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Day 3
ABANDONED DEVOTION:
Creative Praise:
In response to the following Scripture, sing a song of praise to Jesus, draw Him a picture, or write Him a poem.
“Praise our God, the Great I AM. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” He is a God who sees the misery of His people and hears their cries. He comes down to rescue them to bring them into a spacious land.” (Exodus 3)
3-Stage Bible Study: Read the Q—Analyze the Verse—Write Your Response
There is a way to know Jesus intimately. The Scriptures below describe the passion of the Apostle Paul and David. How have you expressed this passion?[i]
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Philippians 3:10)
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, where is your God?” (Psalm 42:1-3).
Prayer Journal Questions: Listen to the Lord as you meditate on the following verses.
What are sins that God is showing you that need to be confessed in your life and in your generation?
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
What are ways you can pray for and pursue revival on your campus?
“Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalms 85:6)
GLOBAL PROCLAMATION:
Forgotten People Group: The Southern Baluch of Oman
The 405,400 Southern Baluch of Oman are part of a larger Baluch community of eight million. Their homeland lies in the southern areas of Baluchistan and Sind Provinces in southern Pakistan. They began migrating to the Arab lands 70 years ago when oil was discovered there. Their name, "Baluch," is shrouded in controversy. Some say it means "nomad," while others claim that it means "the cock's crest." Some have traced their origins to Nimrod, son of Cush (Noah's grandson). While some things are uncertain, we do know that they first moved to the region in the twelfth century. It was during the Mogul period that their territory became known as Baluchistan.
Despite the disrupted contact with their homeland, the Baluch in Oman have maintained their ethnic and linguistic distinctions. The various Baluch groups speak different languages, each with distinguishing traits. These languages have been classified as Eastern, Western, or Southern Baluchi.
What Are Their Belief?
Ibadhi Islam is the state religion of Oman, but religious minorities have freedom of worship. However, no outreach to the unreached indigenous population is officially permitted. Although the Baluch are a scattered people, they all follow Islam. Most are Sunni Muslims, but underneath their Islamic faith is a strong undercurrent of animism (belief that non-human objects have spirits). Prior to the coming of Islam, the Baluch were probably followers of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion. Because of the mixture of old religions with Islam, the Baluch tend to be less devout than the more orthodox Arabs.
What Are Their Needs?
Oman is ruled by a sultan, who is advised by an appointed cabinet. The country has no constitution, legislature, or political parties. The judicial system is based on the law of Islam. A chief court and court of appeals are located in the city of Masqat.
In Oman, both the urban educated and the rural illiterates have had little exposure to the Gospel. In addition, according to Islamic law, a Muslim who professes faith in Jesus Christ can be put to death. That fact may partially explain the small number (41) of Southern Baluch converts in Oman.
The New Testament and the Jesus film are available in the Baluchi language. In addition, two missions agencies are currently working among them. However, if these tools are to produce lasting fruit, intercession must first tear down the strongholds that have blinded the Southern Baluch for so long.
Prayer Points
- Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of Oman's leaders to the preaching of the Gospel.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agencies that are targeting the Southern Baluch.
- Pray for many opportunities to show the Jesus film to the Southern Baluch.
- Pray that Jesus will reveal Himself as Lord to the Southern Baluch.
- Pray that God will greatly multiply the efforts of the Southern Baluch believers as they share Christ with their friends and families.
- Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that have kept the Southern Baluch bound for many generations.
Promise from Scripture:
“And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and he will save us. This sis the Lord; we have waited on Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
Generational Barrier:
Great Boldness – Boldness is a requirement in the life of faith. This does not mean we necessarily feel bold in our weakness but that we respond to God as He leads us in varying circumstances and walk obediently. Many of those whom we look at who might seem so bold do not feel that way. They feel timid, weak and afraid. It is God in His empowering grace that makes us bold, not through trying to well up within ourselves the ability to be bold. May we ask God to fill this generation with an unconquerable boldness that is characterized with true wisdom. (Acts 4:29-31)
Prayer Journaling Response:
Take a few moments to record thoughts, prayers, and any insight. Also, it is often helpful to record how the Lord led in prayer – Scriptures, mental pictures, or a word or thought. Practice not only praying but also listening to the Lord. As we understand how the Lord is leading us, we can more quickly tune into the Lord’s voice when we have major decisions facing us or in times when the Lord feels far from us.
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