Day 6 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 6 January 2023 reflections
Day 6, 6 January 2023
1) Job 14-19
Job 14
1 (Job 5:7; Ecc 2:23) "Man who is born of a woman
is of few days and full of trouble.
2 (Job 8:9; 1Pe 1:24) He comes forth like a flower and withers;
he flees like a shadow and does not continue.
3 (Ps 143:2; 144:3) Do You open Your eyes on such a one,
and bring me into judgment with You?
4 (Jn 3:6; Job 15:14) Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
There is no one.
5 (Job 21:21; 7:1) Seeing his days are determined,
the number of his months are with You;
You have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 (Job 7:19; Ps 39:13) turn from him, that he may rest,
until he, as a hired man, finishes his day.
7 "For there is hope for a tree,
if it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
and that its tender shoots will not cease.
8 Though its root may grow old in the earth,
and its stump may die in the ground,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud
and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 (Job 14:12) But man dies and wastes away;
yes, man gives up his breath, and where is he?
11 (Isa 19:5 ) As the waters disappear from the sea,
and the flood shrivels and dries up,
12 (Job 3:13; Ac 3:21) so man lies down and does not rise;
until the heavens are no more, he will not awake,
nor be raised out of his sleep.
13 "Oh, that You would hide me in the grave,
that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past,
that You would appoint me a set time
and remember me!
14 (Job 7:1; 13:15) If a man dies, will he live again?
All the days of my service I will wait,
until my relief comes.
15 (Job 10:3; 13:22) You will call, and I will answer You;
You will long for the work of Your hands.
16 (Job 10:6; 31:4) For now You number my steps;
do You not observe my sin?
17 (Dt 32:34; Hos 13:12) My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
and You plaster over my iniquity.
18 (Job 18:4) "Surely the mountain falling comes to nothing,
and the rock is removed out of its place.
19 The waters wear away the stones;
its overflow washes away the dust of the earth;
and You destroy the hope of man.
20 You prevail forever against him, and he passes on;
changing his countenance, You send him away.
21 (Ecc 9:5; Isa 63:16) His sons come to honor, and he does not know it;
and they are brought low, but he does not perceive it.
22 But his flesh on him will have pain,
and his soul within him will mourn."
1] Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
[2] He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a
shadow, and continueth not.
[3] And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into
judgment with thee?
[4] Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
[5] Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee,
thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
[6] Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an
hireling, his day.
[7] For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout
again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
[8] Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die
in the ground;
[9] Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like
a plant.
[10] But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and
where is he?
[11] As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
[12] So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they
shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
[13] O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me
secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time,
and remember me!
[14] If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time
will I wait, till my change come.
[15] Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the
work of thine hands.
[16] For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
[17] My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine
iniquity.
[18] And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is
removed out of his place.
[19] The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out
of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
[20] Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his
countenance, and sendest him away.
[21] His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought
low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
[22] But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall
mourn.
(Short are our days, but our hope lies in the Salvastion of Jesus Christ)
Job 15
Eliphaz Speaks: Job Does Not Fear God
1 (Job 2:11) Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2 (Job 6:26; 8:2) "Should a wise man reply with empty knowledge
and fill his lungs with the east wind?
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk
or with speeches with which he can do no good?
4 Yes, you cast off reverence
and hinder prayer before God.
5 For your mouth utters your iniquity,
and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
6 (Lk 19:22; Job 9:20) Your own mouth condemns you, and not;
yes, your own lips testify against you.
7 (Ps 90:2) "Are you the first man who was born?
Or were you made before the hills?
8 (Ro 11:34; Jer 23:18) Have you heard the counsel of God?
And do you restrict wisdom to yourself?
9 (Job 13:2) What do you know that we do not know?
What do you understand that is not in us?
10 (Job 32:6-7) Both the gray-haired and very aged are among us -
much older than your father.
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you?
Or the word spoken gently to you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away?
And what do your eyes wink at,
13 that you turn your spirit against God,
and let such words go out of your mouth?
14 (Job 14:4; Pr 20:9) "What is man that he should be pure?
And he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 (Job 4:18; 25:5) Behold, He puts no trust in His holy ones,
and the heavens are not pure in His sight.
16 (Job 34:7; Pr 19:28) How much more abhorred and corrupt is man,
who drinks iniquity like water!
17 "I will tell you; hear me,
and what I have seen I will declare,
18 (Job 8:8) what wise men have told,
not hiding anything received from their fathers,
19 (Joel 3:17) to whom alone the land was given,
and no foreigner passed among them:
20 (Job 24:1; 27:13) The wicked man travails with pain all his days,
and numbered are the years stored up for the oppressor.
21 (Job 18:11; 1Th 5:3) A dreadful sound is in his ears;
in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him.
22 He does not believe that he will return from darkness,
and a sword awaits him.
23 (Ps 59:15; 109:10) He wanders about for bread, saying, 'Where is it?'
He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish will make him afraid;
they will prevail against him as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he stretches out his hand against God,
and strengthens himself against the Almighty.
26 He rushes upon Him, even on His neck,
with his thick embossed shield.
27 (Ps 17:10; 73:7) "He has covered his face with his fatness
and gathered fat upon his waist.
28 (Job 3:14) He dwells in desolate cities
and in houses which no man inhabits,
which are ready to become heaps.
29 (Job 27:16-17) He will not be rich, nor will his wealth continue,
nor will his possessions spread over the earth.
30 (Job 4:9; 15:22) He will not depart out of darkness;
the flame will dry out his branches,
and by the breath of His mouth he will go away.
31 (Isa 59:4) Let him who is deceived not trust in futility,
for futility will be his reward.
32 (Job 22:16; Ecc 7:17) It will be accomplished before his time,
and his branch will not be green.
33 He will shake off his unripe grape like the vine,
and will cast off his blossom like the olive.
34 (Job 8:13) For the company of hypocrites will be desolate,
and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
35 (Ps 7:14; Hos 10:13) They conceive mischief, and give birth to futility;
their womb prepares deceit."
[1] Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
[2] Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east
wind?
[3] Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he
can do no good?
[4] Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
[5] For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of
the crafty.
[6] Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify
against thee.
[7] Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the
hills?
[8] Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to
thyself?
[9] What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is
not in us?
[10] With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy
father.
[11] Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing
with thee?
[12] Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
[13] That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out
of thy mouth?
[14] What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman,
that he should be righteous?
[15] Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not
clean in his sight.
[16] How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity
like water?
[17] I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;
[18] Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:
[19] Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
[20] The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of
years is hidden to the oppressor.
[21] A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come
upon him.
[22] He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited
for of the sword.
[23] He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the
day of darkness is ready at his hand.
[24] Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against
him, as a king ready to the battle.
[25] For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself
against the Almighty.
[26] He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his
bucklers:
[27] Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of
fat on his flanks.
[28] And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man
inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
[29] He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither
shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.
[30] He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his
branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
[31] Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his
recompence.
[32] It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be
green.
[33] He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his
flower as the olive.
[34] For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall
consume the tabernacles of bribery.
[35] They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly
prepareth deceit.
(Be humble in the name of the Lord)
Job 16
Job Replies: You Are Miserable Comforters
1 Then Job answered:
2 "I have heard many such things;
miserable comforters are you all!
3 (Job 6:26; 15:2) Will windy words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 (Ps 22:7; 109:25) I also could speak as you do,
if your soul were in my place.
I could heap up words against you
and shake my head at you;
5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth,
and the moving of my lips would relieve your grief.
6 "Though I speak, my grief is not relieved;
and though I stop, how am I eased?
7 (Job 7:3; 1:15-19) But now He has made me weary;
You have made desolate all my company.
8 (Job 10:17; Ru 1:21) You have filled me with wrinkles,
which is a witness against me;
and my leanness has risen up and bears witness to my face.
9 (Ps 35:16; La 2:16) He has torn me in His wrath,
and He has carried a grudge against me.
He has gnashed me with His teeth;
my enemy sharpens His gaze upon me.
10 (Ps 22:13; 35:15) They have gaped upon me with their mouth;
they have struck me upon the cheek with reproach;
they have gathered themselves together against me.
11 God has delivered me to the ungodly
and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12 (Job 7:20 ) I was at ease, but He has shattered me.
He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces,
and set me up for His target.
13 (Job 20:25; 6:4) His archers surround me;
He splits open my kidneys and does not pity;
He pours out my gall upon the ground.
14 He pierces me with thrust after thrust;
He rushes upon me like a warrior.
15 (Ps 7:5; 75:10) "I have sewn sackcloth over my skin
and thrust my horn into the dust.
16 My face is inflamed with weeping,
and on my eyelids is the shadow of death,
17 though not for any violence in my hands,
and my prayer is pure.
18 (Isa 26:21; Ps 66:18-19) "O earth, do not cover my blood,
and let my cry have no resting place.
19 (Ro 1:9) Also now, look, my witness is in heaven,
and my record is on high.
20 My friends scorn me;
my eyes pour out tears unto God.
21 (Job 31:35) Oh, that one might plead for a man with God,
as a man pleads for his neighbor!
22 (Ecc 12:5) "For when a few years have passed,
I will go the way from which I will not return."
[1] Then Job answered and said,
[2] I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
[3] Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou
answerest?
[4] I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I
could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
[5] But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips
should asswage your grief.
[6] Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am
I eased?
[7] But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
[8] And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me:
and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
[9] He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his
teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
[10] They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the
cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
[11] God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands
of the wicked.
[12] I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by
my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
[13] His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and
doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
[14] He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a
giant.
[15] I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.
[16] My face is foul with weeping, and my eyelids is the shadow of death;
[17] Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
[18] O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
[19] Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
[20] My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
[21] O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his
neighbour!
[22] When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not
return.
(Pray to be comforters not condemners!)
Job 17
Job Prays for Relief
1 "My spirit is broken,
my days are extinguished,
the grave is ready for me.
2(1Sa 1:6-7; Job 12:4) Are not mockers with me?
And does not my eye dwell on their provocation?
3(Pr 11:15; Ps 119:122) "Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself.
Who is he who will shake hands with me?
4 For You have hidden their heart from understanding.
Therefore will You not exalt them.
5 (Job 11:20 )He who speaks flattery to his friends,
even the eyes of his children will fail.
6 (Job 30:9; Ps 44:14) "And He has made me a byword of the people,
someone in whose face they spit.
7 (Job 16:16; Ps 6:7) My eye also is dim because of sorrow,
and all my members are like a shadow.
8 Upright men will be astonished at this,
and the innocent will stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 (Pr 4:18; Job 22:30) The righteous also will hold to his way,
and he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
10 (Job 6:29) "But as for you all, return and come now,
for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11 (Job 7:6) My days are past, my purposes are broken off,
even the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day;
the light is short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave is my house;
I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 (Ps 16:10) I have said to the pit, 'You are my father';
to the worm, 'You are my mother and my sister.'
15 Where now is my hope?
As for my hope, who will see it?
16 (Job 3:17-19; Jnh 2:6) Will they go down to the gates of Sheol?
Will we descend together in the dust?'
[1] My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
[2] Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their
provocation?
[3] Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike
hands with me?
[4] For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou
not exalt them.
[5] He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children
shall fail.
[6] He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a
tabret.
[7] Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a
shadow.
[8] Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up
himself against the hypocrite.
[9] The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands
shall be stronger and stronger.
[10] But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one
wise man among you.
[11] My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my
heart.
[12] They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
[13] If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
[14] I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou are my
mother, and my sister.
[15] And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
[16] They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in
the dust.
Job 18
Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked
1 (Job 2:11; 8:1)Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 "How long will it be until you put an end to words?
Gain understanding, and afterwards we will speak.
3 (Ps 73:22) Why are we counted as beasts
and regarded as stupid in your sight?
4 (Job 13:14; 14:18) You who tear yourself in anger,
will the earth be forsaken for you?
And will the rock be removed from its place?
5 (Pr 13:9; 20:20) "Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out,
and the spark of his fire will not shine.
6 The light will be dark in his tent,
and his candle beside him will be put out.
7 (Pr 4:12) The steps of his strength will be shortened,
and his own counsel will cast him down.
8 (Job 22:10; Ps 9:15) For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
and he walks upon a snare.
9 The trap will take him by the heel,
and the snare will prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground,
and a trap for him in the path.
11 (Job 15:21; Jer 6:25) Terrors will make him afraid on every side
and will drive him to his feet.
12 His strength will be hungry,
and destruction will be ready at his side.
13 (Isa 14:30) It will devour the parts of his skin;
the firstborn of death will devour his limbs.
14 His confidence will be rooted out of his tent,
and it will bring him to the king of terrors.
15 (Ps 11:6) They dwell in his tent who have no part with him;
brimstone will be scattered upon his habitation.
16 (Hos 9:16; Job 15:30) His roots will be dried up beneath,
and above his branch will dry up.
17 (Ps 34:16; Pr 10:7) The memory of him will perish from the earth,
and he will have no name in the street.
18 (Job 10:22; 20:8) He will be driven from light into darkness,
and chased out of the world.
19 (Jer 22:30) He has neither descendant nor posterity among his people,
nor anyone remaining in his dwellings.
20 (Ps 37:13; Jer 50:27) They who come after him will be astonished at his day,
as they who went before were seized with fright.
21 (Jer 9:3; Jdg 2:10) Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,
and this is the place of him who does not know God."
Job 18
Bildad's Speech
1] Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
[2] How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we
will speak.
[3] Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
[4] He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee?
and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
[5] Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire
shall not shine.
[6] The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put
out with him.
[7] The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall
cast him down.
[8] For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
[9] The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against
him.
[10] The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
[11] Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his
feet.
[12] His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at
his side.
[13] It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death
shall devour his strength.
[14] His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall
bring him to the king of terrors.
[15] It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone
shall be scattered upon his habitation.
[16] His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut
off.
[17] His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name
in the street.
[18] He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the
world.
[19] He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any
remaining in his dwellings.
[20] They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that
went before were affrighted.
[21] Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of
him that knoweth not God.
Job 19
Job Replies: My Redeemer Lives
1 Then Job answered:
2 "How long will you torment my soul
and break me in pieces with words?
3 (Ge 31:7) These ten times you have reproached me;
you are not ashamed that you have wronged me.
4 And if indeed I have erred,
my error remains with me.
5 (Ps 35:26; 38:16) If indeed you exalt yourselves against me
and plead against me with my disgrace,
6 (Job 18:8-10) know now that God has bent me
and has surrounded me with His net.
7 (La 3:8; Hab 1:2-3) "Look, I cry out concerning wrong, but I am not heard;
I cry aloud, but there is no justice.
8 (Job 3:23; La 3:7) He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass,
and He has set darkness in my paths.
9 (Ps 89:44; 89:39) He has stripped me of my glory
and taken the crown from my head.
10 (Job 24:20) He has destroyed me on every side, and I am gone;
my hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 (Job 13:24; 16:9) He has also kindled His wrath against me,
and He counts me as one of His enemies.
12 (Job 30:12) His troops come together
and build up their road against me;
they set up camp all around my tent.
13 (Ps 69:8; 88:8) "He has removed my brothers far from me,
and my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 (Ps 38:11) My relatives have failed,
and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
count me for a stranger;
I am a foreigner in their sight.
16 I called my servant, but he gave me no answer;
I begged him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife;
I am loathsome to the children of my own body.
18 (2Ki 2:23) Yes, young children despise me;
I arose, and they spoke against me.
19 (Ps 41:9; 55:12-14) All my close friends abhorred me,
and they whom I love are turned against me.
20 (Ps 102:5; La 4:8) My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 (Job 1:11; Ps 38:2) "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has struck me!
22 (Ps 69:26) Why do you persecute me as God does,
and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 (Isa 30:8) "Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24(Jer 17:1) That they were engraved with an iron pen
and lead in the rock forever!
25 (Ps 19:14; Isa 43:14) For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and He will stand at last on the earth;
26 (Ps 17:15; 1Jn 3:2; 1Co 13:12) and after my skin is destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God,
27 (Ps 73:26) whom I will see for myself,
and my eyes will behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me.
28(Job 19:22) "If you should say, 'How shall we persecute him?'
since the root of the matter is found in me,
29 be afraid of the sword for yourselves;
for wrath brings the punishments of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment."
(Jesus is our Redeemer)
Job 19
Job's Reply
[1] Then Job answered and said,
[2] How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
[3] These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make
yourselves strange to me.
[4] And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
[5] If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my
reproach:
[6] Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his
net.
[7] Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there
is no judgment.
[8] He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in
my paths.
[9] He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
[10] He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath
he removed like a tree.
[11] He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him
as one of his enemies.
[12] His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp
round about my tabernacle.
[13] He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily
estranged from me.
[14] My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
[15] They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I
am an alien in their sight.
[16] I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my
mouth.
[17] My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's
sake of mine own body.
[18] Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.
[19] All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned
against me.
[20] My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the
skin of my teeth.
[21] Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of
God hath touched me.
[22] Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
[23] Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
[24] That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
[25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth:
[26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall
I see God:
[27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not
another; though my reins be consumed within me.
[28] But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter
is found in me?
[29] Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the
sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
2) Our Daily Bread for 6 January 2023 entitled
Made for Adventure
Genesis 1:21-28
21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves,
with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged
bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22 Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill
the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."
23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to
their kinds: livestock, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth
according to their kinds." And it was so.
25 So God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind,
and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that
creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds
of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish
the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds
of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
[21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth,
which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every
winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
[22] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
[23] And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his
kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and
it was so.
[25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after
their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and
God saw that it was good.
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.
[28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the
fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.
I recently made a wonderful discovery. Following a dirt path into a cluster
of trees near my home, I found a hidden homemade playground. A ladder made
of sticks led up to a lookout, swings made from old cable spools hung from
branches, and there was even a suspension bridge slung between boughs.
Someone had turned some old wood and rope into a creative adventure!
Swiss physician Paul Tournier believed that we were made for adventure because
we're made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). Just as God ventured forth to
invent a universe (vv. 1-25), just as He took the risk of creating humans who
could choose good or evil (3:5-6), and just as He called us to "be fruitful
and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it" (1:28), we too have a
drive to invent, take risks, and create new things as we fruitfully rule the
earth. Such adventures may be large or small, but they're best when they
benefit others. I bet the makers of that playground would get a kick out
of people finding and enjoying it.
Whether it's inventing new music, exploring new forms of evangelism, or
rekindling a marriage that's grown distant, adventures of all kinds keep our
heart beating. What new task or project is tugging at you right now?
Perhaps God is leading you to a new adventure.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
How else do you see God being adventurous in Scripture?
How can His adventures inspire our own?
Adventurous God, send me on a new adventure out of love for You and others!
For further study, read
Genesis to Revelation: Why the Whole Story of the Bible Matters.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative
Isaiah 1:18
18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "
says the Lord.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life
that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them
of some order in the world."
Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations
have been asking themselves the same question.
God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue
head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.
Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,
faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.
God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".
"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it. You are not even able to be
true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power
or effort. But I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"
We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.
Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect
supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.
In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing
or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.
The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes
clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,
or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.
Application
a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a
'Rational choice'?
b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?
c) What other aspects of God's word
and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:20-25
20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4-5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:
thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."
A Light Under a Basket
Lk 8:16-18
21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put
under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;
neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.
23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.
The measure you give will be measured for you,
and to you who hear will more be given.
25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.
And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:
and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest
Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,
but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
(
Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7 ) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and
your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near
to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and
your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,
as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt
loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for
nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) 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.
16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on
a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to
act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4) 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, 2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings
and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty, 3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 for kings,
and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable
life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign and booklet
to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank him for being redeemer and comforter.
Pray to the Lord
"Adventurous God, send me on a new adventure out of love for You and others!"
Pray to the Lord and pray to Lord to give all your sins over to Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a shining light for Him.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for beign our High Priest.
Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
Pray that all Malay Christians in Brunei will have their owm copy
of God's word.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Job 14-19
Job 14
1 (Job 5:7; Ecc 2:23) "Man who is born of a woman
is of few days and full of trouble.
2 (Job 8:9; 1Pe 1:24) He comes forth like a flower and withers;
he flees like a shadow and does not continue.
3 (Ps 143:2; 144:3) Do You open Your eyes on such a one,
and bring me into judgment with You?
4 (Jn 3:6; Job 15:14) Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
There is no one.
5 (Job 21:21; 7:1) Seeing his days are determined,
the number of his months are with You;
You have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 (Job 7:19; Ps 39:13) turn from him, that he may rest,
until he, as a hired man, finishes his day.
7 "For there is hope for a tree,
if it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
and that its tender shoots will not cease.
8 Though its root may grow old in the earth,
and its stump may die in the ground,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud
and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 (Job 14:12) But man dies and wastes away;
yes, man gives up his breath, and where is he?
11 (Isa 19:5 ) As the waters disappear from the sea,
and the flood shrivels and dries up,
12 (Job 3:13; Ac 3:21) so man lies down and does not rise;
until the heavens are no more, he will not awake,
nor be raised out of his sleep.
13 "Oh, that You would hide me in the grave,
that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past,
that You would appoint me a set time
and remember me!
14 (Job 7:1; 13:15) If a man dies, will he live again?
All the days of my service I will wait,
until my relief comes.
15 (Job 10:3; 13:22) You will call, and I will answer You;
You will long for the work of Your hands.
16 (Job 10:6; 31:4) For now You number my steps;
do You not observe my sin?
17 (Dt 32:34; Hos 13:12) My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
and You plaster over my iniquity.
18 (Job 18:4) "Surely the mountain falling comes to nothing,
and the rock is removed out of its place.
19 The waters wear away the stones;
its overflow washes away the dust of the earth;
and You destroy the hope of man.
20 You prevail forever against him, and he passes on;
changing his countenance, You send him away.
21 (Ecc 9:5; Isa 63:16) His sons come to honor, and he does not know it;
and they are brought low, but he does not perceive it.
22 But his flesh on him will have pain,
and his soul within him will mourn."
1] Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
[2] He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a
shadow, and continueth not.
[3] And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into
judgment with thee?
[4] Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
[5] Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee,
thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
[6] Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an
hireling, his day.
[7] For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout
again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
[8] Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die
in the ground;
[9] Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like
a plant.
[10] But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and
where is he?
[11] As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
[12] So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they
shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
[13] O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me
secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time,
and remember me!
[14] If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time
will I wait, till my change come.
[15] Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the
work of thine hands.
[16] For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
[17] My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine
iniquity.
[18] And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is
removed out of his place.
[19] The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out
of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
[20] Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his
countenance, and sendest him away.
[21] His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought
low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
[22] But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall
mourn.
(Short are our days, but our hope lies in the Salvastion of Jesus Christ)
Job 15
Eliphaz Speaks: Job Does Not Fear God
1 (Job 2:11) Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2 (Job 6:26; 8:2) "Should a wise man reply with empty knowledge
and fill his lungs with the east wind?
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk
or with speeches with which he can do no good?
4 Yes, you cast off reverence
and hinder prayer before God.
5 For your mouth utters your iniquity,
and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
6 (Lk 19:22; Job 9:20) Your own mouth condemns you, and not;
yes, your own lips testify against you.
7 (Ps 90:2) "Are you the first man who was born?
Or were you made before the hills?
8 (Ro 11:34; Jer 23:18) Have you heard the counsel of God?
And do you restrict wisdom to yourself?
9 (Job 13:2) What do you know that we do not know?
What do you understand that is not in us?
10 (Job 32:6-7) Both the gray-haired and very aged are among us -
much older than your father.
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you?
Or the word spoken gently to you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away?
And what do your eyes wink at,
13 that you turn your spirit against God,
and let such words go out of your mouth?
14 (Job 14:4; Pr 20:9) "What is man that he should be pure?
And he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 (Job 4:18; 25:5) Behold, He puts no trust in His holy ones,
and the heavens are not pure in His sight.
16 (Job 34:7; Pr 19:28) How much more abhorred and corrupt is man,
who drinks iniquity like water!
17 "I will tell you; hear me,
and what I have seen I will declare,
18 (Job 8:8) what wise men have told,
not hiding anything received from their fathers,
19 (Joel 3:17) to whom alone the land was given,
and no foreigner passed among them:
20 (Job 24:1; 27:13) The wicked man travails with pain all his days,
and numbered are the years stored up for the oppressor.
21 (Job 18:11; 1Th 5:3) A dreadful sound is in his ears;
in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him.
22 He does not believe that he will return from darkness,
and a sword awaits him.
23 (Ps 59:15; 109:10) He wanders about for bread, saying, 'Where is it?'
He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish will make him afraid;
they will prevail against him as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he stretches out his hand against God,
and strengthens himself against the Almighty.
26 He rushes upon Him, even on His neck,
with his thick embossed shield.
27 (Ps 17:10; 73:7) "He has covered his face with his fatness
and gathered fat upon his waist.
28 (Job 3:14) He dwells in desolate cities
and in houses which no man inhabits,
which are ready to become heaps.
29 (Job 27:16-17) He will not be rich, nor will his wealth continue,
nor will his possessions spread over the earth.
30 (Job 4:9; 15:22) He will not depart out of darkness;
the flame will dry out his branches,
and by the breath of His mouth he will go away.
31 (Isa 59:4) Let him who is deceived not trust in futility,
for futility will be his reward.
32 (Job 22:16; Ecc 7:17) It will be accomplished before his time,
and his branch will not be green.
33 He will shake off his unripe grape like the vine,
and will cast off his blossom like the olive.
34 (Job 8:13) For the company of hypocrites will be desolate,
and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
35 (Ps 7:14; Hos 10:13) They conceive mischief, and give birth to futility;
their womb prepares deceit."
[1] Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
[2] Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east
wind?
[3] Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he
can do no good?
[4] Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
[5] For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of
the crafty.
[6] Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify
against thee.
[7] Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the
hills?
[8] Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to
thyself?
[9] What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is
not in us?
[10] With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy
father.
[11] Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing
with thee?
[12] Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
[13] That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out
of thy mouth?
[14] What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman,
that he should be righteous?
[15] Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not
clean in his sight.
[16] How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity
like water?
[17] I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;
[18] Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:
[19] Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
[20] The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of
years is hidden to the oppressor.
[21] A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come
upon him.
[22] He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited
for of the sword.
[23] He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the
day of darkness is ready at his hand.
[24] Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against
him, as a king ready to the battle.
[25] For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself
against the Almighty.
[26] He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his
bucklers:
[27] Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of
fat on his flanks.
[28] And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man
inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
[29] He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither
shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.
[30] He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his
branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
[31] Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his
recompence.
[32] It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be
green.
[33] He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his
flower as the olive.
[34] For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall
consume the tabernacles of bribery.
[35] They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly
prepareth deceit.
(Be humble in the name of the Lord)
Job 16
Job Replies: You Are Miserable Comforters
1 Then Job answered:
2 "I have heard many such things;
miserable comforters are you all!
3 (Job 6:26; 15:2) Will windy words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 (Ps 22:7; 109:25) I also could speak as you do,
if your soul were in my place.
I could heap up words against you
and shake my head at you;
5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth,
and the moving of my lips would relieve your grief.
6 "Though I speak, my grief is not relieved;
and though I stop, how am I eased?
7 (Job 7:3; 1:15-19) But now He has made me weary;
You have made desolate all my company.
8 (Job 10:17; Ru 1:21) You have filled me with wrinkles,
which is a witness against me;
and my leanness has risen up and bears witness to my face.
9 (Ps 35:16; La 2:16) He has torn me in His wrath,
and He has carried a grudge against me.
He has gnashed me with His teeth;
my enemy sharpens His gaze upon me.
10 (Ps 22:13; 35:15) They have gaped upon me with their mouth;
they have struck me upon the cheek with reproach;
they have gathered themselves together against me.
11 God has delivered me to the ungodly
and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12 (Job 7:20 ) I was at ease, but He has shattered me.
He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces,
and set me up for His target.
13 (Job 20:25; 6:4) His archers surround me;
He splits open my kidneys and does not pity;
He pours out my gall upon the ground.
14 He pierces me with thrust after thrust;
He rushes upon me like a warrior.
15 (Ps 7:5; 75:10) "I have sewn sackcloth over my skin
and thrust my horn into the dust.
16 My face is inflamed with weeping,
and on my eyelids is the shadow of death,
17 though not for any violence in my hands,
and my prayer is pure.
18 (Isa 26:21; Ps 66:18-19) "O earth, do not cover my blood,
and let my cry have no resting place.
19 (Ro 1:9) Also now, look, my witness is in heaven,
and my record is on high.
20 My friends scorn me;
my eyes pour out tears unto God.
21 (Job 31:35) Oh, that one might plead for a man with God,
as a man pleads for his neighbor!
22 (Ecc 12:5) "For when a few years have passed,
I will go the way from which I will not return."
[1] Then Job answered and said,
[2] I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
[3] Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou
answerest?
[4] I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I
could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
[5] But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips
should asswage your grief.
[6] Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am
I eased?
[7] But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
[8] And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me:
and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
[9] He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his
teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
[10] They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the
cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
[11] God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands
of the wicked.
[12] I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by
my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
[13] His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and
doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
[14] He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a
giant.
[15] I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.
[16] My face is foul with weeping, and my eyelids is the shadow of death;
[17] Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
[18] O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
[19] Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
[20] My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
[21] O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his
neighbour!
[22] When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not
return.
(Pray to be comforters not condemners!)
Job 17
Job Prays for Relief
1 "My spirit is broken,
my days are extinguished,
the grave is ready for me.
2(1Sa 1:6-7; Job 12:4) Are not mockers with me?
And does not my eye dwell on their provocation?
3(Pr 11:15; Ps 119:122) "Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself.
Who is he who will shake hands with me?
4 For You have hidden their heart from understanding.
Therefore will You not exalt them.
5 (Job 11:20 )He who speaks flattery to his friends,
even the eyes of his children will fail.
6 (Job 30:9; Ps 44:14) "And He has made me a byword of the people,
someone in whose face they spit.
7 (Job 16:16; Ps 6:7) My eye also is dim because of sorrow,
and all my members are like a shadow.
8 Upright men will be astonished at this,
and the innocent will stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 (Pr 4:18; Job 22:30) The righteous also will hold to his way,
and he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
10 (Job 6:29) "But as for you all, return and come now,
for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11 (Job 7:6) My days are past, my purposes are broken off,
even the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day;
the light is short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave is my house;
I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 (Ps 16:10) I have said to the pit, 'You are my father';
to the worm, 'You are my mother and my sister.'
15 Where now is my hope?
As for my hope, who will see it?
16 (Job 3:17-19; Jnh 2:6) Will they go down to the gates of Sheol?
Will we descend together in the dust?'
[1] My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
[2] Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their
provocation?
[3] Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike
hands with me?
[4] For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou
not exalt them.
[5] He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children
shall fail.
[6] He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a
tabret.
[7] Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a
shadow.
[8] Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up
himself against the hypocrite.
[9] The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands
shall be stronger and stronger.
[10] But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one
wise man among you.
[11] My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my
heart.
[12] They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
[13] If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
[14] I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou are my
mother, and my sister.
[15] And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
[16] They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in
the dust.
Job 18
Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked
1 (Job 2:11; 8:1)Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 "How long will it be until you put an end to words?
Gain understanding, and afterwards we will speak.
3 (Ps 73:22) Why are we counted as beasts
and regarded as stupid in your sight?
4 (Job 13:14; 14:18) You who tear yourself in anger,
will the earth be forsaken for you?
And will the rock be removed from its place?
5 (Pr 13:9; 20:20) "Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out,
and the spark of his fire will not shine.
6 The light will be dark in his tent,
and his candle beside him will be put out.
7 (Pr 4:12) The steps of his strength will be shortened,
and his own counsel will cast him down.
8 (Job 22:10; Ps 9:15) For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
and he walks upon a snare.
9 The trap will take him by the heel,
and the snare will prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground,
and a trap for him in the path.
11 (Job 15:21; Jer 6:25) Terrors will make him afraid on every side
and will drive him to his feet.
12 His strength will be hungry,
and destruction will be ready at his side.
13 (Isa 14:30) It will devour the parts of his skin;
the firstborn of death will devour his limbs.
14 His confidence will be rooted out of his tent,
and it will bring him to the king of terrors.
15 (Ps 11:6) They dwell in his tent who have no part with him;
brimstone will be scattered upon his habitation.
16 (Hos 9:16; Job 15:30) His roots will be dried up beneath,
and above his branch will dry up.
17 (Ps 34:16; Pr 10:7) The memory of him will perish from the earth,
and he will have no name in the street.
18 (Job 10:22; 20:8) He will be driven from light into darkness,
and chased out of the world.
19 (Jer 22:30) He has neither descendant nor posterity among his people,
nor anyone remaining in his dwellings.
20 (Ps 37:13; Jer 50:27) They who come after him will be astonished at his day,
as they who went before were seized with fright.
21 (Jer 9:3; Jdg 2:10) Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,
and this is the place of him who does not know God."
Job 18
Bildad's Speech
1] Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
[2] How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we
will speak.
[3] Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
[4] He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee?
and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
[5] Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire
shall not shine.
[6] The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put
out with him.
[7] The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall
cast him down.
[8] For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
[9] The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against
him.
[10] The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
[11] Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his
feet.
[12] His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at
his side.
[13] It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death
shall devour his strength.
[14] His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall
bring him to the king of terrors.
[15] It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone
shall be scattered upon his habitation.
[16] His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut
off.
[17] His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name
in the street.
[18] He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the
world.
[19] He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any
remaining in his dwellings.
[20] They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that
went before were affrighted.
[21] Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of
him that knoweth not God.
Job 19
Job Replies: My Redeemer Lives
1 Then Job answered:
2 "How long will you torment my soul
and break me in pieces with words?
3 (Ge 31:7) These ten times you have reproached me;
you are not ashamed that you have wronged me.
4 And if indeed I have erred,
my error remains with me.
5 (Ps 35:26; 38:16) If indeed you exalt yourselves against me
and plead against me with my disgrace,
6 (Job 18:8-10) know now that God has bent me
and has surrounded me with His net.
7 (La 3:8; Hab 1:2-3) "Look, I cry out concerning wrong, but I am not heard;
I cry aloud, but there is no justice.
8 (Job 3:23; La 3:7) He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass,
and He has set darkness in my paths.
9 (Ps 89:44; 89:39) He has stripped me of my glory
and taken the crown from my head.
10 (Job 24:20) He has destroyed me on every side, and I am gone;
my hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 (Job 13:24; 16:9) He has also kindled His wrath against me,
and He counts me as one of His enemies.
12 (Job 30:12) His troops come together
and build up their road against me;
they set up camp all around my tent.
13 (Ps 69:8; 88:8) "He has removed my brothers far from me,
and my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 (Ps 38:11) My relatives have failed,
and my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
count me for a stranger;
I am a foreigner in their sight.
16 I called my servant, but he gave me no answer;
I begged him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife;
I am loathsome to the children of my own body.
18 (2Ki 2:23) Yes, young children despise me;
I arose, and they spoke against me.
19 (Ps 41:9; 55:12-14) All my close friends abhorred me,
and they whom I love are turned against me.
20 (Ps 102:5; La 4:8) My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh,
and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 (Job 1:11; Ps 38:2) "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has struck me!
22 (Ps 69:26) Why do you persecute me as God does,
and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 (Isa 30:8) "Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24(Jer 17:1) That they were engraved with an iron pen
and lead in the rock forever!
25 (Ps 19:14; Isa 43:14) For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and He will stand at last on the earth;
26 (Ps 17:15; 1Jn 3:2; 1Co 13:12) and after my skin is destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God,
27 (Ps 73:26) whom I will see for myself,
and my eyes will behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me.
28(Job 19:22) "If you should say, 'How shall we persecute him?'
since the root of the matter is found in me,
29 be afraid of the sword for yourselves;
for wrath brings the punishments of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment."
(Jesus is our Redeemer)
Job 19
Job's Reply
[1] Then Job answered and said,
[2] How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
[3] These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make
yourselves strange to me.
[4] And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
[5] If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my
reproach:
[6] Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his
net.
[7] Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there
is no judgment.
[8] He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in
my paths.
[9] He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
[10] He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath
he removed like a tree.
[11] He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him
as one of his enemies.
[12] His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp
round about my tabernacle.
[13] He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily
estranged from me.
[14] My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
[15] They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I
am an alien in their sight.
[16] I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my
mouth.
[17] My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's
sake of mine own body.
[18] Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.
[19] All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned
against me.
[20] My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the
skin of my teeth.
[21] Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of
God hath touched me.
[22] Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
[23] Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
[24] That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
[25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth:
[26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall
I see God:
[27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not
another; though my reins be consumed within me.
[28] But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter
is found in me?
[29] Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the
sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
2) Our Daily Bread for 6 January 2023 entitled
Made for Adventure
Genesis 1:21-28
21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves,
with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged
bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22 Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill
the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."
23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to
their kinds: livestock, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth
according to their kinds." And it was so.
25 So God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind,
and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that
creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds
of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish
the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds
of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
[21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth,
which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every
winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
[22] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
[23] And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his
kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and
it was so.
[25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after
their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and
God saw that it was good.
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.
[28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the
fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.
I recently made a wonderful discovery. Following a dirt path into a cluster
of trees near my home, I found a hidden homemade playground. A ladder made
of sticks led up to a lookout, swings made from old cable spools hung from
branches, and there was even a suspension bridge slung between boughs.
Someone had turned some old wood and rope into a creative adventure!
Swiss physician Paul Tournier believed that we were made for adventure because
we're made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). Just as God ventured forth to
invent a universe (vv. 1-25), just as He took the risk of creating humans who
could choose good or evil (3:5-6), and just as He called us to "be fruitful
and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it" (1:28), we too have a
drive to invent, take risks, and create new things as we fruitfully rule the
earth. Such adventures may be large or small, but they're best when they
benefit others. I bet the makers of that playground would get a kick out
of people finding and enjoying it.
Whether it's inventing new music, exploring new forms of evangelism, or
rekindling a marriage that's grown distant, adventures of all kinds keep our
heart beating. What new task or project is tugging at you right now?
Perhaps God is leading you to a new adventure.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
How else do you see God being adventurous in Scripture?
How can His adventures inspire our own?
Adventurous God, send me on a new adventure out of love for You and others!
For further study, read
Genesis to Revelation: Why the Whole Story of the Bible Matters.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative
Isaiah 1:18
18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "
says the Lord.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life
that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them
of some order in the world."
Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations
have been asking themselves the same question.
God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue
head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.
Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,
faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.
God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".
"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it. You are not even able to be
true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power
or effort. But I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"
We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.
Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect
supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.
In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing
or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.
The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes
clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,
or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.
Application
a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a
'Rational choice'?
b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?
c) What other aspects of God's word
and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:20-25
20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4-5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:
thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."
A Light Under a Basket
Lk 8:16-18
21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put
under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;
neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.
23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.
The measure you give will be measured for you,
and to you who hear will more be given.
25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.
And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:
and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest
Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,
but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
(
Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7 ) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and
your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near
to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and
your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,
as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt
loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for
nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) 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.
16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on
a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to
act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4) 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, 2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings
and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty, 3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 for kings,
and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable
life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign and booklet
to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank him for being redeemer and comforter.
Pray to the Lord
"Adventurous God, send me on a new adventure out of love for You and others!"
Pray to the Lord and pray to Lord to give all your sins over to Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a shining light for Him.
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for beign our High Priest.
Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
Pray that all Malay Christians in Brunei will have their owm copy
of God's word.
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.