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Day 205 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 24 July 2023 reflections Part 2

2) Our Daily Bread for 24 July 2023 Titled Hope in Grief



1 Thessalonians 4:13-18



The Lord's Coming



13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,

concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others

who have no hope.

14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,

so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord

will not precede those who are asleep.

16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend

from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,

and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we

shall be forever with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.



[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them

which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also

which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are

alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which

are asleep.

[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ

shall rise first:

[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with

them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be

with the Lord.

[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.



Louise was a lively, playful girl who brought smiles to all she met. At the

age of five, she tragically succumbed to a rare disease. Her sudden passing

was a shock to her parents, Day Day and Peter, and to all of us who worked

with them. We grieved along with them.



Yet, Day Day and Peter have found the strength to keep going. When I asked

Day Day how they were coping, she said they drew strength from focusing on

where Louise was-in Jesus' loving arms. "We rejoice for our daughter whose

time is up to go into eternal life," she said. "By God's grace and strength,

we can navigate through the grief and continue to do what He has entrusted

us to do.”



Day Day's comfort is found in her confidence in the heart of God who revealed

Himself in Jesus. Biblical hope is much more than mere optimism; it's an

absolute certainty based on God's promise, which He will never break. In our

sadness, we can cling to this powerful truth, as Paul encouraged those

grieving over departed friends: "We believe that Jesus died and rose again,

and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep

in him" (1 Thessalonians 4:14). May this certain hope give us strength

and comfort today-even in our grief.



By: Leslie Koh



Reflect & Pray



How can you draw strength from God's promises to those who follow Him?

How can you comfort someone grieving over a loved one or friend?



Father, thank You for Your hope and comfort today.

Strengthen me today so I can encourage others too.



For further study, read Clinging to Hope in the Storm.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 2 - Growing Up



2 Tim 3:16-17



16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable

for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction

in righteousness,

17 (1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:21) that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.



16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction

in righteousness:

17 that the man of God may be perfect,

throughly furnished unto all good works.



"I can't wait till I get big!" Marc, age 5, declared. "Then I do

what I want!" Most of us, as children, shared Marc's statement.

We looked forward to that "magic age" - 16, 18, 21 - when we

would be adults: mature, able to make our own decisions.

We find, of course, that adulthood has its own share of

difficulties and conflicts. But even in our spiritual lives

we often long for a "magic moment" of maturity. As one woman

confessed, "Ever since I became a Christian, I've hoped I'd wake up

one morning to find myself mature."

But growth in the spiritual life comes gradually, like growth in

the physical world. In 2 Tim 2:16-17, Paul gives the young pastor

Timothy an important key to spiritual growing up - the Word of God.

The Word is "profitable" or "useful," Paul says, for "teaching" - that is,

for developing a right concept of God. Scripture offers "rebuke" when

we go wrong, "correction" to set us on the right path, and "training

in righteousness" so that we can grow in the image of Christ.

The purpose of Scripture's work in our lives, Paul emphasises,

is that we may be "perfect" - mature, equipped for the good things

God has for us to do. Such maturity does not come easily

or instantaneously, but it does come - sometimes imperceptibly -

as we submit our lives to the transforming power of God's Word.



Application



a) In what areas of my life do I need to grow? How can I benefit

from the Bible's



i) teaching?



ii) rebuke?



iii) correction?



iv) training in righteousness?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Ps 35:27



27 May those who favour my righteous cause

shout for joy and be glad;

may they say continually, "The Lord be magnified,

who delights in the peace of His servant."



27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad,

that favour my righteous cause:

Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified,

which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.



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



God's Generous Provision



Matthew 6:24-34



God and Money



24 (Lk 16:13; 16:11; 16:9) "No one can serve two masters.

For either he will hate the one and love the other,

or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and money."



Care and Anxiety



Lk 12:22-34



25 (Mt 6:31; 6:34; Php 4:6) "Therefore, I say to you,

take no thought about your life, what you will eat,

or what you will drink, nor about your body,

what you will put on. Is not life more than

and the body than clothing?

26 (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9) Look at the birds of the air,

for they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns.

Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?

27 Who among you by taking thought can add a cubit

(A cubit is about half a meter.) to his stature?

28 (Mt 6:25; 6:31) "Why take thought about clothing?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:

They neither work, nor do they spin.

29 (1Ki 10:4-7; 2Ch 9:4-6) Yet I say to you that even Solomon

in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

30 (Mt 8:26; 14:31) Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field,

which today is here and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 (1Pe 5:7) Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?'

or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 (Mt 6:8; Lk 12:30) (For the Gentiles seek after all these things.)

For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.

33 (1Ti 4:8; 1Ki 3:11-13) But seek first the kingdom of God

and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.

34 (Mt 6:25) Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself.

Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof.



True Wisdom



24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,

and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not

the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor

gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much

better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed

like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.



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?)



Where do Muslims live?



Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers

to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as

your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.



Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National

Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have

also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims

self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on

the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total

Canadian population, not provincial



BC - 136493 - 7.5%

AB - 195240 - 11%

SK - 17279 - 1%

MB - 21349 - 1.2%

ON - 1001542 - 55%

QC - 418946 - 23%

NB - 4543 - 0.003%

NS - 14629 - 0.1%

PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%

NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%

Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%

NWT - 473 - 0.0003%

NU - 86 - 0.00005%



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.



For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.



You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"



Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:



- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,

"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

18 Even on My menservants and maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]



Footnotes

Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



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

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

Christ among Muslim people -

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

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

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



And



Thank you for praying through the

5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.



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

I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to

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



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

and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the

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

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

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



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

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

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



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

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

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



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

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

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

and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."



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

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

through the power of the Holy Spirit.



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

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



ROMANS 15:13



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



Day 24 of the Month



a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel

at every level of Canadian Society. (



Col 4:3



3 while praying also for us, that God would open to

us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,

for which I am also in chains,



3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto

us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,

for which I am also in bonds:



)



b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan



I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,

that God's Spirit would influence

then to act justly,

serve with integrity

and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good

and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved

and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province,

that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use

the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



)

Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to humble yourself before the Lord and pray for your

enemies to coem to know Him.



Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You for Your hope and comfort today.

Strengthen me today so I can encourage others too."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the His Word is inspired by Him.



Pray to the Lord and pray to favour his Righteousness.



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness.



Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.



Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- 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 that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel

at every level of Canadian Society.



Pray that God's word will spread freely in Tanzania as Christian minister

in dangerous areas ( 2 Thess 3:1-3



1 (1Th 5:25; 1:8) Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord

may quickly spread and be glorified, even as it did with you.

2 (Ro 15:31; Dt 32:20) And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable

and wicked men, for not all men have faith.

3 (1Co 1:9; Mt 6:13) But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you

and guard you from the evil one.



[1] Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free

course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

[2] And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all

men have not faith.

[3] But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from

evil. )



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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