cleansing (2)

Day 2 - August 31, 2017
Sacred Act 2: Wuqoof (standing at Arafat)
Today is the most important day of the Hajj. Why? Because Muslim scholars say this is the "day the religion of Islam was perfected." The Hajj only becomes valid when the day of Wuqoof is observed. For it is on this day Muslims believe their major and minor sins are forgiven.* If they miss this day, their pilgrimage is pointless. Today, they will invoke Allah for mercy and forgiveness as they stand or sit near Mount Arafat. Muslims believe that as they finish this day they are cleansed of sin,* which also brings freedom from shame. At sunset, a cannon sounds. Pilgrims leave Mount Arafat going to Muzdalifah, where they sleep or stay up all night under the stars.
Key Scriptures to Pray
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
He [Jesus Christ] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:42-43)
Going before the Father
◦Muslim pilgrims long for their major and minor sins to be removed from their lives. John the Baptist's words cry out that Jesus takes away the sins of the world. Pray that Muslims would not feel a cleansed heart, mind and soul until they realize the finished work that Jesus has accomplished on their behalf.
◦God appointed Jesus to be judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. Pray that the truth of the Lord Jesus' life, death and resurrection would penetrate the hearts of longing Muslims. Pray they will be drawn to the Giver of Life.
◦Pray that as many Muslims seek to stay up all night to pray, they would have dreams and visions of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:17). Ask God for an open heaven and for the people who are genuinely seeking an encounter with God to have one that leads them to the incredible truth found in Jesus.
What does the Bible say?
* The Bible talks about sins being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:7
Read more…

Washed by the Word

Brain Washing

Jesus said that we are made clean by the Word. "You are already clean because ofthe word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). Speaking of the church, He said that He would "make herholy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word" (Ephesians5:26-27). He prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth"(John 17:

The first way that Jesus begins to clean us out inside is by speaking His Word inHis present-tense, living voice.When you read the Scripture, when you meditate on the Scripture, and memorizethe Scripture, hear His voice speaking to you. It washes your brain clean.

Soaking in the Scripture lets its living power penetrate into the marrow of yourpersonality, changing every part of you. As the Word pours into you, the truthconfronts lies you didn't even know you believed. It takes lies head on andoverpowers them.

Do you remember the very first video games? There was one called PacMan. I can'tremember what the object of the game was, but I remember a big round head witha mouth overtook little dots and swallowed them up. That's all I remember.Chomp, chomp, chomp. Little dots disappearing into the giant head never to beseen again. That 's my picture of how the living Word works on the inside. Itovertakes and chomps down lies.

The same voice that created the universe in the beginning is speaking to you now.The same Spirit who hovered over the chaos in the beginning and called orderinto being is living in you now. "By the word of the Lord were the heavensmade, their starry host by the breath of his mouth" (Psalm 33:6). He stilldoes His work by His word.

Take the Word in and let it do its work. Expose yourself to all the Word of God youcan, and trust that He will make it effective in your life.

From Life Unhindered! by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Read more…