Friday, January 29, 2016

As we share Christ with Muslims, we need discernment to minister to the person to whom we are witnessing. God is able to grant us sensitivity to know people’s needs and minister to those needs. It is indispensable to live close to God and regularly sit at Jesus’ feet, to hear his word and be filled by him. Only then can we offer help and comfort to others (read Deuteronomy 33:3; Luke 10:38-42).

Prayer

I entreat you, Almighty God, my loving Father, to give me discernment by your Holy Spirit. When I meet Muslims and open my mouth to speak, give me keen spiritual insight, right judgment, wisdom and good sense. May prophetic words come from my heart, along with ideas that penetrate their spirit and draw them to Calvary.

O my God and Savior, guide my words so that they become a message of life to my friends and a source of joy and hope for them. May your Holy Spirit convict them and draw them to the crucified, risen Lord.

Hide me and reveal Jesus to them. May he become more important, while I become less important (John 3:30). Let Muslims be awed by Christ’s love, mercy and grace. Let heaven rejoice as many who were once lost are being found.

Glory be to God who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

Promise

Give me discernment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments (Psalm 119:66, SAB).

“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:12, NIV).

Friday, January 22, 2016

We are surrounded by systems and strongholds that oppose Christ the Lord and King. There are social, political, economic, and legal structures and schemes that try to disparage God.

We are not for or against a particular political system. We are Bible-believers, Christ-worshippers; and we come from all walks of life and backgrounds. We seek the glory of God and his alone. We align ourselves with his Word.

We should not harbor enmity or hatred toward anyone. Even if they oppose us, deride our faith, doubt our God, and insult our Savior and King, they are not our enemies. The real enemy is Satan who manipulates them. Our war is against Satan and his strongholds.

Such people are poor humans who need love and compassion from us, and mercy and forgiveness from God.

We do not depend on human methods or material weapons, because this is spiritual warfare against satanic powers. Rather, our method is prayer, and that is all.

Prayer

O Lord our God, may you be praised for ever and ever! Why do the nations rage? Why do the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against you and against your Anointed One (Psalm 2:1-2).

Help us to arm ourselves with the weapons you assigned for us in your Word: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17).

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. …at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Psalm 2:4, ESV; Philippians 2:10-11).

I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Promise

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV).

Friday, January 15, 2016

On August 8, 2005, Muslim scholar Ahmed Deedat died, after more than nine years of being paralyzed and bedridden due to a stroke. Deedat had become a celebrity in Muslim countries for Bible-bashing. He rode to fame by ridiculing and making fun of God’s Word. He slandered and insulted God’s Word. He enjoyed hurling false and disrespectful accusations at the Bible. Tragically, he did not heed what that Word says, “God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).

There are many Muslims like him. We feel for them. We pray that they will see the light and respond to God’s offer of grace and mercy through the cross of Jesus.

Prayer

Compassionate and merciful God, we bear no animosity toward such people. We are no better than they are. We admit that we too are guilty and do not deserve to stand before you (Ezra 9:15). However, we glorify your name because of the cross. We are saved by your grace and changed and transformed by the power of your Spirit. Glory be to you, Father.

That is why I pray that Muslims will repent and ask for your forgiveness. Let your Word convict them. May they come to you by faith in Jesus and his redemptive power.

We know that the Word of God cannot be conquered or destroyed. Help Muslims submit themselves to it and live by it.

“Send your word and heal them, rescue them from the grave” (Psalm 107:20).

Let the light of your Word shine in their souls. Fill them with your joy and peace. Cause them to proclaim your Word and broadcast your truth. Amen.

Promise

“The grass dies and the flowers fall, but the word of our God will live forever.” “Sky and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Isaiah 40:8, NCV; Matthew 24:35, SAB).

Friday, January 8, 2016

What is the ultimate blessing the Bible speaks of? Definitely, the greatest blessing is to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! What would happen if we set out to bless every Muslim we see today, and for that matter, every other human being? We believe God answers prayer, so we can trust that many of those we encounter will one day come to Christ. Our Master commanded us to bless and not to curse. Even if I do not approve of some people’s behavior, when I bless them I serve as a vessel of honor to the glory of Christ. I may not know them personally, but I can pray for them. Even if they belong to a group that insults, curses and persecutes believers in Christ (Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14), Jesus grants me the power to bless.

Prayer

Lord, may I not sin against you by failing to pray for and bless the people I meet today (1 Samuel 12:23). Make me sensitive to the promptings of your Spirit, Lord God Almighty. Help me to bless Muslims. May Christ make his home in their hearts as they trust him and yield their lives to him. May their roots grow down deep into God’s love through Jesus Christ. Give them the power to experience and understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Dear Father, make them complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from you (Ephesians 3:14-19).

You called me to bless others and be blessed by you; so help me to bless at all times. I know that one day I will finally finish my work on earth and appear before the throne of God in heaven. As I stand there worshipping with other believers from every tribe and nation and tongue, may I be amazed to see multitudes of former Muslims adoring Jesus in heaven! Amen.

Promise

Pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it (1 Peter 3:9, NLT).