Day 5 of the second Bible Study Journey 5 Jan 2022 reflections
Day 5, 5 January 2022
1) Job 11-13
Job 11
Zophar Speaks: Job Is Guilty
11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 "Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace?
And when you mock, will no one shame you?
4 For you have said, `My teaching is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.'
5 But oh, that God would speak
and open His lips against you,
6 and that He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
And know that God overlooks some of your iniquity.
7 "Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the totality of the Almighty?
8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol; what can you know?
9 Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
10 "If He passes through, and shuts up, and gathers together for judgment,
then who can hinder Him?
11 For He knows worthless men;
He sees wickedness also; will He not then consider it?
12 For an empty-headed man will become wise,
when a wild donkey's colt is born a man.
13 "If you prepare your heart
and stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
15 for then you will lift up your face without blemish;
yes, you will be steadfast and will not fear,
16 because you will forget misery,
and remember it as waters that pass away,
17 and your life will be brighter than noonday,
even your darkness will be as the morning.
18 You will trust because there is hope;
yes, you will search about you,
and you will look around and rest in safety.
19 Also you will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
yes, many will court your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
and they will not escape,
and their hope will be as the giving up of breath."
Job 12
12:1 And Job answered:
2 "No doubt but you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you!
3 But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Yes, who does not know such things as these?
4 "I am a laughingstock to my neighbor,
who calls upon God, and He answers him;
the righteous, upright man is a laughingstock.
5 He whose foot is unsteady
is despised in the thoughts of him who is at ease.
6 The tents of robbers are at peace,
and those who provoke God are secure,
into whose hand they bring their own god.
7 "But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
and the birds of the air, and let them tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, let it teach you;
and let the fish of the sea declare to you.
9 Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
10 in whose hand is the soul of every living thing
and the breath of all mankind?
11 Does not the ear test words
and the mouth taste its food?
12 Wisdom is with the elderly,
and understanding comes with long life.
13 "With Him are wisdom and strength;
He has counsel and understanding.
14 Surely, He tears down, and it cannot be built again;
He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.
15 Surely, He withholds the waters, and they dry up;
also He sends them out, and they overthrow the earth.
16 With Him are strength and wisdom.
The deceived and the deceiver are His.
17 He leads counselors away stripped
and makes fools of judges.
18 He has loosened the bonds imposed by kings
and bound their waist with a belt.
19 He leads away priests stripped
and overthrows the mighty.
20 He removes speech from the trusted ones
and takes away the understanding of the aged.
21 He pours contempt upon princes
and loosens the belt of the mighty.
22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness
and brings the shadow of death to light.
23 He increases the nations and destroys them;
He enlarges the nations and guides them.
24 He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth,
and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light,
and He makes them to stagger like a drunk man.
Job 13
13:1 "Notice, my eye has seen all this;
my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know the same;
I am not inferior to you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty,
and I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are plasterers of falsehood;
you are all physicians of no value.
5 Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace,
and it would be your wisdom!
6 Hear now my reasoning,
and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly for God?
And talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Will you take His side?
Will you plead for God?
9 Is it good that He would search you out?
Or as one man mocks another, do you so mock Him?
10 He will surely rebuke you,
if you secretly show partiality.
11 Will not His excellence make you afraid,
and the dread of Him fall upon you?
12 Your reminders are parables made of ashes;
your answers are answers made of clay.
13 "Hold your peace; leave me alone, that I may speak,
and let come on me what may!
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth
and put my life in my hand?
15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,[a]
but I will defend my own ways before Him.
16 He also will be my salvation,
for a hypocrite could not come before Him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech,
and to my declaration with your ears.
18 See now, I have prepared my case;
I know that I will be justified.
19 Who is he who will plead with me?
For now, if I hold my tongue, I will give up my breath.
20 "Only grant me two things,
then I will not hide myself from You:
21 Withdraw Your hand far from me,
and let not the dread of You make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and You answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face
and regard me as Your enemy?
25 Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?
And will You pursue dry stubble?
26 For You write bitter things against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and watch closely all my paths;
You draw a line around the soles of my feet.
28 "Man, as a rotten thing, decays,
as a garment that is moth eaten.
Footnotes
1. Job 13:15 Original Heb. I have no hope.
(Our hope is always with the Lord)
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 January 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/01/05/back-to-the-basics-2
entitled Back to the Basics
Ezekiel 45:9-10,17-20
9 (Jer 22:3; Eze 44:6) Thus says the Lord God: Let it suffice you officials
of Israel. Remove violence and destruction,
and execute justice and righteousness. Take away your exactions
from My people, says the Lord God.
10 (Am 8:4-6; Mic 6:10-11) You shall have just balances and a just ephah
[An ephah was a dry measure of about 3/5 bushel, or 22 liters.]
and a just bath. [A bath was a liquid measure of about 6 gallons, or 22 liters.
17 (2Ch 31:3; Isa 66:23) It shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings and grain offerings and drink offerings in the feasts and in the New Moons and in the Sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering and the grain offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
Observing the Feasts
18 (Lev 16:16; Ex 12:2) Thus says the Lord God: In the first month,
on the first day of the month, you shall take a young bull
without blemish and cleanse the sanctuary.
19 (Eze 43:20; Lev 16:18-20; Eze 43:14) And the priest shall take
some of the blood of the sin offering and put it on the doorposts
of the temple and on the four corners of the ledge of the altar
and on the gateposts of the inner court.
20 (Lev 16:20; Ps 19:12) So you shall do the seventh day of the month
for everyone who errs and for him who is naive.
So you shall make atonement for the temple.
9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel:
remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice,
take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.
10 Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.
17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings,
and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts,
and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities
of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering,
and the meat offering, and the burnt offering,
and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation
for the house of Israel.
The Festivals
18 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day
of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish,
and cleanse the sanctuary:
19 and the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering,
and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners
of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate
of the inner court.
20 And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one
that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house.
Resolutions, it seems, are made to be broken. Some folks poke fun at this
reality by proposing New Year's vows that are—shall we say—attainable.
Here are a few from social media:
Wave to fellow motorists at stoplights.
Sign up for a marathon. Don't run it.
Stop procrastinating-tomorrow.
Get lost without any help from Siri.
Unfriend everyone who posts their workout regimen.
The concept of a fresh start can be serious business, however.
The exiled people of Judah desperately needed one. Just over two decades
into their seventy-year captivity, God brought encouragement
to them through the prophet Ezekiel, promising,
"I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob" (Ezekiel 39:25).
But the nation first needed to return to the basics-the instructions God
had given to Moses eight hundred years earlier. This included observing
a feast at the new year. For the ancient Jewish people, that began in early
spring (45:18). A major purpose of their festivals was to remind them of
God's character and His expectations. He told their leaders,
"Remove violence and destruction,
and execute justice and righteousness.†(v. 9),
and he insisted on honesty (v. 10).
The lesson applies to us too. Our faith must be put into practice
or it's worthless (James 2:17). In this new year, as God provides
what we need, may we live out our faith by returning to the basics:
"Love the Lord your God," and "Love your neighbour as yourself"
(Matthew 22:37-39).
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you sense you need to get back to the basics?
How will you put this into practice in the new year?
Father, may Your Spirit show me the places where I need to put
others before myself. Help me love You with all my heart.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 4 - Send for Help !
James 1:5
5 (Pr 2:3–6; Jn 15:7) If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally
and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
A new employee in an electronics plant had the responsibility
for overseeing one machine. The machine worked fine when the young man
came on duty, but soon it began to run a bit rough. The employee
tinkered with the machine, trying to "fix" it, until finally if stopped
working altogether
In fear and trembling the worker sent for the foreman, and stammered,
"I - I, well, sir, I did my best to fix it."
"Son", the foreman thundered, "you need to know only one thing. Around
here, doing you best means sending for me!"
Wisdom, James 1:5 says, has its source in God alone. And if we are
to attain wisdom, we need to learn doing our best means sending for God.
Often we spend time tinkering with our lives or the the lives of others.
We don't think to as God for his wisdom in the decisions we must take;
instead, we use our human reasoning and take our best guess.
But the path to wisdom does not lie in guesswork. The scriptures
give us clear indication of God's direction for his people, and through Bible
study, application, prayer, and meditation,
we can understand what God wants to reveal to us.
"If any of you lacks wisdom," James says, "he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
The first step to attaining wisdom is recognising that we are not wise.
The second step is to ask. And God, who is faithful to his Word
and His people, will respond.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I tinkered with my life,
making it worse rather then fixing it?
b) What practical steps can I take to ask God for wisdom?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Cor 8:9
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Eph 1:3-8a
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29–30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished
3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
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
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples, that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
מ Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
ס Samek
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
×¢ Ain
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
פ Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
צ Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
ק Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
prayandfast.ca
Day 3 of 21
At home in His presence
Verses
Psalm 73:28
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have taken my refuge in the Lord God,
that I may declare all Your works.
But it is good for me to draw near to God:
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all thy works.
Ephesians 1:17
17 (Jn 20:17; Ac 7:2) so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of him:
Psalms 89:26
26 He shall cry unto Me, 'You are my Father, my God,
and the Rock of my salvation.'
26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.
DEVOTION:
Do you hunger for a greater sense of God's presence in your life?
Do you desire to know God in a deeper way?
When we have a hard day, it feels good to come home, kick off
our shoes and relax in a way we can only do in our favorite place
on the couch. It's the place where you feel comfortable and unwind.
God’s presence can become equally comfortable for us too. In times
of prayer, you can practice going to God. Go to Him for strength,
for protection, and for guidance.
God wants you to be at home in His presence
and aware of His nearness at all times. We think of God as a deity
to talk to such that He is way over there, while we are here.
Instead, talk to Him as if He is right there beside you
(because He is). Go to Him. Dwell with Him.
God wants us to see Him as the One in whom
"for in him we live, and move, and have our being;" (Acts 17:28 ).
When God led the children of Israel through the wilderness,
He didn't just show up once a day and then disappear.
No, the pillar of fire was present with them all night
and the cloud of smoke was present with them all day.
God never leaves us. Jesus promised,
"and, lo, I am with you alway, " (Matt. 28:20 NIV).
REFLECTION:
What am I doing in my life to know God and not just about Him?
PRAYER:
Father, I want to be at home in your presence more and more,
and have a deep yearning in my soul to draw closer to you.
As I pray and spend time in your presence, saturate me
with the Holy Spirit so I can live in your power.
God, I desire to talk to you as a close friend.
Give me a deeper understanding of what it actually meant
for you to die on the cross for my sins.
Give me a deeper reverence for who you truly are.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to place your hope in Him.
Pray to the Lord
"Father, may Your Spirit show me the places where I need to put
others before myself. Help me love You with all my heart."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Log Yahwah for His wisdom.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for coming down to save us.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for his gift of salvation.
Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
Pray for the peace, protection and provision of
believers in Afghanistan and their families.
Father, I want to be at home in your presence more and more,
and have a deep yearning in my soul to draw closer to you.
As I pray and spend time in your presence, saturate me
with the Holy Spirit so I can live in your power.
God, I desire to talk to you as a close friend.
Give me a deeper understanding of what it actually meant
for you to die on the cross for my sins.
Give me a deeper reverence for who you truly are.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
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) Job 11-13
Job 11
Zophar Speaks: Job Is Guilty
11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 "Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace?
And when you mock, will no one shame you?
4 For you have said, `My teaching is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.'
5 But oh, that God would speak
and open His lips against you,
6 and that He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
And know that God overlooks some of your iniquity.
7 "Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the totality of the Almighty?
8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol; what can you know?
9 Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
10 "If He passes through, and shuts up, and gathers together for judgment,
then who can hinder Him?
11 For He knows worthless men;
He sees wickedness also; will He not then consider it?
12 For an empty-headed man will become wise,
when a wild donkey's colt is born a man.
13 "If you prepare your heart
and stretch out your hands toward Him;
14 if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
15 for then you will lift up your face without blemish;
yes, you will be steadfast and will not fear,
16 because you will forget misery,
and remember it as waters that pass away,
17 and your life will be brighter than noonday,
even your darkness will be as the morning.
18 You will trust because there is hope;
yes, you will search about you,
and you will look around and rest in safety.
19 Also you will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
yes, many will court your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
and they will not escape,
and their hope will be as the giving up of breath."
Job 12
12:1 And Job answered:
2 "No doubt but you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you!
3 But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Yes, who does not know such things as these?
4 "I am a laughingstock to my neighbor,
who calls upon God, and He answers him;
the righteous, upright man is a laughingstock.
5 He whose foot is unsteady
is despised in the thoughts of him who is at ease.
6 The tents of robbers are at peace,
and those who provoke God are secure,
into whose hand they bring their own god.
7 "But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
and the birds of the air, and let them tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, let it teach you;
and let the fish of the sea declare to you.
9 Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
10 in whose hand is the soul of every living thing
and the breath of all mankind?
11 Does not the ear test words
and the mouth taste its food?
12 Wisdom is with the elderly,
and understanding comes with long life.
13 "With Him are wisdom and strength;
He has counsel and understanding.
14 Surely, He tears down, and it cannot be built again;
He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.
15 Surely, He withholds the waters, and they dry up;
also He sends them out, and they overthrow the earth.
16 With Him are strength and wisdom.
The deceived and the deceiver are His.
17 He leads counselors away stripped
and makes fools of judges.
18 He has loosened the bonds imposed by kings
and bound their waist with a belt.
19 He leads away priests stripped
and overthrows the mighty.
20 He removes speech from the trusted ones
and takes away the understanding of the aged.
21 He pours contempt upon princes
and loosens the belt of the mighty.
22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness
and brings the shadow of death to light.
23 He increases the nations and destroys them;
He enlarges the nations and guides them.
24 He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth,
and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light,
and He makes them to stagger like a drunk man.
Job 13
13:1 "Notice, my eye has seen all this;
my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know the same;
I am not inferior to you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty,
and I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are plasterers of falsehood;
you are all physicians of no value.
5 Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace,
and it would be your wisdom!
6 Hear now my reasoning,
and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly for God?
And talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Will you take His side?
Will you plead for God?
9 Is it good that He would search you out?
Or as one man mocks another, do you so mock Him?
10 He will surely rebuke you,
if you secretly show partiality.
11 Will not His excellence make you afraid,
and the dread of Him fall upon you?
12 Your reminders are parables made of ashes;
your answers are answers made of clay.
13 "Hold your peace; leave me alone, that I may speak,
and let come on me what may!
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth
and put my life in my hand?
15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,[a]
but I will defend my own ways before Him.
16 He also will be my salvation,
for a hypocrite could not come before Him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech,
and to my declaration with your ears.
18 See now, I have prepared my case;
I know that I will be justified.
19 Who is he who will plead with me?
For now, if I hold my tongue, I will give up my breath.
20 "Only grant me two things,
then I will not hide myself from You:
21 Withdraw Your hand far from me,
and let not the dread of You make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and You answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face
and regard me as Your enemy?
25 Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?
And will You pursue dry stubble?
26 For You write bitter things against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and watch closely all my paths;
You draw a line around the soles of my feet.
28 "Man, as a rotten thing, decays,
as a garment that is moth eaten.
Footnotes
1. Job 13:15 Original Heb. I have no hope.
(Our hope is always with the Lord)
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 January 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/01/05/back-to-the-basics-2
entitled Back to the Basics
Ezekiel 45:9-10,17-20
9 (Jer 22:3; Eze 44:6) Thus says the Lord God: Let it suffice you officials
of Israel. Remove violence and destruction,
and execute justice and righteousness. Take away your exactions
from My people, says the Lord God.
10 (Am 8:4-6; Mic 6:10-11) You shall have just balances and a just ephah
[An ephah was a dry measure of about 3/5 bushel, or 22 liters.]
and a just bath. [A bath was a liquid measure of about 6 gallons, or 22 liters.
17 (2Ch 31:3; Isa 66:23) It shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings and grain offerings and drink offerings in the feasts and in the New Moons and in the Sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering and the grain offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
Observing the Feasts
18 (Lev 16:16; Ex 12:2) Thus says the Lord God: In the first month,
on the first day of the month, you shall take a young bull
without blemish and cleanse the sanctuary.
19 (Eze 43:20; Lev 16:18-20; Eze 43:14) And the priest shall take
some of the blood of the sin offering and put it on the doorposts
of the temple and on the four corners of the ledge of the altar
and on the gateposts of the inner court.
20 (Lev 16:20; Ps 19:12) So you shall do the seventh day of the month
for everyone who errs and for him who is naive.
So you shall make atonement for the temple.
9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel:
remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice,
take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.
10 Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.
17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings,
and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts,
and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities
of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering,
and the meat offering, and the burnt offering,
and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation
for the house of Israel.
The Festivals
18 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day
of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish,
and cleanse the sanctuary:
19 and the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering,
and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners
of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate
of the inner court.
20 And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one
that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house.
Resolutions, it seems, are made to be broken. Some folks poke fun at this
reality by proposing New Year's vows that are—shall we say—attainable.
Here are a few from social media:
Wave to fellow motorists at stoplights.
Sign up for a marathon. Don't run it.
Stop procrastinating-tomorrow.
Get lost without any help from Siri.
Unfriend everyone who posts their workout regimen.
The concept of a fresh start can be serious business, however.
The exiled people of Judah desperately needed one. Just over two decades
into their seventy-year captivity, God brought encouragement
to them through the prophet Ezekiel, promising,
"I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob" (Ezekiel 39:25).
But the nation first needed to return to the basics-the instructions God
had given to Moses eight hundred years earlier. This included observing
a feast at the new year. For the ancient Jewish people, that began in early
spring (45:18). A major purpose of their festivals was to remind them of
God's character and His expectations. He told their leaders,
"Remove violence and destruction,
and execute justice and righteousness.†(v. 9),
and he insisted on honesty (v. 10).
The lesson applies to us too. Our faith must be put into practice
or it's worthless (James 2:17). In this new year, as God provides
what we need, may we live out our faith by returning to the basics:
"Love the Lord your God," and "Love your neighbour as yourself"
(Matthew 22:37-39).
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you sense you need to get back to the basics?
How will you put this into practice in the new year?
Father, may Your Spirit show me the places where I need to put
others before myself. Help me love You with all my heart.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 4 - Send for Help !
James 1:5
5 (Pr 2:3–6; Jn 15:7) If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally
and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
A new employee in an electronics plant had the responsibility
for overseeing one machine. The machine worked fine when the young man
came on duty, but soon it began to run a bit rough. The employee
tinkered with the machine, trying to "fix" it, until finally if stopped
working altogether
In fear and trembling the worker sent for the foreman, and stammered,
"I - I, well, sir, I did my best to fix it."
"Son", the foreman thundered, "you need to know only one thing. Around
here, doing you best means sending for me!"
Wisdom, James 1:5 says, has its source in God alone. And if we are
to attain wisdom, we need to learn doing our best means sending for God.
Often we spend time tinkering with our lives or the the lives of others.
We don't think to as God for his wisdom in the decisions we must take;
instead, we use our human reasoning and take our best guess.
But the path to wisdom does not lie in guesswork. The scriptures
give us clear indication of God's direction for his people, and through Bible
study, application, prayer, and meditation,
we can understand what God wants to reveal to us.
"If any of you lacks wisdom," James says, "he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
The first step to attaining wisdom is recognising that we are not wise.
The second step is to ask. And God, who is faithful to his Word
and His people, will respond.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I tinkered with my life,
making it worse rather then fixing it?
b) What practical steps can I take to ask God for wisdom?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Cor 8:9
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Eph 1:3-8a
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29–30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished
3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
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
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples, that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
מ Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
ס Samek
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
×¢ Ain
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
פ Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
צ Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
ק Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
prayandfast.caDay 3 of 21
At home in His presence
Verses
Psalm 73:28
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have taken my refuge in the Lord God,
that I may declare all Your works.
But it is good for me to draw near to God:
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all thy works.
Ephesians 1:17
17 (Jn 20:17; Ac 7:2) so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of him:
Psalms 89:26
26 He shall cry unto Me, 'You are my Father, my God,
and the Rock of my salvation.'
26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.
DEVOTION:
Do you hunger for a greater sense of God's presence in your life?
Do you desire to know God in a deeper way?
When we have a hard day, it feels good to come home, kick off
our shoes and relax in a way we can only do in our favorite place
on the couch. It's the place where you feel comfortable and unwind.
God’s presence can become equally comfortable for us too. In times
of prayer, you can practice going to God. Go to Him for strength,
for protection, and for guidance.
God wants you to be at home in His presence
and aware of His nearness at all times. We think of God as a deity
to talk to such that He is way over there, while we are here.
Instead, talk to Him as if He is right there beside you
(because He is). Go to Him. Dwell with Him.
God wants us to see Him as the One in whom
"for in him we live, and move, and have our being;" (Acts 17:28 ).
When God led the children of Israel through the wilderness,
He didn't just show up once a day and then disappear.
No, the pillar of fire was present with them all night
and the cloud of smoke was present with them all day.
God never leaves us. Jesus promised,
"and, lo, I am with you alway, " (Matt. 28:20 NIV).
REFLECTION:
What am I doing in my life to know God and not just about Him?
PRAYER:
Father, I want to be at home in your presence more and more,
and have a deep yearning in my soul to draw closer to you.
As I pray and spend time in your presence, saturate me
with the Holy Spirit so I can live in your power.
God, I desire to talk to you as a close friend.
Give me a deeper understanding of what it actually meant
for you to die on the cross for my sins.
Give me a deeper reverence for who you truly are.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to place your hope in Him.
Pray to the Lord
"Father, may Your Spirit show me the places where I need to put
others before myself. Help me love You with all my heart."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Log Yahwah for His wisdom.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for coming down to save us.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for his gift of salvation.
Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
Pray for the peace, protection and provision of
believers in Afghanistan and their families.
Father, I want to be at home in your presence more and more,
and have a deep yearning in my soul to draw closer to you.
As I pray and spend time in your presence, saturate me
with the Holy Spirit so I can live in your power.
God, I desire to talk to you as a close friend.
Give me a deeper understanding of what it actually meant
for you to die on the cross for my sins.
Give me a deeper reverence for who you truly are.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
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.