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Day 26 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 26 January 2024 reflections

Day 26, 26 January 2024



Genesis 41

Genesis 42



GENESIS 41



Pharaoh's Dreams



1 After two whole years, Pharaoh had a dream that he was standing by the Nile.

2 Seven fine-looking and fattened cows suddenly came up out of the river,

and they grazed in the meadow.

3 Then seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt,

and stood by the other cows on the riverbank.

4 The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine-looking and fattened cows.

Then Pharaoh awoke.

5 He slept and dreamed a second time. Seven ears of grain suddenly came up

on one stalk, plump and good.

6 Then seven thin ears, scorched by the east

wind, sprang up after them.

7 The seven thin ears devoured the seven plump

and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke and realized it was a dream.

8 In the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called

for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men.

Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was

no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying,

"Today I remember my offenses.

10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants

and put me in confinement in the captain of the guard's house,

both me and the chief baker.

11 And we had a dream in the same night,

he and I. We, each of us, dreamed according to the interpretation

of his own dream.

12 A young Hebrew man was with us there,

a servant to the captain of the guard. We told him and he interpreted

our dreams for us. To each man he interpreted according to his own dream.

13 It happened just as he interpreted. He restored me to my position,

and the baker was hanged." (Joseph remembered)

14 So Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they brought him hastily

out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes,

and came to Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream,

and there is no one who can interpret it.

I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream to interpret it."

16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me.

God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream, I stood on the bank of the Nile.

18 And suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fattened

and fine-looking, and they grazed in the reeds.

19 Then seven other cows

came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt. I have never seen

such ugliness in all the land of Egypt.

20 And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows.

21 And when they had eaten them up,

no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still

as ugly as before. Then I awoke.

22 "I also saw in my dreams seven ears of grain, full and good,

suddenly come up on one stalk.

23 Then seven ears, thin and scorched

by the east wind, sprang up after them.

24 And the thin ears swallowed

the seven good ears. So I told this to the magicians,

but there was no one who could explain it to me."

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.

God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.

26 The seven good cows

are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years. The dreams are one.

27 The seven gaunt and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years,

and the seven empty ears scorched by the east wind will be

seven years of famine.

28 "It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh

what He is about to do.

29 Seven years of great abundance

will come throughout all the land of Egypt.

30 However, there will arise after them seven years of famine.

All the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt,

and the famine will consume the land.

31 The abundance will be unknown

in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe.

32 The reason the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice is because

the matter is established by God, and God will soon bring it to pass.

33 "Now, therefore, let Pharaoh seek out a man who is discerning

and wise and set him over the land of Egypt.

34 Let Pharaoh do this,

and let him appoint officials over the land and collect the fifth part of

the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven abundant years.

35 Let them gather all the food from those good years that come

and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep

food in the cities.

36 This food will be for a reserve for the land

for the seven years of famine which will be in the land of Egypt,

so that the land does not perish during the famine."



Genesis 41



[1] And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed:

and, behold, he stood by the river.

[2] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and

fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.

[3] And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill

favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the

river.

[4] And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well

favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

[5] And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of

corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

[6] And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up

after them.

[7] And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And

Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

[8] And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he

sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men

thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could

interpret them unto Pharaoh.

[9] Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my

faults this day:

[10] Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain

of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:

[11] And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man

according to the interpretation of his dream.

[12] And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the

captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams;

to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

[13] And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored

unto mine office, and him he hanged.

[14] Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out

of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in

unto Pharaoh.

[15] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none

that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst

understand a dream to interpret it.

[16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give

Pharaoh an answer of peace.

[17] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the

bank of the river:

[18] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and

well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:

[19] And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill

favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for

badness:

[20] And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat

kine:

[21] And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had

eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I

awoke.

[22] And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk,

full and good:

[23] And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east

wind, sprung up after them:

[24] And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto

the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.

[25] And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath

shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

[26] The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven

years: the dream is one.

[27] And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are

seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be

seven years of famine.

[28] This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about

to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

[29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land

of Egypt:

[30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the

plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume

the land;

[31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine

following; for it shall be very grievous.

[32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because

the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

[33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him

over the land of Egypt.

[34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and

take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.

[35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay

up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

[36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of

famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not

through the famine.



Joseph Rises to Power



37 The counsel seemed good to Pharaoh and to all of his servants.

38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone like this man,

in whom is the Spirit of God?"

39 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this,

there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

40 You will be over my house, and according to your word all my

people will be ruled.

Only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you."

41 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

42 Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand

and arrayed him in clothes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

43 Then he had him ride in the second chariot which was his,

and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!"

So he set him over all the land of Egypt.

44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent

no man will lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."

45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah,

and he gave him a wife, Asenath the daughter of Potiphera priest of On.

And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh,

the king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh

and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

47 In the seven abundant years the earth brought forth plentifully.

48 So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which was in

the land of Egypt and laid up the food in the cities.

He put in every city the food of the fields which surrounded the city.

49 Joseph gathered great quantities of grain as the sand of the sea

until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.

50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph,

whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.

51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh,

"For God," he said, "has made me forget all my trouble

and all my father's house."

52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, saying,

"For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."

(Manessah and Ephriam the 11th and 12th Tribe of Israel)

53 The seven years of abundance that were in the land of Egypt ended.

54 The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said.

The famine was in all lands, but there was food in all the land of Egypt.

55 When all the land of Egypt was hungry,

the people cried to Pharaoh for food,

and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,

"Go to Joseph. Do whatever he says to you."

56 The famine was over all the face of the earth,

so Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians,

and the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.

57 Moreover, all countries came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain,

because the famine was so severe in all the lands.



[37] And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all

his servants.

[38] And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is,

a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

[39] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all

this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

[40] Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my

people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

[41] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of

Egypt.

[42] And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's

hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about

his neck;

[43] And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they

cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of

Egypt.

[44] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no

man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

[45] And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to

wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out

over all the land of Egypt.

[46] And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of

Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout

all the land of Egypt.

[47] And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

[48] And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the

land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field,

which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

[49] And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he

left numbering; for it was without number.

[50] And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came,

which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.

[51] And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he,

hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

[52] And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to

be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

[53] And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt,

were ended.

[54] And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had

said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there

was bread.

[55] And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to

Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph;

what he saith to you, do.

[56] And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened

all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore

in the land of Egypt.

[57] And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because

that the famine was so sore in all lands.



GENESIS 42



Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt



1 Now when Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt,

Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"

2 And he said, "I have heard that there is grain in Egypt.

Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die."

3 Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.

4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers

for he said, "Perhaps some harm might happen to him."

5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who came,

for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

6 Now Joseph was the governor over the land,

and it was he who sold to all the people of the land.

So Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves

down before him with their faces to the ground.

7 Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them,

but he pretended to be a stranger to them

and spoke harshly to them. He said to them, "From where do you come?"

And they said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food."

8 Joseph knew his brothers, but they did not know him.

9 Joseph also remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them.

He said to them, "You are spies! You came to see the nakedness of the land!"

10 They said to him, "No, my lord, your servants have come only to buy food.

11 We are all one man's sons. We are honest men. Your servants are not spies."

12 But he said to them, "No, you have come to see the nakedness of the land!"

13 They said, "Your servants are twelve brothers,

the sons of one man in the land of Canaan.

The youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer living."

14 Joseph said to them, "It is as I said to you, 'You are spies!'

15 Here is how you will be tested. By the life of Pharaoh,

you will not leave here unless your youngest brother comes here.

16 Send one of you, and let him get your brother,

and you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested,

whether there be any truth in you.

Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, you are surely spies."

17 He put them all together in custody for three days.

18 Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God.

19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined

in your prison house. The rest of you go and carry grain for the famine

of your households.

20 Nevertheless, bring your youngest brother to me so that your words

may be verified and you shall not die." And they did so.

21 Then they said one to another, "We are guilty concerning our brother,

because we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us,

but we would not listen. Therefore, this distress has come upon us."

22 Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not speak to you, saying,

'Do not sin against the boy';

and you would not listen? Therefore, his blood is now required of us."

23 They did not know that Joseph understood them,

for he spoke to them through an interpreter.

24 He turned himself away from them and wept,

but then turned back to them again and spoke with them.

Then he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

25 Joseph then gave the command to fill their sacks with grain

and to restore every man's money to his sack

and to give them provisions for the way. And it was done for them.

Joseph's Brothers Return Home

26 They loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there.

27 As one of them opened his sack to give

his donkey feed in the lodging place,

he saw his money. It was in the mouth of his sack.

28 And he said to his brothers, "My money has been returned.

Here it is in my sack!"

Then their hearts sank, and they were afraid, saying to one another,

"What is this that God has done to us?"

29 They came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan

and told him all that had happened to them, saying,

30 "The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly to us

and took us for spies of the country.

31 And we said to him, 'We are honest men. We are not spies.

32 We are twelve brothers, all sons of our father.

One is no longer living, and the youngest is with our father today

in the land of Canaan.'

33 "The man, the lord of the country, said to us,

'Here is how I may know that you are honest men.

Leave one of your brothers here with me,

take food for the famine of your households, and be gone.

34 But bring your youngest brother back to me.

Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men.

Then I will deliver your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.' "

35 As they emptied their sacks, every man's bundle of money was in his sack.

When both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

36 Then Jacob their father said to them,

"You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more,

and you will take Benjamin away. All these things are against me."

37 Reuben spoke to his father, saying,

"Kill my two sons if I fail to bring him to you. Put him in my hands, a

nd I will bring him back to you."

38 But Jacob said, "My son must not go down with you, for his brother is dead,

and he alone is left. If harm should happen to him on the journey

you are to make, then you will bring down my gray hairs

with sorrow to the grave.



Genesis 42

[1] Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his

sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

[2] And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you

down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

[3] And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

[4] But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he

said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

[5] And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the

famine was in the land of Canaan.

[6] And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to

all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down

themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

[7] And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange

unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come

ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

[8] And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

[9] And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto

them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

[10] And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants

come.

[11] We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

[12] And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are

come.

[13] And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in

the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father,

and one is not.

[14] And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye

are spies:

[15] Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth

hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

[16] Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept

in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you:

or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

[17] And he put them all together into ward three days.

[18] And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear

God:

[19] If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of

your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

[20] But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be

verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

[21] And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our

brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we

would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

[22] And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not

sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his

blood is required.

[23] And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them

by an interpreter.

[24] And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them

again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him

before their eyes.

[25] Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore

every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and

thus did he unto them.

[26] And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

[27] And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the

inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.

[28] And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is

even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying

one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

[29] And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told

him all that befell unto them; saying,

[30] The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us

for spies of the country.

[31] And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

[32] We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest

is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

[33] And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know

that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food

for the famine of your households, and be gone:

[34] And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are

no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and

ye shall traffick in the land.

[35] And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every

man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father

saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

[36] And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my

children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away:

all these things are against me.

[37] And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring

him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee

again.

[38] And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is

dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which

ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.



(Joseph goes ahead in the name of the Lord)



2) Our Daily Bread for 26 January 2024 entitled



No More Prejudice




1 Samuel 16:1-7



Samuel Anoints David as King



1 (1Sa 15:23; 15:35) The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn

for Saul, since I have rejected him from ruling over Israel?

Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite,

for I have chosen a king for Myself from among his sons."

2 (1Sa 9:12; 20:29) Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it,

he will kill me."

And the Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice

to the Lord.'

3 (1Sa 9:16; Ex 4:15) Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you

what you will do. And you will anoint for Me him whom I tell to you."

4 (1Ki 2:13; 2Ki 9:22) Samuel did that which the Lord spoke,

and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the town trembled at his coming,

and said, "Do you come in peace?"

5 (Ex 19:10; Jos 3:5) And he said, "I have come in peace to sacrifice

to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice."

And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice.

6 (1Sa 17:13) When they came, he looked on Eliab, and said,

"Surely the anointed of the Lord is before Him."

7 (1Ki 8:39; 1Ch 28:9) But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look

on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because

I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees. For man looks

on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."



[1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing

I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and

go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a

king among his sons.

[2] And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he Will kill me. And the

LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the

LORD.

[3] And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt

do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

[4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the

elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

[5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify

yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and

his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and

said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.

[7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the

height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as

man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh

on the heart.



Many years ago, Julie Landsman auditioned for principal French hornist

for New York's Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The MET held their auditions

behind a screen to avoid prejudice by the judges. Landsman did well in her

audition and ended up winning the competition. But when she stepped out

from behind the screen, some of the all-male judges walked to the rear of

the room and turned their backs on her. Apparently, they were looking

for someone else.



When the Israelites asked for a king, God accommodated the people and gave

them a man who was physically imposing like the other nations

had (1 Samuel 8:5; 9:2). But because Saul's first years as king were marked

by faithlessness and disobedience, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint

a new king (16:1-13). When Samuel saw Eliab, the oldest son, he assumed

that God had chosen him to be king because he was physically impressive.

But God challenged Samuel's thinking:

"for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh

on the heart" (v. 7). God had chosen David to lead His people (v. 12).



When evaluating people's ability and suitability for His purposes,

God looks at character, will, and motives. He invites us to be attuned

to see the world and people as He does-focusing on peoples' hearts

and not their outward appearance or credentials.



By: Marvin Williams



Sign in to track your progress!

Reflect & Pray



Why is it vital not to judge someone based on personal prejudices?

What does it mean for you to have a true heart for God?



Compassionate God, please help me not

to evaluate people based on their appearances.



3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association



Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools



Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 6 - Eternal Life, Beginning now



John 10:28 - I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,

nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand.



28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.



In C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, one of the Spirits in heaven, identifying

himself as George MacDonald, makes some startling statements on the nature of

eternal life. Depending upon the individual's choice for or against Christ,

MacDonald says, everything in life takes on the character of haven or hell.

"At the end of ALL THINGS, when the sun rises here (in heaven) and the twilight

turns to blackness down there, the Blessed will say, 'We have never lived

anywhere except in Heaven,' and the Lost, 'We were always in Hell.'

And both will speak truly" - From the Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.

Lewis was not trying to make a theological case, but to demonstrate

a principle: eternal life begins now.

The choices that we make for or against obedience to God, the life we live,

the patterns we establish, all move us in one direction of the other.

And when we have decided to choose obedience to God (the forsakeness of sin),

when we give ourselves fully into his hands, he is able to take the worst of

circumstances and redeem them for our good, use them to mature us in his image.

Again Jesus says in John 10:28

"I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,

nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand. "

In Christ is a very secure place to be. No experience is lost, no pain is

wasted. Everything in our lives is redeemed by God for our benefit.



Application



a) How have I experienced the truth that "eternal life begins now"?



b) How can this verse help me put life in perspective during times

of stress and anxiety?







4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Joshua 1:5



5 (Dt 7:24; 31:6-8) No man will be able to stand against

you all the days of your life.

As I was with Moses, I will be with you.

I will not abandon you. I will not leave you.



5 There shall not any man be able to stand before

thee all the days of thy life:

as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee:

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Help in Times of Temptation



1 Cor 10:1-13



1 Corinthians 10



Warning Against Idolatry



1 (Ex 14:29; Ps 66:6) I would not want you to be unaware that

all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 (Ex 16:35; Dt 8:3) all ate the same spiritual food;

4 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) and all drank the same spiritual drink,

for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,

and that Rock was Christ.

5 (Heb 3:17; Jude 1:5) But with many of them God was not well pleased,

and they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 (Nu 11:4; 1Co 10:11) Now these things were our examples to the intent

that we should not lust after evil things as they lusted.

7 (Ex 32:19; 32:4) Neither be idolaters as were some of them.

As it is written,

"The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel." (Ex 32:6. )

8 (Nu 25:1-9; 1Co 6:18) Neither let us commit sexual immorality as some

of them committed, when 23000 fell in one day.

9 (Nu 21:5-6; Ex 17:2) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them

also tempted and were destroyed by serpents.

10 (Ex 12:23; Nu 16:41) Neither murmur, as some of them also murmured

and were destroyed by the destroyer.

11 (Ro 13:11) Now all these things happened to them for examples.

They are written as an admonition to us,

upon whom the end of the ages has come.

12 (Ro 11:20) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed,

lest he fall.

13 (1Co 1:9; 2Pe 2:9) No temptation has taken you except what is common

to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above

what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way

to escape, that you may be able to bear it.



1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all

our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 and did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that

spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased:

for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust

after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written,

The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,

and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,

and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured,

and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:

and they are written for our admonition,

upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also

make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.



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 2021 edition?)



2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493



British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.

Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver

and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations

in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are

between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all

other nationalities.



Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant

and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,

Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this

region is about 200000.

Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,

more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small

numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.

We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.

A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,

for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that



- the church will catch a vision to pray,

and a burden to train outreach to Muslims

- the church will press in to participate in effective

discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.



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 "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.

18 Even on My menservants and maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]



Footnotes

Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.

- 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, ...) .



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



Day 26 of the Month



a) Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary

work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ (Matt 5:16



16 Let your light so shine before men that they may

see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.



16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your

good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.



)



b) Pray for the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut



I) Pray for the leaders of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut,

that God's Spirit would influence then to act justly,

serve with integrity

and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good

and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved

and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge

of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province,

that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use

the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



)



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and Pray to Him to show you what the future holds.



Pray to the Lord : "Compassionate God, please help me not

to evaluate people based on their appearances."



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him for Eternal Life.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know that the Lord is with you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your temptations.



Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,

and a burden to train outreach to Muslims

Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective

discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.



Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary

work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ .



Laos has more than 200 ethnic subgroups. Pray for loving unity to take place

among Laotian believers despite diversity.



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

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