Pray for Egypt ...

As the difficult situation continues on the streets of Egypt, pundits and politicians are filling the air with their specific type of "knowledge" … demanding this and that; setting up this solution and that solution.

The Lord of yesterday, today and tomorrow had much to say about this:

God told Isaiah to send a message to the people in Isaiah … The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) … The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear. Isaiah 2:12, 17-18

And, in 1 Samuel 2:3 you read, "Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed."

If you read the story of Genesis 16 and 21:8-20 you will have some background into some of the troubles we face today in that region of the world … the story of Hagar and Ishmael.

There is definitely a war going on but it is God’s war … not ours. I doubt if God is going to put us in charge of a war if we haven’t even been able to complete the ONE task He has assigned to us ... that of spreading the Good News concerning His Beloved Son into all the world.

Unfortunately, this war has brought grief to millions of people in the Middle East, many who can trace their roots back to Ishmael, the son of Abraham. And, I know that God hears the voices of these helpless and needy people.

In the media, never once do you hear the one word that can mean everything in this tragedy … prayer! It is time we put aside our worldly arrogance, humble ourselves to God and pray!

And, pray for more than democracy … pray for the church to rise up and fulfill their commission … to proclaim the Gospel to the Muslims and Jews. We must pray that their eyes will be opened to the wonderful salvation of Jesus Christ.
Pray for Egypt, the church, all Christians and for all those in authority.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:43-45

And finally from the words of James …

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:13-18

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

In Times Like These ...

What do we do when we are forced to live in the midst of a troubled world, surrounded by sin? Should we be taken aback by this? Should we withdraw and cocoon in our own little world?

Not at all! 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Timothy 4: 3-4 say that these things would happen in the end times. Therefore, Christians should not be troubled or feel defeated because God has prepared us through his word. This is a time of great challenges and great opportunity because God has given us an awesome responsibility to demonstrate and share the love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived in a world very similar to ours, yet he never lost sight of the fact that his kingdom was not of this world and He never compromised his relationship to the people of this world. He was often called a friend of sinners (Luke 5:29-30 and Luke 15:1-2).

In Matthew 9:12-13 (NLT) Jesus responds, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

We should follow this example. Jesus befriended many people who were on the fringes of society. He went among them to bring them out of their sin, not to justify their sin. Likewise, under the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit, we must do the same. Ultimately, Jesus loved them and all mankind so much that he willingly laid down his life to pay the penalty for all sin.

My prayer is that in times such as this we would heed the words of the Apostle Peter: “… Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15

Here are some guidelines that can be used to plant and water seeds:

* Pray for God to open doors of opportunity to plant and water seeds.
* Do not judge or disrespect the people around you.
* Show them the genuine love of Christ.
* Look at people through the eyes of Christ. (2 Timothy 2:23-26 and Colossians 4:5-6).
* Tell them how much God loves them.
* Live before them as a credible witness.
* Make constant intercession for people in your little world. Pray that God will use you or another Christian as a conduit for sharing his plan of salvation.

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Our Savior was the living embodiment of love shown to the lost.

Paul Weresch

letstalkpw@gmail.com

Dear Friends ...

Praise the Lord, Olga arrived well and Joyful.

It was a great privilege for Betty and I to welcome Olga at the Vancouver International airport. It was a privilege to take some time last night and share our appreciation for goodness of God.

Before we "tucked" her into bed, we took some time to pray again for Russia, for President Dmitri Medwedjew, Prime-minister Vladimir Putin. Now we ask you continue to pray with us for this great Country and its diverse and needy People.

Humanly speaking there is no quick solution to the many problems Russia is facing. The unrest will continue; the many ..."Stans" in the Russian Federation; Kazakstans, Kyrgizstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Chechnya will not rest until they have separated and brought in the Sharia Law. Part of the reason for the great strides the extremist are making in the advancement of terrorism are unemployment and poverty.

Please pray for this region, for a unstable Russian Federation is a problem for the entire world.

And let us not forget to pray for North America and Central Europe, where shareholder profit and greed have become the driving force, where the needs of people are disregarded and Life itself has become a commodity.

Please pray for the Christian Church that it may rise to the occasion and proclaim the "good news" to the poor while standing up for Justice and living lifestyles that will reflect the love, grace, and holiness of God.

Please pray.....
Paul

letstalkpw@gmail.com