Day 266 of My 6th Bible Study Journey
Day 266, 23 September 2025
1) Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah's Enemies
1 (Ne 2:10; 2:19) When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian,
and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall
and that there was not a gap in it (though at that time I had
not erected the doors on the gates),
2 (1Ch 8:12; Ps 37:12) Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying,
"Come, that we might meet together in one of the villages
in the plain of Ono." But they planned to do evil to me.
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work,
so I am not able to come down.
Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”
4 Four more times they sent for me like this, but I answered them
the same way.
5 Sanballat sent the same request a fifth time by his servant,
but the letter was open in his hand.
6 (Ne 2:19) In it was written,
"It is reported among the nations, and Geshem confirms it,
that you and the Jews are planning to rebel;
consequently you are rebuilding the wall.
According to these words, you are their king.
7 You have also appointed prophets to preach on your behalf
in Jerusalem, saying, 'There is a king in Judah!' According to these words,
it will now be reported to the king. So come now and let us consult together."
8 (Job 13:4; Ps 52:2) I sent him this response, saying, "Nothing like these
reports that you are saying has occurred. From your own mind,
you are inventing them."
9 (Ps 138:3) Because they all wanted to frighten us, they thought,
"They will pull their hands back from the work." But that would
never be done. So now, O God, strengthen my hands.
10 (Jer 36:5) When I came to the house of Shemaiah the crippled
son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, he said, "Let us meet together
at the house of God, inside the temple, and then we can shut
the temple doors. They are coming to kill you! Even tonight,
they could come to kill you!"
11 (Pr 28:1) But I said, "Should a man like me flee? Who is there like me
who would go into the temple to save his life? I would never go!"
12 (Eze 13:22) Then I perceived and saw that God had not sent him,
but that he pronounced the prophecy against me, because Tobiah
and Sanballat had hired him.
13 (Ne 6:6; Jer 20:10) He was hired for this reason: that I might
become fearful, act accordingly, and sin. Then they would have
an evil report by which they could reproach me.
14 (Ne 13:29) Remember, O my God, concerning Tobiah and Sanballat these
deeds of theirs, as well as the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the
prophets who were trying to frighten me.
[1] Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian,
and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that
there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the
doors upon the gates;)
[2] That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet
together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought
to do me mischief.
[3] And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so
that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and
come down to you?
[4] Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them
after the same manner.
[5] Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time
with an open letter in his hand;
[6] Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith
it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the
wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
[7] And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem,
saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king
according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel
together.
[8] Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou
sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
[9] For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from
the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
[10] Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son
of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the
house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple:
for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay
thee.
[11] And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being
as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
[12] And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced
this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
[13] Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin,
and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach
me.
[14] My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their
works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that
would have put me in fear.
The Wall Completed
15 (Ne 4:1-2) The wall was finished on the 25th day of the month Elul,
in 52 days.
16 (Ne 2:10; 4:1) When all our enemies heard it and all the surrounding
nations saw it, they were tremendously humbled. They perceived that,
because of our God, this work had been accomplished.
17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah produced numerous letters
in transit to Tobiah. Likewise, the letters of Tobiah came to them,
18 (Ezr 2:5) because so many in Judah were bound by oath to him since
he was the son-in-law of Shekaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan
had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berekiah.
19 Also they reported his good deeds in front of me and reported my words
to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.
[15] So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul,
in fifty and two days.
[16] And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all
the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in
their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
[17] Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto
Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
[18] For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in
law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the
daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
[19] Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to
him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
a) Guard the ground we've taken
b) Recognise the importance of Key Leaders
c) Develop faithfulness
d) Always be watchful
Nehemiah 7
1 (Ne 6:1; 6:15) Once the wall was rebuilt and I had erected the doors,
the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites were appointed.
2 (Ne 1:2; 2:8) Over Jerusalem, I put in charge both my brother Hanani
and Hananiah, the palace commander, because each was a faithful man
and feared God more than many.
3 I said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem should not be opened
until the sun is hot. Until guards are posted, the doors should be closed
and bolted. Likewise, appoint guards from Jerusalemss inhabitants-
each at his post, across from his own house."
[1] Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the
doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
[2] That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace,
charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
[3] And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the
sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them:
and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch,
and every one to be over against his house.
4 Now the city was large and spacious, yet the people in it were few
since there had been no houses built.
The List of Returned Exiles
Ezr 2:1-70
5 So my God put an idea in my mind, and I gathered the nobles, the officials,
and the people together to conduct a genealogy registration. When I found
the book of the genealogical register, it contained the list of those
who first came back. I found written in it:
6 (Ezr 2:1-70) These are the people of the province who returned
from the captivity of the exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
had carried away, but came back to Jerusalem and to Judah,
everyone to his city.
[4] Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and
the houses were not builded.
[5] And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the
rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I
found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and
found written therein,
[6] These are the children of the province, that went up out of the
captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king
of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every
one unto his city;
7 (Ezr 2:2) Those who came with Zerubbabel were Joshua, Nehemiah,
Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai,
Nehum, and Baanah.
The number of the men of the people of Israel was this:
8 The sons of Parosh, 2172;
9 the sons of Shephatiah, 372;
10 (Ezr 2:5) the sons of Arah, six hundred and fifty-two;
11 (Ezr 2:6) the sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab,
two thousand eight hundred and eighteen;
12 the sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
13 (Ezr 2:8) the sons of Zattu, eight hundred and forty-five;
14 the sons of Zakkai, seven hundred and sixty;
15 (Ezr 2:10) the sons of Binnui, six hundred and forty-eight;
16 the sons of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-eight;
17 (Ezr 2:12) the sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two;
18 the sons of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-seven;
19 the sons of Bigvai, two thousand and sixty-seven;
20 (Ezr 2:15) the sons of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five;
21 the sons of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety-eight;
22 (Ezr 2:19) the sons of Hashum, three hundred and twenty-eight;
23 (Ezr 2:17) the sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-four;
24 the sons of Hariph, one hundred and twelve;
25 (Ezr 2:20) the sons of Gibeon, ninety-five.
26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred and eighty-eight;
27 the men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight;
28 (Ezr 2:24) the men of Beth Azmaveth, forty-two;
29 (Jos 18:25; Ezr 2:25) the men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth,
seven hundred and forty-three;
[7] Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of
the men of the people of Israel was this;
[8] The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
[9] The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
[10] The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.
[11] The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two
thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.
[12] The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
[13] The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.
[14] The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
[15] The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.
[16] The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.
[17] The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.
[18] The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.
[19] The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.
[20] The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
[21] The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
[22] The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.
[23] The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.
[24] The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.
[25] The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.
[26] The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.
[27] The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
[28] The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two.
[29] The men of Kirjath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty
and three.
e) We all play a role
f) Live generously
30 the men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;
31 the men of Mikmash, one hundred and twenty-two;
32 (Ezr 2:28) the men of Bethel and Ai, one hundred and twenty-three;
33 the men of the other Nebo, fifty-two;
34 (Ne 7:12) the sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred
and fifty-four;
35 the sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty;
36 the sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;
37 (1Ch 8:12) the sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-one;
38 the sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
[30] The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.
[31] The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.
[32] The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.
[33] The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.
[34] The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
[35] The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
[36] The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
[37] The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.
[38] The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
Priestly Leaders
39 The priests:
the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;
40 (1Ch 24:14)the sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;
41 (1Ch 9:12) the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;
42 (1Ch 24:8) the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.
43 (Ezr 2:40) The Levites:
the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
44 The singers:
the sons of Asaph, one hundred and forty-eight.
45 The gatekeepers:
the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub,
the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-eight.
46 The temple servants:
the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
47 (Ezr 2:44)the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon,
48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai,
49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar,
50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda,
51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah,
52 (Ezr 2:50) the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephusim,
53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur,
54 (Ezr 2:52) the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha,
55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,
56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
57 (Ezr 2:55) The sons of Solomon's servants:
the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida,
58the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,
59 (Ezr 2:57)the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil,
the sons of Pokereth-Hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.
60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants
were three hundred and ninety-two.
61 (Ezr 2:59) These were they who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha,
Kerub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not show their fathers' houses
nor their lineage-whether they were of Israel:
62 The sons of
Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and forty-two.
63 Of the priests:
the sons of
Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who married
one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name.
64 These sought for their fathers' registration in the genealogical registry,
but it was not found. Therefore, they were considered as unclean
and removed from the priesthood.
65 (Ne 8:9; Ex 28:30) The magistrate said to them that they should not eat
of the most holy things until there was an appointed priest
with Urim and Thummim.
66 (Ezr 2:64) The whole congregation together was 42360,
67 besides their male and female servants, which numbered 7337;
and they had two hundred and forty-five male and female singers.
68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules,
two hundred and forty-five;
69 their camels, four hundred and thirty-five; the donkeys,
six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
70 (Ne 8:9) Some of the chiefs of the fathers' households gave to the work.
The magistrate gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas,
[About 19 pounds, or 8.4 kilograms.]
fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
71 Others of the chiefs of the fathers' households gave to the treasury
for the work twenty thousand gold drachmas
[About 375 pounds, or 170 kilograms; and in v. 72.]
and two thousand two hundred silver minas.
[About 1 1/3 tons, or 1.2 metric tons. ]
72 What the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas,
two thousand silver minas,
[About 1 1/4 tons, or 1.1 metric tons.]
and sixty-seven priests' garments.
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers,
some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities.
[39] The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine
hundred seventy and three.
[40] The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
[41] The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
[42] The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
[43] The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the
children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
[44] The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.
[45] The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the
children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the
children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.
[46] The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the
children of Tabbaoth,
[47] The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
[48] The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of
Shalmai,
[49] The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
[50] The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
[51] The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,
[52] The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of
Nephishesim,
[53] The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of
Harhur,
[54] The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of
Harsha,
[55] The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
[56] The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
[57] The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children
of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
[58] The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
[59] The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of
Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.
[60] All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three
hundred ninety and two.
[61] And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha,
Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor
their seed, whether they were of Israel.
[62] The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of
Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.
[63] And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the
children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the
Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
[64] These sought their register among those that were reckoned by
genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from
the priesthood.
[65] And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most
holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
[66] The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three
hundred and threescore,
[67] Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were
seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred
forty and five singing men and singing women.
[68] Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred
forty and five:
[69] Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred
and twenty asses.
[70] And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha
gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred
and thirty priests' garments.
[71] And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work
twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of
silver.
[72] And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of
gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests'
garments.
[73] So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and
some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their
cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in
their cities.
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 September 2026 Titled
Comfort Amidst Tears By Sheridan Voysey
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Lord's Coming
13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,
concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
who have no hope.
14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,
so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will not precede those who are asleep.
16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
shall be forever with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The call from my mother came around 9 p.m. "It's about your dad," she said.
"He's gone." While I'd been expecting this call for days and was relieved my
father was no longer in pain, the news still hit hard. I sobbed deeply as
grief took its course over the following days and weeks.
While losing my father was hard on us all, it was particularly hard for some
of my unbelieving family members. To their understanding, Dad was gone
forever. It was then that I realised how believing in Jesus helps us
to grieve.
Paul explained it this way: Since Jesus rose again from death, those who
believe in Him will one day rise again too (1 Thessalonians 4:14). This will
happen on the day He gathers us up to spend eternity together with
Him (vv. 16-17). Paul tells us this "so that you do not grieve like the rest
of mankind, who have no hope" (v. 13). Knowing I will see my father again
brings comfort amidst the tears.
Scripture never promotes griefless loss. Even Jesus wept for a dead friend he
knew would return to life (John 11:34-44). And sometimes we don't know what a
loved one believed before they died. Still, our grief has a safety net.
Because of Him, we will see our believing loved ones again, and we can
entrust all into His care.
Reflect & Pray
When have you realised the power of hope in Christ?
How do you think that hope differs from the world's idea?
Dear Jesus, thank You that my loved ones who believed
in You are held safe in Your arms even in death,
and one day You'll bring us together again.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness
Luke 17:3 - 4
3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."
"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,
forgive him.
4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,
'I repent,' you must forgive him."
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'
disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through
Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,
21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,
"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?
Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)
The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to
develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be
forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if
he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!
But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,
forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"
And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They
were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the
outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.
We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far
- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're
forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".
He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance
for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.
That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our
checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.
Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God
and been forgiven, we are to forgive.
Application
a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I
have forgiven ? Why?
b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as
Jesus calls me to?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
1 Cor 15:35-38,51-57
35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?
With what body do they come?"
36 You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,
perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,
for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For tis corruptible will put on incorruption,
and this mortal will put on immortality.
54 When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,
and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then the saying that is written shall come to pass:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray and watch for all around you.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You that my loved ones who believed
in You are held safe in Your arms even in death,
and one day You'll bring us together again."
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand pure forgiveness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Blessings.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the upcoming Rapture of the Church.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ across Canada.
Pray for the family of Pastor Raymond Koh of
Malaysia
as they continue to seek the truth behind his 2017 abduction.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah's Enemies
1 (Ne 2:10; 2:19) When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian,
and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall
and that there was not a gap in it (though at that time I had
not erected the doors on the gates),
2 (1Ch 8:12; Ps 37:12) Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying,
"Come, that we might meet together in one of the villages
in the plain of Ono." But they planned to do evil to me.
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work,
so I am not able to come down.
Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”
4 Four more times they sent for me like this, but I answered them
the same way.
5 Sanballat sent the same request a fifth time by his servant,
but the letter was open in his hand.
6 (Ne 2:19) In it was written,
"It is reported among the nations, and Geshem confirms it,
that you and the Jews are planning to rebel;
consequently you are rebuilding the wall.
According to these words, you are their king.
7 You have also appointed prophets to preach on your behalf
in Jerusalem, saying, 'There is a king in Judah!' According to these words,
it will now be reported to the king. So come now and let us consult together."
8 (Job 13:4; Ps 52:2) I sent him this response, saying, "Nothing like these
reports that you are saying has occurred. From your own mind,
you are inventing them."
9 (Ps 138:3) Because they all wanted to frighten us, they thought,
"They will pull their hands back from the work." But that would
never be done. So now, O God, strengthen my hands.
10 (Jer 36:5) When I came to the house of Shemaiah the crippled
son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, he said, "Let us meet together
at the house of God, inside the temple, and then we can shut
the temple doors. They are coming to kill you! Even tonight,
they could come to kill you!"
11 (Pr 28:1) But I said, "Should a man like me flee? Who is there like me
who would go into the temple to save his life? I would never go!"
12 (Eze 13:22) Then I perceived and saw that God had not sent him,
but that he pronounced the prophecy against me, because Tobiah
and Sanballat had hired him.
13 (Ne 6:6; Jer 20:10) He was hired for this reason: that I might
become fearful, act accordingly, and sin. Then they would have
an evil report by which they could reproach me.
14 (Ne 13:29) Remember, O my God, concerning Tobiah and Sanballat these
deeds of theirs, as well as the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the
prophets who were trying to frighten me.
[1] Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian,
and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that
there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the
doors upon the gates;)
[2] That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet
together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought
to do me mischief.
[3] And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so
that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and
come down to you?
[4] Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them
after the same manner.
[5] Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time
with an open letter in his hand;
[6] Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith
it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the
wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
[7] And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem,
saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king
according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel
together.
[8] Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou
sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
[9] For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from
the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
[10] Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son
of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the
house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple:
for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay
thee.
[11] And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being
as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
[12] And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced
this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
[13] Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin,
and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach
me.
[14] My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their
works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that
would have put me in fear.
The Wall Completed
15 (Ne 4:1-2) The wall was finished on the 25th day of the month Elul,
in 52 days.
16 (Ne 2:10; 4:1) When all our enemies heard it and all the surrounding
nations saw it, they were tremendously humbled. They perceived that,
because of our God, this work had been accomplished.
17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah produced numerous letters
in transit to Tobiah. Likewise, the letters of Tobiah came to them,
18 (Ezr 2:5) because so many in Judah were bound by oath to him since
he was the son-in-law of Shekaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan
had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berekiah.
19 Also they reported his good deeds in front of me and reported my words
to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.
[15] So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul,
in fifty and two days.
[16] And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all
the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in
their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
[17] Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto
Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
[18] For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in
law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the
daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
[19] Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to
him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
a) Guard the ground we've taken
b) Recognise the importance of Key Leaders
c) Develop faithfulness
d) Always be watchful
Nehemiah 7
1 (Ne 6:1; 6:15) Once the wall was rebuilt and I had erected the doors,
the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites were appointed.
2 (Ne 1:2; 2:8) Over Jerusalem, I put in charge both my brother Hanani
and Hananiah, the palace commander, because each was a faithful man
and feared God more than many.
3 I said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem should not be opened
until the sun is hot. Until guards are posted, the doors should be closed
and bolted. Likewise, appoint guards from Jerusalemss inhabitants-
each at his post, across from his own house."
[1] Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the
doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
[2] That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace,
charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
[3] And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the
sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them:
and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch,
and every one to be over against his house.
4 Now the city was large and spacious, yet the people in it were few
since there had been no houses built.
The List of Returned Exiles
Ezr 2:1-70
5 So my God put an idea in my mind, and I gathered the nobles, the officials,
and the people together to conduct a genealogy registration. When I found
the book of the genealogical register, it contained the list of those
who first came back. I found written in it:
6 (Ezr 2:1-70) These are the people of the province who returned
from the captivity of the exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
had carried away, but came back to Jerusalem and to Judah,
everyone to his city.
[4] Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and
the houses were not builded.
[5] And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the
rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I
found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and
found written therein,
[6] These are the children of the province, that went up out of the
captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king
of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every
one unto his city;
7 (Ezr 2:2) Those who came with Zerubbabel were Joshua, Nehemiah,
Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai,
Nehum, and Baanah.
The number of the men of the people of Israel was this:
8 The sons of Parosh, 2172;
9 the sons of Shephatiah, 372;
10 (Ezr 2:5) the sons of Arah, six hundred and fifty-two;
11 (Ezr 2:6) the sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab,
two thousand eight hundred and eighteen;
12 the sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
13 (Ezr 2:8) the sons of Zattu, eight hundred and forty-five;
14 the sons of Zakkai, seven hundred and sixty;
15 (Ezr 2:10) the sons of Binnui, six hundred and forty-eight;
16 the sons of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-eight;
17 (Ezr 2:12) the sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two;
18 the sons of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-seven;
19 the sons of Bigvai, two thousand and sixty-seven;
20 (Ezr 2:15) the sons of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five;
21 the sons of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety-eight;
22 (Ezr 2:19) the sons of Hashum, three hundred and twenty-eight;
23 (Ezr 2:17) the sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-four;
24 the sons of Hariph, one hundred and twelve;
25 (Ezr 2:20) the sons of Gibeon, ninety-five.
26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred and eighty-eight;
27 the men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight;
28 (Ezr 2:24) the men of Beth Azmaveth, forty-two;
29 (Jos 18:25; Ezr 2:25) the men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth,
seven hundred and forty-three;
[7] Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of
the men of the people of Israel was this;
[8] The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
[9] The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
[10] The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.
[11] The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two
thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.
[12] The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
[13] The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.
[14] The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
[15] The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.
[16] The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.
[17] The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.
[18] The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.
[19] The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.
[20] The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
[21] The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
[22] The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.
[23] The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.
[24] The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.
[25] The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.
[26] The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.
[27] The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
[28] The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two.
[29] The men of Kirjath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty
and three.
e) We all play a role
f) Live generously
30 the men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;
31 the men of Mikmash, one hundred and twenty-two;
32 (Ezr 2:28) the men of Bethel and Ai, one hundred and twenty-three;
33 the men of the other Nebo, fifty-two;
34 (Ne 7:12) the sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred
and fifty-four;
35 the sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty;
36 the sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;
37 (1Ch 8:12) the sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-one;
38 the sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
[30] The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.
[31] The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.
[32] The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.
[33] The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.
[34] The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
[35] The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
[36] The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
[37] The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.
[38] The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
Priestly Leaders
39 The priests:
the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;
40 (1Ch 24:14)the sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;
41 (1Ch 9:12) the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;
42 (1Ch 24:8) the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.
43 (Ezr 2:40) The Levites:
the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
44 The singers:
the sons of Asaph, one hundred and forty-eight.
45 The gatekeepers:
the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub,
the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-eight.
46 The temple servants:
the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
47 (Ezr 2:44)the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon,
48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai,
49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar,
50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda,
51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah,
52 (Ezr 2:50) the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephusim,
53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur,
54 (Ezr 2:52) the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha,
55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah,
56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
57 (Ezr 2:55) The sons of Solomon's servants:
the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida,
58the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,
59 (Ezr 2:57)the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil,
the sons of Pokereth-Hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.
60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants
were three hundred and ninety-two.
61 (Ezr 2:59) These were they who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha,
Kerub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not show their fathers' houses
nor their lineage-whether they were of Israel:
62 The sons of
Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and forty-two.
63 Of the priests:
the sons of
Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who married
one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name.
64 These sought for their fathers' registration in the genealogical registry,
but it was not found. Therefore, they were considered as unclean
and removed from the priesthood.
65 (Ne 8:9; Ex 28:30) The magistrate said to them that they should not eat
of the most holy things until there was an appointed priest
with Urim and Thummim.
66 (Ezr 2:64) The whole congregation together was 42360,
67 besides their male and female servants, which numbered 7337;
and they had two hundred and forty-five male and female singers.
68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules,
two hundred and forty-five;
69 their camels, four hundred and thirty-five; the donkeys,
six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
70 (Ne 8:9) Some of the chiefs of the fathers' households gave to the work.
The magistrate gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas,
[About 19 pounds, or 8.4 kilograms.]
fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
71 Others of the chiefs of the fathers' households gave to the treasury
for the work twenty thousand gold drachmas
[About 375 pounds, or 170 kilograms; and in v. 72.]
and two thousand two hundred silver minas.
[About 1 1/3 tons, or 1.2 metric tons. ]
72 What the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas,
two thousand silver minas,
[About 1 1/4 tons, or 1.1 metric tons.]
and sixty-seven priests' garments.
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers,
some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities.
[39] The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine
hundred seventy and three.
[40] The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
[41] The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
[42] The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
[43] The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the
children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
[44] The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.
[45] The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the
children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the
children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.
[46] The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the
children of Tabbaoth,
[47] The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
[48] The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of
Shalmai,
[49] The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
[50] The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
[51] The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,
[52] The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of
Nephishesim,
[53] The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of
Harhur,
[54] The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of
Harsha,
[55] The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
[56] The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
[57] The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children
of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
[58] The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
[59] The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of
Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.
[60] All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three
hundred ninety and two.
[61] And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha,
Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor
their seed, whether they were of Israel.
[62] The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of
Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.
[63] And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the
children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the
Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
[64] These sought their register among those that were reckoned by
genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from
the priesthood.
[65] And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most
holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
[66] The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three
hundred and threescore,
[67] Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were
seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred
forty and five singing men and singing women.
[68] Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred
forty and five:
[69] Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred
and twenty asses.
[70] And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha
gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred
and thirty priests' garments.
[71] And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work
twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of
silver.
[72] And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of
gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests'
garments.
[73] So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and
some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their
cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in
their cities.
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 September 2026 Titled
Comfort Amidst Tears By Sheridan Voysey
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Lord's Coming
13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,
concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
who have no hope.
14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,
so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will not precede those who are asleep.
16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
shall be forever with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The call from my mother came around 9 p.m. "It's about your dad," she said.
"He's gone." While I'd been expecting this call for days and was relieved my
father was no longer in pain, the news still hit hard. I sobbed deeply as
grief took its course over the following days and weeks.
While losing my father was hard on us all, it was particularly hard for some
of my unbelieving family members. To their understanding, Dad was gone
forever. It was then that I realised how believing in Jesus helps us
to grieve.
Paul explained it this way: Since Jesus rose again from death, those who
believe in Him will one day rise again too (1 Thessalonians 4:14). This will
happen on the day He gathers us up to spend eternity together with
Him (vv. 16-17). Paul tells us this "so that you do not grieve like the rest
of mankind, who have no hope" (v. 13). Knowing I will see my father again
brings comfort amidst the tears.
Scripture never promotes griefless loss. Even Jesus wept for a dead friend he
knew would return to life (John 11:34-44). And sometimes we don't know what a
loved one believed before they died. Still, our grief has a safety net.
Because of Him, we will see our believing loved ones again, and we can
entrust all into His care.
Reflect & Pray
When have you realised the power of hope in Christ?
How do you think that hope differs from the world's idea?
Dear Jesus, thank You that my loved ones who believed
in You are held safe in Your arms even in death,
and one day You'll bring us together again.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness
Luke 17:3 - 4
3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."
"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,
forgive him.
4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,
'I repent,' you must forgive him."
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'
disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through
Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,
21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,
"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?
Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)
The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to
develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be
forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if
he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!
But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,
forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"
And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They
were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the
outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.
We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far
- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're
forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".
He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance
for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.
That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our
checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.
Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God
and been forgiven, we are to forgive.
Application
a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I
have forgiven ? Why?
b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as
Jesus calls me to?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
1 Cor 15:35-38,51-57
35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?
With what body do they come?"
36 You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,
perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,
for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For tis corruptible will put on incorruption,
and this mortal will put on immortality.
54 When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,
and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then the saying that is written shall come to pass:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray and watch for all around you.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You that my loved ones who believed
in You are held safe in Your arms even in death,
and one day You'll bring us together again."
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand pure forgiveness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Blessings.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the upcoming Rapture of the Church.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ across Canada.
Pray for the family of Pastor Raymond Koh of
Malaysia
as they continue to seek the truth behind his 2017 abduction.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.