Friday

The mountains and hills may crumble,

but my love for you will never end,

so says the Lord who loves you.

~Isaiah 54:10 (TEV)~

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
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Friday, July 30, 2010

“Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh . . . let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23, ESV).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, celebrating with you in prayer over new beginnings.

Missionaries serving in the Huasco River Valley, Chile, request prayer as they begin a community Bible study in the rural village of La Compania. A recent volunteer team made up of university students prayerwalked and held a community-wide Vacation Bible School as well as a women’s evangelistic tea. The Lord opened many doors, and the community is very receptive.

The Fulakunda Team rejoices that there are 10 new believers in villages of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and the Gambia. When a volunteer team came in February, they were faithful to share stories from the Word, and in doing so, they found one man who accepted the Truth. The team prayed for this man over the next few months, and recently more volunteers came and reconnected with him. They found that he had been sharing what he knew with his family and friends. Pray for these 10 new believers, asking that they will be convicted to meet together consistently to study. Also pray that Fulakunda team members and other local believers will have opportunities to mentor and disciple these new brothers and sisters in the next few months.

Approximately one year ago, a Mandinka pastor, SD, relocated to a town in southern Senegal. It has been challenging for him and his family to leave their friends and family, but they are building new relationships and witnessing every day.

* Please pray that SD and his family will persevere through the subtle and sometimes blatant persecution they encounter.

* Intercede for new Fulakunda believers and seekers in Chile, asking God to reveal His truth daily.

* Hold fast to your confession of hope, knowing that He who promised is faithful!

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

ONE OF THE biggest news stories of the summer broke on July 28th with the temporary injunction set down by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, stopping several measures in an immigration bill signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer and set to go into effect today…

Effectively, this injunction prohibits law enforcement from more easily detecting those who are in this country illegally.

For many, this is an issue they cannot divorce from politics or race.  But, how should a Christian view the matter of illegal immigration?  That is a different question than whether or not we should embrace those who seek to lawfully enter our nation from other nations around the world.  Bible truth is truth, recognizing no political party of skin color.  To ask how a Christian views any matter is also to ask what the Bible may have to say about it or issues involved with it.  While there is no verse that explicitly deals with illegal immigration, there are biblical principles to consider.

Lying is sinful.  There are no situations that make lying OK.  Paul urged the Ephesians to lay aside falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25). The end for liars is most undesirable (Rev. 21:8).  If one claims something to an employer, landlord, or law enforcement officer that is not true, that one is lying.  How often do those hiring and harboring illegal immigrants knowingly lie or deceive?

Disobeying a nation’s laws is disobeying God.  Romans 13:1-4 says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  Many people go through the proper channels for applying for citizenship.  Even if a nation is lax in enforcing its laws, a Christian will not knowingly subvert the governing authorities in either harboring illegal immigrants or attempting to be in a nation illegally.  A Christian should be averse to being a party to anything rightly labeled “illegal.”

One is to submit to every human, governmental institution (1 Pet. 2:13ff).  Obviously, the only exception is if that entity seeks to get us to disobey the Lord’s commands (cf. Acts 5:27-29).  Otherwise, we must submit to them and in so doing we are “doing right” (1 Pet. 2:14-15).

I would never want to defend or advocate something that, objectively viewed, is termed “illegal.”  Perhaps the desire of some to rationalize on this issue is a product of a greater problem our culture has with law and authority.  The child of God, however, will be reminded “to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Titus 3:1-2).  Neal Pollard, “How Should A Christian View Illegal Immigration?,” Preacherpollard’s Blog, July 29, 2010

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘

We ought to obey God rather than men.”

~Acts 5:29~

Have a fantastic day!

Anna Lee