Day 156 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 5 June 2022 reflections
Day 156, 5 June 2022 Happy Pentecost Sunday
At https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ Josian Olmos the Youth director
spoke on Counter Culture - Pursiung Excellence based on 1 Thessalonians
3:11-4:12
1 Thessalonians 3
11 (2Th 2:16; 1Th 3:13) Now may our God and Father Himself,
and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 (Php 1:9; 1Th 4:9-10) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you.
13 (1Th 2:19; Zec 14:5) To this end may He establish your hearts
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
[11] Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our
way unto you.
[12] And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: {note the word
increase}
[13] To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before
God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his
saints.
Blameless in holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4
A Life Pleasing to God
1 (Eph 4:1; 2Th 1:3) Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please
God, you should excel more and more.
2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 (Ac 15:29; Ro 6:22) For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from sexual immorality,
4 (1Pe 3:7) that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel
in sanctification and honor,
5 (Ro 1:26; Gal 4:8) not in the lust of depravity, even as the Gentiles
who do not know God,
6 (Ro 12:19; Heb 13:4) and that no man take advantage of
and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord
is the avenger in all these things,
as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 (1Th 2:3; Lev 11:44) For God has not called us to uncleanness,
but to holiness.
8 (1Jn 3:24; Lk 10:16) Therefore he that despises does not despise man,
but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
[1] Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more.
[2] For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
[3] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
[4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
[5] Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not
God:
[6] That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because
that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and
testified.
[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
[8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also
given unto us his holy Spirit.
{Be seperate and do not live like Godless sexual immoral pagans/heathens}
1 Thessalonians 4
9 (1Th 5:1; Ro 12:10) As concerning brotherly love, you do not need me
to write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
10 (1Th 1:7; 3:12) And indeed, you do have love for all the brothers
who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, that you increase
more and more.
11 (Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15) Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
12 (Mk 4:11; Ro 13:13) so that you may walk honestly toward
those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4
[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye
yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
[10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia:
but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
[11] And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work
with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may
have lack of nothing.
{do well and be ambassadors of the Kingdom of Christ}
Holiness - to be set apart for the Lord
Leviticus 19:1-2
Leviticus 19
Moral and Ceremonial Laws
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 (Ex 19:6; Lev 11:44-45) Speak to all the congregation of the
children of Israel, and say to them: You shall be holy, for I
the Lord your God am holy.
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto
them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
1 Peter 1:15-16
15 (2Co 7:1; Heb 12:14) But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy
in all your conduct,
16 (Lev 11:44; 19:2) because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
(Lev 11:44; 19:2; 20:7.)
[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation;
[16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Sanctification - a continuous journey back to form, where God originally
made us in his imamge, an image distorted because of sin, God through
Jesus transforms and renews us that we may once be a reflection of Him.
1) Ecclesiastes 7-11:1-6
Ecclesiastes 7
The Value of Wisdom
1 (Pr 22:1; Ecc 4:2) A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 (Ps 90:12) It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind;
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Grief is better than laughter,
for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.
4 The heart of those who are wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of those who are foolish in the house of feasting.
5 (Ps 141:5; Pr 15:31-32) It is better to hear the rebuke from a wise man
than a man listen to the song of fools.
6 (Ps 58:9; 118:12) For like the crackling sound of thorns under a pot,
so is the mocking laughter of fools.
And this is also vanity.
7 (Dt 16:19; Ex 23:8) For oppression brings confusion to the wise man,
and a bribe destroys a man's heart.
8 (Pr 14:29; 16:32) The end of a matter is better than the beginning of it,
and the patient in spirit than the haughty in spirit.
9 (Pr 14:17; Jas 1:19; Pr 16:32) Do not be quick in your spirit to be angry,
for irritation settles in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, "Why were the earlier days better than these days?"
For it is not from wisdom that you inquire this.
11 (Ecc 11:7) Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
and an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 (Pr 3:18; 8:35) For the protection of wisdom
is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is
that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 (Ecc 1:15; Job 12:14) Consider the work of God:
Who is able to make straight
what He has made crooked?
14 (Ecc 3:22; Dt 28:47) In the day of prosperity be joyful,
but in the day of distress consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
For this reason man will not be able to understand
anything that comes after him.
15 (Ecc 8:12-14; 6:12) I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
There is the righteous man who dies in his righteousness,
and there is the wicked man who extends his life of evil.
16 (Ro 12:3; Pr 25:16) Do not be excessively righteous,
and do not be extremely wise;
why should you destroy yourself?
17 (Ps 55:23; Pr 10:27) Do not be overly wicked,
and do not be a fool;
why should you die before your time?
18 (Ecc 8:12; 11:6) It is good that you should take hold of this,
and from the other not withhold your hand;
for he who fears God will come out from them all.
19 (Pr 21:22; 24:5) Wisdom strengthens the wise man
more than ten rulers who are in the city.
20 (1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Pr 20:9) For there is not a righteous man on earth
who only does good and refrains from sin.
21 (Pr 30:10) Do not give heed to everything people say,
lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22 Your heart knows
that many times you have spoken a curse against others.
23 (Ro 1:22) All this I have tested by wisdom. I said,
"I will be wise,"
but it was far from me.
24 (Ro 11:33; 1Ti 6:16) That which is, is far off,
and exceedingly deep.
Who can find it out?
25 (Ecc 10:13) And I turned my heart to know,
and seek and search out wisdom in how things are
and to experience wicked folly,
even foolishness and madness.
26 (Pr 22:14; 2:18-19) I find more bitter than death
the woman whose heart is snares
and nets,
and whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God escapes her,
but the sinner is taken by her.
27 "See, this is what I found," says the Preacher,
"adding one thing to another to find the sum,
28 (Job 33:23) which my soul still seeks
but I do not find:
One man among a thousand I have found,
but a woman among all these I have not found.
29 (Ge 3:6-7) See, this only have I found:
that God made man upright,
but they have sought out many schemes."
Ecclesiastes 7
The Vanity of Fame
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than
the day of one's birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house
of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to
his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance
the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth
in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better
than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them
that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency
of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight,
which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man
should find nothing after him.
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that
perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his
life in his wickedness.
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise:
why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish:
why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this
withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men
which are in the city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;
lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou
thyself likewise hast cursed others.
The Quest for Wisdom
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far
from me.
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom,
and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly,
even of foolishness and madness:
26 and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares
and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her;
but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, counting one by one, to find
out the account:
28 which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have
I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright;
but they have sought out many inventions.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 (Dt 28:50; Ex 34:29-30) Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a matter?
A man's wisdom makes his face shine,
and the harshness of his face is softened.
The Value of Obedience
2 (1Ki 2:43) I say, "Keep the king's command, because of your oath to God.
3 (Ecc 10:4) Do not be hasty to leave his presence. Do not take a stand
in an unpleasant matter, for he does whatever pleases him."
4 (Job 9:12; Da 4:35) For the word of the king is powerful,
and who would say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 He who keeps his command will know no evil thing;
and a wise heart will know the appropriate time and just way.
6 (Ecc 3:1; 3:17) For to every matter there is an appropriate time
and just way, though a man's distress weighs heavily on him.
7 (Ecc 6:12; 9:12) For he does not know what will happen;
for who can declare to him what will occur?
8 (Job 14:5; Isa 28:15 ) There is not a man with mastery
over the wind to restrain it,
nor with power over the day of death.
And no one can discharge a battle,
nor can wickedness rescue the one possessing it.
9 (Ecc 5:8) All this I saw while applying my heart to every work
that is done under the sun, when one man rules over another
to the other's hurt.
God's Unknowable Ways
10 (Ecc 9:5; Pr 10:7) Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in
and out of the holy place, and they were praised [Or the Heb. forgotten].
in the city where they did works. This is also vanity.
11 (Ps 10:6; Isa 26:10) Because the sentence against an evil deed
is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.
12 (Ps 37:11; 37:18-19) Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times
and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those
who fear God when they have reverence before Him.
13 (Job 14:2; Ecc 6:12) But it will not be well for the wicked, and he will
not prolong his days, like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 (Ecc 7:15; Mal 3:15) There is a vanity that takes place on the earth that
there are righteous men who are treated according to the deeds of the
wicked, and there are wicked men who are treated according to the deeds
of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
15 (Ecc 2:24; 3:12-13) And I commend joy, for man has nothing better
under the sun than to eat and drink and be joyful; for this will go with him
in his labor all the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
16 (Ps 127:2; Ecc 1:13) When I set my heart to know wisdom and to experience
the affairs that are done on earth, though day and night there is no sleep
for one's eyes,
17 (Ecc 3:11; Ps 73:16) then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot
comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Inasmuch as a man labors
to seek, he will not understand. Even if a wise man claims to know,
he cannot grasp it.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?
a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall
be changed.
2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the
oath of God.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he
doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him,
What doest thou?
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's
heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery
of man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him
when it shall be?
8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit;
neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge
in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done
under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another
to his own hurt.
10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place
of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done:
this is also vanity.
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God,
which fear before him:
13 but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong
his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men,
unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there
be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous:
I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun,
than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him
of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that
is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth
sleep with his eyes: )
17 then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work
that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out,
yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it,
yet shall he not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 9
A Common Fate
1 (Dt 33:3; Ecc 8:14) For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could
declare it all: that the deeds of the righteous and the wise are in the hand
of God. No man knows whether love or hate awaits them; both are before him.
2 (Job 9:22; Mal 3:5) The same fate comes to all: There is one fate
for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the evil,
[Evil from Gk.] is missing in some [Heb. mss. for the clean and the unclean,]
for him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good,
so is the sinner;
he who takes an oath
as he who fears an oath.
3 (Ecc 1:17; 8:11) And this is an evil in all that is done under the sun:
that the same event happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are
filled with evil, and folly is in their hearts while they have life,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 But for him who is joined to all
the living here is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 (Job 14:21; Isa 26:14 ) The living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no more reward,
for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 What they loved, hated,
and envied has already perished;
and there is no reward for them from long ago
in everything that is done under the sun.
7 (Ecc 8:15) Go and eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine
with a pleasant heart; for God is already pleased with your deeds.
8 (Ps 23:5) At all times may your clothing be white,
and let not oil ever lack on your head.
9 (Ecc 2:10; 6:12) Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days
of your vain life which He has given you under the sun;
because that is your reward in life and in your toil
because you have labored under the sun.
10 (Ro 12:11; Col 3:23) Whatever your hands find to do, do with your strength;
for there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol,
the place where you are going.
11 (Jer 9:23; Ecc 4:1) Again I saw under the sun that-
the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong,
nor food to the wise,
nor riches to the intelligent,
nor favor to those with knowledge;
but time and chance happen to them all.
12 (Pr 29:6; 1Th 5:3) For man does not know his time:
Like fish caught in an unfortunate net,
like birds caught in a snare,
so the sons of men are ensnared at a tragic, yet appointed time,
when it suddenly falls on them.
The Excellence of Wisdom
13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
14 There was a small city with a few men in it; and a great king came
and surrounded it, and he built up great siege works against it.
15 (Ecc 4:13) But a poor, wise man was found there, and he himself
in his wisdom delivered the city, but no one remembered that poor man.
16 (Ecc 7:19; Pr 21:22) Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength;
yet the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard."
17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better
than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 (Jos 7:1; 7:5) Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but only one sinner can destroy much that is good.
Ecclesiastes 9
1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the
righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man
knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous,
and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean;
to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good,
so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is
one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil,
and madness is in their heart while they live,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog
is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither
have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart;
for God now accepteth thy works.
8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy
vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity:
for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest
under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches
to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;
but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil
net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men
snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14 there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king
against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15 now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered
the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's
wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that
ruleth among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 A dead fly causes a stench in mixed anointing oil,
so a little folly is more weighty than wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 (Pr 13:16; 18:2) Even when a fool walks on the road,
he lacks sense,
and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 (Pr 25:15; Ecc 8:3) If the anger of a ruler rises against you,
do not leave your post;
for calmness pacifies great offenses.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun
like an error that goes out from a ruler:
6 (Est 3:1; Pr 28:12) Folly is set in many high places,
but the rich sit in a low place.
7 (Pr 19:10; 30:22) I have seen slaves riding on horses,
and officials walking along the ground like slaves.
8 (Am 5:19; Pr 26:2)7 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
9 He who quarries stones is injured by them,
and he who splits wood is in danger from them.
10 If an iron piece is blunt
and there is no one to sharpen it,
then he must prevail with more strength;
but wisdom is a benefit to succeed.
11 (Jer 8:17; Ps 58:4-5) If a serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 (Lk 4:22; Pr 15:2) The words of a wise man's mouth bring favor,
but the speech of a fool consumes him;
13 the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 (Pr 15:2; Ecc 3:22) A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be;
who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The labor of the foolish makes him weary,
such that he does not know the way to the city!
16 (Isa 3:12; 2Ch 13:7) Woe to you, O land, when your king is a lad,
and your princes are feasting in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is from nobility,
and your princes are feasting at the appropriate time-
with self-control and not drunkenness!
18 (Pr 20:4 ) The roof beams sink in with slothfulness,
and with the idleness of one's hands the house drips.
19 (Ps 104:15) They make feasts for laughter,
and wine gladdens life;
but money resolves everything.
20 (Ex 22:28; Ac 23:5) Even in your mind do not curse the king;
and in your bedchamber do not curse the rich;
for a bird in the sky may carry your voice,
and a winged creature may declare the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking
savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation
for wisdom and honour.
2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place;
for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which
proceedeth from the ruler:
6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants
upon the earth.
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge,
a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith;
and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge,
then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment;
and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool
will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of
his talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be;
and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them,
because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child,
and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy
princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness
of the hands the house droppeth through.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry:
but money answereth all things.
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy
bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which
hath wings shall tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 11
The Value of Diligence
1 (Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42; Heb 6:10) Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2 (Ps 112:9; 1Ti 6:18-19) Give a portion to seven, or even eight,
for you do not know what calamity may happen on the earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty out on the land;
and if a tree falls to the north or south,
in the place that the tree falls, there it will be.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 (Jn 3:8; Ecc 8:17) As you do not know the way of the wind,
or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;
likewise you do not know the work of God
who has made everything.
6 (Ecc 9:10) In the morning sow your seed,
and in the evening do not let your hand rest;
because you do not know which activity will find success,
this way or that way,
or if the both will be good.
1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil
shall be upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth:
and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place
where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth
the clouds shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow
in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of
God who maketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for
thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they
both shall be alike good.
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 June 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/05/confident-in-god
Entitled Confident in God
1 John 5:13-15
Purpose of Writing
13 (Jn 20:31; 1:12) I have written these things to you who believe in the name
of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you
may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
14 (1Jn 3:21-22; Jn 14:13) This is the confidence that we have in Him, that
if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have
whatever we asked of Him.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may
believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have
the petitions that we desired of him.
A 2018 study of adults in the United Kingdom found that, on average, "they
checked their smartphones every twelve minutes of the waking day." But let's
be honest, this statistic seems extremely conservative when I consider how
frequently I search Google to find the answer to a question or respond to
endless alerts that come to my phone throughout the day. Many of us
consistently look to our devices, confident they'll provide what we need to
keep us organized, informed, and connected.
As believers in Jesus, we have a resource infinitely better than a smartphone.
God loves and cares for us intimately and desires for us to come to Him with
our needs. The Bible says that when we pray, we can be confident "that
if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14). By
reading the Bible and storing God’s words in our hearts, we can pray
assuredly for things that we know He already desires for us, including
peace, wisdom, and faith that He'll provide what we need (v. 15).
Sometimes it may seem like God doesn't hear us when our situation doesn't
change. But we build our confidence in God by consistently turning to Him for
help in every circumstance (Psalm 116:2). This allows us to grow in faith,
trusting that although we may not get everything we desire, He’s promised to
provide what we need in His perfect timing.
By: Kimya Loder
Reflect & Pray
When have you lacked boldness when coming to God in prayer?
How can you be confident and intentional in your prayers?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You that I can come confidently
to You in prayer, trusting You to supply all my needs.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 1 - Forgiving as God Forgave
Col 3:13
13 Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone
has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
"No!" Brett slammed his hand against the desk to punctuate his point.
"My wife's infidelity is completely unforgivable. She just wants to make things
look good, to have me condone her new relationship.
I won't do it. I won't forgive her."
Brett was a man in pain, and his perspective on forgiving
his wife is understandable. But unfortunately, many of us are
the victims of "unforgivable" offenses; many of us, as well,
are the perpetrators of such offenses, and we desperately need
to be forgiven.
Brett ultimately came to understand that forgiving and "unforgivable"
hurt is not based on the worthiness of the recipient of forgiveness,
but on the worthiness of Christ himself. The Bible teaches that we are bound
to forgiveness for one simple reason:
because God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ.
"Forgive as the Lord forgave", Paul commands in Col 3:13 . How did Christ
forgive? Freely, completely, without basing his forgiveness on our merit. He
forgave us unilaterally, offering forgiveness before we asked,
before we were aware of our sin and the pain it caused him,
before we came to him in repentance.
Forgiveness does more that release the perpetrator for the bondage of
his wrongdoing. It releases the victim as well. Forgiveness frees
the forgiver from the bondage of anger and bitterness that keeps him distant
from the love of God. We can forgive the most "unforgivable" of offenses
against us when we focus our attention not on the offender, but on Christ,
who forgave us.
Application
a) Have I ever harboured unforgiveness toward another person?
What was the result in my spiritual/emotional life?
b) Is there someone in my life who has hurt me, who I need to forgive?
How can this verse help me extend the forgiveness to that person?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
Lk 12:33-34
19 (Heb 13:5; Lk 12:21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20 (Lk 12:33; Mt 19:21) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroy
and where thieves do not break in nor steal,
21 (Lk 12:34) for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
2 Tim 2:8-13
8 (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,
descended from David, according to my gospel,
9 (Php 1:7; 2Ti 1:8) in which I suffer trouble like a criminal,
even with chains. But the word of God is not bound.
10 (Col 1:24; 2Co 1:6; 4:17) Therefore I endure all things
for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10) This is a faithful saying:
If we die with Him,
we shall also live with Him.
12 (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17 ) If we endure,
we shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3 )If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead
according to my gospel:
9 wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of
God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him,
we shall also live with him:
12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
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?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
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!
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
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
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.
Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
)
Conclusion:
Pray "Lord Jesus thank you for who you are, for taking my sin to the cross;
Lord you know my heart, I am a sinner, but you take me even though I am,
forgive me, Lord, I repent from all that I have done that took me away from
you. Make me more like you, I want to set myself aside for you, and be a part
of your work, I want to experience you lord, and I want to follow you. Amen"
Pray "Lord, thank you for who you are. I'm sorry for not pursuing a
relationship with you, for not prioritising that Lord forgive me. I want
to set myself aside for you once again, Make me holy as you are holy.
Continue your work in me so that God, I can be more like you. Amen"
Pray to the Lord and pray to recall that the Lord is the source of wisdom.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, thank You that I can come
confidently to You in prayer, trusting You to supply all my needs."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a gracious forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray for riches in Eternity.
Pray to the Lord and pray never to deny Him.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- 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!
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness.
Pray for spiritual revival to take place throughout Kyrgyzstan.
At https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ Josian Olmos the Youth director
spoke on Counter Culture - Pursiung Excellence based on 1 Thessalonians
3:11-4:12
1 Thessalonians 3
11 (2Th 2:16; 1Th 3:13) Now may our God and Father Himself,
and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 (Php 1:9; 1Th 4:9-10) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you.
13 (1Th 2:19; Zec 14:5) To this end may He establish your hearts
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
[11] Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our
way unto you.
[12] And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: {note the word
increase}
[13] To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before
God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his
saints.
Blameless in holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4
A Life Pleasing to God
1 (Eph 4:1; 2Th 1:3) Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please
God, you should excel more and more.
2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 (Ac 15:29; Ro 6:22) For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from sexual immorality,
4 (1Pe 3:7) that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel
in sanctification and honor,
5 (Ro 1:26; Gal 4:8) not in the lust of depravity, even as the Gentiles
who do not know God,
6 (Ro 12:19; Heb 13:4) and that no man take advantage of
and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord
is the avenger in all these things,
as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 (1Th 2:3; Lev 11:44) For God has not called us to uncleanness,
but to holiness.
8 (1Jn 3:24; Lk 10:16) Therefore he that despises does not despise man,
but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
[1] Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more.
[2] For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
[3] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
[4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
[5] Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not
God:
[6] That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because
that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and
testified.
[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
[8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also
given unto us his holy Spirit.
{Be seperate and do not live like Godless sexual immoral pagans/heathens}
1 Thessalonians 4
9 (1Th 5:1; Ro 12:10) As concerning brotherly love, you do not need me
to write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
10 (1Th 1:7; 3:12) And indeed, you do have love for all the brothers
who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, that you increase
more and more.
11 (Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15) Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
12 (Mk 4:11; Ro 13:13) so that you may walk honestly toward
those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4
[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye
yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
[10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia:
but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
[11] And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work
with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may
have lack of nothing.
{do well and be ambassadors of the Kingdom of Christ}
Holiness - to be set apart for the Lord
Leviticus 19:1-2
Leviticus 19
Moral and Ceremonial Laws
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 (Ex 19:6; Lev 11:44-45) Speak to all the congregation of the
children of Israel, and say to them: You shall be holy, for I
the Lord your God am holy.
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto
them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
1 Peter 1:15-16
15 (2Co 7:1; Heb 12:14) But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy
in all your conduct,
16 (Lev 11:44; 19:2) because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
(Lev 11:44; 19:2; 20:7.)
[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation;
[16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Sanctification - a continuous journey back to form, where God originally
made us in his imamge, an image distorted because of sin, God through
Jesus transforms and renews us that we may once be a reflection of Him.
1) Ecclesiastes 7-11:1-6
Ecclesiastes 7
The Value of Wisdom
1 (Pr 22:1; Ecc 4:2) A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 (Ps 90:12) It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind;
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Grief is better than laughter,
for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.
4 The heart of those who are wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of those who are foolish in the house of feasting.
5 (Ps 141:5; Pr 15:31-32) It is better to hear the rebuke from a wise man
than a man listen to the song of fools.
6 (Ps 58:9; 118:12) For like the crackling sound of thorns under a pot,
so is the mocking laughter of fools.
And this is also vanity.
7 (Dt 16:19; Ex 23:8) For oppression brings confusion to the wise man,
and a bribe destroys a man's heart.
8 (Pr 14:29; 16:32) The end of a matter is better than the beginning of it,
and the patient in spirit than the haughty in spirit.
9 (Pr 14:17; Jas 1:19; Pr 16:32) Do not be quick in your spirit to be angry,
for irritation settles in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, "Why were the earlier days better than these days?"
For it is not from wisdom that you inquire this.
11 (Ecc 11:7) Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
and an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 (Pr 3:18; 8:35) For the protection of wisdom
is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is
that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 (Ecc 1:15; Job 12:14) Consider the work of God:
Who is able to make straight
what He has made crooked?
14 (Ecc 3:22; Dt 28:47) In the day of prosperity be joyful,
but in the day of distress consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
For this reason man will not be able to understand
anything that comes after him.
15 (Ecc 8:12-14; 6:12) I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
There is the righteous man who dies in his righteousness,
and there is the wicked man who extends his life of evil.
16 (Ro 12:3; Pr 25:16) Do not be excessively righteous,
and do not be extremely wise;
why should you destroy yourself?
17 (Ps 55:23; Pr 10:27) Do not be overly wicked,
and do not be a fool;
why should you die before your time?
18 (Ecc 8:12; 11:6) It is good that you should take hold of this,
and from the other not withhold your hand;
for he who fears God will come out from them all.
19 (Pr 21:22; 24:5) Wisdom strengthens the wise man
more than ten rulers who are in the city.
20 (1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Pr 20:9) For there is not a righteous man on earth
who only does good and refrains from sin.
21 (Pr 30:10) Do not give heed to everything people say,
lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22 Your heart knows
that many times you have spoken a curse against others.
23 (Ro 1:22) All this I have tested by wisdom. I said,
"I will be wise,"
but it was far from me.
24 (Ro 11:33; 1Ti 6:16) That which is, is far off,
and exceedingly deep.
Who can find it out?
25 (Ecc 10:13) And I turned my heart to know,
and seek and search out wisdom in how things are
and to experience wicked folly,
even foolishness and madness.
26 (Pr 22:14; 2:18-19) I find more bitter than death
the woman whose heart is snares
and nets,
and whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God escapes her,
but the sinner is taken by her.
27 "See, this is what I found," says the Preacher,
"adding one thing to another to find the sum,
28 (Job 33:23) which my soul still seeks
but I do not find:
One man among a thousand I have found,
but a woman among all these I have not found.
29 (Ge 3:6-7) See, this only have I found:
that God made man upright,
but they have sought out many schemes."
Ecclesiastes 7
The Vanity of Fame
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than
the day of one's birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house
of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to
his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance
the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth
in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better
than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them
that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency
of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight,
which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man
should find nothing after him.
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that
perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his
life in his wickedness.
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise:
why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish:
why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this
withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men
which are in the city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;
lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou
thyself likewise hast cursed others.
The Quest for Wisdom
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far
from me.
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom,
and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly,
even of foolishness and madness:
26 and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares
and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her;
but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, counting one by one, to find
out the account:
28 which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have
I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright;
but they have sought out many inventions.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 (Dt 28:50; Ex 34:29-30) Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a matter?
A man's wisdom makes his face shine,
and the harshness of his face is softened.
The Value of Obedience
2 (1Ki 2:43) I say, "Keep the king's command, because of your oath to God.
3 (Ecc 10:4) Do not be hasty to leave his presence. Do not take a stand
in an unpleasant matter, for he does whatever pleases him."
4 (Job 9:12; Da 4:35) For the word of the king is powerful,
and who would say to him, "What are you doing?"
5 He who keeps his command will know no evil thing;
and a wise heart will know the appropriate time and just way.
6 (Ecc 3:1; 3:17) For to every matter there is an appropriate time
and just way, though a man's distress weighs heavily on him.
7 (Ecc 6:12; 9:12) For he does not know what will happen;
for who can declare to him what will occur?
8 (Job 14:5; Isa 28:15 ) There is not a man with mastery
over the wind to restrain it,
nor with power over the day of death.
And no one can discharge a battle,
nor can wickedness rescue the one possessing it.
9 (Ecc 5:8) All this I saw while applying my heart to every work
that is done under the sun, when one man rules over another
to the other's hurt.
God's Unknowable Ways
10 (Ecc 9:5; Pr 10:7) Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in
and out of the holy place, and they were praised [Or the Heb. forgotten].
in the city where they did works. This is also vanity.
11 (Ps 10:6; Isa 26:10) Because the sentence against an evil deed
is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil.
12 (Ps 37:11; 37:18-19) Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times
and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those
who fear God when they have reverence before Him.
13 (Job 14:2; Ecc 6:12) But it will not be well for the wicked, and he will
not prolong his days, like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 (Ecc 7:15; Mal 3:15) There is a vanity that takes place on the earth that
there are righteous men who are treated according to the deeds of the
wicked, and there are wicked men who are treated according to the deeds
of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
15 (Ecc 2:24; 3:12-13) And I commend joy, for man has nothing better
under the sun than to eat and drink and be joyful; for this will go with him
in his labor all the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
16 (Ps 127:2; Ecc 1:13) When I set my heart to know wisdom and to experience
the affairs that are done on earth, though day and night there is no sleep
for one's eyes,
17 (Ecc 3:11; Ps 73:16) then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot
comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Inasmuch as a man labors
to seek, he will not understand. Even if a wise man claims to know,
he cannot grasp it.
Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?
a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall
be changed.
2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the
oath of God.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he
doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him,
What doest thou?
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's
heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery
of man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him
when it shall be?
8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit;
neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge
in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done
under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another
to his own hurt.
10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place
of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done:
this is also vanity.
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God,
which fear before him:
13 but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong
his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men,
unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there
be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous:
I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun,
than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him
of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that
is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth
sleep with his eyes: )
17 then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work
that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out,
yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it,
yet shall he not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 9
A Common Fate
1 (Dt 33:3; Ecc 8:14) For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could
declare it all: that the deeds of the righteous and the wise are in the hand
of God. No man knows whether love or hate awaits them; both are before him.
2 (Job 9:22; Mal 3:5) The same fate comes to all: There is one fate
for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the evil,
[Evil from Gk.] is missing in some [Heb. mss. for the clean and the unclean,]
for him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good,
so is the sinner;
he who takes an oath
as he who fears an oath.
3 (Ecc 1:17; 8:11) And this is an evil in all that is done under the sun:
that the same event happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are
filled with evil, and folly is in their hearts while they have life,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 But for him who is joined to all
the living here is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 (Job 14:21; Isa 26:14 ) The living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no more reward,
for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 What they loved, hated,
and envied has already perished;
and there is no reward for them from long ago
in everything that is done under the sun.
7 (Ecc 8:15) Go and eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine
with a pleasant heart; for God is already pleased with your deeds.
8 (Ps 23:5) At all times may your clothing be white,
and let not oil ever lack on your head.
9 (Ecc 2:10; 6:12) Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days
of your vain life which He has given you under the sun;
because that is your reward in life and in your toil
because you have labored under the sun.
10 (Ro 12:11; Col 3:23) Whatever your hands find to do, do with your strength;
for there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol,
the place where you are going.
11 (Jer 9:23; Ecc 4:1) Again I saw under the sun that-
the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong,
nor food to the wise,
nor riches to the intelligent,
nor favor to those with knowledge;
but time and chance happen to them all.
12 (Pr 29:6; 1Th 5:3) For man does not know his time:
Like fish caught in an unfortunate net,
like birds caught in a snare,
so the sons of men are ensnared at a tragic, yet appointed time,
when it suddenly falls on them.
The Excellence of Wisdom
13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
14 There was a small city with a few men in it; and a great king came
and surrounded it, and he built up great siege works against it.
15 (Ecc 4:13) But a poor, wise man was found there, and he himself
in his wisdom delivered the city, but no one remembered that poor man.
16 (Ecc 7:19; Pr 21:22) Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength;
yet the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard."
17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better
than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 (Jos 7:1; 7:5) Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but only one sinner can destroy much that is good.
Ecclesiastes 9
1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the
righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man
knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous,
and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean;
to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good,
so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is
one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil,
and madness is in their heart while they live,
and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog
is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither
have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart;
for God now accepteth thy works.
8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy
vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity:
for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest
under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches
to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;
but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil
net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men
snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14 there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king
against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15 now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered
the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's
wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that
ruleth among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 A dead fly causes a stench in mixed anointing oil,
so a little folly is more weighty than wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 (Pr 13:16; 18:2) Even when a fool walks on the road,
he lacks sense,
and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 (Pr 25:15; Ecc 8:3) If the anger of a ruler rises against you,
do not leave your post;
for calmness pacifies great offenses.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun
like an error that goes out from a ruler:
6 (Est 3:1; Pr 28:12) Folly is set in many high places,
but the rich sit in a low place.
7 (Pr 19:10; 30:22) I have seen slaves riding on horses,
and officials walking along the ground like slaves.
8 (Am 5:19; Pr 26:2)7 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
9 He who quarries stones is injured by them,
and he who splits wood is in danger from them.
10 If an iron piece is blunt
and there is no one to sharpen it,
then he must prevail with more strength;
but wisdom is a benefit to succeed.
11 (Jer 8:17; Ps 58:4-5) If a serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 (Lk 4:22; Pr 15:2) The words of a wise man's mouth bring favor,
but the speech of a fool consumes him;
13 the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 (Pr 15:2; Ecc 3:22) A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be;
who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The labor of the foolish makes him weary,
such that he does not know the way to the city!
16 (Isa 3:12; 2Ch 13:7) Woe to you, O land, when your king is a lad,
and your princes are feasting in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is from nobility,
and your princes are feasting at the appropriate time-
with self-control and not drunkenness!
18 (Pr 20:4 ) The roof beams sink in with slothfulness,
and with the idleness of one's hands the house drips.
19 (Ps 104:15) They make feasts for laughter,
and wine gladdens life;
but money resolves everything.
20 (Ex 22:28; Ac 23:5) Even in your mind do not curse the king;
and in your bedchamber do not curse the rich;
for a bird in the sky may carry your voice,
and a winged creature may declare the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking
savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation
for wisdom and honour.
2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place;
for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which
proceedeth from the ruler:
6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants
upon the earth.
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge,
a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith;
and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge,
then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment;
and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool
will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of
his talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be;
and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them,
because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child,
and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy
princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness
of the hands the house droppeth through.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry:
but money answereth all things.
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy
bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which
hath wings shall tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 11
The Value of Diligence
1 (Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42; Heb 6:10) Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2 (Ps 112:9; 1Ti 6:18-19) Give a portion to seven, or even eight,
for you do not know what calamity may happen on the earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty out on the land;
and if a tree falls to the north or south,
in the place that the tree falls, there it will be.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 (Jn 3:8; Ecc 8:17) As you do not know the way of the wind,
or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;
likewise you do not know the work of God
who has made everything.
6 (Ecc 9:10) In the morning sow your seed,
and in the evening do not let your hand rest;
because you do not know which activity will find success,
this way or that way,
or if the both will be good.
1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil
shall be upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth:
and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place
where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth
the clouds shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow
in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of
God who maketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for
thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they
both shall be alike good.
2) Our Daily Bread for 5 June 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/05/confident-in-god
Entitled Confident in God
1 John 5:13-15
Purpose of Writing
13 (Jn 20:31; 1:12) I have written these things to you who believe in the name
of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you
may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
14 (1Jn 3:21-22; Jn 14:13) This is the confidence that we have in Him, that
if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have
whatever we asked of Him.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may
believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have
the petitions that we desired of him.
A 2018 study of adults in the United Kingdom found that, on average, "they
checked their smartphones every twelve minutes of the waking day." But let's
be honest, this statistic seems extremely conservative when I consider how
frequently I search Google to find the answer to a question or respond to
endless alerts that come to my phone throughout the day. Many of us
consistently look to our devices, confident they'll provide what we need to
keep us organized, informed, and connected.
As believers in Jesus, we have a resource infinitely better than a smartphone.
God loves and cares for us intimately and desires for us to come to Him with
our needs. The Bible says that when we pray, we can be confident "that
if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14). By
reading the Bible and storing God’s words in our hearts, we can pray
assuredly for things that we know He already desires for us, including
peace, wisdom, and faith that He'll provide what we need (v. 15).
Sometimes it may seem like God doesn't hear us when our situation doesn't
change. But we build our confidence in God by consistently turning to Him for
help in every circumstance (Psalm 116:2). This allows us to grow in faith,
trusting that although we may not get everything we desire, He’s promised to
provide what we need in His perfect timing.
By: Kimya Loder
Reflect & Pray
When have you lacked boldness when coming to God in prayer?
How can you be confident and intentional in your prayers?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You that I can come confidently
to You in prayer, trusting You to supply all my needs.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 1 - Forgiving as God Forgave
Col 3:13
13 Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone
has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
"No!" Brett slammed his hand against the desk to punctuate his point.
"My wife's infidelity is completely unforgivable. She just wants to make things
look good, to have me condone her new relationship.
I won't do it. I won't forgive her."
Brett was a man in pain, and his perspective on forgiving
his wife is understandable. But unfortunately, many of us are
the victims of "unforgivable" offenses; many of us, as well,
are the perpetrators of such offenses, and we desperately need
to be forgiven.
Brett ultimately came to understand that forgiving and "unforgivable"
hurt is not based on the worthiness of the recipient of forgiveness,
but on the worthiness of Christ himself. The Bible teaches that we are bound
to forgiveness for one simple reason:
because God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ.
"Forgive as the Lord forgave", Paul commands in Col 3:13 . How did Christ
forgive? Freely, completely, without basing his forgiveness on our merit. He
forgave us unilaterally, offering forgiveness before we asked,
before we were aware of our sin and the pain it caused him,
before we came to him in repentance.
Forgiveness does more that release the perpetrator for the bondage of
his wrongdoing. It releases the victim as well. Forgiveness frees
the forgiver from the bondage of anger and bitterness that keeps him distant
from the love of God. We can forgive the most "unforgivable" of offenses
against us when we focus our attention not on the offender, but on Christ,
who forgave us.
Application
a) Have I ever harboured unforgiveness toward another person?
What was the result in my spiritual/emotional life?
b) Is there someone in my life who has hurt me, who I need to forgive?
How can this verse help me extend the forgiveness to that person?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
Lk 12:33-34
19 (Heb 13:5; Lk 12:21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20 (Lk 12:33; Mt 19:21) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroy
and where thieves do not break in nor steal,
21 (Lk 12:34) for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
2 Tim 2:8-13
8 (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,
descended from David, according to my gospel,
9 (Php 1:7; 2Ti 1:8) in which I suffer trouble like a criminal,
even with chains. But the word of God is not bound.
10 (Col 1:24; 2Co 1:6; 4:17) Therefore I endure all things
for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10) This is a faithful saying:
If we die with Him,
we shall also live with Him.
12 (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17 ) If we endure,
we shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3 )If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead
according to my gospel:
9 wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of
God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him,
we shall also live with him:
12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
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?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
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!
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
5th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
(PS 145:13-18
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
)
Mem
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
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.
Pe
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Zade
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
Qoph
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness
( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,
and lead me in the ancient way. "
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
)
Conclusion:
Pray "Lord Jesus thank you for who you are, for taking my sin to the cross;
Lord you know my heart, I am a sinner, but you take me even though I am,
forgive me, Lord, I repent from all that I have done that took me away from
you. Make me more like you, I want to set myself aside for you, and be a part
of your work, I want to experience you lord, and I want to follow you. Amen"
Pray "Lord, thank you for who you are. I'm sorry for not pursuing a
relationship with you, for not prioritising that Lord forgive me. I want
to set myself aside for you once again, Make me holy as you are holy.
Continue your work in me so that God, I can be more like you. Amen"
Pray to the Lord and pray to recall that the Lord is the source of wisdom.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, thank You that I can come
confidently to You in prayer, trusting You to supply all my needs."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a gracious forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray for riches in Eternity.
Pray to the Lord and pray never to deny Him.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- 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!
Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,
that the Lord will draw them to Himself
Pray for the Lord to search your life ,
reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness.
Pray for spiritual revival to take place throughout Kyrgyzstan.