Day 23 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 23 January 2023 reflections
Day 23, 23 Jan 2022
Gen 32 - 34
GENESIS 32
Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau
1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." So he called the name
of that place Mahanaim.
3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir,
the country of Edom. 4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must
say to my lord Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says, 'I have sojourned
with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen and donkeys, flocks,
and male servants and female servants, and I am sending this message
to tell my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.' "
6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We went to your brother Esau.
He is coming to meet you, and what is more, four hundred men are with him."
7 Then Jacob was very afraid and distressed, and he divided the people
that were with him, along with the flocks and herds and the camels,
nto two groups. 8 He said, "If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it,
then the other camp which is left may escape."
9 And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God
of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, 'Return to your country
and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,'
10 I am not worthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness
which You have shown to Your servant. For with my staff I crossed over this
Jordan, and now I have become two encampments. 11 Deliver me, I pray,
from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau. For I fear him,
that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
12 You said, 'I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand
of the sea, which is too many to be counted.' "
13 So he spent the night there. Then he selected from what he had with him
a gift for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male
goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels
with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys
and ten male donkeys. 16He gave them to his servants, every drove by itself,
and said to his servants, "Pass over before me,
and keep a distance between each drove."
17 He commanded the one leading, saying, "When my brother Esau meets you
and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going,
and to whom do these animals belong?' 18t hen you are to say,
'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau,
and he is also behind us.' "
19 Likewise he commanded the second and the third and all that
followed the droves, saying, "This is what you are to say to Esau
when you find him. 20 Moreover, say, 'Your servant Jacob is behind us.' "
For he said, "I will appease him with the gift that goes before me,
and then I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."
21 So the gift went before him, but he lodged that night in the encampment.
Jacob Wrestles With God
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants,
and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them
and sent them across the stream along with all that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him there until daybreak.
25 When the man saw that He did not prevail against Jacob,
He touched the socket of his thigh, so the socket of Jacob's thigh
was dislocated, as he wrestled with Him. 26 Then He said,
"Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But Jacob said, "I will not let You go, unless You bless me."
27 So He said to him, "What is your name?"
And he said, "Jacob."
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel.
For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29 Then Jacob asked Him, "Tell me, I pray You, Your name."
But He said, "Why do you ask Me My name?" Then He blessed him there.
30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying,
"I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved."
31 As he crossed over Peniel, the sun rose over him,
and he was limping on his thigh. 32 Therefore to this day the children
of Israel do not eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the thigh,
because He touched the socket of Jacob3s's thigh in the sinew of the hip.
Genesis 32
[1] And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
[2] And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the
name of that place Mahanaim.
[3] And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land
of Seir, the country of Edom.
[4] And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau;
Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there
until now:
[5] And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants:
and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
[6] And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother
Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
[7] Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people
that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two
bands;
[8] And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other
company which is left shall escape.
[9] And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac,
the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred,
and I will deal well with thee:
[10] I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth,
which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
[11] Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of
Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with
the children.
[12] And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the
sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
[13] And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his
hand a present for Esau his brother;
[14] Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and
twenty rams,
[15] Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty
she asses, and ten foals.
[16] And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by
themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space
betwixt drove and drove.
[17] And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth
thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and
whose are these before thee?
[18] Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent
unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
[19] And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed
the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find
him.
[20] And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he
said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and
afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
[21] So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in
the company.
[22] And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two
womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
[23] And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he
had.
[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the
breaking of the day.
[25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the
hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he
wrestled with him.
[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not
let thee go, except thou bless me.
[27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
[28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as
a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he
said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him
there.
[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face
to face, and my life is preserved.
[31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon
his thigh.
[32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank,
which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the
hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
GENESIS 33
Jacob Meets Esau
1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming and four hundred men with him.
So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.
2 He put the female servants and their children in front, then Leah
and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph last.
3 He went on before them,
bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck
and kissed him, and they wept. 5 When Esau looked up and saw
the women and the children, he said, "Who are those with you?"
Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
6 Then the female servants came near, they and their children,
and they bowed down. 7 Leah also with her children came near
and bowed themselves. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near,
and they bowed themselves.
8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company that I met?"
Jacob answered, "These are to find favor in the sight of my lord."
9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
10 Jacob said, "No, I pray you, if I have now found favor in your sight,
then receive my gift from my hand. For I have seen your face,
and it is as though I have seen the face of God, with you having received me
favorably. 11 Please take my blessing that has been brought to you,
because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty."
So he urged him, and he took it.
12 Then Esau said, "Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you."
13 But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are weak,
and the flocks and herds with young are with me. If they are driven
too hard one day, all the flock will die.
14 Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on slowly,
according to the pace of the livestock that goes before me and the pace
the children will be able to endure, until I come to my lord at Seir."
15 So Esau said, "Let me leave some of the people that are with me with you."
But Jacob said, "What need is there?
Let me find favour in the sight of my lord."
16 So Esau returned that day making his way back to Seir.
17 But Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth and built himself a house a
nd made booths for his livestock.
Therefore the name of the place is called Sukkoth.
18 Jacob came peacefully to the city of Shechem,
which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan Aram,
and camped before the city.
19 He bought a parcel of a field,
where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father,
for a hundred pieces of silver.
20 He erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 33
[1] And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and
with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto
Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
[2] And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her
children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
[3] And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven
times, until he came near to his brother.
[4] And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and
kissed him: and they wept.
[5] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said,
Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously
given thy servant.
[6] Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed
themselves.
[7] And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and
after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
[8] And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he
said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
[9] And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto
thyself.
[10] And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy
sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy
face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
[11] Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God
hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him,
and he took it.
[12] And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go
before thee.
[13] And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and
the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive
them one day, all the flock will die.
[14] Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead
on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be
able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
[15] And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are
with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my
lord.
[16] So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
[17] And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths
for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
[18] And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of
Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.
[19] And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of
money.
[20] And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
GENESIS 34
Dinah Is Defiled
1 Now Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see
the daughters of the land.
2 When Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite,
prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and defiled her.
3 He was very smitten by Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl
and spoke kindly to her.
4 Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying,
"Get me this girl for my wife."
5 Now Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah,
but his sons were with his livestock in the field,
so Jacob held his peace until they came.
6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to commune with him.
7 The sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it,
and the men were grieved and were very disturbed,
because Shechem had disgraced Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter,
a thing that should not be done.
8 Hamor spoke with them, saying, "The soul of my son Shechem longs for
your daughter. I pray that you will give her to him to marry.
9 Make marriages with us, and give your daughters to us,
and take our daughters for yourselves.
10 You may dwell with us, and the land will be before you.
Dwell and trade in it and get possessions in it."
11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers,
"Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.
12 You can make the dowry and gift I must bring high, and I will give
according to what you say to me. Just give me the girl to marry."
13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully,
because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
14 They said to them, "We cannot do this.
To give our sister to one who is uncircumcised would be a disgrace to us.
15 But we will consent to you in this: If you will become as we are,
that is, every one of your males be circumcised,
16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
17 But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then
we will take our daughter, and we will leave."
18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.
19 The young man did not delay to do the thing,
because he wanted Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected
than all the household of his father.
20 So Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city,
and they spoke with the men of their city, saying,
21 "These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land
and trade in it. For the land is large enough for them. Let us take their
daughters as our wives, and let us give them our daughters.
22 Only on this
condition will the men consent to dwell with us and be one people: if every
male among us will be circumcised as they are circumcised.
23 Will not their
livestock and their possessions and every animal of theirs be ours? Only,
let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us."
24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and Shechem
his son, and every male was circumcised,
all who went out of the gate of his city.
25 On the third day, when they were in pain, two of Jacob's sons,
Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords
and went to the unsuspecting city and killed all the males.
26 They killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge
of the sword and took Dinah out of the house of Shechem and departed.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and looted the city,
because they had defiled their sister.
28 They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys
and whatever was in the city and in the fields.
29 They took captive and looted all their wealth, all their little ones,
and their wives, even all that was in each house.
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me
by making me revolting among the inhabitants of the land,
among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. Our being few in number,
they will gather themselves together against me and slay me,
and I will be destroyed, both I and my household."
31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?"
Genesis 34
[1] And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to
see the daughters of the land.
[2] And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw
her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
[3] And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the
damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
[4] And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to
wife.
[5] And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons
were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were
come.
[6] And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.
[7] And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the
men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in
Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
[8] And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth
for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
[9] And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take
our daughters unto you.
[10] And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and
trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.
[11] And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find
grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.
[12] Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye
shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
[13] And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father
deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
[14] And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to
one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
[15] But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that
every male of you be circumcised;
[16] Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
[17] But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we
take our daughter, and we will be gone.
[18] And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
[19] And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight
in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his
father.
[20] And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and
communed with the men of their city, saying,
[21] These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land,
and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us
take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
[22] Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be
one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.
[23] Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be
ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
[24] And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of
the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of
the gate of his city.
[25] And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of
the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his
sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
[26] And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and
took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
[27] The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because
they had defiled their sister.
[28] They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which
was in the city, and that which was in the field,
[29] And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took
they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
[30] And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to
stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the
Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together
against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
[31] And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
(Honour killings for us)
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 January 2023 entitled
entitled Lost, Found, Joy
Luke 15:1-10
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Mt 18:12-14
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.
2 (Mt 9:11; Lk 5:30) But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
"This Man receives sinners and eats with them."
3 So He told them this parable, saying,
4 (Eze 34:11-12; 34:16) "What man among you having a hundred sheep
and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness
and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 (1Pe 2:25) Then when he comes home, he calls together his friends
and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me,
for I have found my sheep which was lost.'
7 (Lk 5:32) Likewise, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over
one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need
no repentance.
[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth
sinners, and eateth with them.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth
not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is
lost, until he find it?
[5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
[7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins
(Gk. drachmas, each worth about a day's wage.)
and losing one, does not light a candle and sweep the house
and search diligently until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors,
saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'
10 (Heb 1:14) Likewise, I tell you, there is joy in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
[8] Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece,
doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she
find it?
[9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours
together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had
lost.
[10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth.
"They call me 'the ringmaster.' So far this year I've found 167 lost rings."
During a walk on the beach with my wife, Cari, we struck up a conversation
with an older man who was using a metal detector to scan an area just below
the surf line. "Sometimes rings have names on them," he explained, "and I love
seeing their owners' faces when I return them. I post online and check to
see if anyone contacted lost and found. I've found rings missing for years."
When we mentioned that I enjoy metal detecting as well but didn't do it
frequently, his parting words were, "You never know unless you go!"
We find another kind of "search and rescue" in Luke 15. Jesus was criticised
for caring about people who were far from God (vv. 1-2). In reply, He told
three stories about things that were lost and then found—a sheep, a coin, a
nd a son. The man who finds the lost sheep "joyfully puts it on his shoulders
and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says,
'Rejoice with me'" (vv. 5-6). All the stories are ultimately about finding
lost people for Christ, and the joy that comes as they're found in Him.
Jesus came "to seek and to save the lost" (19:10), and He calls us to follow
Him in loving people back to God (see Matthew 28:19). The joy of seeing
others turn to Him awaits. We'll never know unless we go.
By: James Banks
Reflect & Pray
What joy have you seen when people turn to God?
How will you point others to Jesus' love today?
Thank You, Jesus, for finding and loving me!
Please send me in Your joy to another who needs You today.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 2 - Due Season
Gal 6:9
9 And let us not grow weary in doing good,
for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Jackie's preschool class took on an exciting project: they were going to grow
flowers from seeds, Each child took the seed, planted it carefully in the
bedding soil, watered, and waited. But Jackie couldn't wait. Every day
for a week he ran to the window box, looked for his plants, poked, prodded,
unplanted the seeds and then planted them again. "It's no use,"
he pouted after the first week. "Nothing's gonna grow in there."
We live in an instant society - microwave dinners, quick fixes, easy answers.
We are conditioned by our environment to expect - even to demand -
immediate response, and when we have to wait,
we become impatient and irritable.
Paul's exhortation to the Galatians, "Let us not become weary in doing good,"
is as appropriate for twentieth-century believers as it was for the new church
at Galatia. We lose motivation when we don't see results,
and weariness sets in.
If our work does not seem to be producing as we hope, we want to abandon it
and move on to a new project.
But God says, "You will reap a harvest if you don't give up." We give up too
soon in our prayers for a loved one's salvation. We abandon hope too readily
when we don't see spiritual growth in our own lives, when our investment in
another's spiritual maturity seems to have no return. The Lord says,
"The harvest is coming; be patient; trust me."
In due season the harvest comes; when it's the right time. When the seed has
had time to germinate, when the roots are string enough, when the conditions
are right, the reaping time will come. But we must be willing to wait for
the due season, the moment of ripeness, when our labor brings its return.
Application
a) Have I ever felt that my spiritual labours have produced no harvest at all?
b) What does it mean to my own spiritual growth that there is a "due season"
for reaping the harvest?
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
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and Pray to seek Him in all decisions.
Pray to the Lord: "Thank You, Jesus, for finding and loving me!
Please send me in Your joy to another who needs You today."
Pray to the Lord and thank him that His timing is perfect.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that He rules over us.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for preparing a place in Heaven.
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 genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
Pray for Christians who have lost their jobs, homes and family relationships
because of their faith in the United Arab Emirates.
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
Gen 32 - 34
GENESIS 32
Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau
1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." So he called the name
of that place Mahanaim.
3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir,
the country of Edom. 4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must
say to my lord Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says, 'I have sojourned
with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen and donkeys, flocks,
and male servants and female servants, and I am sending this message
to tell my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.' "
6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We went to your brother Esau.
He is coming to meet you, and what is more, four hundred men are with him."
7 Then Jacob was very afraid and distressed, and he divided the people
that were with him, along with the flocks and herds and the camels,
nto two groups. 8 He said, "If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it,
then the other camp which is left may escape."
9 And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God
of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, 'Return to your country
and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,'
10 I am not worthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness
which You have shown to Your servant. For with my staff I crossed over this
Jordan, and now I have become two encampments. 11 Deliver me, I pray,
from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau. For I fear him,
that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
12 You said, 'I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand
of the sea, which is too many to be counted.' "
13 So he spent the night there. Then he selected from what he had with him
a gift for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male
goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels
with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys
and ten male donkeys. 16He gave them to his servants, every drove by itself,
and said to his servants, "Pass over before me,
and keep a distance between each drove."
17 He commanded the one leading, saying, "When my brother Esau meets you
and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going,
and to whom do these animals belong?' 18t hen you are to say,
'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau,
and he is also behind us.' "
19 Likewise he commanded the second and the third and all that
followed the droves, saying, "This is what you are to say to Esau
when you find him. 20 Moreover, say, 'Your servant Jacob is behind us.' "
For he said, "I will appease him with the gift that goes before me,
and then I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."
21 So the gift went before him, but he lodged that night in the encampment.
Jacob Wrestles With God
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants,
and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them
and sent them across the stream along with all that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him there until daybreak.
25 When the man saw that He did not prevail against Jacob,
He touched the socket of his thigh, so the socket of Jacob's thigh
was dislocated, as he wrestled with Him. 26 Then He said,
"Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But Jacob said, "I will not let You go, unless You bless me."
27 So He said to him, "What is your name?"
And he said, "Jacob."
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel.
For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29 Then Jacob asked Him, "Tell me, I pray You, Your name."
But He said, "Why do you ask Me My name?" Then He blessed him there.
30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying,
"I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved."
31 As he crossed over Peniel, the sun rose over him,
and he was limping on his thigh. 32 Therefore to this day the children
of Israel do not eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the thigh,
because He touched the socket of Jacob3s's thigh in the sinew of the hip.
Genesis 32
[1] And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
[2] And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the
name of that place Mahanaim.
[3] And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land
of Seir, the country of Edom.
[4] And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau;
Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there
until now:
[5] And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants:
and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
[6] And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother
Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
[7] Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people
that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two
bands;
[8] And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other
company which is left shall escape.
[9] And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac,
the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred,
and I will deal well with thee:
[10] I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth,
which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
[11] Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of
Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with
the children.
[12] And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the
sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
[13] And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his
hand a present for Esau his brother;
[14] Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and
twenty rams,
[15] Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty
she asses, and ten foals.
[16] And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by
themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space
betwixt drove and drove.
[17] And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth
thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and
whose are these before thee?
[18] Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent
unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
[19] And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed
the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find
him.
[20] And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he
said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and
afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
[21] So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in
the company.
[22] And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two
womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
[23] And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he
had.
[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the
breaking of the day.
[25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the
hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he
wrestled with him.
[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not
let thee go, except thou bless me.
[27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
[28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as
a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he
said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him
there.
[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face
to face, and my life is preserved.
[31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon
his thigh.
[32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank,
which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the
hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
GENESIS 33
Jacob Meets Esau
1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming and four hundred men with him.
So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.
2 He put the female servants and their children in front, then Leah
and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph last.
3 He went on before them,
bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck
and kissed him, and they wept. 5 When Esau looked up and saw
the women and the children, he said, "Who are those with you?"
Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
6 Then the female servants came near, they and their children,
and they bowed down. 7 Leah also with her children came near
and bowed themselves. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near,
and they bowed themselves.
8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company that I met?"
Jacob answered, "These are to find favor in the sight of my lord."
9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
10 Jacob said, "No, I pray you, if I have now found favor in your sight,
then receive my gift from my hand. For I have seen your face,
and it is as though I have seen the face of God, with you having received me
favorably. 11 Please take my blessing that has been brought to you,
because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty."
So he urged him, and he took it.
12 Then Esau said, "Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you."
13 But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are weak,
and the flocks and herds with young are with me. If they are driven
too hard one day, all the flock will die.
14 Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on slowly,
according to the pace of the livestock that goes before me and the pace
the children will be able to endure, until I come to my lord at Seir."
15 So Esau said, "Let me leave some of the people that are with me with you."
But Jacob said, "What need is there?
Let me find favour in the sight of my lord."
16 So Esau returned that day making his way back to Seir.
17 But Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth and built himself a house a
nd made booths for his livestock.
Therefore the name of the place is called Sukkoth.
18 Jacob came peacefully to the city of Shechem,
which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan Aram,
and camped before the city.
19 He bought a parcel of a field,
where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father,
for a hundred pieces of silver.
20 He erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 33
[1] And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and
with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto
Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
[2] And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her
children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
[3] And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven
times, until he came near to his brother.
[4] And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and
kissed him: and they wept.
[5] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said,
Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously
given thy servant.
[6] Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed
themselves.
[7] And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and
after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
[8] And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he
said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
[9] And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto
thyself.
[10] And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy
sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy
face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
[11] Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God
hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him,
and he took it.
[12] And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go
before thee.
[13] And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and
the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive
them one day, all the flock will die.
[14] Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead
on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be
able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
[15] And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are
with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my
lord.
[16] So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
[17] And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths
for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
[18] And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of
Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.
[19] And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of
money.
[20] And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
GENESIS 34
Dinah Is Defiled
1 Now Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see
the daughters of the land.
2 When Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite,
prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and defiled her.
3 He was very smitten by Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl
and spoke kindly to her.
4 Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying,
"Get me this girl for my wife."
5 Now Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah,
but his sons were with his livestock in the field,
so Jacob held his peace until they came.
6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to commune with him.
7 The sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it,
and the men were grieved and were very disturbed,
because Shechem had disgraced Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter,
a thing that should not be done.
8 Hamor spoke with them, saying, "The soul of my son Shechem longs for
your daughter. I pray that you will give her to him to marry.
9 Make marriages with us, and give your daughters to us,
and take our daughters for yourselves.
10 You may dwell with us, and the land will be before you.
Dwell and trade in it and get possessions in it."
11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers,
"Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.
12 You can make the dowry and gift I must bring high, and I will give
according to what you say to me. Just give me the girl to marry."
13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully,
because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
14 They said to them, "We cannot do this.
To give our sister to one who is uncircumcised would be a disgrace to us.
15 But we will consent to you in this: If you will become as we are,
that is, every one of your males be circumcised,
16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
17 But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then
we will take our daughter, and we will leave."
18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.
19 The young man did not delay to do the thing,
because he wanted Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected
than all the household of his father.
20 So Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city,
and they spoke with the men of their city, saying,
21 "These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land
and trade in it. For the land is large enough for them. Let us take their
daughters as our wives, and let us give them our daughters.
22 Only on this
condition will the men consent to dwell with us and be one people: if every
male among us will be circumcised as they are circumcised.
23 Will not their
livestock and their possessions and every animal of theirs be ours? Only,
let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us."
24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and Shechem
his son, and every male was circumcised,
all who went out of the gate of his city.
25 On the third day, when they were in pain, two of Jacob's sons,
Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords
and went to the unsuspecting city and killed all the males.
26 They killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge
of the sword and took Dinah out of the house of Shechem and departed.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and looted the city,
because they had defiled their sister.
28 They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys
and whatever was in the city and in the fields.
29 They took captive and looted all their wealth, all their little ones,
and their wives, even all that was in each house.
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me
by making me revolting among the inhabitants of the land,
among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. Our being few in number,
they will gather themselves together against me and slay me,
and I will be destroyed, both I and my household."
31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?"
Genesis 34
[1] And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to
see the daughters of the land.
[2] And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw
her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
[3] And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the
damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
[4] And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to
wife.
[5] And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons
were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were
come.
[6] And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.
[7] And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the
men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in
Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
[8] And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth
for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
[9] And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take
our daughters unto you.
[10] And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and
trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.
[11] And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find
grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.
[12] Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye
shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
[13] And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father
deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
[14] And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to
one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
[15] But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that
every male of you be circumcised;
[16] Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
[17] But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we
take our daughter, and we will be gone.
[18] And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
[19] And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight
in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his
father.
[20] And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and
communed with the men of their city, saying,
[21] These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land,
and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us
take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
[22] Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be
one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.
[23] Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be
ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
[24] And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of
the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of
the gate of his city.
[25] And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of
the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his
sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
[26] And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and
took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
[27] The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because
they had defiled their sister.
[28] They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which
was in the city, and that which was in the field,
[29] And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took
they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
[30] And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to
stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the
Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together
against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
[31] And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
(Honour killings for us)
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 January 2023 entitled
entitled Lost, Found, Joy
Luke 15:1-10
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Mt 18:12-14
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.
2 (Mt 9:11; Lk 5:30) But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
"This Man receives sinners and eats with them."
3 So He told them this parable, saying,
4 (Eze 34:11-12; 34:16) "What man among you having a hundred sheep
and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness
and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 (1Pe 2:25) Then when he comes home, he calls together his friends
and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me,
for I have found my sheep which was lost.'
7 (Lk 5:32) Likewise, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over
one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need
no repentance.
[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth
sinners, and eateth with them.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth
not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is
lost, until he find it?
[5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
[7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins
(Gk. drachmas, each worth about a day's wage.)
and losing one, does not light a candle and sweep the house
and search diligently until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors,
saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'
10 (Heb 1:14) Likewise, I tell you, there is joy in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
[8] Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece,
doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she
find it?
[9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours
together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had
lost.
[10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth.
"They call me 'the ringmaster.' So far this year I've found 167 lost rings."
During a walk on the beach with my wife, Cari, we struck up a conversation
with an older man who was using a metal detector to scan an area just below
the surf line. "Sometimes rings have names on them," he explained, "and I love
seeing their owners' faces when I return them. I post online and check to
see if anyone contacted lost and found. I've found rings missing for years."
When we mentioned that I enjoy metal detecting as well but didn't do it
frequently, his parting words were, "You never know unless you go!"
We find another kind of "search and rescue" in Luke 15. Jesus was criticised
for caring about people who were far from God (vv. 1-2). In reply, He told
three stories about things that were lost and then found—a sheep, a coin, a
nd a son. The man who finds the lost sheep "joyfully puts it on his shoulders
and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says,
'Rejoice with me'" (vv. 5-6). All the stories are ultimately about finding
lost people for Christ, and the joy that comes as they're found in Him.
Jesus came "to seek and to save the lost" (19:10), and He calls us to follow
Him in loving people back to God (see Matthew 28:19). The joy of seeing
others turn to Him awaits. We'll never know unless we go.
By: James Banks
Reflect & Pray
What joy have you seen when people turn to God?
How will you point others to Jesus' love today?
Thank You, Jesus, for finding and loving me!
Please send me in Your joy to another who needs You today.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 2 - Due Season
Gal 6:9
9 And let us not grow weary in doing good,
for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Jackie's preschool class took on an exciting project: they were going to grow
flowers from seeds, Each child took the seed, planted it carefully in the
bedding soil, watered, and waited. But Jackie couldn't wait. Every day
for a week he ran to the window box, looked for his plants, poked, prodded,
unplanted the seeds and then planted them again. "It's no use,"
he pouted after the first week. "Nothing's gonna grow in there."
We live in an instant society - microwave dinners, quick fixes, easy answers.
We are conditioned by our environment to expect - even to demand -
immediate response, and when we have to wait,
we become impatient and irritable.
Paul's exhortation to the Galatians, "Let us not become weary in doing good,"
is as appropriate for twentieth-century believers as it was for the new church
at Galatia. We lose motivation when we don't see results,
and weariness sets in.
If our work does not seem to be producing as we hope, we want to abandon it
and move on to a new project.
But God says, "You will reap a harvest if you don't give up." We give up too
soon in our prayers for a loved one's salvation. We abandon hope too readily
when we don't see spiritual growth in our own lives, when our investment in
another's spiritual maturity seems to have no return. The Lord says,
"The harvest is coming; be patient; trust me."
In due season the harvest comes; when it's the right time. When the seed has
had time to germinate, when the roots are string enough, when the conditions
are right, the reaping time will come. But we must be willing to wait for
the due season, the moment of ripeness, when our labor brings its return.
Application
a) Have I ever felt that my spiritual labours have produced no harvest at all?
b) What does it mean to my own spiritual growth that there is a "due season"
for reaping the harvest?
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
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and Pray to seek Him in all decisions.
Pray to the Lord: "Thank You, Jesus, for finding and loving me!
Please send me in Your joy to another who needs You today."
Pray to the Lord and thank him that His timing is perfect.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that He rules over us.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for preparing a place in Heaven.
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 genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
Pray for Christians who have lost their jobs, homes and family relationships
because of their faith in the United Arab Emirates.
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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