Day 262 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 19 September 2023 reflections
Day 262, 19 September 2023
1) Zechariah 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Zechariah 1
1 (Ne 12:4; Mt 23:3) 5In the eighth month,
during the second year of King Darius,
the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah,
son of Berekiah, son of Iddo, saying:
A Call to Repentance
2 (Jer 44:6) The Lord was very angry with your fathers,
3 (Mal 3:7; Isa 31:6) so you will say to them, Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.
4 (Ps 78:8; 2Ch 36:15-16) Do not be like your fathers to whom the former
prophets cried, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Turn away from your evil ways
and deeds!" But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, says the Lord.
5 So where are your fathers, and do the prophets live forever?
6 (La 2:17; Dt 28:15 )Surely My words and statutes that I commanded
to My servants, the prophets, did they not persuade your fathers?
They turned back and said, "Whatever the Lord of Hosts planned to do
to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us."
[1] In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of
the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the
prophet, saying,
[2] The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
[3] Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye
unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the
LORD of hosts.
[4] Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried,
saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways,
and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me,
saith the LORD.
[5] Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
[6] But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the
prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and
said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our
ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Vision of the Horsemen
7 (Zec 1:1) On the 24th day, in the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat,
during the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet
Zechariah, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo:
8 (Rev 6:4; Zec 6:2-7; Isa 41:19) I saw during the night a man riding on
a red horse. But he was standing among the myrtle trees that were
in the ravine, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
9 (Zec 4:4-5; 1:19) And I said, "What are these, my lord?"
Then the angel who was speaking with me said,
"I will show you what these are."
10 (Zec 1:11; 6:5-8) Then the man who was standing among the myrtle trees
responded and said, "These are the ones whom the Lord has sent out to walk to
and fro on the earth."
11 (Zec 1:10; 1:8) They answered and said to the angel of the Lord
who was standing among the myrtle trees,
"We have gone to and fro on the earth,
and all the earth is resting and peaceful."
12 (Ps 102:13; Jer 29:10) Then the angel of the Lord said,
"How much longer, O Lord of Hosts, will You withhold mercy
from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah with which
You have been angry these seventy years?"
13 (Isa 40:1-2; Jer 29:10) And the Lord answered the angel speaking
to me with good and comforting words.
14 (Joel 2:18; Isa 40:6) So the angel who spoke with me said, Cry out,
saying: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I have a great jealousy
for Jerusalem and Zion.
15 (Isa 54:8; Zec 1:2) And I have a great anger for those nations
who are at ease, for while I was angry but a little,
they helped to increase evil.
16 (Zec 4:9; 8:3) Therefore thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem
with mercy, and My house will be built in it, says the Lord of Hosts,
and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.
17 (Isa 51:3; Zec 2:12) Cry out again, saying, Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Yet again My cities will overflow with goodness,
and again the Lord will comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.
The Vision of the Horns and Craftsmen
18 And I then lifted up my eyes, and I saw four horns.
19 (Zec 1:21; 1:9) And I said to the angel speaking to me, "What are these?"
And he answered, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel,
and Jerusalem."
20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen.
21 (Ps 75:4-5; Zec 1:19) And I said, "What are these coming to do?"
And he said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah
after which no one could raise his head; and these four craftsmen
have come to terrify and throw down the horns of the nations
who lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."
[7] Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the
month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD
unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
[8] I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he
stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him
were there red horses, speckled, and white.
[9] Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with
me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
[10] And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These
are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
[11] And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle
trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold,
all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
[12] Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long
wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against
which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
[13] And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words
and comfortable words.
[14] So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus
saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a
great jealousy.
[15] And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I
was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
[16] Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies:
my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be
stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
[17] Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through
prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion,
and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
[18] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
[19] And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he
answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and
Jerusalem.
[20] And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
[21] Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the
horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but
these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which
lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Zechariah 2
The Vision of the Man With the Measuring Line
1 (Eze 40:3; Zec 1:16) And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw a man with
a measuring cord in his hand.
2 (Jer 31:39; Rev 21:15-17) And I said, "Where are you going?"
And he responded, "To measure Jerusalem
and to note what is its width and length."
3 (Zec 1:19) Then the angel who was speaking with me went out,
and then another angel came out to meet him,
4 (Jer 1:6; 31:27) and said to him, "Run, say to this young man:
Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls,
because of the multitude of men and animals in her.
5 (Isa 4:5; 60:18-19)And I will be like a wall of fire all around her,
says the Lord, and I will be as glory in her midst."
Interlude: An Appeal to the Exiles
6 (Eze 17:21; Isa 48:20) Up, up, flee from the northern land,
says the Lord, for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,
says the Lord.
7 (Isa 48:20; 52:11) Deliver yourself, O Zion,
you who live with the daughter of Babylon.
8 (Dt 32:10; Ps 17:8) For thus says the Lord of Hosts: He has sent Me
after glory to the nations which plunder you, for he who touches
you touches the apple of His eye.
9 (Isa 14:2; 19:16) For I will swing My hand against them,
and they will become plunder for their servants.
Then you will know well that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me.
10 (Zec 8:3; Lev 26:12) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion,
for I am coming and will dwell in your midst, says the Lord.
11 And many nations will join themselves with the Lord in that day,
and they will be My people. And I will reside in your midst,
and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to you.
12 (Dt 32:9; Zec 1:17) And the Lord will possess Judah as His portion
in the holy land, and He will again choose Jerusalem.
13 (Ps 68:5; Hab 2:20) Be still, all flesh before the Lord, for He is
stirred from His holy habitation.
[1] I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a
measuring line in his hand.
[2] Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure
Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length
thereof.
[3] And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel
went out to meet him,
[4] And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall
be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle
therein:
[5] For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and
will be the glory in the midst of her.
[6] Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD:
for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the
LORD.
[7] Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
[8] For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto
the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple
of his eye.
[9] For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil
to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
[10] Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell
in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
[11] And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be
my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that
the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
[12] And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and
shall choose Jerusalem again.
[13] Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his
holy habitation.
Zechariah 3
The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
1 (Ps 109:6; Zec 6:11) Then he showed me Joshua, the high priest,
standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing
at his right hand to accuse him.
2 (Am 4:11; Jude 1:9) And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!
The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is this not a burning brand
taken out of the fire?"
3 (Isa 64:6; Ezr 9:15) Now Joshua had on filthy garments and was standing
before the angel.
4 (Isa 61:10; Eze 36:25) And he said to those standing before him,
"Take off his filthy garments."
Then he said, "See that I have removed from you your iniquity,
and I will clothe you with rich robes."
5 (Ex 29:6; Zec 6:11) And I said, "Let them place a pure turban on his head."
So they put a pure turban on his head and garments on him.
And the angel of the Lord was standing by.
6 (Zec 3:1) And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying,
7 (Ge 26:5; Lev 8:35) "Thus says the Lord of Hosts: If you walk in My ways
and keep My charge, then you will judge My house and guard My courts,
and I will give to you access to these who are standing here.
8 (Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5) "Hear this, O Joshua the high priest,
you and your friends sitting before you, for these men are a sign.
I am bringing My servant, the Branch.
9 (Isa 28:16; Jer 50:20) The stone that I have set before Joshua,
on that single stone is seven eyes. And I will engrave an inscription,
says the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land
in one day.
10 (1Ki 4:25; Mic 4:4) "On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, each of you will
invite your companion to come and sit under the vine and under the fig tree."
[1] And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the
LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
[2] And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the
LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out
of the fire?
[3] Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
[4] And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take
away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have
caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment.
[5] And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair
mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the
LORD stood by.
[6] And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
[7] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou
wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also
keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
[8] Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit
before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth
my servant the BRANCH.
[9] For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone
shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the
LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
[10] In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his
neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
Zechariah 4
The Vision of the Gold Lampstand
1 (Jer 31:26; Da 8:18) And the angel who was speaking with me returned
and woke me up like a man who is roused from his sleep.
2 Rev 4:5; 1:12And he said to me, "What do you see?"
And I responded, "I see a completely gold lampstand and a bowl at its top,
with seven lights on it, and seven pipes on it for each lamp in order
to light them.
3 (Rev 11:4) And there are two olive trees next to it, one on the right
of the bowl and one on the left."
4 (Zec 1:9; 6:4) So I answered and I asked the angel speaking with me,
"What are these, my lord?"
5 (Zec 4:13) Then the angel speaking with me responded,
"Do you really not know what these are?"
And I said, "No, my lord."
6 (Hos 1:7; Isa 11:2-4) And he said to me: "This is the word of the Lord
to Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
7 (Jer 51:25; Ps 114:4) "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel
you will be made level ground, and he will bring out the top stone amidst
shouting of 'Grace! Grace to the stone!' "
8Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
9 (Ezr 5:16; 6:14-15) "The hands of Zerubbabel have established
the foundation of this house, and they will even complete it.
Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to all of you.
10 (Hag 2:3; Zec 3:9) "For who has despised the day of small things?
These seven will rejoice and see the plumb line in the hand
of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of the Lord, which survey to
and fro throughout the earth."
11 (Zec 4:3; Rev 11:4) Then I answered and I asked,
"What are these two olives trees on the right and left of the lampstand?"
12 And I asked a second time, "What are these two branches of the olive trees
that are next to the two golden pipes from which they pour out the gold oil?"
13 (Zec 4:5) And he asked me, "Do you not know what these are?"
I responded, "No, my lord."
14 (Ex 29:7; 40:15) He answered, "These are the two anointed ones
who stand by the Lord of all the earth."
[1] And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man
that is wakened out of his sleep,
[2] And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold
a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven
lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top
thereof:
[3] And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the
other upon the left side thereof.
[4] So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What
are these, my lord?
[5] Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest
thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
[6] Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD
unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith
the LORD of hosts.
[7] Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a
plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings,
crying, Grace, grace unto it.
[8] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[9] The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his
hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath
sent me unto you.
[10] For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice,
and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they
are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
[11] Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon
the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
[12] And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive
branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of
themselves?
[13] And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I
said, No, my lord.
[14] Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD
of the whole earth.
Zechariah 5
The Vision of the Flying Scroll
1 Then I turned and lifted up my eyes and saw a flying scroll.
2 (Zec 4:2) He asked me, "What do you see?"
And I responded, "I see a flying scroll with its length as twenty cubits
and its width as ten cubits."
[About 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, or 9 meters long and 4.5 meters wide.]
3 (Ex 20:15; Isa 24:6) He said to me, "This is the curse going out
over the surface of all the land. Everyone who steals will be purged
according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely
will be purged according to the writing on the other side.
4 (Lev 14:34-45; Job 18:15) I will send it out, says the Lord of Hosts,
and it will enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears
falsely by My name. It will remain in his house and consume it,
with its timber and stones."
The Vision of the Woman in the Basket
5 (Zec 1:9) Then the angel who was speaking with me came out, saying,
"Now lift up your eyes and see what this is that is going forth."
6 (Am 8:5) And I asked, "What is it?"
He said, "This is the ephah basket going forth.
This represents their iniquity throughout all the land."
7 The lead cover was lifted,
and there was a woman sitting in the ephah basket.
8 And he said, "This is wickedness." And he threw her back into the basket
and then thrust back the lead stone over its opening.
9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw coming forward two women. There was wind
in their wings, and the wings were like those of a stork,
and they lifted up and carried the ephah basket between heaven and earth.
10 Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me,
"Where are they carrying the basket?"
11 (Ge 10:10; 11:2) He responded, "To build a house for it in the land
of Shinar. And when the house is established, the basket will be set
there on a pedestal."
[1] Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying
roll.
[2] And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying
roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
[3] Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face
of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this
side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on
that side according to it.
[4] I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into
the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by
my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it
with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
[5] Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up
now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
[6] And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth.
He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
[7] And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman
that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
[8] And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the
ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
[9] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two
women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of
a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
[10] Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the
ephah?
[11] And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it
shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
Zechariah 6
The Vision of the Four Chariots
1 (Da 8:22) And I turned around and lifted my eyes, and I saw four chariots
coming out from between two mountains, which were bronze mountains.
2 (Zec 1:8) The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,
3 (Rev 6:2; Zec 1:8) the third white horses, and the fourth chariot
dappled horses-all of them strong.
4 (Zec 1:9) Then I answered the angel speaking with me,
"What are these, my lord?"
5 (Da 7:2; Zec 4:14) The angel responded, "These are the four winds
of heaven going out after standing before the Lord of all the earth.
6 (Jer 1:14-15; 4:6) The one with the black horses is going toward
the north country, the white ones are going after them,
while the dappled ones are going toward the south country."
7 (Zec 1:10) When the strong horses went out, they were seeking to go to
and fro throughout the earth. And he said, "Go out to and fro throughout
the earth." And they went out to walk to and fro throughout the earth.
8 (Eze 5:13; Zec 1:15) Then he cried out to me, "Look, the ones going out
to the northern land have given rest to my Spirit in the north."
The Coronation of Joshua
9 (Zec 1:1; 7:1) Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
10 (Ezr 7:14-16; 8:26-30) Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah
who have come from Babylon, and go on that day to the house of Josiah,
the son of Zephaniah.
11 (Zec 3:1; Ps 21:3) Take the silver and gold and make a crown,
and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 (Zec 3:8; Isa 4:2) And say to him: Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Here is a man whose name is Branch; for he shall branch out from his place,
and he shall build the temple of the Lord.
13 (Ps 110:4; 21:5) It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord;
he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne.
He shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall
be between them both.
14 (Ex 12:14; Mt 26:13) And the crown shall be for a memorial to Helem,
Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah, in the temple of the Lord.
15 (Isa 60:10; Zec 3:7) And those who are far off shall come and help
to build the temple of the Lord; and you all shall know that the Lord
of Hosts has sent me to you. This shall happen if you diligently obey
the voice of the Lord your God.
Zechariah 6
[1] And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there
came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were
mountains of brass.
[2] In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black
horses;
[3] And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled
and bay horses.
[4] Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are
these, my lord?
[5] And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of
the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
[6] The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and
the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south
country.
[7] And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro
through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the
earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
[8] Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go
toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
[9] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[10] Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of
Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go
into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
[11] Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head
of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
[12] And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying,
Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his
place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
[13] Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the
glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon
his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
[14] And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and
to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
[15] And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the
LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And
this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD
your God.
Zechariah 7
A Call for Justice and Mercy
1 (Ne 1:1; Zec 1:1) And in the fourth year of King Darius, on the fourth day
of the ninth month, Kislev, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah.
2 (Zec 8:21; Jer 26:19) Those in Bethel sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek
and their men to entreat the graces of the Lord,
3 (Zec 8:19; Jer 52:12-14) saying to the priests and prophets of the house
of the Lord of Hosts, "Should I weep and dedicate myself during
the fifth month as I have done in these many years?"
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 (Zec 1:12; Isa 1:11-12) Say to all the people in the land
and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented during the fifth
and seventh months for these seventy years, did you really fast for Me?
6 (1Co 11:20-21) And when you eat and when you drink,
do you not eat and drink for yourselves?
7 (Jer 17:26; Isa 1:16-20) Were these not the very words that the former
prophets proclaimed when Jerusalem dwelled with ease along with
her surrounding cities, and when the Negev and the Lowland were inhabited?
Punishment for Rejecting God's Demands
8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying:
9 (Mic 6:8; Jer 21:12) Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Execute true justice,
show mercy and compassion, every man to his brother.
10 (Ps 21:11; 72:4) Do not oppress the widow, orphan, sojourner, or poor.
And let none of you contemplate evil deeds in your hearts against his brother.
11 (Ne 9:29; Jer 8:5) But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn
shoulder, and stopped their ears so that they should not hear.
12 (Ne 9:29-30; 2Ch 36:16) They made their hearts hard like a diamond
so as not to hear the instruction and words that the Lord of Hosts
sent by His Spirit through the former prophets, and there was great anger
from the Lord of Hosts.
13 (Isa 1:15; Pr 1:24-28) Therefore it happened that as I called,
and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,
says the Lord of Hosts.
14 (Dt 28:33; 4:27) So I scattered them about among all the nations
whom they did not know, so the land was left desolate behind them with
no one coming or going. And they made a desirable land desolate.
CHAPTER 7
1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of
the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even
in Chisleu;
2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and
their men, to pray before the LORD,
3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of
hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month,
separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying,
When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those
seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for
yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former
prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities
thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?
8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and
shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the
poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and
stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should
hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit
by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of
hosts.
13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not
hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they
knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed
through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 September 2023 Titled
Faithful but Not Forgotten
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 (1Sa 1:20; 16:1) And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to
tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 (Jdg 14:5-6) who through faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 (Jdg 15:8; 1Ki 19:3) quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge
of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fighting,
and turned the armies of foreign enemies to flight.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured
and did not accept deliverance,
so that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 (Jer 20:2; Ge 39:20; 1Ki 22:27) Still others had trials of mocking
and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 (1Ki 19:10; 2Ch 24:21) They were stoned, they were sawn in two,
were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered around
in sheepskins and goatskins, while destitute, afflicted, and tormented.
38 (1Ki 18:4; 19:9) The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts
and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 (Heb 11:13; 11:2; 1Pe 1:12) These all have obtained a good report through
faith, but they did not receive the promise.
40 (Rev 6:11) For God provided something better for us, so that with us they
would be made perfect.
[32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and
Samuel, and of the prophets:
[33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
[34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the
armies of the aliens.
[35] Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of
bonds and imprisonment:
[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with
the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented;
[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received
not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect.
As he was growing up, Sean knew little about what it meant to have a family.
His mother had died and his father was hardly home. He often felt lonely and
abandoned. A couple who lived nearby, however, reached out to Sean. They took
him into their home and got their children to be "big brother" and "big
sister" to him, which gave Sean assurance that he was loved. They also took
him to church, where Sean, now a confident young man, is a youth leader today.
Although this couple played such a key role in turning a young life around,
what they did for Sean isn't widely known to most people in their church
family. But God knows, and I believe their faithfulness will be rewarded
someday, as will those listed in the Bible's "Hall of Faith." Hebrews 11
starts with the big names of Scripture, but it goes on to speak of countless
others we may never know, yet who "were all commended for their faith"
(v. 39). And "the world," says the writer, "was not worthy of them" (v. 38).
Even when our deeds of kindness go unnoticed by others, God sees and knows.
What we do might seem like a small thing-a kind deed or an encouraging word
-but God can use it to bring glory to His name, in His time, and in His way.
He knows, even if others don't.
By: Leslie Koh
Reflect & Pray
What is one simple thing you could do for someone today? How can you remind
yourself that God knows your heart and the work of your hands?
Heavenly Father, please continue to show me what
good works You've prepared for me to do, and give me the faith to do it
for You alone.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 3 - Let the Word Dwell in You
Col 3:16
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our minds are
bombarded by 20th Century values: "Dress for success!" "Get ahead!"
"You deserve a break today ...." Television, radio, and the incessant
voices that surround us distract our attention and keep us from
focusing on what is really important in our lives.
Paul's instruction to the Colossian Church brings us back to God's
value system: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."
When we give attention to the Word of God, we put ourselves in a position
to hear a higher truth the clamour of immediate demands
and the expectations of the world around us. We can experience peace
in the midst of struggle and rest in a restless environment.
God's Word is a powerful force for good in our lives - not merely
an attractive philosophy, but true power to overcome the pressures
of daily life.
Dwelling on the Word of God, and letting it indwell us, takes many forms.
Scripture memory, music, meditation, talking with others about the
goodness of God all help us keep our attention focused on Christ rather
than on the values of the world around us.
We can choose to listen to Christian radio or tapes. We can take time
daily for quiet meditation on his Word. We can commit the Word to memory
and draw on its power during the day. And as we listen to the voice
of the Spirit rather than the noise around us, we can enter into
his peace and live in communion with him.
Application
a) What pressures do I face that tend to distract me from the reality
of Christ's presence?
b) How can I "let the word of Christ dwell richly" in me, so that I
an regain my focus on him?
c) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on Jesus and his word?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 29:9
9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant
and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,
that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) '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.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
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 execute true mercy.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, please continue to show me what
good works You've prepared for me to do, and give me the faith to do it
for You alone."
Pray to the Lord and pray to focus in His word so that the Word dwells in you
richly.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him fully.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be healed.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
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 the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society
Pray for the peace of Christ to be experienced among believers facing
sporadic attacks in the Philippines.
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) Zechariah 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Zechariah 1
1 (Ne 12:4; Mt 23:3) 5In the eighth month,
during the second year of King Darius,
the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah,
son of Berekiah, son of Iddo, saying:
A Call to Repentance
2 (Jer 44:6) The Lord was very angry with your fathers,
3 (Mal 3:7; Isa 31:6) so you will say to them, Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.
4 (Ps 78:8; 2Ch 36:15-16) Do not be like your fathers to whom the former
prophets cried, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Turn away from your evil ways
and deeds!" But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, says the Lord.
5 So where are your fathers, and do the prophets live forever?
6 (La 2:17; Dt 28:15 )Surely My words and statutes that I commanded
to My servants, the prophets, did they not persuade your fathers?
They turned back and said, "Whatever the Lord of Hosts planned to do
to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us."
[1] In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of
the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the
prophet, saying,
[2] The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
[3] Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye
unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the
LORD of hosts.
[4] Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried,
saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways,
and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me,
saith the LORD.
[5] Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
[6] But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the
prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and
said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our
ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Vision of the Horsemen
7 (Zec 1:1) On the 24th day, in the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat,
during the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet
Zechariah, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo:
8 (Rev 6:4; Zec 6:2-7; Isa 41:19) I saw during the night a man riding on
a red horse. But he was standing among the myrtle trees that were
in the ravine, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
9 (Zec 4:4-5; 1:19) And I said, "What are these, my lord?"
Then the angel who was speaking with me said,
"I will show you what these are."
10 (Zec 1:11; 6:5-8) Then the man who was standing among the myrtle trees
responded and said, "These are the ones whom the Lord has sent out to walk to
and fro on the earth."
11 (Zec 1:10; 1:8) They answered and said to the angel of the Lord
who was standing among the myrtle trees,
"We have gone to and fro on the earth,
and all the earth is resting and peaceful."
12 (Ps 102:13; Jer 29:10) Then the angel of the Lord said,
"How much longer, O Lord of Hosts, will You withhold mercy
from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah with which
You have been angry these seventy years?"
13 (Isa 40:1-2; Jer 29:10) And the Lord answered the angel speaking
to me with good and comforting words.
14 (Joel 2:18; Isa 40:6) So the angel who spoke with me said, Cry out,
saying: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I have a great jealousy
for Jerusalem and Zion.
15 (Isa 54:8; Zec 1:2) And I have a great anger for those nations
who are at ease, for while I was angry but a little,
they helped to increase evil.
16 (Zec 4:9; 8:3) Therefore thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem
with mercy, and My house will be built in it, says the Lord of Hosts,
and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.
17 (Isa 51:3; Zec 2:12) Cry out again, saying, Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Yet again My cities will overflow with goodness,
and again the Lord will comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.
The Vision of the Horns and Craftsmen
18 And I then lifted up my eyes, and I saw four horns.
19 (Zec 1:21; 1:9) And I said to the angel speaking to me, "What are these?"
And he answered, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel,
and Jerusalem."
20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen.
21 (Ps 75:4-5; Zec 1:19) And I said, "What are these coming to do?"
And he said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah
after which no one could raise his head; and these four craftsmen
have come to terrify and throw down the horns of the nations
who lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."
[7] Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the
month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD
unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
[8] I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he
stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him
were there red horses, speckled, and white.
[9] Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with
me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
[10] And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These
are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
[11] And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle
trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold,
all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
[12] Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long
wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against
which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
[13] And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words
and comfortable words.
[14] So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus
saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a
great jealousy.
[15] And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I
was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
[16] Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies:
my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be
stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
[17] Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through
prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion,
and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
[18] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
[19] And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he
answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and
Jerusalem.
[20] And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
[21] Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the
horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but
these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which
lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Zechariah 2
The Vision of the Man With the Measuring Line
1 (Eze 40:3; Zec 1:16) And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw a man with
a measuring cord in his hand.
2 (Jer 31:39; Rev 21:15-17) And I said, "Where are you going?"
And he responded, "To measure Jerusalem
and to note what is its width and length."
3 (Zec 1:19) Then the angel who was speaking with me went out,
and then another angel came out to meet him,
4 (Jer 1:6; 31:27) and said to him, "Run, say to this young man:
Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls,
because of the multitude of men and animals in her.
5 (Isa 4:5; 60:18-19)And I will be like a wall of fire all around her,
says the Lord, and I will be as glory in her midst."
Interlude: An Appeal to the Exiles
6 (Eze 17:21; Isa 48:20) Up, up, flee from the northern land,
says the Lord, for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,
says the Lord.
7 (Isa 48:20; 52:11) Deliver yourself, O Zion,
you who live with the daughter of Babylon.
8 (Dt 32:10; Ps 17:8) For thus says the Lord of Hosts: He has sent Me
after glory to the nations which plunder you, for he who touches
you touches the apple of His eye.
9 (Isa 14:2; 19:16) For I will swing My hand against them,
and they will become plunder for their servants.
Then you will know well that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me.
10 (Zec 8:3; Lev 26:12) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion,
for I am coming and will dwell in your midst, says the Lord.
11 And many nations will join themselves with the Lord in that day,
and they will be My people. And I will reside in your midst,
and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to you.
12 (Dt 32:9; Zec 1:17) And the Lord will possess Judah as His portion
in the holy land, and He will again choose Jerusalem.
13 (Ps 68:5; Hab 2:20) Be still, all flesh before the Lord, for He is
stirred from His holy habitation.
[1] I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a
measuring line in his hand.
[2] Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure
Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length
thereof.
[3] And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel
went out to meet him,
[4] And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall
be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle
therein:
[5] For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and
will be the glory in the midst of her.
[6] Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD:
for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the
LORD.
[7] Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
[8] For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto
the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple
of his eye.
[9] For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil
to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
[10] Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell
in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
[11] And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be
my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that
the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
[12] And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and
shall choose Jerusalem again.
[13] Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his
holy habitation.
Zechariah 3
The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
1 (Ps 109:6; Zec 6:11) Then he showed me Joshua, the high priest,
standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing
at his right hand to accuse him.
2 (Am 4:11; Jude 1:9) And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!
The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is this not a burning brand
taken out of the fire?"
3 (Isa 64:6; Ezr 9:15) Now Joshua had on filthy garments and was standing
before the angel.
4 (Isa 61:10; Eze 36:25) And he said to those standing before him,
"Take off his filthy garments."
Then he said, "See that I have removed from you your iniquity,
and I will clothe you with rich robes."
5 (Ex 29:6; Zec 6:11) And I said, "Let them place a pure turban on his head."
So they put a pure turban on his head and garments on him.
And the angel of the Lord was standing by.
6 (Zec 3:1) And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying,
7 (Ge 26:5; Lev 8:35) "Thus says the Lord of Hosts: If you walk in My ways
and keep My charge, then you will judge My house and guard My courts,
and I will give to you access to these who are standing here.
8 (Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5) "Hear this, O Joshua the high priest,
you and your friends sitting before you, for these men are a sign.
I am bringing My servant, the Branch.
9 (Isa 28:16; Jer 50:20) The stone that I have set before Joshua,
on that single stone is seven eyes. And I will engrave an inscription,
says the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land
in one day.
10 (1Ki 4:25; Mic 4:4) "On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, each of you will
invite your companion to come and sit under the vine and under the fig tree."
[1] And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the
LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
[2] And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the
LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out
of the fire?
[3] Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
[4] And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take
away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have
caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment.
[5] And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair
mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the
LORD stood by.
[6] And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
[7] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou
wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also
keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
[8] Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit
before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth
my servant the BRANCH.
[9] For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone
shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the
LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
[10] In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his
neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
Zechariah 4
The Vision of the Gold Lampstand
1 (Jer 31:26; Da 8:18) And the angel who was speaking with me returned
and woke me up like a man who is roused from his sleep.
2 Rev 4:5; 1:12And he said to me, "What do you see?"
And I responded, "I see a completely gold lampstand and a bowl at its top,
with seven lights on it, and seven pipes on it for each lamp in order
to light them.
3 (Rev 11:4) And there are two olive trees next to it, one on the right
of the bowl and one on the left."
4 (Zec 1:9; 6:4) So I answered and I asked the angel speaking with me,
"What are these, my lord?"
5 (Zec 4:13) Then the angel speaking with me responded,
"Do you really not know what these are?"
And I said, "No, my lord."
6 (Hos 1:7; Isa 11:2-4) And he said to me: "This is the word of the Lord
to Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
7 (Jer 51:25; Ps 114:4) "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel
you will be made level ground, and he will bring out the top stone amidst
shouting of 'Grace! Grace to the stone!' "
8Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
9 (Ezr 5:16; 6:14-15) "The hands of Zerubbabel have established
the foundation of this house, and they will even complete it.
Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to all of you.
10 (Hag 2:3; Zec 3:9) "For who has despised the day of small things?
These seven will rejoice and see the plumb line in the hand
of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of the Lord, which survey to
and fro throughout the earth."
11 (Zec 4:3; Rev 11:4) Then I answered and I asked,
"What are these two olives trees on the right and left of the lampstand?"
12 And I asked a second time, "What are these two branches of the olive trees
that are next to the two golden pipes from which they pour out the gold oil?"
13 (Zec 4:5) And he asked me, "Do you not know what these are?"
I responded, "No, my lord."
14 (Ex 29:7; 40:15) He answered, "These are the two anointed ones
who stand by the Lord of all the earth."
[1] And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man
that is wakened out of his sleep,
[2] And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold
a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven
lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top
thereof:
[3] And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the
other upon the left side thereof.
[4] So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What
are these, my lord?
[5] Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest
thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
[6] Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD
unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith
the LORD of hosts.
[7] Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a
plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings,
crying, Grace, grace unto it.
[8] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[9] The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his
hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath
sent me unto you.
[10] For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice,
and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they
are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
[11] Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon
the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
[12] And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive
branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of
themselves?
[13] And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I
said, No, my lord.
[14] Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD
of the whole earth.
Zechariah 5
The Vision of the Flying Scroll
1 Then I turned and lifted up my eyes and saw a flying scroll.
2 (Zec 4:2) He asked me, "What do you see?"
And I responded, "I see a flying scroll with its length as twenty cubits
and its width as ten cubits."
[About 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, or 9 meters long and 4.5 meters wide.]
3 (Ex 20:15; Isa 24:6) He said to me, "This is the curse going out
over the surface of all the land. Everyone who steals will be purged
according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely
will be purged according to the writing on the other side.
4 (Lev 14:34-45; Job 18:15) I will send it out, says the Lord of Hosts,
and it will enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears
falsely by My name. It will remain in his house and consume it,
with its timber and stones."
The Vision of the Woman in the Basket
5 (Zec 1:9) Then the angel who was speaking with me came out, saying,
"Now lift up your eyes and see what this is that is going forth."
6 (Am 8:5) And I asked, "What is it?"
He said, "This is the ephah basket going forth.
This represents their iniquity throughout all the land."
7 The lead cover was lifted,
and there was a woman sitting in the ephah basket.
8 And he said, "This is wickedness." And he threw her back into the basket
and then thrust back the lead stone over its opening.
9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw coming forward two women. There was wind
in their wings, and the wings were like those of a stork,
and they lifted up and carried the ephah basket between heaven and earth.
10 Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me,
"Where are they carrying the basket?"
11 (Ge 10:10; 11:2) He responded, "To build a house for it in the land
of Shinar. And when the house is established, the basket will be set
there on a pedestal."
[1] Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying
roll.
[2] And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying
roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
[3] Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face
of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this
side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on
that side according to it.
[4] I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into
the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by
my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it
with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
[5] Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up
now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
[6] And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth.
He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
[7] And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman
that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
[8] And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the
ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
[9] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two
women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of
a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
[10] Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the
ephah?
[11] And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it
shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
Zechariah 6
The Vision of the Four Chariots
1 (Da 8:22) And I turned around and lifted my eyes, and I saw four chariots
coming out from between two mountains, which were bronze mountains.
2 (Zec 1:8) The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,
3 (Rev 6:2; Zec 1:8) the third white horses, and the fourth chariot
dappled horses-all of them strong.
4 (Zec 1:9) Then I answered the angel speaking with me,
"What are these, my lord?"
5 (Da 7:2; Zec 4:14) The angel responded, "These are the four winds
of heaven going out after standing before the Lord of all the earth.
6 (Jer 1:14-15; 4:6) The one with the black horses is going toward
the north country, the white ones are going after them,
while the dappled ones are going toward the south country."
7 (Zec 1:10) When the strong horses went out, they were seeking to go to
and fro throughout the earth. And he said, "Go out to and fro throughout
the earth." And they went out to walk to and fro throughout the earth.
8 (Eze 5:13; Zec 1:15) Then he cried out to me, "Look, the ones going out
to the northern land have given rest to my Spirit in the north."
The Coronation of Joshua
9 (Zec 1:1; 7:1) Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
10 (Ezr 7:14-16; 8:26-30) Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah
who have come from Babylon, and go on that day to the house of Josiah,
the son of Zephaniah.
11 (Zec 3:1; Ps 21:3) Take the silver and gold and make a crown,
and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 (Zec 3:8; Isa 4:2) And say to him: Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Here is a man whose name is Branch; for he shall branch out from his place,
and he shall build the temple of the Lord.
13 (Ps 110:4; 21:5) It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord;
he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne.
He shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall
be between them both.
14 (Ex 12:14; Mt 26:13) And the crown shall be for a memorial to Helem,
Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah, in the temple of the Lord.
15 (Isa 60:10; Zec 3:7) And those who are far off shall come and help
to build the temple of the Lord; and you all shall know that the Lord
of Hosts has sent me to you. This shall happen if you diligently obey
the voice of the Lord your God.
Zechariah 6
[1] And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there
came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were
mountains of brass.
[2] In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black
horses;
[3] And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled
and bay horses.
[4] Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are
these, my lord?
[5] And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of
the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
[6] The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and
the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south
country.
[7] And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro
through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the
earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
[8] Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go
toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
[9] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[10] Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of
Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go
into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
[11] Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head
of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
[12] And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying,
Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his
place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
[13] Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the
glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon
his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
[14] And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and
to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
[15] And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the
LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And
this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD
your God.
Zechariah 7
A Call for Justice and Mercy
1 (Ne 1:1; Zec 1:1) And in the fourth year of King Darius, on the fourth day
of the ninth month, Kislev, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah.
2 (Zec 8:21; Jer 26:19) Those in Bethel sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek
and their men to entreat the graces of the Lord,
3 (Zec 8:19; Jer 52:12-14) saying to the priests and prophets of the house
of the Lord of Hosts, "Should I weep and dedicate myself during
the fifth month as I have done in these many years?"
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 (Zec 1:12; Isa 1:11-12) Say to all the people in the land
and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented during the fifth
and seventh months for these seventy years, did you really fast for Me?
6 (1Co 11:20-21) And when you eat and when you drink,
do you not eat and drink for yourselves?
7 (Jer 17:26; Isa 1:16-20) Were these not the very words that the former
prophets proclaimed when Jerusalem dwelled with ease along with
her surrounding cities, and when the Negev and the Lowland were inhabited?
Punishment for Rejecting God's Demands
8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying:
9 (Mic 6:8; Jer 21:12) Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Execute true justice,
show mercy and compassion, every man to his brother.
10 (Ps 21:11; 72:4) Do not oppress the widow, orphan, sojourner, or poor.
And let none of you contemplate evil deeds in your hearts against his brother.
11 (Ne 9:29; Jer 8:5) But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn
shoulder, and stopped their ears so that they should not hear.
12 (Ne 9:29-30; 2Ch 36:16) They made their hearts hard like a diamond
so as not to hear the instruction and words that the Lord of Hosts
sent by His Spirit through the former prophets, and there was great anger
from the Lord of Hosts.
13 (Isa 1:15; Pr 1:24-28) Therefore it happened that as I called,
and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,
says the Lord of Hosts.
14 (Dt 28:33; 4:27) So I scattered them about among all the nations
whom they did not know, so the land was left desolate behind them with
no one coming or going. And they made a desirable land desolate.
CHAPTER 7
1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of
the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even
in Chisleu;
2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and
their men, to pray before the LORD,
3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of
hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month,
separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying,
When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those
seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for
yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former
prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities
thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?
8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and
shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the
poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and
stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should
hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit
by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of
hosts.
13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not
hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they
knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed
through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 September 2023 Titled
Faithful but Not Forgotten
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 (1Sa 1:20; 16:1) And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to
tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 (Jdg 14:5-6) who through faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 (Jdg 15:8; 1Ki 19:3) quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge
of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fighting,
and turned the armies of foreign enemies to flight.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured
and did not accept deliverance,
so that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 (Jer 20:2; Ge 39:20; 1Ki 22:27) Still others had trials of mocking
and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 (1Ki 19:10; 2Ch 24:21) They were stoned, they were sawn in two,
were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered around
in sheepskins and goatskins, while destitute, afflicted, and tormented.
38 (1Ki 18:4; 19:9) The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts
and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 (Heb 11:13; 11:2; 1Pe 1:12) These all have obtained a good report through
faith, but they did not receive the promise.
40 (Rev 6:11) For God provided something better for us, so that with us they
would be made perfect.
[32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and
Samuel, and of the prophets:
[33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
[34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the
armies of the aliens.
[35] Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of
bonds and imprisonment:
[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with
the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented;
[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received
not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect.
As he was growing up, Sean knew little about what it meant to have a family.
His mother had died and his father was hardly home. He often felt lonely and
abandoned. A couple who lived nearby, however, reached out to Sean. They took
him into their home and got their children to be "big brother" and "big
sister" to him, which gave Sean assurance that he was loved. They also took
him to church, where Sean, now a confident young man, is a youth leader today.
Although this couple played such a key role in turning a young life around,
what they did for Sean isn't widely known to most people in their church
family. But God knows, and I believe their faithfulness will be rewarded
someday, as will those listed in the Bible's "Hall of Faith." Hebrews 11
starts with the big names of Scripture, but it goes on to speak of countless
others we may never know, yet who "were all commended for their faith"
(v. 39). And "the world," says the writer, "was not worthy of them" (v. 38).
Even when our deeds of kindness go unnoticed by others, God sees and knows.
What we do might seem like a small thing-a kind deed or an encouraging word
-but God can use it to bring glory to His name, in His time, and in His way.
He knows, even if others don't.
By: Leslie Koh
Reflect & Pray
What is one simple thing you could do for someone today? How can you remind
yourself that God knows your heart and the work of your hands?
Heavenly Father, please continue to show me what
good works You've prepared for me to do, and give me the faith to do it
for You alone.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 3 - Let the Word Dwell in You
Col 3:16
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our minds are
bombarded by 20th Century values: "Dress for success!" "Get ahead!"
"You deserve a break today ...." Television, radio, and the incessant
voices that surround us distract our attention and keep us from
focusing on what is really important in our lives.
Paul's instruction to the Colossian Church brings us back to God's
value system: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."
When we give attention to the Word of God, we put ourselves in a position
to hear a higher truth the clamour of immediate demands
and the expectations of the world around us. We can experience peace
in the midst of struggle and rest in a restless environment.
God's Word is a powerful force for good in our lives - not merely
an attractive philosophy, but true power to overcome the pressures
of daily life.
Dwelling on the Word of God, and letting it indwell us, takes many forms.
Scripture memory, music, meditation, talking with others about the
goodness of God all help us keep our attention focused on Christ rather
than on the values of the world around us.
We can choose to listen to Christian radio or tapes. We can take time
daily for quiet meditation on his Word. We can commit the Word to memory
and draw on its power during the day. And as we listen to the voice
of the Spirit rather than the noise around us, we can enter into
his peace and live in communion with him.
Application
a) What pressures do I face that tend to distract me from the reality
of Christ's presence?
b) How can I "let the word of Christ dwell richly" in me, so that I
an regain my focus on him?
c) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on Jesus and his word?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 29:9
9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant
and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,
that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) '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.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
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 execute true mercy.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, please continue to show me what
good works You've prepared for me to do, and give me the faith to do it
for You alone."
Pray to the Lord and pray to focus in His word so that the Word dwells in you
richly.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him fully.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be healed.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
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 the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society
Pray for the peace of Christ to be experienced among believers facing
sporadic attacks in the Philippines.
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.
Trackbacks
No Trackbacks
Comments
Display comments as Linear | Threaded