However, conversion from Islam to Christianity is likely to lead to discrimination andharassment. For this reason, very few converts reveal their faith, and believers are reluctantto share the gospel because they could face severe consequences. - P30
Pray that God would feedthe spiritually hungry in Kuwait so they might taste and see His goodness. - P30
The Laz come from northeastern Turkey and Georgia, but a small group have migrated toGermany. - P30
Islam is a strong part of the Laz‘s identity, as they have been Sunni Muslims sincethe time of the Ottoman Empire. - P30
Only a very small number of Laz in Germany are Christians.
Pray that German believers and churches will build relationships with the Laz communitythat will open doors to sharing the gospel. - P30
[NIV] 25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob saback to myto Laban, "Send me on my way so I can goown homeland. - P32
27 But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor ineyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that theLORD has blessed me because of you."
28 He added, "Name your wages, and I willpaythem." - P32
32 Let me go through all your flocks today and removefrom them every speckled or spotted sheep, everydark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat.
They will be my wages. - P33
33 And my honesty will testify for me in the future,
whenever you check on the wages you have paid me.
Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spot-ted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored, will be con-sidered stolen." - P33
35 That same day he removed all the male goats thatwere streaked or spotted, and all the speckled or spottedfemale goats (all that had white on them) and all thedark-colored lambs, and he placed them in the care ofhis sons.
36 Then he put a three-day journey between himselfand Jacob, while Jacob continued to tend the rest ofLaban‘s flocks. - P34
them37 Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar,
almond and plane trees and made white stripes onby peeling the bark and exposing the white inner woodof the branches.
38 Then he placed the peeled branches in all the water-ing troughs, so that they would be directly in front ofthe flocks when they came to drink. When the flockswere in heat and came to drink, - P34
39 they mated in front of the branches. And they boreyoungthat were streaked or speckled or spotted.
40 Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves,
but made the rest face the streaked and dark-coloredanimals that belonged to Laban. Thus he made separateflocks for himself and did not put them with Laban‘sanimals. - P35
42 but if the animals were weak, he would not placethem there. So the weak animals went to Laban and thestrong ones to Jacob.
43 In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous andcame to own large flocks, and female and male servants,
and camels and donkeys. - P35
Laban does not fear the God of Abraham but even he can see that hehas been blessed by the Lord because of Jacob. - P36
When Laban tells Jacobto name his wages, Jacob asks for livestock that are considered less valu-able. - P36
This is a clear act of faith as Jacob knows that God will provide forhim. - P36
When we live and work with industriousness and integrity, otherswill take notice and praise God because of us. - P36
This is one very important way we can act
as the salt and light of the world. - P36
And when we trustin God‘s sovereignty over our lives, we will be happy to live with lessbecause we know our loving Father will take care of us. - P36
Despite Jacob‘s humble request regarding his wages, the dishonestLaban schemes his way into making sure that Jacob comes out withnothing. - P36
Yet, God allows Jacob to breed a large herd of strong animals,
which causes him to become more prosperous than ever. - P36
When Godis on our side, we can take heart even when we are cheated or dis-advantaged. - P36
Through Jesus, we are heirs to the new covenant, whichensures God‘s protection and blessings over us. - P36
Though we may face
opposition, we will go from glory to glory because of the promises wepossess in Christ. - P36
In every struggle, the Lord will provide us with what we need to overcome. - P36
Difficult people help to reveal our hidden weaknesses, causing us toexamine our hearts and check if we are indeed filled with the loveof Christ. - P37
It is easy to show love and grace to those who are kind tous. But if we find ourselves being rude, angry, or hateful toward thedifficult people in our lives, this confronts us with a part of our character that God
wants us to deal with. - P37
If we learn these lessons well, wewill be able to look back and see that God was using these people tosharpen us and make us more like Jesus. - P37
Dear heavenly Father, when I am surrounded by people and circumstancesthat threaten to do me harm, help me to know that I am secure in Your cove-nant. - P37
Give me grace so that I may be faithful and excel in all that I do. In Jesus‘
name, amen. - P37
|