asia every time I watch or read something about what God is doing there.

My prayer is that the Lord will bring us back to Asia to live and work there sometime in the near future. It has been my heart's cry ever since we returned from Korea in 2008.

Christians in Asia live out their faith every day. I am humbled, encouraged and excited to see what God has in store for this part of His world. I love you Asia!

Here is the movie trailer. I could not find the movie on You Tube but you can order it from the 1040: Christianity in the New Asia website. It is well worth it!

Orphan Sunday

The need is vast

15 million orphans worldwide have lost both parents

A half million children in the U.S. live in foster care

"Defend the cause of the fatherless"  Isaiah 1:17

Hope is Fading - Click here to download

I live adoption every day of my life through our daughter Grace, adopted from China when she was 

10 1/2 months old. One of the best, most important choices we ever made! I can't imagine life without Grace. I love her with everything that is in me. She and I want to adopt more children.  

Please, if you are reading this blog, stop right now and say a prayer. Ask God to show you what He wants you to do for the orphans. 

Is there room at your table for one more little face? Is there room on your sofa for one more child who wants to snuggle? 

You can impact one child for eternity, and you, in turn, will be blessed beyond measure!

To read more about my thoughts on adoption go to The Least of These

For more info go to Orphan Sunday