January Prayer Guide 2020
INDONESIA — Give thanks for the daily devotionals being produced in Indonesia by Words of Hope and Back to God Ministries International. The booklets are proving especially valuable for Indonesian prisoners. Inmates who read the devotionals report that they feel encouraged, and some are now meeting together twice a week to discuss what they are reading and pray for […]
Blessed Beyond Measure
Read: Ephesians 1:1-3 [God has] . . . blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing. (v. 3) When, as a young man, I heard a message on Ephesians 1, God grabbed my heart to follow Jesus. I pray this book so captures your heart. John Mackay, former president of Princeton Seminary, said upon reading Ephesians, “I […]
Building the Church in Nepal
Cross-Way Church in Kathmandu, Nepal is using media to build up a new generation of church leaders. Cross-Way’s aim is to plant Christ-centered churches in all 75 districts of Nepal. Words of Hope is working with local leaders to build the church.
Christ’s Love Compels Us
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 . . . that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (v. 15 NIV) “Christ’s love compels us,” constrains us, holds us in a vise. It is a power that masters us. Why? “Because we are convinced that one […]
Why Doesn’t God Act More Like God?
How to deal with our doubts is one of the surprising but comforting lessons of the book of Habakkuk. David Bast looks at the ancient prophet’s struggle to answer some very contemporary questions: Why doesn’t God answer our prayers? Why does evil prosper? In the end, Habakkuk shows us that our questions don’t always have clear […]
A Word from God
Read: Mark 9:5-13 This is my beloved Son; listen to him. (v. 7) We saw in yesterday’s reading that even Jesus needed encouragement. And he got it from Moses and Elijah. But the disciples needed encouragement, as do we. Sometimes it is just a pat on the back from a friend. Other times the encouragement may […]
Called to Love God and Love Others
Read: Romans 12:9-21 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (v. 9) Jesus summarized the Old Testament’s many laws with the great commandment to love God with all of our heart and the second like it to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:37-40). “Neighbor” in […]
The Consequences of Sin Is Death
Read: Romans 6:15-23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (v. 23) Parents try to teach their children that certain actions result in painful consequences. We warn them not to touch a hot stove, cross the road without looking both ways, get […]
Niger: Out of the Ashes
In January of 2015, a group of Muslim protesters lashed out against Christians in Niger. The protesters were angry at Western media portrayals of their prophet. In a shockingly organized sweep, churches around the country were looted and set on fire. Eighty Christian churches and homes were burned throughout Niger that day. The world was […]