The Arabian Peninsula Partnership
The Gospel for every person and a church for every people in the Arabian Peninsula amongst indigenous peoples
17 February 2016
OUR TRUE HOME AND FAMILY
LONGING FOR ASSURANCE
• For both Muslims and Christians, there is a great desire for the afterlife. This world and all that it offers still leaves us empty. We long for heaven. It is the work of Jesus on the cross that assures Christians their sins are forgiven and they have an eternal home in heaven when they die. Christians have confidence in the finished work of Jesus. Muslims do not have Jesus' righteousness; all they have is the hope that Allah will allow them into paradise. They have no assurance. Even if they follow the Quran and the Sharia Law perfectly, there is no assurance of a place in heaven. Pray that all that Jesus has done will be understood in the AP. Pray that the name of Jesus would grow in honor. Pray that people in this region would so long for the assurance of heaven that they would seek until they find the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus Christ.
• This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood, to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:22-26).
EXCLUDED FROM THE FAMILY
A brother is excluded from most family gatherings due to his faith in Christ. However, last week his brothers and sisters responded to his invitation to come and celebrate at a dinner in his house in honor of his firstborn son. The evening went well until our brother asked a question that the family interpreted as him sharing his Christian views. He explains, "It was as if there was a fire-drill and everyone was out of the house within minutes." In the process of exiting the house they threw out comments that were dishonorable. Now they refuse to call and the exclusion from the family is even more severe. Pray that God will bring restoration within his family and that they will come to faith in the God who loves them.
ANSWER TO PRAYER
Praise to our Father for the time that Lydia and K had in the mountains last weekend. They spent time just enjoying the beauty of His creation as well as reading His Word. Lydia read about half of Luke and several of the Psalms. Lydia also had a dream that was clearly given by Him in prepping her heart for a future decision. Lydia has a goal to finish reading Luke over the next three weeks. Please ask that she will be drawn deep and hunger even more for the taste of the Word. Ask that she will ask for the drink of Water that gives Life. Please also ask for more dreams and a undeniable vision of the Way. Ask that the mystery of the Gospel be revealed. As you remember Lydia, please also remember and ask that the entire household will be ready to receive as they hear as well.