Day 115 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 25 Apr 2022 reflections
Day 115, 25 Apr 2022
1) 2 Samuel 12:26-31
1 Chronicles 20:2-3
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 14
2 SAMUEL 12
26 (Dt 3:11; 1Ch 20:1-3) Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites
and assumed control of the royal city.
27 So Joab sent messengers to David and reported,
"I have fought against Rabbah, and I have occupied
the water supply of the city.
28 Now gather the remainder of the people, lay siege to the city, and take it.
Otherwise, I myself will capture the city, and it will be called by my name."
29 So David gathered all of the people and they went to Rabbah,
fought against it, and took it.
30 (1Ch 20:2) David took the crown of their king from his head,
and its weight was a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]
of gold and precious stone. It was placed upon the head of David.
He brought out large quantities of plunder from the city.
31 (1Ch 20:3) He brought out the people who were in it,
and he put them to work with saws, and iron picks, and iron axes,
and sent them to work in the brick kiln. Thus he did to all of the cities
of the Ammonites. Then David and all of the people returned to Jerusalem.
[26] And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the
royal city.
[27] And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against
Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
[28] Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp
against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after
my name.
[29] And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and
fought against it, and took it.
[30] And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof
was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's
head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
[31] And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under
saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass
through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children
of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
1 CHRONICLES 20
Rabbah Captured
2Sa 11:1; 12:29-31
2 Then David took the crown of their king from his head
and found it weighed about a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]
of gold with a precious stone set in it. And it was placed on David's head.
He also brought out a great abundance of plunder from the city.
3 He brought out the people who were it in, and put them to work with saws,
sharp iron tools, and axes. Thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites,
and then he and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
2 And David took the crown of their king from off his head,
and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it;
and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil
out of the city.
3 And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and
with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities
of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
2 SAMUEL 13
Amnon and Tamar
1 (2Sa 3:2-3; 1Ch 3:9) After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful
sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David fell in love with her.
2 It depressed Amnon to the point of falling ill that Tamar his sister was
a virgin, but it was impossible for Amnon to pursue her.
3 (1Sa 16:9) Now Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah,
the brother of David, and Jonadab was a very crafty individual.
4 He asked him, "Why are you, the son of the king, so sullen morning
after morning? Will you not tell me?"
Amnon told him, "I am in love with Tamar, the sister of Absalom my brother."
5 Jonadab instructed him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. When
your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please allow Tamar, my sister,
to come and prepare some food for me. She should make the food here,
so that when I see it, I may eat it from her hand.'"
6 (Ge 18:6) So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came
to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come here
to make a couple of cakes, so that I may be nourished from her hand."
7Then David sent word to Tamar at the house, "Please go to the house of Amnon
your brother, and prepare food for him."
8 So Tamar went to the house of Amnon her brother, where he was lying.
She took the dough, kneaded it, and made the cakes before him.
Then she baked them.
9 (Ge 45:1) Then she took the baking tray and served the cakes to him,
but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Send everyone away." So they all left him.
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom that I may
eat from your hand." So Tamar took the cakes that she had made and brought
them in the bedroom to Amnon her brother.
11 When she brought them close for him to eat, he took hold of her and said,
"Come, lie with me, my sister."
12 (Lev 20:17; Jdg 19:23) She pled with him, "No, my brother, do not violate
me, for such a thing is not to be done in Israel. Do not carry out this awful
thing.
13 As for me, where could I escape my disgrace? And you would be like
one of the fools in Israel. Now, please speak to the king, for he will not
withhold me from you."
14 (2Sa 12:11) But he refused to listen to her. So, being stronger than her,
he overpowered her and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her greatly, so that the hatred with which he hated
her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon
said to her, "Get up, go away."
16 She said to him, "No, because this great offense of dismissing me
is worse than the other which you did to me." But he refused to listen to her.
17 He called his personal servant and said, "Send this woman out from me,
and secure the door behind her."
18 (Ge 37:3; Jdg 5:30) Now she was wearing a long robe, because the virgin
daughters of the king were clothed in such garments. So his servant put her
out and secured the door behind her.
19 (Jos 7:6; Jer 2:37) So Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe
that she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and left,
wailing as she went.
20 Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you?
Keep silent for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing
to heart." So Tamar stayed in the house of Absalom, her brother,
a desolate woman.
21 (Ge 34:7) When King David heard about these things, he was very angry.
22 (Ge 31:24; Lev 19:17-18) And Absalom would not speak with Amnon,
either pleasantly or angrily; but Absalom hated Amnon because
he had raped his sister Tamar.
Absalom Kills Amnon
23 (Ge 38:12-13; 1Sa 25:4) Two full years later, the sheepshearers of Absalom
were in Baal Hazor, near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all of the sons of
the king.
24 Then Absalom came to the king and requested, "Your servant
has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants kindly go
with your servant?"
25 The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we must not all go
or we will be a burden to you." When he urged him, he refused to go,
but gave him his blessing.
26 (2Sa 3:27; 11:13-15) Absalom said, "If not, allow my brother Amnon to go
with us." But the king replied to him, "Why should he go with you?"
27 But Absalom urged him until he sent Amnon and all of the king's sons along
with him.
28 (Jdg 19:6; 19:9) Now, Absalom had commanded his servant,
"Look for Amnon to become carefree on account of the wine.
Then I will say to you, 'Strike Amnon, and kill him.' Do not be afraid,
for am not I myself commanding you? Be strong and brave."
29 (2Sa 18:9; 1Ki 1:33) So, the servants of Absalom did to Amnon that
which Absalom had commanded. Then the sons of the king arose,
each mounting his mule, and fled.
30 While they were on the way, the report reached David:
"Absalom struck down all of the sons of the king,
and there is not one of them remaining."
31 (2Sa 1:11; 12:16) Then the king arose, tore his garments, and lay
on the ground, while all of his servants who were standing nearby
tore their garments.
32 But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, said, "My lord should not
think that they have killed all of the servants who are the king's sons.
Amnon alone is dead, for this has been determined from the day he raped Tamar,
his sister, by the very declaration of Absalom.
33 (2Sa 19:19) Now, my lord the king should not take this matter to heart,
thinking that all of the king's sons are dead. Instead Amnon alone is dead."
34 Absalom fled. Now when the servant who was keeping watch looked up,
he saw many people coming on the road beyond him, around the hill.
35 So Jonadab said to the king, "See, the king's sons are coming.
As your servant spoke, so it is."
36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the sons of the king arrived, lifted
their voices, and wept. The king and all of his servants also wept loudly.
37 (2Sa 3:3; 13:34) Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud,
king of Geshur, but David mourned over his son every day.
38 When Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he was there for three years.
39 (Ge 24:67; 37:35) Then King David longed to go out to Absalom,
for he was consoled over the death of Amnon.
2 Samuel 13
[1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair
sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
[2] And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she
was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
[3] But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah
David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
[4] And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day
to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my
brother Absalom's sister.
[5] And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself
sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let
my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that
I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
[6] So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to
see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come,
and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
[7] Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's
house, and dress him meat.
[8] So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And
she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake
the cakes.
[9] And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to
eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man
from him.
[10] And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may
eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought
them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
[11] And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and
said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
[12] And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such
thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
[13] And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou
shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak
unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
[14] Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than
she, forced her, and lay with her.
[15] Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated
her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said
unto her, Arise, be gone.
[16] And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away
is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken
unto her.
[17] Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now
this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
[18] And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes
were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant
brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
[19] And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours
that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
[20] And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with
thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this
thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
[21] But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
[22] And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for
Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
[23] And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had
sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited
all the king's sons.
[24] And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath
sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy
servant.
[25] And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest
we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but
blessed him.
[26] Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with
us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
[27] But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go
with him.
[28] Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when
Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then
kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous and be valiant.
[29] And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded.
Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and
fled.
[30] And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to
David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one
of them left.
[31] Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and
all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
[32] And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let
not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons;
for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been
determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
[33] Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to
think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
[34] But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his
eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill
side behind him.
[35] And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy
servant said, so it is.
[36] And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that,
behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the
king also and all his servants wept very sore.
[37] But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of
Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
[38] So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
[39] And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was
comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
2 SAMUEL 14
Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
1 (2Sa 13:39; 2:18) Now Joab the son of Zeruiah recognised
that the king's mind was on Absalom.
2 (2Ch 11:6; Am 1:1) So Joab sent a request to Tekoa and brought
from there a wise woman. He instructed her, "Act as if you are
observing mourning rites. Put on mourning garments,
and do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has
been mourning over the dead like this for many days.
3 (2Sa 14:19; Ex 4:15) Then come to the king and speak to him in this manner."
Thus Joab put the words in her mouth.
4 (1Sa 25:23; 2Sa 1:2) As the Tekoan woman spoke to the king, she fell on her
face toward the ground and bowed low. Then she said, "Help me, O king."
5 The king said to her, "What troubles you?"
She responded, "Alas, I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
6 Furthermore, your servant had two sons. The two of them were fighting
in the field, but there was no one to separate them.
One struck the other and killed him.
7 (Nu 35:19; Mt 21:38) Now the entire family has risen up against
your maidservant, and they said, 'Deliver him who struck his brother,
so that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed,
and we will destroy the heir also.' So they will extinguish my remaining
ember, and leave my husband neither name nor remnant
on the face of the earth."
8 Then the king said to the woman,
"Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you."
9 (1Sa 25:24; 1Ki 2:33) The Tekoan woman responded to the king,
"May guilt rest upon me and the house of my father, my lord the king,
and may the king and his throne be blameless."
10 The king said, "Whoever speaks to you, bring him to me,
and he will not cause you harm again."
11 (1Sa 14:45; Nu 35:19) Then she said, "May the king remember the Lord
your God so that the avenger of blood will not continue to destroy,
lest they exterminate my son." He said, "As the Lord lives,
not one hair of your son will fall to the ground."
12 Then the woman said, "Allow your servant to speak
a word to my lord the king." So he said, "Speak."
13 (2Sa 12:7; 13:37-38) The woman said, "Why have you planned like
this against the people of God? The king's speaking this word is like
a self-conviction, for the king has not brought back his own banished one.
14 (Nu 35:15; 35:25) We will surely die and are like water spilled
on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.
Yet God does not take away a life; He devises plans so that His banished
ones will not be cast out from Him.
15 "So now I have come to speak to my lord the king about this matter
because the people have made me afraid. So, I thought, 'I will speak
to the king. Perhaps the king will perform the request of his servant.
16 (1Sa 26:19) For the king may accept my request to deliver his servant
from the hand of the man who would destroy me
and my son from the inheritance of God.'
17 (1Sa 29:9; 2Sa 19:27) "So, your servant thought, 'May the word of my lord
the king provide rest. For like the angel of God, my lord the king discerns
good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you.' "
18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not conceal
from me anything that I ask you." The woman said, "May my lord the king
please speak."
19 (2Sa 14:3; 1Sa 1:26) The king said,
"Is the hand of Joab with you in all of this?" The woman answered and said,
"As your soul lives, my lord the king, there is no turning right or left
from anything that you spoke, my lord the king, for your servant Joab
is the very one who commanded me and placed all of these words in my mouth.
20 (2Sa 14:17; 19:27) In order to change this situation, your servant Joab
did this thing; but my lord is wise, as with the wisdom of the angel of God,
so as to discern everything happening in the land."
21 (2Sa 14:11) Then the king said to Joab, "This is what I will do.
Go and bring back the young man Absalom."
22 Then Joab fell with his face to ground and bowed low and blessed the king.
Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes,
my lord the king, since the king has granted the request of his servant."
23 Then Joab arose and went to Geshur, and he brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 The king said, "Let him turn to his own house.
He shall not come into my presence."
So Absalom turned to his house and did not come into the king's presence.
David Forgives Absalom
25 (Dt 28:35; Job 2:7) In all of Israel, there was no man as handsome
as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, there was not
a blemish on him.
26 (2Sa 18:9; Eze 44:20) When he cut the hair of his head
(and at the end of every year he cut it, for it was heavy on him),
he weighed the hair from his head at two hundred shekels,
[About 5 pounds, or 2.3 kilograms. ] according to the king's standard.
27 (2Sa 18:18; 13:1) There were born to Absalom three sons
and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two full years without coming
into the king's presence.
29 Then Absalom sent a message to Joab, requesting that he send him
to the king, but he was not willing to come to him. So he sent
a second message, but still he was not willing to come.
30 (Jdg 15:4-5) Then he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is
next to mine, and he has barley there. Go, set it on fire."
So the servants of Absalom set the field on fire.
31 Then Joab arose, came to Absalom at his house, and said to him,
"Why have your servants set my plot of land on fire?"
32 (1Sa 20:8; Pr 28:13) Absalom said to Joab, "I sent a message to you,
saying: Come, so that I may send you to the king, asking,
'Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.'
Now, let me go before the king, and if there is still guilt with me,
may he put me to death."
33 (Ge 33:4; Lk 15:20) So Joab came and reported this to him.
Then he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king, bowed low to him,
his face on the ground before the king; then the king kissed Absalom.
2 Samuel 14
[1] Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward
Absalom.
[2] And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto
her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning
apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long
time mourned for the dead:
[3] And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the
words in her mouth.
[4] And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to
the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
[5] And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am
indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
[6] And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the
field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and
slew him.
[7] And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they
said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life
of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they
shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband
neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
[8] And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give
charge concerning thee.
[9] And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the
iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be
guiltless.
[10] And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me,
and he shall not touch thee any more.
[11] Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God,
that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more,
lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not
one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
[12] Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word
unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
[13] And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing
against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which
is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
[14] For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which
cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth
he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
[15] Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the
king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I
will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the
request of his handmaid.
[16] For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the
man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
[17] Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be
comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good
and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
[18] Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I
pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord
the king now speak.
[19] And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And
the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can
turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath
spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the
mouth of thine handmaid:
[20] To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this
thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to
know all things that are in the earth.
[21] And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go
therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
[22] And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked
the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace
in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request
of his servant.
[23] So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
[24] And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see
my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
[25] But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for
his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there
was no blemish in him.
[26] And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he
polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he
weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
[27] And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose
name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
[28] So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's
face.
[29] Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he
would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not
come.
[30] Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine,
and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set
the field on fire.
[31] Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him,
Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
[32] And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come
hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from
Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let
me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
[33] So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for
Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground
before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/25/pulled-to-safety
entitled Pulled to Safety
2 Samuel 22:13-20
13 (2Sa 22:9) From the brightness before Him
embers of fire are kindled.
14 (1Sa 2:10; Job 37:2-5) The Lord thundered from heaven,
and the Most High uttered His voice.
15 (Dt 32:23; Jos 10:10) He sent out arrows and dispersed them;
with lightning He sent them into confusion.
16 (Na 1:4) The channels of the sea appeared,
the foundations of the world were exposed
with the rebuke of the Lord,
from the blast of breath from His nostrils.
17 (Ps 144:7) He reached from on high and took me;
He drew me out of mighty waters.
18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hate me;
for they were stronger than I.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
20 (2Sa 15:26; Ps 31:8) He brought me to the open expanse;
He rescued me, for He delighted inme.
[13] Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
[14] The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
[15] And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited
them.
[16] And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were
discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his
nostrils.
[17] He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
[18] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for
they were too strong for me.
[19] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
[20] He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because
he delighted in me.
A little girl waded in a shallow creek while her father watched.
Her rubber boots reached her knees. As she sloshed downstream,
the water deepened until it flowed over the top of her waders. When she
couldn't take another step, she yelled, "Daddy, I’m stuck!" In three
strides, her father was at her side, pulling her to the grassy bank.
She yanked her boots off and laughed as water poured onto the ground.
After God rescued the psalmist David from his enemies, he took a moment to
sit down, "pull off his boots," and allow the relief to flood his soul.
He wrote a song to express his feelings. "I called to the Lord, who is worthy
of praise, and have been saved from my enemies," he said (2 Samuel 22:4). He
praised God as his rock, fortress, shield, and stronghold (vv. 2-3), and then
went on to narrate a poetic response of God's response: The earth trembled.
God came down from heaven. Lightning bolts flew from His presence. His voice
thundered, and He drew him out of deep water (vv. 8, 10, 13-15, 17).
Maybe today you feel opposition around you. Maybe you're stuck in sin that
makes it hard to advance spiritually. Reflect on how God has helped you in
the past, and then praise Him and ask Him to do it again! Thank Him
especially for rescuing you by bringing you
into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Reflect & Pray
Why is it easy to overlook the good things God's done for you
in the past when you're in the midst of trouble?
How does praising God increase your faith in Him?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for coming to my aid so many times.
Help me to know I can face any battle with You by my side.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 2 - God's purpose: The Image of Christ
Romans 8:28-29
28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for
good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew,
He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
A baby dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and the parents are
devastated, plagued with guilt, and Asking "Why?" A 17-year-old plunges
headfirst into a pond and to the surface a quadriplegic. A single mother
of 3, struck down by leukemia, has to release he children to foster homes.
And in all these cases, well-meaning Christians stand by and attempt to
comfort: "All things work together for good, you know," they say blithely,
"just trust God, and praise him for everything."
Such pat answers are often repeated because they do contain an element
of truth; they become "pat", meaningless, and superficial, when they are
used as a panacea for all ills, whether the cure fits or not.
The truth is, God does use everything for the benefit of his people -
even disaster and tragedy. Romans 8:28 says, "Ian all things God works ...."
God foes not cause human suffering. He is not the author of pain
and misery. But what the Enemy of our souls intends for
destruction, God can use for growth.
The key to understanding Romans 8:28 is Romans 8:29 . The Lord makes
clear what "his purpose" is: that we be "conformed to the
likeness of his Son." Everything that happens is not good,
but nothing is wasted in the economy of God. Even the sorrow,
misfortune, and calamity that strike all of us cam be used by the Spirit
to transform us into the image of Christ.
Application
a) Have I ever had experiences that made me doubt the
"all things work together for good"?
b) How does Romans 8:29 clarify Romans 8:28?
c) How can these verses help me deal with the struggles I have in my
own life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Eph 4:28
28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more.
Instead, let him labour, working with his hands things which
are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
28 Let him that stole steal no more:
but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which
is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 139:1-12
PSALMS 139
For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, You have searched me
and known me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far off.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You search my path and my lying down
and are aware of all my ways.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For there is not a word on my tongue,
but behold, O Lord, You know it fully.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You put Yourself behind and before me,
and keep Your hand on me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is lofty, and I cannot fathom it.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Where shall I go from Your spirit,
or where shall I flee from Your presence?
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell at the end of the sea,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) even there Your hand shall guide me,
and Your right hand shall take hold of me.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light shall be as night about me,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to You,
but the night shines as the day,
for the darkness is like light to You.
Psalm 139
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;
Even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth
as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/unreached-somalis-are-within-reach/
Unreached Somalis Are Within Reach
Civil war and radical Islam have driven nearly half of Somalia's people
from their homeland. At least 175 000 have migrated to North America
to find new lives.
There are sizeable permanent communities in Minneapolis and Toronto, but
other Somalis follow transient job opportunities. Many men work as taxi
and truck drivers, finding the transportation industry a good fit for
their ancestral history as nomadic camel herders.
Believers have long prayed to reach Somalis. Now they are within reach,
and can even be next door if you do what the Miller family did.
The Millers kept their jobs but switched neighborhoods, moving into
an apartment community where many Somalis live. They prayed for their
new neighbours leading up to the move, and within two months,
they experienced growing friendships with families.
They also started a Bible study with one Somali neighbor.
The Millers aren’t doing anything extraordinary. They bake cookies,
orchestrate cookouts, and rally prayer walks through their local church.
When Somalis ask what brought them to the neighborhood, they simply say,
"We love Jesus, and He has called us to love our neighbors
and share Good News with them. Would you like to hear it?"
As you pray, ask if God is calling you to sacrifice your "comfort"
so you can move next door to the unreached?
Pray for more committed, creative laborers like the Millers,
who live among and engage Somalis in North America.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2) would raise up many
to leave their comfort and move next door to unreached Somalis.
2 (2Th 3:1) He said to them, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the
laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest. "
2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers
are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth
labourers into his harvest.
Pray for the few Somali believers that their efforts to reach their
people would be blessed.
Pray for faith that perseveres and bears fruit among those
Jesus is calling.
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and ask Him to help your be a leader within your family.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father,
thank You for coming to my aid so many times.
Help me to know I can face any battle with You by my side."
Pray to the Lord and pray to under how all thing work for his good.
Pray to the Lord and pray to use your skills for good.
Pray to the Lord and pray to feel his presence..
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray that Muslims' hearts will be hungry for God
during the fast of Ramadan.
Pray for more committed, creative laborers like the Millers,
who live among and engage Somalis in North America.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2) would raise up many
to leave their comfort and move next door to unreached Somalis.
Pray for the few Somali believers that their efforts to reach their
people would be blessed.
Pray for faith that perseveres and bears fruit among those
Jesus is calling.
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray for Christian widows in Nepal who are facing sever discrimination.
1) 2 Samuel 12:26-31
1 Chronicles 20:2-3
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 14
2 SAMUEL 12
26 (Dt 3:11; 1Ch 20:1-3) Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites
and assumed control of the royal city.
27 So Joab sent messengers to David and reported,
"I have fought against Rabbah, and I have occupied
the water supply of the city.
28 Now gather the remainder of the people, lay siege to the city, and take it.
Otherwise, I myself will capture the city, and it will be called by my name."
29 So David gathered all of the people and they went to Rabbah,
fought against it, and took it.
30 (1Ch 20:2) David took the crown of their king from his head,
and its weight was a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]
of gold and precious stone. It was placed upon the head of David.
He brought out large quantities of plunder from the city.
31 (1Ch 20:3) He brought out the people who were in it,
and he put them to work with saws, and iron picks, and iron axes,
and sent them to work in the brick kiln. Thus he did to all of the cities
of the Ammonites. Then David and all of the people returned to Jerusalem.
[26] And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the
royal city.
[27] And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against
Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
[28] Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp
against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after
my name.
[29] And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and
fought against it, and took it.
[30] And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof
was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's
head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
[31] And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under
saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass
through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children
of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
1 CHRONICLES 20
Rabbah Captured
2Sa 11:1; 12:29-31
2 Then David took the crown of their king from his head
and found it weighed about a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]
of gold with a precious stone set in it. And it was placed on David's head.
He also brought out a great abundance of plunder from the city.
3 He brought out the people who were it in, and put them to work with saws,
sharp iron tools, and axes. Thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites,
and then he and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
2 And David took the crown of their king from off his head,
and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it;
and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil
out of the city.
3 And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and
with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities
of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
2 SAMUEL 13
Amnon and Tamar
1 (2Sa 3:2-3; 1Ch 3:9) After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful
sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David fell in love with her.
2 It depressed Amnon to the point of falling ill that Tamar his sister was
a virgin, but it was impossible for Amnon to pursue her.
3 (1Sa 16:9) Now Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah,
the brother of David, and Jonadab was a very crafty individual.
4 He asked him, "Why are you, the son of the king, so sullen morning
after morning? Will you not tell me?"
Amnon told him, "I am in love with Tamar, the sister of Absalom my brother."
5 Jonadab instructed him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. When
your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please allow Tamar, my sister,
to come and prepare some food for me. She should make the food here,
so that when I see it, I may eat it from her hand.'"
6 (Ge 18:6) So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came
to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come here
to make a couple of cakes, so that I may be nourished from her hand."
7Then David sent word to Tamar at the house, "Please go to the house of Amnon
your brother, and prepare food for him."
8 So Tamar went to the house of Amnon her brother, where he was lying.
She took the dough, kneaded it, and made the cakes before him.
Then she baked them.
9 (Ge 45:1) Then she took the baking tray and served the cakes to him,
but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Send everyone away." So they all left him.
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom that I may
eat from your hand." So Tamar took the cakes that she had made and brought
them in the bedroom to Amnon her brother.
11 When she brought them close for him to eat, he took hold of her and said,
"Come, lie with me, my sister."
12 (Lev 20:17; Jdg 19:23) She pled with him, "No, my brother, do not violate
me, for such a thing is not to be done in Israel. Do not carry out this awful
thing.
13 As for me, where could I escape my disgrace? And you would be like
one of the fools in Israel. Now, please speak to the king, for he will not
withhold me from you."
14 (2Sa 12:11) But he refused to listen to her. So, being stronger than her,
he overpowered her and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her greatly, so that the hatred with which he hated
her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon
said to her, "Get up, go away."
16 She said to him, "No, because this great offense of dismissing me
is worse than the other which you did to me." But he refused to listen to her.
17 He called his personal servant and said, "Send this woman out from me,
and secure the door behind her."
18 (Ge 37:3; Jdg 5:30) Now she was wearing a long robe, because the virgin
daughters of the king were clothed in such garments. So his servant put her
out and secured the door behind her.
19 (Jos 7:6; Jer 2:37) So Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe
that she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and left,
wailing as she went.
20 Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you?
Keep silent for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing
to heart." So Tamar stayed in the house of Absalom, her brother,
a desolate woman.
21 (Ge 34:7) When King David heard about these things, he was very angry.
22 (Ge 31:24; Lev 19:17-18) And Absalom would not speak with Amnon,
either pleasantly or angrily; but Absalom hated Amnon because
he had raped his sister Tamar.
Absalom Kills Amnon
23 (Ge 38:12-13; 1Sa 25:4) Two full years later, the sheepshearers of Absalom
were in Baal Hazor, near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all of the sons of
the king.
24 Then Absalom came to the king and requested, "Your servant
has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants kindly go
with your servant?"
25 The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we must not all go
or we will be a burden to you." When he urged him, he refused to go,
but gave him his blessing.
26 (2Sa 3:27; 11:13-15) Absalom said, "If not, allow my brother Amnon to go
with us." But the king replied to him, "Why should he go with you?"
27 But Absalom urged him until he sent Amnon and all of the king's sons along
with him.
28 (Jdg 19:6; 19:9) Now, Absalom had commanded his servant,
"Look for Amnon to become carefree on account of the wine.
Then I will say to you, 'Strike Amnon, and kill him.' Do not be afraid,
for am not I myself commanding you? Be strong and brave."
29 (2Sa 18:9; 1Ki 1:33) So, the servants of Absalom did to Amnon that
which Absalom had commanded. Then the sons of the king arose,
each mounting his mule, and fled.
30 While they were on the way, the report reached David:
"Absalom struck down all of the sons of the king,
and there is not one of them remaining."
31 (2Sa 1:11; 12:16) Then the king arose, tore his garments, and lay
on the ground, while all of his servants who were standing nearby
tore their garments.
32 But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, said, "My lord should not
think that they have killed all of the servants who are the king's sons.
Amnon alone is dead, for this has been determined from the day he raped Tamar,
his sister, by the very declaration of Absalom.
33 (2Sa 19:19) Now, my lord the king should not take this matter to heart,
thinking that all of the king's sons are dead. Instead Amnon alone is dead."
34 Absalom fled. Now when the servant who was keeping watch looked up,
he saw many people coming on the road beyond him, around the hill.
35 So Jonadab said to the king, "See, the king's sons are coming.
As your servant spoke, so it is."
36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the sons of the king arrived, lifted
their voices, and wept. The king and all of his servants also wept loudly.
37 (2Sa 3:3; 13:34) Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud,
king of Geshur, but David mourned over his son every day.
38 When Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he was there for three years.
39 (Ge 24:67; 37:35) Then King David longed to go out to Absalom,
for he was consoled over the death of Amnon.
2 Samuel 13
[1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair
sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
[2] And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she
was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
[3] But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah
David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
[4] And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day
to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my
brother Absalom's sister.
[5] And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself
sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let
my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that
I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
[6] So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to
see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come,
and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
[7] Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's
house, and dress him meat.
[8] So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And
she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake
the cakes.
[9] And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to
eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man
from him.
[10] And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may
eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought
them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
[11] And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and
said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
[12] And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such
thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
[13] And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou
shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak
unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
[14] Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than
she, forced her, and lay with her.
[15] Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated
her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said
unto her, Arise, be gone.
[16] And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away
is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken
unto her.
[17] Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now
this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
[18] And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes
were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant
brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
[19] And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours
that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
[20] And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with
thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this
thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
[21] But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
[22] And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for
Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
[23] And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had
sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited
all the king's sons.
[24] And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath
sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy
servant.
[25] And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest
we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but
blessed him.
[26] Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with
us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
[27] But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go
with him.
[28] Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when
Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then
kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous and be valiant.
[29] And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded.
Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and
fled.
[30] And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to
David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one
of them left.
[31] Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and
all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
[32] And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let
not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons;
for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been
determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
[33] Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to
think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
[34] But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his
eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill
side behind him.
[35] And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy
servant said, so it is.
[36] And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that,
behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the
king also and all his servants wept very sore.
[37] But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of
Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
[38] So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
[39] And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was
comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
2 SAMUEL 14
Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
1 (2Sa 13:39; 2:18) Now Joab the son of Zeruiah recognised
that the king's mind was on Absalom.
2 (2Ch 11:6; Am 1:1) So Joab sent a request to Tekoa and brought
from there a wise woman. He instructed her, "Act as if you are
observing mourning rites. Put on mourning garments,
and do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has
been mourning over the dead like this for many days.
3 (2Sa 14:19; Ex 4:15) Then come to the king and speak to him in this manner."
Thus Joab put the words in her mouth.
4 (1Sa 25:23; 2Sa 1:2) As the Tekoan woman spoke to the king, she fell on her
face toward the ground and bowed low. Then she said, "Help me, O king."
5 The king said to her, "What troubles you?"
She responded, "Alas, I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
6 Furthermore, your servant had two sons. The two of them were fighting
in the field, but there was no one to separate them.
One struck the other and killed him.
7 (Nu 35:19; Mt 21:38) Now the entire family has risen up against
your maidservant, and they said, 'Deliver him who struck his brother,
so that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed,
and we will destroy the heir also.' So they will extinguish my remaining
ember, and leave my husband neither name nor remnant
on the face of the earth."
8 Then the king said to the woman,
"Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you."
9 (1Sa 25:24; 1Ki 2:33) The Tekoan woman responded to the king,
"May guilt rest upon me and the house of my father, my lord the king,
and may the king and his throne be blameless."
10 The king said, "Whoever speaks to you, bring him to me,
and he will not cause you harm again."
11 (1Sa 14:45; Nu 35:19) Then she said, "May the king remember the Lord
your God so that the avenger of blood will not continue to destroy,
lest they exterminate my son." He said, "As the Lord lives,
not one hair of your son will fall to the ground."
12 Then the woman said, "Allow your servant to speak
a word to my lord the king." So he said, "Speak."
13 (2Sa 12:7; 13:37-38) The woman said, "Why have you planned like
this against the people of God? The king's speaking this word is like
a self-conviction, for the king has not brought back his own banished one.
14 (Nu 35:15; 35:25) We will surely die and are like water spilled
on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.
Yet God does not take away a life; He devises plans so that His banished
ones will not be cast out from Him.
15 "So now I have come to speak to my lord the king about this matter
because the people have made me afraid. So, I thought, 'I will speak
to the king. Perhaps the king will perform the request of his servant.
16 (1Sa 26:19) For the king may accept my request to deliver his servant
from the hand of the man who would destroy me
and my son from the inheritance of God.'
17 (1Sa 29:9; 2Sa 19:27) "So, your servant thought, 'May the word of my lord
the king provide rest. For like the angel of God, my lord the king discerns
good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you.' "
18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not conceal
from me anything that I ask you." The woman said, "May my lord the king
please speak."
19 (2Sa 14:3; 1Sa 1:26) The king said,
"Is the hand of Joab with you in all of this?" The woman answered and said,
"As your soul lives, my lord the king, there is no turning right or left
from anything that you spoke, my lord the king, for your servant Joab
is the very one who commanded me and placed all of these words in my mouth.
20 (2Sa 14:17; 19:27) In order to change this situation, your servant Joab
did this thing; but my lord is wise, as with the wisdom of the angel of God,
so as to discern everything happening in the land."
21 (2Sa 14:11) Then the king said to Joab, "This is what I will do.
Go and bring back the young man Absalom."
22 Then Joab fell with his face to ground and bowed low and blessed the king.
Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes,
my lord the king, since the king has granted the request of his servant."
23 Then Joab arose and went to Geshur, and he brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 The king said, "Let him turn to his own house.
He shall not come into my presence."
So Absalom turned to his house and did not come into the king's presence.
David Forgives Absalom
25 (Dt 28:35; Job 2:7) In all of Israel, there was no man as handsome
as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, there was not
a blemish on him.
26 (2Sa 18:9; Eze 44:20) When he cut the hair of his head
(and at the end of every year he cut it, for it was heavy on him),
he weighed the hair from his head at two hundred shekels,
[About 5 pounds, or 2.3 kilograms. ] according to the king's standard.
27 (2Sa 18:18; 13:1) There were born to Absalom three sons
and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two full years without coming
into the king's presence.
29 Then Absalom sent a message to Joab, requesting that he send him
to the king, but he was not willing to come to him. So he sent
a second message, but still he was not willing to come.
30 (Jdg 15:4-5) Then he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is
next to mine, and he has barley there. Go, set it on fire."
So the servants of Absalom set the field on fire.
31 Then Joab arose, came to Absalom at his house, and said to him,
"Why have your servants set my plot of land on fire?"
32 (1Sa 20:8; Pr 28:13) Absalom said to Joab, "I sent a message to you,
saying: Come, so that I may send you to the king, asking,
'Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.'
Now, let me go before the king, and if there is still guilt with me,
may he put me to death."
33 (Ge 33:4; Lk 15:20) So Joab came and reported this to him.
Then he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king, bowed low to him,
his face on the ground before the king; then the king kissed Absalom.
2 Samuel 14
[1] Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward
Absalom.
[2] And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto
her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning
apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long
time mourned for the dead:
[3] And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the
words in her mouth.
[4] And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to
the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
[5] And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am
indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
[6] And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the
field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and
slew him.
[7] And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they
said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life
of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they
shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband
neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
[8] And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give
charge concerning thee.
[9] And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the
iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be
guiltless.
[10] And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me,
and he shall not touch thee any more.
[11] Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God,
that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more,
lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not
one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
[12] Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word
unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
[13] And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing
against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which
is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
[14] For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which
cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth
he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
[15] Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the
king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I
will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the
request of his handmaid.
[16] For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the
man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
[17] Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be
comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good
and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
[18] Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I
pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord
the king now speak.
[19] And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And
the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can
turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath
spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the
mouth of thine handmaid:
[20] To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this
thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to
know all things that are in the earth.
[21] And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go
therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
[22] And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked
the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace
in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request
of his servant.
[23] So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
[24] And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see
my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
[25] But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for
his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there
was no blemish in him.
[26] And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he
polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he
weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
[27] And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose
name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
[28] So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's
face.
[29] Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he
would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not
come.
[30] Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine,
and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set
the field on fire.
[31] Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him,
Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
[32] And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come
hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from
Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let
me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
[33] So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for
Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground
before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/25/pulled-to-safety
entitled Pulled to Safety
2 Samuel 22:13-20
13 (2Sa 22:9) From the brightness before Him
embers of fire are kindled.
14 (1Sa 2:10; Job 37:2-5) The Lord thundered from heaven,
and the Most High uttered His voice.
15 (Dt 32:23; Jos 10:10) He sent out arrows and dispersed them;
with lightning He sent them into confusion.
16 (Na 1:4) The channels of the sea appeared,
the foundations of the world were exposed
with the rebuke of the Lord,
from the blast of breath from His nostrils.
17 (Ps 144:7) He reached from on high and took me;
He drew me out of mighty waters.
18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hate me;
for they were stronger than I.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
20 (2Sa 15:26; Ps 31:8) He brought me to the open expanse;
He rescued me, for He delighted inme.
[13] Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
[14] The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
[15] And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited
them.
[16] And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were
discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his
nostrils.
[17] He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
[18] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for
they were too strong for me.
[19] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
[20] He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because
he delighted in me.
A little girl waded in a shallow creek while her father watched.
Her rubber boots reached her knees. As she sloshed downstream,
the water deepened until it flowed over the top of her waders. When she
couldn't take another step, she yelled, "Daddy, I’m stuck!" In three
strides, her father was at her side, pulling her to the grassy bank.
She yanked her boots off and laughed as water poured onto the ground.
After God rescued the psalmist David from his enemies, he took a moment to
sit down, "pull off his boots," and allow the relief to flood his soul.
He wrote a song to express his feelings. "I called to the Lord, who is worthy
of praise, and have been saved from my enemies," he said (2 Samuel 22:4). He
praised God as his rock, fortress, shield, and stronghold (vv. 2-3), and then
went on to narrate a poetic response of God's response: The earth trembled.
God came down from heaven. Lightning bolts flew from His presence. His voice
thundered, and He drew him out of deep water (vv. 8, 10, 13-15, 17).
Maybe today you feel opposition around you. Maybe you're stuck in sin that
makes it hard to advance spiritually. Reflect on how God has helped you in
the past, and then praise Him and ask Him to do it again! Thank Him
especially for rescuing you by bringing you
into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Reflect & Pray
Why is it easy to overlook the good things God's done for you
in the past when you're in the midst of trouble?
How does praising God increase your faith in Him?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for coming to my aid so many times.
Help me to know I can face any battle with You by my side.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 2 - God's purpose: The Image of Christ
Romans 8:28-29
28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for
good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew,
He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
A baby dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and the parents are
devastated, plagued with guilt, and Asking "Why?" A 17-year-old plunges
headfirst into a pond and to the surface a quadriplegic. A single mother
of 3, struck down by leukemia, has to release he children to foster homes.
And in all these cases, well-meaning Christians stand by and attempt to
comfort: "All things work together for good, you know," they say blithely,
"just trust God, and praise him for everything."
Such pat answers are often repeated because they do contain an element
of truth; they become "pat", meaningless, and superficial, when they are
used as a panacea for all ills, whether the cure fits or not.
The truth is, God does use everything for the benefit of his people -
even disaster and tragedy. Romans 8:28 says, "Ian all things God works ...."
God foes not cause human suffering. He is not the author of pain
and misery. But what the Enemy of our souls intends for
destruction, God can use for growth.
The key to understanding Romans 8:28 is Romans 8:29 . The Lord makes
clear what "his purpose" is: that we be "conformed to the
likeness of his Son." Everything that happens is not good,
but nothing is wasted in the economy of God. Even the sorrow,
misfortune, and calamity that strike all of us cam be used by the Spirit
to transform us into the image of Christ.
Application
a) Have I ever had experiences that made me doubt the
"all things work together for good"?
b) How does Romans 8:29 clarify Romans 8:28?
c) How can these verses help me deal with the struggles I have in my
own life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Eph 4:28
28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more.
Instead, let him labour, working with his hands things which
are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
28 Let him that stole steal no more:
but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which
is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 139:1-12
PSALMS 139
For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, You have searched me
and known me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far off.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You search my path and my lying down
and are aware of all my ways.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For there is not a word on my tongue,
but behold, O Lord, You know it fully.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You put Yourself behind and before me,
and keep Your hand on me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is lofty, and I cannot fathom it.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Where shall I go from Your spirit,
or where shall I flee from Your presence?
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell at the end of the sea,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) even there Your hand shall guide me,
and Your right hand shall take hold of me.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light shall be as night about me,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to You,
but the night shines as the day,
for the darkness is like light to You.
Psalm 139
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;
Even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth
as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/unreached-somalis-are-within-reach/
Unreached Somalis Are Within Reach
Civil war and radical Islam have driven nearly half of Somalia's people
from their homeland. At least 175 000 have migrated to North America
to find new lives.
There are sizeable permanent communities in Minneapolis and Toronto, but
other Somalis follow transient job opportunities. Many men work as taxi
and truck drivers, finding the transportation industry a good fit for
their ancestral history as nomadic camel herders.
Believers have long prayed to reach Somalis. Now they are within reach,
and can even be next door if you do what the Miller family did.
The Millers kept their jobs but switched neighborhoods, moving into
an apartment community where many Somalis live. They prayed for their
new neighbours leading up to the move, and within two months,
they experienced growing friendships with families.
They also started a Bible study with one Somali neighbor.
The Millers aren’t doing anything extraordinary. They bake cookies,
orchestrate cookouts, and rally prayer walks through their local church.
When Somalis ask what brought them to the neighborhood, they simply say,
"We love Jesus, and He has called us to love our neighbors
and share Good News with them. Would you like to hear it?"
As you pray, ask if God is calling you to sacrifice your "comfort"
so you can move next door to the unreached?
Pray for more committed, creative laborers like the Millers,
who live among and engage Somalis in North America.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2) would raise up many
to leave their comfort and move next door to unreached Somalis.
2 (2Th 3:1) He said to them, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the
laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest. "
2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers
are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth
labourers into his harvest.
Pray for the few Somali believers that their efforts to reach their
people would be blessed.
Pray for faith that perseveres and bears fruit among those
Jesus is calling.
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and ask Him to help your be a leader within your family.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father,
thank You for coming to my aid so many times.
Help me to know I can face any battle with You by my side."
Pray to the Lord and pray to under how all thing work for his good.
Pray to the Lord and pray to use your skills for good.
Pray to the Lord and pray to feel his presence..
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray that Muslims' hearts will be hungry for God
during the fast of Ramadan.
Pray for more committed, creative laborers like the Millers,
who live among and engage Somalis in North America.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2) would raise up many
to leave their comfort and move next door to unreached Somalis.
Pray for the few Somali believers that their efforts to reach their
people would be blessed.
Pray for faith that perseveres and bears fruit among those
Jesus is calling.
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray for Christian widows in Nepal who are facing sever discrimination.