Posted by DSY on Saturday, January 30. 2021
Day 30, 30 Jan 2021 (I turn 52 today)
Posted by DSY on Friday, January 29. 2021
Day 29, 29 Jan 2021 (I turn 52 today)
Posted by DSY on Thursday, January 28. 2021
Day 28, 28 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Wednesday, January 27. 2021
Day 26, 26 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Tuesday, January 26. 2021
Day 26, 26 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Thursday, January 21. 2021
Day 21, 21 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Thursday, January 21. 2021
Day 22, 22 Jan 2021
Gen 30-31
GENESIS 30
1 When Rachel saw that she could not give Jacob children, she became jealous
of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die."
2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said,
" Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb? "
3 Then she said, "Here is my maid Bilhah. Have relations with her so that she may bear a child on my knees, so that I may also have children through her."
4 So she gave him Bilhah her maidservant as a wife, and Jacob had relations
with her. 5 Bilhah conceived and gave Jacob a son. 6 Rachel said, "God has
vindicated me, and He has also heard my voice and has given me a son."
Therefore she called his name Dan.
7 Bilhah, Rachel's maid, conceived again and gave Jacob a second son.
8 Then Rachel said, "With great wrestling have I wrestled with my sister,
and I have prevailed." So she called his name Naphtali.
9 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children,
she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as a wife.
10 Zilpah, Leah’s maid, gave Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said,
"How fortunate!" So she called his name Gad.
12 Zilpah, Leah’s maid, gave Jacob a second son.
13 Then Leah said, "Happy am I, for women will call me happy."
So she called his name Asher.
14 At the time of the wheat harvest, Reuben went and found mandrakes
in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah,
"Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes."
15 Leah said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken my husband?
Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?"
So Rachel said, "All right, he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your
son's mandrakes."
16 When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him
and said, "You must sleep with me, because I have paid for you
with my son's mandrakes."
And he slept with her that night.
17 God listened to Leah, and she conceived and gave Jacob a fifth son.
18 Leah said, "God has given me my reward because I have given my maid to
my husband." So she called his name Issachar.
19 Leah conceived again and gave Jacob a sixth son.
20 Leah said, "God has given me a good gift.
Now my husband will dwell with me, because I have given him six sons."
So she called his name Zebulun.
21 Afterwards she gave birth to a daughter and called her name Dinah.
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
23 She conceived and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my
reproach."
24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, "The Lord will add to me another
son."
Jacob’s Agreement With Laban
25 When Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban,
"Send me away, so that I may go to my own place, to my country.
26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you,
and let me go. For you know the service that I have given you."
27 Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay.
For I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me
on account of you." 28 He said, "Name me your wages, and I will give it."
29 Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you, and how your livestock
have fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came,
and it is now increased to a multitude. The Lord has blessed you since I came,
and now when may I also provide for my own house?"
31 Laban said, "What may I give you?"
And Jacob said, "You may not give me anything, but if you will do
this one thing for me, I will continue to feed and keep your flock.
32 I will pass through all your flock today,
removing from it all the speckled and spotted sheep,
and every brown sheep from among the lambs,
and the spotted and speckled among the goats.
These shall be my wages.
33 So my integrity will answer for me in time to come.
When you come to examine my wages,
every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats,
and brown among the sheep that are with me will be considered stolen."
34 Laban said, "Agreed. Let it be according to your word."
35 He removed that day the male goats that were striped
and spotted and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted,
every one that had some white in it,
and all the brown ones among the sheep,
and gave them into the care of his sons.
36 He put three days' journey between himself and Jacob,
and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
37 Then Jacob took rods of fresh-cut poplar, almond, and plane trees,
and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white which was in the rods.
38 He set the rods which he had peeled before the flocks in the troughs,
that is, the watering places, where the flocks came to drink, so that they
would mate when they came to drink. 39 The flocks mated before the rods
and gave birth to young that were striped, speckled, and spotted.
40 Jacob separated the lambs and made the flocks face toward the striped
and all the brown in the flock of Laban. He put his own flocks by themselves
and did not put them with Laban’s sheep. 41 Whenever the stronger sheep
mated, Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the sheep in the troughs,
so that they might mate among the rods. 42 But when the livestock
were feeble, he did not put them in. So the weaker were Laban's
and the stronger Jacob's. 43 The man became exceedingly prosperous
and had many sheep and female servants and male servants
and camels and donkeys.
GENESIS 31
Jacob Flees From Laban
1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away
all that was our father’s, and he has gotten all his wealth from what was our
father's." 2 Jacob saw the look of Laban and saw he was not congenial toward
him as before.
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers,
to your family, and I will be with you."
4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flock was,
5 and said to them, "I see your father’s demeanor, that it is not congenial
toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know
that with all my strength I have served your father. 7 Your father has
deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to
hurt me. 8 If he said, 'The speckled will be your wages,' then all the flock
produced speckled. If he said, 'The striped will be your pay,'
then all the flock produced striped. 9 In this way God has taken away
your father's flock and given them to me.
10 "When the livestock conceived, I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream
that the male goats mating with the flock were striped, speckled,
and spotted. 11 The angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying,
'Jacob.' And I said, 'Here I am.' 12 He said, 'Now lift up your eyes
and see all the male goats which mate with the flock are striped,
speckled, and spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has done to you.
13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, where you
vowed a vow to Me. Now arise, and get out of this land,
and return to the land of your family.' "
14 Rachel and Leah answered him, "Is there any portion or inheritance
left for us in our father's house? 15 Are we not seen by him as foreigners?
For he has sold us and has completely spent our money also.
16 For all the riches which God has taken from our father are ours
and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do it."
17 Then Jacob rose up and set his sons and his wives on camels.
18 Then he carried away all his livestock and all his goods which he had
obtained, his acquired livestock which he had gotten in Paddan Aram, in order
to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
19 When Laban went to shear his sheep, Rachel stole the household idols
that were her father's. 20 Jacob also deceived Laban the Syrian by not
telling him that he was fleeing. 21 So Jacob fled with all that he had,
and he rose up and passed over the river and headed toward
the mountains of Gilead.
Laban Pursues Jacob
22 Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 He took his kinsmen
with him and pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the
mountains of Gilead. 24 But God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night
and said to him, "Take care that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad."
25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent on the mountain,
and Laban with his kinsmen pitched in the mountains of Gilead. 26 Laban said
to Jacob, "What have you done that you have stolen away without my knowing
and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did
you flee away secretly and sneak away from me and not tell me? I would have
sent you away with joy and with songs, with the tambourine and harp. 28 And
why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? You have
acted foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God
of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Take care that you not speak
to Jacob either good or bad.' 30 Now you surely have gone away because
you longed desperately after your father's house,
yet why have you stolen my gods?"
31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid,
for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
32 But anyone with whom you find your gods, let him not live.
In the presence of our kinsmen, point out what I have that is yours
and take it." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
33 So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent
and into the two female servants' tents, but he did not find them.
Then he went out of Leah's tent and entered into Rachel's tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel's
saddle and sat on them. Laban searched the entire tent,
but could not find them.
35 She said to her father, "Let not my lord be displeased that I cannot rise
before you, for the manner of women is on me." So he searched, but he did
not find the household idols.
36 Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. And Jacob asked Laban,
“What is my offense? What is my sin that you have so hotly pursued after me?
37 You have searched all my things, and yet what have you found of all
your household things? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen,
so that they may judge between us both.
38 "This twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats
have not miscarried their young, and the male goats of your flock
I have not eaten. 39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you.
I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand whether it was stolen
by day or stolen by night. 40 It was like this with me: In the day the heat
consumed me and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.
41 I have been twenty years in your house. I served you fourteen years
for your two daughters and six years for your flock, and you have changed
my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham
and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely you would have sent me
away empty now. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands
and rebuked you last night."
Laban’s Covenant With Jacob
43 Laban answered and said to Jacob, "These daughters are my daughters,
and these children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks,
and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to my daughters
or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now therefore come, let us
make a covenant, you and I, and let it be as a witness between you and me."
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar. 46 Jacob said to his kinsmen,
"Gather stones." So they took stones and made a pile, and they ate there
on the pile. 47 And Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48 Laban said, "This pile is a witness between me and you this day."
Therefore its name was called Galeed, 49 and Mizpah, for he said,
"May the Lord watch between you and me, when we are apart from one another.
50 If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take other wives
beside my daughters, although no one else is with us, remember that God
is witness between you and me."
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "See this pile and see this pillar which
I have thrown between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness,
and this pillar is a witness, so that I will not cross over this pile
to you and so that you will not pass over this pile and this pillar
to me for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor,
and the God of their father, judge between us."
Then Jacob vowed by the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered
a sacrifice on the mountain and called his kinsmen to eat bread.
And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.
55 Early in the morning Laban rose up, kissed his grandchildren
and his daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban departed
and returned to his place.
2) Our Daily Bread for 20 Jan 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/01/22/running-to-tell entitled Running to Tell
Matthew 28:1-10
MATTHEW 28
The Resurrection
Mk 16:1–8; Lk 24:1–12; Jn 20:1–10
1 At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
2 And then there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord descended
from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his garments white as snow.
4 The soldiers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid. For I know that you are
looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For He has risen,
as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 Then go quickly
and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and indeed,
He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him. Listen,
I have told you."
8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy,
and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 As they went to tell His disciples,
suddenly Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" They came and took hold
of His feet and worshipped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them,
"Do not be afraid. Go tell My brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see Me."
The modern-day marathon is based on the story of a Greek messenger,
Pheidippides. According to legend, in 490 bc he ran approximately
twenty-five miles (forty kilometers) from Marathon to Athens to announce
the Greeks' victory against their formidable foe, the invading Persians.
Today, people run marathons for the personal satisfaction of an athletic
achievement, but Pheidippides had a greater purpose behind his effort:
each of his steps was run for the sheer joy of delivering good news
to his kinsmen!
Some five hundred years later, two women also ran to deliver good news
- the most pivotal news in all of history. When Mary and Mary Magdalene
arrived at the tomb where Jesus had been placed after His crucifixion,
they found it empty. An angel told them that Jesus had "risen from the dead"
and to "go quickly and tell his disciples" (Matthew 28:7).
The women, "afraid yet filled with joy," ran to tell the disciples
what they’d discovered (v.
.
May we have the same joyful exuberance at the resurrection of Jesus,
and may it invigorate us to share the good news with others. We may not even
need to "run" farther than next door to find someone who needs to know about
our Savior. He won the battle against death so we might live victoriously with
Him forever!
By: Kirsten Holmberg
Reflect & Pray
Who shared the good news of Christ’s resurrection with you?
How will you share it with others today?
God, I rejoice because of Your victory over death.
Thank You for allowing me the privilege of sharing this good news
with those You've put in my life.
To learn more about the resurrection of Jesus, visit
https://www.ChristianUniversity.org/CA206.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 6 Reconciliation
2 Cor 5:18-19
18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ
and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was
in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins
against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
When Paul writes in 2 Cor 5:17 that we become a "new creation" in Christ
Jesus, the story does not end there. The verses following give us direction
for tht new life in Christ. "All This", Paul says, referring tothe miracle of
new life in Christ, "is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reconciliation means to bring back together what was ince separated. Man was
separated from God by sin, and God took the initiative to reconcile man to
himself. Our "ministry of reconciliation" as Christians is twofold: to draw
others to the Lord and to work for reconciliation between indiviuals.
Reconciliation is the ultimate gaol of forgiveness. God, through his grace ,
extends forgiveness to us when we are still sinners, unrepentant,
undeserving. When we respond, we come into reconciliation with him
and are brought back into oneness. Likewise, when we extend the grace
of frogiveness to another, we are set free by the act of forgiving, but we
hopt that the ultimate outcone will be reconciliation.
God shows us the pattern: he is the wronged party, yet he does not wait for
the offender to coem to him, hat in hand. He takes a bold initiative, offering
forgiveness freely with out regard to merit. The pattern applies to us;
as the new life in Christ takes hold of us, we must reach out, and reach,
and keep on reaching, breaking down the barrirers, taking the risk of
rejeciton so that we may come to reconciliation.
Application
a) What barriers stand between me and reconciliation with another person?
b) How can I take a risk and reach out to offer forgiveness and
reconciliation to them?
c) What kind of attitude do I need to be a "minister of reconciliation"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you.â€
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
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!
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
22 Day of the Month
a) Pray for the Province of Quebec
I) Pray for the leaders of Quebec,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
b) Pray that the influence of the Holy Spirit would dissolve
every argument and pretension exalted against the knowledge
of God.
(
2 Cor 10: 3 - 5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strongholds, 5 casting down imaginations and every
high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
)
8 ) This month Calvarycommunity.ca is doing 21 days of Fasting
and prayer available at https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/
https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/Day19
Day 19: Make it a Part of Your Life
Verse of the Day: Acts 2:42
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles'
teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.
We want to encourage you to be just as intentional about the next
twentyâ€one days and the next twentyâ€one days after that and so on.
The principles you have practiced in these twentyâ€one days are very
easy to sustain longâ€term. Prayer, fasting, and personal devotion are
all quite simple to incorporate into your everyday life. You have created
space for God to fill, don't allow it to close up! Protect that
time and space with God and make it your priority each day.
Reflection:
Remember, this is not a legalistic thing.
This is an "I get to experience God" thing.
Prayer:
Dear God, as I have fasted and prayed these last 19 days, Lord,
you revealed areas in my life that were influencing me, even controlling me.
I pray that I have the courage to confess and renounce
those things that are no good for me.
Lord, I pray that I can let go and be released from any food
or spending habits that have become addictive. I pray that any use of
technology that has been to escape or avoid that any unhealthy behaviours
be revealed and healed. I pray that you continue to draw me closer to you
through this fast and for the days to come. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture reflection:
Joshua 1:8-9,
8 "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully
according to all that is written in it. For then you will
make your way successful, and you will be wise.
9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go."
Matthew 6:33,
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be given to you.
Isaiah 28:23,
23 Give ear and hear my voice;
listen and hear my speech.
Daniel 10:3
3 I ate no tasty food, no meat or wine entered my mouth,
nor did I anoint myself at all until three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Conclusion:
Pray to seek the Lord's wisdom even in Time of threat.
Pray to see that your activities please the Lord.
Pray that you be a minister of reconciliation.
Pray for forgiveness of sins and repentance.
Pray to accept Jesus in your life
Posted by DSY on Thursday, January 21. 2021
Day 23, 23 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Thursday, January 21. 2021
Day 24, 24 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Thursday, January 21. 2021
Day 25, 25 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Wednesday, January 20. 2021
Day 19 , 19 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Tuesday, January 19. 2021
Day 19 , 19 Jan 2021
Posted by DSY on Tuesday, January 19. 2021
Day 17 , 17 Jan 2021
Gen 19 - 21
GENESIS 19
Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting
at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them he rose up to meet them, and he
bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
2 Then he said, "Here, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house
and spend the night and wash your feet; and then you may rise early
and go on your way."
They said, "No, we will stay in the open square all night."
3 But he strongly insisted, so they turned aside with him
and entered his house. Then he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread,
and they ate. 4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom,
both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
5 They then called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men
who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us,
so that we may have relations with them."
6 So Lot went out through the door to them and shut the door behind him.
7 Then he said, "Please, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.
8 Look, I have two daughters who have not been with a man.
Please, let me bring them out to you,
and you may do to them as you wish.
Only do nothing to these men,
for they have come under the shelter of my roof."
9 But they replied, "Stand back!" Also, they said,
"This man came here as an alien, and he keeps acting like a judge.
We will deal worse with you than with them."
So they pressed hard against Lot, and came close to breaking down the door.
10 But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house
with them and shut the door.
11 Then they struck the men that were at the door of the house,
both small and great, with blindness so that they wore themselves
out groping for the door.
12 Then the men said to Lot,
"Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone
you have in the city, take them out of this place!
13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against
its people has grown great before the presence of the Lord,
and the Lord has sent us to destroy it."
14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law,
who had married his daughters,
and said, "Get up, get out of this place,
for the Lord will destroy this city!" But to his sons-in-law
he seemed to be joking.
15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying,
"Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here.
Otherwise you will be consumed in the punishment of the city."
16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his and his wife's hands,
along with the hands of his two daughters,
the Lord being merciful to him,
and brought him out and set him outside the city.
17 When they had brought them out, one of them said to them,
"Escape for your lives! Do not look behind you or stay anywhere in the plain.
Escape to the mountain, lest you be destroyed."
18Then Lot said to them, "Please, no, my lords!
19 Your servant has found grace in your eyes, and you have shown your mercy,
which you have shown to me by saving my life. However, I cannot escape to
the mountain. Otherwise some evil will overtake me, and I will die.
20 Look, this city is close enough to flee to, and it is a little one.
Please, let me escape there (is it not a little one?),
and my life will be saved."
21 He said to him, "I have granted your request in this matter also.
I will not overthrow this city of which you have spoken.
22 Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there."
Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun had risen over the land when Lot entered Zoar.
24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.
It was from the Lord out of heaven.
25 So He overthrew those cities, all the valley,
all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
26 But his wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 Now Abraham got up early in the morning and
went to the place where he stood before the Lord.
28 Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah,
and toward all the land of the valley,
and he saw the smoke of the land going up like the smoke of a furnace.
29 So it was that when God destroyed the cities of the valley,
God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the destruction,
when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.
Lot and His Daughters
30 Then Lot left Zoar, and lived in the mountains,
along with his two daughters who were with him,
for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar.
He and his two daughters lived in a cave.
31 And the firstborn said to the younger,
"Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to have relations
with us after the manner of all the earth. 32 Let us make our father
drink wine and let us lie with him,
so that we may preserve the lineage of our father."
33 So they made their father drink wine that night,
and the firstborn went in and had relations with her father.
He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
34 On the next day the firstborn said to the younger,
"Indeed, last night I had relations with my father.
Let us make him drink wine tonight also,
so that you may go in and have relations with him,
so that we may preserve the lineage of our father."
35 So they made their father drink wine that night also.
Then the younger arose and lay down with him,
and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
36 Therefore both the daughters of Lot were pregnant by their father.
37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab.
He is the father of the Moabites to this day.
38 The younger also gave birth to a son and called his name Ben-Ammi.
He is the father of the Ammonites to this day.
(Lot thought he was a self made success story.
It ends with disgrace and scandal)
GENESIS 20
Abraham and Abimelek
(Ge 12:10–20; 26:1–11)
1 Abraham journeyed from there toward the Negev,
settled between Kadesh and Shur, and then he sojourned in Gerar.
2 Then Abraham said about Sarah his wife, "She is my sister."
So Abimelek, king of Gerar, sent for her and took Sarah.
3But God came to Abimelek in a dream by night and said to him,
"You are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken,
for she is a man’s wife."
4 Abimelek had not gone near her, and he said,
"Lord, will You slay a righteous nation?
5 Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister,' and did not even she herself say,
'He is my brother'? In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands
I have done this."
6 And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know that you did this
in the integrity of your heart. For I also kept you from sinning
against Me. Therefore, I did not let you touch her. 7 Therefore return
the man's wife, for he is a prophet and he will pray for you.
Moreover, you will live. However, if you do not return her,
know that you will surely die, you and all who are yours."
8 So Abimelek rose early in the morning, and called all his servants
and told them all these things, and the men were very afraid.
9 Then Abimelek called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us?
How have I offended you that you would bring on me
and on my kingdom a great sin?
You have done things to me that should not have been done."
10,Then Abimelek said to Abraham, "What were you thinking of,
that you did this thing?"
11 Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God
in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife.
12 Still, indeed, she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father,
but not the daughter of my mother. She became my wife.
13 When God caused me to travel from my father's house, I said to her,
'This is your kindness which you must show me: Every place where we go,
say concerning me, He is my brother.'"
14 Then Abimelek took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants,
and gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him.
15 Abimelek said, "My land is before you; settle wherever it pleases you."
16 To Sarah he said, "I have given your brother a thousand shekels of silver.
It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you,
and before everyone you are vindicated."
17So Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife,
and his female servants. Then they bore children.
18 For the Lord had closed up all the wombs of
the house of Abimelek because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
(At least Abraham did not get kicked out, by why be dishonest?)
GENESIS 21
The Birth of Isaac
1 The Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah
as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his
old age, at the set time that God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called
the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.
4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old,
as God had commanded him.
5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6 And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. All who hear will laugh with me."
7 Also she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse
children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
Hagar and Ishmael Depart
8 So the child grew and was weaned. Then Abraham made a great feast
the same day that Isaac was weaned. 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian,
whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham,
"Throw out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman
shall not be heir with my son, Isaac."
11 This matter was very displeasing in Abraham's sight because of his son.
12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be upset concerning the boy
and your slave wife. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen
to what she says, for in Isaac your descendants will be called.
13 Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the slave woman,
because he is your offspring."
14 So Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread
and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder,
and sent her away with the child.
So she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone,
she placed the child under one of the shrubs.
16 Then she went and sat down across from him
at a distance of about a bowshot, for she said to herself,
"Let me not see the death of the child." She sat across from him,
and lifted up her voice and wept.
17 And God heard the boy's voice. Then the angel of God called
to Hagar out of heaven and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar?
Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
18 Arise, pick up the boy and hold him in your hands,
for I will make him a great nation."
19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.
And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy; and he grew and lived in the wilderness
and became an archer. 21 He lived in the Wilderness of Paran,
and his mother found a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
The Treaty With Abimelek
22 Now it came to pass at that time that Abimelek and Phicol,
the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you
in all that you do. 23 Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will
not deal deceitfully with me, or with my children, or with my descendants.
Instead, according to the kindness that I have shown to you,
you will show to me and to the land where you have lived."
24Abraham said, "I will swear."
25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water
that Abimelek's servants had violently seized.
26 And Abimelek said, "I do not know who has done this.
You did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today."
27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelek,
and the two of them made a covenant.
28 Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 And Abimelek said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs
that you have set by themselves?"
30 And he said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs
from my hand so that they may be a witness that I have dug this well."
31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba,
because the two of them swore an oath there.
32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelek rose with Phicol,
the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines.
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called
on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.
34 Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.
1 Chron 1
The Generations of Abraham
28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 Jan 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/01/18/ entitled A Legacy of Acceptance
Romans 15:5-13
5 Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant you
to live in harmony with one another in accordance with Christ
Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us,
for the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become
a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God,
to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
"For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,
and I will sing praises to Your name."
10 He also says:
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"
11And again:
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise Him."
12 And again Isaiah says:
"There shall be a root of Jesse;
He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
in Him shall the Gentiles hope."
13 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.
In his book Breaking Down Walls, Glen Kehrein writes about climbing to the
roof of his college dorm in Chicago after the assassination of the civil
rights activist Fr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 . "The sound of gunfire
bounced eerily back and forth ogg the large buildings, and soon my rooftop
perch provided a near panoramic, yet horrorific, view ... How in the world
did I get from a Wisconsin corn field to a war zone in the inner city of
Chicago in less than 2 years?" Compelled by his love for Jesus and people
whose backgrounds were different from his, Glen lived on Chicago's West Side
and lead ministry there that provided food, clothing , shelter, and other
servies until his death in 2011.
Glen's life mirrors the efforts of believers in JEsus who've come to grips
with the need to embrace those who are different from themselves. Paul's
teaching and example helped Roman believers see that God's plan to rescue
wayward humanity included Jews and Gentiles (Romans 15:8-12). Believers
are called to follow His example of acceptance of others (v 7) ;
prejudice and discord have no place among those called to glorify God
with "one mind and one voice" (v 6). Ask God to help you cross barriers
and break down walls and to warmly embrace everyone, regardless of their
differences. Let's strive to leave behind a legacy of acceptance.
by Arthur Jackson
Reflect & Pray
How can you be more intentional with people who are different from you?
What steps do you need to take to be more in line with Jesus'
embrace of all people?
Father in heaven, help me to represent You and make adjustments in my
thinking and actions today as I strive to love others as well.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 2 - The key to the Prison Cell
Matt 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive men for their sins, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men for their sins,
neither will your Father forgive your sins.
Ann had been badly wounded in a relationship that had ended in anger
and accusation. For more than a year, Ann nursed her bitterness, rallying
support for her attitudes from friends and colleagues. Any time she saw
her former friend, Ann put up an icy wall of hostility. She thought she was
"getting over" the hurt, but the very mention of her friend's name brought
back a flood of negative feelings. Ann was trapped, locked in a prison of
unforgiveness , a jail built block by block by her own unwillingness to
forgive. Ann didn't "get over it"; instead, her wounds festered
and her bitterness grew worse.
Then one day - she never knew how - Ann let go of her bitterness. The barriers
of hostility and anger melted away, and when she saw her firend again, she was
able to forgive. And Ann was finally able to turn to the Lord for her own
healing and forgiveness.
"If you fo not forgive," Jesus says - and the statement falls hard on
unforgiving hearts, "Neither weill you be forgiven." In one sense, God's
forgiveness is unconditional - we do not have to earn or deserve it, and it is
always available to us. But we cannot experience the forgiveness God has
extended to us when we harbour unforgiveness towards others and build walls
of bitterness in our hearts.
When we refuse forgiveness toward those who have hurt or betrayed us, we do
not keep them in bondage, but ourselves. We lock ourselves away for an
awareness of God's loving presence; we imprison ourselves in a cell of
revenge. But when we reach out to forgive, we turn in the lock;
the door is open for our own sins to be forgiven and our own hearts
cleansed and purified.
Application
a) Why is forgiving others a condition for experiencing forgiveness in my own
life?
b) How can these verses have a practical effect upon my willingness to forgive others?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 1:3
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season;
its leaf will not wither,
and whatever he does will prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Angry of Vengeful
James 1:19-25
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for the anger of man does not work
the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and remaining
wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able
to save your souls.
22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
viewing his natural face in a mirror. 24 He views himself, and goes his way,
and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But whoever looks into
the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it,
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this man will be blessed in his deeds.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
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!
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
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
)
This month Calvarycommunity.ca is doing 21 days of Fasting
and prayer available at https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/
https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/Day15
Day 15: Greatest Commandment
Verse of the Day: Mark 12:30-31
30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
This is the first commandment. 31 The second is this: 'You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.'
There is no other commandment greater than these.
Who Is My Neighbor?
When we think of our neighbours, we most often think of those who
live next to us or in our neighbourhoods. Yet Jesus meant it to include
all people - even our enemies! Jesus told His famous parable of the
Good Samaritan to make it clear that "love your neighbour"
means to love all persons, everywhere.
Reflection:
Have I loved my neighbours?
What does it look like if I were to love my neighbours?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, open our hearts to love our neighbours as ourselves, teach us
to love people as You would have us love them and that we
would love them as we have loved ourselves. God reminds us as we
encounter people that they are our neighbours. You call us to not only
love those that love us but also to love those that persecute us.
Lord, You know this is hard to do. But You call us to love them.
I thank You and praise You for loving us this way,
gifting us all with
grace we do not deserve. Lord teach our hearts to give that gift as well.
Jesus in Your wonderfully powerful name we pray, Amen.
Scripture reflection:
Leviticus 19:18
18 You shall not take vengeance,
nor bear any grudge against the children of your people,
but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Luke 6:27
27 "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you"
Luke 10:27
27He answered, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind'
and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"
Romans 13:8-10
Brotherly Love
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves another
has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit
adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not give
false testimony, You shall not covet," and if there are any other
commandments, are summed up in this saying,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love works no evil to a neighbor.
Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 15:2
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good,
leading to edification.
Matthew 19:19
19 "Honor your father and your mother, and,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 22:36-40
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first
and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it:
'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang
all the Law and the Prophets."
James 2:8,
8 If you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"
Galatians 5:14
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Conclusion:
Pray to seek the Lord's will that you may have confidence in all you do.
Pray to show forgiveness in your life and those who who hurt you.
Pray for Security.
Pray to Love you neighbour as you love yourself.
Pray for forgiveness of sins and repentance.
Pray to accept Jesus in your life
Posted by DSY on Monday, January 18. 2021
Day 17 , 17 Jan 2021
Is 58 an Matthew 32-36, 40
The Chosen Fast
1 Cry aloud, do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet,
and show My people their transgression
and the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek Me daily
and delight to know My ways,
as a nation that has done righteousness
and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for the ordinances of justice;
they take delight in approaching God.
3 "Why have we fasted
and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves
and You take no notice?"
Certainly, on the day of your fast you find your desire
and are exacting on all your laborers.
4 Certainly, you fast for strife and debate
and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You do not fast as you do this day,
to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen,
a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread out sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast
and an acceptable day to the Lord?
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
and bring the poor who are outcasts into your house?
When you see the naked, to cover him
and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth as the morning,
and your healing shall spring forth quickly,
and your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your reward.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord shall answer;
you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am.
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 and if you give yourself to the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted soul,
then your light shall rise in obscurity,
and your darkness shall become as the noonday.
11 And the Lord shall guide you continually,
and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you shall rebuild the old waste places;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
and you shall be called, the Repairer of the Breach,
the Restorer of Paths in which to Dwell.
13 If because of the Sabbath you turn away your foot
from doing your pleasure on My holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight,
the holy day of the Lord honorable,
and honor it, not doing your own ways,
nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,
14 then you shall delight yourself in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth,
and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Matthew 25:32- 40
32 Before Him will be gathered all nations,
and He will separate them one from another
as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats.
33 He will set the sheep at His right hand,
but the goats at the left.
34 "Then the King will say to those at His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink,
I was a stranger and you took Me in.
36 I was naked and you clothed Me,
I was sick and you visited Me,
I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him,
'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You,
or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in,
or naked and clothe You?
39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?'
40 "The King will answer, 'Truly I say to you, as you have done it
for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you have done it for Me.'"
A convicting sermon as we as a Church goes through 21 days of Fasting and Prayer.
How honest is our fast? How noble is our fast.
How are you helping those in need?
Gen 16 - 18
GENESIS 16
The Birth of Ishmael
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children,
and she had a maidservant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, "The Lord has prevented me from having children.
Please go in to my maid; it may be that I will obtain children through her."
Abram listened to Sarai. 3 So after Abram had been living
for ten years in the land of Canaan,
Sarai, his wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian,
and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived.
When she saw that she had conceived,
she began to despise her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram,
"May the wrong done to me be on you!
I gave my maid into your arms;
and when she saw that she had conceived,
I became despised in her eyes.
May the Lord judge between you and me."
6 But Abram said to Sarai,
"Indeed, your maid is in your power;
do to her as you please."
Then Sarai dealt harshly with her,
and she fled from her presence.
7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness.
It was the spring on the way to Shur.
8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid,
where have you come from
and where are you going?"
And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."
9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
10 The angel of the Lord also said to her,
"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly
so that they will be too many to count."
11 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"You are pregnant
and will bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He will be a wild man;
his hand will be against every man,
and every man's hand will be against him.
And he will dwell
in the presence of all his brothers."
13 Then she called the name of the Lord that spoke to her,
"You are the God who sees," for she said,
"Have I now looked on Him who sees me?"
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi.
It is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the son she bore Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
(Ishmael is the father of the Arab race)
GENESIS 17
The Covenant of Circumcision
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old,
the Lord appeared to him and said,
"I am Almighty God. Walk before Me and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between you and Me and will exceedingly multiply you."
3 Abram fell on his face and God said to him,
4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer will your name be called Abram,
but your name will be Abraham,
for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful;
and I will make nations of you,
and kings will come from you.
7 I will establish My covenant between Me
and you and your descendants after you
throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant,
to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 All the land of Canaan, where you now live as strangers,
I will give to you and to your descendants for an everlasting possession,
and I will be their God."
9 Then God said to Abraham,
"As for you, you shall keep My covenant,
you and your descendants
after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant,
which you shall keep,
between Me and you
and your descendants after you;
every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 Every male throughout every generation
that is eight days old shall be circumcised,
whether born in your household
or bought with money from a foreigner
who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house
and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised.
My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.
14 Any uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin
is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people.
He has broken My covenant."
15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife,
you will not call her name Sarai,
but her name will be Sarah.
16 I will bless her and also give you a son by her.
I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations.
Kings of peoples will come from her."
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart,
"Shall a child be born to a man that is a hundred years old?
Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
18 Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"
19 Then God said, "No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,
and you will call his name Isaac.
I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant
and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you.
I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful
and will multiply him exceedingly.
He will be the father of twelve princes,
and I will make him a great nation.
21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac,
whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."
22 Then He stopped talking with Abraham, and God went up from him.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael, his son,
and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money,
every male among the men of Abraham's household,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins
that very same day as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 His son, Ishmael, was thirteen years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
27 All the men born in Abraham’s household
or bought from foreigners were circumcised with him.
(God never breaks his word)
GENESIS 18
Isaac’s Birth Foretold
1The Lord appeared to Abraham
near the great oak trees of Mamre
while he sat in the tent door
in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham lifted up his eyes
and looked and saw three men standing across from him.
When he saw them, he ran from the tent door
to meet them and bowed himself toward the ground.
3 He said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight,
do not pass by Your servant.
4 Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet
and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 I will bring a piece of bread
so that you may refresh yourselves.
After that you may pass on,
now that you have come to your servant."
And they said, "So do, as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said,
"Quickly prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes."
7 Then Abraham ran to the herd
and took a choice and tender calf
and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought butter and milk
and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them;
and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "There, in the tent."
10 One of them said, "I will certainly return
to you about this time next year,
and Sarah your wife will have a son."
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and very advanced in age,
and Sarah was well past childbearing.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying,
"After I am so old and my lord is old also,
shall I have pleasure?"
(The Lord is in charge, nothing is impoosible for him)
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say,
'Shall I surely bear a child when I am old?'
14 Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
At the appointed time I will return to you,
at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
15T hen Sarah denied it, saying,
"I did not laugh," because she was afraid.
But He said, "Yes, you did laugh."
Sodom and Gomorrah
16 Then the men rose up and looked toward Sodom,
and Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
19 I chose him, and he will instruct his children and his household
after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice,
so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He promised him."
20 Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great,
and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down and see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has come to Me. If not, I will know."
22 The men turned away from there
and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
23 Then Abraham drew near and said,
"Shall You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous in the city?
Shall You also destroy, and not spare the place,
for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this,
to slay the righteous with the wicked,
so that the righteous should be treated like the wicked;
far be it from You. Should not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
26 So the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare the entire place for their sakes."
27 Then Abraham answered and said,
"I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord.
28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous.
Will You destroy all the city for lack of five?"
And He said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said,
"Suppose there will be forty found there?"
So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.â€
30 Then he said to Him,
"Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.
Suppose there will be thirty found there?"
Again He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31 He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord.
Suppose twenty are found there?"
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."
32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry,
and I will speak only once more.
Suppose ten will be found there?"
Then He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."
33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had stopped
speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
(You may bargain with the Lord in humility)
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 Jan 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/01/17/ entitled The Wonderful One
REv 4:4 to 11
4 Twenty-four thrones were around the throne.
And I saw twenty-four elders sitting on the thrones,
clothed in white garments.
They had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 Lightnings and thunderings and voices proceeded from the throne.
Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal.
In the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures covered
with eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion,
the second living creature like a calf,
the third living creature had a face like a man,
and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures had six wings each,
and they were covered with eyes all around.
All day and night, without ceasing, they were saying:
" 'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,'
who was, and is, and is to come."
9 When the living creatures give
glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne,
who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down
before Him who sits on the throne,
and worship Him,
who lives forever and ever.
Then they cast their crowns before the throne,
saying,
11 "You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power;
for You have created all things,
and by Your will they exist
and were created."
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, the Scarecrow,
the Tin Man , and the Cowardly Lion return to Oz with
the broomstick that empowered the Wicked Witch of the West.
The Wizard had promised, in return for the broomstick,
that he would give the four their
deepest desires: a ride home for Dorothy,
a brain for the scarecrow,
a heart for the Tin Man,
and courage for the Cowardly Lion.
But the Wizard stalls and tells
them to come back the next day.
While they plead with the Wizard, Dorothy's dog Toto
pulls back the curtain, behind which the Wizrd spoke,
to reveal that the Wizard isn't a wizard at all;
He's just a fearful, fidgety man from Nebraska.
It's said that the author, L. Frank Braum, has a
serious problem with God, so he wanted to send
the message that only we have the power to solve
our problems.
In contrast, the apostle John pulls back the viel
to reveil the truly Wonderful One behind the "curtain".
Words fail JOhn (note the repeated use
of the preposition like in the passage),
but the point is well made:
God is seated on His throne,
surrounded by a sea of glass (Rev 4:2,6).
Despite the troubles that plague us here
in earth (Rev Ch 2-3), God isn't
pacing the floor and biting His nails.
He's actively at work for our good,
so we can experience His peace.
by David H. Roper
Reflect & Pray
What do you fear today? How does it help you to know that God
controls the troubles that surround you? How can you better
trust and surrender to Him?
I'm grateful , God, that I can count on You to walk with me through
everything. Thank You for Your Peace.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 1 - Forgiving as God Forgave
Col 3:13
13 Bear with one another and
forgive one another. If anyone
has a quarrel against anyone,
even as Christ forgave you,
so you must do.
"No!" Brett slammed his hand against the desk to punctuate his point.
"My wife's infidelity is completely unforgivable. She just wants to make things
look good, to have me condone her new relationship.
I won't do it. I won't forgive her."
Brett was a man in pain, and his perspective on forgiving
his wife is understandable. But unfortunately, many of us are
the victims of "unforgiveable" offenses; many of us, as well,
are the perpetrators of such offenses, and we desperately need
to be forgiven.
Brett ultimately came to understand that forgiving and "unforgivable"
hurt is not based on the worthiness of the recipient of forgiveness,
but on the worthiness of Christ himself. The Bible teaches that we are bound
to forgiveness for one simple reason:
because God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ.
"Forgive as the Lord forgave", Paul commands in Col 3:13 . How did Christ
forgive? Freely, completely, without basing his forgiveness on our merit. He
forgave us unilaterally, offering forgiveness before we asked,
before we were aware of our sin and the pain it caused him,
before we came to him in repentance.
Forgiveness does more that release the perpetrator for the bondage of
his wrongdoing. It releases the victim as well. Forgiveness frees
the forgiver from the bondage of anger and bitterness that keeps him distant
from the love of God. We can forgive the most "unforgivable" of offenses
against us when we focus our attention
not on the offender,
but on Christ, who forgave us.
Application
a) Have I ever harboured unforgiveness toward another person?
What was the result in my spiritual/emotional life?
b) Is there someone in my life who has hurt me, who I need to forgive?
HOw can this verse help me extend the forgiveness to that person?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 28:13
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Angry of Vengeful
Prov 15:1
1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 25:28
28 He who has no rule over his own spirit
is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
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!
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
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!†)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
This month Calvarycommunity.ca is doing 21 days of Fasting and prayer available at
https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/
https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/Day14
Day 14: Have a Listen
Verse of the Day: Ps 46:10
10 Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
When we are free from outside noise or turbulence,
this is when
we can hear the still small voice of God's Spirit
as he comes to comfort and guides us through life.
Some of the noise we experience could be blocking our ability to feel
His presence in our life and prayer time. To be calm does not mean
that the storm is no longer all around you. It just means that the storm
is no longer your focus. Often, the bustle of life makes it impossible
for us to hear what God is trying to tell us. Only when we choose to
slow down and allow ourselves the opportunity to rest that our mind
and heart can focus on those things of God.
Reflection:
How much time do you spend being quiet
and waiting for God to speak to you?
What are the distractions you need to
eliminate so that you can be still and quiet?
If you want to hear God speak to you,
what are you willing to do about it?
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to listen so that
I may hear Your voice and follow You where you lead.
Let me enjoy those times of quiet and enjoy being
surrounded by the Holy Spirit. Father, help me learn to settle
my mind and body so I can slow down and be at peace.
Lord, I pray that You refresh my spirit as I rest in You,
in that stillness. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture reflection:
Psalm 46:10,
10 Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
Habakkuk 2:20,
20 But the Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him.
Proverbs 3:6,
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 12:15,
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but he who listens to counsel is wise.
Psalm 85:8,
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints,
but let them not turn again to folly.
Deuteronomy 30:20
20that you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice,
and that you may cling to Him,
for He is your life and the length of your days;
and that you may dwell in the land
that the Lord swore to your fathers,
to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.
Conclusion:
Pray to seek the Lord's will in who He wants you to help
Pray to show forgiveness in your life.
Pray for Security.
Pray for forgiveness of sins and repentance.
Pray to accept Jesus in your life
Posted by DSY on Sunday, January 17. 2021
Day 16 , 16 Jan 2021
Gen 12 - 15
The Call of Abram
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country,
your family, and your father's house to the land that I will show you.
2 I will make of you a great nation;
I will bless you
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless them who bless you
and curse him who curses you,
and in you all families of the earth
will be blessed."
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken to him,
and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old
when he departed from Harran.
5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions
that they had accumulated, and the people that they had acquired in Harran,
and they set out for the land of Canaan. They came to the land of Canaan.
6 Then Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh.
The Canaanites were in the land at that time.
7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land."
So he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 From there he continued on to a mountain to the east of Bethel and pitched his tent,
having Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord
and called on the name of the Lord.
9 Then Abram continued his journey toward the Negev.
Abram in Egypt
(Ge 20:1–18; 26:1–11)
10 Now there was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there,
for the famine was severe in the land.
11 When he was getting near to Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife,
"I know you are a beautiful woman. 12 Therefore, when the Egyptians see you,
they will say, 'This is his wife.' They will then kill me,
but they will let you live.
13 Say you are my sister so that I may be treated well for your sake.
Then my life will be spared because of you."
14 So when Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful.
15 The princes of Pharaoh saw her and commended her to Pharaoh,
and she was taken into Pharaoh's house.
16 He treated Abram well for her sake and he had sheep and livestock,
male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues
because of Abram's wife, Sarai.
18 So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, "What have you done to me?
Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister'?
I might have taken her as my wife.
Now here is your wife; take her and leave."
20 Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him,
and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
GENESIS 13
Abram and Lot
1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev,
he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him.
2 Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver and in gold.
3 He continued on his journey from the Negev and came to Bethel,
to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4 to the place where he first made an altar.
There Abram called on the name of the Lord.
5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
6 But the land was not able to support them both dwelling together
because their possessions were so great.
7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of
Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.
The Canaanites and the Perizzites dwelled in the land at that time.
8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I ask you,
between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen,
for we are close relatives.
9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me.
If you will go to the left, then I will go to the right,
or if you take the right, then I will go to the left."
10 Lot lifted up his eyes, and looked at all the valley of the Jordan,
that it was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord,
like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.
This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
11 Then Lot chose for himself the entire valley of the Jordan
and journeyed east, and the two of them separated from each other.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan,
and Lot dwelled in the cities of the valley
and pitched his tent as far as Sodom.
13 Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against the Lord.
14 After Lot had departed from him, the Lord said to Abram,
"Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are,
northward and southward and eastward and westward.
15 All the land that you see I will give to you and to your descendants forever.
16 I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth,
so that if a man could number the dust of the earth,
then your descendants could also be numbered.
17 Arise, and walk throughout the land across
its length and its width, for I will give it to you."
18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre,
which are in Hebron, and built an altar to the Lord there.
GENESIS 14
Abram Rescues Lot
1 In the days that Amraphel was king of Shinar,
Arioch king of Ellasar, KedÂorlaomer king of Elam,
and Tidal king of Goyim,
2 they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah,
Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim,
and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
3 All these were joined together in
the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea).
4 For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer,
but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings
who were with him came and defeated the Rephaites
in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham,
and the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir,
as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness.
7 Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat
(that is, Kadesh) and conquered all the country
of the Amalekites and also the Amorites
who lived in Hazezon Tamar.
8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah,
the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out,
and they joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim
9 against Kedorlaomer, the king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim,
Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four
kings against five.
10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits,
and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled,
some fell in them, and the rest fled to the hill country.
11 Then they took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah,
and all their provisions, and departed.
12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son,
who lived in Sodom, and his possessions,
and went their way.
13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew,
who was living near the oaks of Mamre the Amorite,
brother of Eshkol and Aner,
and these were allies with Abram.
14 When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive,
he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants
born in his own house, and pursued them as far as Dan.
15 During the night he divided his men to attack them
and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah,
which is north of Damascus.
16 He brought back all the possessions,
along with his relative Lot and his possessions,
and also the women and the people.
Melchizedek Blesses Abram
17 After his return from the defeat of Kedorlaomer
and the kings who had joined with him,
the king of Sodom went out to meet him
in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.
He was the priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him and said,
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth;
20 and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram,
"Give me the people and take the goods for yourself."
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom,
"I have lifted up my hand to the Lord, God Most High,
the Possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that I will take nothing that is yours, not a thread or a sandal strap;
lest you say, 'I have made Abram rich.'
24 I will accept only that which my men have eaten
and the portion that belongs to the men who went
with me, Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion."
GENESIS 15
The Abrahamic Covenant
1 After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,
"Do not fear, Abram.
I am your shield,
your exceedingly great reward."
2 But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me,
seeing I am childless and
the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
3 Abram said, "Since You have not given me any children,
my heir is a servant born in my house."
4 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
"This man will not be your heir,
but a son that is from your own body will be your heir."
5 He brought him outside and said,
"Look up toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them."
And He said to him, "So will your descendants be."
6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.
7 He also said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you out of
Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess it."
8 But Abram said, "Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?"
9 So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer,
a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram,
a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
10 Then Abram brought all of these to Him and cut them
in two and laid each piece opposite the other,
but he did not cut the birds in half.
11 When the birds of prey came down on the carcasses,
Abram drove them away.
12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram,
and terror and a great darkness fell on him.
13 Then He said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants
will live as strangers in a land that is not theirs,
and they will be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.
14 But I will judge the nation that they serve,
and afterward they will come out with great possessions.
15 As for you, you will go to your fathers in peace
and you will be buried at a good old age.
16 In the fourth generation, your descendants will return here,
for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."
17 When the sun went down and it was dark,
a smoking fire pot with a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
18 On that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying,
"To your descendants I have given this land,
from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River—
19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaites,
21 the Amorites, the Canaanites,
the GirgaÂshites, and the Jebusites."
Believe the Lord will bless you and seek his will for success.
Never doubt The Lord!
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 Jan 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/01/16/mighty entitled Mighty
John 14:1-7
1 Sam 17: 32, 41-47
32 David said to Saul,
"Let no man’s heart fail because of him.
Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
41 The Philistine came walking and drew near to David,
and the man bearing the shield went before him.
42 When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him.
For he was a youth and ruddy with a handsome appearance.
43 The Philistine said to David,
"Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?"
Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 The Philistine said to David, "Come to me,
and I will give your flesh to the birds of
the heavens and to the beasts of the field."
45 Then David said to the Philistine,
"You come to me with a sword, a spear,
and a shield, but I come to you
in the name of the Lord of Hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel,
whom you have reviled.
46 This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand.
And I will strike you down and cut off your head.
Then I will give the corpses of the Philistine camp
this day to the birds of the air
and to the beasts of the earth
so that all the earth may know
that there is a God in Israel.
47 And then all this assembly will know that it is not
by sword and spear that the Lord saves.
For the battle belongs to the Lord,
and He will give you into our hands."
Baby Saybie, born as a "micro-preemie" at 23 weeks,
weighed only 8.6 ounces.
Doctors doubted Saybie would live
nd told her parents they'd likely have only
an hour with their daughter.
However, Saybie kept fighting.
A pink card near her crib declared "Tiny but Mighty."
After five months in the hospital,
Saybie miraculously went home
as a healthy five-pound baby.
And she took a world record with her:
the world's tiniest surviving baby.
It's powerful to hear stories
of those who beat the odds.
The Bible tells one of these stories.
David, a shepherd boy, volunteered to fight Goliath
— a mammoth warrior who defamed God and threatened Israel.
King Saul thought David was ridiculous:
"You are not able to go out against
this Philistine and fight him;
you are only a young man,
and he has been a warrior from his youth" (1 Samuel 17:33).
And when the boy David stepped onto the battlefield,
Goliath "looked David over
and saw that he was little more than a boy" (v. 42).
However, David didn't step into battle alone.
He came "in the name of the Lord Almighty,
the God of the armies of Israel" (v. 45).
And when the day was done, a victorious David stood above a dead Goliath.
No matter how enormous the problem,
when God is with us there's nothing
that we need to fear.
With His strength, we're also mighty.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
When do you feel small and insignificant?
How can you see God present with you
and strengthening you despite insurmountable odds?
God, I feel tiny today.
Left to myself, there’s no way forward.
But I trust You to be with me and guide me.
I’m trusting in Your strength.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace – Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness,
reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes
and rains righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal od preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growht.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's convictoin of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 12:21
21 "So is he who stores up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God."
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Impatient
James 5:7-11
Patience and Prayer
7Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.
Notice how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth
and is patient with it until he receives the early and late rain.
8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts,
for the coming of the Lord is drawing near.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, lest you be condemned.
Look, the Judge is standing at the door.
10 My brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord,
as an example of suffering and patience.
11 Indeed we count them happy who endure.
You have heard of the patience of Job
and have seen the purpose of the Lord,
that the Lord is very gracious and merciful.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
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!
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
16th Day of the Month
a) Pray that God will convict the hearts of Canadians of the false
idea that all moral choices are equal and
without consequences
( John 16:7-8
7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away.
For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 When He comes, He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment"
)
b) Pray that poeple's hearts would be opened to see the folly
of denying God's supremacy
(
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Rom 3:19-20
19 Now we know that whatever the law says,
it says to those who are under the law,
so that every mouth may be silenced,
and all the world may become accountable to God.
20 Therefore by the works of the law
no flesh will be justified in His sight,
for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
2 COr 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive his recompense in the body,
according to what he has done,
whether it was good or bad.
2 Cor 10:5
5 casting down imaginations and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ,
)
This month Calvarycommunity.ca is doing 21 days of Fasting and prayer available at
https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/
https://calvarycommunity.ca/prayandfast/Day13
Day 13: Whom Shall I Fear?
Verse of the Day: Psalm 46:1-2
For the Music Director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
According to Alamoth. A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a well-proven help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains
be carried into the midst of the sea
Who Is My Neighbor?
For many of us it can come too easily to allow fear and anxiety to grip us
and cause us to forget who is in control. God is in control when we listen,
we can hear Him reminding us to "take courage and do not be afraid".
Whatever His will, we need to know that it is the best for us.
We shall not fear!
Reflection:
While we might still feel afraid from time to time, we can
believe that God is with us no matter what. We may not be in control,
but we can trust the One who is. We may not know the future,
but we can know the God who does.
It's not always easy, and it often comes down to a choice:
• Choosing not to allow fear and anxiety to control our lives.
• Choosing to guard our hearts.
• Choosing to focus our minds on what is true in the midst of uncertain times.
Prayer:
Lord God, be our strength and help us to trust in You.
Lord, it feels like we live in a crazy and chaotic world more now than ever.
You also know the struggles of our daily lives; you know when it all gets to be too much.
Calm our thoughts and emotions and help us focus on You on Your peace, comfort, and wisdom.
Help us not to give in to fear and to continue to lay our cares and concerns at Your feet.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture reflection:
Psalm 27:1,
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
Isaiah 41:13,
For I, the Lord your God,
will hold your right hand,
saying to you, "Do not fear;
I will help you."
Luke 14:27,
27 And whoever does not bear his cross
and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
Deuteronomy 3
King Og Defeated
1 Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan,
and Og, the king of Bashan, came out against us,
he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
2 Then the Lord said to me, "Do not fear him, for I will deliver him and all his people
and his land into your hand; and you shall do to him
as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon."
3 So the Lord, our God, delivered Og, the king of Bashan, with all his people,
into our hands also, and we struck him down until there was no survivor remaining.
4 We took all his cities at that time. There was not a city which we did not take from them:
sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
5 All these cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars,
besides a great many rural towns.
6 We utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon, king of Heshbon,
utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.
7 But we took all the livestock and the spoil of the cities as plunder for ourselves.
8 So at that time we took from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land
that was across the Jordan, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon
9(the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir),
10 all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan,
as far as Salekah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
11 For only Og, king of Bashan, remained of the remnant of the giants.
(Notably, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron.
Is it not in Rabbah of the children of Ammon?
It is nine cubits long and four cubits wide,
according to the cubit of a man.)
Division of the Land
12 This is the land which we possessed at that time from Aroer, which is by the River Arnon,
and half the hill country of Gilead and its cities I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
13 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
(All the region of Argob, with all Bashan, was called the land of giants.
14 Jair, the son of Manasseh, took all the region of Argob,
that is, Bashan, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites,
and called the villages after his own name, Havvoth Jair, as it is to this day.)
15 I gave Gilead to Makir.
16 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead
even as far as the stream bed of the River Arnon,
half the valley as the border to the River Jabbok,
which is the border of the Ammonites;
17 the plain also, with the Jordan as the border, from Kinnereth
as far as the east side of the Sea of the Arabah
(that is, the Dead Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.
18 Then I commanded you at that time, saying,
"The Lord your God has given you this land to possess it.
All you men of valor shall pass over armed before your brothers,
the children of Israel.
19 But your wives and your little ones, and your livestock
(for I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in your cities
which I have given you
20 until the Lord has given rest to your brothers, as well as to you,
and until they also possess the land
which the Lord your God has given them beyond the Jordan.
Then each of you shall return to
his possession which I have given you."
Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan
21 I commanded Joshua at that time, saying,
"Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings.
So shall the Lord do to all the kingdoms where you pass.
22 Do not fear them, for the Lord your God, He shall fight for you."
23 I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying,
24 "O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness,
and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or in earth
that can do according to Your works and according to Your might?
25 Let me, I pray, go over and see the good land
that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country, and Lebanon."
26 But the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me,
and the Lord said to me, "Enough of that! Speak to Me no more of this matter.
27 Get up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes
to the west and north and south and east,
and see it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan.
28 But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him,
for he shall cross over before this people,
and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see."
29 So we remained in the valley over against Beth Peor.
Conclusion:
Pray not to squander the blessings of the Lord
Pray to give your burdens to the Lord
Pray for forgiveness of sins and repentance.
Pray to accept Jesus in your life
.