Day 293 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 20 October 2023 reflections
Day 293, 20 October 2023
1) Luke 11:14-54
Luke 12:1-34
Luke 11:14-54
Jesus and Beelzebub
Mt 12:22-30; Mk 3:20-27
14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke, and the crowd marveled.
15 (Mt 9:34) But some of them said, "He casts out demons through Beelzebub,
the ruler of the demons."
16 Others, testing Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven.
17 (Mt 9:4) But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them,
"Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate.
And a house divided against itself falls.
18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub.
19 Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
20 (Ex 8:19) But if I cast out demons with the finger of God,
no doubt the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace,
his goods are peacefully kept.
22 (Isa 49:24-25; 53:12) But when a stronger man than he attacks
and overpowers him, he seizes all the armor in which the man trusted
and divides his spoils.
23 (Mt 12:30; Lk 9:50) "He who is not with Me is against Me,
and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
[14] And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass,
when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
[15] But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the
chief of the devils.
[16] And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
[17] But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house
falleth.
[18] If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?
because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
[19] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them
out? therefore shall they be your judges.
[20] But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom
of God is come upon you.
[21] When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
[22] But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he
taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
[23] He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me
scattereth.
{More like President Lucifer Satan of the Republic of Hell versus
The Kingdom of God lead by the Holy Trinity of a Loving Dictator}
The Return of the Unclean Spirit
Mt 12:43-45
24 (Mt 12:43-45; Ps 63:1) "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man,
it goes through dry places seeking rest. Finding none, it says,
'I will return to my house, from which I came.'
25 When it comes, it finds it swept and furnished.
26 (Jn 5:14; 2Pe 2:20-22) Then it goes and brings seven other spirits
more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there.
And the last state of that man is worse than the first."
[24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my
house whence I came out.
[25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
[26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than
himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man
is worse than the first.
True Blessedness
27 (Lk 1:48) As He spoke these things, a woman from the crowd raised
her voice and said to Him,
"Blessed is the woman who gave You birth and nursed You."
28 (Lk 8:21) But He said, "Indeed, blessed are those who hear the word of God
and keep it."
[27] And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the
company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that
bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
[28] But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God,
and keep it.
The Demand for a Sign
Mt 12:38-42; Mk 8:12
29 (Mk 8:11-12; Lk 11:16) When the crowds pressed upon Him, He began to say,
"This is an evil generation. It looks for a sign, but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
30 (Jnh 1:17) For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
31 (2Ch 9:1; Jer 3:11) The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment
with the men of this generation and condemn them,
for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
And now one greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation
and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah.
And now one greater than Jonah is here.
[29] And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This
is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given
it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
[30] For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of
man be to this generation.
[31] The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of
this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is
here.
[32] The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation,
and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and,
behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
The Light of the Body
Mt 5:15; 6:22-23
33 "No one, when he has lit a candle, puts it in a secret place
or under a basket, but on a candlestick,
that those who come in may see the light.
34 (Mt 6:22-23) The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore when your eye
is good, your whole body also is full of light.
But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore lest the light which is in you is darkness.
36 If your whole body, then, is full of light, no part being dark,
the whole body will be full of light,
as when the shining candle gives you light."
[33] No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place,
neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may
see the light.
[34] The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single,
thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body
also is full of darkness.
[35] Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
[36] If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the
whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth
give thee light.
The Denouncing of the Pharisees and Lawyers
Mt 23:1-36; Mk 12:38-40; Lk 20:45-47
37 (Lk 7:36; 14:1) As He spoke, a Pharisee asked Him to dine with him.
So He went in and sat down to eat.
38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed
before dinner.
39 Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup
and the dish. But inside you are full of extortion and wickedness.
40 (Lk 12:20; 1Co 15:36) You fools! Did not he who made the outside
make the inside also?
41 (Lk 12:33; 16:9) But give alms from what is within.
And then all things are clean to you.
42 (Mt 23:23; Lk 18:12; Mic 6:8) "Woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint
and rue and every herb and pass over justice and the love of God.
These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
43 (Lk 20:46; Mk 12:38-39) "Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the prominent
seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
44 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unseen
graves, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them."
45 One of the lawyers answered, "Teacher, by saying these things
You insult us also."
46 He said, "Woe to you also, you lawyers! For you load men with burdens
difficult to carry, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens
with one of your fingers.
47 (Mt 23:29-33) "Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets,
and your fathers killed them.
48 So you are witnesses and entirely approve the deeds of your fathers,
because they killed them, and you build their tombs.
49 (1Co 1:30; Col 2:3) Therefore also the wisdom of God said,
'I will send them prophets and apostles,
and some of them they will kill and persecute,'
50 that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the beginning of the world,
may be required from this generation,
51 (Mt 23:35; Heb 11:4) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah,
who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary.
Yes, I tell you, it shall be required from this generation.
52 (Mt 23:13; Mal 2:7) "Woe to you, lawyers! For you have taken away
the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered
those who were entering."
53 As He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees
began to incite Him vehemently
and angrily draw Him out concerning many things,
54 (Mk 12:13; Mt 22:15) lying in wait for Him and seeking to catch
something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him.
[37] And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and
he went in, and sat down to meat.
[38] And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed
before dinner.
[39] And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside
of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and
wickedness.
[40] Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is
within also?
[41] But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things
are clean unto you.
[42] But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner
of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the other undone.
[43] Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the
synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
[44] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves
which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
[45] Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus
saying thou reproachest us also.
[46] And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with
burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with
one of your fingers.
[47] Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your
fathers killed them.
[48] Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they
indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
[49] Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and
apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
[50] That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation
of the world, may be required of this generation;
[51] From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished
between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be
required of this generation.
[52] Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
[53] And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees
began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
[54] Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth,
that they might accuse him.
Luke 12:1-34
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
1 (Jas 3:17; 1Co 5:7-8) Meanwhile, when thousands of the crowd were
assembled, so as to trample on one another, He began to say to His
disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy.
2 (Mk 4:22; Lk 8:17) For there is nothing covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
3 (Mt 10:27) Therefore what you have said in the darkness will be
heard in the light. And what you have whispered in the ear in private
rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
[1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable
multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to
say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
[2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid,
that shall not be known.
[3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the
light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be
proclaimed upon the housetops.
Whom to Fear
Mt 10:28-31
4 (Jer 1:8; 1Pe 3:14) "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid
of those who kill the body, and after that can do no more.
5 (Ps 9:17; Mt 10:28) But I will warn you whom you shall fear:
Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell.
Yes, I say to you, fear Him.
6 (Mt 10:29) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies
(Gk. 2 assaria. An assarion was worth 1/16 of a denarius, which was a day's
wage.)? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
7 (1Sa 14:45; Mt 6:26) Indeed, even the hairs of your head
are all numbered. Therefore do not fear.
You are more valuable than many sparrows.
[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body,
and after that have no more that they can do.
[5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he
hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
[6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is
forgotten before God?
[7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not
therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Confessing Christ Before Men
Mt 10:19-20, 32-33; 12:32
8 (Lk 15:10; Ro 10:9-10) "I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men,
him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God.
9 (Mk 8:38; 2Ti 2:12) But he who denies Me before men will be denied
before the angels of God. < Atheists beware>
10 (Mt 12:31-32; 1Jn 5:16; 1Ti 1:13) And everyone who speaks
a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 (Mt 23:34) "When they bring you to the synagogues, rulers,
and authorities, do not be anxious how you will answer or what you will say.
12 (Lk 21:15; Mt 10:20) For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time
what you should say."
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall
the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of
God.
[10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be
forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall
not be forgiven.
[11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and
powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye
shall say:
[12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to
say.
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide
the inheritance with me."
14 (Ro 2:1; 2:3) Jesus said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge
or an arbitrator between you?"
15 (1Ti 6:6-10; Heb 13:5) Then He said to them, "Take heed and beware
of covetousness. For a man's life does not consist
in the abundance of his possessions."
16 And He told a parable to them, saying,
"The land of a rich man produced plentifully.
17 He thought to himself,
'What shall I do, for I have no room to store my crops?'
18 "Then he said, 'This I will do: I will pull down my barns
and build greater ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 (Ecc 11:9; Pr 27:1) And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods
laid up for many years. Take rest. Eat, drink, and be merry.'
20 (Jer 17:11; Job 27:8; Ps 39:6) "But God said to him, 'You fool!
This night your soul will be required of you.
Then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
21 (Lk 12:33; Mt 6:19-20) "So is he who stores up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God."
[13] And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that
he divide the inheritance with me.
[14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
[15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a
man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth.
[16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich
man brought forth plentifully:
[17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have
no room where to bestow my fruits?
[18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build
greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
[19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many
years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
[20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required
of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
[21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Care and Anxiety
Mt 6:25-34, 19-21
22 (Lk 12:29; 1Co 7:32) Then He said to His disciples,
"Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious for your life,
what you will eat, nor for your body, what you will wear.
23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.
24 (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9) Consider the ravens: They neither sow nor reap,
they have neither storehouses nor barns. Yet God feeds them.
How much more valuable are you than birds?
25 Who of you by worrying can add one cubit [A cubit is about half a meter.]
to his height?
26 If you then cannot do what is least, why are you anxious
about the other things?
27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They neither spin nor weave.
Yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these.
28 (Mt 8:26; 14:31) If God so clothes the grass, which today
is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
29 (Mt 6:31) And do not seek what you will eat or what you will drink,
nor be of an anxious mind.
30 (Mt 6:8; 6:32) For the nations of the world seek all these things,
and your Father knows that you need them.
31 (1Ki 3:11-13; Mt 6:33) But seek the kingdom of God, and all these
things shall be given to you.
32 (Isa 40:11; 41:14) "Do not be afraid, little flock,
for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 (Mt 19:21; Lk 16:9) Sell your possessions and give alms.
Provide yourselves purses that do not grow old,
an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near
and no moth destroys.
34 (Mt 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no
thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye
shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have
storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than
the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye
thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and
yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one
of these.
[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to
morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of
little faith?
[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be
ye of doubtful mind.
[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your
Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom.
[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not
old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth,
neither moth corrupteth.
[34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
2) Our Daily Bread for 20 October 2023
Entitled "In the Garden"
Genesis 2:8-9;3:16-19
8 The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the
man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every
tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also
in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[8] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the
man whom he had formed.
[9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst
of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
16 To the woman He said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth,
and in pain you will bring forth children;
your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."
17 And to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying,
'You shall not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground on account of you;
in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat
the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground,
because out of it you were taken;
for you are dust, and to dust you will return."
[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of
thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying,
Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt
eat the herb of the field;
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto
the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust
shalt thou return.
My dad loved being outdoors in God's creation camping, fishing, and
rock-hunting. He also enjoyed working in his yard and garden. But it took lots
of work! He spent hours pruning, hoeing, planting seeds or flowers, pulling
weeds, mowing the lawn, and watering the yard and garden. The results were
worth it-a landscaped lawn, tasty tomatoes, and beautiful peace roses. Every
year he pruned the roses close to the ground, and every year they grew
back—filling the senses with their fragrance and beauty.
In Genesis, we read of the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve lived, thrived,
and walked with God. There, God “made the LORD ... to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food” (Genesis 2:9). I imagine that
perfect garden also included beautiful, sweet-smelling flowers—perhaps even
roses minus the thorns!
After Adam and Eve's rebellion against God, they were expelled from the garden
and needed to plant and care for their own gardens, which meant breaking up
hard ground, battling with thorns, and other challenges (3:17-19, 23-24). Yet
God continued to provide for them (v. 21). And He didn't leave humanity
without the beauty of creation to draw us to Him (Romans 1:20). The flowers in
the garden remind us of God's continued love and promise of a renewed
creation-symbols of hope and comfort!
By: Alyson Kieda
Reflect & Pray
When has creation drawn you to praise the Creator?
How do you see God in creation?
Dear God, thank You for the many reminders
of You in Your creation. Thank You for beauty among thorns.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 6 God Works!
Phil 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence,
but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure.
"I just can't do it!" Marlys, a career woman in her 30s, was struggling to fit
her new Christian principles into the business world. Accustomed to the
cutthroat tactics of the corporate hierarchy, she has a hard time knowing
Jesus' examples of grace and mercy applied.
Marlys was right. She couldn't do it. In our own strength, none of us is able
to "live the Christian life." Someone has said, " The Christian life isn't
difficult -- it's impossible!" Only the power of the Holy Spirit is
effective to work the needed changes in our priorities and behaviour;
only God can accomplish what he calls us to do.
In Phillippians 2:12, Paul says "work it out." If we stop there,
we are likely to throw up our hands in despair.
But the good news appears in verse 13:
" For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure."
WE are not left on our own to figure out how to live the Christian life.
God gives us both the will and the ability to obey him, to live in a way
that will please him.
The key to a God-pleasing life is not performance, but obedience. God does not
expect us to "do great things" for him, to deserve his love and grace.
Our part in the process of salvation is to respond in obedience to the Lord,
to say "yes" to what he asks of us. We cannot change ourselves;
we cannot even know ourselves apart from the Spirit's insight. But
as we cooperate with him, as we agree to be obedient, the Spirit changes us
within, and those changes are "worked out" into our lives.
Application
a) Have I ever tried to "Live the Christian life" on my own strength?
What was the result?
b) In what practical ways is Paul's declaration that "God works in me"
good new in my life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gal 3:13-14
13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a curse for us - as it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)-
14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise
of the Spirit through faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Prince Edward Island
Total population 146300
Muslim population (est.) 1127
Charlottetown does not currently (fall 2014) have a local CNMM network.
Pray with us for God's people to come together in reaching Muslims
cooperatively across denominational and organisational lines.
More than 200 attended the Eid festival at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic
month of fasting during daylight hours and the reading of the Qur'an, at
the Dar as-Salam mosque in 2014. This second mosque established
in Charlottetown, the other being the Muslims Association of PEI.
As of mid-2014,there are between 250 to 300 families, mostly in Charlottetown.
The Muslims of Charlottetown see their community as symbolically important
for this nation since this is known as the "birthplace of Canada". Yet we were
established as the "Dominion of Canada" with an appeal not only to
monarchial authority, but even more to God's higher Biblical authority as
shown in Psalm 72:8, "May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth."
Let us intercede together for:
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of Peace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual ways to share the Gospel
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and people , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for relationship with the Father
through the Son.
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
20th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the children of Canada, that they would come to know
Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
( Matthew 19:14
14 (Mt 18:3; Lk 18:16-17)
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them. For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not,
to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
)
b) Pray that Christians will recognise that our struggle is not
against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces.
(
Eph 6:12
12 (Eph 1:3; 1:21) For our fight is not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly places.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to confess and declare the Lord as Saviour.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for the many reminders
of You in Your creation. Thank You for beauty among thorns."
Pray to the Lord and pray for guidance from Jesus Christ to live
the Christian life.
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank The Lord for His sacrifice on the Cross.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Word a lamp unto our feet.
Pray for Prince Edward Island and her Muslim populations
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of Peace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual ways to share the Gospel
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and people , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for relationship with the Father
through the Son.
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 for the children of Canada, that they would come to know
Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
Pray that Christians will recognise that our struggle is not
against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces.
Pray for Christians in Bangladesh who are learning how to reach their
Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
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) Luke 11:14-54
Luke 12:1-34
Luke 11:14-54
Jesus and Beelzebub
Mt 12:22-30; Mk 3:20-27
14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke, and the crowd marveled.
15 (Mt 9:34) But some of them said, "He casts out demons through Beelzebub,
the ruler of the demons."
16 Others, testing Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven.
17 (Mt 9:4) But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them,
"Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate.
And a house divided against itself falls.
18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub.
19 Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
20 (Ex 8:19) But if I cast out demons with the finger of God,
no doubt the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace,
his goods are peacefully kept.
22 (Isa 49:24-25; 53:12) But when a stronger man than he attacks
and overpowers him, he seizes all the armor in which the man trusted
and divides his spoils.
23 (Mt 12:30; Lk 9:50) "He who is not with Me is against Me,
and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
[14] And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass,
when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
[15] But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the
chief of the devils.
[16] And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
[17] But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house
falleth.
[18] If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?
because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
[19] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them
out? therefore shall they be your judges.
[20] But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom
of God is come upon you.
[21] When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
[22] But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he
taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
[23] He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me
scattereth.
{More like President Lucifer Satan of the Republic of Hell versus
The Kingdom of God lead by the Holy Trinity of a Loving Dictator}
The Return of the Unclean Spirit
Mt 12:43-45
24 (Mt 12:43-45; Ps 63:1) "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man,
it goes through dry places seeking rest. Finding none, it says,
'I will return to my house, from which I came.'
25 When it comes, it finds it swept and furnished.
26 (Jn 5:14; 2Pe 2:20-22) Then it goes and brings seven other spirits
more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there.
And the last state of that man is worse than the first."
[24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my
house whence I came out.
[25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
[26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than
himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man
is worse than the first.
True Blessedness
27 (Lk 1:48) As He spoke these things, a woman from the crowd raised
her voice and said to Him,
"Blessed is the woman who gave You birth and nursed You."
28 (Lk 8:21) But He said, "Indeed, blessed are those who hear the word of God
and keep it."
[27] And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the
company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that
bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
[28] But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God,
and keep it.
The Demand for a Sign
Mt 12:38-42; Mk 8:12
29 (Mk 8:11-12; Lk 11:16) When the crowds pressed upon Him, He began to say,
"This is an evil generation. It looks for a sign, but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
30 (Jnh 1:17) For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
31 (2Ch 9:1; Jer 3:11) The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment
with the men of this generation and condemn them,
for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
And now one greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation
and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah.
And now one greater than Jonah is here.
[29] And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This
is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given
it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
[30] For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of
man be to this generation.
[31] The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of
this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is
here.
[32] The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation,
and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and,
behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
The Light of the Body
Mt 5:15; 6:22-23
33 "No one, when he has lit a candle, puts it in a secret place
or under a basket, but on a candlestick,
that those who come in may see the light.
34 (Mt 6:22-23) The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore when your eye
is good, your whole body also is full of light.
But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore lest the light which is in you is darkness.
36 If your whole body, then, is full of light, no part being dark,
the whole body will be full of light,
as when the shining candle gives you light."
[33] No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place,
neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may
see the light.
[34] The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single,
thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body
also is full of darkness.
[35] Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
[36] If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the
whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth
give thee light.
The Denouncing of the Pharisees and Lawyers
Mt 23:1-36; Mk 12:38-40; Lk 20:45-47
37 (Lk 7:36; 14:1) As He spoke, a Pharisee asked Him to dine with him.
So He went in and sat down to eat.
38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed
before dinner.
39 Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup
and the dish. But inside you are full of extortion and wickedness.
40 (Lk 12:20; 1Co 15:36) You fools! Did not he who made the outside
make the inside also?
41 (Lk 12:33; 16:9) But give alms from what is within.
And then all things are clean to you.
42 (Mt 23:23; Lk 18:12; Mic 6:8) "Woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint
and rue and every herb and pass over justice and the love of God.
These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
43 (Lk 20:46; Mk 12:38-39) "Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the prominent
seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
44 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unseen
graves, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them."
45 One of the lawyers answered, "Teacher, by saying these things
You insult us also."
46 He said, "Woe to you also, you lawyers! For you load men with burdens
difficult to carry, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens
with one of your fingers.
47 (Mt 23:29-33) "Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets,
and your fathers killed them.
48 So you are witnesses and entirely approve the deeds of your fathers,
because they killed them, and you build their tombs.
49 (1Co 1:30; Col 2:3) Therefore also the wisdom of God said,
'I will send them prophets and apostles,
and some of them they will kill and persecute,'
50 that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the beginning of the world,
may be required from this generation,
51 (Mt 23:35; Heb 11:4) from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah,
who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary.
Yes, I tell you, it shall be required from this generation.
52 (Mt 23:13; Mal 2:7) "Woe to you, lawyers! For you have taken away
the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered
those who were entering."
53 As He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees
began to incite Him vehemently
and angrily draw Him out concerning many things,
54 (Mk 12:13; Mt 22:15) lying in wait for Him and seeking to catch
something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him.
[37] And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and
he went in, and sat down to meat.
[38] And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed
before dinner.
[39] And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside
of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and
wickedness.
[40] Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is
within also?
[41] But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things
are clean unto you.
[42] But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner
of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the other undone.
[43] Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the
synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
[44] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves
which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
[45] Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus
saying thou reproachest us also.
[46] And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with
burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with
one of your fingers.
[47] Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your
fathers killed them.
[48] Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they
indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
[49] Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and
apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
[50] That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation
of the world, may be required of this generation;
[51] From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished
between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be
required of this generation.
[52] Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
[53] And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees
began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
[54] Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth,
that they might accuse him.
Luke 12:1-34
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
1 (Jas 3:17; 1Co 5:7-8) Meanwhile, when thousands of the crowd were
assembled, so as to trample on one another, He began to say to His
disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy.
2 (Mk 4:22; Lk 8:17) For there is nothing covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
3 (Mt 10:27) Therefore what you have said in the darkness will be
heard in the light. And what you have whispered in the ear in private
rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
[1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable
multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to
say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
[2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid,
that shall not be known.
[3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the
light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be
proclaimed upon the housetops.
Whom to Fear
Mt 10:28-31
4 (Jer 1:8; 1Pe 3:14) "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid
of those who kill the body, and after that can do no more.
5 (Ps 9:17; Mt 10:28) But I will warn you whom you shall fear:
Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell.
Yes, I say to you, fear Him.
6 (Mt 10:29) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies
(Gk. 2 assaria. An assarion was worth 1/16 of a denarius, which was a day's
wage.)? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
7 (1Sa 14:45; Mt 6:26) Indeed, even the hairs of your head
are all numbered. Therefore do not fear.
You are more valuable than many sparrows.
[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body,
and after that have no more that they can do.
[5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he
hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
[6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is
forgotten before God?
[7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not
therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Confessing Christ Before Men
Mt 10:19-20, 32-33; 12:32
8 (Lk 15:10; Ro 10:9-10) "I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men,
him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God.
9 (Mk 8:38; 2Ti 2:12) But he who denies Me before men will be denied
before the angels of God. < Atheists beware>
10 (Mt 12:31-32; 1Jn 5:16; 1Ti 1:13) And everyone who speaks
a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 (Mt 23:34) "When they bring you to the synagogues, rulers,
and authorities, do not be anxious how you will answer or what you will say.
12 (Lk 21:15; Mt 10:20) For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time
what you should say."
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall
the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of
God.
[10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be
forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall
not be forgiven.
[11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and
powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye
shall say:
[12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to
say.
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide
the inheritance with me."
14 (Ro 2:1; 2:3) Jesus said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge
or an arbitrator between you?"
15 (1Ti 6:6-10; Heb 13:5) Then He said to them, "Take heed and beware
of covetousness. For a man's life does not consist
in the abundance of his possessions."
16 And He told a parable to them, saying,
"The land of a rich man produced plentifully.
17 He thought to himself,
'What shall I do, for I have no room to store my crops?'
18 "Then he said, 'This I will do: I will pull down my barns
and build greater ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 (Ecc 11:9; Pr 27:1) And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods
laid up for many years. Take rest. Eat, drink, and be merry.'
20 (Jer 17:11; Job 27:8; Ps 39:6) "But God said to him, 'You fool!
This night your soul will be required of you.
Then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
21 (Lk 12:33; Mt 6:19-20) "So is he who stores up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God."
[13] And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that
he divide the inheritance with me.
[14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
[15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a
man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth.
[16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich
man brought forth plentifully:
[17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have
no room where to bestow my fruits?
[18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build
greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
[19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many
years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
[20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required
of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
[21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Care and Anxiety
Mt 6:25-34, 19-21
22 (Lk 12:29; 1Co 7:32) Then He said to His disciples,
"Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious for your life,
what you will eat, nor for your body, what you will wear.
23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.
24 (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9) Consider the ravens: They neither sow nor reap,
they have neither storehouses nor barns. Yet God feeds them.
How much more valuable are you than birds?
25 Who of you by worrying can add one cubit [A cubit is about half a meter.]
to his height?
26 If you then cannot do what is least, why are you anxious
about the other things?
27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They neither spin nor weave.
Yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these.
28 (Mt 8:26; 14:31) If God so clothes the grass, which today
is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
29 (Mt 6:31) And do not seek what you will eat or what you will drink,
nor be of an anxious mind.
30 (Mt 6:8; 6:32) For the nations of the world seek all these things,
and your Father knows that you need them.
31 (1Ki 3:11-13; Mt 6:33) But seek the kingdom of God, and all these
things shall be given to you.
32 (Isa 40:11; 41:14) "Do not be afraid, little flock,
for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 (Mt 19:21; Lk 16:9) Sell your possessions and give alms.
Provide yourselves purses that do not grow old,
an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near
and no moth destroys.
34 (Mt 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no
thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye
shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have
storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than
the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye
thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and
yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one
of these.
[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to
morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of
little faith?
[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be
ye of doubtful mind.
[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your
Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom.
[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not
old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth,
neither moth corrupteth.
[34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
2) Our Daily Bread for 20 October 2023
Entitled "In the Garden"
Genesis 2:8-9;3:16-19
8 The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the
man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every
tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also
in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
[8] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the
man whom he had formed.
[9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst
of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
16 To the woman He said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth,
and in pain you will bring forth children;
your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you."
17 And to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying,
'You shall not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground on account of you;
in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat
the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground,
because out of it you were taken;
for you are dust, and to dust you will return."
[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of
thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying,
Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt
eat the herb of the field;
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto
the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust
shalt thou return.
My dad loved being outdoors in God's creation camping, fishing, and
rock-hunting. He also enjoyed working in his yard and garden. But it took lots
of work! He spent hours pruning, hoeing, planting seeds or flowers, pulling
weeds, mowing the lawn, and watering the yard and garden. The results were
worth it-a landscaped lawn, tasty tomatoes, and beautiful peace roses. Every
year he pruned the roses close to the ground, and every year they grew
back—filling the senses with their fragrance and beauty.
In Genesis, we read of the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve lived, thrived,
and walked with God. There, God “made the LORD ... to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight, and good for food” (Genesis 2:9). I imagine that
perfect garden also included beautiful, sweet-smelling flowers—perhaps even
roses minus the thorns!
After Adam and Eve's rebellion against God, they were expelled from the garden
and needed to plant and care for their own gardens, which meant breaking up
hard ground, battling with thorns, and other challenges (3:17-19, 23-24). Yet
God continued to provide for them (v. 21). And He didn't leave humanity
without the beauty of creation to draw us to Him (Romans 1:20). The flowers in
the garden remind us of God's continued love and promise of a renewed
creation-symbols of hope and comfort!
By: Alyson Kieda
Reflect & Pray
When has creation drawn you to praise the Creator?
How do you see God in creation?
Dear God, thank You for the many reminders
of You in Your creation. Thank You for beauty among thorns.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 6 God Works!
Phil 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence,
but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure.
"I just can't do it!" Marlys, a career woman in her 30s, was struggling to fit
her new Christian principles into the business world. Accustomed to the
cutthroat tactics of the corporate hierarchy, she has a hard time knowing
Jesus' examples of grace and mercy applied.
Marlys was right. She couldn't do it. In our own strength, none of us is able
to "live the Christian life." Someone has said, " The Christian life isn't
difficult -- it's impossible!" Only the power of the Holy Spirit is
effective to work the needed changes in our priorities and behaviour;
only God can accomplish what he calls us to do.
In Phillippians 2:12, Paul says "work it out." If we stop there,
we are likely to throw up our hands in despair.
But the good news appears in verse 13:
" For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure."
WE are not left on our own to figure out how to live the Christian life.
God gives us both the will and the ability to obey him, to live in a way
that will please him.
The key to a God-pleasing life is not performance, but obedience. God does not
expect us to "do great things" for him, to deserve his love and grace.
Our part in the process of salvation is to respond in obedience to the Lord,
to say "yes" to what he asks of us. We cannot change ourselves;
we cannot even know ourselves apart from the Spirit's insight. But
as we cooperate with him, as we agree to be obedient, the Spirit changes us
within, and those changes are "worked out" into our lives.
Application
a) Have I ever tried to "Live the Christian life" on my own strength?
What was the result?
b) In what practical ways is Paul's declaration that "God works in me"
good new in my life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gal 3:13-14
13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a curse for us - as it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)-
14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise
of the Spirit through faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Prince Edward Island
Total population 146300
Muslim population (est.) 1127
Charlottetown does not currently (fall 2014) have a local CNMM network.
Pray with us for God's people to come together in reaching Muslims
cooperatively across denominational and organisational lines.
More than 200 attended the Eid festival at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic
month of fasting during daylight hours and the reading of the Qur'an, at
the Dar as-Salam mosque in 2014. This second mosque established
in Charlottetown, the other being the Muslims Association of PEI.
As of mid-2014,there are between 250 to 300 families, mostly in Charlottetown.
The Muslims of Charlottetown see their community as symbolically important
for this nation since this is known as the "birthplace of Canada". Yet we were
established as the "Dominion of Canada" with an appeal not only to
monarchial authority, but even more to God's higher Biblical authority as
shown in Psalm 72:8, "May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth."
Let us intercede together for:
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of Peace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual ways to share the Gospel
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and people , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for relationship with the Father
through the Son.
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
20th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the children of Canada, that they would come to know
Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
( Matthew 19:14
14 (Mt 18:3; Lk 18:16-17)
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them. For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not,
to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
)
b) Pray that Christians will recognise that our struggle is not
against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces.
(
Eph 6:12
12 (Eph 1:3; 1:21) For our fight is not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly places.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to confess and declare the Lord as Saviour.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for the many reminders
of You in Your creation. Thank You for beauty among thorns."
Pray to the Lord and pray for guidance from Jesus Christ to live
the Christian life.
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank The Lord for His sacrifice on the Cross.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Word a lamp unto our feet.
Pray for Prince Edward Island and her Muslim populations
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of Peace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual ways to share the Gospel
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and people , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for relationship with the Father
through the Son.
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 for the children of Canada, that they would come to know
Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
Pray that Christians will recognise that our struggle is not
against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces.
Pray for Christians in Bangladesh who are learning how to reach their
Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
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