This week we are following up on Esther 7 which we focused on last week by looking at Ephesians 6:10-12 ... here's the short video taster explaining why:
Let's pray
Lord we thank you for the freedom we have to come into your presence today.
Please lead us deeper in our understanding of you, of the work you are doing in your world and of our place both in your world and your work.
We pray for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
"God is faithful, He is faithful to His own"
... Sovereign Grace lead us in reflecting on Psalm 114
Indonesia
Recently, after twelve years of hard work by the translation team, the new Moma language New Testament was published at the launch ceremony in Kulawi District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Since Java and Bali are highly crowded, the government organized the relocation of over 8 million people to Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, and West Papua where more space is available. Most of the people relocated were Muslim Javanese and Madurese.
The relocation has often swamped the population of indigenous people in these areas, leading to all sorts of tensions and problems.
However, many in the local population wanted to be there to witness this occasion as the New Testament was released in their own language.
What the Moma speakers said at the launch event summed up the impact that Moma Scripture portions have already had – and the impact the Moma New Testament will have:
‘People understand the Scriptures better; they understand grace. Some people who were involved in occultism have stopped because now they understand the Scriptures.’
‘People prefer to hear the Scriptures in Moma. They are more interested than when they hear them in Indonesian.’
- ‘We had a sermon in our church in Moma and all the songs were in Moma. People loved it!’
‘Our old people understand Moma better than Indonesian. Also, many people in our community have a low education level, so they understand Moma better.’
This is happening against a background where:
- More than 500,000 Christians from Maluku and central Sulawesi have suffered personal loss, bitter trauma, and loss of their ancestral homelands to Muslim groups.
- Although the violence has passed, these areas have shifted from the two religious populations living amidst one another to a separation that means there is much less interaction between Muslims and Christians – and therefore much less witness to Jesus for those who do not know him.
Let's pray for religious freedom at grass roots level throughout Indonesia
Let's pray that the Moma speakers of Central Sulawesi will learn to really love their New Testament as the Lord speaks through it to them in their life situation.
And let's pray that many of the Moslem people who have relocated into their area will also hear the Lord speaking to them through His Word and come to faith in Him through the witness of the local Moma speaking believers.
National Strikes
As things stand, the Ambulance strikes planned for Wales on Monday have been suspended following a fresh pay offer and the as been followed by most health unions in Wales also calling off their planned action for the same reason.
Let's give thanks to God for that.
Let's also pray for people who take care of our health who are finding it hard to make ends meet, for the trend for people to leave jobs in the health service leaving the service very under-staffed, and for those who did valuable work in society to know and to feel that they are valued for what they do ... whether they work inside the Health Service or elsewhere.
School strikes are currently still planned in Wales for 14th. February. Let's pray for this to be resolved so that children's care and education will not be disrupted.
Father we pray that the principle of fair day's work for a fair day's pay will be enshrined in our nation's set of core values.
We pray that those who work hard but still can't afford to live and care for themselves and their families will be given relief.
And we pray that the current financial situation of our country will be quickly resolved.
We ask all these things for Jesus' sake.
AMEN.
Celtic Worship helps us to renew our strength in the Lord
Click the open Bible to go to today's Bible passage
City Alight have a great 'standing' song for us to follow that passage with ...
The sermon audio and transcript are behind this button ...
Here's the video of the sermon
We conclude today with a hymn from John Bunyan himself ...
Let's pray
We thank you Lord and Heavenly Father that you provide for your people all that we need to enter into and pursue our calling.
Be with us in the course of the coming weak to make us alert to the cosmic context in which we live, to be alert and watchful and to find our resources and our strength in you to meet the challenges we will encounter along the way.
And give us joy as we walk with you in the plans you have prepared for us to serve you in your Kingdom here and then in Glory.
We ask for Jesus' sake.
AMEN.
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If we can be of any help and pray for you, please contact HoWChaplain@gmail.com
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