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Day 315 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 11 November 2023 reflections

Day 315, 11 November 2023 Lest We forget



1)Acts 1:12-26, Acts 2, Acts 3,



Acts 1



Judas' Successor



12 (Lk 24:52; Mt 21:1) Then they returned to Jerusalem from

the Mount of Olives, which is a Sabbath day's walk (About half a mile.)

from Jerusalem.

13 (Mt 10:2-4; Ac 20:8) When they had entered, they went up

into the upper room, where they were staying:

Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas;

Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot;

and Judas the son of James.

14 (Mt 12:46; Ac 2:42) These all continued with one accord in prayer

and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus,

and with His brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the disciples

(the number of people together was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

16 (Mt 26:47; Jn 13:18) "Brothers, this Scripture had to be fulfilled,

which the Holy Spirit previously spoke by the mouth of David

concerning Judas, who became the guide to those who seized Jesus.

17 (Ac 1:25; Jn 6:70-71) For he was numbered with us

and took part in this ministry."

18 (Mt 27:3-10) (Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity.

And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the middle and all his organs

spilled out.

19 It became known to all the residents of Jerusalem.

So this field is called in their dialect Akeldama,

that is, Field of Blood.)

20 (Ps 69:25) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

'Let his habitation become desolate,

and let no one live in it,' (Ps 69:25.)

and,

'Let another take his office.'(Ps 109:8.)

21 (Nu 27:17; Dt 31:2) Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us

while the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 (Ac 1:2; 1:8-9) beginning from the baptism of John

until the very day that He was taken up from us,

one of these men must become with us a witness of His resurrection."

23 (Ac 15:22) So they proposed two, Joseph, called Barsabbas,

who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 (1Sa 16:7; Jer 17:10) Then they prayed, "You, Lord, who knows the hearts

of all men, show which of these two You have chosen

25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship,

from which Judas by transgression fell, to go to his own place."

26 (Lev 16:8) Then they cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias.

So he was numbered with the eleven apostles.



[12] Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which

is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

[13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where

abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas,

Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and

Judas the brother of James.

[14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with

the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

[15] And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and

said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which

the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which

was guide to them that took Jesus.

[17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

[18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling

headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

[19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that

field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field

of blood.

[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be

desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

[21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that

the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

[22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was

taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his

resurrection.

[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed

Justus, and Matthias.

[24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all

men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

[25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which

Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

[26] And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he

was numbered with the eleven apostles.



Acts 2

The Coming of the Holy Spirit



1 (Ac 20:16; 1Co 16:8) When the day of Pentecost had come,

they were all together in one place.

2 (Ac 4:31; 1Ki 19:11) Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing

wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house

where they were sitting.

3 (Mt 3:11) There appeared to them tongues as of fire,

being distributed and resting on each of them,

4 (Mk 16:17; 1Co 12:10) and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

5 (Ac 8:2; Lk 2:25) Now dwelling in Jerusalem were Jews, devout men,

from every nation under heaven.

6 When this sound occurred, the crowd came together and were confounded,

because each man heard them speaking in his own language.

7 (Ac 1:11; 2:12) They were all amazed and marveled, saying to each other,

"Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

8 How is it that we hear, each in our own native language?

9 (1Pe 1:1; Ac 16:6; 18:2) Parthians, Medes and Elamites,

residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10 (Ac 13:13; 15:38) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya

near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11 (Ex 15:11) Cretans and Arabs-we hear them speaking in our own languages

the mighty works of God."

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."



[1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one

accord in one place.

[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat

upon each of them.

[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with

other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

[5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every

nation under heaven.

[6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were

confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

[7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold,

are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

[8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

[9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and

in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

[10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about

Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

[11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful

works of God.

[12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another,

What meaneth this?

[13] 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.

18 Even on My menservants and maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above

and signs on the earth below:

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.

20 (Mt 24:29; 2Pe 3:10) The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood,

before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 (Ac 22:16) And whoever calls

on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

22 (Jn 3:2; Mt 12:28) "Men of Israel, hear these words:

Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with powerful works

and wonders and signs, which God did through Him in your midst,

as you yourselves know.

23 (Lk 22:22; Ac 3:18) You have taken Him, who was handed over to you

by the ordained counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by lawless hands

have crucified and killed Him,

24 (Ac 2:32; 1Co 6:14) whom God raised up by loosening the pull of death,

because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

25 (Ps 16:8-11) For David says concerning Him:

'I foresaw the Lord always before me,

for He is at my right hand,

that I may not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

moreover my flesh will dwell in hope.

27 (Ac 2:31; Lk 1:35; Rev 1:18) For You will not abandon my soul to Hades,

nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the ways of life;

You will make me full of joy with Your presence.'

(Gk. 15 orguias, about 27 meters.)

29 (1Ki 2:10; Ac 13:36) "Brothers, I may speak confidently to you concerning

the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with

us to this day.

30 (2Sa 23:2) But being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn

with an oath to him, that of his seed according to the flesh,

He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

31 (Ac 2:27; Ps 16:10) he foresaw this and spoke concerning

the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not abandoned

to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

32 (Ac 2:24; 1:8) God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses.

33 (Ac 1:4; Mk 16:19) Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,

and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit,

He has poured out this which you now see and hear.

34 (Ps 110:1) For David has not ascended to the heavens, yet he says:

'The Lord said to my Lord,

"Sit at My right hand,

35Until I make Your enemies

Your footstool." '

36 "Therefore, let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God

has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37 (Lk 3:10; Ac 5:33) When they heard this, they were stung in the heart

and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles,

"Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 (Lk 24:47; Ac 8:12; 22:16) Peter said to them,

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ

for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift

of the Holy Spirit.

39 (Joel 2:32; Isa 44:3) For the promise is to you, and to your children,

and to all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call."

40 (Mt 17:17; Dt 32:5) With many other words he testified and exhorted them,

saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."

41 (Ac 2:37; 2:47) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,

and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.



[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said

unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this

known unto you, and hearken to my words:

[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third

hour of the day.

[16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out

of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall

prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream

dreams:

[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days

of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth

beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before

that great and notable day of the Lord come:

[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the

Lord shall be saved.

[22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved

of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in

the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

[23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of

God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

[24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it

was not possible that he should be holden of it.

[25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my

face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

[26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also

my flesh shall rest in hope:

[27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer

thine Holy One to see corruption.

[28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of

joy with thy countenance.

[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,

that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath

to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would

raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his

soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received

of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which

ye now see and hear.

[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The

LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath

made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said

unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we

do?

[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in

the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the

gift of the Holy Ghost.

[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are

afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save

yourselves from this untoward generation.

[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day

there were added unto them about three thousand souls.



Life Among the Believers



42 (Ac 1:14; 20:7; 2:46) They continued steadfastly in the apostles'

teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.

43 Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through

the apostles.

44 (Ac 4:32) All who believed were together and had all things in common.

45 They sold their property and goods and distributed them to all,

according to their need.

46 (Ac 5:42; 20:7) And continuing daily with one mind in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness

and simplicity of heart,

47 (Ac 11:24; 2:41) praising God and having favor with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.



[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,

and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by

the apostles.

[44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as

every man had need.

[46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking

bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness

of heart,

[47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added

to the church daily such as should be saved.



Acts 3



The Lame Man Healed at the Temple Gate



1 (Ps 55:17; Ac 10:30) Now Peter and John went up together to the temple

at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.

2 (Lk 16:20; Jn 9:8) A man lame from birth was being carried,

whom people placed daily at the gate of the temple called Beautiful

to ask alms from those who entered the temple.

3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.

4 Peter, gazing at him with John, said, "Look at us."

5 So he paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.

6 (Ac 3:16; 4:10) Then Peter said, "I have no silver and gold,

but I give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

rise up and walk."

7 He took him by the right hand and raised him up.

Immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened.

8 (Ac 14:10; Isa 35:6) Jumping up, he stood and walked

and entered the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.

9 (Ac 4:16; 4:21) All the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 (Ac 3:2) They knew that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate

of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and amazement

at what happened to him.



[1] Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of

prayer, being the ninth hour.

[2] And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they

laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms

of them that entered into the temple;

[3] Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

[4] And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

[5] And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

[6] Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I

thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

[7] And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately

his feet and ancle bones received strength.

[8] And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the

temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

[9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

[10] And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate

of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which

had happened unto him.



Peter's Speech at Solomon's Porch



11 (Jn 10:23; Ac 5:12) As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter

and John, all the people ran together to them in the entrance that is

called Solomon's Porch, greatly amazed.

12 When Peter saw it, he answered the people: "Men of Israel,

why do you marvel at this man? Or why do you stare at us,

as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

13 (Mt 22:32; 27:2) The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,

the God of our fathers, has glorified His Son ­Jesus,

whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate,

when he had decided to release Him.

14 (Mk 1:24; Ac 4:27; 7:52) You denied the Holy and Righteous One

and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

15 (Ac 2:24; 2:32) and you killed the Creator of Life,

whom God has raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

16 (Ac 3:6; Dt 32:4) And His name, by faith in His name, has made

this man strong, whom you see and know. And faith which comes

through Him has given him perfect health in your presence.

17 (Lk 23:34; Ac 13:27) "Now brothers, I know that you acted

in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

18 (Ac 26:22-23; Lk 24:26-27) But what God foretold through

all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He thus fulfilled.

19 (Ac 2:38; Ps 51:9) Therefore repent and be converted, that your sins

may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence

of the Lord,

20 and that He may send the One who previously was preached to you,

Jesus Christ,

21 (Lk 1:70; Ac 1:11) whom the heavens must receive until the time

of restoring what God spoke through all His holy prophets

since the world began.

22 (Ac 7:37; Isa 55:3-4) For Moses indeed said to the fathers,

'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me

from your brothers. You shall hear whatever He may say to you.

23 (Dt 18:19) And it shall be that every soul who will not hear

that prophet shall be utterly eliminated from the people.'

(Dt 18:15, 18-19.)

24 (1Sa 3:20; Ac 13:20) "Indeed, all the prophets since Samuel

and those who follow, as many as have spoken,

have likewise foretold these days.

25 (Ge 22:18; 12:3; Ac 2:39) You are the sons of the prophets

and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,

saying to Abraham,

'And in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'-

(26 Ps 2:1-2.)

26 (Ac 3:22; Mt 1:21) God, having raised up His Son Jesus,

sent Him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you

from your iniquities."



[11] And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the

people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly

wondering.

[12] And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel,

why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our

own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

[13] The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers,

hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the

presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

[14] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be

granted unto you;

[15] And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead;

whereof we are witnesses.

[16] And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom

ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect

soundness in the presence of you all.

[17] And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also

your rulers.

[18] But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his

prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted

out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

[20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

[21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all

things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since

the world began.

[22] For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your

God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in

all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

[23] And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that

prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

[24] Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as

many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

[25] Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made

with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the

kindreds of the earth be blessed.

[26] Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless

you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.



2) Our Daily Bread for 11 November 2023 titled

Lucky Boots



Isaiah 42:8 , 1 Samuel 4:1-11



Isaiah 42:8



8 (Isa 48:11; Ex 20:3-5) I am the Lord, that is My name;

and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.



[8] I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another,

neither my praise to graven images.



1 SAMUEL 4



1 (1Sa 7:12; 29:1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.



The Ark of God Captured



And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines

and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.

2 The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when

the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck

down on the field of battle about four thousand men.

3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said,

"Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines?

Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us,

that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies."

4 (2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from

there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the

cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there

with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 (Jos 6:5) When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,

all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the ground was in an uproar.

6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said,

"What does this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"

Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.

7 The Philistines were afraid, when they said, "God is come into the camp."

And they said, "Woe to us! For this has never happened to us before.

8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?

These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with every plague

in the wilderness.

9 (Jdg 13:1; 1Co 16:13) Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you be

servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Now be men and fight."

10 (Dt 28:25; 1Sa 4:2) So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten.

And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat,

for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.

11 (1Sa 2:34; Ps 78:64) Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons

of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.



[1] And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against

the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines

pitched in Aphek.

[2] And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when

they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew

of the army in the field about four thousand men.

[3] And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said,

Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us

fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when

it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

[4] So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark

of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims:

and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the

covenant of God.

[5] And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all

Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

[6] And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What

meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they

understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

[7] And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the

camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing

heretofore.

[8] Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods?

these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the

wilderness.

[9] Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be

not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves

like men, and fight.

[10] And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every

man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of

Israel thirty thousand footmen.

[11] And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and

Phinehas, were slain.



Too late, Tom felt the chilling "click" beneath his combat boots.

Instinctively, he bounded away in an adrenaline-fueled leap. The deadly

device hidden underground didn't detonate. Later, the explosive ordnance

disposal team unearthed eighty pounds of high explosives from the spot. Tom

wore those boots until they fell apart. "My lucky boots," he calls them.



Tom may have clung to those boots simply to commemorate his close call. But

people are often tempted to consider objects "lucky" or to even give them the

more spiritual label "blessed." Danger arrives when we credit an object-even

a symbol—as a source of God's blessing.



The Israelites learned this the hard way. The Philistine army had just routed

them in battle. As Israel reviewed the debacle, someone thought of taking the

"ark of the Lord's covenant" into a rematch (1 Samuel 4:3). That seemed like

a good idea (vv. 6-9). After all, the ark of the covenant was a holy object.



But the Israelites had the wrong perspective. By itself, the ark couldn't

bring them anything. Putting their faith in an object instead of in the

presence of the one true God, the Israelites suffered an even worse defeat,

and the enemy captured the ark (vv. 10-11).



Mementos that remind us to pray or to thank God for His goodness are fine.

But they're never the source of blessing. That is God-and God alone.



By: Tim Gustafson



Reflect & Pray



How do you show evidence of your faith in God? When you're faced with

a crisis, what do you focus on to help you?



Loving Father, forgive me when I'm tempted

to put my faith in anything but You.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 7 - Upheld by His Hand



Is 41:10



10 (Jos 1:9; Isa 41:13-14) Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you,

yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.



10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.



Beth had the same recurring nightmare: she was running along a cliff,

then she slipped, and fell headlong, into a bottomless ravine.

Falling, without control, without end, falling, falling, falling...

Beth's dream may be one many of us identify with. The sense

of losing control can be nightmarish, and we may fear falling

without end, without remedy. Financial failure may be the chasm

that we face, or professional disgrace. Personal relationships

may go out of control, and we look into a never-ending

ravine of pain and misunderstanding

But God says, "Don't be afraid; I am holding you up."

Like the father who helps his child learn to swim,

God holds us above the water. We may not feel his hands;

indeed, we may suspect that he lets us go just so we can

do it on our own. But he promises that he doesn't let go.

"I am with you." he declares. "I give you strength

and hold you up."

God's promise never to let go takes on new meaning

in a world where relationships are temporary and life is

uncertain. We do not need to fear, for he is with us.

We can relax and stop striving, for he is our God.

His strength becomes ours; amid all our sin and rebellion,

he undergirds us with his righteousness. We cannot fall,

for he holds us firm.



Application



a) Under what circumstances have I felt myself "falling"?



b) How does God's promise in Is 41:10 help me to have faith

in the midst of my fears?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 8:18



18 But you must remember the Lord your God,

for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,

so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,

as it is today.



18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth

thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant

which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.



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



When you are lonely



PSALMS 25:15-21



15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for He will lead my feet from the net.

16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,

for I am isolated and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

18 Look on my pain and misery,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,

and they hate me with violent hatred.

20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!

Let me not suffer shame,

for I seek refuge in You.

21 Truth and integrity will preserve me

while I wait for You.



Ain

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;

For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Pe

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;

For I am desolate and afflicted.

Zade

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:

O bring thou me out of my distresses.

(Qoph)

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

And forgive all my sins.

Resh

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

Shin

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:

Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Taw

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;

For I wait on thee.



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?)



Newfoundland & Labrador



Total population 527000

Muslim population (est.) 2065



As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us

for God's people to come together in prayer

and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.



St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which

may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,

The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986

to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.

A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to

other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began

to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number

of international students also join the community annually

ranging from 25 to 60.



In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200

families and many university students attending Memorial University. A

small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic

faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".

With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space

in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.



Pray for



- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims

in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.

- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding

Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.

- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim

students on the university, college and trade school campuses.



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



11th Day of the Month



a) Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,

city or community, and in Canada.



(



Ps 86:12



12 I will give You thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart,

and I will glorify Your name forever.



12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:

And I will glorify thy name for evermore.



John 12:28



28 "Father, glorify Your name."

Then a voice came from heaven, saying,

"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."



28 Father, glorify thy name.

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,

I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.



)



b) Pray for the province of New Brunswick



I) Pray for the leaders of New Brunswick, that God's Spirit would influence

then to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.

( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

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

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

3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of

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

and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province,

that they would be lighthouses beaming forth

the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding

the Hope Campaign and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



)



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you and your church

in your walk with the Lord Every day.



Pray to the Lord: "Loving Father, forgive me when I'm tempted

to put my faith in anything but You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be upheld by His righteousness.



Pray to the Lord and pray to honour His covenant.



Pray to the Lord and pray for His integrity and uprightness preserves you.



Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador



- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims

in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.

- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding

Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.

- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim

students on the university, college and trade school campuses.



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 God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,

city or community, and in Canada.



Pray that those who have been blinded by ancestor worship in Vietnam

will see the truths revealed in God's Word.



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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