12/13/20 Scripture Reading/Missions Focus

Scripture Reading

Micah 4:6–5:4 CSB

6 On that day— this is the Lord’s declaration— I will assemble the lame and gather the scattered, those I have injured. 7 I will make the lame into a remnant, those far removed into a strong nation. Then the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time on and forever. 8 And you, watchtower for the flock, fortified hill of Daughter Zion, the former rule will come to you; sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem. 9 Now, why are you shouting loudly? Is there no king with you? Has your counselor perished so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor? 10 Writhe and cry out, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the grasp of your enemies! 11 Many nations have now assembled against you; they say, “Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion.” 12 But they do not know the Lord’s intentions or understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. 13 Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will make your horns iron and your hooves bronze so you can crush many peoples. Then you will set apart their plunder for the Lord, their wealth for the Lord of the whole earth. 1 Now, daughter who is under attack, you slash yourself in grief; a siege is set against us! They are striking the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod. 2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times. 3 Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of the ruler’s brothers will return to the people of Israel. 4 He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for then his greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.

Missions Focus

Country: Venezuela (Latin America surrounded by Colombia and Brazil)

Population: Approx 28.4 million

Largest Religion: Christianity (Catholic) 83%

Evangelical: 12.16%

Challenges:

Venezuela is unstable and divided, and ranks as the 2nd most corrupt nation in Latin America (after Haiti)

High crime rates and poverty is still widespread, relative living standards are dropping, and the country is increasingly used as a transshipment point for trafficking mainly drugs but also people

Ministry to 30 Amerindian tribal peoples by evangelicals has met opposition from the government and other groups

The evangelical breakthrough started in the 1980’s and has been stable since then with some Protestant churches growing steadily

Pray for leadership training and perseverance of biblical doctrine in the midst of false teachings and syncretism with witch craft and pagan practices