Exloring Life Eternal

Arise Shine Morocco
Prayer Bulletin #75 (01/07)
asm@ariseshinemorocco.org www.ariseshinemorocco.org

NORTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for a couple embarking on new ministries here. Pray they will build good relationships with their neighbors and with contacts in their town and the surrounding areas. Pray that God will open new doors for them in the coming months. Pray they will walk in obedience, wisdom, and boldness as they do what He is calling them to do.


NORTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Praise the Lord for increased commitment observed in members of a local house church. Thank Him for a couple that recently joined the house church. Praise God for His mercy to a sister who prayed for her unsaved mother and who is now at peace believing that her mother was saved before she died. Thank the Lord for His divine provision and protection throughout the past year.

Pray for the recruiting of new team members. Pray the Lord wil send the right people with the right gifts. Pray for quick release of adoption papers for one couple.


WESTCENTRAL COASTAL REGION:
Please pray that all believers, both national and expatriate, will manifest a powerful, anointed, and incarnational gospel witness.

Praise the Lord for several large and joyous Christmas celebration gatherings of national believers that blessed and encouraged many.

Praise God that national believers are cooperating and are excited about working together for more organized Bible training.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Pray for trust between believers and a greater willingness to get together in Christian fellowship. Pray for steadfastness in the midst of persecution.

Pray seekers will experience the emptiness of Islam as they go through the motions of their religion. Pray Muslim seekers will question their own beliefs and practices. Pray for King Mohamed VI to rule justly and with wisdom.

Pray for workers' health, finances, family, and work relationships.

Lighthouse Church:
Praise the Lord for many answered prayers in 2006. Thank the Lord for the successful continuation of the Sunday school program and pray that it will continue to bless the children and build them up in the faith. Praise God for bringing a brother and a sister back into the local fellowship.

Pray for a spiritual awakening in this city and for plans by the church to plant a new church in a nearby city later this year. Pray for unity among the churches in Morocco, that they will work together and will see many new churches established this year.

Pray for a powerful and effective Sunday School program that will result in many of the children accepting Jesus into their lives this year.

Pray that the work situation will improve and stabilize for members of the church. Pray all will see the Lord providing for their needs.

Pray for many salvations this year, especially from among the family members of existing believers.

FAR SOUTH:
Praise God for a successful medical procedure. Thank Him for opening doors. Pray for growth of the church and for provision for various projects.


A recent article of interest:
An article entited "Morocco's Christian Converts Irk the World of Islam" includes comments by Moroccan Christians and may be found at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061213/lf_afp/moroccoreligion

We rejoice in seeing a small but growing band of workers on the field. As people come from various backgrounds and mindsets, differences of opinion do arise and methods of working and relating to each other are not always compatible. This is sometimes made worse by the need to report to supporting groups along with pressure to show results.

However, we know that as Believers in Christ, we are all of One Body. Though different members, though unique in our giftings and methods, the vision is One--to Reach those He has called to Christ. This is what unites us. Satan may want to use differences to cause division, but as we focus on the Vision, we learn to appreciate the differences and bless one another in the unique way the Lord seeks to use each one. Pray for us, that our focus will be on the unity of Purpose in Christ and that we will not allow Satan to sidetrack us from our work by not appreciating the special ways the Lord chooses to use each member in His Mission.

asm@ariseshinemorocco.org <>< <> ><> www.ariseshinemorocco.org


NATIONAL CONCERNS:
Pray for unity and restoration of right relationship between Moroccan church leaders. Pray for efforts to bring leaders together. Pray for humility and the power of the Holy Spirit to reign in all gatherings of national believers.

Praise God for good opportunities for national believers to grow in faith and relationship with one another via special camps and other gatherings taking place this summer. Pray for trust, unity and love to grow. There are new believers every year during summer camps. Pray for their growth and integration into the existing house churches.

Marriage is holy, but unfortunately, sometimes believers marry non-believers. Pray that singles will wait until the Lord provides the right believing partners.

Pray for journey mercies for workers and nationals traveling this month. Pray for rest and refreshment for workers visiting their home countries.

Pray for follow up of seekers and new believers. The need for more workers and better organization in the distribution of contact info for seekers is a challenge. Pray for a desire and means for the church to be able to visit isolated believers. There is progress in this area, but too many are still not reached.


NORTHEASTERN REGION:
Thank the Lord for the recent marriage of a worker and daughter of missionaries who plan to continue working in the region. Pray for them as they raise support while visiting family and friends outside of North Africa.

Pray the paperwork will go through for officially establishing a work here. Thank the Lord for funds received for purchase of a ministry center. Pray the remaining needed funds will come in and an appropriate building will be obtained.

Ask the Lord to prosper the clinic, translation work, radio programming, Bible studies, and the growth of national believers as they work together with expatriates on these projects.


CENTRAL REGION:
Praise God for early successes in introducing and implementing some new technology and equipment into the region for the purposes of assisting in relief efforts and in establishing residency for expatriate workers.

Pray for funding for a ministry center to serve some of the most vulnerable.


WESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Pray for efforts to gather key believers for the purpose of growing in relationship and exploring ways in which to work together.

Praise the Lord for positive developments in getting residency for a newer family and in getting their new business legalized and launched.

Pray for two single workers getting married to each other this month. Pray for wisdom in making future plans for life and ministry. Pray for another believing family with a baby due to be born this month. Pray for a safe delivery and good health for both mother and baby.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Pray for unity and the re-establishment of frequent gatherings of believers coming from all of the house churches in the area for the purpose of prayer.

Pray for a ministry under increased surveillance by local authorities. Pray for wisdom and perseverance for its leaders and for the raising up of more long-term workers to assist in this growing ministry.

Pray for a worker couple as they work through some philosophical and strategic issues with their sending organization.


Lighthouse Church:
Pray for a brother that has been very active in building the church in the past year. Pray he will grow in faith and maturity and that the Lord will use him even more mightily in the coming year to accomplish His purposes.

Thank the Lord for answering prayers for the return to the church of a “long lost” brother. Pray for growing vision and growing involvement in ministry for the church. Pray for good relations with the other house churches in the city.


SOUTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Pray for a new believing family now on their own as the foreigners helping them are away during the summer. Pray the Lord will continue to inspire, encourage, anoint, energize, protect, guide, and provide as they walk the narrow road.

Pray for a worker and his family as they transition from one area of ministry into another here. Pray for provision of funds needed to launch their new project.


European Ports Ministry:
Tens of thousands of packets of Christian media in the North African languages have been distributed so far this summer. More than 40 decisions for Christ have been recorded. Pray for continued receptivity and more fruit.


ASM Praise Report:
Arise Shine Morocco is pleased to report that the Lord has provided the funds necessary to qualify for the matching grant mentioned in a previous Bulletin.

http://www.ariseshinemorocco.org/

NORTHEASTERN REGION:
Pray for an important meeting between national believers and expatriates concerning production of worship music in Berber. Pray for unity and for productive working relationships to emerge.

Pray for wisdom for decisions relating to medical outreach and for success in working together as God's team in the area. Praise the Lord for a child’s successful surgery ! Pray for the health of believers here.


NORTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for a family that recently watched the Jesus Film with workers. Pray the enemy will not snatch away the Gospel seed planted and that God's Word will accomplish all that He intends in their lives, bringing them salvation.

Pray for breakthroughs in efforts to establish a new business that will allow workers to obtain long-term residency.


NORTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Praise the Lord, He is healing a breach in the local body and bringing some of the estranged believers back into the fold. Praise Him also for growing relationships of trust between certain older believers and newer believers.

Pray believers will be bold in their witness to family members. Ask for a great move of the Holy Spirit along family lines that are so crucial here, where family ties are very strong.

Pray for a couple seeking to start a new church plant and church planting team in a key city. Pray God will bring the right persons to labor alongside them.

Pray God will demonstrate His favor by healing two house church members with serious chronic health problems.


WESTERN COASTAL REGION:
Please continue to pray for a daughter of believers who has been in the hospital for months with a serious illness. She continues to need much prayer, as does her family.

Please pray that God’s favor would be upon His laborers and that He will bless the work of their hands as they launch a new project long in the planning. There is much to do and workers need strength, wisdom, and help.

Continue to pray for the salvation of Muslim members of a group of young men who gather regularly for discussion of topics in the Koran and Bible. Pray the Moroccan Christians in the group will grow strong, wise, and bold in their faith.

Pray for an expatriate church that needs more leaders to teach and lead groups in the church because so many immigrants, guest workers, and foreign students are being saved every week.


CENTRAL REGION:
Praise the Lord for progress and encouraging developments in translation projects and the God’s Story production. Pray for the development of a spiritual vocabulary list in Tamazight that is now in progress. Pray for a timely and quality completion of these projects.

A key development project that has been going on for years and employs a number of nationals is experiencing financial problems. Pray for the Lord’s provision and wisdom for the future.

Continue praying for a new ministry to some of the most vulnerable people in Moroccan society. They need to find and obtain a large facility to house the work and they require wisdom as to how best to register their work with the government.

Pray national believers will catch a vision for developing Berber worship music. There are several with an interest. Pray for wisdom for workers to know how to help move things along.

Keep praying for the new teams, some are settling in at new locations, others moving to new places in the fall. Pray for wisdom for what each should be doing and what role they should play in their new setting. Pray for those trying to make some progress on language before moving.

Ask the Holy Spirit to work mightily among the people groups of the region, turning hearts to Him and opening eyes, giving a hunger and thirst to know Him. Ask Him to give each worker and Moroccan believer more of His Spirit, power, love, humility and wisdom to be faithful to what He has called each to do.


SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
Please pray for seeker 'James' and for wisdom for believer 'Adam' as he tries to help James move closer to Christ.

As summer temperatures rise, pray workers will sleep well so they can be rested and at their best during the days. Sometimes the stress of their jobs can keep them from sleep. Pray a female worker would make some new women friends, ones that want to learn more about Jesus.

Pray for a longstanding ministry that requires breakthrough in an authorizations logjam in order to continue a work that facilitates much outreach in the region. Ask the Lord to raise up workers to share the workload. Pray for wisdom and strength for those now overseeing the work.


SOUTHWESTERN REGION:
Pray for a newly married man, baptized many years ago, who strayed from fellowship but has now made contact with his former mentor. His mentor is helping him and his new bride consider their marriage from a biblical perspective. Pray for renewal for him and salvation for her.


FAR SOUTH:
Pray for favor with local authorities for a young ministry that is already bearing eternal fruit. Pray for perseverance in the face of bureaucratic delay and frustration.


Summer Outreaches in European Ports:
Pray that the coordinated distribution of materials to and evangelism of North Africans passing through European ports on their way to and from their home countries will bear much fruit this summer. Pray the Lord will provide all for the volunteers, especially those that speak Arabic.


Prayer requests from Europe:
Pray for workers in cities where they are working alone. They sometimes feel overwhelmed and may need the fellowship of other missionaries. Pray for encouragement and strength.

Pray a family who wants to work in Spain will find a sponsoring organization to help with their residency. A church in Spain wants to start a work among Moroccans. Pray God will give them good contacts and wisdom to know which strategy to use.


A Moroccan Milestone:
This year Morocco celebrates 50 years of freedom from French control. For more information about this milestone, and about the present and future of Morocco from a Moroccan perspective, go to: http://www.rdh50.ma/eng/Note_synthese_anglais.pdf

"Disciple All Nations" - This was the command of Jesus & it includes sharing the message that Jesus is Lord to all cultures & communities within the USA, as well as at the ends of the earth & around the islands.

The Ethnic Worker's Network is a Network of People who are committed to 1 thing: the Honor of our Father as all peoples pray to Him through the First-Born from the Dead.

To Learn More
http://www.ethnic-america.net/

"The firm foundation of (laid by) God stands,
sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription):
The Lord knows those who are His, and,
Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord
give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it."
2 Timothy 2:19 (Amplified)

PRAISE:
Praise the Lord with us - a new family will be coming to work in a rural area here. Thank you for your prayers PTAP! They will come in the summer. Pray for them as they prepare, say their farewells to their current life and friendships and come to serve God here. Pray for their protection and well-being. Pray for all the many arrangements this will entail.


PETITION:
Pray for the International church in our largest city. It is almost all expatriates from over 30 countries. There have been major conflicts this week and many people are hurting. Pray for God's healing and help to all concerned and for a way forward. Pray that God would comfort His
people and bring hope for the future.

Pray for movement in the heart of my friend, the religious sheikh, from curiosity about me to genuine interest in Isa al Messih – Jesus the Christ.

Pray for a Christian maternity hospital in our country that urgently needs 2 midwives or OB Doctors. This hospital has blessed thousand of local families over the past 50 years. However, older staff have had to retire and the administration is having a difficult time finding Christians to take these vital positions.

Pray for the transition of an MBB single woman moving from one host family to live with another family. The transition from her previous living situation has been hard on both the host family and her. Pray for
much grace and wisdom in this situation.


TESTIMONY:
Two friends K. and A. were part of a small group of National believers in a small town. Recently they claimed that they had left Christianity and returned to Islam. All the reasons are not known - perhaps out of fear, perhaps from a disagreement with another believer. Kim, the lady who had been instrumental in leading them to Jesus, is understandably broken up over what has happened. Please pray that in His time, K. and A. will overcome their struggles and return to the truth even stronger than before.

While this is a frequent occurrence for Muslim Background Believers to go back and forth over a period of time, it is very serious loss to both the National Christian community and those with the responsibility for discipleship. Please remember Kim as well - that she would be comforted, that she would not burden herself, yet that she would be aware of any important gaps in the discipleship process.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

Today I had a short chat with some folks on a bus. A fellow begged for money & if I had had something that he would have received, I would have given it. He boasted of taking pesos, dinars, etc. He was particularly fond of some Egyptian dinars.

He wished to boast of his tongue, speaking a word or two in various languages, & I shared just a little from the scriptures from Him and was going to discuss the meaning, but he was more interested in $$ & silly rhymes.

He challenged me with a question: After asserting the possibility that he might be god. He asked, "Do you believe that God is undefeated?" To him this was a rather astounding question. He seemed impatient for a reply. Another fellow, who claimed rather adamantly to be baptist, & seemed to place this above faith in Christ Jesus as Lord. They chattered on about me being an atheist. Oddly, this was the same accusation that was hurled at early Christians.

I asked, "Do you believe in the resurrection? If you answer that correctly, you have the answer to your question."

In a brief internet search on "God is undefeated" the following results were found:

It seems that Shaun Alexander uses this as a way of testifying to the grace of God & why he committed to Christ "His team is undefeated:"
http://bama.ua.edu/~bamafca/docs/Shaun5TDNight9-30-02.htm

Also, this song came up, talking about God's glory. On the whole, it is an excellent song. Perhaps the main weakness is that "money & power" are listed as more important reasons to pray than the salvation of souls. There are many who are rich & powerful who know nothing of God's grace:
http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/741329

I think in both instances, there is a fundamental weakness in how they understand the grace of God: GOD's power is perfected through -weakness- (2 Corinthians 12:9). This most basic truth is contrary to all human understanding. Indeed, the only way we are able to be saved was accomplished through Jesus who embraced "defeat" in order to win the victory for us. It was really only a temporary setback.

Indeed, the way of the cross was revealed early, very early in the history of the human race: the seed of the serpent & the Seed of woman would be in conflict. The serpentine seed would bruise the heel of the woman's Seed; and HE would crush satan's head. (Genesis 3:16). In other words, the Lord Jesus became poor that many might be made rich. The riches of heaven have much less to do with wealth, and much more to do with the stores which are waiting on high to those who have faith.

I wonder, how many Christians, so called, in the USA today, would continue as Christians if we faced the same persecution & oppression that Christians in the Middle East face? How many are Christians because their parents were, but not because they are fully persuaded.

God's victory may not always look like what we want it to look like. He may be victorious by humiliating us. His undefeated record seems to be marred with "defeats." Why?? Because his people prefer secondary divisions over our primary unity in Christ Jesus. May God save us from ourselves!!

Peace, In Christ,
Mert Hershberger

March 13, 2006

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

PRAISE!
A worker in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula writes: My good friend “L” has made himself present in my life again after a period of him avoiding me. That’s a direct answer to prayer! God has also acted on some specific things "L" asked me to pray about. Pray that this man will encounter Isa al Messih and come to faith!


PETITION:
Pray for the ministry of the Doulos in the Arabian Gulf. It has visited Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain and is on its way to Kuwait and Salalah. Pray for opportunities to bless the Muslims of Bahrain and the Eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia.

Pray for more awesome spiritual encounters for Baraka, Hamad, Salman, and other Muslim background believers we have the privilege to minister among.

A couple that have been bold in sharing their faith have been told they will not be offered another contract of employment after this summer. This couple also has a parent suffering with advanced cancer and is also expecting the birth of their 3rd child in March. Pray that the Lord blesses this family in a special way as the birth approaches. Pray for them as they deal with all these stresses.

A tentmaking couple have a relationship with a local couple who are seeking the Lord. It has been some time since the two couples have been able to meet together. Pray that God would supply an opportunity for these two couples to meet together. Ask God to move in the hearts of the seekers and prepare them to hear the Gospel.

Please pray for the churches in the region. Pray for unity amongst diversity. Pray for a united vision and a sense of pulling together and partnership in bringing the Gospel to the nations in the Arabian Peninsula.


TESTIMONY:
I’ve met up again with the religious sheikh I mentioned last month. He feels a strong connection to me that he cannot explain, and he has welcomed me into his group of friends. Several have expressed that they sense something about me that draws them. “That’s Jesus you’re seeing!” I declare, and see where the conversation goes. I never thought I’d have opportunity to discuss ontology and teleology in English, let alone in Arabic! The sheikh loves these conversations not for the philosophical exercise, but for how it draws him closer to God. Pray that he will find all he is looking for in Isa al Messih!

I was out with them last week at what was for all intents and purposes an Islamic worship session: thirty or so men sitting on the floor, swaying in time to the tak-tak of the drums as the main singer led them in songs about God, Mecca and Medina, and Mohammed. I watched in amazement for a half-hour. Here in front of my eyes was a contextual model for a local church. ... May God redeem these cultural forms to bring himself honor and glory through Isa al Messih!"

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

December 26, 2005 [for the Feast of Christ's birth]

"A Savior has been born: Christ the Lord!"

PRAISE:
God has done wonderful things in ways we never thought possible. This past week over 50 Chinese construction laborers came to faith in Jesus through a labor dispute. A key Chinese pastor became involved in the settlement of the dispute bringing hundreds of Chinese a chance to ‘see’ the Gospel in action. This is just one of many instances where several hundred Chinese have come to faith across the Arabian Peninsula over the past 2 years.


PETITION:
Pray for the workers here as they reach out and share with friends and colleagues during this Christmas season. Pray for open door and opportunities to share about the birth of the Saviour. Pray for those hosting small events with food and sharing - that God would open people's hearts.

The expatriate fellowships are under surveilence by the local authorities. Pray that the people in the fellowships would not surrender to fear or become entangled by it.

There are a number of local believers in the remote areas of our country. Pray that they would continue to be blessed by the Savior as they walk with Him many times extremely isolated - no fellowship for weeks or months.

Pray for a small Farsi speaking fellowship that is experiencing conflict. The Evil One is seeking to sow division. Pray for the Iranian brother who is providing leadership to this group of young believers.

Pray for God’s intervention in the life of a young Muslim Background Believer who is in the process of "de-brainwashing" by her parents. She has cut off all contact with Christians and isolated herself from any non-family input.


PRAISE:
Three figures, clad in the black, flowing head-to-toe coverings of women came to visit at our home. I [Rhema]greeted them enthusiastically and, although they returned the greetings, I did not recognize any of their voices. Arabic greetings are long, so they were already in the house and into the family room before I could finally say, “Forgive me, but do I know you?” They replied, “No.”

Safely away from the eyes of men, the visitors now lifted their veils and I could see fear on their faces. Their eyes were darting around the room as if looking for something. While the leader of the trio tried to make small talk, another was rapidly going through her prayer beads. I got the idea that the lady visitors were scared to be there, inside the Christians’ home. They did not offer names, as that is considered a more personal gesture of friendship. Instead, they told me who else they knew in the neighborhood, to establish their own credibility, and that they belong to a Pakistani Muslim family 2 doors down.

All three ladies seemed to lighten up a bit when I brought in refreshments. Honoring them through hospitality demonstrated respect for them, and a desire to be on good terms. After some light-hearted humor got them to smile, the ladies finally came out with the reason for their
visit. "Why are you not a Muslim? Would you like to become a Muslim? We have brought you a gift," the leader of the trio blurted out and handed me an Arabic-English copy of the Quran. Is that what they’re so frightened about? I thought they’re nervous about trying to convert us to Islam! These women are here to share their faith and are expecting the worst. I need to make them comfortable. I have to make sure they leave here knowing we are friends and that I want them to talk about their
faith to me. The missionary’s goal for the evening was set.

"A Quran! How kind of you to bring me this. I am so happy to meet women who like to talk about the things of God. That’s one of my favorite subjects!" she glowed with welcome. The trio was visibly relieved. One who had sat tensely on the edge of her seat now leaned back on the
sofa and smiled. "You like the Quran?" the leader asked, surprised.

"Well, I have only read parts of it, and I do have some questions. But my Muslim friends and I talk for hours about the Quran and the Bible."

“What are your questions?” the leader inquired, straightening up. She had had some Islamic training, unlike the others, and could read the Arabic text. (This was important since the Quran isn’t considered the
“real” word of God in any other language.)

I retrieved a Quran from the office, opened to some specific verses and showed them to the neighbor, who read them out loud. "Now, doesn’t this verse 4:136 say that Muslims should believe ‘in the Quran, Muhammad, and in the Book that came before’?" They all nodded agreement. "Well, isn’t my Book, the Bible, ‘the Book that came before’?" All nodded again. "Then why do Muslims not believe my Book?" Everyone smiled and
started talking at once. There was a very simple explanation for this! The leader motioned to the other ladies to be silent, and she very matter-of-factly answered, "Because we believe in the original Bible that
God gave to man, but the Bible you have today has been changed." Her pleased expression seemed to say, "case closed."

“But,” I said “if the Bible was changed before Muhammad’s time, then why did he say to believe it? He would have warned you not to believe it, right?” “Right, it must have been changed after.” Only the leader had offered an explanation that time--and quickly, but with somewhat less
conviction than her first response. “Well, that’s what I would have thought, too,” I agreed. “To make sense, the Bible would have had to be changed after. The only problem is we have Bibles older than the Quran and they are the same as the one I read today. Have you ever been to one of those museums—I went to one in Jordan—where they have some of the Dead Sea Scrolls on display? But, back to the Quran--I don’t know what to do about these other verses either,” I pointed to 6:114 & 155, which the head of the trio also read alooud. These verses state that
God sent down His word from Heaven and that “none can change His words." To make the point clear, I asked with a puzzled tone, "If the Quran tells Muslims that the Bible is God’s word, and that God’s word can’t be changed, and that they should believe it, then why do so many Muslims
believe exactly the opposite? Where does this opposite teaching come from and why would a Muslim accept it? I guess that is basically my question."

The leader of the group, who had been sitting directly in front of the air conditioner the whole time, was now perspiring so heavily that her black covering was darkening. Furtive glances were exchanged between
the three women, "It does say that. Why do we believe that the Bible is changed?" Contradicting the Quran is, of course, not a light thing for them. Noticing that her guests were really starting to think, yet not wanting them to be culturally "shamed," I encouraged them, "Don’t worry
if you don’t know the answer to my question. I’ve been asking lots of Muslim friends this for years and no one seems to know the answer. I should really just make an appointment to talk to a mutawwa (relgious teacher) about questions like these!" It was important that they save face and, after all, they already had plenty to think about. The visit ended on much lighter subjects, and as the women left they gave an open invitation, "Please come to our house and visit us anytime. Bring your Book and we’ll talk some more."

Praise God for this open door! Pray for wisdom as I share with these ladies often.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

Below is a letter that was shared with some friends about why I believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a message of Peace:

Dear Brother _____,

Yes, I am quite familiar with the fact that Islam is by nature a religion
that is hostile to God & no-one can ever please God by the methods which it
espouses. It has much form of godliness, but no real power. I also am 100%
aware that Islam teaches, in essence, that the best way to win in this world
& the next is to be violent. I believe Islam is false when compared to
Christ & the cross.

However, my point was to clarify that I (& others?) preach & practice
"Christ & Him crucified." We will not see Muslims come to Christ just
because we return tit-for-tat with swords or bombs or laws. Nor because we
do nice & courteous things to Muslims. Rather, because we preach the Risen
Lord & are willing to follow Him to the cross.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. If all muslims were miraculously
redeemed & then secure in Christ, would they then continue to wage war
against non-Muslims simply because _they_ were from a Muslim background? I
sure hope not. In otherwords, the dragon may deceive & satan may use lies,
but he will ultimately lie dead at the foot of the cross.

Our security is not in national boundaries either. The Lord is our Defense.
The name of the Lord defines who we are as a people. (I am under the
distinct impression that there are members of this forum & the Body of
Christ from political states other than the USA, correct?)

I am not advocating that all people from the West evacuate the Middle East.
Quite the opposite. We need to send more there who will go in the Lord's
name. Nor do I advocate/endorse the opintion that the USA stop supporting
Israel/mediating in the regional conflict. That seems both unwise & useless
to me. Though, the USA is a straw reed compared to the Man who suffered
outside the gates of Jerusalem.

Pray for me to be a better communicator & listener, my friend.

Peace in the name of Jesus,
Mert Hershberger
PTAP@srginc.org
S.E. Michigan

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Real nice expression of a wonderful Christian faith / walk!
N.