Day 98 - 8 April reflections
Day 98, 8 Apr 2021
1 Samuel 1 -4
1 SAMUEL 1
The Birth of Samuel
1 (1Sa 1:19; 1Ch 6:34) Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim Zuphim,
in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,
the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2 And he had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the second
was Peninnah. Now Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 (Ex 23:14; Dt 12:5-7) This man went up out of his city annually to worship
and to sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. And there the two sons of Eli,
Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord.
4 (Dt 12:17-18; 16:11) When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave
portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters.
5 (Ge 30:2) But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved Hannah,
but the Lord had closed her womb.
6 Now her rival provoked her greatly, making her miserable because the Lord
had closed her womb.
7 Thus it was yearly, when she went up to the house of the Lord,
that she provoked her. So Hannah wept and did not eat.
8 (Ru 4:15) Then said Elkanah her husband to her, "Hannah, why are
you weeping? And why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved?
Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
9 (1Sa 3:3) So Hannah arose after they had eaten in Shiloh and after
they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a seat by the door
of the tabernacle of the Lord.
10 (Job 7:11; 10:1) And she was bitter, and prayed to the Lord,
and wept severely.
11 (Jdg 13:5; Ge 29:32; Nu 6:5) So she made a vow and said, "O Lord of Hosts,
if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant, and remember
me and not forget Your maidservant, but will give to Your maidservant a baby
boy, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor
shall touch his head."Perhaps Barak here (see LXX).
12 And as she was praying before the Lord, Eli watched her mouth.
13 (Ge 24:42-45) Now Hannah was speaking in her heart. Her lips were moving,
but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
14 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk?
Put away your wine from you."
15 (Ps 42:4; 62:8) And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman
of sorrow. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my
soul before the Lord.
16 (1Sa 2:12) Do not consider your handmaid to be a sinful woman, for out of
the abundance of my concern and provocation I have spoken until now."
17 (Jdg 18:6; 2Ki 5:19) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God
of Israel grant you your request that you have asked of Him."
18 (Ru 2:13; Ge 33:15) And she said, "Let your handmaid find grace in your
sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was not sad as before.
19 (Ge 30:22; 4:1) They rose up in the morning early and worshipped before
the Lord. And they returned and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah
knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.
20 (Ge 41:51-52; Ex 2:10) And it came to pass that Hannah conceived
and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel saying,
"Because I have asked him of the Lord."
The Dedication of Samuel
21 (1Sa 1:3) Then the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer
to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow.
22 (1Sa 1:11; 1:28) But Hannah did not go, for she said to her husband,
"I will not go up until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him,
that he may appear before the Lord and live there forever."
23 (2Sa 7:25) So Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good to you.
Wait until you have weaned him; only may the Lord establish His word."
So the woman remained, and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24 (Jos 18:1; Nu 15:9-10) When she had weaned him, she took him up with her
with three bulls, one ephah [Likely about 36 pounds, or 16 kilograms.]
of flour, and a bottle of wine. And she brought him to the house of the Lord
in Shiloh, though the boy was young.
25 (Lk 2:22) Then they slaughtered a bull, and they brought the boy to Eli.
26 (2Ki 2:2; 2:4) And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am
the woman that stood by you here praying to the Lord.
27 (1Sa 1:11-13) For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition
which I asked of Him.
28 (Ge 24:26; 24:52) Therefore also I have let the Lord have him.
As long as he lives he will be dedicated to the Lord."
And he worshipped the Lord there.
1 SAMUEL 2
The Prayer of Hannah
1 (Ps 9:14; 13:5) Hannah prayed, saying:
"My heart rejoices in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth is bold against my enemies,
because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 (Ex 15:11; 2Sa 22:32) "There is none holy as the Lord,
for there is none besides You,
and there is no rock like our God.
3 (1Ki 8:39; Pr 8:13) "Do not multiply proud speech,
nor let arrogance come out of your mouth,
for the Lord is the God of knowledge,
and by Him actions are examined.
4 (Ps 37:15; 46:9) "The bows of the mighty are broken,
but those who stumbled are girded with strength.
5 (Ps 113:9; Jer 15:9) Those that were full have hired out
themselves for bread,
and those that were hungry ceased to hunger.
Even the barren has borne seven,
and she that has many children wastes away.
6 (Dt 32:39; 2Ki 5:7; Isa 26:19) "The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
7 (Job 5:11; Ps 75:7) The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and lifts up.
8 (Ps 113:7-8; Job 38:4-6) He raises up the poor out of the dust
and lifts up the oppressed from the dunghill
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a throne of glory.
"For the pillars of the earth belong to the Lord,
and He has set the world upon them.
9 (Ps 33:16-17; 91:11-12) He will guard the feet of His saints,
but the wicked will be silent in darkness.
"For by strength shall no man prevail.
10 (Ps 2:9; 89:24) The adversaries of the Lord will be broken to pieces;
He will thunder against them out of heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
"He will give strength to His king
and exalt the horn of His anointed."
11 (1Sa 2:18; 3:1_ Then Elkanah went to Ramah to his house.
And the boy ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.
Wicked Sons of Eli
12 (Jer 2:8; Jdg 2:10) Now the sons of Eli were corrupt.
They did not know the Lord.
13 The priest's custom with the people was that when any man offered
a sacrifice, the priest's servant came while the flesh was cooking with
a three-pronged fork in his hand.
14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot,
and all that the fork brought up the priest took for himself.
This they did in Shiloh to all the children of Israel who came there.
15 (Lev 3:16; 3:3-5) Even before they burned the fat, the priest's servant
would come and say to the man sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest
to roast. For he will not take boiled meat from you, but only raw."
16 If any man said to him, "Let them first burn the fat and then take
as much as you wish," then he would answer him, "No, but you will give
it to me now, and if not, I will take it by force."
17 (Ge 6:11) Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before
the Lord. For the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.
God Blesses Hannah
18 (1Sa 2:11; 3:1) But Samuel ministered before the Lord, as a boy,
wearing a linen ephod.
19 (1Sa 1:3; 1:21) Now his mother would make him a little coat
and brought it to him every year when she came up with her husband to
offer the yearly sacrifice.
20 (1Sa 1:27-28) And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say,
"The Lord give you offspring from this woman for the sake of the request
which was made to the Lord." Then they would return to their home.
21 (Ge 21:1; Jdg 13:24) The Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived
and bore three sons and two daughters.
And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord.
Eli Confronts Hophni and Phinehas
22 (Ex 38:8; 1Sa 2:13-17) Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that
his sons were doing to all Israel, even that they lay with the women
who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
23 He said to them, "Why are you doing these things? For I am hearing
of your evil dealings from all these people.
24 No, my sons! Truly, it is not a good report that I hear the people
of the Lord spreading.
25 (Jos 11:20; Nu 15:30) If one man sins against another, God will judge him,
but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him" But they
did not listen to the voice of their father, because the Lord desired
to kill them.
26 (Lk 2:52) Now the boy Samuel was growing both in stature
and favor with the Lord and also with men.
God’s Case Against the House of Eli
27 (1Ki 13:1; Ex 4:14-16) A man of God came to Eli and said to him,
"Thus says the Lord, 'Did I not plainly reveal Myself to the house
of your father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
28 (Ex 28:1; Lev 8:7-8) And choose him out of all the tribes of Israel
to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, to wear
an ephod before Me? And I gave to the house of your father
all the offerings made by fire by the children of Israel?
29 (1Sa 2:13-17; Mt 10:37) Why do you kick at My sacrifice and
at My offering, which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons
above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings
of Israel My people?'
30 (Ex 29:9; Ps 50:23) "Therefore the Lord God of Israel says, 'I surely said
that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me
forever,' but now the Lord says, 'Far be it from Me to do so, for those
who honor Me, I will honor, and those that despise Me will be humbled.
31 (1Sa 22:17-20) The days are coming when I will cut off your authority
and the strength of your father's house, so there shall not be an old man
in your house.
32 (Zec 8:4; 1Sa 4:11) You shall see the distress of My dwelling, despite
all the good which will be done for Israel. And there shall not be an elderly
man in your house perpetually.
33 Yet the one I do not cut off from My altar will be spared so your eyes
will not stop weeping or your soul grieving. All the increase of your house
will die in their prime.
341 (Sa 4:11; 1Ki 13:3) "'This will be the sign to you which will come upon
your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: In one day, they will both die.
35 (2Sa 7:11; 7:27) And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest;
what is in My heart and in My soul he will do it. And I will build him
a sure house, and it will walk before My anointed forever.
36 (1Ki 2:27) But it will be that everyone who is left in your house
will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel
of bread, and will say, Please attach me to one of the priestly offices,
that I may eat a piece of bread."
[Remember in any position, the Lord gave you stewardship of it]
1 SAMUEL 3
God Calls Samuel
1 (1Sa 2:11; Ps 74:9) Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord
before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days.
There was no vision coming forth.
2 (1Sa 4:15; Ge 27:1)At that time, Eli was lying down in his place
(now his eyes had begun to grow weak that he could not see),
3 (Ex 27:20-21; Lev 24:2-4) and the lamp of God had not yet gone out,
and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called to Samuel, and he answered, "Here I am."
5 He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called to me."
And he said, "I did not call. Return, lie down again."
And he went and lay down.
6 The Lord called Samuel again. So Samuel arose and went to Eli,
and said, "Here I am, for you called me."
And he answered, "I did not call, my son. Return, lie down again."
7 (Ac 19:2) Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word
of the Lord been revealed to him.
8 The Lord again called Samuel a third time. So he arose and went to
Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me."
Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling to the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel,"Go, lie down. And it will be,
if He calls you, that you will say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant listens.'"
So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood, and He called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant listens."
11 (2Ki 21:12; Jer 19:3) The Lord said to Samuel, "See, I am doing something
in Israel which will make both ears ring of every one that hears it.
12 (1Sa 2:27-36) In that day I will bring about against Eli everything which
I have spoken with regard to his house, from beginning to end.
13 (1Sa 2:12; 2:17) For I told him that I will judge his house forever,
for the guilt which he knew, because his sons are cursed,
and he did not rebuke them.
14 (Isa 22:14; 1Sa 2:25) Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that
the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for with sacrifice
nor offering forever."
15 Samuel lay until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house
of the Lord. Now Samuel feared to report the vision to Eli.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, "Samuel, my son."
And he answered, "Here I am."
17 (Ru 1:17; 2Sa 3:35) He said, "What is the thing that the Lord has spoken t
o you? Do not hide it from me. Thus may God do so to you, and more also,
if you hide from me a word out of all the things that He spoke to you."
18 (Job 2:10; Isa 39:8) Samuel told him everything, and did not hide from
him a thing. And he said, "It is the Lord; let Him do
what is good in His eyes."
19 (1Sa 2:21; 9:6) And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him
and did not let any of his words fall to the ground.
20 (Jdg 20:1; 2Sa 3:10) All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that
Samuel was proven to be a prophet of the Lord.
21 (Ge 12:7; 1Sa 3:1) And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh.
For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
[Hide nothing the Lord says, for He is in control]
1 SAMUEL 4
1 (1Sa 7:12; 29:1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
The Ark of God Captured
And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines
and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
2 The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when
the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck
down on the field of battle about four thousand men.
3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said,
"Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines?
Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us,
that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies."
4 (2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from
there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the
cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there
with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 (Jos 6:5) When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,
all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the ground was in an uproar.
6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said,
"What does this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"
Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.
7 The Philistines were afraid, when they said, "God is come into the camp."
And they said, "Woe to us! For this has never happened to us before.
8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?
These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with every plague
in the wilderness.
9 (Jdg 13:1; 1Co 16:13) Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you be
servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Now be men and fight."
10 (Dt 28:25; 1Sa 4:2) So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten.
And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat,
for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.
11 (1Sa 2:34; Ps 78:64) Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons
of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
12 (Jos 7:6; 2Sa 1:2) There ran a man of Benjamin from the battle line,
and he came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn
and with dust upon his head.
13 (1Sa 1:9; 4:18) When he came, Eli was sitting on a seat by the wayside
watching. For his heart feared for the ark of God. Now the man came
to tell it in the city, and all the city cried out.
14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said,
"What does the noise of this tumult mean?"
And the man hurriedly came and told Eli.
15 (1Sa 3:2) Now Eli was 98 years old, and his eyes were dim,
so that he could not see.
16 (2Sa 1:4) The man said to Eli, "I am he that came out of the army,
and I fled today out of the battle line."
And he said, "What is the word, my son?"
17 The messenger answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines,
and there also has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons
also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead. And the ark of God is taken."
18 (1Sa 4:13) When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell from off the seat
backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died,
for he was an old and heavy man. And he had judged Israel forty years.
19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant, about to give birth.
And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken,
and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead,
she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.
20 (Ge 35:17-18) About the time of her death the women that stood
by her said to her, "Do not fear, for you have borne a son."
But she did not answer or regard it.
21 (Ps 26:8; Jer 2:11) She named the child Ichabod, saying,
"The glory is departed from Israel," because the ark of God was taken,
and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
22 She said, "The glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken."
[Remember not to leave an evil legacy]
2) Our Daily Bread for 8 Apr 2021
https://www.odb.org/CA/2021/04/08/love-reins-us-in
entitled Love Reins Us In
ROMANS 14
Do Not Judge Your Brother
1 (Ro 15:1; 15:7) Welcome him who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose
of arguing over opinions.
2 (Ro 14:14) For one has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats
only vegetables.
3 (Lk 18:9; Ro 14:10) Do not let him who eats despise him who does not eat,
and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God
has welcomed him.
4 (Ro 9:20) Who are you to judge another man's servant?
To his own master he stands or falls.
And he will stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 (Ro 14:23) One man judges one day above another; another judges every day
alike. Let each one be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 (Mt 14:19; 15:36) He who observes the day observes it for the Lord,
and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.
He who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, for he gives thanks to God;
and the one who does not eat, in honor of the Lord he does not eat,
and gives thanks to God.
7 (2Co 5:15; 1Th 5:10) For none of us lives for himself,
and no one dies for himself.
8 (Php 1:20; 1Th 5:10) For if we live, we live for the Lord.
And if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord's.
9 (Rev 1:18; Mt 28:18; Lk 24:26) For to this end Christ died and rose
and lived again, so that He might be Lord of both the dead and living.
10 (2Co 5:10; Ro 2:16; 1Co 4:5) So why do you judge your brother?
Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before
the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord,
every knee shall bow to Me,
and every tongue shall confess to God." [Isa 45:23.]
12 (Mt 12:36; 1Pe 4:5)So then each of us shall give an account
of himself to God.
Do Not Make Your Brother Stumble
13 (Mt 7:1) Therefore let us no longer pass judgment on one another,
but rather determine not to put a stumbling block
or an obstacle in a brother's way.
Most young Samoan boys receive a tattoo signaling their responsibility
to their people and their chief. Naturally, then, the marks cover the arms
of the Samoan men's rugby team members. Traveling to Japan where tattoos
can carry negative connotations, the teammates realized their symbols
presented a problem for their hosts. In a generous act of friendship,
the Samoans wore skin-colored sleeves covering the designs.
"We're respectful and mindful to . . . the Japanese way,"
the team captain explained.
"We'll be making sure that what we're showing will be okay."
In an age emphasizing individual expression, it's remarkable to encounter
self-limitation-a concept Paul wrote about in the book of Romans.
He told us that love sometimes requires us to lay down our rights for others.
Rather than pushing our freedom to the boundaries, sometimes love reins us
in. The apostle explained how some people in the church believed they were
free "to eat anything," but others ate "only vegetables" (Romans 14:2).
While this might seem like a minor issue, in the first century, adherence
to Old Testament dietary laws was controversial. Paul instructed everyone
to "stop passing judgment on one another" (v. 13), before concluding
with particular words for those who ate freely.
"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will
cause your brother or sister to fall" (v. 21).
At times, loving another means limiting our own freedoms. We don't have
to always do everything we're free to do. Sometimes love reins us in.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
When have you seen people limit their freedom for the sake of other
believers in Jesus? What was that like? What's difficult about
those situations where love reins us in?
God, help me to see where I need to encourage others to experience
freedom and how I need to limit how I use my own freedoms.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 5 - Learning by Heart
Ps 119:9,11
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) How shall a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
"His heart is not just in it," a gifted musician commented about the
pianist onstage. "He's here at the Orchestra Hall, playing for
thousands of poeple, an his technique is flawless, but something
is missing - his heart is just not in it."
The psalmist , in Psalm 119, draws a similar parallel. We "Keep our
way pure" through obedience of his Word, by ordering our lives according
to the commands of the Scriptures. But outward behaviour is not the only
essential factor in purity of life. The changes in our behaviour need to
come from the heart, from the inside out. Our "technique" for living
the Christian life may be flawless, but our obediance is founded
in heart motivation, something is certainly missing.
"I seek you with all my heart," the psalmist declares in verse 10.
Thus he can say in verse 11, "I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you"
Often we refer to memorisation as "learning by heart" - and indeed
"by heart" is the biblical mandate for assimilating God's truth
into our daily lives. "By rote" or "By Mind" leaves us
intellectually overstuffed, yet spiritually starving.
When we try to apply the Word outwardly to our behaviour,
we end up in a tangle of legalism, a log "do list" by which
we hope to please God. But when we set our hearts toward god first,
then changes in our behaviour grow out of love for God and a deep
desire to serve him. Then we are truly loving and obeying God with
our whole hearts.
Application
a) In what ways have I tried to apply God's word to my behaviour
without having the truth firmly in my heart? What was the result?
b) How can I set my heart toward God and give myself more fully
to his Word?
c) What areas of my life need "purifying"? How can these verses
help me to "make my way pure"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 30:19-20
19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that 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.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Ps 103:1-14
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
From https://www.30daysprayer.com/
WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, is an international movement that began in 1993. It calls the church to make a deliberate but respectful effort to learn about, pray for and reach out to our world’s Muslim neighbors. It coincides annually with the important Islamic month of religious observation — Ramadan, a time of the year when Muslims are much more deeply aware of spiritual matters.
While Media sound bites about Islamic extremism can too easily incite anger, fear and even hatred towards Muslims, we seek to resist this temptation to generalize, and instead, resolve to respond and pray with the mind and heart of Christ.
Join the millions of Christians around the world, and churches and ministries from many denominations, who regularly participate in this largest ongoing prayer focus on the Muslim world. A new full-color prayer guide booklet — available each year in both adult and kids versions — is a proven tool to help Christians to understand and to persistently pray for Muslim neighbors and nations.
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
8th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment
to prayer and never cease to call upon God
(
Is 62:6
6 (Isa 52:8; Ps 74:2) I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem,
who shall never hold their peace day nor night.
You who remind the Lord, do not keep silent;
Ps 5:3
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice;
in the morning I will direct my prayer to You,
and I will watch expectantly.
Ps 55:17
17 Evening and morning and at noon,
I will make my complaint and murmur,
and He will hear my voice.
)
b) Pray for the province of Manitoba
I) Pray for the leaders of Manitoaa, 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 Saviour,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32) who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray ot the Lord to use His stewardship correctly.
Pray to the Lord to show love,
compassion and understanding.
Pray to the Lord to grow closer to Him in heart.
Pray to the Lord for forgiveness for Sins.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .
Pray that the Lord that the Church will deepen its commitment
to prayer and never cease to call upon God
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1 Samuel 1 -4
1 SAMUEL 1
The Birth of Samuel
1 (1Sa 1:19; 1Ch 6:34) Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim Zuphim,
in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,
the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2 And he had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the second
was Peninnah. Now Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 (Ex 23:14; Dt 12:5-7) This man went up out of his city annually to worship
and to sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. And there the two sons of Eli,
Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord.
4 (Dt 12:17-18; 16:11) When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave
portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters.
5 (Ge 30:2) But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved Hannah,
but the Lord had closed her womb.
6 Now her rival provoked her greatly, making her miserable because the Lord
had closed her womb.
7 Thus it was yearly, when she went up to the house of the Lord,
that she provoked her. So Hannah wept and did not eat.
8 (Ru 4:15) Then said Elkanah her husband to her, "Hannah, why are
you weeping? And why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved?
Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
9 (1Sa 3:3) So Hannah arose after they had eaten in Shiloh and after
they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a seat by the door
of the tabernacle of the Lord.
10 (Job 7:11; 10:1) And she was bitter, and prayed to the Lord,
and wept severely.
11 (Jdg 13:5; Ge 29:32; Nu 6:5) So she made a vow and said, "O Lord of Hosts,
if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant, and remember
me and not forget Your maidservant, but will give to Your maidservant a baby
boy, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor
shall touch his head."Perhaps Barak here (see LXX).
12 And as she was praying before the Lord, Eli watched her mouth.
13 (Ge 24:42-45) Now Hannah was speaking in her heart. Her lips were moving,
but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
14 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk?
Put away your wine from you."
15 (Ps 42:4; 62:8) And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman
of sorrow. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my
soul before the Lord.
16 (1Sa 2:12) Do not consider your handmaid to be a sinful woman, for out of
the abundance of my concern and provocation I have spoken until now."
17 (Jdg 18:6; 2Ki 5:19) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God
of Israel grant you your request that you have asked of Him."
18 (Ru 2:13; Ge 33:15) And she said, "Let your handmaid find grace in your
sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was not sad as before.
19 (Ge 30:22; 4:1) They rose up in the morning early and worshipped before
the Lord. And they returned and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah
knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.
20 (Ge 41:51-52; Ex 2:10) And it came to pass that Hannah conceived
and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel saying,
"Because I have asked him of the Lord."
The Dedication of Samuel
21 (1Sa 1:3) Then the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer
to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow.
22 (1Sa 1:11; 1:28) But Hannah did not go, for she said to her husband,
"I will not go up until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him,
that he may appear before the Lord and live there forever."
23 (2Sa 7:25) So Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good to you.
Wait until you have weaned him; only may the Lord establish His word."
So the woman remained, and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24 (Jos 18:1; Nu 15:9-10) When she had weaned him, she took him up with her
with three bulls, one ephah [Likely about 36 pounds, or 16 kilograms.]
of flour, and a bottle of wine. And she brought him to the house of the Lord
in Shiloh, though the boy was young.
25 (Lk 2:22) Then they slaughtered a bull, and they brought the boy to Eli.
26 (2Ki 2:2; 2:4) And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am
the woman that stood by you here praying to the Lord.
27 (1Sa 1:11-13) For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition
which I asked of Him.
28 (Ge 24:26; 24:52) Therefore also I have let the Lord have him.
As long as he lives he will be dedicated to the Lord."
And he worshipped the Lord there.
1 SAMUEL 2
The Prayer of Hannah
1 (Ps 9:14; 13:5) Hannah prayed, saying:
"My heart rejoices in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth is bold against my enemies,
because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 (Ex 15:11; 2Sa 22:32) "There is none holy as the Lord,
for there is none besides You,
and there is no rock like our God.
3 (1Ki 8:39; Pr 8:13) "Do not multiply proud speech,
nor let arrogance come out of your mouth,
for the Lord is the God of knowledge,
and by Him actions are examined.
4 (Ps 37:15; 46:9) "The bows of the mighty are broken,
but those who stumbled are girded with strength.
5 (Ps 113:9; Jer 15:9) Those that were full have hired out
themselves for bread,
and those that were hungry ceased to hunger.
Even the barren has borne seven,
and she that has many children wastes away.
6 (Dt 32:39; 2Ki 5:7; Isa 26:19) "The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
7 (Job 5:11; Ps 75:7) The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and lifts up.
8 (Ps 113:7-8; Job 38:4-6) He raises up the poor out of the dust
and lifts up the oppressed from the dunghill
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a throne of glory.
"For the pillars of the earth belong to the Lord,
and He has set the world upon them.
9 (Ps 33:16-17; 91:11-12) He will guard the feet of His saints,
but the wicked will be silent in darkness.
"For by strength shall no man prevail.
10 (Ps 2:9; 89:24) The adversaries of the Lord will be broken to pieces;
He will thunder against them out of heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
"He will give strength to His king
and exalt the horn of His anointed."
11 (1Sa 2:18; 3:1_ Then Elkanah went to Ramah to his house.
And the boy ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.
Wicked Sons of Eli
12 (Jer 2:8; Jdg 2:10) Now the sons of Eli were corrupt.
They did not know the Lord.
13 The priest's custom with the people was that when any man offered
a sacrifice, the priest's servant came while the flesh was cooking with
a three-pronged fork in his hand.
14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot,
and all that the fork brought up the priest took for himself.
This they did in Shiloh to all the children of Israel who came there.
15 (Lev 3:16; 3:3-5) Even before they burned the fat, the priest's servant
would come and say to the man sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest
to roast. For he will not take boiled meat from you, but only raw."
16 If any man said to him, "Let them first burn the fat and then take
as much as you wish," then he would answer him, "No, but you will give
it to me now, and if not, I will take it by force."
17 (Ge 6:11) Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before
the Lord. For the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.
God Blesses Hannah
18 (1Sa 2:11; 3:1) But Samuel ministered before the Lord, as a boy,
wearing a linen ephod.
19 (1Sa 1:3; 1:21) Now his mother would make him a little coat
and brought it to him every year when she came up with her husband to
offer the yearly sacrifice.
20 (1Sa 1:27-28) And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say,
"The Lord give you offspring from this woman for the sake of the request
which was made to the Lord." Then they would return to their home.
21 (Ge 21:1; Jdg 13:24) The Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived
and bore three sons and two daughters.
And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord.
Eli Confronts Hophni and Phinehas
22 (Ex 38:8; 1Sa 2:13-17) Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that
his sons were doing to all Israel, even that they lay with the women
who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
23 He said to them, "Why are you doing these things? For I am hearing
of your evil dealings from all these people.
24 No, my sons! Truly, it is not a good report that I hear the people
of the Lord spreading.
25 (Jos 11:20; Nu 15:30) If one man sins against another, God will judge him,
but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him" But they
did not listen to the voice of their father, because the Lord desired
to kill them.
26 (Lk 2:52) Now the boy Samuel was growing both in stature
and favor with the Lord and also with men.
God’s Case Against the House of Eli
27 (1Ki 13:1; Ex 4:14-16) A man of God came to Eli and said to him,
"Thus says the Lord, 'Did I not plainly reveal Myself to the house
of your father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
28 (Ex 28:1; Lev 8:7-8) And choose him out of all the tribes of Israel
to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, to wear
an ephod before Me? And I gave to the house of your father
all the offerings made by fire by the children of Israel?
29 (1Sa 2:13-17; Mt 10:37) Why do you kick at My sacrifice and
at My offering, which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons
above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings
of Israel My people?'
30 (Ex 29:9; Ps 50:23) "Therefore the Lord God of Israel says, 'I surely said
that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me
forever,' but now the Lord says, 'Far be it from Me to do so, for those
who honor Me, I will honor, and those that despise Me will be humbled.
31 (1Sa 22:17-20) The days are coming when I will cut off your authority
and the strength of your father's house, so there shall not be an old man
in your house.
32 (Zec 8:4; 1Sa 4:11) You shall see the distress of My dwelling, despite
all the good which will be done for Israel. And there shall not be an elderly
man in your house perpetually.
33 Yet the one I do not cut off from My altar will be spared so your eyes
will not stop weeping or your soul grieving. All the increase of your house
will die in their prime.
341 (Sa 4:11; 1Ki 13:3) "'This will be the sign to you which will come upon
your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: In one day, they will both die.
35 (2Sa 7:11; 7:27) And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest;
what is in My heart and in My soul he will do it. And I will build him
a sure house, and it will walk before My anointed forever.
36 (1Ki 2:27) But it will be that everyone who is left in your house
will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel
of bread, and will say, Please attach me to one of the priestly offices,
that I may eat a piece of bread."
[Remember in any position, the Lord gave you stewardship of it]
1 SAMUEL 3
God Calls Samuel
1 (1Sa 2:11; Ps 74:9) Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord
before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days.
There was no vision coming forth.
2 (1Sa 4:15; Ge 27:1)At that time, Eli was lying down in his place
(now his eyes had begun to grow weak that he could not see),
3 (Ex 27:20-21; Lev 24:2-4) and the lamp of God had not yet gone out,
and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called to Samuel, and he answered, "Here I am."
5 He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called to me."
And he said, "I did not call. Return, lie down again."
And he went and lay down.
6 The Lord called Samuel again. So Samuel arose and went to Eli,
and said, "Here I am, for you called me."
And he answered, "I did not call, my son. Return, lie down again."
7 (Ac 19:2) Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word
of the Lord been revealed to him.
8 The Lord again called Samuel a third time. So he arose and went to
Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me."
Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling to the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel,"Go, lie down. And it will be,
if He calls you, that you will say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant listens.'"
So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood, and He called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant listens."
11 (2Ki 21:12; Jer 19:3) The Lord said to Samuel, "See, I am doing something
in Israel which will make both ears ring of every one that hears it.
12 (1Sa 2:27-36) In that day I will bring about against Eli everything which
I have spoken with regard to his house, from beginning to end.
13 (1Sa 2:12; 2:17) For I told him that I will judge his house forever,
for the guilt which he knew, because his sons are cursed,
and he did not rebuke them.
14 (Isa 22:14; 1Sa 2:25) Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that
the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for with sacrifice
nor offering forever."
15 Samuel lay until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house
of the Lord. Now Samuel feared to report the vision to Eli.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, "Samuel, my son."
And he answered, "Here I am."
17 (Ru 1:17; 2Sa 3:35) He said, "What is the thing that the Lord has spoken t
o you? Do not hide it from me. Thus may God do so to you, and more also,
if you hide from me a word out of all the things that He spoke to you."
18 (Job 2:10; Isa 39:8) Samuel told him everything, and did not hide from
him a thing. And he said, "It is the Lord; let Him do
what is good in His eyes."
19 (1Sa 2:21; 9:6) And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him
and did not let any of his words fall to the ground.
20 (Jdg 20:1; 2Sa 3:10) All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that
Samuel was proven to be a prophet of the Lord.
21 (Ge 12:7; 1Sa 3:1) And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh.
For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
[Hide nothing the Lord says, for He is in control]
1 SAMUEL 4
1 (1Sa 7:12; 29:1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.
The Ark of God Captured
And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines
and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
2 The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when
the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck
down on the field of battle about four thousand men.
3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said,
"Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines?
Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us,
that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies."
4 (2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from
there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the
cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there
with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 (Jos 6:5) When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,
all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the ground was in an uproar.
6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said,
"What does this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"
Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.
7 The Philistines were afraid, when they said, "God is come into the camp."
And they said, "Woe to us! For this has never happened to us before.
8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?
These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with every plague
in the wilderness.
9 (Jdg 13:1; 1Co 16:13) Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you be
servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Now be men and fight."
10 (Dt 28:25; 1Sa 4:2) So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten.
And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat,
for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.
11 (1Sa 2:34; Ps 78:64) Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons
of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
12 (Jos 7:6; 2Sa 1:2) There ran a man of Benjamin from the battle line,
and he came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn
and with dust upon his head.
13 (1Sa 1:9; 4:18) When he came, Eli was sitting on a seat by the wayside
watching. For his heart feared for the ark of God. Now the man came
to tell it in the city, and all the city cried out.
14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said,
"What does the noise of this tumult mean?"
And the man hurriedly came and told Eli.
15 (1Sa 3:2) Now Eli was 98 years old, and his eyes were dim,
so that he could not see.
16 (2Sa 1:4) The man said to Eli, "I am he that came out of the army,
and I fled today out of the battle line."
And he said, "What is the word, my son?"
17 The messenger answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines,
and there also has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons
also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead. And the ark of God is taken."
18 (1Sa 4:13) When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell from off the seat
backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died,
for he was an old and heavy man. And he had judged Israel forty years.
19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant, about to give birth.
And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken,
and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead,
she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.
20 (Ge 35:17-18) About the time of her death the women that stood
by her said to her, "Do not fear, for you have borne a son."
But she did not answer or regard it.
21 (Ps 26:8; Jer 2:11) She named the child Ichabod, saying,
"The glory is departed from Israel," because the ark of God was taken,
and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
22 She said, "The glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken."
[Remember not to leave an evil legacy]
2) Our Daily Bread for 8 Apr 2021
https://www.odb.org/CA/2021/04/08/love-reins-us-in
entitled Love Reins Us In
ROMANS 14
Do Not Judge Your Brother
1 (Ro 15:1; 15:7) Welcome him who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose
of arguing over opinions.
2 (Ro 14:14) For one has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats
only vegetables.
3 (Lk 18:9; Ro 14:10) Do not let him who eats despise him who does not eat,
and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God
has welcomed him.
4 (Ro 9:20) Who are you to judge another man's servant?
To his own master he stands or falls.
And he will stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 (Ro 14:23) One man judges one day above another; another judges every day
alike. Let each one be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 (Mt 14:19; 15:36) He who observes the day observes it for the Lord,
and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.
He who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, for he gives thanks to God;
and the one who does not eat, in honor of the Lord he does not eat,
and gives thanks to God.
7 (2Co 5:15; 1Th 5:10) For none of us lives for himself,
and no one dies for himself.
8 (Php 1:20; 1Th 5:10) For if we live, we live for the Lord.
And if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord's.
9 (Rev 1:18; Mt 28:18; Lk 24:26) For to this end Christ died and rose
and lived again, so that He might be Lord of both the dead and living.
10 (2Co 5:10; Ro 2:16; 1Co 4:5) So why do you judge your brother?
Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before
the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord,
every knee shall bow to Me,
and every tongue shall confess to God." [Isa 45:23.]
12 (Mt 12:36; 1Pe 4:5)So then each of us shall give an account
of himself to God.
Do Not Make Your Brother Stumble
13 (Mt 7:1) Therefore let us no longer pass judgment on one another,
but rather determine not to put a stumbling block
or an obstacle in a brother's way.
Most young Samoan boys receive a tattoo signaling their responsibility
to their people and their chief. Naturally, then, the marks cover the arms
of the Samoan men's rugby team members. Traveling to Japan where tattoos
can carry negative connotations, the teammates realized their symbols
presented a problem for their hosts. In a generous act of friendship,
the Samoans wore skin-colored sleeves covering the designs.
"We're respectful and mindful to . . . the Japanese way,"
the team captain explained.
"We'll be making sure that what we're showing will be okay."
In an age emphasizing individual expression, it's remarkable to encounter
self-limitation-a concept Paul wrote about in the book of Romans.
He told us that love sometimes requires us to lay down our rights for others.
Rather than pushing our freedom to the boundaries, sometimes love reins us
in. The apostle explained how some people in the church believed they were
free "to eat anything," but others ate "only vegetables" (Romans 14:2).
While this might seem like a minor issue, in the first century, adherence
to Old Testament dietary laws was controversial. Paul instructed everyone
to "stop passing judgment on one another" (v. 13), before concluding
with particular words for those who ate freely.
"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will
cause your brother or sister to fall" (v. 21).
At times, loving another means limiting our own freedoms. We don't have
to always do everything we're free to do. Sometimes love reins us in.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
When have you seen people limit their freedom for the sake of other
believers in Jesus? What was that like? What's difficult about
those situations where love reins us in?
God, help me to see where I need to encourage others to experience
freedom and how I need to limit how I use my own freedoms.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 5 - Learning by Heart
Ps 119:9,11
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) How shall a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
"His heart is not just in it," a gifted musician commented about the
pianist onstage. "He's here at the Orchestra Hall, playing for
thousands of poeple, an his technique is flawless, but something
is missing - his heart is just not in it."
The psalmist , in Psalm 119, draws a similar parallel. We "Keep our
way pure" through obedience of his Word, by ordering our lives according
to the commands of the Scriptures. But outward behaviour is not the only
essential factor in purity of life. The changes in our behaviour need to
come from the heart, from the inside out. Our "technique" for living
the Christian life may be flawless, but our obediance is founded
in heart motivation, something is certainly missing.
"I seek you with all my heart," the psalmist declares in verse 10.
Thus he can say in verse 11, "I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you"
Often we refer to memorisation as "learning by heart" - and indeed
"by heart" is the biblical mandate for assimilating God's truth
into our daily lives. "By rote" or "By Mind" leaves us
intellectually overstuffed, yet spiritually starving.
When we try to apply the Word outwardly to our behaviour,
we end up in a tangle of legalism, a log "do list" by which
we hope to please God. But when we set our hearts toward god first,
then changes in our behaviour grow out of love for God and a deep
desire to serve him. Then we are truly loving and obeying God with
our whole hearts.
Application
a) In what ways have I tried to apply God's word to my behaviour
without having the truth firmly in my heart? What was the result?
b) How can I set my heart toward God and give myself more fully
to his Word?
c) What areas of my life need "purifying"? How can these verses
help me to "make my way pure"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 30:19-20
19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that 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.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Ps 103:1-14
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
From https://www.30daysprayer.com/
WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, is an international movement that began in 1993. It calls the church to make a deliberate but respectful effort to learn about, pray for and reach out to our world’s Muslim neighbors. It coincides annually with the important Islamic month of religious observation — Ramadan, a time of the year when Muslims are much more deeply aware of spiritual matters.
While Media sound bites about Islamic extremism can too easily incite anger, fear and even hatred towards Muslims, we seek to resist this temptation to generalize, and instead, resolve to respond and pray with the mind and heart of Christ.
Join the millions of Christians around the world, and churches and ministries from many denominations, who regularly participate in this largest ongoing prayer focus on the Muslim world. A new full-color prayer guide booklet — available each year in both adult and kids versions — is a proven tool to help Christians to understand and to persistently pray for Muslim neighbors and nations.
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
8th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment
to prayer and never cease to call upon God
(
Is 62:6
6 (Isa 52:8; Ps 74:2) I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem,
who shall never hold their peace day nor night.
You who remind the Lord, do not keep silent;
Ps 5:3
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice;
in the morning I will direct my prayer to You,
and I will watch expectantly.
Ps 55:17
17 Evening and morning and at noon,
I will make my complaint and murmur,
and He will hear my voice.
)
b) Pray for the province of Manitoba
I) Pray for the leaders of Manitoaa, 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 Saviour,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32) who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray ot the Lord to use His stewardship correctly.
Pray to the Lord to show love,
compassion and understanding.
Pray to the Lord to grow closer to Him in heart.
Pray to the Lord for forgiveness for Sins.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .
Pray that the Lord that the Church will deepen its commitment
to prayer and never cease to call upon God
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.