February 16, 2009

DAY 30

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13

God is Love

Any act of God is done in love. It must be as Scripture tells us – that “God is love” (1 John 4:16). God not only performs loving acts, but who He is is love. His entire being is love and is loving. This is our creator and the one whose image we reflect. And when we reflect something other than love, we are a broken and poor image of Him. 
We must find a way to remain connected to the loving heart of the Father. I believe the only way we will be able to live out the greatest commands – “Love God and love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:36-40) – is to continually experience this powerful love of God. And the only way I know how to do this is to believe, no matter what I may be feeling at the moment, that He is true to His revealed word and that everything He does is love.
I know that in our culture we throw around the word love very easily: “I love chocolate,” “I love the beach,” “I love you,” “I love God.” So, we must return to the essence of what true love is. I encourage all of us to meditate (even memorize) on 1 Cor. 13. Use this as the true definition of love and know that this is how God loves us. The way that love is defined in this passage is true about God’s posture and action towards us. Meditating upon this revealed truth gives me the hope to go beyond myself in order to love God and others, even those who curse me (Luke 6:27-28).
Read the Scripture two to three times and allow it to sink in. Prayerfully discern which aspect of God’s love is most challenging for you to receive (patience, even temperament, etc.) and chew (meditate) upon that all day today believing that this is God’s posture towards you no matter what emotion or disposition you may be currently experiencing. God loves you! And He wants you to live out this love.

PRAYER FOCUS: YNCC Community

Pray that, as a community of faith, we will continue to live out God’s love in a very tangible way wherever we are because God first loved us. Pray that through the love of God, we will continue to be missional in our lifestyle wherever we are.

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February 15, 2009

DAY 29

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Psalm 66

How Awesome Is God’s Work!

Vs 5-7
What are some of awesome works of God you have noticed and seen this past month, both in your life and in the lives of others? What have you heard?

Vs 8-12
What are some of challenges & hardships you might have gone through (trial, testing, net, crushing burden, fire and water, etc.)? Have you experienced God’s deliverance to a place of abundance yet? If not, is this your hope in Him?

Vs 13-19
What would you be your response? To God and to others?

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of his name;
Give to him glorious praise!
Say to God,
“How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
And sings praises to you;
They sing praises to your name.”

PRAYER FOCUS: International Students

Today in the United States, there are over 700,000 international students attending our colleges and universities, of which 60% come from nations with restricted access to the Gospel. They are the future leaders of their countries, and it’s safe to say, right now one fourth to one half of the future leaders of the world are on American campuses. Pray that they will enjoy new friendships and that they will encounter the message of the Gospel clearly declared and lovingly demonstrated. Pray for an opportunity to reach out to international students and other visitors (workers and business people) around you.

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February 14, 2009

DAY 28

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Haggai 2:10-23

A Call to Holiness

In this passage, God instructed Haggai to ask the priests questions about transmitting holiness and defilement, as ceremonial uncleanness was passed on much more readily than holiness. The Lord’s point: Even though the people were back in the Holy Land, it did not automatically make them pure. They needed to obey God, and follow Him wholeheartedly with their being and doing.
It is easy for the church today to bring our sacrifices, be it our verbal worship, our material contribution, or our time and abilities in services, and yet be walking in disobedience. We oftentimes walk in disobedience due to a heart that is disengaged from God or a pattern of life contrary to His desires. Externally we might display an action of obedience, but in a deep inner being, we might be too far away from the Father’s heart. God desires our heart to be set aside for Him. He wants our lives to be set apart for Him. That’s what holiness is about – being set apart for God. Not through the motions, but through our heart and being.  Furthermore, what God wants is a person who is broken enough to be at His feet, constantly engaging with God in a humble spirit. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”(Isa 66:2) Only then, we will be able to walk toward the life of holiness.
Why are you doing what you are doing today? Why are you doing what you are doing the way you are doing it? Is this out of your holy devotion, complete, undivided devotion for the Lord? Give a careful thought to this from this day on.

PRAYER FOCUS: Women Migrant Day Laborers

Roughly 35% of an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. are adult women, according to a 2006 analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center, and about 17% of the cleaning industry is made up of undocumented immigrants. Pray that they will be protected from unjust treatment and honored in their workplace, as well as find a way to establish a home.

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February 13, 2009

DAY 27

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

A Call to His Presence

About a month into the work of rebuilding the temple, the Israelites began to see the frame of the temple, which seemed to be nothing compared to the previous temple Solomon had built. Obviously, disappointment and discouragement ensued. But the Lord appeared and assured His people once again. “Be strong for I am with you. Do not fear, for I am about to bring a greater glory in this present house than the former one.”
Often we gain encouragement when we see God’s work amongst us. When we see God at work, our spirits become lifted. When we see people coming to know the Lord, when we witness changed lives, when we encounter forgiveness and reconciliation in relationships, we get encouraged. But here, God’s encouragement comes in the promise of His presence—“I am with you.”— despite of what we see or do not see with our eyes. So be strong and continue to work. Do not fear for what might come or not come about, for I am with you. The promise of my indwelling presence with you now is the promise for the future glory that you’ve never seen before. My Spirit remains among you. So do not fear. Be strong, continue to walk. It is an invitation to walk by faith, not by sight.
How often we search for visible signs of God’s presence through His works… How often we equate God’s presence with tangible results among people. How we fail to acknowledge His presence, for which promises the glory of His house.

Lord, help us to walk by faith, not by sight. Help us to sustain consciousness of Your abiding presence with us throughout our days and weeks, whether we see any result or not. May Your presence be the strength of our lives!

PRAYER FOCUS: Kyrgyzstan

Praise God for the growth of the Kyrgyz Church from 20 believers in 1990 to 4,000 in 2000. Pray that there will be continued religious freedom in this nation and that this unprecedented opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ would continue to reap a harvest. Pray that the barriers to faith – history, cultural Islam, and spiritism – would be broken down. Pray also regarding the poor economic situation that affects and depresses all levels of Kyrgyz society. In 2008, the country began to ration electricity to 14 hours a day for all. Pray for the five Young Nak families who live and minister in this country.

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February 12, 2009

DAY 26

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Haggai 1:12-15

A Call to Surrender

This short passage describes how the people of Israel responded to God’s call to rebuild the house of the Lord – by immediate obedience. I am encouraged by the fact that the leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua) and the remnant of the people obeyed what they had heard from God and began to fear Him by worshiping in reverence (v. 12). However, what encourages me more is that it was not initiated by Israelites, but by the work of the Spirit. God’s presence, the Spirit of God, was the one who stirred the spirits of leaders and people to obey!
Often in doing God’s work, it’s so easy for us to think that it’s “my” obedience that brought the fruit and impact for the Kingdom. Even in the act of submitting and obeying, human nature has us pointing to “I,” “me,” “my,” and “myself”; that “I” am the one who did it. “I” am the one who obeys, sacrifices, works hard, builds, and on and on. Yes, it is true. “I” am a part of it. However, when you look at things carefully, soon you will realize that it is God, the Spirit of God, who gives us the motivation and the power to do God’s will. We can’t do it without the Holy Spirit.
Paul talks about this in Romans 7-8. His nature or disposition had formed anew as a Christian and he wanted to do what was right, but he couldn’t. Paul uses the word “I” 24 times in Romans 7:15-25 as he discusses his failure, but in chapter 8 he uses the word “Spirit” 13 times as he discusses victorious living. Our natural tendency is to try to do it on our own, but we can’t. Victory only comes when we depend on the Spirit to do it.
How has the Kingdom Impact been for you? Yes, we do need to play a part. However, it’s all about God, His Spirit, His Glory, and His Kingdom. And we are the ones who are invited to join Him in this glorious journey and venture!

Lord, thank you for inviting us to join You. Thank you for enabling us to respond to You and experience Your Spirit at work through us. Thank you for being with us – being present with us – as we act in surrender to Your Spirit.

PRAYER FOCUS: Missionary Kids (MKs)

Pray for the MKs who followed their parents to the mission field, that they may grow in love for God, passionate for God’s heart, and for His people. Pray also for those who are ministering to MKs, for wisdom and grace as they meet the specific needs of MKs. Young Nak currently has six missionary units working for the MK ministry around the world.

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February 11, 2009

DAY 25

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-11

A Call to Consider Your Ways

When the Jews returned to Israel from Babylon in 538 BC, they began immediately to rebuild God’s temple (Ezra 3). But soon, they were discouraged by opposition and concluded in their mind, “the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” To this group of people, God sent the prophet Haggai, challenging, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (v. 4)
It is true that the Israelites were battling for survival: politically weak, threatened by neighbors, facing droughts and failing harvest. Thus, the temptation of neglecting God’s house was pressing upon them. “It’s not time yet” seemed to be a reasonable remark. That’s the story we hear over and over again: “Let me survive first. Let me finish my schooling first. It’s not time yet, I need to get my career settled first. And then, I shall work on rebuilding the house of the Lord. Then, I shall see what I can do in extending God’s Kingdom. It’s not time yet.”
To this mindset, God speaks: Consider your ways. Give a careful thought. See what is the result of this mindset (v. 6). We may not worry about a famine of food, like the people of Israel here, but we might struggle with a lack of job, a directionless or meaningless life, or a spiritual drought. And often this can become an opportunity to listen to God’s challenges to the ways of our life; to re-examine our priorities – what concerns us, what occupies our thoughts and time.
What are you concerned about these days? Where do you spend most of your time? What are the most important issues in our fellowship of believers? Does this concern enhance God’s pleasure and give Him glory?

Lord Jesus, help us to consider our ways, to see if we have the priorities upside down, if we are busy building a paneled house for ourselves, while Your house, Your glory and honor are left unattended.

PRAYER FOCUS: Vietnam

Praise God that the repression of Communist rule has not served to stamp out Christianity in Vietnam, but rather strengthened the Church and spread a large-scale and sustained turning to God. However, repression of all types of freedom continues. Persecution of Christians and denial of access for Christian agencies have recently grown worse. Pray also for the northern minorities of Vietnam who have no known believers.

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February 10, 2009

DAY 24

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

The Father’s Heart

The father’s heart is terribly broken by the younger son and he endures great shame in the village when this son says, “I wish you were dead, so I can get my hands on my portion of the inheritance!” When this son renders to cash in all the land, buildings, and livestock, the villagers and relatives must have been enraged as, overnight, they lose their source of livelihood and income. It is such a contrast to the kinsman-redeemer story of Boaz (Ruth 4:1-12).
After squandering everything, the younger son returns to the father. If the villagers/relatives get to this son first, he is sure to be stoned by everyone (Deut. 21:18-21). The compassionate father, however, wants to go and save him before the villagers kill him. To run fast, he must lift his long multiple-layered robe, exposing his legs to his own unthinkable shame and to everyone’s great chagrin and dismay (like the story of David and Michal in 2 Sam. 6:12-21). The father embraces the dirty and unclean son, kissing him again and again. He puts his best robe on him and sandals on his feet, restoring his dignity and sonship. He then throws a great feast of celebration.
The father’s heart is broken even more by the older son, who remains silent when his younger brother wishes their father dead. When the father divides his inheritance to his sons, this older son does not protest and try to defend the father’s honor. There’s no righteous indignation, but rather a silent opportunistic acceptance of his double portion as the eldest son. This son didn’t leave the father’s land physically, but he was surely long gone from the father’s heart emotionally and in every imaginable way possible. This son never does return to the father, even when the father stops in the middle of a celebration and goes outside to try to reach out to him. This son, who is now a village elder (a presbyteros, v. 25), has the responsibility to maintain the custom and values of the village life. Rather than yielding to the compassionate heart of the father, the older son (Pharisees and scribes, v. 2) chooses to uphold the tradition by crucifying “the compassionate father” on the cross a few days later.

Father, how costly it is to have the Father’s heart. Yet, I desperately want to be more like you and cultivate this heart of compassion for both the younger sons and older sons of this world.

PRAYER FOCUS: Prisoners and Their Families

Pray that prisoners will hear the Gospel and follow Jesus; for fellowships of believers to multiply in prisons. Pray for their families to be protected and provided for and honored rightly. Also pray that released prisoners will find strength and wisdom to live restored, abundant lives.

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February 9, 2009

DAY 23

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8

A Prayer of Response

Lord, you want me to “act justly and to love mercy.” You want me to consider others no matter who they are or what they do. You want me to pursue justice and mercy wherever you put me.
Yet, there is no way that I can do this all the time on my own strength! That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Not on my own strength, but to draw from Your Justice, Love, and Power, and get that habit going.
To walk humbly with your God – that’s the key, oh Lord. Without walking humbly there is no way of being in your presence.
How many times have you said that you hate a proud heart? I see that a proud heart can’t possibly acknowledge you or accept you as God of my life. A proud heart can’t allow me to release control of my self-centeredness. Only by giving you authority while I’m in the posture of humility can that happen!
Thank you, Lord, for these lessons.
Thank you for the repetitive reminders in Scripture that allow us to come to grips with each truth.

PRAYER FOCUS: Uzbekistan

Although the fall of the Soviet Union has meant an independent Uzbekistan in Central Asia, independence has not brought freedom for Uzbekistan. People are disillusioned while the government is resistant to change and reform. Furthermore, different ideologies (radical Islamism, occultism, and sects) are seeking to enslave the Uzbeks. Pray that this nation might find freedom in serving the true Lord, their Creator. Pray also for the Uzbek Christian leaders, after the majority of foreign Christian workers were expelled from the country in the last few years, that they will be able to lead the church in God-honoring ways, and find a method of equipping and training the Uzbeks.

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February 8, 2009

DAY 22

Posted by KI Contributor

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

A Praying Community that Includes You

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16b)

Often I wonder if my prayer is working, if it has power to change, and whether God will answer my prayer or not. Although I know the truth is that God answers our prayers, I often feel – in fact, I am deceived – that God only answers the prayer of the righteous and holy but not mine, a prayer of an ordinary person.
The story in the above passage reveals a great truth about prayer: “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for Him.” (v. 5) As the community of faith – the church – gathers together and prays, God answers. Prayer is effective. Consider Peter’s experience in prison: Double chains, soldiers, iron gates – all gave way to the power of prayer. The power of the Roman Empire was nothing compared to the community in prayer.
And in this community of prayer, we find Rhoda, a little servant girl. While being perhaps the least among all gathered, Rhoda delightfully became the first one to welcome the answer to their prayer.
The truth is that Rhoda, a little servant girl, was a righteous one. And her righteousness came through the blood of Jesus. She was made righteous not according to her merits and deeds, but according to what Jesus has done, and her faith in Him. And her prayers had great power and effectiveness because of Jesus.
Have you ever felt like I have – little and small and not sure of the power of your prayer? Know that you are righteous, your prayers have great power, and you’re part of the praying community of YNCC. Aren’t you?

PRAYER FOCUS: AIDS

AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981. In 2005, 10 people were newly infected with HIV worldwide every minute. There are 40.3 million living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, one-third of which are between the ages of 15-24; 43% of those infected with HIV are women; Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans. Pray that God will intervene against this epidemic. Pray that God will inspire new teachers of the Bible to confront the causes of AIDS to bring about personal and social transformation. Also, pray that churches will send out laborers of compassion and love to AIDS orphans and children infected with HIV.

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