1 Thessalonians
March 23, 2007 on 1:08 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
How do the Shan Dai believe in Jesus? Basically, the same way the Thessalonians believed, or the North Carolinians, or the Nigerians, or the Brazilians… The gospel comes in word. Someone needs to communicate the good news in their language so that they can hear, trust and obey. Spoken word is used as well as convicting power. In many cases among the Dai, God displays His loving power in miracles. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who places us in Christ. It is when we live a life, by making choices out of deep godly convictions, believing God is who He says He is, that we are not swayed by every situation or emotion, but can live steadfastly and with joy. God, we thank You that the Shan Dai have access to You and to life in Your Kingdom here and now. May their work of conforming to Your character and sharing Your good news always be done in faith with love prompting each action. Sooner or later, Christians seeking to live for God’s glory ponder the question: What is God’s will for my life? No matter the continent or the generation, those who trust Jesus as their King, want to know how to live with God’s purposes in mind. God tells us His will through Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. “Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). Lord, joyfully, prayerfully, thankfully may we press on to completion in You.
Colossians
March 23, 2007 on 1:08 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
There are several dozen minority groups in China. These tribes each have a distinct language, customs and culture; their own unique way of living life. One of the fastest ways for an outsider to distinguish one people group from another is to look at their clothing. Dai ladies are particularly easy to spot. They clothe themselves with a wrap-around style skirt often of brightly colored fabric and a solid color blouse. Dai women cover their hair in a neatly folded towel and are seldom seen without the Dai-style bag (Dai men carry these too). When you know what to look for, not all “Chinese” look alike. God calls those who trust in His Son a chosen people, holy and distinct. God’s “people group” is made up of those from every tribe and nation so how can you tell whose in the group? Easy, by the clothes that they wear. Let’s pray today for Christians around the world to dress in a way that is set apart, so that others can also be drawn into God’s goodness. “…clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14). Christians have a unique calling to live a life of sacrificial love. Father, thank You for teaching us how to get dressed.
Phillippians
March 23, 2007 on 1:08 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). What an encouragement! Who was on Paul’s mind when he sent this Hallmark greeting card? According to Acts 16, a lady named Lydia, who retailed in fine cloth, was one of many that became the Church of Christ Jesus in Philippi. A river-side prayer meeting that turned into a baptism service began the house church that met at Lydia’s. What a blessing Lydia was to Paul and his companions in the gospel work. We praise God for such a “Lydia” among the Dai. This Lydia, born and raised in Myanmar, was brought up in a God-fearing family. As an adult she moved to where the Dai live in China. She is a wonderful witness of God’s compassion to her husband (despite his times of unfaithfulness) and their young son. This evangelist-seamstress has a zeal for her Lord as she consistently lives out her faith. Whether she is visiting the sick, sharing with the elderly village ladies, working in her small tailor shop, praying with tears over tragic situations, or singing original Dai praise music, she lives without selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility considers others better than herself. Today we pray rejoicing in His faithful Dai servants that live joyfully and purposely among the Shan Dai.
Ephesians
March 23, 2007 on 1:07 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Before the sun climbs over the mountains of the Shan State in Burma, young and old soldiers alike are engaged in military training. Training is approached with all seriousness, and the Shan State Army strongly desires quality military equipment. God places even greater intensity on what we need to fight the spiritual battle that rages on; a battle that knows no political boundaries, against an enemy that is hungry for captives. Whether we enlist or are drafted, once in the Lord’s Army it is God that gives us the battle plan. We pray for the Shan and for ourselves to wake up early to listen and heed our Commanding Officer’s orders. God makes it clear who to fight against: “…the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Let’s not get tricked into “friendly fire”. We are issued an elite
uniform and top of the line weapons. Let’s use them…daily. God help us to buckle Your truth like a belt around us, protect our hearts with the breastplate of Your righteousness, and may our feet be disciplined to march forward in Your good news peace. Our enemy is skillful with his weapons so we ask for faith in You to be our shield, and may the joy of Your salvation protect our minds like a helmet. The sword of the Lord is the weapon You designed, may we know Your Word like a solider knows his rifle, like our very lives depend upon it.
Galatians
March 23, 2007 on 1:07 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No CommentsFrom as far back in history as life in the Garden of Eden, choice has been a part of God’s plan. Daily we make choices, and these choices form our habits, and our character largely develops from our habits. In order for godly choices to be made and for growth in Christ-likeness to occur, people need access to God’s truth. Desiring to help the church in Galatia to make wise choices, Paul wrote a brief letter that continues to provide godly insights. Paul saw what was happening; instead of growing in the new life freedom that Jesus made possible by His death for mankind’s sin, the Christian Jews fell back on old habits as they chose the desires of their sinful nature. You reap what you sow; you get what you select and the Shan Dai, as well as all of us living today, have a choice to make. The ultimate question is, “Who is in control of your life?” How can you know? Check out your fruit. The fruit produced by actively following our sinful nature will include: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, and the sin list goes on. “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23). God, we choose You. May Your Holy Spirit be in control as nothing can be more satisfying to us, or pleasing to You, than to live fully in Your good fruit.
2 Corinthians
March 23, 2007 on 1:07 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). Many days of hard physical labor, year after year, can wear a person out. Aging is natural in this world’s system and the Shan Dai that work long in the sun tend to look and feel even older than their years. The aged have experienced the agony of those that they love having died before them. In Dai culture, death is frightening and the dead must rely on the hope that the living will pay off the spirits on their behalf, so they will not roam about like hungry, homeless ghosts. Lord, we pray especially for the elderly Shan Dai today. God, may they hear of You and how You have made preparations for their good through Your Son, Jesus. Father, they know what it means to grow weary. What they need to know is the freshness available when sins are forgiven. You lovingly prepare a home for us in heaven with a new heavenly body; a body perfectly designed by You. Holy Spirit, fill the Dai so the fear of death is cast aside like a discarded rag. May their eager expectations, and joyful anticipation of full life with, You be experienced deeper with each passing day.
1 Corinthians
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Love. What is it? What is it not? The Shan Dai, like the church in Corinth could use some guidance where love is concerned. Paul gives definition to the concept in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever…” Replace “love” with “God” and reread the passage. God is patient, God is kind… God is love. How are you doing as one being conformed into God’s image? Reading your name in place of “love” will give you a healthy evaluation. The Dai word for love is “hak” and the first original Dehong Dai worship song is about love. The lyrics roughly translated into English are sung: “Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you. Jesus in me loving you; and the joy that you see is because of God’s love.” God, Your love changes lives. Thank You for loving us to the extent that You sent Your Son, the One You love beyond measure, so that we may know You and Your love. God, fill us with Your love so love overflows from us when we encounter others. May the message of the Dai worship song of Your love be lived out daily, with Your definitions, within Shan Dai communities.
Romans
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
The funerals of non-believing Shan Dai people are sad. There is no hope of ever seeing the deceased person in eternity so the grieving by loved ones is inconsolable. Add to that a real fear that the spirit of the dead may remain within the household and neighborhood, roaming about in the evenings seeking eerie satisfaction. For three days or so the corpse is displayed in the family’s small living room for viewing, covered by an elaborately embroidered cloth. Dai women from nearby villages take their turns with preparing meals for the many who will gather. The monk gives his final chants. The wailing family members, with immediate family wearing a white cloth around their head, kneel and bow low forming a human bridge for the casket to travel over through the courtyard and into the road. As the corpse is carried over them, each hopes that the spirit will leave as well for permanent burial with the body. Lord, how the Shan Dai people need to know You and the hope of life that is found in You. Jesus, You are the bridge; the only way to God the Father and to life that will never die. Father, we pray their mourning would turn into joy as they trust in You. “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was” (Romans 6:4-5).
Acts
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Each spring the Shan Dai people celebrate the Thai New Year with a festival. Traditionally they wore new clothing for the holiday, washed the temple gods in elaborate ways and used flowers dipped in water to sprinkle the shoulders of one another as a blessing. Water is used to symbolically wash away the bad from the past year and give a clean start for the year to come. In recent years, gentle sprinkling has grown into a full blown water war lasting for over three days complete with super-soakers. Yet, still, Christian teachers can draw out the parallels from this Dai holiday to the fulfillment found in Christ. Lord, the Shan Dai recognize their need for cleansing and desire a new start to life. We know that true cleansing comes through You alone. We plead with You for godly brothers and sisters to share with the Dai Paul’s exhortation: “You are to take his message everywhere, telling the whole world what you have seen and heard. And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:15-16). This year may many hear and respond to Your message, for only when they call upon the name of the Lord will people really experience the freedom of a soul and life made clean. Father, when the Shan Dai confess their trust in You we pray for each to follow You with obedience in baptism. Identifying with their Lord, may they rise up to walk in the newness of life.
John
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Watermelon is a big cash crop for Shan Dai farmers. The ground is carefully cultivated, the small seeds are planted, watered, and in time the leafy vines grow in long rows filling large green fields. As the watermelon begin to form, it is important not to sever the vine while tending the field. The vine is like the umbilical cord, the life source, for the developing fruit. Shan farmers understand its importance; if the vine remains intact the watermelon will reach maturity and with much good fruit the pay-off on market day is great. But, if the vine is cut, the growth process is also cut and the immature melon dies, rotting in the field with nothing good to show for the investment. Farming wisdom is passed on from generation to generation among the Shan Dai people. It is a matter of well being or hardship. Jesus knows the importance of connecting the familiar with a Kingdom principle in order to teach truth in life-changing ways. Father, please send competent teachers to the Shan Dai. Open the ears of farmers. May they hear Jesus’ wisdom about the importance of being connected to Him, the True Vine. We pray they not only understand but with great joy see how their lives can grow and bear fruit abundantly, bringing glory to You. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). May this teaching grow like strong plants in a field.
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