Day 1 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 1 January 2023 reflections
Day 1, 1 January 2023
Today at Calvary Community Church
Josiah Olmos, Outgoing youth director, spoke on The Seeker.
Book of Job.
Job 1
8 And the Lord said to the Adversary, "Have you considered My servant Job,
that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and an upright man,
who fears God, and avoids evil?"
9 Then the Adversary answered the Lord, saying, "Has Job feared God for
nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and
around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his
hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out
Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your
face."
[8] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that
there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that
feareth God, and escheweth evil?
[9] Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
[10] Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about
all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and
his substance is increased in the land.
[11] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will
curse thee to thy face.
Satan's challenge is for Job to renounce God.
Job worships God despite the circumstances until the boils.
Job is targeted by Satan. We ask why?
JOb 38:1-6
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 "Who is this who darkens counsel
by words without knowledge?
3 Prepare yourself like a man;
for I will question you,
and you shall answer Me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare, if you have understanding.
5 Who has determined its measurements, if you know?
Or who has stretched the line upon it?
6 To what are its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone
Job 38
The LORD Answered Job
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel
By words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man;
For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest?
Or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?
Or who laid the corner stone thereof;
We risk missing Who God is when we ask Why?
Job 42:1-6
Job 42
Job's Repentance
1 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2 "I know that You can do everything,
and that no thought can be withheld from You.
3 'Who is he who hides counsel without knowledge?'
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me which I did not know.
4 " 'Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you declare to Me.'
5 I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees You.
6 Therefore I abhor myself,
and repent in dust and ashes."
Job's Reply
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing,
And that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?
Therefore have I uttered that I understood not;
Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak:
I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:
But now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent
In dust and ashes.
Genesis 16
6 But Abram said to Sarai,
"Indeed, your maid is in your power;
do to her as you please."
Then Sarai dealt harshly with her,
and she fled from her presence.
7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness.
It was the spring on the way to Shur.
8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid,
where have you come from
and where are you going?"
And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."
9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
10 The angel of the Lord also said to her,
"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly
so that they will be too many to count."
[6] But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as
it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her
face.
[7] And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the
wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
[8] And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt
thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
[9] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and
submit thyself under her hands.
[10] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
The Lord sees Hagar's suffering.
Isaiah 53:4
4 (Mt 8:17; Jn 19:7) Surely he has borne our grief
and carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted.
[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
John 8:1-11
1 (Mt 21:1) But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 (Mt 26:55; Lk 4:20) Early in the morning He returned to the temple.
All the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them.
3 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery.
When they had put her in the middle,
4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of
adultery.
5 (Lev 20:10) Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such,
but what do You say?"
6 (Mt 19:3; Lk 10:25) They said this, testing Him, that they might have
something of which to accuse Him.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger,
as though He did not hear them.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He stood up and said to them,
"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 Being convicted by their conscience, those who heard it went out
one by one, beginning with the eldest even to the last. Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had stood up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her,
"Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?"
11 (Jn 3:17; 5:14) She said, "No one, Lord."
Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
[1] Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
[2] And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the
people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
[3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in
adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
[4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very
act.
[5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what
sayest thou?
[6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But
Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he
heard them not.
[7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
[8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
[9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went
out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was
left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
[10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said
unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
[11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn
thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus shows mercy to the adulterous woman.
Focus: Pray to the Lord, Worship Him and Examine His Word.
1) Genesis chapters 1 to 3
The Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was
formless and void,[a] darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the
Spirit of God was moving[b] over the surface of the water.
(God came into being on his own please note)
3 God said, "œLet there be light," and there was light.
4 God saw that the light was good,
and God separated the light from the darkness.
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.
So the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 Then God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters,
and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 So God made the expanse
and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters
which were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse Heaven.
So the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together
into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.
10 God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters
He called Seas. Then God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the earth produce vegetation:[c] plants yielding seed
and fruit trees on the earth yielding fruit after their kind with seed in them.
" And it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed after
their kind and trees yielding fruit with seed in them after their kind. And God
saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate
the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons, and days,
and years. 15 Let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light
on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights: the greater light
to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.
17 Then God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the
darkness. Then God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning
were the fourth day.
20 Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures
and let the birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens."
21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves,
with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged
bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22 Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill
the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."
23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to
their kinds: livestock, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth
according to their kinds." And it was so.
25 So God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind,
and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that
creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds
of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish
the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds
of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
29 Then God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is
on the face of all the earth and every tree which has fruit yielding seed.
It shall be food for you. 30 To every beast of the earth and to every bird
of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth which has the breath
of life in it, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1
[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face
of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
[3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
[4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from
the darkness.
[5] And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the
evening and the morning were the first day.
[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and
let it divide the waters from the waters.
[7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the
firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
[8] And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning
were the second day.
[9] And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto
one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
[10] And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the
waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed,
and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself,
upon the earth: and it was so.
[12] And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his
kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind:
and God saw that it was good.
[13] And the evening and the morning were the third day.
[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to
divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons,
and for days, and years:
[15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light
upon the earth: and it was so.
[16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and
the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
[17] And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the
earth,
[18] And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light
from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
[19] And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
[20] And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature
that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament
of heaven.
[21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth,
which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every
winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
[22] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
[23] And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his
kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and
it was so.
[25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after
their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and
God saw that it was good.
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.
[28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the
fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.
[29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which
is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit
of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
[30] And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to
every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have
given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
[31] And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very
good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Gen 2:1 So the heavens and the earth, and all their hosts, were finished.
2 On the seventh day God completed His work which He had done,
and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it He had rested from all His work which He had created and made.
(Interesting that God and the Holy Trinity created the Universe
with the help of divine servants created by the Lord himself.
Noted one of the 10 commandments)
Adam and Eve
4 This is the account[d] of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
5 no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field
had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth,
and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist[e] arose from t
he earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God
formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life, and man became a living being.
8 The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the
man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every
tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also
in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and
became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it encompasses the
whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good;
bdellium and the onyx stone are there.
13 The name of the second river is Gihon;
it encompasses the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it goes toward the east of Assyria.
The fourth river is the Euphrates.
( I wonder if the world was one continent at this time)
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and
to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,
"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, 17 but of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat
from it you will surely die."
(Note what the Lord says to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17)
18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone.
I will make him a helper suitable for him."
19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every
bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them.
Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky,
and to every beast of the field, but for Adam[f] there was not found a helper
suitable for him.
21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept.
Then He took one of his ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man,
He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 Then Adam said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she will be called Woman,
for she was taken out of Man."
24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2
[1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
[2] And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he
rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
[3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it
he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
[4] These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were
created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
[5] And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb
of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon
the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
[6] But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of
the ground.
[7] And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into
his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
[8] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the
man whom he had formed.
[9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst
of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[10] And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it
was parted, and became into four heads.
[11] The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole
land of Havilah, where there is gold;
[12] And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx
stone.
[13] And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that
compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
[14] And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth
toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
[15] And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to
dress it and to keep it.
[16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden
thou mayest freely eat:
[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
[18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I
will make him an help meet for him.
[19] And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and
every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call
them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name
thereof.
[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to
every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for
him.
[21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept:
and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
[22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman,
and brought her unto the man.
[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
[25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
(Just before going on I would like to preface the Serpent aka Satan
/ Lucifer;
From Isaiah 14
12 How are you fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
(- Please note Son of the Morning NOT Morning Star )
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who weaken the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart,
"I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit also on the mount of the congregation,
in the recesses of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High."
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Hell,
to the sides of the pit.
Satan created a rebellion in Heaven
and From Jesus himself Luke 10:18 He said to them, "
I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven." And so the spiritual war begins)
The Fall
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field
which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman,
"Has God said, "You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?"
2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit from the trees
of the garden; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the
garden, God has said, 'You will not eat of it, nor will you touch it, or else
you will die.'?"
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!
5 For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened
and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to
the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit
and ate; and she gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.
So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool
of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence
of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 The Lord God called to the
man and said to him, "Where are you?"
10 He said, "I heard Your voice in the garden and was afraid because I
was naked, so I hid myself."
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from
the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"
12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of
the tree, and I ate."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?"
And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
(Blame game - IT is not my fault, it is someone else)
14 The Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this,
You are cursed above all livestock, and above every beast of the field;
you will go on your belly, and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring
and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."
(This is the foreshadowing of the Crucifixion of
Jesus The Lamb for Sinners Slain)
16 To the woman He said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth,
and in pain you will bring forth children;
your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."
17 And to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying,
'You shall not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground on account of you;
in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat
the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground,
because out of it you were taken;
for you are dust, and to dust you will return."
20 The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother
of all the living.
21 The Lord God made garments of skins for both Adam and his wife and clothed
them. 22 The Lord God said, "The man has become like one of us, knowing good
and evil. And now, he might reach out his hand, and take also from the tree of
life, and eat, and live forever" 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from
the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove the
man out, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a
flaming sword which turned in every direction, to guard the way to the tree
of life.
Genesis 3
[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the
LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall
not eat of every tree of the garden?
[2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the
trees of the garden:
[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God
hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall
be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
[6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of
the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and
he did eat.
[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were
naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of
the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
[9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
[10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because
I was naked; and I hid myself.
[11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the
tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
[12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me
of the tree, and I did eat.
[13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?
And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this,
thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon
thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of
thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying,
Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt
eat the herb of the field;
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto
the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust
shalt thou return.
[20] And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all
living.
[21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins,
and clothed them.
[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know
good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the
tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till
the ground from whence he was taken.
[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of
Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way
of the tree of life.
And This point I would like to cross reference some verse in John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were
created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light shines
in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
...
9 The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world
did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive
Him. 12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,
to those who believed in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Given Genesis 1 to 3 the above portion of John 1
makes an interesting cross reference to the above
Footnotes
Genesis 1:2 Or a waste and emptiness.
Genesis 1:2 Or hovering.
Genesis 1:11 Or grass.
Genesis 2:4 Lit. These are the generations.
Genesis 2:6 Or flow.
Genesis 2:20 MT the man, or the Adam.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 January 2023
entitled Choose Joy
Philippians 1:12–21
A) View of circumstances from God's perspective
Philip 1:12-14
12 But I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me
have resulted in advancing the gospel,
13 (Php 1:7) so that my imprisonments in Christ have become known throughout
the entire palace guard and to all the rest.
14 And a great many of the brothers in the Lord, having become confident
because of my incarcerations, have dared to speak the word without fear.
[12] But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which
happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
[13] So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all
other places;
[14] And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are
much more bold to speak the word without fear.
B) Don't worry about the motives of others
Philip 1:15-17
15 Some indeed are preaching Christ out of envy and strife,
and some also from good will.
16 (Php 1:7) The former preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely,
intending to add trouble to my circumstance.
17 (Php 1:7; 2:3) But the latter preach out of love, knowing
that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
[15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of
good will:
[16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add
affliction to my bonds:
[17] But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the
gospel.
Look how the Lord used these circumstances to increase faith.
c) Choose to rejoice
Philip 1:18
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice.
Indeed, I will rejoice.
[18] What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in
truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
A) Determine to rejoice
Philip 1:18d-19
[18] ... and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
[19] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer,
and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
18 ... And in this I rejoice.
Indeed, I will rejoice.
19 (2Co 1:11; Ac 16:7) For I know that through your prayer
and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will result
in my deliverance.
B) Connect into Community
Philip 1:20
20 (1Co 6:20; Ro 5:5) Accordingly, it is my earnest expectation and my hope
that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness as always,
so now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether it be by life
or by death.
[20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
c) Seek to honour Christ ... no matter what
Philip 1:20-21
20 (1Co 6:20; Ro 5:5) Accordingly, it is my earnest expectation and my hope
that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness as always,
so now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether it be by life
or by death.
21 (Gal 2:20) For to me, to continue living is Christ, and to die is gain.
[20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Keith was feeling down as he trudged through the produce aisle. His hands
trembled from the first signs of Parkinson’s disease. How long before his
quality of life began to slide? What would this mean for his wife and
children? Keith's gloom was shattered by laughter. Over by the potatoes, a man
pushed a giggling boy in a wheelchair. The man leaned over and whispered to
his son, who couldn't stop grinning. He was noticeably worse off than Keith,
yet he and his dad were finding joy where they could.
Writing from prison or under house arrest as he awaited the outcome of his
trial, the apostle Paul seemingly had no right to be joyful
(Philippians 1:12-13). The emperor was Nero, a wicked man who had a growing
reputation for violence and cruelty, so Paul had reason to be concerned. He
also knew there were preachers who were taking advantage of his absence to
gain glory for themselves. They thought they could "stir up trouble"
for the apostle while he was imprisoned (v. 17).
Yet Paul chose to rejoice (vv. 18-21), and he told the Philippians to follow
his example: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice!" (4:4). Our situation might seem bleak, yet Jesus is with us now,
and He's guaranteed our glorious future. Christ, who walked out of His tomb,
will return to raise His followers to live with Him. As we begin this new
year, may we rejoice!
By: Mike Wittmer
Reflect & Pray
What personal suffering or injustice causes you to languish in your sorrow?
How might the truth of Jesus bring you joy?
Father, please raise my eyes above my circumstances.
I look to You alone for joy.
For further study, read
Why? Seeing God in Our Pain.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised
by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Cor 8:9
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Eph 1:3-8a
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished
3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded
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 2023 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
1st Day of the month
a) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "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.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
b) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water;
He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be closer to
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for being the just Creator.
Pray to the Lord
"Father, please raise my eyes above my circumstances.
I look to You alone for joy."
Pray to the Lord and pray to him to have courage to confess
Him as Saviour.
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank him for His sacrifice.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for His gifts.
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 for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada!
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God.
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.
Today at Calvary Community Church
Josiah Olmos, Outgoing youth director, spoke on The Seeker.
Book of Job.
Job 1
8 And the Lord said to the Adversary, "Have you considered My servant Job,
that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and an upright man,
who fears God, and avoids evil?"
9 Then the Adversary answered the Lord, saying, "Has Job feared God for
nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and
around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his
hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out
Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your
face."
[8] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that
there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that
feareth God, and escheweth evil?
[9] Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
[10] Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about
all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and
his substance is increased in the land.
[11] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will
curse thee to thy face.
Satan's challenge is for Job to renounce God.
Job worships God despite the circumstances until the boils.
Job is targeted by Satan. We ask why?
JOb 38:1-6
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 "Who is this who darkens counsel
by words without knowledge?
3 Prepare yourself like a man;
for I will question you,
and you shall answer Me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare, if you have understanding.
5 Who has determined its measurements, if you know?
Or who has stretched the line upon it?
6 To what are its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone
Job 38
The LORD Answered Job
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel
By words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man;
For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest?
Or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?
Or who laid the corner stone thereof;
We risk missing Who God is when we ask Why?
Job 42:1-6
Job 42
Job's Repentance
1 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2 "I know that You can do everything,
and that no thought can be withheld from You.
3 'Who is he who hides counsel without knowledge?'
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me which I did not know.
4 " 'Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you declare to Me.'
5 I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees You.
6 Therefore I abhor myself,
and repent in dust and ashes."
Job's Reply
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing,
And that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?
Therefore have I uttered that I understood not;
Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak:
I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:
But now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent
In dust and ashes.
Genesis 16
6 But Abram said to Sarai,
"Indeed, your maid is in your power;
do to her as you please."
Then Sarai dealt harshly with her,
and she fled from her presence.
7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness.
It was the spring on the way to Shur.
8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid,
where have you come from
and where are you going?"
And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."
9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
10 The angel of the Lord also said to her,
"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly
so that they will be too many to count."
[6] But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as
it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her
face.
[7] And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the
wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
[8] And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt
thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
[9] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and
submit thyself under her hands.
[10] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
The Lord sees Hagar's suffering.
Isaiah 53:4
4 (Mt 8:17; Jn 19:7) Surely he has borne our grief
and carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted.
[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
John 8:1-11
1 (Mt 21:1) But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 (Mt 26:55; Lk 4:20) Early in the morning He returned to the temple.
All the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them.
3 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery.
When they had put her in the middle,
4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of
adultery.
5 (Lev 20:10) Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such,
but what do You say?"
6 (Mt 19:3; Lk 10:25) They said this, testing Him, that they might have
something of which to accuse Him.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger,
as though He did not hear them.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He stood up and said to them,
"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 Being convicted by their conscience, those who heard it went out
one by one, beginning with the eldest even to the last. Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had stood up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her,
"Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?"
11 (Jn 3:17; 5:14) She said, "No one, Lord."
Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
[1] Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
[2] And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the
people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
[3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in
adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
[4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very
act.
[5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what
sayest thou?
[6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But
Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he
heard them not.
[7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
[8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
[9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went
out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was
left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
[10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said
unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
[11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn
thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus shows mercy to the adulterous woman.
Focus: Pray to the Lord, Worship Him and Examine His Word.
1) Genesis chapters 1 to 3
The Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was
formless and void,[a] darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the
Spirit of God was moving[b] over the surface of the water.
(God came into being on his own please note)
3 God said, "œLet there be light," and there was light.
4 God saw that the light was good,
and God separated the light from the darkness.
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.
So the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 Then God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters,
and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 So God made the expanse
and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters
which were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse Heaven.
So the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together
into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.
10 God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters
He called Seas. Then God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the earth produce vegetation:[c] plants yielding seed
and fruit trees on the earth yielding fruit after their kind with seed in them.
" And it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed after
their kind and trees yielding fruit with seed in them after their kind. And God
saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate
the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons, and days,
and years. 15 Let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light
on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights: the greater light
to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.
17 Then God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the
darkness. Then God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning
were the fourth day.
20 Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures
and let the birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens."
21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves,
with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged
bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22 Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill
the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."
23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to
their kinds: livestock, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth
according to their kinds." And it was so.
25 So God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind,
and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that
creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds
of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish
the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds
of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
29 Then God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is
on the face of all the earth and every tree which has fruit yielding seed.
It shall be food for you. 30 To every beast of the earth and to every bird
of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth which has the breath
of life in it, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1
[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face
of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
[3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
[4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from
the darkness.
[5] And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the
evening and the morning were the first day.
[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and
let it divide the waters from the waters.
[7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the
firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
[8] And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning
were the second day.
[9] And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto
one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
[10] And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the
waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed,
and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself,
upon the earth: and it was so.
[12] And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his
kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind:
and God saw that it was good.
[13] And the evening and the morning were the third day.
[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to
divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons,
and for days, and years:
[15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light
upon the earth: and it was so.
[16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and
the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
[17] And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the
earth,
[18] And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light
from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
[19] And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
[20] And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature
that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament
of heaven.
[21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth,
which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every
winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
[22] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
[23] And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his
kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and
it was so.
[25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after
their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and
God saw that it was good.
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.
[28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the
fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.
[29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which
is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit
of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
[30] And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to
every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have
given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
[31] And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very
good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Gen 2:1 So the heavens and the earth, and all their hosts, were finished.
2 On the seventh day God completed His work which He had done,
and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it He had rested from all His work which He had created and made.
(Interesting that God and the Holy Trinity created the Universe
with the help of divine servants created by the Lord himself.
Noted one of the 10 commandments)
Adam and Eve
4 This is the account[d] of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
5 no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field
had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth,
and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist[e] arose from t
he earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God
formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life, and man became a living being.
8 The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the
man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every
tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also
in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and
became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it encompasses the
whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good;
bdellium and the onyx stone are there.
13 The name of the second river is Gihon;
it encompasses the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it goes toward the east of Assyria.
The fourth river is the Euphrates.
( I wonder if the world was one continent at this time)
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and
to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,
"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, 17 but of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat
from it you will surely die."
(Note what the Lord says to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17)
18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone.
I will make him a helper suitable for him."
19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every
bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them.
Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky,
and to every beast of the field, but for Adam[f] there was not found a helper
suitable for him.
21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept.
Then He took one of his ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man,
He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 Then Adam said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she will be called Woman,
for she was taken out of Man."
24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2
[1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
[2] And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he
rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
[3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it
he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
[4] These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were
created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
[5] And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb
of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon
the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
[6] But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of
the ground.
[7] And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into
his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
[8] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the
man whom he had formed.
[9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst
of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[10] And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it
was parted, and became into four heads.
[11] The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole
land of Havilah, where there is gold;
[12] And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx
stone.
[13] And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that
compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
[14] And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth
toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
[15] And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to
dress it and to keep it.
[16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden
thou mayest freely eat:
[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
[18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I
will make him an help meet for him.
[19] And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and
every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call
them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name
thereof.
[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to
every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for
him.
[21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept:
and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
[22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman,
and brought her unto the man.
[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
[25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
(Just before going on I would like to preface the Serpent aka Satan
/ Lucifer;
From Isaiah 14
12 How are you fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
(- Please note Son of the Morning NOT Morning Star )
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who weaken the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart,
"I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit also on the mount of the congregation,
in the recesses of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High."
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Hell,
to the sides of the pit.
Satan created a rebellion in Heaven
and From Jesus himself Luke 10:18 He said to them, "
I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven." And so the spiritual war begins)
The Fall
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field
which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman,
"Has God said, "You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?"
2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit from the trees
of the garden; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the
garden, God has said, 'You will not eat of it, nor will you touch it, or else
you will die.'?"
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!
5 For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened
and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to
the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit
and ate; and she gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.
So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool
of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence
of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 The Lord God called to the
man and said to him, "Where are you?"
10 He said, "I heard Your voice in the garden and was afraid because I
was naked, so I hid myself."
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from
the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"
12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of
the tree, and I ate."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?"
And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
(Blame game - IT is not my fault, it is someone else)
14 The Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this,
You are cursed above all livestock, and above every beast of the field;
you will go on your belly, and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring
and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."
(This is the foreshadowing of the Crucifixion of
Jesus The Lamb for Sinners Slain)
16 To the woman He said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth,
and in pain you will bring forth children;
your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."
17 And to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying,
'You shall not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground on account of you;
in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat
the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground,
because out of it you were taken;
for you are dust, and to dust you will return."
20 The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother
of all the living.
21 The Lord God made garments of skins for both Adam and his wife and clothed
them. 22 The Lord God said, "The man has become like one of us, knowing good
and evil. And now, he might reach out his hand, and take also from the tree of
life, and eat, and live forever" 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from
the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove the
man out, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a
flaming sword which turned in every direction, to guard the way to the tree
of life.
Genesis 3
[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the
LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall
not eat of every tree of the garden?
[2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the
trees of the garden:
[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God
hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall
be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
[6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of
the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and
he did eat.
[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were
naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of
the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
[9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
[10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because
I was naked; and I hid myself.
[11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the
tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
[12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me
of the tree, and I did eat.
[13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?
And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this,
thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon
thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of
thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying,
Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt
eat the herb of the field;
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto
the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust
shalt thou return.
[20] And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all
living.
[21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins,
and clothed them.
[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know
good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the
tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till
the ground from whence he was taken.
[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of
Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way
of the tree of life.
And This point I would like to cross reference some verse in John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were
created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light shines
in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
...
9 The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world
did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive
Him. 12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,
to those who believed in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Given Genesis 1 to 3 the above portion of John 1
makes an interesting cross reference to the above
Footnotes
Genesis 1:2 Or a waste and emptiness.
Genesis 1:2 Or hovering.
Genesis 1:11 Or grass.
Genesis 2:4 Lit. These are the generations.
Genesis 2:6 Or flow.
Genesis 2:20 MT the man, or the Adam.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 January 2023
entitled Choose Joy
Philippians 1:12–21
A) View of circumstances from God's perspective
Philip 1:12-14
12 But I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me
have resulted in advancing the gospel,
13 (Php 1:7) so that my imprisonments in Christ have become known throughout
the entire palace guard and to all the rest.
14 And a great many of the brothers in the Lord, having become confident
because of my incarcerations, have dared to speak the word without fear.
[12] But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which
happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
[13] So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all
other places;
[14] And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are
much more bold to speak the word without fear.
B) Don't worry about the motives of others
Philip 1:15-17
15 Some indeed are preaching Christ out of envy and strife,
and some also from good will.
16 (Php 1:7) The former preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely,
intending to add trouble to my circumstance.
17 (Php 1:7; 2:3) But the latter preach out of love, knowing
that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
[15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of
good will:
[16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add
affliction to my bonds:
[17] But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the
gospel.
Look how the Lord used these circumstances to increase faith.
c) Choose to rejoice
Philip 1:18
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice.
Indeed, I will rejoice.
[18] What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in
truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
A) Determine to rejoice
Philip 1:18d-19
[18] ... and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
[19] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer,
and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
18 ... And in this I rejoice.
Indeed, I will rejoice.
19 (2Co 1:11; Ac 16:7) For I know that through your prayer
and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will result
in my deliverance.
B) Connect into Community
Philip 1:20
20 (1Co 6:20; Ro 5:5) Accordingly, it is my earnest expectation and my hope
that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness as always,
so now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether it be by life
or by death.
[20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
c) Seek to honour Christ ... no matter what
Philip 1:20-21
20 (1Co 6:20; Ro 5:5) Accordingly, it is my earnest expectation and my hope
that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness as always,
so now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether it be by life
or by death.
21 (Gal 2:20) For to me, to continue living is Christ, and to die is gain.
[20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Keith was feeling down as he trudged through the produce aisle. His hands
trembled from the first signs of Parkinson’s disease. How long before his
quality of life began to slide? What would this mean for his wife and
children? Keith's gloom was shattered by laughter. Over by the potatoes, a man
pushed a giggling boy in a wheelchair. The man leaned over and whispered to
his son, who couldn't stop grinning. He was noticeably worse off than Keith,
yet he and his dad were finding joy where they could.
Writing from prison or under house arrest as he awaited the outcome of his
trial, the apostle Paul seemingly had no right to be joyful
(Philippians 1:12-13). The emperor was Nero, a wicked man who had a growing
reputation for violence and cruelty, so Paul had reason to be concerned. He
also knew there were preachers who were taking advantage of his absence to
gain glory for themselves. They thought they could "stir up trouble"
for the apostle while he was imprisoned (v. 17).
Yet Paul chose to rejoice (vv. 18-21), and he told the Philippians to follow
his example: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice!" (4:4). Our situation might seem bleak, yet Jesus is with us now,
and He's guaranteed our glorious future. Christ, who walked out of His tomb,
will return to raise His followers to live with Him. As we begin this new
year, may we rejoice!
By: Mike Wittmer
Reflect & Pray
What personal suffering or injustice causes you to languish in your sorrow?
How might the truth of Jesus bring you joy?
Father, please raise my eyes above my circumstances.
I look to You alone for joy.
For further study, read
Why? Seeing God in Our Pain.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised
by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Cor 8:9
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Eph 1:3-8a
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished
3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded
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 2023 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
1st Day of the month
a) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "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.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
b) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water;
He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be closer to
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for being the just Creator.
Pray to the Lord
"Father, please raise my eyes above my circumstances.
I look to You alone for joy."
Pray to the Lord and pray to him to have courage to confess
Him as Saviour.
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank him for His sacrifice.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for His gifts.
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 for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada!
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God.
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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