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Day 143 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 23 May 2023 reflections

Day 143, 23 May 2023



1)1 Chronicles 23-25



1 Chronicles 23

The Levites

1 (1Ch 29:28; 1Ki 1:33-39; 1Ch 28:5) Now David was old and full of days

when he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

2 So he gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the priests

and the Levites.

3 (1Ch 23:24) The Levites from thirty years old and up were counted,

and their head count of men was 38000.

4 (2Ch 19:8; Dt 16:18) 24000 of these, David said, "shall have charge

of the work in the house of the Lord; six thousand shall be officers

and judges,

5 (2Ch 29:25-26; Am 6:5) four thousand shall be gatekeepers,

and four thousand shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments

that I have made for praise."

6 (1Ch 6:1; 2Ch 8:14) David assigned them to divisions according to the sons

of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.



Gershonites



71 (Ch 26:21) From the Gershonites:

Ladan and Shimei.

8 The sons of Ladan were

first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel, three in all.

9 The sons of Shimei were

Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran, three.

These were the heads of the fathers' houses of Ladan.

10 The sons of Shimei were

Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah.

These four were the sons of Shimei.

11 Now Jahath was the first and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah

did not have many sons, so they were counted as one unit

for their father's house.



Kohathites



12 (Ex 6:18) The sons of Kohath were

Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four in all.

13Ex 6:20; Dt 21:5The sons of Amram were

Aaron and Moses,

but Aaron was set apart to consecrate the most holy things,

he and his sons forever, to offer sacrifices before the Lord,

to minister to Him, and to bless in His name forever.

14 (Dt 33:1; 1Ch 26:23-25) As for Moses, the man of God,

his sons were named among the tribe of Levi.

15(Ex 2:22; 18:3-4)The sons of Moses were

Gershom and Eliezer.

16 (1Ch 26:24) The son of Gershom was

Shubael the chief.

17The son of Eliezer was

Rehabiah the chief.

Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

18The son of Izhar was

Shelomith the chief.

19 (1Ch 24:23) The sons of Hebron were

Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third,

and Jekameam the fourth.

20 The sons of Uzziel were

Micah the first and Ishiah the second.

Merarites

21 (Ex 6:19) The sons of Merari were

Mahli and Mushi.

The sons of Mahli were

Eleazar and Kish.

22 (1Ch 24:28) Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters, so the sons

of Kish, their brothers, took them as wives.

23 (1Ch 24:30)The sons of Mushi were

Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth, three.

24 (Nu 10:17; 10:21) These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers'

houses, the heads of the fathers' houses as they were registered

by the number of their names according to their head count,

those doing the work for the service of the house of the Lord,

from twenty years old and up.

25 (1Ch 22:18) For David said, "The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest

to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever.

26 (Nu 4:5; 7:9) And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle

and all its implements for its service."

27 (1Ch 23:24) For by the last words of David, the sons of Levi were numbered

from twenty years old and up;

28 (Ne 13:9) because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service

of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers,

with the purifying of all holy things, even the work of service

of the house of God,

29 (Lev 19:35-36; Ex 25:30) and with the showbread, the fine flour for

a grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering,

the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity and size,

30 (1Ch 9:33) to stand morning by morning to thank and praise the Lord,

and likewise in the evening,

31 (Isa 1:13-14) and to offer up all burnt offerings to the Lord,

for Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, by number

as the judgment concerning them, continually before the Lord,

32 (Nu 1:53; 3:6-9) and that they should keep charge of the tent

of meeting and the sanctuary and attend to the sons of Aaron,

their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.



1 Chronicles 23

Temple Appointments

1 So when David was old and full of days,

he made Solomon his son king over Israel.



Priests and Levites



2 And he gathered together all the princes of Israel,

with the priests and the Levites.

3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward:

and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.

4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work

of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:

5 moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD

with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

6 And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi,

namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

7 Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.

8 The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.

9 The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were,

the chief of the fathers of Laadan.

10 And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah.

These four were the sons of Shimei.

11 And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah

had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning,

according to their father's house.

12 The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.

13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated,

that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever,

to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him,

and to bless in his name for ever.

14 Now concerning Moses the man of God,

his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.

15 The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.

16 Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.

17 And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief.

And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

18 Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.

19 Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,

Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

20 Of the sons of Uzziel; Micah the first, and Jesiah the second.

21 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren

the sons of Kish took them.

23 The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers;

even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names

by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD,

from the age of twenty years and upward.

25 For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people,

that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:

26 and also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle,

nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.

27 For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered

from twenty years old and above:

28 because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service

of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers,

and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service

of the house of God;

29 both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering,

and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan,

and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

30 and to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD,

and likewise at even;

31 and to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths,

in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according

to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:

32 and that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of

the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of

the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.



1 Chronicles 24

Priestly Divisions Assigned

1 (Ex 6:23; Nu 3:2) Now the divisions of the sons of Aaron were these.

The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

2 (Lev 10:2; Nu 3:4) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father,

and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

3 (2Sa 8:17; 1Ch 24:31) Then David, along with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar

and Ahimelek of the sons of Ithamar, divided them to their offices

by their service.

4 Since the sons of Eleazar were found to have more chief men than the sons

of Ithamar, they divided them into sixteen heads of the fathers' houses

for the sons of Eleazar, and eight for the sons of Ithamar, according

to their fathers' houses.

5 (1Ch 24:31) So they divided them by lots, the one as the other, for there

were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among

both the sons of Eleazar and Ithamar.

6 (1Ch 18:16) Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, the Levite scribe, wrote them

down in the presence of the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelek

the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests

and the Levites, one father's house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.

7 (Ezr 2:36) The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

8 (Ezr 2:39) the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9 the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10 (Lk 1:5; Ne 12:4) the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shekaniah,

12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,

17 the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul,

18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

19 (1Ch 9:25) These were their appointments for their service to come

into the house of the Lord according to the schedule prescribed for them

by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

Remaining Levite Assignments

20 Now for the remaining sons of Levi:

from the sons of Amram, Shubael;

from the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.

21 (1Ch 23:17) For Rehabiah: from the sons of Rehabiah,

the first was Ishiah.

22 (1Ch 23:18) From the Izharites, Shelomoth;

from the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.

23 (1Ch 23:19) The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,

Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

24 (1Ch 23:20) The sons of Uzziel, Micah;

from the sons of Micah, Shamir.

25 The brother of Micah, Ishiah;

from the sons of Ishiah, Zechariah.

26 The sons of Merari, Mahli and Mushi;

the son of Jaaziah, Beno.

27 The sons of Merari:

by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zakkur, and Ibri.

28 (1Ch 23:22) For Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29 For Kish: the son of Kish,

Jerahmeel.

30 (1Ch 23:23) The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.

31 (1Ch 24:5-6; 25:8) These also cast lots just as their brothers,

the sons of Aaron, in the presence of David the king, Zadok,

Ahimelek, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests

and of the Levites, the head of the fathers' houses as well

as his younger brother.



1 Chronicles 24



1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron;

Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children:

therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar,

and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices

in their service.

4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar

than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided.

Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house

of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according

to the house of their fathers.

5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors

of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons

of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites,

wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest,

and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers

of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar,

and one taken for Ithamar.

7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

11 the ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

17 the one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,

18 the three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.

19 These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house

of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD

God of Israel had commanded him.

20 And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael:

of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.

21 Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.

22 Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.

23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,

Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

24 Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.

25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.

26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.

27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.

28 Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.

29 Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.

30 The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons

of the Levites after the house of their fathers.

31 These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron

in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech,

and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal

fathers over against their younger brethren.



1 Chronicles 25



The Musicians

1 (2Ki 3:15; 1Ch 6:33) Then David and the officers of the army also

set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman,

and of Jeduthun, those who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals.

The number of those who did the work according to their service was:

2 (1Ch 25:6; 25:1) From the sons of Asaph:

Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph

under the guidance of Asaph, who prophesied

according to the decree of the king.

3 (1Ch 16:41-42) For Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun:

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the guidance

of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in giving thanks

and praise to the Lord.

4 For Heman, the sons of Heman:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah,

Giddalti, and Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.

5 (1Ch 21:9) All these were the sons of Heman, the king's seer, according

to the words of God, to exalt him, for God gave fourteen sons

and three daughters to Heman.

6 (1Ch 25:1-3) All these were under the direction of their father

for the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres,

for the service of the house of God by decree of the king:

Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

7 So the number of them, with their brothers, who were trained in singing

to the Lord, all of whom were skillful, was 288.

8 (1Ch 26:13) They cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher

and student alike.

9 The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph;

the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve;

10 the third to Zakkur, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

14 the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

20 for the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

21 for the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

22 for the fifteenth to Jerimoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

25 for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi,his sons and his brothers, twelve;

27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

28 for the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

29 for the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

30 for the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;

31 for the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.



1 Chronicles 25

Musicians and Singers



1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service

of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy

with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen

according to their service was:

2 of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah,

the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according

to the order of the king. 3Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah,

and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands

of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp,

to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel,

and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer,

Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:

5 all these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God,

to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house

of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service

of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun,

and Heman.

7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed

in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning,

was two hundred fourscore and eight.

8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small

as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph:

the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:

10 the third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

11 the fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

12 the fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

13 the sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

14 the seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

16 the ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

17 the tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

18 the eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

20 the thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren,

were twelve:

25 the eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

27 the twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

28 the one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

29 the two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

30 the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren,

were twelve:

31 the four and twentieth to Romamti-ezer, he, his sons, and his brethren,

were twelve.



2) Our Daily Bread for 23 May 2023

Not a Dream
By Monica La Rose



Acts 12:1–11, Ephesians 5:14



James Killed and Peter Imprisoned



1 About that time King Herod extended his hands

to harm certain ones from the church.

2 (Mt 20:23; Heb 11:37) He killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 (Ex 23:15; Ac 24:27) Seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further

to arrest Peter also. This happened during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

4 (Lk 21:12) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him

over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him

before the people after the Passover.

5 (2Co 1:11) So Peter was kept in prison. But the church prayed to God

without ceasing for him.



[1] Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex

certain of the church.

[2] And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

[3] And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take

Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

[4] And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him

to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring

him forth to the people.

[5] Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing

of the church unto God for him.



Peter Delivered From Prison



6 (Ac 21:33) The very night when Herod would have brought him out,

Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.

And the guards before the door were securing the prison.

7 (Ac 16:26; 5:19) And suddenly an angel of the Lord approached him,

and a light shone in the prison. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up,

saying, "Rise up, quickly." And the chains fell off his hands.

8 Then the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put your sandals on."

And he did so. Then he said to him,

"Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."

9 (Ps 126:1) He went out and followed him, and did not know that what

was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 (Ac 5:19; 16:26) When they had passed the first and the second guards,

they came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them

by itself. And they went out and went forward one street.

And immediately the angel left him.

11 (Da 3:28; 6:22) When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I certainly

know that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod

and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."



[6] And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was

sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before

the door kept the prison.

[7] And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in

the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise

up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

[8] And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And

so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow

me.

[9] And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which

was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

[10] When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the

iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own

accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith

the angel departed from him.

[11] And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety,

that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of

Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.



14 (Isa 60:1; 26:19) Therefore He says:

"Awake, you who sleep,

arise from the dead,

and Christ will give you light."



[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,

and Christ shall give thee light.



It's like living in a dream you can't wake up from. People who struggle with

what's sometimes called "derealisation" or "depersonalisation" often feel like

nothing around them is quite real. While those who chronically have this

feeling can be diagnosed with a disorder, it's believed to be a common mental

health struggle, especially during stressful times. But sometimes the feeling

persists even when life is seemingly good. It's as if our minds can't trust

that good things are really happening.



Scripture describes a similar struggle of God's people at times to experience

His power and deliverance as something real, not just a dream. In Acts 12,

when an angel delivers Peter from prison-and possible execution (vv. 2, 4)-

the apostle is described as being in a daze, not sure it was really happening

(vv. 9-10). When the angel left him outside the jail, Peter finally "came to

his senses" and realised it had all been real (v. 11 nlt).



In both bad times and good, it can be hard sometimes to fully believe or

experience that God is really at work in our lives. But we can trust that as

we wait on Him, His resurrection power will one day become undeniably,

wonderfully real. God's light will rouse us from our sleep into the reality

of life with Him (Ephesians 5:14).



Why is it sometimes hard for you to feel God's power and love?

How can you experience His love more tangibly?



Dear God, thank You that in good times and bad,

whether I can feel it or not, You're real, creating new life and hope.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 3 - The Promise of Completion



Philippians 1:6



6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you will perfect it

until the day of Jesus Christ.



6 being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun

a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:



"Elizabeth is a good student", the note on the side of the report card read,

"but she doesn't finish what she starts. She has a lot of good ideas, but

rarely brings then to completion."

Many of us are like Elizabeth. We start into a new venture with high hopes

and great motivation. But somewhere along the way, we become discouraged.

Someone tells us that our ideas are stupid, or that we are not capable of

doing what we dream. We get a particularly difficult hurdle and give up.

Sometimes we fell the Christian like is like that, too. We start well, and

believe that in Christ we can accomplish anything. But then our prayers

become rote, our Bible reading ritual. We can't seem to regain that sense

of God's presence; we have, we conclude, "Lost our first love." (Rev 2)

But God has a different perspective. He began the work of salvation in us;

he leads and guides us in his will, and he will complete what he has begun.

Often we fail to see God's grace in the ongoing process of walking with him

because his agenda is different from ours. We know what we want to see

happen in our lives; God knows what needs to happen.

"When I fist came into a relationship with Christ," one woman explained,

"I knew I had a lot of changing to do. But, strangely enough, the things God

changed weren't on my list at all!"

When God begins his work in our lives, he has a plan for our maturity.

He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. And what God

has begun, he will finish.



Application



a) Have I ever tried to "decide" for God what problems in my life

needed dealing with?



b) Has God ever pointed out issues that were a surprise to me?



c) How can today's verse help me relax in God's will and

have confidence in the direction of my life?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 16:10-12



10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful

also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also

in much.

11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who will give you that which is your own?"



10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who shall give you that which is your own?



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



God's Reconciling Peace



Col 3:12-17



12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another

and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,

even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.

14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,

to which also you are called in one body,

rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.



12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have

a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye

are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by 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 2022 edition?)



Ontario



Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario



Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000



est Muslim Population 1 001 542



CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,

Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor



Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that

the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most

Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching

from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly

resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques

are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools

are starting.

And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their

advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,

the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour

brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of

"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of

receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town

reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.

Agree in prayer for:



- net network leaders - the need is great

- the development of network leadership teams

- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals

whom God is calling into this ministry.

- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising

believers

- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas

- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love

towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.



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!



And



Thank you for praying through the

5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.



"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,

I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to

cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.



Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians

and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the

love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.

One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by

light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.



As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and

confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution

to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.



Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.

Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father

to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.



I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.

God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through

the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom

and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."



13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Spirit.



[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that

ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.



ROMANS 15:13



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 the Lord whom to appoint.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You that in good times and bad,

whether I can feel it or not, You're real, creating new life and hope."



Pray to the Lord and remember that The Lord will complete everything

that he uses you for .



Pray to the Lord and pray to be faithful in everything he gives you.



Pray to the Lord and pray for the Word to dwell in you richly .



Agree in prayer for Ontario:



- get network leaders - the need is great

- the development of network leadership teams

- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals

whom God is calling into this ministry.

- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising

believers

- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas

- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love

towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.



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



Praise God for the bold witness og Bible graduates in the Philippines.

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