DAY 12 LIVE|DEAD TRANSPARENCY

It's tempting to challenge us to "confess" our sins on this blog.  To go along with the vulnerability and openness that Chris recommends in the journal entry today. 

It's tempting, but probably very difficult for most people and probably not appropriate in a public setting like the internet. 

However, take the challenge and find someone to join with you in prayer to defeat the sin in your life.

Use the comments section today to type out your own prayer of repentance.  Let's repent together!

DAY 11 LIVE|DEAD SEEING AND DECLARING

One important way to engage in an act of prophecy is to submit to the Lord’s
dealings in your own life. As God shows you His perspective about something
in your life, you can pray, “God, change me, and change the hearts of this
unreached people in the same way you are changing me.” That’s a prophetic
prayer.

Is this whole Live Dead challenge really difficult for you? Do you feel resistance
to it in your heart? Are you scared of failing? Let me prophesy to you: “While
we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans
5:6, ESV).

Day 10 LIVE|DEAD ABANDON

Milk - it does the body good.  Pass it on.

Couldn't help thinking about this as I prayed for Somali believers today. 

Special prayer update - for sensitivity reasons, we can't post the names of the author of today's journal entry.  You will remember that they were here with us in January of this year.  The couple with kids working with Somalis.

The husband's father also a worker in India for many years, died this last week.  it was a difficult struggle for the family.  Please pray for this family.

The author's words are powerful

"I don't think we pay too high a price.  I feel what I can do is obey."

Respond to that statement - how hard is it to obey and pay the price?  Do you feel like God is taking you to that place of commitment?

 

DAY 9 LIVE|DEAD PERSECUTION

People's response to the persecuted church is different.

Some don't believe it's true.

Some imagine it can't be that bad.

Some think that what we experience in America is the same as what others experience.

Regardless the question for you and I is how we will respond?

The harsh reality is that in the LIVE|DEAD challenge you and I are most likely on the "Live" side of the line.  While our African friends are usually on the "Dead" side of the line.

                      LIVE          |          DEAD

 



God, help me to never forget the sacrifice others make for the gospel.  

Today - no questions.  But in the comments - write your responses to today's journal post from Kevin S.

Day 8 LIVE|DEAD PASSION

Today a special BONUS link! A special message from today's Live Dead Author on Passion:

Don't forget to pray for the MASALIT people in Sudan.

The following documentary is difficult to watch.  It is not for children.  It talks about the injustice and pain Masalit people and others in Darfur people go through.  I encourage you to pray before you watch it.  Ask God to burn the words on your heart.  Ask God to speak to you about how you can pay for the Masalit people.  After watching and listening, pray again that God will move their hearts.  Again - this is a first hand account not suitable for children.

DAY 7 LIVE|DEAD - SHAGIYYA PEOPLE

We prayed for Rashida people earlier this week.  We received a message from the team leaders for that team. 

Hi there, my name is Helen* and my fiance Tim* and I are getting married this weekend! We are the team leaders for the live dead Rashaida team in eastern Sudan.  Please pray for protection of our current strong relationship with our people group. Please pray for Rashaida to be awakened to the light of Jesus!

Would you please go into the comments section and post a message/prayer for our team leaders?  I'll collect all of them and send to them as our "prayer" wedding gift.

Today's people group is the Shagiyya group, here is a little about them:

In the rural areas of the various subtribes extended family life features strongly. Its quite common that one will stay in one house (mom, dad, grandfather, grandmother, children aunts, uncles, cousin). Most families in the Shaigiya tribe have extended families. Some men have more than one wife. The person that is in charge of the house is the father. If the father is not in the home then the mother takes over. If the mother has trouble or isn’t strong enough then the uncle takes over. The uncle is usually the father’s brother and has to act like the father. If the uncle can’t then the grand father will take over. The grandfather they will also end up being the fathers’ father too.

Let's pray that these people will come to experience the power of Jesus Christ!

Don't forget Prayer Meeting Sunday at 4 PM in Room 215.

DAY 6 LIVE|DEAD DAY 6 EXPECTATIONS

The journey of change and transformation is long and at times unexpected.  I often find myself "surprised" at what God does in me.  Listen to the word's of the journal this week:

 "I didn’t expect God to bring me all this way to change what He saw in me. But He has. I needed Sudan more than Sudan needed me, and I didn’t expect that. I thought God was bringing me to Sudan to change Sudan. I did not realize that His primary purpose was to expose all the junk in my heart and change me! I’m so grateful that in the “less” of ministry, as I thought it should be, I got more than I expected" 

In the Comments section what do you feel God is transforming in you?  Over the last six days what has surprised you?

FYI - Tonight in Wednesday night service we will have a special missionary guest.  Don't miss it!  Billy Burr has been a missionary in Africa for over 49 years.  He is one of the great leaders of the Assemblies of God Missions in Africa.  He will share in the main service, don't miss it!
 

Click the following links for more information about Christians in Somaliland

Somaliland Persecution Update

Here is a video of underground pictures from Christians in Somalia: