Day 126 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 5 May 2024 reflections
Day 126, 5 May 2024
Today at Calvary Community Church ,
Pastor Barry Regier spoke on Beyond Normal - Getting outside Our God Box.
Isaish 55:8-9
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,
says the Lord.
9 (Ps 103:11) For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
A) Life in the kingdom of God is not about us
Acts 10:23b-26
The next day Peter went with them,
and some brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them
and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25 (Mt 8:2; Da 2:46) As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him
and fell down at his feet and worshipped him.
26 (Rev 19:10) But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up. I myself am a man."
And on the morrow Peter went
away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
[24] And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited
for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
[25] And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his
feet, and worshipped him.
[26] But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
i) But About Jesus
Acts 10:27-43
27 (Ac 10:24) As he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come
together.
28 (Jn 4:9; 18:28) He said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew
to visit or approach a foreigner. But God has shown me not to call any man
common or unclean.
29 So when I was sent for, I came without question.
Therefore I ask why you have sent for me."
30 (Ac 10:3; 1:10) Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until
this hour. At the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and suddenly a man
stood before me in bright clothing,
31 (Ac 10:4) and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard,
and your alms are remembered before God.
32 Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, whose surname is Peter.
He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.
When he comes, he will speak to you.'
33 So immediately I sent for you, and you have done well to come.
Now therefore we are all here, present before God,
to hear everything the Lord has commanded you."
[27] And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come
together.
[28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a
man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but
God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
[29] Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent
for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
[30] And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at
the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in
bright clothing,
[31] And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in
remembrance in the sight of God.
[32] Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter;
he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when
he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
[33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou
art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all
things that are commanded thee of God.
Peter Speaks in Cornelius' House
34 (Dt 10:17; 2Ch 19:7) Then Peter began to speak, saying,
"Truthfully, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.
35 (Ac 10:2; 15:9) But in every nation he who fears Him
and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 (Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36) The word which He sent to the children of Israel,
preaching peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
37 the word, which you know, that was proclaimed throughout all Judea,
beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 (Lk 4:18; Jn 3:2) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed
by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 (Lk 24:48; Ac 10:41) "We are witnesses of all that He did both in the land
of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 (Ac 2:24) But God raised Him on the third day and presented Him publicly,
41 (Jn 14:22; Ac 10:39) not to all the people,
but to witnesses previously chosen by God,
to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
42 (Ac 17:31; 2Ti 4:1) He commanded us to preach to the people
and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be the
Judge of the living and the dead.
43 (Ac 15:9; Isa 53:11) To Him all the prophets bear witness that whoever
believes in Him will receive remission of sins through His name."
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons:
[35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is
accepted with him.
[36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by
Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
[37] That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea,
and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
[38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:
who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;
for God was with him.
[39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the
Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
[40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
[41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to
us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
[42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it
is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
B) Allowing God to work ...
Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
44 (Ac 11:15; 15:8) While Peter was still speaking these words,
the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
45 (Ac 10:23; 2:38) All the believers of the circumcision who had come
with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out even on the Gentiles.
46 (Ac 2:4; 19:6) For they heard them speaking in other tongues
and magnifying God.
Then Peter continued,
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift
of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter,
i) REquires us to get out of the way
Acts 10:46-11:18
46 (Ac 2:4; 19:6) For they heard them speaking in other tongues
and magnifying God.
Then Peter continued,
47 (Ac 8:36) "Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these,
who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?"
48 (Ac 2:38; 8:16; 1Co 1:13-17) So he commanded them to be baptized
in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter,
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11
Peter's Report to the Church in Jerusalem
1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles
also had received the word of God.
2 (Ac 10:45) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised
disputed with him,
3 (Ac 10:28; Lk 15:2) saying, "You went in and ate with uncircumcised men!"
4 (Lk 1:3) Peter began explaining it to them in order, saying,
5 (Ac 10:9-32) "I was in the city of Joppa praying. And in a trance
I saw a vision: A vessel like a great sheet was descending, let down
from heaven by four corners, and it came to me.
6 I considered what I had observed and saw four-footed creatures
and wild beasts and reptiles and birds of the air.
7 Then I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'
8 (Ro 14:14) "I said, 'Not at all, Lord. For nothing common
or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.'
9 "The voice answered from heaven a second time,
'What God has cleansed, do not call common.'
10 This happened three times. And again everything was taken up into heaven.
11 "And immediately three men sent from Caesarea to me came to the house
where I was.
12 (Ac 8:29; 10:23) The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation.
Moreover these six brothers came with me, and we entered the man's house.
13 He told us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said
to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter.
14 (Ac 16:15; 10:22) He will speak words to you by which you
and all your household will be saved.'
15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them,
as He fell on us at the beginning.
16 (Ac 1:5; Mt 3:11) Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said,
'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptised
with the Holy Spirit.' (Am 9:11; Jer 12:15.)
17 (Ac 10:47) If then God gave them the same gift as He gave us
when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?"
18 (Ro 10:12-13; 2Co 7:10) When they heard these things, they were silent.
And they glorified God, saying, "Then God has granted to the Gentiles
also repentance unto life."
[1] And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God.
[2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the
circumcision contended with him,
[3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
[4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by
order unto them, saying,
[5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A
certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven
by four corners; and it came even to me:
[6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and
fowls of the air.
[7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
[8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time
entered into my mouth.
[9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed,
that call not thou common.
[10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
[11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the
house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
[12] And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these
six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
[13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and
said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is
Peter;
[14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be
saved.
[15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the
beginning.
[16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
[17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
[18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God,
saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
REvelation 22:19
19 (Rev 22:2; 13:8) And if anyone takes away from the words
of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City
and out of the things which are written in this book.
[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of
the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
1) 2 Samuel 7:1-17
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
2 Samuel 7:18-29
1 Chronicles 17:16-27
2 SAMUEL 7
God's Covenant With David
1Ch 17:1-15
1 Now when the king settled into his house
and the Lord had given him rest from all
of his enemies on all sides,
2 (2Sa 5:11; 12:1) the king said to Nathan the prophet,
"I am dwelling in a cedar house, but the ark of God is sitting in a tent."
3 (1Ki 8:17-18; 1Ch 22:7) Nathan said to the king,
"Go, do all that is in your heart because the Lord is with you."
4 That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan:
5 Go and say to My servant David: Thus says the Lord:
Do you intend to build a house for Me in which I will dwell?
6 (1Ki 8:16; Ex 40:18-19) I have not dwelt in a house since the day
I brought the sons of Israel from Egypt until this day.
I have been moving about with a tent as My dwelling.
7 (Lev 26:11-12; 2Sa 5:2) Wherever I have moved with all the sons of Israel,
have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel,
whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying,
"Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?"
8 (2Sa 6:21; 1Sa 16:11-12) Now therefore, you will say to My servant
David: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I took you from the pasture,
from following after the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.
9 (2Sa 5:10; 1Ch 17:8) I have been with you wherever you have gone,
and I have cut off all of your enemies before you.
I will make your name great, like the great ones across the land.
10 (Ps 89:22-23; Isa 60:18) Moreover, I will appoint a place
for My people Israel. I will plant them, and they will dwell
in that very place. They will be restless no longer,
and the unjust will no longer oppress them, as in former times,
11 (1Sa 12:9-11; 2Sa 7:1) ever since the day in which I appointed judges
over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all of your enemies.
The Lord declares to you that He will instead bring about a house for you.
12 (1Ki 8:20; 2:1; Dt 31:16) When your days are complete and you lie down
with your fathers, I will raise up after you an offspring from your body,
and I will establish his rule.
13 (1Ki 8:19; 5:5) He will build a house for My name,
and I will establish his royal throne forever.
14 (Heb 1:5; 1Ch 17:13) I will be a father to him,
and he will be a son to Me. When he goes astray,
I will correct him with the rod of men and afflictions of the sons of men.
15 (1Sa 15:23; 15:28) My commitment will not abandon him, as I removed
it from Saul, whom I deposed before you.
16 (2Sa 7:13; Ps 89:36-37) Your house and dominion will endure before
Me forever, and your throne will be established by the Lord forever.
17 So Nathan spoke to David in accordance with all of these words
and the entirety of this vision.
2 Samuel 7
[1] And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had
given him rest round about from all his enemies;
[2] That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house
of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
[3] And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the
LORD is with thee.
[4] And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto
Nathan, saying,
[5] Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me
an house for me to dwell in?
[6] Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up
the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a
tent and in a tabernacle.
[7] In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel
spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my
people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
[8] Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the
LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to
be ruler over my people, over Israel:
[9] And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all
thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto
the name of the great men that are in the earth.
[10] Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant
them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither
shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
[11] And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people
Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD
telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
[12] And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers,
I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels,
and I will establish his kingdom.
[13] He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of
his kingdom for ever.
[14] I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I
will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children
of men:
[15] But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul,
whom I put away before thee.
[16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before
thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
[17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did
Nathan speak unto David.
1 CHRONICLES 17
The Davidic Covenant
2Sa 7:1-17
1 (1Ch 15:1; 17:5) Now it happened as David dwelt in his house
that he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am dwelling in a house of cedar
while the ark of the Lord is under curtains."
2 So Nathan said to David,
"Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you."
3 But it happened on that same night that the word of the Lord came
to Nathan, saying,
4 (1Ch 28:2-3) Go and tell David My servant: Thus says the Lord:
You will not build a house for Me to dwell in,
52 (Sa 7:6; Ex 40:2-3) for I have not dwelt in a house since the day
when I brought Israel up even until this day, but I have gone from
tent to tent and from tabernacle to tabernacle.
6 (2Sa 7:7) Wherever I have gone in all Israel, have I ever spoken
a word to the any of the judges of Israel that I commanded
to shepherd My people, saying, Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?
7 (2Sa 6:21) And now say this to My servant David:
Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I took you from the pasture,
from following after the flock, to be ruler over My people Israel,
8 and I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.
Also I will make your name like the names of the greatest on earth.
9 And I will appoint a place for My people Israel,
and I will plant them there where they will dwell securely
and tremble no more, so that the sons of wickedness will not oppress
them just as before
10 (2Sa 7:11) from the time when I commanded the judges
of My people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies.
And I declare to you the Lord will build a house for you.
11 (Ps 132:11) Then it will be when your days are full
and you go to your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you
from your own sons. His kingdom I will establish.
12 (1Ki 5:5; Isa 9:7) He is the one who will build Me a house,
and I will establish his throne forever.
13 (Heb 1:5; 1Sa 15:28) I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me.
I will not take away My favor from him as I did from
the one who was before you.
14 I will assign him a place in My house and in My kingdom forever,
and his throne will be established for all time.
15 Thus, Nathan spoke to David all these words
and according to all this vision.
1 Chronicles 17
The House of the Lord
1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said
to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars,
but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.
2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart;
for God is with thee.
3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came
to Nathan, saying,
4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me
an house to dwell in:
5 for I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel
unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle
to another.
6 Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the
judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye
not built me an house of cedars?
7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith
the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following
the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:
8 and I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut
off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like
the name of the great men that are in the earth.
9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them,
and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither
shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
10 and since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel.
Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that
the LORD will build thee an house.
11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must
go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee,
which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take
my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
14 but I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever:
and his throne shall be established for evermore.
15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision,
so did Nathan speak unto David.
2 SAMUEL 7
The Prayer of David
1Ch 17:16-27
18 (Ex 3:11; 1Sa 18:18) Then King David went in and sat before the Lord.
He said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that
You have brought me this far?
19 (1Ch 17:17; Isa 55:8-9) Yet this was comparatively insignificant
in Your sight, Lord God, for You have also spoken about Your servant's
house into the distant future. Is this Your manner with man, Lord God?
20 (1Sa 16:7; Jn 21:17) "What more can David say to You?
You know Your servant, Lord God.
21 Because of Your word, according to Your will, You have done
all of this greatness to inform Your servant.
22 (Ex 15:11; Dt 3:24) "Therefore You are great, Lord God. There is none
like You, and there is no God except You, according to everything that
we have heard with our ears.
23 (Dt 9:26; 10:21) And who is like Your people, like Israel-a single nation
in the land, whom God went to redeem as a people for Himself,
making a name for Himself by doing great and awesome things for Your land,
before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt,
a nation and its gods.
24 (Dt 26:18; Ge 17:7) You established Your people Israel as Your own people
forever, and You, Lord, became their God.
25 "Now, Lord God, confirm forever the word that You spoke regarding
Your servant and his house and do as You have spoken.
26 (1Ch 17:23-24; Ps 72:18-19) May Your name be magnified forever
by saying, 'The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel,' and may the house
of Your servant David be established before You.
27 "For You, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have revealed a word
to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore,
Your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to You.
28 (Jn 17:17) Now, Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true.
You have spoken this good message to Your servant.
29 (Nu 6:24-26; 2Sa 22:51) Now, be resolved and bless Your servant's
dynastic house, so that it may stand before You forever.
You, Lord God, have spoken, and with Your blessing,
the house of Your servant will be blessed forever."
2 Samuel 7
[16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before
thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
[17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did
Nathan speak unto David.
[18] Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am
I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
[19] And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast
spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this
the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
[20] And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy
servant.
[21] For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done
all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
[22] Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee,
neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard
with our ears.
[23] And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel,
whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and
to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people,
which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
[24] For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people
unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
[25] And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy
servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou
hast said.
[26] And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is
the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established
before thee.
[27] For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant,
saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his
heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
[28] And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou
hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
[29] Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant,
that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken
it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
1 CHRONICLES 17
The Prayer of David
2Sa 7:18-29
16 (2Sa 7:18) Then King David came and sat before the Lord, and he said,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me
this far?
17 This was something small in Your eyes, God, but You have spoken
concerning the house of Your servant for a great while to come
and have regarded me with the status of a great man, O Lord God.
18 "What more can David speak to You for the honor of Your servant?
For You know Your servant.
19 (Isa 37:35) O Lord, for the sake of Your servant and according
to Your own heart You have done all these great things
and made known all these great things.
20 (Ex 15:11; Isa 44:6) "O Lord, there is none like You, and there is no god
besides You as we have heard with our ears.
21 Who is like Your people Israel, a nation on earth whom God has redeemed
for Himself as a people to make for Yourself a great name by great and awesome
deeds in driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed
from Egypt?
22 (Ex 19:5-6) For You made Your people Israel for Yourself for a people
forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God.
23 "And now, Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning
Your servant and concerning his house, let it endure forever and do
just as You have spoken.
24 Let Your name endure and be magnified forever, saying,
"'The Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, is God to Israel.'
And let the house of David Your servant be established before You.
25 "For You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will
build a house for him. Therefore Your servant has found courage
to pray before You.
26 And now, O Lord, You are God, and You have promised this good
word to Your servant.
27 Now, You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant
that it may be forever before You. For You, O Lord, have blessed it,
and it shall be blessed forever."
1 Chronicles 17
16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I,
O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast
also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast
regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant?
for thou knowest thy servant.
19 O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart,
hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee,
according to all that we have heard with our ears.
21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God
went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness
and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people,
whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou,
LORD, becamest their God.
23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning
thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever,
and do as thou hast said.
24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever,
saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel:
and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him
an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised
this goodness unto thy servant:
27 now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant,
that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD,
and it shall be blessed for ever.
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 May 2024 titled
Tears of Joy
Jeremiah 31:3-9
3 (Hos 11:4; Mal 1:2) The Lord has appeared to him from afar, saying:
Indeed, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
4 (Jer 31:13; 33:7) Again I will build you
and you will be built, O virgin of Israel.
You will again be adorned with your tambourines
and shall go forth in the dances of those who make merry.
5 (Am 9:14; Dt 28:30) You will yet plant vines
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters will plant
and will enjoy them.
6 (Jer 50:4-5) For there will be a day when the watchmen
on the hills of Ephraim will proclaim,
"Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God."
7 (Ps 14:7; 28:9) For thus says the Lord:
Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations;
publish, praise, and say,
"O Lord, save Your people,
the remnant of Israel."
8 (Isa 42:16; Jer 23:8) See, I will bring them from the north country,
and gather them from the remote parts of the earth,
and with them the blind and the lame,
the woman with child and her who is in labour with child, together;
a great company will return here.
9 (Jer 3:4; Ex 4:22; Isa 63:13) They will come with weeping,
and with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
in a straight way in which they shall not stumble.
For I am a Father to Israel,
and Ephraim is My firstborn.
[3] The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
[4] Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:
thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the
dances of them that make merry.
[5] Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters
shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
[6] For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall
cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
[7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among
the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy
people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from
the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman
with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company
shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I
will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein
they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my
firstborn.
Leaving home one morning, Dean found some friends waiting with balloons.
His friend Josh stepped forward. "We entered your poems in a competition,"
he said, before handing Dean an envelope. Inside was a card that read
"First Prize," and soon everyone was crying tears of joy. Dean's friends
had done a beautiful thing, confirming his writing talent.
Weeping for joy is a paradoxical experience. Tears are normally a response
to pain, not joy; and joy is normally expressed with laughter, not tears.
Italian psychologists have noted that tears of joy come at times of deep
personal meaning-like when we feel deeply loved or achieve a major goal.
This led them to conclude that tears of joy are pointers to the meaning
of our lives.
I imagine tears of joy erupting everywhere Jesus went. How could
the parents of the man born blind not weep
for joy when Jesus healed him (John 9:1-9), or Mary and Martha
after He raised their brother from death (11:38-44)? When God's
people are brought into a restored world,
"Tears of joy will stream down their faces," God says,
"and I will lead them home with great care" (Jeremiah 31:9 nlt).
If tears of joy show us the meaning of our lives, imagine that
great day to come. As tears stream down our faces, we'll know
without doubt that the meaning of life has always been to live
intimately with Him.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
When was the last time you wept for joy?
What do you think the meaning of life is?
Father God, thank You for the joy ahead for those who love You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 1 - Sin Universal
Romans 3:23-24
23 (Ro 3:9) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
24 (Ro 4:16; Col 1:14) being justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus:
A distinguished middle-aged man stood trembling before his church
to give his testimony. Years before, in the grip of a mental illness
that nearly destroyed his life, he had taken the life of his own daughter
and tried to kill himself. But he did not die; tried and convicted, he
spent years in prison, and even longer in the prison of his own guilt.
After the service, a young woman walked up to him and simply said,
"Thank you for sharing. I've sinned, too."
We've all sinned, too - lest we forget or rationalise, the Bible reminds
us in no uncertain terms. And the writer of these verses was no stranger
to sin: he was the Pharisee, the holier-than-thou religious leader
who officiated at the stoning death of Stephen. He was the Jew who had
scattered and killed the followers of this heretic called Christ. He
thought he was righteous while he murdered God's people.
Christians tends to establish a "hierarchy" of sin - sexual sin is "worse"
than pride: murder is "more horrible" than slander. Yet the Bible gives
no indication that god acknowledges our hierarchy. Sin is sin; all have
sinned, and if we are guilty at one point, we are guilty of all.
Rather than rationalise our individual sins as being "less bad"
than someone else's, we need to openly confess our dilemma as sinners
and turn to God for his remedy. We cannot and do not need to earn or
deserve that grace - it is a gift from God.
Application
a) Have I ever compared my sin with someone else's in order
to make myself fell like a better person? Why is such
comparison not a valid remedy for sin?
b) Why do I need to acknowledge my sin honestly before I can
receive justification?
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.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;
For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:
O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:
Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
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 2022 edition?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Samek
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Ain
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray not to limit the Lord in your life.
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand His Covenant.
Pray to the Lord: "Father God, thank You for the joy ahead
for those who love You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know abut sin as disobedience to the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be obedient to Him!
Pray to the Lord and pray for integrity and uprightness preserve you.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- 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 continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
Pray for Tina in Nigeria whose husband was shot by militant Islamists
while working on his vegetable farm.
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
Today at Calvary Community Church ,
Pastor Barry Regier spoke on Beyond Normal - Getting outside Our God Box.
Isaish 55:8-9
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,
says the Lord.
9 (Ps 103:11) For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
A) Life in the kingdom of God is not about us
Acts 10:23b-26
The next day Peter went with them,
and some brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them
and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25 (Mt 8:2; Da 2:46) As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him
and fell down at his feet and worshipped him.
26 (Rev 19:10) But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up. I myself am a man."
And on the morrow Peter went
away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
[24] And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited
for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
[25] And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his
feet, and worshipped him.
[26] But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
i) But About Jesus
Acts 10:27-43
27 (Ac 10:24) As he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come
together.
28 (Jn 4:9; 18:28) He said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew
to visit or approach a foreigner. But God has shown me not to call any man
common or unclean.
29 So when I was sent for, I came without question.
Therefore I ask why you have sent for me."
30 (Ac 10:3; 1:10) Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until
this hour. At the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and suddenly a man
stood before me in bright clothing,
31 (Ac 10:4) and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard,
and your alms are remembered before God.
32 Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, whose surname is Peter.
He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.
When he comes, he will speak to you.'
33 So immediately I sent for you, and you have done well to come.
Now therefore we are all here, present before God,
to hear everything the Lord has commanded you."
[27] And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come
together.
[28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a
man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but
God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
[29] Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent
for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
[30] And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at
the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in
bright clothing,
[31] And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in
remembrance in the sight of God.
[32] Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter;
he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when
he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
[33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou
art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all
things that are commanded thee of God.
Peter Speaks in Cornelius' House
34 (Dt 10:17; 2Ch 19:7) Then Peter began to speak, saying,
"Truthfully, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.
35 (Ac 10:2; 15:9) But in every nation he who fears Him
and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 (Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36) The word which He sent to the children of Israel,
preaching peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
37 the word, which you know, that was proclaimed throughout all Judea,
beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 (Lk 4:18; Jn 3:2) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed
by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 (Lk 24:48; Ac 10:41) "We are witnesses of all that He did both in the land
of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 (Ac 2:24) But God raised Him on the third day and presented Him publicly,
41 (Jn 14:22; Ac 10:39) not to all the people,
but to witnesses previously chosen by God,
to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
42 (Ac 17:31; 2Ti 4:1) He commanded us to preach to the people
and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be the
Judge of the living and the dead.
43 (Ac 15:9; Isa 53:11) To Him all the prophets bear witness that whoever
believes in Him will receive remission of sins through His name."
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons:
[35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is
accepted with him.
[36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by
Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
[37] That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea,
and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
[38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:
who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;
for God was with him.
[39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the
Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
[40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
[41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to
us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
[42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it
is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
B) Allowing God to work ...
Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
44 (Ac 11:15; 15:8) While Peter was still speaking these words,
the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
45 (Ac 10:23; 2:38) All the believers of the circumcision who had come
with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out even on the Gentiles.
46 (Ac 2:4; 19:6) For they heard them speaking in other tongues
and magnifying God.
Then Peter continued,
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift
of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter,
i) REquires us to get out of the way
Acts 10:46-11:18
46 (Ac 2:4; 19:6) For they heard them speaking in other tongues
and magnifying God.
Then Peter continued,
47 (Ac 8:36) "Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these,
who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?"
48 (Ac 2:38; 8:16; 1Co 1:13-17) So he commanded them to be baptized
in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter,
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11
Peter's Report to the Church in Jerusalem
1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles
also had received the word of God.
2 (Ac 10:45) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised
disputed with him,
3 (Ac 10:28; Lk 15:2) saying, "You went in and ate with uncircumcised men!"
4 (Lk 1:3) Peter began explaining it to them in order, saying,
5 (Ac 10:9-32) "I was in the city of Joppa praying. And in a trance
I saw a vision: A vessel like a great sheet was descending, let down
from heaven by four corners, and it came to me.
6 I considered what I had observed and saw four-footed creatures
and wild beasts and reptiles and birds of the air.
7 Then I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'
8 (Ro 14:14) "I said, 'Not at all, Lord. For nothing common
or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.'
9 "The voice answered from heaven a second time,
'What God has cleansed, do not call common.'
10 This happened three times. And again everything was taken up into heaven.
11 "And immediately three men sent from Caesarea to me came to the house
where I was.
12 (Ac 8:29; 10:23) The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation.
Moreover these six brothers came with me, and we entered the man's house.
13 He told us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said
to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter.
14 (Ac 16:15; 10:22) He will speak words to you by which you
and all your household will be saved.'
15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them,
as He fell on us at the beginning.
16 (Ac 1:5; Mt 3:11) Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said,
'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptised
with the Holy Spirit.' (Am 9:11; Jer 12:15.)
17 (Ac 10:47) If then God gave them the same gift as He gave us
when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?"
18 (Ro 10:12-13; 2Co 7:10) When they heard these things, they were silent.
And they glorified God, saying, "Then God has granted to the Gentiles
also repentance unto life."
[1] And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God.
[2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the
circumcision contended with him,
[3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
[4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by
order unto them, saying,
[5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A
certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven
by four corners; and it came even to me:
[6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and
fowls of the air.
[7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
[8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time
entered into my mouth.
[9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed,
that call not thou common.
[10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
[11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the
house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
[12] And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these
six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
[13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and
said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is
Peter;
[14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be
saved.
[15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the
beginning.
[16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
[17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
[18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God,
saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
REvelation 22:19
19 (Rev 22:2; 13:8) And if anyone takes away from the words
of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City
and out of the things which are written in this book.
[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of
the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
1) 2 Samuel 7:1-17
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
2 Samuel 7:18-29
1 Chronicles 17:16-27
2 SAMUEL 7
God's Covenant With David
1Ch 17:1-15
1 Now when the king settled into his house
and the Lord had given him rest from all
of his enemies on all sides,
2 (2Sa 5:11; 12:1) the king said to Nathan the prophet,
"I am dwelling in a cedar house, but the ark of God is sitting in a tent."
3 (1Ki 8:17-18; 1Ch 22:7) Nathan said to the king,
"Go, do all that is in your heart because the Lord is with you."
4 That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan:
5 Go and say to My servant David: Thus says the Lord:
Do you intend to build a house for Me in which I will dwell?
6 (1Ki 8:16; Ex 40:18-19) I have not dwelt in a house since the day
I brought the sons of Israel from Egypt until this day.
I have been moving about with a tent as My dwelling.
7 (Lev 26:11-12; 2Sa 5:2) Wherever I have moved with all the sons of Israel,
have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel,
whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying,
"Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?"
8 (2Sa 6:21; 1Sa 16:11-12) Now therefore, you will say to My servant
David: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I took you from the pasture,
from following after the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.
9 (2Sa 5:10; 1Ch 17:8) I have been with you wherever you have gone,
and I have cut off all of your enemies before you.
I will make your name great, like the great ones across the land.
10 (Ps 89:22-23; Isa 60:18) Moreover, I will appoint a place
for My people Israel. I will plant them, and they will dwell
in that very place. They will be restless no longer,
and the unjust will no longer oppress them, as in former times,
11 (1Sa 12:9-11; 2Sa 7:1) ever since the day in which I appointed judges
over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all of your enemies.
The Lord declares to you that He will instead bring about a house for you.
12 (1Ki 8:20; 2:1; Dt 31:16) When your days are complete and you lie down
with your fathers, I will raise up after you an offspring from your body,
and I will establish his rule.
13 (1Ki 8:19; 5:5) He will build a house for My name,
and I will establish his royal throne forever.
14 (Heb 1:5; 1Ch 17:13) I will be a father to him,
and he will be a son to Me. When he goes astray,
I will correct him with the rod of men and afflictions of the sons of men.
15 (1Sa 15:23; 15:28) My commitment will not abandon him, as I removed
it from Saul, whom I deposed before you.
16 (2Sa 7:13; Ps 89:36-37) Your house and dominion will endure before
Me forever, and your throne will be established by the Lord forever.
17 So Nathan spoke to David in accordance with all of these words
and the entirety of this vision.
2 Samuel 7
[1] And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had
given him rest round about from all his enemies;
[2] That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house
of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
[3] And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the
LORD is with thee.
[4] And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto
Nathan, saying,
[5] Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me
an house for me to dwell in?
[6] Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up
the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a
tent and in a tabernacle.
[7] In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel
spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my
people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
[8] Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the
LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to
be ruler over my people, over Israel:
[9] And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all
thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto
the name of the great men that are in the earth.
[10] Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant
them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither
shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
[11] And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people
Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD
telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
[12] And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers,
I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels,
and I will establish his kingdom.
[13] He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of
his kingdom for ever.
[14] I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I
will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children
of men:
[15] But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul,
whom I put away before thee.
[16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before
thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
[17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did
Nathan speak unto David.
1 CHRONICLES 17
The Davidic Covenant
2Sa 7:1-17
1 (1Ch 15:1; 17:5) Now it happened as David dwelt in his house
that he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am dwelling in a house of cedar
while the ark of the Lord is under curtains."
2 So Nathan said to David,
"Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you."
3 But it happened on that same night that the word of the Lord came
to Nathan, saying,
4 (1Ch 28:2-3) Go and tell David My servant: Thus says the Lord:
You will not build a house for Me to dwell in,
52 (Sa 7:6; Ex 40:2-3) for I have not dwelt in a house since the day
when I brought Israel up even until this day, but I have gone from
tent to tent and from tabernacle to tabernacle.
6 (2Sa 7:7) Wherever I have gone in all Israel, have I ever spoken
a word to the any of the judges of Israel that I commanded
to shepherd My people, saying, Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?
7 (2Sa 6:21) And now say this to My servant David:
Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I took you from the pasture,
from following after the flock, to be ruler over My people Israel,
8 and I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.
Also I will make your name like the names of the greatest on earth.
9 And I will appoint a place for My people Israel,
and I will plant them there where they will dwell securely
and tremble no more, so that the sons of wickedness will not oppress
them just as before
10 (2Sa 7:11) from the time when I commanded the judges
of My people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies.
And I declare to you the Lord will build a house for you.
11 (Ps 132:11) Then it will be when your days are full
and you go to your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you
from your own sons. His kingdom I will establish.
12 (1Ki 5:5; Isa 9:7) He is the one who will build Me a house,
and I will establish his throne forever.
13 (Heb 1:5; 1Sa 15:28) I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me.
I will not take away My favor from him as I did from
the one who was before you.
14 I will assign him a place in My house and in My kingdom forever,
and his throne will be established for all time.
15 Thus, Nathan spoke to David all these words
and according to all this vision.
1 Chronicles 17
The House of the Lord
1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said
to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars,
but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.
2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart;
for God is with thee.
3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came
to Nathan, saying,
4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me
an house to dwell in:
5 for I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel
unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle
to another.
6 Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the
judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye
not built me an house of cedars?
7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith
the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following
the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:
8 and I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut
off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like
the name of the great men that are in the earth.
9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them,
and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither
shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
10 and since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel.
Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that
the LORD will build thee an house.
11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must
go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee,
which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take
my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
14 but I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever:
and his throne shall be established for evermore.
15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision,
so did Nathan speak unto David.
2 SAMUEL 7
The Prayer of David
1Ch 17:16-27
18 (Ex 3:11; 1Sa 18:18) Then King David went in and sat before the Lord.
He said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that
You have brought me this far?
19 (1Ch 17:17; Isa 55:8-9) Yet this was comparatively insignificant
in Your sight, Lord God, for You have also spoken about Your servant's
house into the distant future. Is this Your manner with man, Lord God?
20 (1Sa 16:7; Jn 21:17) "What more can David say to You?
You know Your servant, Lord God.
21 Because of Your word, according to Your will, You have done
all of this greatness to inform Your servant.
22 (Ex 15:11; Dt 3:24) "Therefore You are great, Lord God. There is none
like You, and there is no God except You, according to everything that
we have heard with our ears.
23 (Dt 9:26; 10:21) And who is like Your people, like Israel-a single nation
in the land, whom God went to redeem as a people for Himself,
making a name for Himself by doing great and awesome things for Your land,
before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt,
a nation and its gods.
24 (Dt 26:18; Ge 17:7) You established Your people Israel as Your own people
forever, and You, Lord, became their God.
25 "Now, Lord God, confirm forever the word that You spoke regarding
Your servant and his house and do as You have spoken.
26 (1Ch 17:23-24; Ps 72:18-19) May Your name be magnified forever
by saying, 'The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel,' and may the house
of Your servant David be established before You.
27 "For You, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have revealed a word
to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore,
Your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to You.
28 (Jn 17:17) Now, Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true.
You have spoken this good message to Your servant.
29 (Nu 6:24-26; 2Sa 22:51) Now, be resolved and bless Your servant's
dynastic house, so that it may stand before You forever.
You, Lord God, have spoken, and with Your blessing,
the house of Your servant will be blessed forever."
2 Samuel 7
[16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before
thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
[17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did
Nathan speak unto David.
[18] Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am
I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
[19] And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast
spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this
the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
[20] And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy
servant.
[21] For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done
all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
[22] Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee,
neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard
with our ears.
[23] And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel,
whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and
to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people,
which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
[24] For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people
unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
[25] And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy
servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou
hast said.
[26] And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is
the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established
before thee.
[27] For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant,
saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his
heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
[28] And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou
hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
[29] Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant,
that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken
it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
1 CHRONICLES 17
The Prayer of David
2Sa 7:18-29
16 (2Sa 7:18) Then King David came and sat before the Lord, and he said,
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me
this far?
17 This was something small in Your eyes, God, but You have spoken
concerning the house of Your servant for a great while to come
and have regarded me with the status of a great man, O Lord God.
18 "What more can David speak to You for the honor of Your servant?
For You know Your servant.
19 (Isa 37:35) O Lord, for the sake of Your servant and according
to Your own heart You have done all these great things
and made known all these great things.
20 (Ex 15:11; Isa 44:6) "O Lord, there is none like You, and there is no god
besides You as we have heard with our ears.
21 Who is like Your people Israel, a nation on earth whom God has redeemed
for Himself as a people to make for Yourself a great name by great and awesome
deeds in driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed
from Egypt?
22 (Ex 19:5-6) For You made Your people Israel for Yourself for a people
forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God.
23 "And now, Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning
Your servant and concerning his house, let it endure forever and do
just as You have spoken.
24 Let Your name endure and be magnified forever, saying,
"'The Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, is God to Israel.'
And let the house of David Your servant be established before You.
25 "For You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will
build a house for him. Therefore Your servant has found courage
to pray before You.
26 And now, O Lord, You are God, and You have promised this good
word to Your servant.
27 Now, You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant
that it may be forever before You. For You, O Lord, have blessed it,
and it shall be blessed forever."
1 Chronicles 17
16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I,
O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast
also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast
regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant?
for thou knowest thy servant.
19 O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart,
hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee,
according to all that we have heard with our ears.
21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God
went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness
and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people,
whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou,
LORD, becamest their God.
23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning
thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever,
and do as thou hast said.
24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever,
saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel:
and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him
an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised
this goodness unto thy servant:
27 now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant,
that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD,
and it shall be blessed for ever.
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 May 2024 titled
Tears of Joy
Jeremiah 31:3-9
3 (Hos 11:4; Mal 1:2) The Lord has appeared to him from afar, saying:
Indeed, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
4 (Jer 31:13; 33:7) Again I will build you
and you will be built, O virgin of Israel.
You will again be adorned with your tambourines
and shall go forth in the dances of those who make merry.
5 (Am 9:14; Dt 28:30) You will yet plant vines
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters will plant
and will enjoy them.
6 (Jer 50:4-5) For there will be a day when the watchmen
on the hills of Ephraim will proclaim,
"Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God."
7 (Ps 14:7; 28:9) For thus says the Lord:
Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations;
publish, praise, and say,
"O Lord, save Your people,
the remnant of Israel."
8 (Isa 42:16; Jer 23:8) See, I will bring them from the north country,
and gather them from the remote parts of the earth,
and with them the blind and the lame,
the woman with child and her who is in labour with child, together;
a great company will return here.
9 (Jer 3:4; Ex 4:22; Isa 63:13) They will come with weeping,
and with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
in a straight way in which they shall not stumble.
For I am a Father to Israel,
and Ephraim is My firstborn.
[3] The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
[4] Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:
thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the
dances of them that make merry.
[5] Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters
shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
[6] For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall
cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
[7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among
the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy
people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from
the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman
with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company
shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I
will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein
they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my
firstborn.
Leaving home one morning, Dean found some friends waiting with balloons.
His friend Josh stepped forward. "We entered your poems in a competition,"
he said, before handing Dean an envelope. Inside was a card that read
"First Prize," and soon everyone was crying tears of joy. Dean's friends
had done a beautiful thing, confirming his writing talent.
Weeping for joy is a paradoxical experience. Tears are normally a response
to pain, not joy; and joy is normally expressed with laughter, not tears.
Italian psychologists have noted that tears of joy come at times of deep
personal meaning-like when we feel deeply loved or achieve a major goal.
This led them to conclude that tears of joy are pointers to the meaning
of our lives.
I imagine tears of joy erupting everywhere Jesus went. How could
the parents of the man born blind not weep
for joy when Jesus healed him (John 9:1-9), or Mary and Martha
after He raised their brother from death (11:38-44)? When God's
people are brought into a restored world,
"Tears of joy will stream down their faces," God says,
"and I will lead them home with great care" (Jeremiah 31:9 nlt).
If tears of joy show us the meaning of our lives, imagine that
great day to come. As tears stream down our faces, we'll know
without doubt that the meaning of life has always been to live
intimately with Him.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
When was the last time you wept for joy?
What do you think the meaning of life is?
Father God, thank You for the joy ahead for those who love You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 1 - Sin Universal
Romans 3:23-24
23 (Ro 3:9) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
24 (Ro 4:16; Col 1:14) being justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus:
A distinguished middle-aged man stood trembling before his church
to give his testimony. Years before, in the grip of a mental illness
that nearly destroyed his life, he had taken the life of his own daughter
and tried to kill himself. But he did not die; tried and convicted, he
spent years in prison, and even longer in the prison of his own guilt.
After the service, a young woman walked up to him and simply said,
"Thank you for sharing. I've sinned, too."
We've all sinned, too - lest we forget or rationalise, the Bible reminds
us in no uncertain terms. And the writer of these verses was no stranger
to sin: he was the Pharisee, the holier-than-thou religious leader
who officiated at the stoning death of Stephen. He was the Jew who had
scattered and killed the followers of this heretic called Christ. He
thought he was righteous while he murdered God's people.
Christians tends to establish a "hierarchy" of sin - sexual sin is "worse"
than pride: murder is "more horrible" than slander. Yet the Bible gives
no indication that god acknowledges our hierarchy. Sin is sin; all have
sinned, and if we are guilty at one point, we are guilty of all.
Rather than rationalise our individual sins as being "less bad"
than someone else's, we need to openly confess our dilemma as sinners
and turn to God for his remedy. We cannot and do not need to earn or
deserve that grace - it is a gift from God.
Application
a) Have I ever compared my sin with someone else's in order
to make myself fell like a better person? Why is such
comparison not a valid remedy for sin?
b) Why do I need to acknowledge my sin honestly before I can
receive justification?
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.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;
For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:
O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:
Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
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 2022 edition?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Samek
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Ain
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray not to limit the Lord in your life.
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand His Covenant.
Pray to the Lord: "Father God, thank You for the joy ahead
for those who love You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know abut sin as disobedience to the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be obedient to Him!
Pray to the Lord and pray for integrity and uprightness preserve you.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- 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 continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
Pray for Tina in Nigeria whose husband was shot by militant Islamists
while working on his vegetable farm.
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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