World Prayer: Algeria

 World Prayer: Algeria by ric gustafson

The Republic of Algeria is 2,381,741 sq km. The country is on the Mediterranean coast. It is in the Atlas Mountains. 80% of the country is desert. The capital of Algeria is Algiers. About 70 percent of the people are Maghreb Arabs. The economy of the country is mostly based on oil and gas reserves. The country was a French colony for 132 years. Independence came in 1962. Only Catholics and the Protestant Church of Algeria is recognized.

The Algerian Church is growing. Prayer for the country because Algeria has suffered deeply in the past. Prayer because there has been much bloodshed and human rights abuses are widespread. Prayer because Christian persecution is intensifying. Prayer because there is many unreached people in the country. 

The country of Algeria needs world prayer.

research help: ' Operation World' by Jason Mandryk

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

MJ page 1

 MJ page 1 by ric gustafson

To people who knew Michael Jackson, he was a ticket to ride. People leaned on him from an early age. He was a ticket for his family and everyone else.

Michael Jackson had been performing since he was old enough to stand. He became a market commodity. He stayed that way. He was a dominating presence in the 1980's and 1990's. His appeal was world wide.

MJ turned a 2,700 acre ranch into a children's playground. He was a pop star without equal. The public loved his talent. They were fascinated by his life. It was like a modern day soap opera. After MJ died, His life was compared to Princess Diana, O J Simpson and Elizabeth Taylor.

MJ's life was entertaining people. His life was performing in front of people. Starting with the Jackson 5, MJ had to be entertaining. He had to. He could not stop.

research help: ' The Destruction and Creation of Michael Jackson' by Ellis Cashmore

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

World Prayer: Albania

World Prayer: Albania by ric gustafson

The Republic of Albania is 28,748. Albania is a mountainous Balkan state on the Adriatic Sea. The capital of Albania is Tirana. The country is one of Europe's poorest countries. The Communist regime crumbled here in 1991 after the death of dictator Enver Hoxha. 

God has been working in this country. The Albanian Church is maturing. Evangelicals is now several thousand. We need to pray because Albania has a long road ahead to recover from atheistic Communism. The religious climate is hazy. Islam is the largest religion in Albania. 

We need to pray for leadership training. We need to pray for church planting. We need to pray for a Holistic mission. The country of Albania needs world prayer.

research help: ' Operation World' by Jason Mandryk

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

words of Jesus: Sent in Peace

 words of Jesus: Sent in Peace by ric gustafson

After his crucifixion and burial, Jesus reappeared to his disciples. He encouraged them. He commissioned them. He gave them authority to preach and forgive sins. John 20 says As the Father has sent me I also send you.

Jesus did it for the disciples. Jesus does it for us. Jesus comes in peace. He sends us out in peace. Jesus gives us resurrection power. Jesus gives us the peace of his presence. We follow Jesus. We need to be filled and led by Jesus

I pray that Jesus will send us out in peace.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

World Prayer: Afghanistan

 World Prayer: Afghanistan by ric gustafson

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is 652,225 sq km. The country is dry, mountainous but has fertile valleys. Rival foreign empires have fought over this land for nearly 3 thousand years. The capital is Kabul. 

Prayer is needed for the present political situation. Poverty and living standards. Recovery and rebuilding. That more people in the country can be reached. Pray for the church in Afghanistan. Pray for Afghan believers. 

research help: ' Operation World' by Jason Mandryk

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

words of Jesus: Trustworthy

 words of Jesus: Trustworthy by ric gustafson

In Luke 16, Jesus talks about money. The bible verse today talks about other areas of life. To give to others takes integrity, self discipline  and honor. It takes honesty and reliability. Those who can be trusted with a little can be trusted with a lot.

Joseph from the Old Testament was sold into slavery. But he was trustworthy. He was reliable and honest. He became a trusted advisor to the King. He started with nothing. He became one of the most powerful men in Egypt. Why because he was trustworthy?.

To Jesus, I pray we will be trustworthy also.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

words of Jesus: Every Little Thing

 words of Jesus: Every Little Thing by ric gustafson

Jesus knows our names and ages. Jesus knows every detail about us. Jesus cares about our entire life. Every aspect of it. According to Matthew 10, Jesus even knows the number of hairs on our head. There are no limits to Jesus's understanding of us. 

If Jesus knows everything about us, why do we have to worry about our lives?. We need to put our trust in Jesus. We need to give Jesus our anxieties. Jesus will sustain us. Jesus will provide for us. Jesus will give us every little thing. 

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric