Day 14 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 14 January 2023 reflections
Day 14 , 14 Jan 2023
Genesis 8-9
Genesis 8
The Flood Recedes
1 God remembered Noah and every living thing and all the livestock that were
with him in the ark.
So God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the water receded.
2 Also the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of heaven were closed,
and the rain from the heavens was restrained.
3 The water receded steadily from the earth,
and after the end of one hundred and fifty days the waters decreased.
4 The ark rested in the seventh month,
on the seventeenth day of the month,
on the mountains of Ararat.
5 The water continually decreased until the tenth month.
In the tenth month, on the first day of the month,
the tops of the mountains became visible.
6 Then at the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the
ark which he had made,
7 and he sent forth a raven, which went to and fro until the waters
were dried up on the earth.
8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters had subsided
from the face of the ground.
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, so she
returned to him into the ark,
for the waters were on the surface of all the earth.
Then he put forth his hand, and took her,
and brought her into the ark to himself.
10 He waited yet another seven days, and again
he sent out the dove from the ark.
11 The dove came to him in the evening, and in her mouth there was a freshly
plucked olive leaf.
So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.
12 He waited another seven days and sent out the dove again,
but it did not return to him again.
13 So in the six hundred and first year, in the first month,
the first day of the month,
the waters were dried up from the earth;
and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked,
and saw the surface of the ground was dry.
14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month,
the earth was dry.
15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying,
16 "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons'
wives with you.
17 Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you,
birds and animals,
and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth,
so that they may breed abundantly on the earth and be fruitful and multiply on the earth."
18 So Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives went out.
19 Every beast, every creeping thing, every bird, and everything
that moves on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean animal
and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 The Lord smelled a soothing aroma; and the Lord said in His heart,
"I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the inclination
of man's
heart is evil from his youth,
nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.
22 While the earth remains,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
and day and night
will not cease."
Genesis 8
[1] And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that
was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the
waters asswaged;
[2] The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped,
and the rain from heaven was restrained;
[3] And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the
end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
[4] And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the
month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
[5] And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
[6] And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the
window of the ark which he had made:
[7] And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters
were dried up from off the earth.
[8] Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated
from off the face of the ground;
[9] But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned
unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth:
then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into
the ark.
[10] And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove
out of the ark;
[11] And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was
an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off
the earth.
[12] And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which
returned not again unto him any more.
[13] And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first
month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the
earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold,
the face of the ground was dry.
[14] And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month,
was the earth dried.
[15] And God spake unto Noah, saying,
[16] Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons'
wives with thee.
[17] Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all
flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be
fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
[18] And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives
with him:
[19] Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever
creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
[20] And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast,
and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
[21] And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I
will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination
of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more
every thing living, as I have done.
[22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and
summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 9
The Noahic Covenant
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
2 Every beast of the earth and every bird of the sky and all
that moves on the earth and all the fish of the sea will fear you
and be terrified of you. They are given into your hand.
3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you.
I give you everything, just as I gave you the green plant.
4 "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
5 But for your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning;
from every animal will I require it;
of man, too, will I require a reckoning for human life,
of every man for that of his fellow man.
6 Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for God made man
in His own image.
7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; increase
abundantly in the earth and multiply in it."
8 Again God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,
9 "As for Me, I establish My covenant with you, and with your
descendants after you;
10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock,
and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes
out of the ark, every beast of the earth.
11 I establish My covenant with you. Never again shall all
flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood.
Never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
12 Then God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which
I am making between Me
and you and every living creature that is with you,
for all future generations.
13 I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of a covenant
between Me and the earth.
14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the cloud;
15 then I will remember My covenant,
which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh,
and the waters will never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 The rainbow will appear in the cloud, and I will see it
and remember the everlasting covenant between God
and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that
I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth."
The Sons of Noah
18 The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Ham was the father of Canaan.
19 These were the three sons of Noah,
and from them the whole earth was populated.
20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.
21 Then he drank some of the wine and became drunk,
and lay uncovered (naked) in his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father,
and told his two brothers outside.
23 So Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders,
and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father.
Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done to him,
25 he said,
"Canaan be cursed!
He will be a servant of servants
to his brothers."
26 He also said,
"Blessed be the Lord God of Shem,
and let Canaan be his servant.
27 May God enlarge Japheth,
and may he dwell in the tents of Shem,
and may Canaan be his servant."
28 Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and then he died.
Genesis 9
[1] And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth.
[2] And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of
the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the
earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they
delivered.
[3] Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green
herb have I given you all things.
[4] But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye
not eat.
[5] And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every
beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's
brother will I require the life of man.
[6] Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the
image of God made he man.
[7] And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the
earth, and multiply therein.
[8] And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
[9] And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed
after you;
[10] And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the
cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of
the ark, to every beast of the earth.
[11] And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be
cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a
flood to destroy the earth.
[12] And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me
and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual
generations:
[13] I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant
between me and the earth.
[14] And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that
the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
[15] And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every
living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to
destroy all flesh.
[16] And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may
remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of
all flesh that is upon the earth.
[17] And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have
established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
[18] And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham,
and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
[19] These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth
overspread.
[20] And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
[21] And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within
his tent.
[22] And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and
told his two brethren without.
[23] And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their
shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and
their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
[24] And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done
unto him.
[25] And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto
his brethren.
[26] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his
servant.
[27] God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and
Canaan shall be his servant.
[28] And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
[29] And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he
died.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 January 2023 entitled
A New Beginning
Psalm 120:1-121:2
Psalms 120
A Song of Ascents.
1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord,
and He heard me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
and from a deceitful tongue.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) What shall be given to you,
or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Sharp arrows of the warrior,
with coals of the broom tree!
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Woe is me, that I have sojourned in Meshek,
or that I have dwelled among the tents of Kedar!
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) My soul has long lived
with those who hate peace.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
Psalm 120
A Song of degrees.
[1] In my distress
I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
[2] Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips,
And from a deceitful tongue.
[3] What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false
tongue?
[4] Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
[5] Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech,
That I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
[6] My soul hath long dwelt
With him that hateth peace.
[7] I am for peace:
But when I speak, they are for war.
Psalms 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills,
from where does my help come?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121
A Song of degrees.
[1] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
From whence cometh my help.
[2] My help cometh from the LORD,
Which made heaven and earth.
"Christian consciousness begins in the painful realisation that what we had
assumed was the truth is in fact a lie," Eugene Peterson wrote in his powerful
reflections on Psalm 120. Psalm 120 is the first of the Psalms of Ascents
(Psalms 120-134) sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. And as Peterson
explored this in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, these psalms also
offer us a picture of the spiritual journey toward God.
That journey can only begin with profound awareness of our need for something
different. As Peterson puts it, "A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with
the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way
. . . . [One] has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before
she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace."
It's easy to become discouraged by the brokenness and despair we see in the
world around us-the pervasive ways our culture often shows callous disregard
for the harm being done to others. Psalm 120 laments this honestly: "I am for
peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (v. 7).
But there's healing and freedom in realizing that our pain can also awaken us
to a new beginning through our only help, the Savior who can guide us from destructive lies into paths of peace and wholeness (121:2). As we enter this
new year, may we seek Him and His ways.
By: Monica La Rose
Reflect & Pray
How have you become accustomed to destructive ways?
How does the gospel invite you into ways of peace?
Loving God, help me yearn for and work for Your ways
of peace through the power of Your Spirit.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Exodus 3:7-8
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,
"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt
and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,
for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,
to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;
for I know their sorrows;
8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and
a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to honour your mother and father.
Pray to the Lord:
"Loving God, help me yearn for and work for Your ways
of peace through the power of Your Spirit."
Pray to the Lord and ask Him to break your fallow ground.
Pray to the Lord and remember He hear your cries for help.
Pray to the Lord and Thank him for being your shepherd.
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 God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Pray that Bibles will reach their destinations safely in Nigeria
and touch many hearts.
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.
Genesis 8-9
Genesis 8
The Flood Recedes
1 God remembered Noah and every living thing and all the livestock that were
with him in the ark.
So God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the water receded.
2 Also the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of heaven were closed,
and the rain from the heavens was restrained.
3 The water receded steadily from the earth,
and after the end of one hundred and fifty days the waters decreased.
4 The ark rested in the seventh month,
on the seventeenth day of the month,
on the mountains of Ararat.
5 The water continually decreased until the tenth month.
In the tenth month, on the first day of the month,
the tops of the mountains became visible.
6 Then at the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the
ark which he had made,
7 and he sent forth a raven, which went to and fro until the waters
were dried up on the earth.
8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters had subsided
from the face of the ground.
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, so she
returned to him into the ark,
for the waters were on the surface of all the earth.
Then he put forth his hand, and took her,
and brought her into the ark to himself.
10 He waited yet another seven days, and again
he sent out the dove from the ark.
11 The dove came to him in the evening, and in her mouth there was a freshly
plucked olive leaf.
So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.
12 He waited another seven days and sent out the dove again,
but it did not return to him again.
13 So in the six hundred and first year, in the first month,
the first day of the month,
the waters were dried up from the earth;
and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked,
and saw the surface of the ground was dry.
14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month,
the earth was dry.
15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying,
16 "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons'
wives with you.
17 Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you,
birds and animals,
and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth,
so that they may breed abundantly on the earth and be fruitful and multiply on the earth."
18 So Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives went out.
19 Every beast, every creeping thing, every bird, and everything
that moves on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean animal
and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 The Lord smelled a soothing aroma; and the Lord said in His heart,
"I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the inclination
of man's
heart is evil from his youth,
nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.
22 While the earth remains,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
and day and night
will not cease."
Genesis 8
[1] And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that
was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the
waters asswaged;
[2] The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped,
and the rain from heaven was restrained;
[3] And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the
end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
[4] And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the
month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
[5] And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
[6] And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the
window of the ark which he had made:
[7] And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters
were dried up from off the earth.
[8] Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated
from off the face of the ground;
[9] But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned
unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth:
then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into
the ark.
[10] And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove
out of the ark;
[11] And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was
an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off
the earth.
[12] And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which
returned not again unto him any more.
[13] And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first
month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the
earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold,
the face of the ground was dry.
[14] And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month,
was the earth dried.
[15] And God spake unto Noah, saying,
[16] Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons'
wives with thee.
[17] Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all
flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be
fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
[18] And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives
with him:
[19] Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever
creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
[20] And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast,
and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
[21] And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I
will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination
of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more
every thing living, as I have done.
[22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and
summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 9
The Noahic Covenant
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
2 Every beast of the earth and every bird of the sky and all
that moves on the earth and all the fish of the sea will fear you
and be terrified of you. They are given into your hand.
3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you.
I give you everything, just as I gave you the green plant.
4 "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
5 But for your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning;
from every animal will I require it;
of man, too, will I require a reckoning for human life,
of every man for that of his fellow man.
6 Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for God made man
in His own image.
7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; increase
abundantly in the earth and multiply in it."
8 Again God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,
9 "As for Me, I establish My covenant with you, and with your
descendants after you;
10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock,
and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes
out of the ark, every beast of the earth.
11 I establish My covenant with you. Never again shall all
flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood.
Never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
12 Then God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which
I am making between Me
and you and every living creature that is with you,
for all future generations.
13 I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of a covenant
between Me and the earth.
14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the cloud;
15 then I will remember My covenant,
which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh,
and the waters will never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 The rainbow will appear in the cloud, and I will see it
and remember the everlasting covenant between God
and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that
I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth."
The Sons of Noah
18 The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Ham was the father of Canaan.
19 These were the three sons of Noah,
and from them the whole earth was populated.
20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.
21 Then he drank some of the wine and became drunk,
and lay uncovered (naked) in his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father,
and told his two brothers outside.
23 So Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders,
and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father.
Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done to him,
25 he said,
"Canaan be cursed!
He will be a servant of servants
to his brothers."
26 He also said,
"Blessed be the Lord God of Shem,
and let Canaan be his servant.
27 May God enlarge Japheth,
and may he dwell in the tents of Shem,
and may Canaan be his servant."
28 Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and then he died.
Genesis 9
[1] And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth.
[2] And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of
the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the
earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they
delivered.
[3] Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green
herb have I given you all things.
[4] But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye
not eat.
[5] And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every
beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's
brother will I require the life of man.
[6] Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the
image of God made he man.
[7] And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the
earth, and multiply therein.
[8] And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
[9] And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed
after you;
[10] And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the
cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of
the ark, to every beast of the earth.
[11] And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be
cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a
flood to destroy the earth.
[12] And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me
and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual
generations:
[13] I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant
between me and the earth.
[14] And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that
the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
[15] And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every
living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to
destroy all flesh.
[16] And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may
remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of
all flesh that is upon the earth.
[17] And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have
established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
[18] And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham,
and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
[19] These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth
overspread.
[20] And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
[21] And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within
his tent.
[22] And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and
told his two brethren without.
[23] And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their
shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and
their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
[24] And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done
unto him.
[25] And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto
his brethren.
[26] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his
servant.
[27] God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and
Canaan shall be his servant.
[28] And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
[29] And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he
died.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 January 2023 entitled
A New Beginning
Psalm 120:1-121:2
Psalms 120
A Song of Ascents.
1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord,
and He heard me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
and from a deceitful tongue.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) What shall be given to you,
or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Sharp arrows of the warrior,
with coals of the broom tree!
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Woe is me, that I have sojourned in Meshek,
or that I have dwelled among the tents of Kedar!
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) My soul has long lived
with those who hate peace.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
Psalm 120
A Song of degrees.
[1] In my distress
I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
[2] Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips,
And from a deceitful tongue.
[3] What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false
tongue?
[4] Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
[5] Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech,
That I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
[6] My soul hath long dwelt
With him that hateth peace.
[7] I am for peace:
But when I speak, they are for war.
Psalms 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills,
from where does my help come?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121
A Song of degrees.
[1] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
From whence cometh my help.
[2] My help cometh from the LORD,
Which made heaven and earth.
"Christian consciousness begins in the painful realisation that what we had
assumed was the truth is in fact a lie," Eugene Peterson wrote in his powerful
reflections on Psalm 120. Psalm 120 is the first of the Psalms of Ascents
(Psalms 120-134) sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. And as Peterson
explored this in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, these psalms also
offer us a picture of the spiritual journey toward God.
That journey can only begin with profound awareness of our need for something
different. As Peterson puts it, "A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with
the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way
. . . . [One] has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before
she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace."
It's easy to become discouraged by the brokenness and despair we see in the
world around us-the pervasive ways our culture often shows callous disregard
for the harm being done to others. Psalm 120 laments this honestly: "I am for
peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (v. 7).
But there's healing and freedom in realizing that our pain can also awaken us
to a new beginning through our only help, the Savior who can guide us from destructive lies into paths of peace and wholeness (121:2). As we enter this
new year, may we seek Him and His ways.
By: Monica La Rose
Reflect & Pray
How have you become accustomed to destructive ways?
How does the gospel invite you into ways of peace?
Loving God, help me yearn for and work for Your ways
of peace through the power of Your Spirit.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Exodus 3:7-8
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,
"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt
and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,
for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,
to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;
for I know their sorrows;
8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and
a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to honour your mother and father.
Pray to the Lord:
"Loving God, help me yearn for and work for Your ways
of peace through the power of Your Spirit."
Pray to the Lord and ask Him to break your fallow ground.
Pray to the Lord and remember He hear your cries for help.
Pray to the Lord and Thank him for being your shepherd.
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 God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Pray that Bibles will reach their destinations safely in Nigeria
and touch many hearts.
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.