Day 318 of My Second Bible Study Journey - 14 November 2022 reflections
Day 318, 14 November 2022
1)Acts 17:16-34
Acts 18:1-3
1 Thessalonians 1
1 Thessalonians 2
1 Thessalonians 3
1 Thessalonians 4
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Acts 17:16-34
Paul in Athens
16 While Paul waited for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him
as he saw that the city was full of idols.
17 Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout
persons, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to there.
18 (Ac 4:2) Then some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him.
And some said, "What will this babbler say?" Others said,
"He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,"
because he preached Jesus and the resurrection to them.
19 (Mk 1:27; Ac 17:22) They took hold of him and led him to the Areopagus,
saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
20 (Hos 8:12; 1Pe 4:4) For you are bringing strange things to our ears.
Therefore we want to know what these things mean."
21 For all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time
in nothing else, but either telling or hearing something new.
22 (Ac 25:19) Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said:
"Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious.
23 (Jn 4:22; Ac 17:30) For as I passed by and looked up at your objects
of worship, I found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Whom you therefore unknowingly worship, Him I proclaim to you.
24 (Mt 11:25; Ac 7:48) "God who made the world and all things in it,
being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hands.
25 (Job 22:2; Ge 2:7) Nor is He served by men's hands,
as though He needed anything, since He gives all men life and breath
and all things.
26 (Mal 2:10; Ge 3:20) He has made from one blood every nation of men
to live on the entire face of the earth, having appointed fixed times
and the boundaries of their habitation,
27 (Ac 14:17; Jer 23:23-24) that they should seek the Lord so perhaps
they might reach for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each
one of us.
28 (Job 12:10; Da 5:23) 'For in Him we live and move and have our being.'
As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring.'
29 "Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose
that the Deity is like gold or silver or stone or an engraved work of art
or an image of the reflection of man.
30 (Lk 24:47; Ac 14:16) God overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now He commands all men everywhere to repent.
31 (Ps 9:8; 96:13) For He has appointed a day on which He will judge
the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed,
having given assurance of this to all men by raising Him from the dead."
32 (Ac 17:18; 2:13) When they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
some scoffed. But others said, "We will hear you again concerning this matter."
33 So Paul departed from them.
34 (Ac 17:19; 17:22) However, some men joined him and believed.
Among them were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris,
and others with them.
[16] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in
him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
[17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the
devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
[18] Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks,
encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He
seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them
Jesus, and the resurrection.
[19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know
what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
[20] For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know
therefore what these things mean.
[21] (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time
in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens,
I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
[23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with
this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship,
him declare I unto you.
[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord
of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
[25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing,
seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the
face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitation;
[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and
find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of
your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
[29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think
that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and
man's device.
[30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent:
[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world
in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
[32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and
others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
[33] So Paul departed from among them.
[34] Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was
Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 18:1-3
Paul in Corinth
1 (Ac 19:1; 1Co 1:2) After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 (1Co 16:19; 2Ti 4:19; Ac 11:28) He found a Jew named Aquila, a native
of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,
because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.
And he went to them.
3 (1Co 4:12; 1Th 2:9) And because he was of the same trade,
he remained with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
[1] After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
[2] And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from
Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all
Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
[3] And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought:
for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
1 Thessalonians 1
Salutation
1 (2Th 1:1; Ro 1:7; Ac 18:5)Paul, Silas, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father
and in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Thessalonians' Faith and Example
2 (Ro 1:8-9) We give thanks to God always for you all,
mentioning you in our prayers,
3 (2Th 1:11; Ro 15:4) remembering without ceasing your work of faith,
labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
in the sight of God and our Father.
4 (2Th 2:13; 2Pe 1:10) For we know, beloved brothers, your election by God.
5 (Col 2:2; 2Th 2:14) For our gospel did not come to you in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,
just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 (Ac 13:52; 1Co 4:16) You became followers of us and the Lord,
having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.
7 Therefore you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 (Ro 1:8; 2Th 3:1) For the word of the Lord sounded out from you not only
in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith
in God has gone forth, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 (1Co 12:2; Ac 14:15) For they themselves declare how we were received
by you, and how you turned to God from idols,
to serve the living and true God,
10 (Ac 2:24; Mt 3:7) and to wait for His Son from heaven,
whom He raised from the dead-Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
[1] Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians
which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you,
and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[2] We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers;
[3] Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our
Father;
[4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were
among you for your sake.
[6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word
in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
[7] So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
[8] For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so
that we need not to speak any thing.
[9] For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto
you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
[10] And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even
Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 2
Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
1 You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.
2 (Ac 16:22-24; 17:2-9) But even after we had previously suffered and were
shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God
to declare to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
3 (2Co 2:17; 4:2) For our exhortation was not from deceit,
nor from uncleanness, nor in guile.
4 (Gal 1:10; 2:7; Ro 8:27) But as we were allowed by God to be entrusted
with the gospel, even so we speak, not to please men, but God,
who examines our hearts.
5 (Ac 20:33; Ro 1:9) For neither at any time did we come with flattering
words, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed. God is our witness.
6 (Jn 5:41; 5:44) Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you,
or from others, even though we might have made demands
as the apostles of Christ.
7 (1Th 2:11; Isa 49:23) But we were gentle among you, like a nurse caring
for her own children.
8 (2Co 12:15; 1Jn 3:16) So having great love toward you,
we were willing to impart to you not only the gospel of God
but also our own lives, because you were dear to us.
9 (Ac 18:3; Ro 1:1) For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil.
Laboring night and day so as not to be an expense to any of you,
we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 (1Th 1:5; 2Co 1:12) You and God are witnesses of how pure, upright,
and blameless we ourselves behaved among you who believe.
11 (1Th 2:7) As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and commanded
every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12 (Eph 4:1; 1Th 5:24) that you would walk in a manner worthy of God,
who has called you to His kingdom and glory.
13 (Heb 4:12; Ro 10:17; Gal 4:14) For this reason we thank God
without ceasing because, when you received the word of God,
which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God, which effectively works also
in you who believe.
14 (Gal 1:22; 1Th 1:6) For you, brothers, became followers
of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus.
You also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen,
as they have from the Jews,
15 (Mt 5:12; Ac 2:23) who both killed the Lord Jesus
and their own prophets and have persecuted us.
They do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 (Ac 13:50; Ge 15:16) forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles
that they might be saved. In this way they are always piling up
their sins, but wrath has come upon them to the extreme.
[1] For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not
in vain:
[2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto
you the gospel of God with much contention.
[3] For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
[4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even
so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
[5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a
cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
[6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we
might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
[7] But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
[8] So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have
imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls,
because ye were dear unto us.
[9] For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night
and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached
unto you the gospel of God.
[10] Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably
we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
[11] As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you,
as a father doth his children,
[12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom
and glory.
[13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the
word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually
worketh also in you that believe.
[14] For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in
Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your
own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
[15] Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have
persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
[16] Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to
fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Paul's Desire to Visit Again
17 (1Co 5:3; Col 2:5) But we, brothers, being taken from you
for a short time, in presence, not in heart, endeavoured
all the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 (Ro 15:22; 1:13; Php 4:16) Therefore we wished
to come to you-even I, Paul, once and again-but Satan hindered us.
19 (Php 4:1; 2Co 1:14; 1Th 3:13) For what is our hope, or joy,
or crown of rejoicing? Will it not even be you in the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
20 You are our glory and joy.
[17] But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence,
not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great
desire.
[18] Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but
Satan hindered us.
[19] For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
[20] For ye are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 3
1 (Ac 17:15; 1Th 3:5) Therefore, when we could no longer endure it,
we thought it good to be left at Athens alone.
2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and minister of God
and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish
and comfort you with regard to your faith,
3 (Ac 9:16; 14:22) so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions.
For you know that we are appointed to this.
4 (1Th 2:14) Indeed, we told you before when we were with you that
we would suffer tribulation, just as it came to pass, as you well know.
5 (Mt 4:3; Php 2:16) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it,
I sent to inquire about your faith, lest by some means the tempter
might have tempted you, and our labor might have been in vain.
6 (Ac 18:5; 1Th 1:3) But just now Timothy has come from you to us
and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always
have good memories of us, desiring greatly to see us,
as we also desire to see you.
7 (2Co 1:4) Therefore, brothers, during all our afflictions
and distress, we have been encouraged about you through your faith.
8 (1Co 16:13) For now we live, if you stand strong in the Lord.
9 (For what thanks can we render to God for you,
for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,
10 (2Ti 1:3; 2Co 13:9) night and day praying earnestly that we might
see your face and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
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.
[1] Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left
at Athens alone;
[2] And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you
concerning your faith:
[3] That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know
that we are appointed thereunto.
[4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should
suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
[5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your
faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in
vain.
[6] But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us
always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
[7] Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction
and distress by your faith:
[8] For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
[9] For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy
wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
[10] Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and
might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
[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:
[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.
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.
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] 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.
[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.
The Lord's Coming
13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,
concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
who have no hope.
14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,
so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will not precede those who are asleep.
16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
shall be forever with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 (Ac 1:7; 1Th 4:9) Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,
you have no need that I write to you.
2 (2Pe 3:10; Rev 3:3) For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief in the night.
3 (Lk 21:34-35; 2Th 1:9) When they say, "Peace and safety!"
then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor upon
a woman with child, and they shall not escape.
4 (1Jn 2:8) But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this Day
should overtake you as a thief.
5 (Lk 16:8; Ac 26:18) You are all the sons of light
and the sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 (Lk 22:46; 1Pe 1:13) Therefore let us not sleep as others do.
But let us be alert and sober.
7 (Ac 2:15; 2Pe 2:13) For those who sleep, sleep at night,
and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
8 (Isa 59:17; 1Th 5:5) But let us, who are of the day, be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet,
the hope of salvation.
9 (1Th 1:10; 2Th 2:13-14) For God has not appointed us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 (2Co 5:15) who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep,
we should live together with Him.
11 (Eph 4:29; Heb 10:25) So comfort yourselves together,
and edify one another, just as you are doing.
[1] But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write
unto you.
[2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a
thief in the night.
[3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape.
[4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief.
[5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are
not of the night, nor of darkness.
[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
[7] For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are
drunken in the night.
[8] But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of
faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
[9] For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our
Lord Jesus Christ,
[10] Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him.
[11] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as
also ye do.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 November 2022
Entitled "The Love of God"
Psalm 57
Psalms 57
Ps 108:1-5
For the Music Director. To the melody of "Do Not Destroy."
A Miktam of David when he fled from Saul in the cave.
1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious tome!
For my soul seeks refuge in You;
in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
until the ruinous storm passes by.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will cry to God Most High,
to God who vindicates me.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5 ) He will send from heaven and save me
from the taunt of the one who crushes me. Selah
God will send forth His mercy and His truth.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) My soul is among lions,
and I lie among the sons of men who blaze like fire,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory be above all the earth.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down;
they have dug a pit before me,
but they have fallen into it. Selah
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) My heart is fixed, O God,
my heart is fixed;
I will sing and give praise.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Awake, my glory!
Awake, psaltery and harp!
I will awake the dawn.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) I will thank You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) For Your mercy is great up to the heavens,
and Your truth extends to the clouds.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5 ) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory be above all the earth.
Psalms 57
[1] Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in
thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these
calamities be overpast.
[2] I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for
me.
[3] He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would
swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
[4] My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire,
even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a
sharp sword.
[5] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all
the earth.
[6] They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have
digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.
Selah.
[7] My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give
praise.
[8] Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
[9] I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee
among the nations.
[10] For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
[11] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all
the earth.
In 1917, Frederick Lehman, a California businessman beset by financial
setbacks, wrote the lyrics to the hymn, "The Love of God." His inspiration led
him quickly to pen the first two stanzas, but he got stuck on the third. He
recalled a poem that had been discovered years earlier, written on the walls
of a prison. A prisoner had scratched it there into the stone, expressing a
deep awareness of God's love. The poem happened to be in the same meter
as Lehman's hymn. He made it his third stanza.
There are times when we face difficult setbacks as did Lehman and the poet
in the prison cell. In times of despair, we do well to echo the psalmist
David's words and "take refuge in the shadow of [God's] wings" (Psalm 57:1).
It's okay to "cry out to God" with our troubles (v. 2), to speak to Him
of our current ordeal and the fears we have when "in the midst of lions"
(v. 4). We're soon reminded of the reality of God's provision in times past,
and join David who says, "I will sing and make music. . . . I will awaken
the dawn" (vv. 7-8).
"The love of God is greater far," this hymn proclaims, adding "it goes beyond
the highest star." It's precisely in our time of greatest need when we're
to embrace how great God’s love really is-indeed "reaching to the heavens"
(v. 10).
By: Kenneth Petersen
Reflect & Pray
What are the difficulties you face today?
How has God provided for you in times past?
Loving God, I am facing difficult matters, but I am reminded
of Your love for me and Your provision throughout my life. Thank You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 2 The Wardrobe of Joy Isaiah 61:10
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me
with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself
with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
On her wedding day, the bride dresses carefully for the ceremony
that is about to take place. Never before has she spent so much
time in preparation for one relatively brief event. When she
looks in the mirror and rejoices in her happiness, she responds not
out of vanity, but for sheer joy as she anticipates the coming ceremony.
God wants his people, lie that bride to be joyful, to rejoice in the Lord,
the Bridegroom. And he gives, through his grace,
the garments of joy to his beloved ones.
He clothes us, Isaiah says, with salvation, and covers us with
the robe of righteousness. The wardrobe that God provides is not merely
a utility garment, a coverall that hides our sin from his eyes.
It is his own righteousness in Christ, given to us as a free gift, so that
we might be united with him. And God himself, Isaiah says,
is filled with joy, adorning himself like a bridegroom.
When we truly see God's immeasurable gift in accepting us as him own,
we also will "greatly rejoice" in the Lord. He, the eternal god,
Creator of the universe, desires to be united with us, as a husband
desires his wife! God does not simply accept us grudgingly,
reminding us of our unworthiness to be with him. Rather, he celebrates
with unrestrained joy his oneness in Spirit with those he calls his own.
And we, having been fully forgiven
and set free from sin, can rejoice unashamedly as well.
Application
a) Have I ever felt ashamed to draw close to God? Why?
b) What does this verse tell me about God's attitude towards me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Eph 4:28
28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more.
Instead, let him labour, working with his hands things which
are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
28 Let him that stole steal no more:
but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which
is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 139:1-12
PSALMS 139
For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, You have searched me
and known me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far off.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You search my path and my lying down
and are aware of all my ways.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For there is not a word on my tongue,
but behold, O Lord, You know it fully.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You put Yourself behind and before me,
and keep Your hand on me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is lofty, and I cannot fathom it.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Where shall I go from Your spirit,
or where shall I flee from Your presence?
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell at the end of the sea,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) even there Your hand shall guide me,
and Your right hand shall take hold of me.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light shall be as night about me,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to You,
but the night shines as the day,
for the darkness is like light to You.
Psalm 139
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;
Even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth
as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) '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.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to walk in Godly ways.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, I am facing difficult matters, but I am
reminded of Your love for me and Your provision throughout my life.
Thank You."
Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of thanks for freeing you from Sin.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to steal.
Pray to the Lord and thank him for being all knowing!
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation
Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Pray for the Bible training courses that are being held for pastors
experiencing persecution in India.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1)Acts 17:16-34
Acts 18:1-3
1 Thessalonians 1
1 Thessalonians 2
1 Thessalonians 3
1 Thessalonians 4
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Acts 17:16-34
Paul in Athens
16 While Paul waited for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him
as he saw that the city was full of idols.
17 Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout
persons, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to there.
18 (Ac 4:2) Then some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him.
And some said, "What will this babbler say?" Others said,
"He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,"
because he preached Jesus and the resurrection to them.
19 (Mk 1:27; Ac 17:22) They took hold of him and led him to the Areopagus,
saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
20 (Hos 8:12; 1Pe 4:4) For you are bringing strange things to our ears.
Therefore we want to know what these things mean."
21 For all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time
in nothing else, but either telling or hearing something new.
22 (Ac 25:19) Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said:
"Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious.
23 (Jn 4:22; Ac 17:30) For as I passed by and looked up at your objects
of worship, I found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Whom you therefore unknowingly worship, Him I proclaim to you.
24 (Mt 11:25; Ac 7:48) "God who made the world and all things in it,
being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hands.
25 (Job 22:2; Ge 2:7) Nor is He served by men's hands,
as though He needed anything, since He gives all men life and breath
and all things.
26 (Mal 2:10; Ge 3:20) He has made from one blood every nation of men
to live on the entire face of the earth, having appointed fixed times
and the boundaries of their habitation,
27 (Ac 14:17; Jer 23:23-24) that they should seek the Lord so perhaps
they might reach for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each
one of us.
28 (Job 12:10; Da 5:23) 'For in Him we live and move and have our being.'
As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring.'
29 "Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose
that the Deity is like gold or silver or stone or an engraved work of art
or an image of the reflection of man.
30 (Lk 24:47; Ac 14:16) God overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now He commands all men everywhere to repent.
31 (Ps 9:8; 96:13) For He has appointed a day on which He will judge
the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed,
having given assurance of this to all men by raising Him from the dead."
32 (Ac 17:18; 2:13) When they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
some scoffed. But others said, "We will hear you again concerning this matter."
33 So Paul departed from them.
34 (Ac 17:19; 17:22) However, some men joined him and believed.
Among them were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris,
and others with them.
[16] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in
him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
[17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the
devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
[18] Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks,
encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He
seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them
Jesus, and the resurrection.
[19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know
what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
[20] For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know
therefore what these things mean.
[21] (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time
in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens,
I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
[23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with
this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship,
him declare I unto you.
[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord
of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
[25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing,
seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the
face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitation;
[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and
find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of
your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
[29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think
that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and
man's device.
[30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent:
[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world
in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
[32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and
others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
[33] So Paul departed from among them.
[34] Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was
Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 18:1-3
Paul in Corinth
1 (Ac 19:1; 1Co 1:2) After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 (1Co 16:19; 2Ti 4:19; Ac 11:28) He found a Jew named Aquila, a native
of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,
because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.
And he went to them.
3 (1Co 4:12; 1Th 2:9) And because he was of the same trade,
he remained with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
[1] After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
[2] And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from
Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all
Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
[3] And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought:
for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
1 Thessalonians 1
Salutation
1 (2Th 1:1; Ro 1:7; Ac 18:5)Paul, Silas, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father
and in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Thessalonians' Faith and Example
2 (Ro 1:8-9) We give thanks to God always for you all,
mentioning you in our prayers,
3 (2Th 1:11; Ro 15:4) remembering without ceasing your work of faith,
labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
in the sight of God and our Father.
4 (2Th 2:13; 2Pe 1:10) For we know, beloved brothers, your election by God.
5 (Col 2:2; 2Th 2:14) For our gospel did not come to you in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,
just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 (Ac 13:52; 1Co 4:16) You became followers of us and the Lord,
having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.
7 Therefore you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 (Ro 1:8; 2Th 3:1) For the word of the Lord sounded out from you not only
in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith
in God has gone forth, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 (1Co 12:2; Ac 14:15) For they themselves declare how we were received
by you, and how you turned to God from idols,
to serve the living and true God,
10 (Ac 2:24; Mt 3:7) and to wait for His Son from heaven,
whom He raised from the dead-Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
[1] Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians
which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you,
and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[2] We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers;
[3] Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our
Father;
[4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were
among you for your sake.
[6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word
in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
[7] So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
[8] For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so
that we need not to speak any thing.
[9] For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto
you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
[10] And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even
Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 2
Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
1 You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.
2 (Ac 16:22-24; 17:2-9) But even after we had previously suffered and were
shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God
to declare to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
3 (2Co 2:17; 4:2) For our exhortation was not from deceit,
nor from uncleanness, nor in guile.
4 (Gal 1:10; 2:7; Ro 8:27) But as we were allowed by God to be entrusted
with the gospel, even so we speak, not to please men, but God,
who examines our hearts.
5 (Ac 20:33; Ro 1:9) For neither at any time did we come with flattering
words, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed. God is our witness.
6 (Jn 5:41; 5:44) Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you,
or from others, even though we might have made demands
as the apostles of Christ.
7 (1Th 2:11; Isa 49:23) But we were gentle among you, like a nurse caring
for her own children.
8 (2Co 12:15; 1Jn 3:16) So having great love toward you,
we were willing to impart to you not only the gospel of God
but also our own lives, because you were dear to us.
9 (Ac 18:3; Ro 1:1) For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil.
Laboring night and day so as not to be an expense to any of you,
we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 (1Th 1:5; 2Co 1:12) You and God are witnesses of how pure, upright,
and blameless we ourselves behaved among you who believe.
11 (1Th 2:7) As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and commanded
every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12 (Eph 4:1; 1Th 5:24) that you would walk in a manner worthy of God,
who has called you to His kingdom and glory.
13 (Heb 4:12; Ro 10:17; Gal 4:14) For this reason we thank God
without ceasing because, when you received the word of God,
which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God, which effectively works also
in you who believe.
14 (Gal 1:22; 1Th 1:6) For you, brothers, became followers
of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus.
You also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen,
as they have from the Jews,
15 (Mt 5:12; Ac 2:23) who both killed the Lord Jesus
and their own prophets and have persecuted us.
They do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 (Ac 13:50; Ge 15:16) forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles
that they might be saved. In this way they are always piling up
their sins, but wrath has come upon them to the extreme.
[1] For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not
in vain:
[2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto
you the gospel of God with much contention.
[3] For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
[4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even
so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
[5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a
cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
[6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we
might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
[7] But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
[8] So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have
imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls,
because ye were dear unto us.
[9] For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night
and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached
unto you the gospel of God.
[10] Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably
we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
[11] As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you,
as a father doth his children,
[12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom
and glory.
[13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the
word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually
worketh also in you that believe.
[14] For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in
Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your
own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
[15] Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have
persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
[16] Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to
fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Paul's Desire to Visit Again
17 (1Co 5:3; Col 2:5) But we, brothers, being taken from you
for a short time, in presence, not in heart, endeavoured
all the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 (Ro 15:22; 1:13; Php 4:16) Therefore we wished
to come to you-even I, Paul, once and again-but Satan hindered us.
19 (Php 4:1; 2Co 1:14; 1Th 3:13) For what is our hope, or joy,
or crown of rejoicing? Will it not even be you in the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
20 You are our glory and joy.
[17] But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence,
not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great
desire.
[18] Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but
Satan hindered us.
[19] For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
[20] For ye are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 3
1 (Ac 17:15; 1Th 3:5) Therefore, when we could no longer endure it,
we thought it good to be left at Athens alone.
2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and minister of God
and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish
and comfort you with regard to your faith,
3 (Ac 9:16; 14:22) so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions.
For you know that we are appointed to this.
4 (1Th 2:14) Indeed, we told you before when we were with you that
we would suffer tribulation, just as it came to pass, as you well know.
5 (Mt 4:3; Php 2:16) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it,
I sent to inquire about your faith, lest by some means the tempter
might have tempted you, and our labor might have been in vain.
6 (Ac 18:5; 1Th 1:3) But just now Timothy has come from you to us
and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always
have good memories of us, desiring greatly to see us,
as we also desire to see you.
7 (2Co 1:4) Therefore, brothers, during all our afflictions
and distress, we have been encouraged about you through your faith.
8 (1Co 16:13) For now we live, if you stand strong in the Lord.
9 (For what thanks can we render to God for you,
for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,
10 (2Ti 1:3; 2Co 13:9) night and day praying earnestly that we might
see your face and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
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.
[1] Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left
at Athens alone;
[2] And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you
concerning your faith:
[3] That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know
that we are appointed thereunto.
[4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should
suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
[5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your
faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in
vain.
[6] But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us
always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
[7] Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction
and distress by your faith:
[8] For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
[9] For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy
wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
[10] Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and
might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
[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:
[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.
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.
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] 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.
[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.
The Lord's Coming
13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,
concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
who have no hope.
14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,
so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will not precede those who are asleep.
16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
shall be forever with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 (Ac 1:7; 1Th 4:9) Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,
you have no need that I write to you.
2 (2Pe 3:10; Rev 3:3) For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief in the night.
3 (Lk 21:34-35; 2Th 1:9) When they say, "Peace and safety!"
then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor upon
a woman with child, and they shall not escape.
4 (1Jn 2:8) But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this Day
should overtake you as a thief.
5 (Lk 16:8; Ac 26:18) You are all the sons of light
and the sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 (Lk 22:46; 1Pe 1:13) Therefore let us not sleep as others do.
But let us be alert and sober.
7 (Ac 2:15; 2Pe 2:13) For those who sleep, sleep at night,
and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
8 (Isa 59:17; 1Th 5:5) But let us, who are of the day, be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet,
the hope of salvation.
9 (1Th 1:10; 2Th 2:13-14) For God has not appointed us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 (2Co 5:15) who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep,
we should live together with Him.
11 (Eph 4:29; Heb 10:25) So comfort yourselves together,
and edify one another, just as you are doing.
[1] But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write
unto you.
[2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a
thief in the night.
[3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape.
[4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief.
[5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are
not of the night, nor of darkness.
[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
[7] For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are
drunken in the night.
[8] But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of
faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
[9] For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our
Lord Jesus Christ,
[10] Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him.
[11] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as
also ye do.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 November 2022
Entitled "The Love of God"
Psalm 57
Psalms 57
Ps 108:1-5
For the Music Director. To the melody of "Do Not Destroy."
A Miktam of David when he fled from Saul in the cave.
1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious tome!
For my soul seeks refuge in You;
in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
until the ruinous storm passes by.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will cry to God Most High,
to God who vindicates me.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5 ) He will send from heaven and save me
from the taunt of the one who crushes me. Selah
God will send forth His mercy and His truth.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) My soul is among lions,
and I lie among the sons of men who blaze like fire,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory be above all the earth.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down;
they have dug a pit before me,
but they have fallen into it. Selah
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) My heart is fixed, O God,
my heart is fixed;
I will sing and give praise.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Awake, my glory!
Awake, psaltery and harp!
I will awake the dawn.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) I will thank You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) For Your mercy is great up to the heavens,
and Your truth extends to the clouds.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5 ) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory be above all the earth.
Psalms 57
[1] Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in
thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these
calamities be overpast.
[2] I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for
me.
[3] He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would
swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
[4] My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire,
even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a
sharp sword.
[5] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all
the earth.
[6] They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have
digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.
Selah.
[7] My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give
praise.
[8] Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
[9] I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee
among the nations.
[10] For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
[11] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all
the earth.
In 1917, Frederick Lehman, a California businessman beset by financial
setbacks, wrote the lyrics to the hymn, "The Love of God." His inspiration led
him quickly to pen the first two stanzas, but he got stuck on the third. He
recalled a poem that had been discovered years earlier, written on the walls
of a prison. A prisoner had scratched it there into the stone, expressing a
deep awareness of God's love. The poem happened to be in the same meter
as Lehman's hymn. He made it his third stanza.
There are times when we face difficult setbacks as did Lehman and the poet
in the prison cell. In times of despair, we do well to echo the psalmist
David's words and "take refuge in the shadow of [God's] wings" (Psalm 57:1).
It's okay to "cry out to God" with our troubles (v. 2), to speak to Him
of our current ordeal and the fears we have when "in the midst of lions"
(v. 4). We're soon reminded of the reality of God's provision in times past,
and join David who says, "I will sing and make music. . . . I will awaken
the dawn" (vv. 7-8).
"The love of God is greater far," this hymn proclaims, adding "it goes beyond
the highest star." It's precisely in our time of greatest need when we're
to embrace how great God’s love really is-indeed "reaching to the heavens"
(v. 10).
By: Kenneth Petersen
Reflect & Pray
What are the difficulties you face today?
How has God provided for you in times past?
Loving God, I am facing difficult matters, but I am reminded
of Your love for me and Your provision throughout my life. Thank You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 2 The Wardrobe of Joy Isaiah 61:10
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me
with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself
with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
On her wedding day, the bride dresses carefully for the ceremony
that is about to take place. Never before has she spent so much
time in preparation for one relatively brief event. When she
looks in the mirror and rejoices in her happiness, she responds not
out of vanity, but for sheer joy as she anticipates the coming ceremony.
God wants his people, lie that bride to be joyful, to rejoice in the Lord,
the Bridegroom. And he gives, through his grace,
the garments of joy to his beloved ones.
He clothes us, Isaiah says, with salvation, and covers us with
the robe of righteousness. The wardrobe that God provides is not merely
a utility garment, a coverall that hides our sin from his eyes.
It is his own righteousness in Christ, given to us as a free gift, so that
we might be united with him. And God himself, Isaiah says,
is filled with joy, adorning himself like a bridegroom.
When we truly see God's immeasurable gift in accepting us as him own,
we also will "greatly rejoice" in the Lord. He, the eternal god,
Creator of the universe, desires to be united with us, as a husband
desires his wife! God does not simply accept us grudgingly,
reminding us of our unworthiness to be with him. Rather, he celebrates
with unrestrained joy his oneness in Spirit with those he calls his own.
And we, having been fully forgiven
and set free from sin, can rejoice unashamedly as well.
Application
a) Have I ever felt ashamed to draw close to God? Why?
b) What does this verse tell me about God's attitude towards me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Eph 4:28
28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more.
Instead, let him labour, working with his hands things which
are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
28 Let him that stole steal no more:
but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which
is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 139:1-12
PSALMS 139
For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, You have searched me
and known me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far off.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You search my path and my lying down
and are aware of all my ways.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For there is not a word on my tongue,
but behold, O Lord, You know it fully.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You put Yourself behind and before me,
and keep Your hand on me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is lofty, and I cannot fathom it.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Where shall I go from Your spirit,
or where shall I flee from Your presence?
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell at the end of the sea,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) even there Your hand shall guide me,
and Your right hand shall take hold of me.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light shall be as night about me,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to You,
but the night shines as the day,
for the darkness is like light to You.
Psalm 139
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;
Even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth
as the day:
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) '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.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to walk in Godly ways.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, I am facing difficult matters, but I am
reminded of Your love for me and Your provision throughout my life.
Thank You."
Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of thanks for freeing you from Sin.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to steal.
Pray to the Lord and thank him for being all knowing!
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation
Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Pray for the Bible training courses that are being held for pastors
experiencing persecution in India.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.