Day 17 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 17 January 2023 reflections
Day 17, 17 Jan 2022
1)
Genesis 16-18
GENESIS 16
The Birth of Ishmael
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children,
and she had a maidservant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, "The Lord has prevented me from having children.
Please go in to my maid; it may be that I will obtain children through her."
Abram listened to Sarai.
3 So after Abram had been living
for ten years in the land of Canaan,
Sarai, his wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian,
and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived.
When she saw that she had conceived,
she began to despise her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram,
"May the wrong done to me be on you!
I gave my maid into your arms;
and when she saw that she had conceived,
I became despised in her eyes.
May the Lord judge between you and me."
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."
11 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"You are pregnant
and will bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He will be a wild man;
his hand will be against every man,
and every man's hand will be against him.
And he will dwell
in the presence of all his brothers."
13 Then she called the name of the Lord that spoke to her,
"You are the God who sees," for she said,
"Have I now looked on Him who sees me?"
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi.
It is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the son she bore Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
(Ishmael is the father of the Arab race)
Genesis 16
[1] Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an
Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
[2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from
bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain
children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
[3] And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had
dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to
be his wife.
[4] And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she
had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
[5] And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid
into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in
her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
[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.
[11] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child,
and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath
heard thy affliction.
[12] And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and
every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his
brethren.
[13] And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest
me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
[14] Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between
Kadesh and Bered.
[15] And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which
Hagar bare, Ishmael.
[16] And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to
Abram.
GENESIS 17
The Covenant of Circumcision
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old,
the Lord appeared to him and said,
"I am Almighty God. Walk before Me and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between you and Me and will exceedingly multiply you."
3 Abram fell on his face and God said to him,
4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer will your name be called Abram,
but your name will be Abraham,
for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful;
and I will make nations of you,
and kings will come from you.
7 I will establish My covenant between Me
and you and your descendants after you
throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant,
to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 All the land of Canaan, where you now live as strangers,
I will give to you and to your descendants for an everlasting possession,
and I will be their God."
9 Then God said to Abraham,
"As for you, you shall keep My covenant,
you and your descendants
after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant,
which you shall keep,
between Me and you
and your descendants after you;
every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 Every male throughout every generation
that is eight days old shall be circumcised,
whether born in your household
or bought with money from a foreigner
who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house
and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised.
My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.
14 Any uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin
is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people.
He has broken My covenant."
15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife,
you will not call her name Sarai,
but her name will be Sarah.
16 I will bless her and also give you a son by her.
I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations.
Kings of peoples will come from her."
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart,
"Shall a child be born to a man that is a hundred years old?
Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
18 Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"
19 Then God said, "No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,
and you will call his name Isaac.
I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant
and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you.
I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful
and will multiply him exceedingly.
He will be the father of twelve princes,
and I will make him a great nation.
21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac,
whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."
22 Then He stopped talking with Abraham, and God went up from him.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael, his son,
and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money,
every male among the men of Abraham's household,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins
that very same day as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 His son, Ishmael, was thirteen years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
27 All the men born in Abrahams's household
or bought from foreigners were circumcised with him.
Genesis 17
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou
perfect.
[2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly.
[3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father
of many nations.
[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be
Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
[6] And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of
thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
[7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after
thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee.
[8] And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein
thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession;
and I will be their God.
[9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou,
and thy seed after thee in their generations.
[10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy
seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
[11] And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a
token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
[12] And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man
child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with
money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
[13] He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money,
must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an
everlasting covenant.
[14] And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not
circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my
covenant.
[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call
her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
[16] And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will
bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of
her.
[17] Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart,
Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall
Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
[18] And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
[19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou
shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
[20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and
will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes
shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
[21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear
unto thee at this set time in the next year.
[22] And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
[23] And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of
Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame
day, as God had said unto him.
[24] And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[25] And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[26] In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
[27] And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money
of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
(God never breaks his word)
GENESIS 18
Isaac's Birth Foretold
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham
near the great oak trees of Mamre
while he sat in the tent door
in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham lifted up his eyes
and looked and saw three men standing across from him.
When he saw them, he ran from the tent door
to meet them and bowed himself toward the ground.
3 He said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight,
do not pass by Your servant.
4 Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet
and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 I will bring a piece of bread
so that you may refresh yourselves.
After that you may pass on,
now that you have come to your servant."
And they said, "So do, as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said,
"Quickly prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes."
7 Then Abraham ran to the herd
and took a choice and tender calf
and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought butter and milk
and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them;
and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "There, in the tent."
10 One of them said, "I will certainly return
to you about this time next year,
and Sarah your wife will have a son."
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and very advanced in age,
and Sarah was well past childbearing.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying,
"After I am so old and my lord is old also,
shall I have pleasure?"
(The Lord is in charge, nothing is impoosible for him)
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say,
'Shall I surely bear a child when I am old?'
14 Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
At the appointed time I will return to you,
at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
15T hen Sarah denied it, saying,
"I did not laugh," because she was afraid.
But He said, "Yes, you did laugh."
Sodom and Gomorrah
16 Then the men rose up and looked toward Sodom,
and Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
19 I chose him, and he will instruct his children and his household
after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice,
so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He promised him."
20 Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great,
and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down and see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has come to Me. If not, I will know."
22 The men turned away from there
and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
23 Then Abraham drew near and said,
"Shall You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous in the city?
Shall You also destroy, and not spare the place,
for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this,
to slay the righteous with the wicked,
so that the righteous should be treated like the wicked;
far be it from You. Should not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
26 So the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare the entire place for their sakes."
27 Then Abraham answered and said,
"I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord.
28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous.
Will You destroy all the city for lack of five?"
And He said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said,
"Suppose there will be forty found there?"
So He said, "I will not do it for the sake of forty."
30 Then he said to Him,
"Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.
Suppose there will be thirty found there?"
Again He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31 He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord.
Suppose twenty are found there?"
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."
32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry,
and I will speak only once more.
Suppose ten will be found there?"
Then He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."
33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had stopped
speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the
tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and
when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself
toward the ground,
[3] And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not
away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
[4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree:
[5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after
that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they
said, So do, as thou hast said.
[6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready
quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the
hearth.
[7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and
gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
[8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set
it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
[9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in
the tent.
[10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of
life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the
tent door, which was behind him.
[11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased
to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
[12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old
shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
[13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,
Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
[14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return
unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
[15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he
said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
[16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham
went with them to bring them on the way.
[17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
[18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and
all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
[19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and
judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of
him.
[20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and
because their sin is very grievous;
[21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according
to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
[22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but
Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
[23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous
with the wicked?
[24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also
destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
[25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous
with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far
from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
[26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to
speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
[28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou
destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty
and five, I will not destroy it.
[29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be
forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
[30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:
Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do
it, if I find thirty there.
[31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord:
Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for twenty's sake.
[32] And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but
this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for ten's sake.
[33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with
Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
(You may bargain with the Lord in humility)
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 January 2023 entitled
Never Late
John 11:17-27
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
17 (Jn 11:39) When Jesus arrived, He found that he had been in the tomb
four days already.
18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, less than two miles away.
(Gk. 15 stadia, or about 3 kilometers.)
19 (Job 2:11; Jn 11:31) Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary,
to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 (Lk 10:38-42) When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went
and met Him, but Mary remained in the house.
21 (Jn 11:32; 11:37) Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here,
my brother would not have died.
22 (Jn 9:31; 11:41-42) But even now I know that whatever You may ask of God,
God will give You."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 (Jn 5:28-29; Ac 24:15) Martha said to Him,
"I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
25 (Jn 1:4; 1Th 4:14) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live.
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 (Mt 16:16; Jn 6:14) She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that
You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
[17] Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days
already.
[18] Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
[19] And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them
concerning their brother.
[20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met
him: but Mary sat still in the house.
[21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother
had not died.
[22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will
give it thee.
[23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
[24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day.
[25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
[26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this?
[27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son of God, which should come into the world.
As a visitor to a small West African town, my American pastor made sure to
arrive on time for a 10 a.m. Sunday service. Inside the humble sanctuary,
however, he found the room empty. So he waited. One hour. Two hours. Finally,
about 12:30 p.m., when the local pastor arrived after his long walk there-
followed by some choir members and a gathering of friendly town people-
the service began "in the fullness of time," as my pastor later said. "The
Spirit welcomed us, and God wasn't late." My pastor understood the culture
was different here for its own good reasons.
Time seems relative, but God’s perfect, on-time nature is affirmed throughout
the Scriptures. Thus, after Lazarus got sick and died, Jesus arrived four days
later, with Lazarus' sisters asking why. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You
had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21). We may think the
same, wondering why God doesn't hurry to fix our problems.
Better instead to wait by faith for His answers and power.
As theologian Howard Thurman wrote, "We wait, our Father, until at last
something of thy strength becomes our strength, something of thy heart
becomes our heart, something of thy forgiveness becomes our forgiveness.
We wait, O God, we wait." Then, as with Lazarus, when God responds,
we're miraculously blessed by what wasn't, after all, a delay.
By: Patricia Raybon
Reflect & Pray
What are you waiting for God to do or provide on your behalf?
How can you wait by faith?
For You, Father, I wait.
Grant me Your strength and faithful hope in my waiting.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness
Eph 4:32
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Don had lost his job because he stood against his boss and refused to
compromise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had
turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,
and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support
of those who cared.
But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to
recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and
honestly, " I believe my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show
him." The kindness of Don's heart, and the tenderness with which he
extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's
boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of
forgiving.
Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be
overstocked with judgment and crammed full of condemnation, but we have
little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick
to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for
the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,
the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.
Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgiveness when he
looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet
for his cloak, and said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
are doing."
When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are
doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -
not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,
in the simplicity and purity of God's love.
Application
a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?
b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?
c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 22:7
7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
John 14:1 - 7
1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.
2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.
If it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself,
that where I am, you may be also.
4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know
where You are going. How can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.
From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,
I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest;
and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:
and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and be humble in your prayer if you have to negotiate
and bargain with Him.
Pray to the Lord: "For You, Father, I wait.
Grant me Your strength and faithful hope in my waiting."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a tender forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know who owns what.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that all believers in Heaven
has a place being prepared.
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 the safety of those who live in your community - safety from
conflict and crimes
Pray for village pastors in Kenya receiving theological training for the
first time
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1)
Genesis 16-18
GENESIS 16
The Birth of Ishmael
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children,
and she had a maidservant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, "The Lord has prevented me from having children.
Please go in to my maid; it may be that I will obtain children through her."
Abram listened to Sarai.
3 So after Abram had been living
for ten years in the land of Canaan,
Sarai, his wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian,
and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived.
When she saw that she had conceived,
she began to despise her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram,
"May the wrong done to me be on you!
I gave my maid into your arms;
and when she saw that she had conceived,
I became despised in her eyes.
May the Lord judge between you and me."
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."
11 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"You are pregnant
and will bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He will be a wild man;
his hand will be against every man,
and every man's hand will be against him.
And he will dwell
in the presence of all his brothers."
13 Then she called the name of the Lord that spoke to her,
"You are the God who sees," for she said,
"Have I now looked on Him who sees me?"
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi.
It is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the son she bore Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
(Ishmael is the father of the Arab race)
Genesis 16
[1] Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an
Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
[2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from
bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain
children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
[3] And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had
dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to
be his wife.
[4] And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she
had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
[5] And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid
into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in
her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
[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.
[11] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child,
and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath
heard thy affliction.
[12] And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and
every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his
brethren.
[13] And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest
me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
[14] Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between
Kadesh and Bered.
[15] And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which
Hagar bare, Ishmael.
[16] And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to
Abram.
GENESIS 17
The Covenant of Circumcision
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old,
the Lord appeared to him and said,
"I am Almighty God. Walk before Me and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between you and Me and will exceedingly multiply you."
3 Abram fell on his face and God said to him,
4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer will your name be called Abram,
but your name will be Abraham,
for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful;
and I will make nations of you,
and kings will come from you.
7 I will establish My covenant between Me
and you and your descendants after you
throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant,
to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 All the land of Canaan, where you now live as strangers,
I will give to you and to your descendants for an everlasting possession,
and I will be their God."
9 Then God said to Abraham,
"As for you, you shall keep My covenant,
you and your descendants
after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant,
which you shall keep,
between Me and you
and your descendants after you;
every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 Every male throughout every generation
that is eight days old shall be circumcised,
whether born in your household
or bought with money from a foreigner
who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house
and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised.
My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.
14 Any uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin
is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people.
He has broken My covenant."
15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife,
you will not call her name Sarai,
but her name will be Sarah.
16 I will bless her and also give you a son by her.
I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations.
Kings of peoples will come from her."
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart,
"Shall a child be born to a man that is a hundred years old?
Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
18 Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"
19 Then God said, "No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,
and you will call his name Isaac.
I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant
and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you.
I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful
and will multiply him exceedingly.
He will be the father of twelve princes,
and I will make him a great nation.
21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac,
whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."
22 Then He stopped talking with Abraham, and God went up from him.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael, his son,
and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money,
every male among the men of Abraham's household,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins
that very same day as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 His son, Ishmael, was thirteen years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
27 All the men born in Abrahams's household
or bought from foreigners were circumcised with him.
Genesis 17
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou
perfect.
[2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly.
[3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father
of many nations.
[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be
Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
[6] And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of
thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
[7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after
thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee.
[8] And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein
thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession;
and I will be their God.
[9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou,
and thy seed after thee in their generations.
[10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy
seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
[11] And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a
token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
[12] And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man
child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with
money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
[13] He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money,
must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an
everlasting covenant.
[14] And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not
circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my
covenant.
[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call
her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
[16] And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will
bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of
her.
[17] Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart,
Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall
Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
[18] And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
[19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou
shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
[20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and
will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes
shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
[21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear
unto thee at this set time in the next year.
[22] And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
[23] And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of
Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame
day, as God had said unto him.
[24] And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[25] And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[26] In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
[27] And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money
of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
(God never breaks his word)
GENESIS 18
Isaac's Birth Foretold
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham
near the great oak trees of Mamre
while he sat in the tent door
in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham lifted up his eyes
and looked and saw three men standing across from him.
When he saw them, he ran from the tent door
to meet them and bowed himself toward the ground.
3 He said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight,
do not pass by Your servant.
4 Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet
and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 I will bring a piece of bread
so that you may refresh yourselves.
After that you may pass on,
now that you have come to your servant."
And they said, "So do, as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said,
"Quickly prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes."
7 Then Abraham ran to the herd
and took a choice and tender calf
and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought butter and milk
and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them;
and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "There, in the tent."
10 One of them said, "I will certainly return
to you about this time next year,
and Sarah your wife will have a son."
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and very advanced in age,
and Sarah was well past childbearing.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying,
"After I am so old and my lord is old also,
shall I have pleasure?"
(The Lord is in charge, nothing is impoosible for him)
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say,
'Shall I surely bear a child when I am old?'
14 Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
At the appointed time I will return to you,
at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
15T hen Sarah denied it, saying,
"I did not laugh," because she was afraid.
But He said, "Yes, you did laugh."
Sodom and Gomorrah
16 Then the men rose up and looked toward Sodom,
and Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
19 I chose him, and he will instruct his children and his household
after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice,
so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He promised him."
20 Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great,
and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down and see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has come to Me. If not, I will know."
22 The men turned away from there
and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
23 Then Abraham drew near and said,
"Shall You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous in the city?
Shall You also destroy, and not spare the place,
for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this,
to slay the righteous with the wicked,
so that the righteous should be treated like the wicked;
far be it from You. Should not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
26 So the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare the entire place for their sakes."
27 Then Abraham answered and said,
"I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord.
28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous.
Will You destroy all the city for lack of five?"
And He said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said,
"Suppose there will be forty found there?"
So He said, "I will not do it for the sake of forty."
30 Then he said to Him,
"Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.
Suppose there will be thirty found there?"
Again He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31 He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord.
Suppose twenty are found there?"
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."
32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry,
and I will speak only once more.
Suppose ten will be found there?"
Then He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."
33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had stopped
speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the
tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and
when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself
toward the ground,
[3] And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not
away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
[4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree:
[5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after
that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they
said, So do, as thou hast said.
[6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready
quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the
hearth.
[7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and
gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
[8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set
it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
[9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in
the tent.
[10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of
life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the
tent door, which was behind him.
[11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased
to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
[12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old
shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
[13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,
Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
[14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return
unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
[15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he
said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
[16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham
went with them to bring them on the way.
[17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
[18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and
all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
[19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and
judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of
him.
[20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and
because their sin is very grievous;
[21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according
to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
[22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but
Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
[23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous
with the wicked?
[24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also
destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
[25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous
with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far
from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
[26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to
speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
[28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou
destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty
and five, I will not destroy it.
[29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be
forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
[30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:
Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do
it, if I find thirty there.
[31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord:
Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for twenty's sake.
[32] And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but
this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for ten's sake.
[33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with
Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
(You may bargain with the Lord in humility)
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 January 2023 entitled
Never Late
John 11:17-27
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
17 (Jn 11:39) When Jesus arrived, He found that he had been in the tomb
four days already.
18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, less than two miles away.
(Gk. 15 stadia, or about 3 kilometers.)
19 (Job 2:11; Jn 11:31) Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary,
to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 (Lk 10:38-42) When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went
and met Him, but Mary remained in the house.
21 (Jn 11:32; 11:37) Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here,
my brother would not have died.
22 (Jn 9:31; 11:41-42) But even now I know that whatever You may ask of God,
God will give You."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 (Jn 5:28-29; Ac 24:15) Martha said to Him,
"I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
25 (Jn 1:4; 1Th 4:14) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live.
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 (Mt 16:16; Jn 6:14) She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that
You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
[17] Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days
already.
[18] Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
[19] And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them
concerning their brother.
[20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met
him: but Mary sat still in the house.
[21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother
had not died.
[22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will
give it thee.
[23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
[24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day.
[25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
[26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this?
[27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son of God, which should come into the world.
As a visitor to a small West African town, my American pastor made sure to
arrive on time for a 10 a.m. Sunday service. Inside the humble sanctuary,
however, he found the room empty. So he waited. One hour. Two hours. Finally,
about 12:30 p.m., when the local pastor arrived after his long walk there-
followed by some choir members and a gathering of friendly town people-
the service began "in the fullness of time," as my pastor later said. "The
Spirit welcomed us, and God wasn't late." My pastor understood the culture
was different here for its own good reasons.
Time seems relative, but God’s perfect, on-time nature is affirmed throughout
the Scriptures. Thus, after Lazarus got sick and died, Jesus arrived four days
later, with Lazarus' sisters asking why. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You
had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21). We may think the
same, wondering why God doesn't hurry to fix our problems.
Better instead to wait by faith for His answers and power.
As theologian Howard Thurman wrote, "We wait, our Father, until at last
something of thy strength becomes our strength, something of thy heart
becomes our heart, something of thy forgiveness becomes our forgiveness.
We wait, O God, we wait." Then, as with Lazarus, when God responds,
we're miraculously blessed by what wasn't, after all, a delay.
By: Patricia Raybon
Reflect & Pray
What are you waiting for God to do or provide on your behalf?
How can you wait by faith?
For You, Father, I wait.
Grant me Your strength and faithful hope in my waiting.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness
Eph 4:32
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Don had lost his job because he stood against his boss and refused to
compromise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had
turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,
and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support
of those who cared.
But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to
recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and
honestly, " I believe my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show
him." The kindness of Don's heart, and the tenderness with which he
extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's
boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of
forgiving.
Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be
overstocked with judgment and crammed full of condemnation, but we have
little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick
to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for
the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,
the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.
Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgiveness when he
looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet
for his cloak, and said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
are doing."
When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are
doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -
not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,
in the simplicity and purity of God's love.
Application
a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?
b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?
c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 22:7
7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
John 14:1 - 7
1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.
2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.
If it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself,
that where I am, you may be also.
4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know
where You are going. How can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.
From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,
I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest;
and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:
and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and be humble in your prayer if you have to negotiate
and bargain with Him.
Pray to the Lord: "For You, Father, I wait.
Grant me Your strength and faithful hope in my waiting."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a tender forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know who owns what.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that all believers in Heaven
has a place being prepared.
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 the safety of those who live in your community - safety from
conflict and crimes
Pray for village pastors in Kenya receiving theological training for the
first time
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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