Day 7 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 6 Jan 2022 reflections
Day 7, 7 January 2022
1) Job 18-20
Job 18
Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked
1 (Job 2:11; 8:1)Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 "How long will it be until you put an end to words?
Gain understanding, and afterwards we will speak.
3 (Ps 73:22) Why are we counted as beasts
and regarded as stupid in your sight?
4 (Job 13:14; 14:18) You who tear yourself in anger,
will the earth be forsaken for you?
And will the rock be removed from its place?
5 (Pr 13:9; 20:20) "Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out,
and the spark of his fire will not shine.
6 The light will be dark in his tent,
and his candle beside him will be put out.
7 (Pr 4:12) The steps of his strength will be shortened,
and his own counsel will cast him down.
8 (Job 22:10; Ps 9:15) For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
and he walks upon a snare.
9 The trap will take him by the heel,
and the snare will prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground,
and a trap for him in the path.
11 (Job 15:21; Jer 6:25) Terrors will make him afraid on every side
and will drive him to his feet.
12 His strength will be hungry,
and destruction will be ready at his side.
13 (Isa 14:30) It will devour the parts of his skin;
the firstborn of death will devour his limbs.
14 His confidence will be rooted out of his tent,
and it will bring him to the king of terrors.
15 (Ps 11:6) They dwell in his tent who have no part with him;
brimstone will be scattered upon his habitation.
16 (Hos 9:16; Job 15:30) His roots will be dried up beneath,
and above his branch will dry up.
17 (Ps 34:16; Pr 10:7) The memory of him will perish from the earth,
and he will have no name in the street.
18 (Job 10:22; 20:8) He will be driven from light into darkness,
and chased out of the world.
19 (Jer 22:30) He has neither descendant nor posterity among his people,
nor anyone remaining in his dwellings.
20 (Ps 37:13; Jer 50:27) They who come after him will be astonished at his day,
as they who went before were seized with fright.
21 (Jer 9:3; Jdg 2:10) Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,
and this is the place of him who does not know God."
Job 18
Bildad's Speech
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?
Mark, and afterwards we will speak.
3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts,
And reputed vile in your sight?
4 He teareth himself in his anger:
Shall the earth be forsaken for thee?
And shall the rock be removed out of his place?
5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out,
And the spark of his fire shall not shine.
6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle,
And his candle shall be put out with him.
7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened,
And his own counsel shall cast him down.
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
And he walketh upon a snare.
9 The gin shall take him by the heel,
And the robber shall prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground,
And a trap for him in the way.
11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side,
And shall drive him to his feet.
12 His strength shall be hungerbitten,
And destruction shall be ready at his side.
13 It shall devour the strength of his skin:
Even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
14 His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle,
And it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
15 It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his:
Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
16 His roots shall be dried up beneath,
And above shall his branch be cut off.
17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth,
And he shall have no name in the street.
18 He shall be driven from light into darkness,
And chased out of the world.
19 He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people,
Nor any remaining in his dwellings.
20 They that come after him shall be astonied at his day,
As they that went before were affrighted.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,
And this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
Job 19
Job Replies: My Redeemer Lives
1 Then Job answered:
2 "How long will you torment my soul
and break me in pieces with words?
3 (Ge 31:7) These ten times you have reproached me;
you are not ashamed that you have wronged me.
4 And if indeed I have erred,
my error remains with me.
5 (Ps 35:26; 38:16) If indeed you exalt yourselves against me
and plead against me with my disgrace,
6 (Job 18:8-10) know now that God has bent me
and has surrounded me with His net.
7 (La 3:8; Hab 1:2-3) "Look, I cry out concerning wrong, but I am not heard;
I cry aloud, but there is no justice.
8 (Job 3:23; La 3:7) He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass,
and He has set darkness in my paths.
9 (Ps 89:44; 89:39) He has stripped me of my glory
and taken the crown from my head.
10 (Job 24:20) He has destroyed me on every side, and I am gone;
my hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 (Job 13:24; 16:9) He has also kindled His wrath against me,
and He counts me as one of His enemies.
12 (Job 30:12) His troops come together
and build up their road against me;
they set up camp all around my tent.
13 (Ps 69:8; 88:8) "He has removed my brothers far from me,
and my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 (Ps 38:11) My relatives have failed,
and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
count me for a stranger;
I am a foreigner in their sight.
16 I called my servant, but he gave me no answer;
I begged him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife;
I am loathsome to the children of my own body.
18 (2Ki 2:23) Yes, young children despise me;
I arose, and they spoke against me.
19 (Ps 41:9; 55:12-14) All my close friends abhorred me,
and they whom I love are turned against me.
20 (Ps 102:5; La 4:8) My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 (Job 1:11; Ps 38:2) "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has struck me!
22 (Ps 69:26) Why do you persecute me as God does,
and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 (Isa 30:8) "Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24(Jer 17:1) That they were engraved with an iron pen
and lead in the rock forever!
25 (Ps 19:14; Isa 43:14) For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and He will stand at last on the earth;
26 (Ps 17:15; 1Jn 3:2; 1Co 13:12) and after my skin is destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God,
27 (Ps 73:26) whom I will see for myself,
and my eyes will behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me.
28(Job 19:22) "If you should say, 'How shall we persecute him?'
since the root of the matter is found in me,
29 be afraid of the sword for yourselves;
for wrath brings the punishments of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment."
(Jesus is our Redeemer)
Job 19
Job's Reply
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How long will ye vex my soul,
And break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times have ye reproached me:
Ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
4 And be it indeed that I have erred,
Mine error remaineth with myself.
5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me,
And plead against me my reproach:
6 Know now that God hath overthrown me,
And hath compassed me with his net.
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard:
I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass,
And he hath set darkness in my paths.
9 He hath stripped me of my glory,
And taken the crown from my head.
10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone:
And mine hope hath he removed like a tree.
11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me,
And he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.
12 His troops come together,
And raise up their way against me,
And encamp round about my tabernacle.
13 He hath put my brethren far from me,
And mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in mine house,
And my maids, count me for a stranger:
I am an alien in their sight.
16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer;
I intreated him with my mouth.
17 My breath is strange to my wife,
Though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body.
18 Yea, young children despised me;
I arose, and they spake against me.
19 All my inward friends abhorred me:
And they whom I loved are turned against me.
20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh,
And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends;
For the hand of God hath touched me.
22 Why do ye persecute me as God,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written!
Oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead
In the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
Though my reins be consumed within me.
28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him,
Seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29 Be ye afraid of the sword:
For wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword,
That ye may know there is a judgment.
Job 20
Zophar Speaks: The Wicked Will Suffer
1 (Job 2:11)Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 "Therefore my thoughts cause me to answer,
and for this I make haste.
3 I have heard the rebuke that disgraces me,
and the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.
4 "Do you not know this of old,
since man was placed upon earth,
5 (Ps 37:35-36) that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?
6 ( Isa 14:13-14; Ob 1:3-4) Though his loftiness extends to the heavens,
and his head reaches to the clouds,
7 (1Ki 14:10; 2Ki 9:37) yet he will perish forever like his own excrement;
those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'
8 (Ps 73:20; 90:5) He will fly away like a dream and will not be found;
yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 (Job 7:8; 7:10) The eye that saw him will see him no more;
nor will his place behold him anymore.
10 (Job 20:18) His children will seek favor from the poor,
and his hands will give back his wealth.
11 (Job 13:26; 21:26) His bones are full of his youthful vigor,
but it will lie down with him in the dust.
12 (Job 15:16; Ps 10:7) "Though evil is sweet in his mouth,
and he hides it under his tongue,
13 though he spares it and does not forsake it,
but keeps it in his mouth,
14 yet his food in his stomach turns sour;
it becomes the venom of cobras within him.
15 He has swallowed down riches,
and he will vomit them up again;
God will cast them out of his belly.
16He will suck the poison of cobras;
the viper's tongue will slay him.
17 (Dt 32:13-14; Job 29:6) He will not see the streams, the rivers,
the brooks of honey and butter.
18 (Job 20:10; 20:15) He will give back the produce of labor and will not swallow it down.
According to his wealth the restitution will be, and he will not rejoice in it;
19 (Job 35:9) because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor.
He has violently taken away a house that he did not build.
20 (Ecc 5:13-14) "Because he knows no quietness in his belly,
he will not save anything he desired.
21 Nothing is left for him to eat;
therefore his prosperity will not endure.
22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress;
every hand of misery will come upon him.
23 (Ps 78:30-31; Nu 11:33) When he is about to fill his belly,
God will cast the fury of His wrath on him
and will rain it on him while he is eating.
24 (Isa 24:18; Am 5:19) He will flee from the iron weapon;
a bronze bow will pierce him through.
25 (Job 16:13; 18:11) It is drawn and comes out of the body;
yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall.
Terrors are upon him.
26 (Ps 21:9) Total darkness is stored up for his treasures.
An unfanned fire will consume him;
what is left in his tent will be consumed.
27 (Job 16:18; Isa 26:21) The heavens will reveal his iniquity,
and the earth will rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house will depart,
and his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath.
29 (Job 27:13; 31:2-3) This is the wicked man's portion from God,
and the inheritance appointed to him by God."
(God will punish the wicked)
Job 20
Zophar's Speech
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer,
And for this I make haste.
3 I have heard the check of my reproach,
And the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
4 Knowest thou not this of old,
Since man was placed upon earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens,
And his head reach unto the clouds;
7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung:
They which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found:
Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more;
Neither shall his place any more behold him.
10 His children shall seek to please the poor,
And his hands shall restore their goods.
11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth,
Which shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth,
Though he hide it under his tongue;
13 Though he spare it, and forsake it not;
But keep it still within his mouth:
14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned,
It is the gall of asps within him.
15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again:
God shall cast them out of his belly.
16 He shall suck the poison of asps:
The viper's tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not see the rivers,
The floods, the brooks of honey and butter.
18 That which he laboured for shall he restore,
And shall not swallow it down:
According to his substance shall the restitution be,
and he shall not rejoice therein.
19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor;
Because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly,
He shall not save of that which he desired.
21 There shall none of his meat be left;
Therefore shall no man look for his goods.
22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits:
Every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.
23 When he is about to fill his belly,
God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him,
And shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 He shall flee from the iron weapon,
And the bow of steel shall strike him through.
25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the body;
Yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall:
Terrors are upon him.
26 All darkness shall be hid in his secret places:
A fire not blown shall consume him;
It shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
27 The heaven shall reveal his iniquity;
And the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house shall depart,
And his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God,
And the heritage appointed unto him by God.
2) Our Daily Bread for 7 January 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/01/07/optimism-or-genuine-hope
entitled Genuine Hope
1 Peter 1:3-9
A Living Hope
3 (1Co 15:20; 2Co 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8) to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does
not fade away, kept in heaven for you,
5 (Eph 2:8) who are protected by the power of God through faith for
a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 (Jas 1:2; Isa 61:3; Ro 5:2) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now,
if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials,
7 (Job 23:10; Pr 17:3; Isa 48:10) in order that the genuineness of your faith,
which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire,
may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ,
8 (Jn 20:29; Heb 11:27) whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom, though
you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory,
9 (Ro 6:22) receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according
to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be,
ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not,
yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
In the early 1960s, the US was filled with anticipation of a bright future.
Youthful President John F. Kennedy had introduced the New Frontier,
the Peace Corps, and the task of reaching the moon. A thriving economy
caused many people to expect the future to simply "let the good times roll."
Then the war in Vietnam escalated, national unrest unfolded, Kennedy was
assassinated, and the accepted norms of that previously optimistic society
were dismantled. Optimism simply wasn’t enough, and in its wake,
disillusionment prevailed.
Then, in 1967, theologian Jürgen Moltmann’s A Theology of Hope pointed to
a clearer vision. This path wasn't the way of optimism but the way of hope.
The two aren't the same thing. Moltmann affirmed that optimism is based
on the circumstances of the moment, but hope is rooted in God's
faithfulness-regardless of our situation.
What’s the source of this hope? Peter wrote,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (1 Peter 1:3).
Our faithful God has conquered death through His Son, Jesus!
The reality of this greatest of all victories lifts us beyond mere optimism
to a strong, robust hope-every day and in every circumstance.
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
Whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist,
what situations cause concern in you?
Why is hope better than either optimism or pessimism?
God, this world is distressing and confusing, and many voices
want to drive me to a perspective that feels void of hope.
Help me to root my heart in the promise
and power of the resurrection of Jesus, who holds the future.
Read
Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 6 - Through The Fire
Is 43:2
2 (Ps 66:12; Da 3:25-27) When you pass through waters,
I will be with you.And through the rivers,they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame kindle on you.
2 When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
In the Book of Daniel, 3 young men provide one of the world's best-known
Bible stories. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three of the finest young
men of Israel, were taken into capitivity to Babylon. There King
Nebuchadnezzar, filled with his own importance, commanded that
everyone bow down and worship his image.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship anyone
except the One True god, they were cast into Nebuchadnezzar's
furnace of fire.
Is 43:2 brings their experience into focus for us. There the Lord says,
"When you pass through the fire ... when you walk through the water ..."
Not if, but when. If we are committed to serving and honouring the Lord,
at some point we will be faced with "passing through the fire" for hm.
We may not face a physical furnace, but we may face the fires of
persecution, anger, hostility or suffering. And God says:
"I will be with you."
When the three young Israelites stepped into the king's furnace, all
the people looked and saw, not three, but four men in the fire, their
bonds burned away, walking freely among the flames. They did not
escape the fate decreed for them. But the Lord was with them in
the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the flood
and the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the
flood and fire tht life brings to us. The promise of god remains:
"I will be with you; the waters will not overflow, nor will the
flames burn you."
Application
a) What kinds of "fires" and "Floods" have I experienced?
b) How was I aware of the Lord's presence with me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gal 3:13-14
13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5 )Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a curse for us - as it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)—
14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise
of the Spirit through faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
× Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
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
7th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society
and be their help
(
Ps 34:18 - The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the contrite of spirit.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Ps 145: 14 - 16
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.
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.
)
b) Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.
(
Romans 12:4-8
4 (1Co 12:12-14)For just as we have many parts in one body,
and not all parts have the same function,
5(1Co 10:17; 12:20)so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and all are parts of one another.
6(Ac 13:1; 1Co 13:2)We have diverse gifts according to the grace that
is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;
7 (Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11)if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 (2Co 9:7; 1Co 12:28) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with
generosity; he who rules, with diligence;
he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
4 For as we have many members in one body,
and all members have not the same office:
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that
is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according
to the proportion of faith;
7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth,
on teaching;
8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let
him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;
he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Col 3:17
17(1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20)And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
)
prayandfast.ca
Day 5 of 21
AS WE FAST
Matthew 4:4
4 (Dt 8:3; Lk 4:4; Mt 4:7) But He answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16."
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God.
James 1:3
3 (Heb 10:36; 2Pe 1:6) knowing that the trying of your faith
develops patience.
3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Acts 13:2
2 (Ac 9:15; 2Ti 1:11) As they worshipped the Lord and fasted,
the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas
and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted,
the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas
and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Luke 2:37
37 (1Ti 5:5; Ac 14:23) And she was a widow of about eighty-four years
of age who did not depart from the temple,
but served God with fasting and prayer night and day.
37 and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not
from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
DEVOTION:
You may have noticed that after these last 5 days your energy level may have
gone down. If you have cut out caffeine and sugar, you may find yourself
sluggish and having a hard time getting yourself going. Thankfully, the lack
of energy won't last forever and after a day or two you should find your
energy levels returning.
A major reason to fast is to remind ourselves that we are dependent on God
alone. Each time our stomach rumbles, it serves as a reminder that we are not
self-sufficient but we are dependent on God who gives us our "daily bread".
Our hunger serves to remind us that bread is not our god. God is our God.
Provision for our needs comes from God alone.
In His fasting, Jesus affirmed that He is dependent on God and obedient to Him
alone, not to His stomach or any other earthly need. Fasting and prayer can
help us refocus our hearts and minds upon God and His purposes in our lives.
REFLECTION:
Do I completely depend on God?
PRAYER:
Lord, as we fast and pray, speak into this time of fasting. Lead the way,
a line from my heart to yours. Let your glory come and help me to pray as you
would have me pray. Help me to stay focused and lean into what you want to
speak to me at this time. I pray that your kingdom come, and your will be
done.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for He is redeemer and He will
punish the wicked.
Pray to the Lord
"God, this world is distressing and confusing, and many voices
want to drive me to a perspective that feels void of hope.
Help me to root my heart in the promise
and power of the resurrection of Jesus, who holds the future."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that He is present in all your circumstances.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for His sacrifice.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for His Word is a lamp unto our feet
and light unto our path.
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 that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society
and be their help
Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.
Pray that the children of Somali Christians will grow strong
in their faith and become wise.
Lord, as we fast and pray, speak into this time of fasting. Lead the way,
a line from my heart to yours. Let your glory come and help me to pray as you
would have me pray. Help me to stay focused and lean into what you want to
speak to me at this time. I pray that your kingdom come, and your will be
done.
In Jesus' name, we 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 18-20
Job 18
Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked
1 (Job 2:11; 8:1)Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 "How long will it be until you put an end to words?
Gain understanding, and afterwards we will speak.
3 (Ps 73:22) Why are we counted as beasts
and regarded as stupid in your sight?
4 (Job 13:14; 14:18) You who tear yourself in anger,
will the earth be forsaken for you?
And will the rock be removed from its place?
5 (Pr 13:9; 20:20) "Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out,
and the spark of his fire will not shine.
6 The light will be dark in his tent,
and his candle beside him will be put out.
7 (Pr 4:12) The steps of his strength will be shortened,
and his own counsel will cast him down.
8 (Job 22:10; Ps 9:15) For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
and he walks upon a snare.
9 The trap will take him by the heel,
and the snare will prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground,
and a trap for him in the path.
11 (Job 15:21; Jer 6:25) Terrors will make him afraid on every side
and will drive him to his feet.
12 His strength will be hungry,
and destruction will be ready at his side.
13 (Isa 14:30) It will devour the parts of his skin;
the firstborn of death will devour his limbs.
14 His confidence will be rooted out of his tent,
and it will bring him to the king of terrors.
15 (Ps 11:6) They dwell in his tent who have no part with him;
brimstone will be scattered upon his habitation.
16 (Hos 9:16; Job 15:30) His roots will be dried up beneath,
and above his branch will dry up.
17 (Ps 34:16; Pr 10:7) The memory of him will perish from the earth,
and he will have no name in the street.
18 (Job 10:22; 20:8) He will be driven from light into darkness,
and chased out of the world.
19 (Jer 22:30) He has neither descendant nor posterity among his people,
nor anyone remaining in his dwellings.
20 (Ps 37:13; Jer 50:27) They who come after him will be astonished at his day,
as they who went before were seized with fright.
21 (Jer 9:3; Jdg 2:10) Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,
and this is the place of him who does not know God."
Job 18
Bildad's Speech
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?
Mark, and afterwards we will speak.
3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts,
And reputed vile in your sight?
4 He teareth himself in his anger:
Shall the earth be forsaken for thee?
And shall the rock be removed out of his place?
5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out,
And the spark of his fire shall not shine.
6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle,
And his candle shall be put out with him.
7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened,
And his own counsel shall cast him down.
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
And he walketh upon a snare.
9 The gin shall take him by the heel,
And the robber shall prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground,
And a trap for him in the way.
11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side,
And shall drive him to his feet.
12 His strength shall be hungerbitten,
And destruction shall be ready at his side.
13 It shall devour the strength of his skin:
Even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
14 His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle,
And it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
15 It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his:
Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
16 His roots shall be dried up beneath,
And above shall his branch be cut off.
17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth,
And he shall have no name in the street.
18 He shall be driven from light into darkness,
And chased out of the world.
19 He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people,
Nor any remaining in his dwellings.
20 They that come after him shall be astonied at his day,
As they that went before were affrighted.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,
And this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
Job 19
Job Replies: My Redeemer Lives
1 Then Job answered:
2 "How long will you torment my soul
and break me in pieces with words?
3 (Ge 31:7) These ten times you have reproached me;
you are not ashamed that you have wronged me.
4 And if indeed I have erred,
my error remains with me.
5 (Ps 35:26; 38:16) If indeed you exalt yourselves against me
and plead against me with my disgrace,
6 (Job 18:8-10) know now that God has bent me
and has surrounded me with His net.
7 (La 3:8; Hab 1:2-3) "Look, I cry out concerning wrong, but I am not heard;
I cry aloud, but there is no justice.
8 (Job 3:23; La 3:7) He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass,
and He has set darkness in my paths.
9 (Ps 89:44; 89:39) He has stripped me of my glory
and taken the crown from my head.
10 (Job 24:20) He has destroyed me on every side, and I am gone;
my hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 (Job 13:24; 16:9) He has also kindled His wrath against me,
and He counts me as one of His enemies.
12 (Job 30:12) His troops come together
and build up their road against me;
they set up camp all around my tent.
13 (Ps 69:8; 88:8) "He has removed my brothers far from me,
and my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 (Ps 38:11) My relatives have failed,
and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
count me for a stranger;
I am a foreigner in their sight.
16 I called my servant, but he gave me no answer;
I begged him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife;
I am loathsome to the children of my own body.
18 (2Ki 2:23) Yes, young children despise me;
I arose, and they spoke against me.
19 (Ps 41:9; 55:12-14) All my close friends abhorred me,
and they whom I love are turned against me.
20 (Ps 102:5; La 4:8) My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 (Job 1:11; Ps 38:2) "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has struck me!
22 (Ps 69:26) Why do you persecute me as God does,
and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 (Isa 30:8) "Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24(Jer 17:1) That they were engraved with an iron pen
and lead in the rock forever!
25 (Ps 19:14; Isa 43:14) For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and He will stand at last on the earth;
26 (Ps 17:15; 1Jn 3:2; 1Co 13:12) and after my skin is destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God,
27 (Ps 73:26) whom I will see for myself,
and my eyes will behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me.
28(Job 19:22) "If you should say, 'How shall we persecute him?'
since the root of the matter is found in me,
29 be afraid of the sword for yourselves;
for wrath brings the punishments of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment."
(Jesus is our Redeemer)
Job 19
Job's Reply
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How long will ye vex my soul,
And break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times have ye reproached me:
Ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
4 And be it indeed that I have erred,
Mine error remaineth with myself.
5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me,
And plead against me my reproach:
6 Know now that God hath overthrown me,
And hath compassed me with his net.
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard:
I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass,
And he hath set darkness in my paths.
9 He hath stripped me of my glory,
And taken the crown from my head.
10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone:
And mine hope hath he removed like a tree.
11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me,
And he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.
12 His troops come together,
And raise up their way against me,
And encamp round about my tabernacle.
13 He hath put my brethren far from me,
And mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in mine house,
And my maids, count me for a stranger:
I am an alien in their sight.
16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer;
I intreated him with my mouth.
17 My breath is strange to my wife,
Though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body.
18 Yea, young children despised me;
I arose, and they spake against me.
19 All my inward friends abhorred me:
And they whom I loved are turned against me.
20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh,
And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends;
For the hand of God hath touched me.
22 Why do ye persecute me as God,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written!
Oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead
In the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
Though my reins be consumed within me.
28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him,
Seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29 Be ye afraid of the sword:
For wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword,
That ye may know there is a judgment.
Job 20
Zophar Speaks: The Wicked Will Suffer
1 (Job 2:11)Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
2 "Therefore my thoughts cause me to answer,
and for this I make haste.
3 I have heard the rebuke that disgraces me,
and the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.
4 "Do you not know this of old,
since man was placed upon earth,
5 (Ps 37:35-36) that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?
6 ( Isa 14:13-14; Ob 1:3-4) Though his loftiness extends to the heavens,
and his head reaches to the clouds,
7 (1Ki 14:10; 2Ki 9:37) yet he will perish forever like his own excrement;
those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'
8 (Ps 73:20; 90:5) He will fly away like a dream and will not be found;
yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 (Job 7:8; 7:10) The eye that saw him will see him no more;
nor will his place behold him anymore.
10 (Job 20:18) His children will seek favor from the poor,
and his hands will give back his wealth.
11 (Job 13:26; 21:26) His bones are full of his youthful vigor,
but it will lie down with him in the dust.
12 (Job 15:16; Ps 10:7) "Though evil is sweet in his mouth,
and he hides it under his tongue,
13 though he spares it and does not forsake it,
but keeps it in his mouth,
14 yet his food in his stomach turns sour;
it becomes the venom of cobras within him.
15 He has swallowed down riches,
and he will vomit them up again;
God will cast them out of his belly.
16He will suck the poison of cobras;
the viper's tongue will slay him.
17 (Dt 32:13-14; Job 29:6) He will not see the streams, the rivers,
the brooks of honey and butter.
18 (Job 20:10; 20:15) He will give back the produce of labor and will not swallow it down.
According to his wealth the restitution will be, and he will not rejoice in it;
19 (Job 35:9) because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor.
He has violently taken away a house that he did not build.
20 (Ecc 5:13-14) "Because he knows no quietness in his belly,
he will not save anything he desired.
21 Nothing is left for him to eat;
therefore his prosperity will not endure.
22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress;
every hand of misery will come upon him.
23 (Ps 78:30-31; Nu 11:33) When he is about to fill his belly,
God will cast the fury of His wrath on him
and will rain it on him while he is eating.
24 (Isa 24:18; Am 5:19) He will flee from the iron weapon;
a bronze bow will pierce him through.
25 (Job 16:13; 18:11) It is drawn and comes out of the body;
yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall.
Terrors are upon him.
26 (Ps 21:9) Total darkness is stored up for his treasures.
An unfanned fire will consume him;
what is left in his tent will be consumed.
27 (Job 16:18; Isa 26:21) The heavens will reveal his iniquity,
and the earth will rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house will depart,
and his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath.
29 (Job 27:13; 31:2-3) This is the wicked man's portion from God,
and the inheritance appointed to him by God."
(God will punish the wicked)
Job 20
Zophar's Speech
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer,
And for this I make haste.
3 I have heard the check of my reproach,
And the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
4 Knowest thou not this of old,
Since man was placed upon earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens,
And his head reach unto the clouds;
7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung:
They which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found:
Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more;
Neither shall his place any more behold him.
10 His children shall seek to please the poor,
And his hands shall restore their goods.
11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth,
Which shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth,
Though he hide it under his tongue;
13 Though he spare it, and forsake it not;
But keep it still within his mouth:
14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned,
It is the gall of asps within him.
15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again:
God shall cast them out of his belly.
16 He shall suck the poison of asps:
The viper's tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not see the rivers,
The floods, the brooks of honey and butter.
18 That which he laboured for shall he restore,
And shall not swallow it down:
According to his substance shall the restitution be,
and he shall not rejoice therein.
19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor;
Because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly,
He shall not save of that which he desired.
21 There shall none of his meat be left;
Therefore shall no man look for his goods.
22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits:
Every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.
23 When he is about to fill his belly,
God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him,
And shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 He shall flee from the iron weapon,
And the bow of steel shall strike him through.
25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the body;
Yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall:
Terrors are upon him.
26 All darkness shall be hid in his secret places:
A fire not blown shall consume him;
It shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
27 The heaven shall reveal his iniquity;
And the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house shall depart,
And his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God,
And the heritage appointed unto him by God.
2) Our Daily Bread for 7 January 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/01/07/optimism-or-genuine-hope
entitled Genuine Hope
1 Peter 1:3-9
A Living Hope
3 (1Co 15:20; 2Co 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8) to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does
not fade away, kept in heaven for you,
5 (Eph 2:8) who are protected by the power of God through faith for
a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 (Jas 1:2; Isa 61:3; Ro 5:2) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now,
if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials,
7 (Job 23:10; Pr 17:3; Isa 48:10) in order that the genuineness of your faith,
which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire,
may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ,
8 (Jn 20:29; Heb 11:27) whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom, though
you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory,
9 (Ro 6:22) receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according
to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be,
ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not,
yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
In the early 1960s, the US was filled with anticipation of a bright future.
Youthful President John F. Kennedy had introduced the New Frontier,
the Peace Corps, and the task of reaching the moon. A thriving economy
caused many people to expect the future to simply "let the good times roll."
Then the war in Vietnam escalated, national unrest unfolded, Kennedy was
assassinated, and the accepted norms of that previously optimistic society
were dismantled. Optimism simply wasn’t enough, and in its wake,
disillusionment prevailed.
Then, in 1967, theologian Jürgen Moltmann’s A Theology of Hope pointed to
a clearer vision. This path wasn't the way of optimism but the way of hope.
The two aren't the same thing. Moltmann affirmed that optimism is based
on the circumstances of the moment, but hope is rooted in God's
faithfulness-regardless of our situation.
What’s the source of this hope? Peter wrote,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (1 Peter 1:3).
Our faithful God has conquered death through His Son, Jesus!
The reality of this greatest of all victories lifts us beyond mere optimism
to a strong, robust hope-every day and in every circumstance.
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
Whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist,
what situations cause concern in you?
Why is hope better than either optimism or pessimism?
God, this world is distressing and confusing, and many voices
want to drive me to a perspective that feels void of hope.
Help me to root my heart in the promise
and power of the resurrection of Jesus, who holds the future.
Read
Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 6 - Through The Fire
Is 43:2
2 (Ps 66:12; Da 3:25-27) When you pass through waters,
I will be with you.And through the rivers,they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame kindle on you.
2 When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
In the Book of Daniel, 3 young men provide one of the world's best-known
Bible stories. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three of the finest young
men of Israel, were taken into capitivity to Babylon. There King
Nebuchadnezzar, filled with his own importance, commanded that
everyone bow down and worship his image.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship anyone
except the One True god, they were cast into Nebuchadnezzar's
furnace of fire.
Is 43:2 brings their experience into focus for us. There the Lord says,
"When you pass through the fire ... when you walk through the water ..."
Not if, but when. If we are committed to serving and honouring the Lord,
at some point we will be faced with "passing through the fire" for hm.
We may not face a physical furnace, but we may face the fires of
persecution, anger, hostility or suffering. And God says:
"I will be with you."
When the three young Israelites stepped into the king's furnace, all
the people looked and saw, not three, but four men in the fire, their
bonds burned away, walking freely among the flames. They did not
escape the fate decreed for them. But the Lord was with them in
the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the flood
and the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the
flood and fire tht life brings to us. The promise of god remains:
"I will be with you; the waters will not overflow, nor will the
flames burn you."
Application
a) What kinds of "fires" and "Floods" have I experienced?
b) How was I aware of the Lord's presence with me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gal 3:13-14
13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5 )Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a curse for us - as it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)—
14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise
of the Spirit through faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
× Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
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
7th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society
and be their help
(
Ps 34:18 - The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the contrite of spirit.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Ps 145: 14 - 16
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.
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.
)
b) Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.
(
Romans 12:4-8
4 (1Co 12:12-14)For just as we have many parts in one body,
and not all parts have the same function,
5(1Co 10:17; 12:20)so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and all are parts of one another.
6(Ac 13:1; 1Co 13:2)We have diverse gifts according to the grace that
is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;
7 (Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11)if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 (2Co 9:7; 1Co 12:28) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with
generosity; he who rules, with diligence;
he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
4 For as we have many members in one body,
and all members have not the same office:
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that
is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according
to the proportion of faith;
7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth,
on teaching;
8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let
him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;
he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Col 3:17
17(1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20)And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
)
prayandfast.caDay 5 of 21
AS WE FAST
Matthew 4:4
4 (Dt 8:3; Lk 4:4; Mt 4:7) But He answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16."
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God.
James 1:3
3 (Heb 10:36; 2Pe 1:6) knowing that the trying of your faith
develops patience.
3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Acts 13:2
2 (Ac 9:15; 2Ti 1:11) As they worshipped the Lord and fasted,
the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas
and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted,
the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas
and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Luke 2:37
37 (1Ti 5:5; Ac 14:23) And she was a widow of about eighty-four years
of age who did not depart from the temple,
but served God with fasting and prayer night and day.
37 and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not
from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
DEVOTION:
You may have noticed that after these last 5 days your energy level may have
gone down. If you have cut out caffeine and sugar, you may find yourself
sluggish and having a hard time getting yourself going. Thankfully, the lack
of energy won't last forever and after a day or two you should find your
energy levels returning.
A major reason to fast is to remind ourselves that we are dependent on God
alone. Each time our stomach rumbles, it serves as a reminder that we are not
self-sufficient but we are dependent on God who gives us our "daily bread".
Our hunger serves to remind us that bread is not our god. God is our God.
Provision for our needs comes from God alone.
In His fasting, Jesus affirmed that He is dependent on God and obedient to Him
alone, not to His stomach or any other earthly need. Fasting and prayer can
help us refocus our hearts and minds upon God and His purposes in our lives.
REFLECTION:
Do I completely depend on God?
PRAYER:
Lord, as we fast and pray, speak into this time of fasting. Lead the way,
a line from my heart to yours. Let your glory come and help me to pray as you
would have me pray. Help me to stay focused and lean into what you want to
speak to me at this time. I pray that your kingdom come, and your will be
done.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for He is redeemer and He will
punish the wicked.
Pray to the Lord
"God, this world is distressing and confusing, and many voices
want to drive me to a perspective that feels void of hope.
Help me to root my heart in the promise
and power of the resurrection of Jesus, who holds the future."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that He is present in all your circumstances.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for His sacrifice.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for His Word is a lamp unto our feet
and light unto our path.
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 that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society
and be their help
Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.
Pray that the children of Somali Christians will grow strong
in their faith and become wise.
Lord, as we fast and pray, speak into this time of fasting. Lead the way,
a line from my heart to yours. Let your glory come and help me to pray as you
would have me pray. Help me to stay focused and lean into what you want to
speak to me at this time. I pray that your kingdom come, and your will be
done.
In Jesus' name, we 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.