Day 170 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 19 June 2023 reflections
Day 170, 19 June 2023
1) Ecclesiastes 7-12
Ecclesiastes 7
The Value of Wisdom
1 (Pr 22:1; Ecc 4:2) A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 (Ps 90:12) It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind;
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Grief is better than laughter,
for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.
4 The heart of those who are wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of those who are foolish in the house of feasting.
5 (Ps 141:5; Pr 15:31-32) It is better to hear the rebuke from a wise man
than a man listen to the song of fools.
6 (Ps 58:9; 118:12) For like the crackling sound of thorns under a pot,
so is the mocking laughter of fools.
And this is also vanity.
7 (Dt 16:19; Ex 23:8) For oppression brings confusion to the wise man,
and a bribe destroys a man's heart.
8 (Pr 14:29; 16:32) The end of a matter is better than the beginning of it,
and the patient in spirit than the haughty in spirit.
9 (Pr 14:17; Jas 1:19; Pr 16:32) Do not be quick in your spirit to be angry,
for irritation settles in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, "Why were the earlier days better than these days?"
For it is not from wisdom that you inquire this.
11 (Ecc 11:7) Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
and an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 (Pr 3:18; 8:35) For the protection of wisdom
is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is
that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 (Ecc 1:15; Job 12:14) Consider the work of God:
Who is able to make straight
what He has made crooked?
14 (Ecc 3:22; Dt 28:47) In the day of prosperity be joyful,
but in the day of distress consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
For this reason man will not be able to understand
anything that comes after him.
15 (Ecc 8:12-14; 6:12) I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
There is the righteous man who dies in his righteousness,
and there is the wicked man who extends his life of evil.
16 (Ro 12:3; Pr 25:16) Do not be excessively righteous,
and do not be extremely wise;
why should you destroy yourself?
17 (Ps 55:23; Pr 10:27) Do not be overly wicked,
and do not be a fool;
why should you die before your time?
18 (Ecc 8:12; 11:6) It is good that you should take hold of this,
and from the other not withhold your hand;
for he who fears God will come out from them all.
19 (Pr 21:22; 24:5) Wisdom strengthens the wise man
more than ten rulers who are in the city.
20 (1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Pr 20:9) For there is not a righteous man on earth
who only does good and refrains from sin.
21 (Pr 30:10) Do not give heed to everything people say,
lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22 Your heart knows
that many times you have spoken a curse against others.
23 (Ro 1:22) All this I have tested by wisdom. I said,
"I will be wise,"
but it was far from me.
24 (Ro 11:33; 1Ti 6:16) That which is, is far off,
and exceedingly deep.
Who can find it out?
25 (Ecc 10:13) And I turned my heart to know,
and seek and search out wisdom in how things are
and to experience wicked folly,
even foolishness and madness.
26 (Pr 22:14; 2:18-19) I find more bitter than death
the woman whose heart is snares
and nets,
and whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God escapes her,
but the sinner is taken by her.
27 "See, this is what I found," says the Preacher,
"adding one thing to another to find the sum,
28 (Job 33:23) which my soul still seeks
but I do not find:
One man among a thousand I have found,
but a woman among all these I have not found.
29 (Ge 3:6-7) See, this only have I found:
that God made man upright,
but they have sought out many schemes."
Ecclesiastes 7
The Vanity of Fame
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than
the day of one's birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house
of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to
his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance
the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth
in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better
than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them
that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency
of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight,
which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man
should find nothing after him.
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that
perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his
life in his wickedness.
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise:
why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish:
why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this
withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men
which are in the city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;
lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou
thyself likewise hast cursed others.
The Quest for Wisdom
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far
from me.
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom,
and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly,
even of foolishness and madness:
26 and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares
and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her;
but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, counting one by one, to find
out the account:
28 which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have
I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright;
but they have sought out many inventions.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 (Dt 28:50; Ex 34:29-30) Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a matter?
A man's wisdom makes his face shine,
and the harshness of his face is softened.
The Value of Obedience
2 (1Ki 2:43) I say, "Keep the king's command, because of your oath to God.
3 (Ecc 10:4) Do not be hasty to leave his presence. Do not take a stand
in an unpleasant matter, for he does whatever pleases him."
4 (Job 9:12; Da 4:35) For the word of the king is powerful,
and who would say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 He who keeps his command will know no evil thing;
and a wise heart will know the appropriate time and just way.
6 (Ecc 3:1; 3:17) For to every matter there is an appropriate time
and just way, though a man's distress weighs heavily on him.
7 (Ecc 6:12; 9:12) For he does not know what will happen;
for who can declare to him what will occur?
8 (Job 14:5; Isa 28:15 ) There is not a man with mastery
over the wind to restrain it,
nor with power over the day of death.
And no one can discharge a battle,
nor can wickedness rescue the one possessing it.
9 (Ecc 5:8) All this I saw while applying my heart to every work
that is done under the sun, when one man rules over another
to the other's hurt.
God's Unknowable Ways
10 (Ecc 9:5; Pr 10:7) Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in
and out of the holy place, and they were praised [Or the Heb. forgotten].
in the city where they did works. This is also vanity.
11 (Ps 10:6; Isa 26:10) Because the sentence against an evil deed
is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.
12 (Ps 37:11; 37:18-19) Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times
and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those
who fear God when they have reverence before Him.
13 (Job 14:2; Ecc 6:12) But it will not be well for the wicked, and he will
not prolong his days, like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 (Ecc 7:15; Mal 3:15) There is a vanity that takes place on the earth that
there are righteous men who are treated according to the deeds of the
wicked, and there are wicked men who are treated according to the deeds
of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
15 (Ecc 2:24; 3:12-13) And I commend joy, for man has nothing better
under the sun than to eat and drink and be joyful; for this will go with him
in his labor all the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
16 (Ps 127:2; Ecc 1:13) When I set my heart to know wisdom and to experience
the affairs that are done on earth, though day and night there is no sleep
for one's eyes,
17 (Ecc 3:11; Ps 73:16) then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot
comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Inasmuch as a man labors
to seek, he will not understand. Even if a wise man claims to know,
he cannot grasp it.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?
a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall
be changed.
2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the
oath of God.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he
doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him,
What doest thou?
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's
heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery
of man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him
when it shall be?
8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit;
neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge
in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done
under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another
to his own hurt.
10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place
of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done:
this is also vanity.
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God,
which fear before him:
13 but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong
his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men,
unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there
be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous:
I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun,
than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him
of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that
is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth
sleep with his eyes: )
17 then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work
that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out,
yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it,
yet shall he not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 9
A Common Fate
1 (Dt 33:3; Ecc 8:14) For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could
declare it all: that the deeds of the righteous and the wise are in the hand
of God. No man knows whether love or hate awaits them; both are before him.
2 (Job 9:22; Mal 3:5) The same fate comes to all: There is one fate
for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the evil,
[Evil from Gk.] is missing in some [Heb. mss. for the clean and the unclean,]
for him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good,
so is the sinner;
he who takes an oath
as he who fears an oath.
3 (Ecc 1:17; 8:11) And this is an evil in all that is done under the sun:
that the same event happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are
filled with evil, and folly is in their hearts while they have life,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 But for him who is joined to all
the living here is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 (Job 14:21; Isa 26:14 ) The living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no more reward,
for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 What they loved, hated,
and envied has already perished;
and there is no reward for them from long ago
in everything that is done under the sun.
7 (Ecc 8:15) Go and eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine
with a pleasant heart; for God is already pleased with your deeds.
8 (Ps 23:5) At all times may your clothing be white,
and let not oil ever lack on your head.
9 (Ecc 2:10; 6:12) Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days
of your vain life which He has given you under the sun;
because that is your reward in life and in your toil
because you have labored under the sun.
10 (Ro 12:11; Col 3:23) Whatever your hands find to do, do with your strength;
for there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol,
the place where you are going.
11 (Jer 9:23; Ecc 4:1) Again I saw under the sun that-
the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong,
nor food to the wise,
nor riches to the intelligent,
nor favor to those with knowledge;
but time and chance happen to them all.
12 (Pr 29:6; 1Th 5:3) For man does not know his time:
Like fish caught in an unfortunate net,
like birds caught in a snare,
so the sons of men are ensnared at a tragic, yet appointed time,
when it suddenly falls on them.
The Excellence of Wisdom
13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
14 There was a small city with a few men in it; and a great king came
and surrounded it, and he built up great siege works against it.
15 (Ecc 4:13) But a poor, wise man was found there, and he himself
in his wisdom delivered the city, but no one remembered that poor man.
16 (Ecc 7:19; Pr 21:22) Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength;
yet the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard."
17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better
than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 (Jos 7:1; 7:5) Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but only one sinner can destroy much that is good.
Ecclesiastes 9
1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the
righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man
knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous,
and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean;
to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good,
so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is
one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil,
and madness is in their heart while they live,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog
is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither
have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart;
for God now accepteth thy works.
8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy
vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity:
for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest
under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches
to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;
but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil
net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men
snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14 there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king
against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15 now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered
the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's
wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that
ruleth among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 A dead fly causes a stench in mixed anointing oil,
so a little folly is more weighty than wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 (Pr 13:16; 18:2) Even when a fool walks on the road,
he lacks sense,
and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 (Pr 25:15; Ecc 8:3) If the anger of a ruler rises against you,
do not leave your post;
for calmness pacifies great offenses.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun
like an error that goes out from a ruler:
6 (Est 3:1; Pr 28:12) Folly is set in many high places,
but the rich sit in a low place.
7 (Pr 19:10; 30:22) I have seen slaves riding on horses,
and officials walking along the ground like slaves.
8 (Am 5:19; Pr 26:2)7 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
9 He who quarries stones is injured by them,
and he who splits wood is in danger from them.
10 If an iron piece is blunt
and there is no one to sharpen it,
then he must prevail with more strength;
but wisdom is a benefit to succeed.
11 (Jer 8:17; Ps 58:4-5) If a serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 (Lk 4:22; Pr 15:2) The words of a wise man's mouth bring favor,
but the speech of a fool consumes him;
13 the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 (Pr 15:2; Ecc 3:22) A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be;
who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The labor of the foolish makes him weary,
such that he does not know the way to the city!
16 (Isa 3:12; 2Ch 13:7) Woe to you, O land, when your king is a lad,
and your princes are feasting in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is from nobility,
and your princes are feasting at the appropriate time-
with self-control and not drunkenness!
18 (Pr 20:4 ) The roof beams sink in with slothfulness,
and with the idleness of one's hands the house drips.
19 (Ps 104:15) They make feasts for laughter,
and wine gladdens life;
but money resolves everything.
20 (Ex 22:28; Ac 23:5) Even in your mind do not curse the king;
and in your bedchamber do not curse the rich;
for a bird in the sky may carry your voice,
and a winged creature may declare the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking
savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation
for wisdom and honour.
2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him,
and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place;
for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which
proceedeth from the ruler:
6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants
upon the earth.
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge,
a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith;
and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge,
then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment;
and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool
will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of
his talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be;
and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them,
because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child,
and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy
princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness
of the hands the house droppeth through.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry:
but money answereth all things.
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy
bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which
hath wings shall tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 11
The Value of Diligence
1 (Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42; Heb 6:10) Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2 (Ps 112:9; 1Ti 6:18-19) Give a portion to seven, or even eight,
for you do not know what calamity may happen on the earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty out on the land;
and if a tree falls to the north or south,
in the place that the tree falls, there it will be.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 (Jn 3:8; Ecc 8:17) As you do not know the way of the wind,
or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;
likewise you do not know the work of God
who has made everything.
6 (Ecc 9:10) In the morning sow your seed,
and in the evening do not let your hand rest;
because you do not know which activity will find success,
this way or that way,
or if the both will be good.
1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil
shall be upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth:
and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place
where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth
the clouds shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow
in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of
God who maketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for
thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they
both shall be alike good.
Remember Your Creator in Your Youth
7 (Ecc 7:11) Light is sweet,
and good for the eyes to see the sun;
8 for if a man lives many years,
may he rejoice in all of them.
But let him also remember
that the days of darkness are many.
Everything that comes is vanity.
9 (Ecc 12:14; Job 31:7) Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
and in your early years may your heart do you good;
walk in the path of your heart
and the desire of your eyes;
but know that in all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
10 (2Co 7:1; 2Ti 2:22) Take away anger from your heart,
and remove distress from your body,
for youth and the dawn are vanity.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes
to behold the sun:
8 but if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember
the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days
of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart,
and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things
God will bring thee into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh:
for childhood and youth are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12
1 (Ecc 11:8; 2Sa 19:35) Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the difficult days come
and the years arrive when you say,
"I have no pleasure in them":
2 before the sun, light,
moon, and stars are darkened,
and the clouds leave after the rain;
3 in the day when those watching the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent over;
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows have dimmed eyes;
4 (2Sa 19:35; Jer 25:10) and the doors on the street are shut,
and the sound of grinding is low;
and one rises up at the sound of a bird,
and all the daughters of song are brought low;
5 (Job 17:13; 30:23) when they are afraid of heights,
even the terrors along the road;
the almond tree blossoms,
the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire fails,
because man goes to his eternal home,
and the mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember your Creator before the cord of silver is snapped,
or the bowl of gold smashed,
or the jar by the spring broken
or the wheel at the cistern crushed.
7 (Ge 3:19; Zec 12:1 ) The dust returns to the earth where it was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 (Ecc 1:2) It is all vanity, says the Preacher;
all is vanity.
Epilogue
9 (1Ki 4:32; Pr 1:1) And in addition to being wise,
the Preacher still taught the people knowledge,
and he considered, sought out, and arranged many proverbs.
10 And the Preacher sought to discover words of delight,
and to write in uprightness words of truth.
11 (Ezr 9:8; Ps 80:1) The words of the wise are like goads,
and the collected sayings are like firmly embedded nails,
given by one shepherd.
12 (Ecc 1:18) My son, beware of anything beyond these.
Of making many books there is no end,
and much study is a weariness to the flesh.
13 (Dt 10:12; Ecc 5:7) Now all has been heard.
Let us hear the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 (1Co 4:5; Ecc 11:9) For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every secret thing,
whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come
not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 while the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor
the clouds return after the rain:
3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men
shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those
that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding
is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters
of musick shall be brought low;
5 also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in
the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a
burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the
mourners go about the streets:
6 or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the
pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall
return unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people
knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many
proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:
and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters
of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there
is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 June 2023 t9t;es
Live in Freedom
Galatians 5:1-7,13-15
Galatians 5
1 (Gal 2:4; Ac 15:10; 1Co 16:13) For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast
therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Christian Freedom
2 (Ac 15:1; 2Co 10:1) Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you
become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
3 (Lk 16:28; Gal 3:10) I testify again to every man who is circumcised
that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 (Heb 12:15; Ro 9:31-32) You have been cut off from Christ,
whoever of you are justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
5 (Ro 8:23-25) For we, through the Spirit, by faith, eagerly
wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 (1Co 7:19; 1Th 1:3) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith which works through love.
7 (1Co 9:24; Gal 3:1) You were running well. Who hindered you
from obeying the truth?
13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.
Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.
14 (Lev 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:18-19) For the entire law is fulfilled
in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
(Lev 19:18.)
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that
you are not consumed by one another.
[2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall
profit you nothing.
[3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a
debtor to do the whole law.
[4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified
by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
[5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
[6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
[7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty
for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself.
[15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not
consumed one of another.
In Texas, where I grew up, there were festive parades and picnics in Black
communities every June 19. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I learned
the heartbreaking significance of Juneteenth (a word combining "June" and
"nineteenth") celebrations. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when
enslaved people in Texas learned that President Abraham Lincoln had signed
the Emancipation Proclamation giving them their freedom-two-and-a-half
years earlier. Enslaved people in Texas kept living in slavery
because they didn't know they'd been freed.
It's possible to be free and yet live as slaves. In Galatians, Paul wrote
about another kind of slavery: living life under the crushing demands of
religious rules. In this pivotal verse, Paul encouraged his readers that
"it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not
let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).
Believers in Jesus had been set free from external regulations, including what
to eat and who to befriend. Many, however, still lived as if they were
enslaved.
Unfortunately, we can do the same thing today. But the reality is that Jesus
set us free from living in fear of man-made religious standards the moment we
trusted in Him. Freedom has been proclaimed. Let’s live it out in His power.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
How have you been trapped by religious rules?
How have you experienced freedom in Christ?
Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the burden of oppressive rules.
Learn more about finding your God-given calling.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation
Col 1:21-22
21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.
Application
a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?
b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?
c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
to Jesus?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
And his seed is blessed.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother
laid, and sick of a fever.
[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and
ministered unto them.
[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed
with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that
were sick:
[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
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?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
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
19th Day of the Month
a) Pray the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society
(
1 Tim 2:1-2
)
b) Pray for the province of Prince Edward Island
I) Pray for the leaders of Prince Edward Island,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.
)
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His commandments.
Pray to the Lord: "Father God, I need a good father, a true father,
one who will not leave me. I'm grateful You're this Father for me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to help you fit in to Heaven.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember the righteous will not be forsaken.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He heals your ailments.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- 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 the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society
Pray for the endurance of pastors in Sudan who are frequently harassed
and arrested .
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Ecclesiastes 7-12
Ecclesiastes 7
The Value of Wisdom
1 (Pr 22:1; Ecc 4:2) A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 (Ps 90:12) It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind;
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Grief is better than laughter,
for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.
4 The heart of those who are wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of those who are foolish in the house of feasting.
5 (Ps 141:5; Pr 15:31-32) It is better to hear the rebuke from a wise man
than a man listen to the song of fools.
6 (Ps 58:9; 118:12) For like the crackling sound of thorns under a pot,
so is the mocking laughter of fools.
And this is also vanity.
7 (Dt 16:19; Ex 23:8) For oppression brings confusion to the wise man,
and a bribe destroys a man's heart.
8 (Pr 14:29; 16:32) The end of a matter is better than the beginning of it,
and the patient in spirit than the haughty in spirit.
9 (Pr 14:17; Jas 1:19; Pr 16:32) Do not be quick in your spirit to be angry,
for irritation settles in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, "Why were the earlier days better than these days?"
For it is not from wisdom that you inquire this.
11 (Ecc 11:7) Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
and an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 (Pr 3:18; 8:35) For the protection of wisdom
is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is
that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 (Ecc 1:15; Job 12:14) Consider the work of God:
Who is able to make straight
what He has made crooked?
14 (Ecc 3:22; Dt 28:47) In the day of prosperity be joyful,
but in the day of distress consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
For this reason man will not be able to understand
anything that comes after him.
15 (Ecc 8:12-14; 6:12) I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
There is the righteous man who dies in his righteousness,
and there is the wicked man who extends his life of evil.
16 (Ro 12:3; Pr 25:16) Do not be excessively righteous,
and do not be extremely wise;
why should you destroy yourself?
17 (Ps 55:23; Pr 10:27) Do not be overly wicked,
and do not be a fool;
why should you die before your time?
18 (Ecc 8:12; 11:6) It is good that you should take hold of this,
and from the other not withhold your hand;
for he who fears God will come out from them all.
19 (Pr 21:22; 24:5) Wisdom strengthens the wise man
more than ten rulers who are in the city.
20 (1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Pr 20:9) For there is not a righteous man on earth
who only does good and refrains from sin.
21 (Pr 30:10) Do not give heed to everything people say,
lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22 Your heart knows
that many times you have spoken a curse against others.
23 (Ro 1:22) All this I have tested by wisdom. I said,
"I will be wise,"
but it was far from me.
24 (Ro 11:33; 1Ti 6:16) That which is, is far off,
and exceedingly deep.
Who can find it out?
25 (Ecc 10:13) And I turned my heart to know,
and seek and search out wisdom in how things are
and to experience wicked folly,
even foolishness and madness.
26 (Pr 22:14; 2:18-19) I find more bitter than death
the woman whose heart is snares
and nets,
and whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God escapes her,
but the sinner is taken by her.
27 "See, this is what I found," says the Preacher,
"adding one thing to another to find the sum,
28 (Job 33:23) which my soul still seeks
but I do not find:
One man among a thousand I have found,
but a woman among all these I have not found.
29 (Ge 3:6-7) See, this only have I found:
that God made man upright,
but they have sought out many schemes."
Ecclesiastes 7
The Vanity of Fame
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than
the day of one's birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house
of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to
his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance
the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth
in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better
than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them
that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency
of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight,
which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man
should find nothing after him.
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that
perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his
life in his wickedness.
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise:
why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish:
why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this
withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men
which are in the city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;
lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou
thyself likewise hast cursed others.
The Quest for Wisdom
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far
from me.
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom,
and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly,
even of foolishness and madness:
26 and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares
and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her;
but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, counting one by one, to find
out the account:
28 which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have
I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright;
but they have sought out many inventions.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 (Dt 28:50; Ex 34:29-30) Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a matter?
A man's wisdom makes his face shine,
and the harshness of his face is softened.
The Value of Obedience
2 (1Ki 2:43) I say, "Keep the king's command, because of your oath to God.
3 (Ecc 10:4) Do not be hasty to leave his presence. Do not take a stand
in an unpleasant matter, for he does whatever pleases him."
4 (Job 9:12; Da 4:35) For the word of the king is powerful,
and who would say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 He who keeps his command will know no evil thing;
and a wise heart will know the appropriate time and just way.
6 (Ecc 3:1; 3:17) For to every matter there is an appropriate time
and just way, though a man's distress weighs heavily on him.
7 (Ecc 6:12; 9:12) For he does not know what will happen;
for who can declare to him what will occur?
8 (Job 14:5; Isa 28:15 ) There is not a man with mastery
over the wind to restrain it,
nor with power over the day of death.
And no one can discharge a battle,
nor can wickedness rescue the one possessing it.
9 (Ecc 5:8) All this I saw while applying my heart to every work
that is done under the sun, when one man rules over another
to the other's hurt.
God's Unknowable Ways
10 (Ecc 9:5; Pr 10:7) Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in
and out of the holy place, and they were praised [Or the Heb. forgotten].
in the city where they did works. This is also vanity.
11 (Ps 10:6; Isa 26:10) Because the sentence against an evil deed
is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.
12 (Ps 37:11; 37:18-19) Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times
and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those
who fear God when they have reverence before Him.
13 (Job 14:2; Ecc 6:12) But it will not be well for the wicked, and he will
not prolong his days, like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 (Ecc 7:15; Mal 3:15) There is a vanity that takes place on the earth that
there are righteous men who are treated according to the deeds of the
wicked, and there are wicked men who are treated according to the deeds
of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
15 (Ecc 2:24; 3:12-13) And I commend joy, for man has nothing better
under the sun than to eat and drink and be joyful; for this will go with him
in his labor all the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
16 (Ps 127:2; Ecc 1:13) When I set my heart to know wisdom and to experience
the affairs that are done on earth, though day and night there is no sleep
for one's eyes,
17 (Ecc 3:11; Ps 73:16) then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot
comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Inasmuch as a man labors
to seek, he will not understand. Even if a wise man claims to know,
he cannot grasp it.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?
a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall
be changed.
2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the
oath of God.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he
doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him,
What doest thou?
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's
heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery
of man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him
when it shall be?
8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit;
neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge
in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done
under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another
to his own hurt.
10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place
of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done:
this is also vanity.
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God,
which fear before him:
13 but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong
his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men,
unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there
be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous:
I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun,
than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him
of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that
is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth
sleep with his eyes: )
17 then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work
that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out,
yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it,
yet shall he not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 9
A Common Fate
1 (Dt 33:3; Ecc 8:14) For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could
declare it all: that the deeds of the righteous and the wise are in the hand
of God. No man knows whether love or hate awaits them; both are before him.
2 (Job 9:22; Mal 3:5) The same fate comes to all: There is one fate
for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the evil,
[Evil from Gk.] is missing in some [Heb. mss. for the clean and the unclean,]
for him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good,
so is the sinner;
he who takes an oath
as he who fears an oath.
3 (Ecc 1:17; 8:11) And this is an evil in all that is done under the sun:
that the same event happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are
filled with evil, and folly is in their hearts while they have life,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 But for him who is joined to all
the living here is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 (Job 14:21; Isa 26:14 ) The living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no more reward,
for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 What they loved, hated,
and envied has already perished;
and there is no reward for them from long ago
in everything that is done under the sun.
7 (Ecc 8:15) Go and eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine
with a pleasant heart; for God is already pleased with your deeds.
8 (Ps 23:5) At all times may your clothing be white,
and let not oil ever lack on your head.
9 (Ecc 2:10; 6:12) Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days
of your vain life which He has given you under the sun;
because that is your reward in life and in your toil
because you have labored under the sun.
10 (Ro 12:11; Col 3:23) Whatever your hands find to do, do with your strength;
for there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol,
the place where you are going.
11 (Jer 9:23; Ecc 4:1) Again I saw under the sun that-
the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong,
nor food to the wise,
nor riches to the intelligent,
nor favor to those with knowledge;
but time and chance happen to them all.
12 (Pr 29:6; 1Th 5:3) For man does not know his time:
Like fish caught in an unfortunate net,
like birds caught in a snare,
so the sons of men are ensnared at a tragic, yet appointed time,
when it suddenly falls on them.
The Excellence of Wisdom
13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
14 There was a small city with a few men in it; and a great king came
and surrounded it, and he built up great siege works against it.
15 (Ecc 4:13) But a poor, wise man was found there, and he himself
in his wisdom delivered the city, but no one remembered that poor man.
16 (Ecc 7:19; Pr 21:22) Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength;
yet the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard."
17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better
than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 (Jos 7:1; 7:5) Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but only one sinner can destroy much that is good.
Ecclesiastes 9
1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the
righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man
knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous,
and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean;
to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good,
so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is
one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil,
and madness is in their heart while they live,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog
is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither
have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart;
for God now accepteth thy works.
8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy
vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity:
for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest
under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches
to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;
but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil
net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men
snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14 there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king
against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15 now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered
the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's
wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that
ruleth among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 A dead fly causes a stench in mixed anointing oil,
so a little folly is more weighty than wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 (Pr 13:16; 18:2) Even when a fool walks on the road,
he lacks sense,
and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 (Pr 25:15; Ecc 8:3) If the anger of a ruler rises against you,
do not leave your post;
for calmness pacifies great offenses.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun
like an error that goes out from a ruler:
6 (Est 3:1; Pr 28:12) Folly is set in many high places,
but the rich sit in a low place.
7 (Pr 19:10; 30:22) I have seen slaves riding on horses,
and officials walking along the ground like slaves.
8 (Am 5:19; Pr 26:2)7 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
9 He who quarries stones is injured by them,
and he who splits wood is in danger from them.
10 If an iron piece is blunt
and there is no one to sharpen it,
then he must prevail with more strength;
but wisdom is a benefit to succeed.
11 (Jer 8:17; Ps 58:4-5) If a serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 (Lk 4:22; Pr 15:2) The words of a wise man's mouth bring favor,
but the speech of a fool consumes him;
13 the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 (Pr 15:2; Ecc 3:22) A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be;
who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The labor of the foolish makes him weary,
such that he does not know the way to the city!
16 (Isa 3:12; 2Ch 13:7) Woe to you, O land, when your king is a lad,
and your princes are feasting in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is from nobility,
and your princes are feasting at the appropriate time-
with self-control and not drunkenness!
18 (Pr 20:4 ) The roof beams sink in with slothfulness,
and with the idleness of one's hands the house drips.
19 (Ps 104:15) They make feasts for laughter,
and wine gladdens life;
but money resolves everything.
20 (Ex 22:28; Ac 23:5) Even in your mind do not curse the king;
and in your bedchamber do not curse the rich;
for a bird in the sky may carry your voice,
and a winged creature may declare the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking
savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation
for wisdom and honour.
2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him,
and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place;
for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which
proceedeth from the ruler:
6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants
upon the earth.
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge,
a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith;
and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge,
then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment;
and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool
will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of
his talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be;
and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them,
because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child,
and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy
princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness
of the hands the house droppeth through.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry:
but money answereth all things.
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy
bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which
hath wings shall tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 11
The Value of Diligence
1 (Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42; Heb 6:10) Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2 (Ps 112:9; 1Ti 6:18-19) Give a portion to seven, or even eight,
for you do not know what calamity may happen on the earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty out on the land;
and if a tree falls to the north or south,
in the place that the tree falls, there it will be.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 (Jn 3:8; Ecc 8:17) As you do not know the way of the wind,
or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;
likewise you do not know the work of God
who has made everything.
6 (Ecc 9:10) In the morning sow your seed,
and in the evening do not let your hand rest;
because you do not know which activity will find success,
this way or that way,
or if the both will be good.
1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil
shall be upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth:
and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place
where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth
the clouds shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow
in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of
God who maketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for
thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they
both shall be alike good.
Remember Your Creator in Your Youth
7 (Ecc 7:11) Light is sweet,
and good for the eyes to see the sun;
8 for if a man lives many years,
may he rejoice in all of them.
But let him also remember
that the days of darkness are many.
Everything that comes is vanity.
9 (Ecc 12:14; Job 31:7) Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
and in your early years may your heart do you good;
walk in the path of your heart
and the desire of your eyes;
but know that in all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
10 (2Co 7:1; 2Ti 2:22) Take away anger from your heart,
and remove distress from your body,
for youth and the dawn are vanity.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes
to behold the sun:
8 but if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember
the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days
of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart,
and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things
God will bring thee into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh:
for childhood and youth are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12
1 (Ecc 11:8; 2Sa 19:35) Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the difficult days come
and the years arrive when you say,
"I have no pleasure in them":
2 before the sun, light,
moon, and stars are darkened,
and the clouds leave after the rain;
3 in the day when those watching the house tremble,
and the strong men are bent over;
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows have dimmed eyes;
4 (2Sa 19:35; Jer 25:10) and the doors on the street are shut,
and the sound of grinding is low;
and one rises up at the sound of a bird,
and all the daughters of song are brought low;
5 (Job 17:13; 30:23) when they are afraid of heights,
even the terrors along the road;
the almond tree blossoms,
the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire fails,
because man goes to his eternal home,
and the mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember your Creator before the cord of silver is snapped,
or the bowl of gold smashed,
or the jar by the spring broken
or the wheel at the cistern crushed.
7 (Ge 3:19; Zec 12:1 ) The dust returns to the earth where it was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 (Ecc 1:2) It is all vanity, says the Preacher;
all is vanity.
Epilogue
9 (1Ki 4:32; Pr 1:1) And in addition to being wise,
the Preacher still taught the people knowledge,
and he considered, sought out, and arranged many proverbs.
10 And the Preacher sought to discover words of delight,
and to write in uprightness words of truth.
11 (Ezr 9:8; Ps 80:1) The words of the wise are like goads,
and the collected sayings are like firmly embedded nails,
given by one shepherd.
12 (Ecc 1:18) My son, beware of anything beyond these.
Of making many books there is no end,
and much study is a weariness to the flesh.
13 (Dt 10:12; Ecc 5:7) Now all has been heard.
Let us hear the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 (1Co 4:5; Ecc 11:9) For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every secret thing,
whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come
not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 while the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor
the clouds return after the rain:
3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men
shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those
that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding
is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters
of musick shall be brought low;
5 also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in
the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a
burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the
mourners go about the streets:
6 or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the
pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall
return unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people
knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many
proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:
and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters
of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there
is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 June 2023 t9t;es
Live in Freedom
Galatians 5:1-7,13-15
Galatians 5
1 (Gal 2:4; Ac 15:10; 1Co 16:13) For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast
therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Christian Freedom
2 (Ac 15:1; 2Co 10:1) Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you
become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
3 (Lk 16:28; Gal 3:10) I testify again to every man who is circumcised
that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 (Heb 12:15; Ro 9:31-32) You have been cut off from Christ,
whoever of you are justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
5 (Ro 8:23-25) For we, through the Spirit, by faith, eagerly
wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 (1Co 7:19; 1Th 1:3) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith which works through love.
7 (1Co 9:24; Gal 3:1) You were running well. Who hindered you
from obeying the truth?
13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.
Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.
14 (Lev 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:18-19) For the entire law is fulfilled
in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
(Lev 19:18.)
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that
you are not consumed by one another.
[2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall
profit you nothing.
[3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a
debtor to do the whole law.
[4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified
by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
[5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
[6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
[7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty
for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself.
[15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not
consumed one of another.
In Texas, where I grew up, there were festive parades and picnics in Black
communities every June 19. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I learned
the heartbreaking significance of Juneteenth (a word combining "June" and
"nineteenth") celebrations. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when
enslaved people in Texas learned that President Abraham Lincoln had signed
the Emancipation Proclamation giving them their freedom-two-and-a-half
years earlier. Enslaved people in Texas kept living in slavery
because they didn't know they'd been freed.
It's possible to be free and yet live as slaves. In Galatians, Paul wrote
about another kind of slavery: living life under the crushing demands of
religious rules. In this pivotal verse, Paul encouraged his readers that
"it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not
let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).
Believers in Jesus had been set free from external regulations, including what
to eat and who to befriend. Many, however, still lived as if they were
enslaved.
Unfortunately, we can do the same thing today. But the reality is that Jesus
set us free from living in fear of man-made religious standards the moment we
trusted in Him. Freedom has been proclaimed. Let’s live it out in His power.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
How have you been trapped by religious rules?
How have you experienced freedom in Christ?
Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the burden of oppressive rules.
Learn more about finding your God-given calling.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation
Col 1:21-22
21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.
Application
a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?
b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?
c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
to Jesus?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
And his seed is blessed.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother
laid, and sick of a fever.
[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and
ministered unto them.
[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed
with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that
were sick:
[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
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?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
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
19th Day of the Month
a) Pray the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society
(
1 Tim 2:1-2
)
b) Pray for the province of Prince Edward Island
I) Pray for the leaders of Prince Edward Island,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.
)
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His commandments.
Pray to the Lord: "Father God, I need a good father, a true father,
one who will not leave me. I'm grateful You're this Father for me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to help you fit in to Heaven.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember the righteous will not be forsaken.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He heals your ailments.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- 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 the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society
Pray for the endurance of pastors in Sudan who are frequently harassed
and arrested .
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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