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Day 106 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 16 April 2023 reflections

Day 106, 16 Apr 2023



Today at

Calvary Community Church
, Pastor Barry Regier spoke on

He has risen Now What? Access to God



Confidence...



Hebrews 10:19



19 (Eph 2:18; Heb 4:16) Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter

the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,





[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the

blood of Jesus,





Through Jesus ...



Hebrews 10:19-21



19 (Eph 2:18; Heb 4:16) Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter

the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

20 (Heb 9:3; Jn 10:9) by a new and living way that He has opened for us

through the veil, that is to say, His flesh,

21 (Heb 2:17; 1Ti 3:15) and since we have a High Priest over the house

of God,



[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the

blood of Jesus,

[20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the

veil, that is to say, his flesh;

[21] And having an high priest over the house of God;



Matthew 27:50-51



50 (Jn 19:30; Mk 15:37) And Jesus, when He had cried out again

with a loud voice, released His spirit.

51 (Mk 15:38; Ex 26:31-37) At that moment the curtain of the temple

was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. And the ground shook,

and the rocks split apart.



[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

[51] And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to

the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;



John 14:6



6 (Jn 10:9; 1:14; Ac 4:12) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man

cometh unto the Father, but by me.





Enables us to draw near to God.



Hebrews 10:22



22 (Eze 36:25; 1Co 6:11; Heb 7:19) let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them

from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Through Jesus ...





[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having

our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with

pure water.



REFLECTION

How to access God through Jesus Christ

1. Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and that you

need Him to lead your life.

John 14:6



6 (Jn 10:9; 1:14; Ac 4:12) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. "

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man

cometh unto the Father, but by me.



2 Be willing to turn from the things that God would not approve of (sin)

as outlined in the Bible,and instead, decide to live according to His

Word; honor Jesus Christ by how you live your life.(Repentance)

1 John 1:9



9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful

and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.



[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.



3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the

grave. and accept His payment of sin on your behalf.

John 3:16



16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1-18) "For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him

should not perish, but have eternal life."



[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come into your life and expect

to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will live with you and in you

and you will receive power.

This prayer enables you to live eternally with Christ in heaven



What to pray:

Lord Jesus, l know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I

believe that You died for my sins and l trust in You alone for my salvation. I

choose to turn away from the things in my life of which You don't approve

and now surrender my life to You. I invite You to come and reign and rule in

my heart and fife and open my spirit Establish Your presence within me

and please bring me Your peace. I want to know the power of the Holy Spirit

working in me and live forever with You in the Kingdom of God. I choose to

trust and follow You as my Lord and saviour. Amen.



1) 1 Samuel 25,26

- 1 Samuel 27:1-7

- 1 Chronicles 12:1-7

- 1 Samuel 27:8-12



1 SAMUEL 25



Death of Samuel



1 (Nu 20:29; Dt 34:8) Now Samuel died. And all the children of Israel

gathered together and mourned him, and they buried him at his home

in Ramah. Then David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.



David, Nabal, and Abigail



2 (Jos 15:55; 1Sa 23:24) Now there was a man in Maon whose work

was in Carmel. He was a rich man with three thousand sheep

and a thousand goats, and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

3 The man's name was Nabal and the name of his wife Abigail.

She was a woman of good understanding and beautiful, but the man

was harsh and evil in his actions and he was a Calebite.

4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

5 So David sent out ten young men, and David said to the young men,

"Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name.

6 (1Ch 12:18; Lk 10:5) And thus you will you say to him who lives

in prosperity, 'Peace be to you and peace to your house,

and to all that you have, peace.

7 (1Sa 25:21) " 'I have heard that you have shearers. Now your shepherds

were with us. We did not harm them nor did they miss anything all the days

they were in Carmel.

8 (Est 9:19; Ne 8:10-12) Ask your young men and they will tell you.

Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come

on a good day. Please give whatever you find at hand to your servants,

and to your son David.' "

9 When David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according

to all these words in the name of David, then they waited.

10 (Jdg 9:28) And Nabal answered David's servants, and said,

"Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? Today many servants

are breaking away each one from his master.

11 (Jdg 8:6) Should I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat,

that which I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men

whose origins are unknown?"

12 So David's young men turned themselves around and went back.

And they came and reported to him all these words.

13 (1Sa 23:13) David said to his men, "Each man strap on his sword."

And each man strapped on his sword. David also put on his sword,

and 400 men went up after David. But 200 stayed with the baggage.

14 Now one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, "Listen,

David sent messengers out of the wilderness to bless our master;

and he railed against them.

15 (1Sa 25:7; 25:21) But the men were very good to us,

and we were not harmed, nor did we miss anything,

all the days we went about with them in the field.

16 (Job 1:10; Ex 14:22) They were a wall to us both by night and day,

all the days we were with them keeping the flocks.

17 (1Sa 20:7; Dt 13:13) Now therefore know and consider what you will do,

for evil is determined against our master and against all his household.

He is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him."

18 (2Sa 16:1) Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves,

two bottles of wine, five prepared sheep, five measures

[Likely about 60 pounds, or 27 kilograms.] of roasted grain,

a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs,

and she loaded them on donkeys.

19 (Ge 32:20; 32:16) And she said to her servants, "Go on before me.

See, I will be coming after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

20 And as she was riding on the donkey and going down into the cover

of the mountain, David and his men were coming down to meet her

and she met them.

21 (Pr 17:13) Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I guarded

all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed

of all that belonged to him. And he has returned me evil for good.

22 (1Sa 3:17; 20:13) So may God do unto the enemies of David

and more also, if by morning I leave even one male of all who belong to him."

23 (1Sa 20:41; Jos 15:18) When Abigail saw David, she hurriedly got down from

the donkey and fell before David upon her face. And she bowed herself

to the ground.

24 (2Sa 14:9) So she fell at his feet and said, "Against me alone, my lord,

is the guilt. Please let your handmaid speak in your ears, and hear the words

of your handmaid.

25 (1Sa 25:17) Please do not let my lord set his heart against

this worthless man, against Nabal. For as his name is, so is he.

Nabal is his name and folly is with him. But I, your handmaid,

did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent.

26 (2Sa 18:32; Ge 20:6) Now my lord, as the Lord lives,

and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from coming

in bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand,

now let your enemies, and those seeking to do evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

27 (Ge 33:11; 1Sa 30:26) Now let this blessing which your maidservant

has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.

28 (1Sa 18:17; 2Sa 7:11) "Please forgive the transgression of your handmaid,

for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights

the battles of the Lord, and evil will not be found in you all your days.

29 (Jer 10:18) Even if a man rises to pursue you and to seek your life,

the life of my lord will be bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord

your God. But the lives of your enemies He will sling out, as from

the hollow of a sling.

30 (1Sa 13:14) It will be, when the Lord does for my lord according to all

the good that He has spoken concerning you and has appointed you ruler

over Israel,

31 (Ge 40:14) that this will be no grief to you, nor an offense of heart to

my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord

has avenged himself. But when the Lord has dealt well with my lord,

then remember your handmaid."

32 (Lk 1:68; Ge 24:27) David said to Abigail, :Blessed be the Lord,

God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me.

33 (1Sa 25:26) And blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you

who have kept me this day from coming to shed blood and from avenging

myself with my own hand.

34 For as the Lord, the God of Israel lives, who has restrained me

from injuring you, if you had not hurried to come and meet me,

surely there would not have been left even one male to Nabal

by the morning light."

35 (Ge 19:21; 1Sa 20:42) So David received from her hand

what she had brought him and said to her, "Go up in peace to your house.

See, I have obeyed your voice, and have granted your request."

36 (1Sa 25:19; 2Sa 13:23) Abigail came to Nabal, and he was feasting

in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart

was merry within him, for he was

very drunk. Therefore she told him nothing until the morning light.

37 But in the morning when the wine was gone out of Nabal,

his wife told him these things. And his heart died within him,

and he became as a stone.

38 (1Sa 26:10) And about ten days after that, the Lord struck Nabal

and he died.

39 (1Sa 25:26; 25:34) When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said,

"Blessed is the Lord, who has defended the cause of my reproach

from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil.

For the Lord has returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head."

And David sent and spoke with Abigail, to take her as his wife.

40 When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel,

they spoke to her, saying, "David has sent us to you to take you as his wife."

41 (Ru 2:10) She arose, and bowed herself on her face to the ground,

and said, "Here is your handmaid, a servant to wash the feet of the servants

of my lord."

42 (Ge 24:61-67) Abigail hurriedly arose and rode on a donkey

with her five young women who attended her.

And she went after the messengers of David and became his wife.

43 (Jos 15:56; 1Sa 27:3) David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel. So both of them

were his wives.

44 (1Sa 18:27; 2Sa 3:14) But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife,

to Paltiel the son of Laish who was from Gallim.



1 Samuel 25

[1] And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and

lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and

went down to the wilderness of Paran.

[2] And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the

man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats:

and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

[3] Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and

she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but

the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of

Caleb.

[4] And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

[5] And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get

you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

[6] And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to

thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

[7] And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which

were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them,

all the while they were in Carmel.

[8] Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men

find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee,

whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

[9] And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all

those words in the name of David, and ceased.

[10] And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is

the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every

man from his master.

[11] Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have

killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they

be?

[12] So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and

told him all those sayings.

[13] And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they

girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there

went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the

stuff.

[14] But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold,

David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he

railed on them.

[15] But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither

missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were

in the fields:

[16] They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were

with them keeping the sheep.

[17] Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is

determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such

a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

[18] Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles

of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn,

and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid

them on asses.

[19] And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after

you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

[20] And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert

of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she

met them.

[21] Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow

hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained

unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

[22] So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all

that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

[23] And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and

fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

[24] And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this

iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience,

and hear the words of thine handmaid.

[25] Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal:

for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but

I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

[26] Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth,

seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from

avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that

seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

[27] And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord,

let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

[28] I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will

certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of

the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

[29] Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul

of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and

the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of

a sling.

[30] And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord

according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall

have appointed thee ruler over Israel;

[31] That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my

lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath

avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then

remember thine handmaid.

[32] And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which

sent thee this day to meet me:

[33] And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this

day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

[34] For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me

back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely

there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth

against the wall.

[35] So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said

unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice,

and have accepted thy person.

[36] And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house,

like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was

very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the

morning light.

[37] But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of

Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within

him, and he became as a stone.

[38] And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal,

that he died.

[39] And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD,

that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath

kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of

Nabal upon his own head, And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take

her to him to wife.

[40] And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they

spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee to take thee to him to wife.

[41] And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said,

Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of

my lord.

[42] And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels

of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and

became his wife.

[43] David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his

wives.

[44] But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son

of Laish, which was of Gallim.



1 SAMUEL 26



David Again Spares Saul's Life



1 (1Sa 23:19; Ps 54:1-7) Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying,

"Is David not hiding himself on the hill of Hakilah,

which is before Jeshimon?"

2 (1Sa 24:2) Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph,

having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David

in the Wilderness of Ziph.

3 Saul camped on the hill of Hakilah,

which is before Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness,

when he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

4 And David sent out spies and knew that Saul had certainly come.

5 (1Sa 17:55; 14:50-51) So David arose and came to the place where Saul

had camped. And David saw the place where Saul was lying down

and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army.

Saul was lying down in the encampment,

while the people encamped around him.

6 (Jdg 7:10-11; 2Sa 2:18) Then David answered and said to Ahimelek

the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying,

"Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?"

And Abishai said, "I will go down with you."

7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night while Saul lay sleeping

within the circle of the camp. And his spear was stuck in the ground

at his head, and Abner and the people were lying all around him.

8 (1Sa 24:4) Then Abishai said to David, "God has today delivered

your enemy into your hand. Now please let me strike him with the spear through

to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him a second time."

9 (2Sa 1:14; 1:16) David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him. For who can

stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and remain unpunished?"

10 (Ge 47:29; Dt 31:14) David said, "As the Lord lives, the Lord

will strike him, or his day will come to die,

or he will go down into battle and perish.

11 (1Sa 24:6; 24:12) The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand

against the Lord's anointed, but now please take the spear that is at his head

and the jug of water, and let us go."

12 (Ge 2:21; 15:12) So David took the spear

and the jug of water from Saul's head

and they went away. No one saw, no one knew, and no one awoke,

for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep

from the Lord had fallen upon them.

13 Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top

of a hill at a distance. A great space was between them.

14 And David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying,

"Will you not answer, Abner?"

Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you that calls to the king?"

15 And David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like to you

in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king?

For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord.

16 (1Sa 20:31; 26:11) This thing is not good which you have done.

As the Lord lives, you are worthy of death because you have not guarded

your master, the Lord's anointed. And now, see where is the king's spear?

And the jug of water that was at his head?"

17 (1Sa 24:16) Saul knew David's voice, and said,

"Is this your voice, my son David?"

And David said, "It is my voice, my lord king."

18 (1Sa 24:9; 24:11-14) He said, "Why is my lord pursuing after his servant?

For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?

19 (2Sa 14:16; 16:11) Now please let my lord king hear the words

of his servant. If the Lord has stirred you up against me,

let Him accept an offering. But if it was the sons of men,

cursed are they before the Lord. For they have driven me today

from having a share in the inheritance of the Lord, saying,

'Go, serve other gods.'

20 (1Sa 24:14) Now do not let my blood fall to the ground away

from the presence of the Lord. Truly the king of Israel has come

out to seek a single flea, as when one pursues a partridge in the mountains."

21 (1Sa 15:24; 24:17) Then said Saul, "I have sinned. Return, my son David,

for I will not harm you again, because my soul was precious in your eyes

this day. I have acted foolishly and have seriously gone astray."

22 David answered and said, "See, the king's spear! Let one of the young men

come over and get it.

23 The Lord requites to every man his right conduct and loyalty.

So the Lord gave you into my hand today, but I am not willing to stretch

my hand against the Lord's anointed.

24 As your life was highly valued in my eyes this day, so may my life be

highly valued in the eyes of the Lord,

and may He rescue me out of all distress."

25 (Ge 32:28; 1Sa 24:19) Then Saul said to David, "Blessed are you,

my son David. You will do great things, and will surely prevail."

So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.



1 Samuel 26

[1] And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide

himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

[2] Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three

thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of

Ziph.

[3] And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by

the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after

him into the wilderness.

[4] David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in

very deed.

[5] And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David

beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of

his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about

him.

[6] Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai

the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to

Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

[7] So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay

sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his

bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

[8] Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine

hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear

even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

[9] And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth

his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?

[10] David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him;

or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

[11] The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the

LORD's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his

bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

[12] So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and

they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they

were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

[13] Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill

afar off; a great space being between them:

[14] And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying,

Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that

criest to the king?

[15] And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to

thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for

there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

[16] This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are

worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD's anointed.

And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at

his bolster.

[17] And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David?

And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

[18] And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for

what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

[19] Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his

servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an

offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the

LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance

of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

[20] Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of

the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one

doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

[21] Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more

do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I

have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

[22] And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of

the young men come over and fetch it.

[23] The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness:

for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch

forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed.

[24] And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let

my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out

of all tribulation.

[25] Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both

do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and

Saul returned to his place.



1 SAMUEL 27



David With the Philistines



1 Then David said in his heart, "Now I will perish one day

by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than

that I should escape to the land of the Philistines.

Then Saul will despair of continually seeking me

within all the territory of Israel. So will I escape out of his hand."

2 (1Sa 21:10; 25:13) David arose and passed over with the six hundred men

that were with him to Achish, the son of Maok, king of Gath.

3 (1Sa 25:42-43) And David lived with Achish at Gath,

he and his men, each man with his household,

even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess,

and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's widow.

4 It was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath,

so he no longer sought him.

5 David said to Achish, "If I have now found favor in your eyes,

let them give me a place in one of the cities in the countryside,

that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell

in the royal city with you?"

6 (Ne 11:28; Jos 15:31) Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day.

Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.

7 (1Sa 29:3) The number of days that David lived in the country

of the Philistines was a year and four months.



1 Samuel 27

[1] And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of

Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into

the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any

more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

[2] And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were

with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

[3] And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his

household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and

Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.

[4] And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more

again for him.

[5] And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let

them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there:

for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

[6] Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto

the kings of Judah unto this day.

[7] And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a

full year and four months.



1 CHRONICLES 12



The Mighty Men Join David



1 (1Sa 27:2-6) Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he yet

kept himself away from Saul the son of Kish. They were among the brave men,

helpers in the war.

2 (Jdg 3:15; 20:16) They were armed with bows, and could use

both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows

out of a bow. They were Saul's brothers of Benjamin.

3 (1Ch 11:28)The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah

the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berakah,

and Jehu the Anathothite;

4 (Jos 9:3; 15:36) and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a brave warrior

among the thirty, and over the thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan,

and Jozabad the Gederathite;

5 and Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah,

and Shephatiah the Haruphite;

6 and Elkanah, Ishiah, Azarel, Joezer,

and Jashobeam the Korahites;

7 (Jos 15:58) and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

[1] Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept

himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were

among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

[2] They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand

and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow,

even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

[3] The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash,

the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons

of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,

[4] and Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty,

and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan,

and Josabad the Gederathite, 5Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah,

and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

[6] Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,

[7] and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.



1 SAMUEL 27



8 (Jos 13:2; 1Sa 15:7-8) David and his men went up

and invaded the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites.

For they were inhabitants of the land from of old, as you come

to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.

9 (1Sa 15:3) So David would strike the land and would not leave

either man or woman alive. And he would take the sheep,

the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments.

And then he came back to Achish.

10 (Jdg 1:16; 1Ch 2:9) Then Achish would say, "Where have you made

a raid today?" And David would say, "Against the Negev of Judah,"

or "Against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites,"

or "Against the Negev of the Kenites."

11 Now David would leave neither a man nor a woman alive,

to bring tidings to Gath, saying, "Lest they should tell on us, saying,

'Thus David has done.' " This was his practice all the days which

he lived in the country of the Philistines.

12 And Achish believed David, saying, "He has surely become

a stench to his people Israel. Therefore he will be my servant forever."

1 Samuel 27



[8] And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the

Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants

of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

[9] And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took

away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the

apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

[10] And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said,

Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and

against the south of the Kenites.

[11] And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath,

saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be

his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

[12] And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel

utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.



2) Our Daily Bread for 16 April 2023 titled Greater Love



John 15:9-17



9 (Jn 17:26) "As the Father loved Me, I also loved you. Remain in My love.

10 (Jn 14:15; 8:29; 17:4) If you keep My commandments, you will remain

in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments

and remain in His love.

11 (Jn 17:13; 16:24) I have spoken these things to you, that My joy

may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 (Jn 13:34; 1Jn 3:23) This is My commandment: that you love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 (Jn 10:11; 10:15) Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down

his life for his friends.

14 (Mt 12:50; Lk 12:4) You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

15 (Jn 8:26; 15:20) I no longer call you servants, for a servant does

not know what his master does. But I have called you friends,

for everything that I have heard from My Father have I made known to you.

16 (Jn 13:18; 6:70You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you,

that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain,

that the Father may give you whatever you ask Him in My name.

17 (Jn 15:12) This I command you: that you love one another.



[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have

kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.

[12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for

his friends.

[14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what

his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have

heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

[16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye

should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that

whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

[17] These things I command you, that ye love one another.



Just days before Holy Week, when Christians around the world remember Jesus’

sacrifice and celebrate His resurrection, a terrorist stormed into a

supermarket in southwest France opening fire and killing two. After

negotiation, the terrorist released all but one hostage, whom he turned into

a human shield. Knowing the danger, police officer Arnaud Beltrame did the

unthinkable: he volunteered to take the woman's place. The perpetrator

released her, but in the ensuing scuffle Beltrame was injured and later died.



A minister who knew the police officer attributed his heroism to his faith

in Jesus, pointing to His words in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than

this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Those were the words Christ

spoke to His disciples after their last meal together. He told His friends

to "Love each other as I have loved you" (v. 12) and that the greatest love

is to lay down one's life for another (v. 13). This is exactly what Jesus did

the next day, when He went to the cross to save us from our sin-as

only He could.



We may never be called to follow the heroism of this officer. But as we remain

in God’'s love, we can serve others sacrificially, laying down our own plans

and desires as we seek to share the story of His great love.



By: Amy Boucher Pye



Reflect & Pray



How do you react to stories such as that of Arnaud Beltrame?

How can you serve someone sacrificially today?



Dear Jesus, You died to give me life everlasting.

May I live with gratitude for this gift

and share it with those You put in my path.



3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association



Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools



Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back



Eph 1:7



7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood

and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace



[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace;



In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a

struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters

a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come

to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own

instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably

be back again.

In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through

His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."

We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped

his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the

world's system and the Enemy of our souls.

But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable

currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.

He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth

such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls

of the people he created and loved.

Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious

jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have

to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we

had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no

deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.

We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.



Application



a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?



b) What does it mean, in practical terms, that God "redeemed" me

from that sin?



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 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



DAy 30 APRIL 16

Mecca, the birthplace of Islam, and the religious center to which

hundreds of millions of Muslims turn towards daily in prayer, is the

holiest city in Islam. Islam originated approximately 1,400 years

ago in the nation of Saudi Arabia when the founder, Muhammad,

declared that no other religion should exist on the Arabian Peninsula. Each

year around 2 million Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, though

more and more Saudis are growing disillusioned with Islam and coming to

Jesus through digital media, traveling the nation. With the Crown Prince's

push for a modernised Saudi Arabia, an opportunity presents itself for the

Saudi church to stand in opposition to Muhammad's declaration 1,400 years ago,

and to capitalize on the greater freedom within their borders by claiming

their country for the King of Kings.



People Focus Group



Najdi Saudi Arab

Hijazi Saudi Arab

Omani Arab



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for Jesus to be glorified, and for Spirit-led, Christ-exacting,

multiplying house churches to be born in the 24 languages of this city,

especially among the Najdi Saudi Arabs, the Hijazi Saudi Arabs, and the Omani

Arabs.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to rise up from the nations of the

earth for this great city.

- Pray for an outbreak of revelation and angelic visitation.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through Saudi prayer warriors

standing in the gap for their government officials.



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



16th Day of the Month



a) Pray that God will convict the hearts of Canadians of the false

idea that all moral choices are equal and

without consequences

( John 16:7-8



7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away.

For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you.

But if I go, I will send Him to you.

8 When He comes, He will convict the world of sin

and of righteousness and of judgment"



7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness, and of judgment:



)



b) Pray that people's hearts would be opened to see the folly

of denying God's supremacy



(



John 14:6



6 Jesus said to him,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me."



6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.



Rom 3:19-20



19 Now we know that whatever the law says,

it says to those who are under the law,

so that every mouth may be silenced,

and all the world may become accountable to God.

20 Therefore by the works of the law

no flesh will be justified in His sight,

for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.



19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are

under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become

guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified

in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.



2 Cor 5:10



10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,

that each one may receive his recompense in the body,

according to what he has done,

whether it was good or bad.



10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one

may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,

whether it be good or bad.



2 Cor 10:5



5 casting down imaginations and every high thing

that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into

captivity to the obedience of Christ,



5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against

the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought

to the obedience of Christ;



)

Conclusion:



Lord Jesus, l know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I

believe that You died for my sins and l trust in You alone for my salvation. I

choose to turn away from the things in my life of which You don't approve

and now surrender my life to You. I invite You to come and reign and rule in

my heart and fife and open my spirit Establish Your presence within me

and please bring me Your peace. I want to know the power of the Holy Spirit

working in me and live forever with You in the Kingdom of God. I choose to

trust and follow You as my Lord and saviour. Amen.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to surround you with righteous wise people.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, You died to give me life everlasting.

May I live with gratitude for this gift

and share it with those You put in my path."



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember is act of sacrifice.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a light unto Him.



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember Jesus as High Priest who knows our

infirmities.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for Jesus to be glorified, and for Spirit-led, Christ-exacting,

multiplying house churches to be born in the 24 languages of this city,

especially among the Najdi Saudi Arabs, the Hijazi Saudi Arabs, and the Omani

Arabs.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to rise up from the nations of the

earth for this great city.

- Pray for an outbreak of revelation and angelic visitation.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through Saudi prayer warriors

standing in the gap for their government officials.



Pray that God will convict the hearts of mankind of the false

idea that all moral choices are equal and without consequences.



Pray that people's hearts would be opened to see the folly

of denying God's supremacy



Pray for the 70000 7th Grade Egyptian Christian students who will receive

a Bible this year.

Day 105 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 15 April 2023 reflections

Day 105, 15 Apr 2023



1) Psalms 56, 120, 140-141

PSALMS 56



For the Music Director.

To the melody of "Silent Dove at a Distance."

A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.



1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man would crush me;

all day long he who battles oppresses me.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) All day long my enemies would crush me,

for there are many who arrogantly battle against me.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) In the day when I am afraid,

I will trust in You.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) In God whose word I praise,

in God I have trusted; I will not fear.

What can mere flesh do to me?

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Every day they twist my words;

all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They stir up strife, they lurk,

they watch my steps,

when they wait for my life.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Should there be deliverance

for them on account of wickedness?

In Your anger cast down the peoples, O God.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) You take account of my wandering;

put my tears in Your bottle;

are they not in Your book?

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) In the day I cry to You,

then my enemies will turn back;

this I know, that God is for me.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) In God whose word I praise,

in the Lord whose word I praise,

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) in God I trust, I will not fear;

what can a man do to me?

12 Your vows are on me, O God;

I will complete them with thank offerings to You;

13 for You have delivered my soul from death,

even my feet from stumbling,

to walk before God

in the light of the living.



Psalm 56

[1] Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting

daily oppresseth me.

[2] Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight

against me, O thou most High.

[3] What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

[4] In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not

fear what flesh can do unto me.

[5] Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for

evil.

[6] They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my

steps, when they wait for my soul.

[7] Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O

God.

[8] Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they

not in thy book?

[9] When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know;

for God is for me.

[10] In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

[11] In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto

me.

[12] Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

[13] For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my

feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?



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 140



For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.



1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;

protect me from violent men,

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) who plan evil deeds in their heart

and continually gather together for conflicts.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) They have tongues as sharp as a serpent;

adders' poison is with their lips. Selah

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from the violent men

who have planned to overthrow me.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The proud have hid a snare for me,

and with cords they have spread a net;

they have set traps for me. Selah

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I said to the Lord, "You are my God;

hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord."

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) O God my Lord, the strength of my salvation,

You have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;

do not allow his evil plot,

lest he be raised up. Selah

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) As for the head of those who encompassme,

let the mischief of their own lips overwhelm them;

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) let burning coals fall upon them;

let them be cast into the fire,

into deep pits that they do not rise up again.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5 ) Let not an evil speaker be established in the land;

let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him!

12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted

and will give justice to the poor.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Your name;

the upright shall dwell in Your presence.



Psalm 140

[1] Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

[2] Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered

together for war.

[3] They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is

under their lips. Selah.

[4] Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the

violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

[5] The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by

the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

[6] I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my

supplications, O LORD.

[7] O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head

in the day of battle.

[8] Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked

device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

[9] As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of

their own lips cover them.

[10] Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into

deep pits, that they rise not up again.

[11] Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt

the violent man to overthrow him.

[12] I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the

right of the poor.

[13] Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall

dwell in thy presence.



PSALMS 141



A Psalm of David.



1 Lord, I cry unto You; make haste to me;

give ear to my voice, when I cry unto You.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense,

and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil,

to practice wicked deeds

with men who do iniquity,

and do not let me eat of their delights.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the righteous man strike me;

it shall be a kindness.

Let him rebuke me;

it shall be oil for my head;

let my head not refuse it.

For my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9 ) When their judges are thrown to stony places,

then they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) As when one plows to break up the land,

so our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) But my eyes are unto You, O God my Lord,

in You is my trust; do not leave my soul defenseless.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2 Keep me from the snares that they have laid for me,

and the traps of those who do iniquity.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I pass by and escape.



Psalm 141

[1] LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when

I cry unto thee.

[2] Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of

my hands as the evening sacrifice.

[3] Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

[4] Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with

men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

[5] Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove

me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my

prayer also shall be in their calamities.

[6] When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my

words; for they are sweet.

[7] Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and

cleaveth wood upon the earth.

[8] But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave

not my soul destitute.

[9] Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the

workers of iniquity.

[10] Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.



2) Our Daily Bread for 15 April 2023 titled

entitled Reconciling Relationships



Ephesians 4:22-32



22 (Ro 6:6; Heb 3:13) that you put off the former way of life in the old

nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23 (Ro 12:2; Col 3:10) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 (Ro 6:4; Eph 2:10) and that you put on the new nature,

which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.

25 (Col 3:9; Zec 8:16; Ro 12:5) Therefore, putting away lying, let every man

speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

26 (Ps 37:8; 4:4) Be angry but do not sin.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

27 (Jas 4:7) Do not give place to the devil.

28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more. Instead,

let him labour, working with his hands things which are good,

that he may have something to share with him who is in need.

29 (Col 4:6) Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth,

but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace

to the listeners.

30 (1Th 5:19; Isa 63:10; Ro 8:23) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,

in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.

31 (Col 3:8; Ecc 7:9; Col 3:19) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts,

and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you.

32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ

also forgave you.



[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which

is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in

righteousness and true holiness.

[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.

[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

[27] Neither give place to the devil.

[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working

with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that

needeth.

[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which

is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the

day of redemption.

[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil

speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.



My sister and I clashed frequently when we were younger, but one time

especially stands out in my memory. After a bout of yelling back and forth

where we'd both said hurtful things, she said something that in the moment

seemed unforgivable. Witnessing the animosity growing between us, my

grandmother reminded us of our responsibility to love each other: "God gave

you one sister in life. You’ve got to show each other a little grace," she

said. When we asked God to fill us with love and understanding, He helped us

acknowledge how we'd hurt each other and to forgive one another.



It can be so easy to hold on to bitterness and anger, but God desires for us

to experience the peace that can only come when we ask Him to help us release

feelings of resentment (Ephesians 4:31). Instead of harboring these feelings,

we can look to Christ's example of forgiveness that comes from a place of

love and grace, striving to be "kind and compassionate" and to "[forgive]

each other, just as in Christ God forgave [us]" (v. 32). When we find it

challenging to forgive, may we consider the grace that He extends to us

each day. No matter how many times we fall short, His compassion never fails

(Lamentations 3:22). God can help us remove bitterness from our hearts,

so we're free to remain hopeful and receptive to His love.



By: Kimya Loder



Reflect & Pray



When has someone hurt you? What did you learn from that moment?



Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You've placed

in my life. Help me to have a loving and forgiving spirit.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 7 - Oh, Freedom!



Rom 8:1-2



Life in the Spirit



1 (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:17) There is therefore now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 (1Co 15:45; Ro 6:18; Jn 8:32) For the law of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.



The Spirit of God Within You

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.



In the classic movie, I want to live! actress Susan Hayward

plays a woman convicted of murder and sentenced to be executed.

The suspense builds; the execution is delayed as the officials

wait for a word of pardon. Finally, the woman in executed;

the call comes, and the pardon has been granted, but it is too late.

When no pardon is granted, condemnation leads to death. Our sin

marks us as "guilty" before God, and we deserve the wages of sin,

which is death. But in Jesus Christ, the pardon does come - and

it comes in time. Our sin deserves condemnation by God, and yet

he forgives us because Christ paid the penalty for us,

But we face other kinds of condemnation as well - self-condemnation,

that internal accusation that we still, somehow, must pay the price

of our own sin. Others often condemn us as well, offering much less

forgiveness and mercy than God does. And the Enemy of our souls condemns

us, trying to convince us that we don't, after all, have real freedom

from sin.

Yet Paul tells us in Romans 8, "There is therefore now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus". God has forgiven us freely; he has

granted his pardon. And in light of his forgiveness, how can we live

under the condemnation of others - or even of ourselves?

We are free, Paul says - free from the "law of sin and death,"

free to live in the liberty of the Spirit. The stay of execution

has come: the pardon has been granted. Never again can we tried

for the same crimes: never again must we live under the burden

of condemnation.



Application



a) Have I ever lived under the burden of condemnation from myself

or others? Why?



b) How can Romans 8:1-2 help me live in freedom of such condemnation?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Haggai 2:7-9



7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations,

and they will come with the wealth of all nations,

and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.

8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,

says the Lord of Hosts.

9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater

than the former, says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place

I will give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.



7 and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations

shall come: and I will fill this house with glory,

saith the LORD of hosts.

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,

saith the LORD of hosts.

9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater

than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place

will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Help in Times of Temptation



James 1:12-18



Trial and Temptation



12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,

for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"

for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.

14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.

15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;

and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.

16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.

17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift

is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no change or shadow of turning.

18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with

the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.



12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised

to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:

and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



DAY 29 APRIL 15



Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan and is located

near the border with India. The nation is historically

and culturally related to Iran, Afghanistan, and India.

Since gaining independence in 1947, Pakistan has

struggled to attain political stability and to sustain social

development. The country is estimated to be the home

of 4 million orphaned children and 3.5 million Afghan

refugees. Jesus-followers in Karachi are often severely

persecuted. Since conversations between the Pakistani

government and prominent terrorist groups dissolved in

2021, there has been a sharp increase in attacks targeting

Jesus-followers. The time is now for the Bride of Christ

to stand with the church in Pakistan and pray

for the advancement of the Gospel in every

unreached tribe in Islamabad.



People Group Focus





Western Punjabi




Southern Punjabi




Sindhi




Western Baloch




Prayer Emphasis

- Pray for the advancement of God's Kingdom throughout the 18 languages of

this city, especially among the languages of the listed people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Islamabad that

multiplies throughout the country.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

- Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for this city.



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



15th Day of the Month



a) Pray for the Lord to convict all Canadians of His Righteous

standards of living (John 16: 8 - 11



8 "When He comes, He will convict the world of sin

and of righteousness and of judgment:

9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

10 of righteousness, because I am going to My Father,

and you will see Me no more;

11 and of judgment, because the ruler of this world stands condemned."



8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

)



b) Pray for the province of Nova Scotia



I) Pray for the leaders of Nova Scotia, that God's Spirit would influence

them 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.

3 For 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.



)

Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray for the Lord to help you when your enemies surround

you.



Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You've placed

in my life. Help me to have a loving and forgiving spirit."



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He has freed you from The Law of Sin

and Death.



Pray to the Lord and pray to recall everything is the Lord's.



Pray to the Lord and pray to recall all good things come from the Lord.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for the advancement of God's Kingdom throughout the 18 languages of

this city, especially among the languages of the listed people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Islamabad that

multiplies throughout the country.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

- Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for this city.



Pray for the Lord to convict all Canadians of His Righteous

standards of living



Pray for the people in southern Kaduna state of Nigeria who have

suffered repeated attacks by militant Islamists.

Day 104 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 14 April 2023 reflections

Day 104, 14 Apr 2023



1) Psalms 7, 27, 31



PSALMS 7



A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning

the words of Cush, a Benjamite.



1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;

save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me,

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) lest they tear my soul like a lion,

rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord my God, if I have done this,

if there is iniquity in the palms of my hands,

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me,

or have delivered my adversary without cause,

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) then may the enemy pursue my life and overtake me;

may my enemy trample my life to the ground,

and lay my honor in the dust. Selah

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Arise, O Lord, in Your anger;

rise up because of the rage of my adversaries,

and awaken Yourself for me; You have commanded justice.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The congregation of the peoples surround You;

return above it to heaven's heights.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord will judge the peoples;

grant me justice, O Lord, according to my righteousness,

and according to my integrity within me.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) May the evil of the wicked come to an end;

may You vindicate the righteous one;

You are a righteous God who examines the minds and hearts.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) My defense depends on God,

who saves the upright in heart.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) God is a righteous judge,

and God has indignation every day.

12 If one does not repent,

God will sharpen His sword;

He has bent His bow and made it ready.

13 He has prepared for Himself deadly weapons;

He makes His arrows flaming shafts.

14 The wicked man writhes in pain of iniquity;

he has conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood.

15 He who digs a hole and hollows it

will then fall into his own pit.

16 His mischief will return on his own head;

his violence will descend on the crown of his own head.

17 I will thank the Lord according to His righteousness,

and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.



Psalm 7

[1] O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that

persecute me, and deliver me:

[2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is

none to deliver.

[3] O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

[4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have

delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

[5] Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my

life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

[6] Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of

mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

[7] So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their

sakes therefore return thou on high.

[8] The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my

righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

[9] Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the

just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

[10] My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

[11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

[12] If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made

it ready.

[13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth

his arrows against the persecutors.

[14] Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and

brought forth falsehood.

[15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he

made.

[16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing

shall come down upon his own pate.

[17] I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing

praise to the name of the LORD most high.



PSALMS 27



A Psalm of David.



1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom will I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom will I be afraid?

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me

to eat my flesh-

my enemies and my foes-

they stumbled and fell.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

though war should rise against me,

in this will I be confident.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,

that will I seek after-

for me to dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to see the beauty of the Lord,

and to inquire in His temple.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble

He will hide me in His pavilion;

in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;

He will set me up on a rock.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Now my head will be lifted up

above my enemies encircling me;

therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!

Be gracious to me and answer me.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) When You said, "Seek My face,

my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Do not hide Your face far from me;

do not thrust Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help.

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) If my father and my mother forsake me,

then the Lord will take me in.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Teach me Your way, O Lord,

and lead me in an upright path,

because of my enemies.

12 Do not deliver me to the will of my enemies;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord;

be strong, and may your heart be stout;

wait on the Lord.



Psalm 27

[1] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is

the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

[2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up

my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

[3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though

war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

[4] One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may

dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty

of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

[5] For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the

secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

[6] And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:

therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing,

yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

[7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and

answer me.

[8] When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face,

LORD, will I seek.

[9] Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou

hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

[10] When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

[11] Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine

enemies.

[12] Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses

are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

[13] I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in

the land of the living.

[14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine

heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.



PSALMS 31



Ps 71:1-3



For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.



1 In You, O Lord, do I seek refuge;

may I never be ashamed;

deliver me in Your righteousness.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2 ) Incline Your ear to me;

deliver me speedily;

be my strong rock,

a strong fortress to save me.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For You are my rock and my fortress;

for Your name's sake lead me and guide me.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Lead me out of the net that they have hidden for me,

for You are my strength.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I have hated those who regard worthless vanity,

but I trust in the Lord.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) I will be glad and rejoice in Your lovingkindness,

for You have seen my trouble;

You have known my soul in adversities,

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) and have not delivered me up into the hand of the enemy;

You have set my feet in a broad place.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;

my eye wastes away with grief,

yes, my soul and my body.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) For my life is spent with grief,

and my years with sighing;

my strength fails because of my iniquity,

and my bones waste away.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) I became a reproach among all my enemies,

but especially among my neighbors,

and a dread to my acquaintances;

those who saw me outside fled fromme.

12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind;

I am like a broken vessel.

13 For I have heard the slander of many;

fear was on every side;

while they took counsel together againstme,

they planned to take away my life.

14 But I trusted in You, O Lord;

I said, "You are my God."

15 My times are in Your hand;

deliver me from the hand of my enemies

and my pursuers.

16 Make Your face to shine on Your servant;

save me by Your lovingkindness.

17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord,

for I have called on You;

let the wicked be ashamed,

and let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be put to silence,

who speak arrogantly

in pride and contempt against the righteous.

19 Oh, how great is Your goodness,

which You have laid up for those who fear You,

which You have done for those

seeking refuge in You before people!

20 You will hide them in the secret of Your presence

from conspirators;

You will keep them secretly in a shelter

from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,

for He has shown me His marvelous lovingkindness

in a fortified city.

22 For I said in my haste,

"I am cut off from before Your eyes."

Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications

when I cried to You.

23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints,

for the Lord preserves the faithful,

but amply repays the one who acts in pride.

24 Be strong, and He will strengthen your heart,

all you who wait for the Lord.



Psalms 31

[1] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me

in thy righteousness.

[2] Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock,

for an house of defence to save me.

[3] For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead

me, and guide me.

[4] Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art

my strength.

[5] Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of

truth.

[6] I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

[7] I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my

trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

[8] And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my

feet in a large room.

[9] Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed

with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

[10] For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength

faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

[11] I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my

neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without

fled from me.

[12] I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

[13] For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while

they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

[14] But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

[15] My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and

from them that persecute me.

[16] Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

[17] Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the

wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

[18] Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things

proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

[19] Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that

fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the

sons of men!

[20] Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of

man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

[21] Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a

strong city.

[22] For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes:

nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto

thee.

[23] O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the

faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

[24] Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that

hope in the LORD.



2) Our Daily Bread for 14 April 2022 titled



Uphill All the Way




2 Samuel 15:13-14,23-26



13 (Jdg 9:3; 2Sa 15:6) A messenger came to David and said,

"The hearts of the men of Israel are following Absalom."

14 (2Sa 19:9) David said to all of his servants who were with him

in Jerusalem, "Get up. We must flee or there will be no escape from

Absalom for us. Hurry up and leave, or he will soon reach us

and bring disaster upon us, striking the city with the edge of the sword."

22 So David said to Ittai, "Go on, pass by." So Ittai the Gittite passed by,

along with all of his men and all of the children

and elderly who were with him.

23 (2Sa 16:2; 1Ki 2:37) The whole land wept with a loud voice as

all the people passed by. Now the king was crossing over the brook Kidron,

and all of the people were crossing over on the road to the wilderness.

24 (Nu 4:15; 2Sa 8:17) And also Zadok and all of the Levites with him

were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God,

and Abiathar came up until all of the people had finished

passing from the city.

25 (Ex 15:13; Jer 25:30) The king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back

to the city. If I have found favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me

back and allow me to see both it and its resting place.

26 (1Sa 3:18; 2Sa 22:20) But if He should say now, 'I take no delight in you,'

here I am. May He do to me what seems good to Him."



[13] And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of

Israel are after Absalom.

[14] And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem,

Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make

speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and

smite the city with the edge of the sword.

[23] And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed

over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people

passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

[24] And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark

of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went

up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

[25] And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city:

if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and

shew me both it, and his habitation:

[26] But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let

him do to me as seemeth good unto him.



Christina Rossetti, a poet and devotional writer, found that nothing came

easily for her. She suffered from depression and various illnesses throughout

her life and endured broken engagements. Eventually she died of cancer.



When David burst into Israel's national consciousness, it was as a triumphant

warrior. Yet throughout his life, David faced hardship. Late in his reign, his

own son, along with his trusted advisor and much of the country, turned

against him (2 Samuel 15:1-12). So David took the priests Abiathar and Zadok

and the sacred ark of God with him and fled Jerusalem (vv. 14, 24).



After Abiathar had offered sacrifices to God, David told the priests, "Take

the ark of God back into the city. If I find favour in the Lord's eyes, he

will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again" (v. 25).

Despite the uncertainty, David said, "If [God] says, 'I am not pleased with

you,' . . . let him do to me whatever seems good to him" (v. 26).

He knew he could trust God.



Christina Rossetti trusted God too, and her life ended in hope. The road may

indeed wind uphill all the way, but it leads to our heavenly Father, who

awaits us with open arms.



By: Tim Gustafson



Reflect & Pray



In what ways has life seemed uphill and winding to you?

How will you trust God to lead you on the road you're traveling?



Dear God, this life seems so hard sometimes. Yet I trust You to do what's

right, for me and for everyone. Help me live in Your hope,

anticipating the day I'll be with You.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 6 - It is Finished



John 5:24



24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears

My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life

and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "



[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth

on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into

condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.



"PLEASE BE PATIENT - GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET,"

the sweatshirt read. In this case, the message was an ironic one,

for the occupant of the shirt was a snaggle-toothed, freckle-faced six year

old!

In one sense, God is not finished with the work he has to do in each of us.

Life in Christ is an ongoing process of change and growth as we become

more like him. Certainly, the more we see of ourselves, the more we hope

he isn't finished with us!

Yet whatever plans God has for making us into the men and women he created

us to be, certain aspects of our life in Christ are finished, finalised.

Jesus declares with absolute assurance, "whoever hears

My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life

and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "

Because we do not have to earn or deserve God's grace, because we are not

called to prove ourselves worthy of Salvation, we can have immediate

and total assurance of the security of life in Jesus Christ. The one who

put his trust in the Lord has eternal life; he will not be condemned;

he has crossed over from death to life.

This "crossing over" into life happens in the split second when we acknowledge

our dependence upon Christ alone. And the rest of our lives is given over to

the development of his image in us.

God is not finished with us yet.

But his work of salvation is finished - complete,

fully dependable an accomplished fact.



Application



a) Have I ever doubted the "accomplished fact" of my own salvation? Why?



b) How can today's verse help me realise that, although I may have a lot of

growing yet to do, my salvation in Jesus Christ is secure?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Deut 30:19-20



19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,

that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.

Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that you may love the Lord your God,

that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him,

for He is your life and the length of your days;

and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord

swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.



19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,

that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:

therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 that thou mayest love the LORD thy God,

and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:

for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:

that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD

sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Freeing Forgiveness



Ps 103:1-14



PSALMS 103



A Psalm of David.



1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits,

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,

who heals all your diseases,

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The Lord does righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the people of Israel.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,

neither will He keep his anger forever.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.

14 For He knows how we are formed;

He remembers that we are dust.



Psalm 103



A Psalm of David.



1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment

For all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses,

His acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide:

Neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,

So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children,

So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame;

He remembereth that we are dust.







Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



DAY 28 APRIL 14

Rabat, Morocco's capital and one of the country's four imperial cities, is

a large urban area lying along the Atlantic coast. Although the nation

is quickly modernising and experiencing a rising standard of living,

Morocco is known for difficult living conditions, grinding poverty, child

labour, and religious persecution. Yet, despite these challenges,

today many Moroccans are coming to faith in Jesus through

radio programs and praise music in the Berber language.

These Jesus-followers are also assembling to form training

centers to reach their nation.



People Group Focus



Central Shilha (Imazighen)




Jebala




Arabised Berber and Moroccan Arab




Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for the advancement of God's Kingdom throughout the 12 languages

of Rabat, Morocco, especially among the listed people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Rabat that multiplies

throughout the country.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

- Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for Rabat, Morocco .



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 serve with

denominations and Christian organisations

in Canada - that God will bless their ministry

and anoint them for effective service.





Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for encouragment and protection

during turbulent times and times of Trouble.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, this life seems so hard sometimes.

Yet I trust You to do what's right, for me and for everyone.

Help me live in Your hope, anticipating the day I'll be with You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to now that your Salvation is assured in Jesus

Christ.



Pray to the Lord and pray to observe His Covenant



Pray to the Lord and pray to have The peace of the Lord in Your Heart.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



People Group Focus



Central Shilha (Imazighen)




Jebala




Arabised Berber and Moroccan Arab




Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for the advancement of God's Kingdom throughout the 12 languages

of Rabat, Morocco, especially among the listed people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Rabat that multiplies

throughout the country.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

- Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for Rabat, Morocco .



Pray for God's kingdom to come

in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,

and in our nation



Pray for those who serve with

denominations and Christian organisations

in Canada - that God will bless their ministry

and anoint them for effective service.



Pray for the protection of missionaries in Oman,

and that God's provision will be made available to them.

Day 103 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 13 April 2023 reflections

Day 103, 13 Apr 2022



1) 1 Samuel 21

Psalm 34

1 Samuel 22:1-2

Psalm 57

Psalm 142

1 Chronicles 12:8-18

1 Samuel 22:3-23

Psalm 52

1 Samuel 23:1-12

1 Samuel 23:13-29

Psalm 54

1 Samuel 24



1 SAMUEL 21



David at Nob

1 (1Sa 16:4; Ne 11:32) Then David came to Nob to Ahimelek the priest.

And Ahimelek trembled coming to meet David and said to him,

"Why are you alone and no man is with you?"

2 And David said to Ahimelek the priest, "The king commanded me a matter

and said to me, 'Let no man know anything of the business which I am sending

you and what I have commanded you.' But to the young men I made known

a certain place to meet.

3 Now therefore what is in your hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand,

or whatever can be found."

4 (Ex 19:15; 25:30) The priest answered David and said,

"There is no common bread at hand. But there is holy bread,

if the young men have indeed been kept from women."

5 David answered the priest and said to him, "Indeed women have been kept

from us. As previously, when I went out the vessels of the young men were

holy even if it was an ordinary journey. How much more then today

will their vessels be holy?"

6 (Mt 12:3-4; Lk 6:3-4) So the priest gave him holy bread. For there was

no bread there but the showbread that was removed from before the Lord,

in order to place hot bread there on the day when it was taken away.

7 (1Sa 22:9; 1Ch 27:29) Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there

that day, detained before the Lord. And his name was Doeg, the Edomite,

chief of the shepherds of Saul.

8 David said to Ahimelek, "Is there not a spear or a sword here at hand?

For neither my sword nor my weapons did I bring with me,

because the king's business was urgent."

9 (1Sa 17:2) The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine,

whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped

in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it.

For there is none other but that here."

And David said, "There is none like it. Give it me."



David Flees to Gath



10 David arose and fled that day from Saul.

And he went to Achish the king of Gath.

11 (1Sa 29:5) The servants of Achish said to him,

"Is this not David the king of the land?

Did they not sing with dances for him, saying,

'Saul has slain his thousands,

and David his ten thousands'? "

12 (Lk 2:19) And David took these words to heart and greatly feared

Achish the king of Gath.

13 Therefore he changed his behavior before them and pretended

to be insane in their hands. And he scratched on the doors of the gate

and let his spittle run down his beard.

14 Then said Achish to his servants, "You see the man is acting like a madman.

Why then have you brought him to me?

15 Am I one who lacks lunatics, that you brought this one to behave

as a madman in my presence? Will this man come into my house?"



1 Samuel 21

[1] Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid

at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man

with thee?

[2] And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a

business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business

whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed

my servants to such and such a place.

[3] Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in

mine hand, or what there is present.

[4] And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under

mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept

themselves at least from women.

[5] And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have

been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels

of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though

it were sanctified this day in the vessel.

[6] So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but

the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the

day when it was taken away.

[7] Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained

before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the

herdmen that belonged to Saul.

[8] And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand

spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me,

because the king's business required haste.

[9] And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou

slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind

the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that

here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

[10] And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish

the king of Gath.

[11] And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of

the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul

hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

[12] And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of

Achish the king of Gath.

[13] And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in

their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle

fall down upon his beard.

[14] Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad:

wherefore then have ye brought him to me?

[15] Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the

mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?



PSALMS 34



A Psalm of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelek,

who drove him away, and he departed.



1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise will continually be in my mouth.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My soul will make its boast in the Lord;

the humble will hear of it and be glad.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt His name together.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) I sought the Lord, and He answered me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) They looked to Him and became radiant,

and their faces are not ashamed.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) This poor man cried, and the Lord heard,

and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,

and delivers them.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2 ) Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints;

for the ones who fear Him will not be in need.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) The young lions are in want and suffer hunger,

but the ones who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who is the man who desires life,

and loves a long life in order to see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil,

and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil, and do good;

seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against the ones doing evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,

and saves the contrite of spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 A righteous one keeps all his bones;

not one of them is broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the life of His servants,

and all who take refuge in Him will not be punished.



Psalm 34

[1] I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in

my mouth.

[2] My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof,

and be glad.

[3] O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

[4] I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

[5] They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not

ashamed.

[6] This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all

his troubles.

[7] The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and

delivereth them.

[8] O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth

in him.

[9] O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear

him.

[10] The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD

shall not want any good thing.

[11] Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the

LORD.

[12] What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may

see good?

[13] Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

[14] Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

[15] The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto

their cry.

[16] The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the

remembrance of them from the earth.

[17] The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all

their troubles.

[18] The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such

as be of a contrite spirit.

[19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him

out of them all.

[20] He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

[21] Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be

desolate.

[22] The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that

trust in him shall be desolate.



1 SAMUEL 22



David Protects His Parents

1 (Jos 12:15; 15:35) David departed from there and escaped

to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house

heard it, they went down to him there.

2 (Jdg 11:3; 1Sa 23:13) There gathered to him every one that was in distress,

and every one in debt, and every one that was discontented.

So he became captain over them.

Now there were with him about four hundred men.



[1] David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and

when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down

thither to him.

[2] And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and

every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became

a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.



Psalms 57

Ps 108:1-5

For the Music Director. To the melody of "Do Not Destroy."

A Miktam of David when he fled from Saul in the cave.

1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious tome!

For my soul seeks refuge in You;

in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,

until the ruinous storm passes by.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will cry to God Most High,

to God who vindicates me.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5 ) He will send from heaven and save me

from the taunt of the one who crushes me. Selah

God will send forth His mercy and His truth.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) My soul is among lions,

and I lie among the sons of men who blaze like fire,

whose teeth are spears and arrows,

and their tongue a sharp sword.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

may Your glory be above all the earth.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They have prepared a net for my steps;

my soul is bowed down;

they have dug a pit before me,

but they have fallen into it. Selah

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) My heart is fixed, O God,

my heart is fixed;

I will sing and give praise.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Awake, my glory!

Awake, psaltery and harp!

I will awake the dawn.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) I will thank You, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing to You among the nations.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) For Your mercy is great up to the heavens,

and Your truth extends to the clouds.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5 ) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

may Your glory be above all the earth.



Psalm 57

[1] Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in

thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these

calamities be overpast.

[2] I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for

me.

[3] He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would

swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

[4] My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire,

even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a

sharp sword.

[5] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all

the earth.

[6] They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have

digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.

Selah.

[7] My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give

praise.

[8] Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

[9] I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee

among the nations.

[10] For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

[11] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all

the earth.



PSALMS 142



A Contemplative Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.



1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice;

with my voice I made my supplication unto the Lord.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I poured out my complaint before Him;

I declared to Him my trouble.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

then You knew my path.

In the way where I walk,

they have laid a snare for me.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) I looked on my right and noticed,

but there was no one who would care for me;

there is no refuge for me;

no one cares for my soul.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I cried unto You, O Lord;

I said, "You are my refuge

and my portion in the land of the living."

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:89) Attend to my cry,

for I am brought very low;

deliver me from my persecutors,

for they are stronger than me.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Bring my soul out of prison,

that I may praise Your name;

the righteous shall surround me,

for You shall deal bountifully with me.



Psalm 142

[1] I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I

make my supplication.

[2] I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

[3] When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In

the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

[4] I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would

know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

[5] I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in

the land of the living.

[6] Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my

persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

[7] Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous

shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.



1 Chronicles 12:8-18



8 (2Sa 2:18; 17:10) From the Gadites mighty men of valor, men of the war

battalion, who could handle shield and sword, whose faces were like the

faces of lions, and who were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains,

separated themselves for David in the stronghold in the wilderness:

9 Ezer the captain,

Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Makbannai the eleventh.

14 (Lev 26:8; Dt 32:30) These were from Gad, captains of the battalions.

One of the least of them was as a hundred and the greatest as a thousand.

15 (Jos 3:15; 4:18) These were the ones who crossed over the Jordan

during the first month when it had overflowed its banks and caused the valley

dwellers to flee to the east and to the west.

16 Some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold of David.

17 So David went out before them and said to them, "If you have come in peace

to help me, then I will have a heart united with yours, but if to betray me

to my adversaries, when there is no violence in my hand, may the God of our

fathers see, and may He decide between us."

18 (Jdg 6:34; 2Sa 17:25)Then the Spirit came upon Amasai the captain

of the officers, and he said,

"We are for you, David,

and with you, son of Jesse.

Peace, peace to you,

and peace to the one helping you,

for your God helps you."



8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold

to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle,

that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the

faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host:

one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had

overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys,

both toward the east, and toward the west.

16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold

unto David.

17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them,

If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit

unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there

is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains,

and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse:

peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God

helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.



1 SAMUEL 22



3 Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab.

And he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother

come forth and be with you until I know what God will do for me."

4 He brought them before the king of Moab, and they lived with him

all the while that David was in the stronghold.

5 (2Sa 24:11; 1Ch 21:9) The prophet Gad said to David,

"Do not remain in the stronghold. Go to the land of Judah."

So David went and came to the forest of Hereth.



Saul Kills the Priests of Nob



6 When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him

were discovered, Saul was sitting in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree

on the hill with his spear in his hand. And all his servants

were standing about him.

7 Saul said to his servants that stood about him, "Hear now, Benjamites!

Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards?

Will he appoint you all as captains of thousands and captains of hundreds?

8 (1Sa 18:3; 23:21) You have all conspired against me, and no one revealed

to me that my son made a covenant with the son of Jesse. And not one of you

is grieved for me and revealed it to me that my son raised up my servant

against me to ambush me as at this day."

9 (Ps 52:1–9) Then Doeg the Edomite, who was chief over the servants of Saul,

answered and said, "I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelek the

son of Ahitub.

10 (Nu 27:21; 1Sa 23:2) And he inquired of the Lord for him and gave him

provisions. And he gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

11 So the king sent to summon Ahimelek the priest, the son of Ahitub,

and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob.

And they all came to the king.

12 Saul said, "Hear now, son of Ahitub!"

And he answered, "Here I am, my lord."

13 (1Sa 22:8) Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me,

you and the son of Jesse, in that you gave him bread and a sword,

and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me

to ambush me, as at this day?"

14 (1Sa 19:4-5; 20:32) Then Ahimelek answered the king and said,

"And who is as faithful among all your servants as David,

who is the king's son-in-law, chief of your bodyguard,

and is honored in your house?

15 (1Sa 25:36) Did I just today begin to inquire of God for him?

Far be it from me! Let not the king assign any blame to his servant,

or to all the house of my father. For your servant has known nothing

of all this matter, whether small or great."

16The king said, "You will surely die, Ahimelek, you

and all your father's house."

17 (Ex 1:17) The king said to the guards standing near him,

"Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand is with David.

And because they knew that he was fleeing and did not reveal it to me."

But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to attack

the priests of the Lord.

18 The king said to Doeg, "You turn and fall upon the priests."

And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests

and killed on that day 85 men who wore a linen ephod.

19 (1Sa 15:3) And Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge

of the sword. Both men and women, children and babies, oxen, donkeys,

and sheep, he struck with the edge of the sword.



David, Protector of the Priestly Line



20 (1Sa 23:6; 30:7; 1Ki 2:26-27) But one of the sons of Ahimelek

the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

21 Abiathar reported to David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.

22 David said to Abiathar, "I knew it that day when Doeg the Edomite

was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death

of all the persons of your father's house.

23 (1Ki 2:26) -Remain with me. Do not fear. For the one who seeks my life

seeks your life, but you are safe with me."



1 SAMUEL 22



[3] And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of

Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you,

till I know what God will do for me.

[4] And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all

the while that David was in the hold.

[5] And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and

get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the

forest of Hareth.

[6] When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with

him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in

his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

[7] Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye

Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and

vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

[8] That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that

sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there

is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath

stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

[9] Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul,

and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of

Ahitub.

[10] And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave

him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

[11] Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and

all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of

them to the king.

[12] And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I

am, my lord.

[13] And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the

son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast

inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as

at this day?

[14] Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful

among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth

at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

[15] Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not

the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my

father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

[16] And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy

father's house.

[17] And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay

the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because

they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the

king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

[18] And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And

Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day

fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

[19] And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword,

both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep,

with the edge of the sword.

[20] And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar,

escaped, and fled after David.

[21] And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests.

[22] And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite

was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of

all the persons of thy father's house.

[23] Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy

life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.





PSALMS 52



For the Music Director. A Contemplative Maskil. A Psalm of David,

when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul,

"David has come to the house of Ahimelek."

1 Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?

The goodness of God endures continually.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2 ) Your tongue devises calamities,

like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You love evil more than good,

and lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) You love all devouring words,

O you deceitful tongue.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) God will likewise break you down forever;

He will snatch you away and pluck you from your home,

and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9 ) The righteous also will see and fear,

and will laugh in contempt,

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) "See, this is the man

who did not make God his refuge,

but trusted in the abundance of riches,

and grew strong in his own wickedness."

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) But I am like a green olive tree

in the house of God;

I trust in the mercy of God

forever and ever.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) I will give thanks to You forever, because You have acted;

and I will wait on Your name,

for it is good before Your saints.



Psalm 52

[1] Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God

endureth continually.

[2] Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

[3] Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak

righteousness. Selah.

[4] Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

[5] God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and

pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the

living. Selah.

[6] The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

[7] Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the

abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

[8] But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the

mercy of God for ever and ever.

[9] I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait

on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.



1 SAMUEL 23



David Saves Keilah



1 (Jos 15:44; Ne 3:17-18) Then they told David, "Listen, the Philistines

are fighting against Keilah, and they are looting the threshing floors."

2 (1Sa 23:4; 2Sa 5:19) Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying,

"Shall I go and attack these Philistines?"

And the Lord said to David,

"Go and attack the Philistines, and rescue Keilah."

3 The men of David said to him, "We are afraid here in Judah. How much

more then, if we go down to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?"

4 (Jdg 7:7; Jos 8:7) Then David again inquired of the Lord. And the Lord

answered him and said, "Arise, go down to Keilah because I am giving

the Philistines into your hand."

5 Then David and his men went to Keilah. He fought with the Philistines

and carried off their livestock, and he struck them with a great slaughter.

So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.

6 (1Sa 22:20) When Abiathar the son of Ahimelek fled to David at Keilah,

he came down with the ephod in his hand.



Saul Pursues David



7 It was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah.

And Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hand.

For he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars."

8 Then Saul summoned all the people together for war,

to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

9 (1Sa 30:7; 23:6) David found out that Saul was planning evil against him.

So he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod near."

10 And David said, "O Lord, God of Israel, Your servant has certainly

heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on account of me.

11 Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down,

as Your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell Your servant."

And the Lord said, "He will come down."

12 (1Sa 23:20) Then said David, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me

and my men into the hand of Saul?"

And the Lord said, "They will deliver you."



1 Samuel 23

[1] Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against

Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

[2] Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these

Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines,

and save Keilah.

[3] And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how

much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

[4] Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and

said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into

thine hand.

[5] So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines,

and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So

David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

[6] And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to

Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

[7] And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God

hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a

town that hath gates and bars.

[8] And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to

besiege David and his men.

[9] And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he

said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

[10] Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard

that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

[11] Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come

down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell

thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

[12] Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the

hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.



1 SAMUEL 23



13 (1Sa 22:2; 25:13) So David and his men, which were about six hundred,

arose and left Keilah. And they went wherever they could go.

Now it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah.

So he halted the expedition.

14 (Ps 54:3-4; Jos 15:24) And David remained in the wilderness

in strongholds, and dwelled in mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph.

Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

15 Now David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life.

And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh.

16 (Ne 2:18) Jonathan, the son of Saul, arose and went to David at Horesh.

And he strengthened his hand in God.

17 (1Sa 20:31; 24:20) He said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul

my father will not find you. You will be king over Israel,

and I will be next to you. Saul my father knows this."

18 (1Sa 18:3; 20:42) The two of them made a covenant before the Lord.

And David stayed in Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house.

19 (1Sa 26:1; 26:3; Ps 54:1–7) Then the Ziphites went up to Saul to Gibeah

saying, "Is David not hiding himself with us in strongholds in Horesh,

on the hill of Hakilah, which is south of Jeshimon?

20 (1Sa 23:12) Now, O king, come down according to all the desire of

your soul to come down. And our part will be

to deliver him into the king's hand."

21 (1Sa 22:8) Saul said, "Blessed are you of the Lord.

For you have had compassion on me.

22 Please go, make sure again. Investigate and see the place where his foot

rests, and who has seen him there. For it has been said to me

that he is very cunning.

23 So look and learn about all the hiding places where he hides himself.

And come to me with certainty, and I will go with you.

And it will be that if he is in the land,

then I will track him throughout all the clans of Judah."

24 (Jos 15:55; 1Sa 25:2) So they arose and went to Ziph before Saul.

But David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon,

in the desert south of Jeshimon.

25 Saul and his men went to seek him, but they told David.

Therefore he came down to the Rock, and lived in the Wilderness of Maon.

And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the Wilderness of Maon.

26 (Ps 17:9) Saul went on this side of the mountain and David

and his men on that side of the mountain. And David hurried to get away

from Saul. Now Saul and his men were closing in on David

and his men to capture them.

27 (2Ki 19:9) But a messenger came to Saul saying,

"Hurry and go! For the Philistines have invaded the land."

28 So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and he went against

the Philistines. Therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.

29 (2Ch 20:2; Jos 15:62)David then went up from there and

lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.



[13] Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and

departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was

told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

[14] And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a

mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God

delivered him not into his hand.

[15] And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in

the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

[16] And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and

strengthened his hand in God.

[17] And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall

not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto

thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

[18] And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the

wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

[19] Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David

hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah,

which is on the south of Jeshimon?

[20] Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy

soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's

hand.

[21] And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

[22] Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt

is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very

subtilly.

[23] See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he

hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go

with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will

search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

[24] And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men

were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

[25] Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore

he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul

heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

[26] And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on

that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of

Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take

them.

[27] But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for

the Philistines have invaded the land.

[28] Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the

Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

[29] And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi.



PSALMS 54



For the Music Director. With stringed instruments.

A Contemplative Maskil of David, when the Ziphites

went and told Saul, "Is David not hiding among us?"



1 O God, save me by Your name,

and judge me by Your strength.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) O God, hear my prayer;

give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For strangers rise up against me,

and formidable adversaries seek my life;

they do not set God before them. Selah

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) God is my helper;

the Lord is with those who support my life.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) He will repay my enemies for their evil.

In Your faithfulness, destroy them.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You;

I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) For He has delivered me out of all trouble;

and my eye has looked down on my enemies.



Psalm 54

[1] Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

[2] Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

[3] For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my

soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

[4] Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

[5] He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

[6] I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for

it is good.

[7] For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his

desire upon mine enemies.



1 SAMUEL 24



David Spares Saul's Life

1 (1Sa 23:28-29; 23:19) When Saul had returned from following the Philistines,

it was reported to him, saying, "David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi."

2 (1Sa 26:2) Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel

and went to seek David and his men in front of the rocks of the wild goats.

3 (Jdg 3:24; Ps 57:1-11) He came to the sheep pens by the way and a cave

was there. And Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men

were sitting in the rear of the cave.

4 The men of David said to him, "This is the day of which the Lord

said to you, 'I am giving your enemy into your hand.

You may do with him as seems good in your eyes.'"

Then David arose and secretly cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

5 (2Sa 24:10) Afterward David's heart troubled him because he had cut off

a corner of Saul's robe.

6 He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing

to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him.

For he is anointed of the Lord."

7 (Ps 7:4) So David dispersed his men by these words and did not let

them rise against Saul. And Saul arose from the cave and went on his way.

8 (1Sa 25:23–24) David arose afterward and went out from the cave.

And he called after Saul saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked

behind him, David had bowed down with his face to the ground and paid homage.

9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men saying,

'David seeks your harm'?

10 (1Sa 24:4) This day you have seen with your own eyes that the Lord

delivered you today into my hand in the cave. So that some said to kill you,

but my eye had compassion on you. And I said, 'I will not put forth my hand

against my lord, for he is anointed of the Lord.'

11 (1Sa 26:20; 23:14) See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe

in my hand. Indeed, I cut off the corner of your robe, but I did not kill you.

Observe and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hand.

I have not sinned against you, but you are

lying in wait for my life to take it.

12 (Ge 16:5; Jdg 11:27) The Lord will judge between me and you,

and the Lord will avenge me on you, but my hand will not be against you.

13 (Mt 7:16-18) As the proverb of the ancients says,

'From the wicked comes forth wickedness,' but my hand will not be against you.

14 (1Sa 26:20; 17:43) "After whom has the king of Israel come out?

After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? A single flea?

15 (1Sa 24:12; Ps 35:1) May the Lord be judge, and decide between me and you.

And may He see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand."

16 (1Sa 26:17) When David finished speaking these words to Saul,

Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice

and wept.

17 (1Sa 26:21; Mt 5:44) And he said to David, "You are more righteous than I.

For you have rewarded me with good, while I have rewarded you with evil.

18 (1Sa 26:23) And you have shown today that you have dealt well with me,

when the Lord delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me.

19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him safely go away?

Therefore may the Lord reward you well for what you have done for me this day.

20 (1Sa 23:17) Now, listen, I know that you will surely be king

and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

21 (Ge 21:23; 2Sa 21:6-8) Therefore swear to me now by the Lord that you will

not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not

destroy my name out of my father's household."

22 (1Sa 23:29) So David swore to Saul and Saul went home.

But David and his men went up to the stronghold.



1 Samuel 24

[1] And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the

Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the

wilderness of En-gedi.

[2] Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to

seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

[3] And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul

went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of

the cave.

[4] And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD

said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that

thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and

cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

[5] And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he

had cut off Saul's skirt.

[6] And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing

unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him,

seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

[7] So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to

rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

[8] David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after

Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David

stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

[9] And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying,

Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

[10] Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered

thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine

eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord;

for he is the LORD's anointed.

[11] Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand:

for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe and killed thee not, know thou

and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I

have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

[12] The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but

mine hand shall not be upon thee.

[13] As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the

wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

[14] After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue?

after a dead dog, after a flea.

[15] The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see,

and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

[16] And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words

unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted

up his voice, and wept.

[17] And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast

rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

[18] And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me:

forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst

me not.

[19] For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore

the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

[20] And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that

the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

[21] Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my

seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's

house.

[22] And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men

gat them up unto the hold.



2) Our Daily Bread for 13 April 2023 titled



Tears of Praise




Psalm 30



Psalms 30

A Psalm of David. A Song at the dedication of the temple.



1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have drawn me up,

and have not caused my foes to rejoice over me.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) O Lord my God, I cried to You,

and You healed me.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave;

You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Sing to the Lord, O you saints of His,

and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For His anger endures but a moment,

in His favor is life;

weeping may endure for a night,

but joy comes in the morning.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) In my prosperity I said,

"I will never be moved."

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Lord, by Your favor

You had set me strong as a mountain;

You hid Your face,

and I was terrified.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) I cried to You, O Lord,

and to the Lord I made supplication:

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) "What profit is there in my death,

if I go down to the pit?

Will the dust give You thanks?

Will it declare Your truth?

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;

Lord, be my helper."

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For You have turned my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,

12 so that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.



Psalm 30

[1] I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made

my foes to rejoice over me.

[2] O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

[3] O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me

alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

[4] Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the

remembrance of his holiness.

[5] For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may

endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

[6] And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

[7] LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou

didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

[8] I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

[9] What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the

dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

[10] Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

[11] Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my

sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

[12] To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O

LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.



Years ago, I cared for my mom as she was in hospice. I thanked God for the

four months He allowed me to serve as her caregiver and asked Him to help me

through the grieving process. I often struggled to praise God as I wrestled

with my mixed emotions. But as my mom breathed her last breath and I wept

uncontrollably, I whispered, "Hallelujah." I felt guilty for praising God in

that devastating moment until, years later, I took a closer look at Psalm 30.



In David’s song "for the dedication of the temple," he worshiped God for His

faithfulness and mercy (vv. 1-3). He encouraged others to "praise his holy

name" (v. 4). Then David explored how intimately God entwines hardship and

hope (v. 5). He acknowledged times of grief and rejoicing, times of feeling

secure and being dismayed (vv. 6-7). His cries for help remained laced with

confidence in God (vv. 7-10). The echo of his praise wove through David's

moments of wailing and dancing, grief and joy (v. 11). As if acknowledging

the mystery and complexity of enduring affliction and anticipating God's

faithfulness, David proclaimed his endless devotion to God (v. 12).



Like David, we can sing, "Lord my God, I will praise you forever" (v. 12).

Whether we're happy or hurting, God can help us declare our trust in Him

and lead us to worship Him with joyful shouts and tears of praise.



By: Xochitl Dixon



Reflect & Pray



How has God helped you trust Him with your mixed emotions?

How can you praise Him while still processing hardship?



Dear God, please help me trust You and praise You as I process my emotions.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 5 - Starting Over



2 Cor 5:17



17 (Jn 3:3; Ro 16:7) Therefore, if any man is in Christ,

he is a new creature. Old things have passed away.

Look, all things have become new.



17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:

old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.



"The trouble with turning over a new leaf," Gordon sighed,

"is that once you've done it twice, you're right back where

you started." Gordon, in his mid-fifties, had his job

"canceled" by a company wanting to cut back on retirement payments.

Out of work, with few prospects, he said wistfully,

"I wish I had the chance to start over again."

Many of us would echo Gordon's sentiments. Whether we have lost a job,

gone through a divorce, moved to another part of the country, or

experienced some lesser crisis, we often long for the chance to

begin again, fresh, without the shadow of past mistakes following us.

God's word offers just such an opportunity. Anyone who is in Christ,

Paul says in 2 Cor 5:17, is a "new creation". For the Christian, the past

is truly past - "all things are become new". In the forgiveness

and restoration of God's grace we can leave the past behind,

with all its mistakes, and enter into new life.

And the promise is not just for the newly saved. Those of us who

have been Christians for years need to hear the truth of 2 Cor 5:17 again,

for we accumulated some "new mistakes" since we came to Christ. Anyone who

is in Christ is a new creation; the freedom of forgiveness, of

"starting over" is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord.

We cannot every really "start over" simply by establishing New Year's

resolutions or turning over a new leaf. Only God gives us that opportunity;

his grace allows us to clear away the rubble of the past and begin again.

Everything becomes new in God's loving forgiveness.



Application



a) What "resolutions" have I made in an attempt to "start over"

in some area of struggle or failure in my life? Did my resolutions work?



b) What does 2 Cor 5:17 mean for me at this point in my Christian Life?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 7:23



23 (Isa 8:14-15) "And Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."



23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Guiding Presence



Matthew 28:16-20



The Commissioning of the Disciples



Mk 16:14-18; Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8



16 (Mt 28:7; 26:32)Then the eleven disciples went away to Galilee,

to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

17 (Mt 28:9) When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. But some doubted.

18 (Mt 11:27; Ro 14:9) Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 1:8) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit,

20 (Mt 18:20; Ac 2:42) teaching them to observe all things

I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always,

even to the end of the age." Amen.



16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee,

into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name

of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.





Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



Day 27 APRIL 13

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia, is

the main economic and cultural center of the region. After failing to Arabs

in the eighth century, Uzbekistan was seized by the Mongols in the Middle

Ages, and finally gained its independence after the dissolution of the

Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, Uzbekistan has dramatically improved

in most aspects of life, even being awarded the world's most improved

economy in 2019. Despite such progress, the church has been largely

oppressed in the nation and forced to register with the government, which is

seeking to restrict and control the activities and expression of the

worshipping community. As the government attempts to tighten its grip on

the budding Protestant community, the Uzbek church has an opportunity

to display the true worth of Jesus by obeying him at all costs.



People Group Focus

Northern Uzbek

Southern Uzbek

Turkmen



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for the multiplication of Christ-exalting, multiplying house churches in

the Northern Uzbek, Southern Uzbek, and Turkmen people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of Spirit-empowered, Scripture-fed, anointed

prayer to come forth from every believer.

- Pray for workers to come from the

harvest, for families to be reached and

communities to be impacted by the

Gospel.

- Pray far the Kingdom of God to advance

through dreams and visions, and for Jesus

to be exalted in the hearts and minds

of believers--and for them to find their

security in Jesus.



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



13th Day of the Month



a) Pray that, with God's help, children and

young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has

for each of them



b) Pray for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador



I) Pray for the leaders of Newfoundland and Labrador, 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.

)



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 be a good an genuine servant of the Lord.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me trust You and praise You

as I process my emotions."



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that you are a new creature in Christ.



Pray to the Lord and pray not to be an offence in the site of the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray for people to come to the Lord through witness.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for the multiplication of Christ-exalting,

multiplying house churches in the Northern Uzbek,

Southern Uzbek, and Turkmen people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of Spirit-empowered,

Scripture-fed, anointed prayer to come forth from every believer.

- Pray for workers to come from the harvest, for families to be reached

and communities to be impacted by the Gospel.

- Pray far the Kingdom of God to advance through dreams and visions,

and for Jesus to be exalted in the hearts and minds

of believers--and for them to find their security in Jesus.



Pray that, with God's help, children and

young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has

for each of them



Pray for ministry workers in North Korea who are being watched by spies.

Day 102 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 12 April 2023 reflections

Day 101, 11 Apr 2022



1) 1 Samuel 17:32-58

1 Samuel 18

1 Samuel 19:1-17

Psalm 59

1 Samuel 19:18-24

1 Samuel 20

Psalm 11



1 SAMUEL 18



Saul Fears David

1 (2Sa 1:26; Ge 44:30; Dt 13:6) When he had finished speaking to Saul,

the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, so that Jonathan

loved him as his own soul.

2 (1Sa 17:15) And Saul took him that day and would not permit him

to return home to his father's house.

3 (1Sa 20:8-17; 20:42) Then Jonathan and David made a covenant

because he loved him as his own soul.

4 (Ge 41:42) So Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him

and gave it to David, even his garments, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5 (1Sa 18:14-15; 18:30) David went out wherever Saul sent him,

and he was successful. So Saul set him over the men of war,

and it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight

of the servants of Saul.

6 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) When they came home, as David was returning

from slaying the Philistine, the women came out from all cities of Israel

to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, with joy,

and with musical instruments.

7 (1Sa 21:11; Ex 15:21; 1Sa 29:5) The dancing women sang and said,

"Saul has slain his thousands,

and David his ten thousands.''

8 (1Sa 15:28) Saul became very angry, and this saying was displeasing

to him. Therefore he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands,

but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what remains for him

to have but the kingdom?"

9 So Saul was suspicious of David from that day and forward.



[Recall the command thou shall not covet]



10 (1Sa 19:9; 16:23)It came to pass the following day, that an evil spirit

from God came upon Saul, so that he raved in the midst of the house.

And David was playing the lyre, as at other times. Now there was a spear

in Saul's hand.

11 (1Sa 20:33; Isa 54:17) And Saul threw the spear. For he said,

"I will pin David to the wall." But David avoided him two times.

12 (1Sa 18:15; 18:29) Saul was afraid of David because the Lord

was with him but had departed from Saul.

13 (2Sa 5:2) Therefore Saul removed him from his presence

and placed him as his captain over a thousand. And he went out and came

in before the people.

14 (Ge 39:2-3; 39:23) David was successful in all his ways

and the Lord was with him.

15 When Saul saw that he was very successful, he was afraid of him.

16 (1Sa 18:5) Now all Israel and Judah loved David,

because he went out and came in before them.



David Marries Michal

17 (1Sa 17:25; 18:25) Saul said to David, "Behold my elder daughter Merab,

I will give her to you as your wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight

the battles of the Lord." For Saul said, "Let not my hand be against him,

but let the hand of the Philistines be against him."

18 (1Sa 18:23; 2Sa 7:18) But David said to Saul, "Who am I?

And what is my life, or my father's family in Israel,

that I should be son-in-law to the king?"

19 (Jdg 7:22; 2Sa 21:8) So when it was time that Merab,

daughter of Saul, should have been given to David,

she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

20 (1Sa 18:28) Now Michal, daughter of Saul, loved David

and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

21 (1Sa 18:17; Ex 10:7) Saul said, "I will give her to him that

she may be a snare to him, and so that the hand of the Philistines

may be against him."

Therefore Saul said to David, "For a second time, you may be

my son-in-law today."

22 Saul commanded his servants, saying, "Speak to David in secret saying,

'Listen, the king delights in you and all his servants love you.

Now therefore become the king's son-in-law.' "

23 So the servants of Saul spoke these words in the ears of David.

And David said, "Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king's

son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?"

24 And the servants of Saul reported to him saying,

"According to these words, David spoke."

25 (Ge 34:12; 1Sa 14:24) Saul said, "Thus will you say to David,

'The king does not desire any dowry but a hundred foreskins

of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies.' "

But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

26 When his servants told David these words, it pleased David

well to be the king's son-in-law. Now the days had not expired;

27 (2Sa 3:14) therefore David arose and went, he and his men,

and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought

their foreskins and they gave them in full to the king, that he might be

the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.

28 When Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David,

and that Michal, his daughter, loved him,

29 Saul was yet the more afraid of David,

and Saul became the enemy of David continually.

30 (1Sa 18:5; 2Sa 11:1) Then the commanders of the Philistines went out

to make war. And when they went out David was more successful than

all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly honored.



1 Samuel 18

[1] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that

the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him

as his own soul.

[2] And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his

father's house.

[3] Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own

soul.

[4] And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it

to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his

girdle.

[5] And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself

wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the

sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

[6] And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the

slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of

Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and

with instruments of musick.

[7] And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath

slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

[8] And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said,

They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed

but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

[9] And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

[10] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came

upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played

with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

[11] And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the

wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

[12] And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was

departed from Saul.

[13] Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a

thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

[14] And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with

him.

[15] Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was

afraid of him.

[16] But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in

before them.

[17] And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give

thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles. For

Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the

Philistines be upon him.

[18] And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's

family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

[19] But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have

been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

[20] And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the

thing pleased him.

[21] And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and

that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to

David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

[22] And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly,

and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love

thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

[23] And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David

said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that

I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

[24] And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.

[25] And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any

dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the

king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the

Philistines.

[26] And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to

be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.

[27] Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the

Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they

gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law.

And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

[28] And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal

Saul's daughter loved him.

[29] And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's

enemy continually.

[30] Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass,

after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the

servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.



1 SAMUEL 19



Saul Tries to Kill David



1 (1Sa 18:1) And Saul spoke to Jonathan, his son, and to all his servants,

that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son,

delighted very much in David.

2 Jonathan told David, saying, "My father Saul seeks to kill you.

Therefore, be on guard in the morning; stay in a secret place

and hide yourself.

3 (1Sa 20:9; 20:13) And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field

where you are. Then I will speak about you to my father, and what I observe

I will report to you."

4 (Jer 18:20; Ge 42:22; 1Sa 20:32 ) Jonathan spoke positively of David

to Saul his father and said to him, "Do not let the king sin against his servant,

against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds

have been very good toward you.

5 (1Sa 11:13; 1Ch 11:14) For he took his life in his hand and struck down

the Philistine, and the Lord made a great salvation for all Israel.

You saw it and rejoiced. Now why then would you sin against innocent blood,

to kill David without cause?"

6 So Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and Saul vowed,

"As the Lord lives, he will not be killed."

7 (1Sa 16:21; 18:2) Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him

all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul,

and he was in his presence as previously.

8 Then there was war again, and David went out and fought

with the Philistines. He slew them with a great slaughter

and they fled from him.

9 (1Sa 16:14; 18:10-11) Now an evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul

as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. And David

was playing the lyre.

10 (1Sa 20:33; 18:11) Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall

with the spear, but he escaped from Saul's presence.

He struck the spear into the wall. But David fled and escaped that night.

11 (Jdg 16:2; Ps 59:1-17) Saul also sent messengers to the house of David,

to watch him and to slay him in the morning. But Michal, wife of David,

told him, saying, "If you do not save your life tonight,

tomorrow you will be dead."

12 (Jos 2:15; Ac 9:24-25) So Michal let David down through a window,

and he went and fled to safety.

13 (Ge 31:19; Jdg 18:14) Michal took an idol and laid it in the bed,

and put a braided goat hair pillow for its head and covered it with clothes.

14 (Jos 2:5) When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick."

15 Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying,

"Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him."

16 When the messengers came in, there was the idol in the bed

with a goat hair pillow for its head.

17 (2Sa 2:22) Saul said to Michal, "Why have you betrayed me

and sent away my enemy, so that he escaped?"

And Michal said to Saul, "He said to me, 'Let me go. Why should I kill you?'"



1 Samuel 19

[1] And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they

should kill David.

[2] But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told

David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray

thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place,

and hide thyself:

[3] And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou

art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will

tell thee.

[4] And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto

him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he

hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward

very good:

[5] For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the

LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst

rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David

without a cause?

[6] And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the

LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

[7] And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And

Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times

past.

[8] And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the

Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.

[9] And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house

with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

[10] And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but

he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the

wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

[11] Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay

him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save

not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

[12] So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and

escaped.

[13] And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of

goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.

[14] And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

[15] And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up

to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

[16] And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the

bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

[17] And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away

mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me,

Let me go; why should I kill thee?



PSALM 59



For the Music Director. To the melody of "Do Not Destroy."

A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men, and they watched the house to kill him.



1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

give me refuge from those who rise up against me.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,

and save me from bloodthirsty people.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For they lie in wait for my life;

the mighty are gathered against me,

not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For no guilt of mine, they run and prepare themselves.

Arise to help me, and take notice.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You, O Lord God of Hosts, the God of Israel,

awake to punish all the nations;

do not be gracious to any wicked transgressors. Selah

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They return at evening,

they growl like a dog,

and go around the city.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Indeed, they burst out with their mouth;

swords are in their lips;

for who listens?

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) But You, O Lord, will laugh at them;

You will have all the nations in derision.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) O my strength, I will wait on You;

for God is my refuge.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) The God of lovingkindness will go before me;

God will cause me to look in triumph on my enemies.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Do not slay them,

lest my people forget;

scatter them by Your power,

and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

12 For the sin of their mouth

and the words of their lips,

may they be snared by their pride,

and because of curses and lies that they speak.

13 Consume them in wrath,

consume them so they no longer exist;

and let them know that God rules in Jacob

to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 At evening they return,

and growl like a dog,

and go around the city.

15 They roam about to eat,

and if they are not satisfied, they complain.

16 But I will sing of Your power;

I will sing aloud of Your lovingkindness in the morning,

for You have been my refuge

and escape in the day of my trouble.

17 To You, O my strength, I will sing,

for God is my refuge, and the God of my lovingkindness.



Psalm 59

[1] Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up

against me.

[2] Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

[3] For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against

me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

[4] They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and

behold.

[5] Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit

all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

[6] They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about

the city.

[7] Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for

who, say they, doth hear?

[8] But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen

in derision.

[9] Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

[10] The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire

upon mine enemies.

[11] Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and

bring them down, O Lord our shield.

[12] For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be

taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

[13] Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them

know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

[14] And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog,

and go round about the city.

[15] Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not

satisfied.

[16] But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in

the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my

trouble.

[17] Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the

God of my mercy.





1 SAMUEL 19



18 (1Sa 7:17) Now David fled, and he escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah.

And he reported to him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel

went and stayed in Naioth.

19 It was told Saul, saying, "David is at Naioth in Ramah."

20 (Jn 7:32; 1Sa 10:10; Joel 2:28) Then Saul sent messengers to take David,

but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying

and Samuel taking his stand over them, the Spirit of God came

upon the messengers of Saul and they also prophesied.

21 When it was reported to Saul, he sent other messengers.

And they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again

a third time, and they too prophesied.

22 Then he also went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Seku.

And he asked and said, "Where are Samuel and David?"

And one said, "They are at Naioth in Ramah.

23 (1Sa 10:10; 19:20) He went there to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God

came upon him also. And he went on and he prophesied until he came

to Naioth in Ramah.

24 (2Sa 6:20; Isa 20:2) He stripped off his clothes and he also prophesied

before Samuel. And he lay down naked all that day and all that night.

Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"



[18] So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him

all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

[19] And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.

[20] And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company

of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the

Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

[21] And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they

prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they

prophesied also.

[22] Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu:

and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold,

they be at Naioth in Ramah.

[23] And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon

him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

[24] And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in

like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore

they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?



1 SAMUEL 20



David and Jonathan



1 David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan,

"What have I done? What is my offense? And what is my sin before

your father, that he seeks my life?"

2 And he said to him, "Far from it! You shall not die. Look, my father

does nothing either great or small that he does not reveal to me.

Why would my father hide this thing from me? It is not so."

3 (Dt 6:13; 1Sa 25:26) David vowed again and said, "Your father certainly

knows that I have found favor in your sight. And he says, 'Do not let

Jonathan know this, lest he be distressed.' However, as the Lord lives

and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death."

4 Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do it for you."

5 (Nu 10:10; 28:11) David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the New Moon,

and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat. But let me go that I may

hide myself in the field until the evening of the third day.

6 (1Sa 9:12; 17:58) If your father misses me at all, then say,

'David asked for leave from me that he might run to Bethlehem his city,

for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.'

7 (1Sa 25:17; Est 7:7) If he says, 'Good,' it will be well for your servant.

But if he gets angry, know that evil is determined by him.

8 (1Sa 18:3; 23:18) Therefore deal kindly with your servant,

for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you.

But if there is any guilt in me, kill me yourself.

For why should you bring me to your father?"

9 Then Jonathan said, "Far be it from you. For if I indeed knew that my father

had determined evil against you, would I not tell it you?"

10 David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me?

Or what if your father answers you roughly?"

11 So Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field."

And the two of them went out to the field.

12 Then Jonathan said to David, "The Lord God of Israel is witness.

When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow,

or by the third day, and if he is favorable toward David,

then will I not send and reveal it to you?

13 (Jos 1:5; Ru 1:17) May the Lord do so to Jonathan and much more.

If it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will reveal it you and send

you away that you may go in peace. And may the Lord be with you as

He has been with my father.

14 And if I live, not only will you show me the kindness of the Lord,

that I shall not die,

15 (2Sa 21:7) but you will not cut off your faithfulness from my house

forever, even when the Lord has cut off each one of the enemies of David

from the face of the earth."

16 (1Sa 25:22) So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David saying,

"May the Lord require it at the hand of the enemies of David."

17 (1Sa 18:1; 18:3) Jonathan made David swear again, because

he loved him. For he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18 (1Sa 20:5; 20:25) Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon,

and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

19 (1Sa 19:2) When you have stayed three days, you will surely go down

and come to the place where you hid yourself on the day this happened,

and wait there beside the stone Ezel.

20 And I will shoot three arrows to its side, as though I shot at a target.

21 Then I will send a boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I expressly say

to the boy, 'See, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,' then come,

for it will be safe for you. And as the Lord lives, it is nothing of concern.

22 (1Sa 20:37) But if I say to the young man, 'See, the arrows are beyond

you,' go, for the Lord has sent you away.

23 (1Sa 20:14-15; 20:42) As for the matter upon which you and I have spoken,

the Lord is between you and me forever."

24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the New Moon appeared,

the king sat down over food to eat.

25 (1Sa 20:18) Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times, even

on a seat by the wall. Then Jonathan arose and Abner sat by Saul's side,

but David's place was empty.

26 (Lev 15:5; 11:24) Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day.

For he thought, "Something has happened. He is not clean;

surely he is not clean."

27 It happened on the following day, which was the second day of the month,

that David's place remained empty. So Saul said to Jonathan his son,

"Why has the son of Jesse not come to eat food either yesterday or today?"

28 (1Sa 20:6) And Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave

from me to go to Bethlehem.

29 And he said, 'Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city

and my brother has commanded me to come. Now, if I have found favor

in your sight, please let me leave and see my brothers.'

This is why he has not come to the king's table."

30 (Pr 21:24) Then Saul was angry with Jonathan and he said to him,

"You son of a perverse rebellious woman, do I not know that you are

choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame

of your mother's nakedness?

31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you

nor your kingdom will be established. Now, send and bring him to me,

for he is a dead man."

32 (1Sa 19:5; Mt 27:23) Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him,

"Why should he be killed? What has he done?"

33 (1Sa 18:11; 20:7) So Saul cast a spear at him to strike him.

Therefore Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

34 And Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger and did not eat food

on the second day of the month. For he was grieved for David,

because his father had dishonored him.

35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field at the time appointed

with David, and a little boy was with him.

36 And he said to his boy, "Run, find the arrows which I shoot."

He ran, and he shot the arrow over him.

37 (1Sa 20:22) When the boy came to the place of the arrow which

Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said,

"Is not the arrow beyond you?"

38 Then Jonathan cried after the boy, "Hurry quickly! Do not stay!"

And Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrow and came to his master.

39 But the boy did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

40 Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him,

"Go, carry them to the city."

41 (1Sa 18:3) When the boy had gone, David arose from the south side

of the stone, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself

three times. They kissed one another and wept together, but David wept more.

42 (1Sa 1:17) Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since the two of us swore

in the name of the Lord, saying,' 'The Lord will be between me and you,

and between my descendants and your descendants forever.' "

So he arose and departed, but Jonathan went into the city.



1 Samuel 20

[1] And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan,

What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy

father, that he seeketh my life?

[2] And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father

will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why

should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

[3] And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I

have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this,

lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth,

there is but a step between me and death.

[4] Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even

do it for thee.

[5] And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I

should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide

myself in the field unto the third day at even.

[6] If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of

me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice

there for all the family.

[7] If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be

very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

[8] Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought

thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there

be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy

father?

[9] And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that

evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell

it thee?

[10] Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father

answer thee roughly?

[11] And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field.

And they went out both of them into the field.

[12] And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded

my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there

be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

[13] The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to

do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest

go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

[14] And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the

LORD, that I die not:

[15] But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever:

no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the

face of the earth.

[16] So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the

LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.

[17] And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he

loved him as he loved his own soul.

[18] Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt

be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

[19] And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly,

and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in

hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

[20] And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at

a mark.

[21] And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I

expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee,

take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the

LORD liveth.

[22] But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond

thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

[23] And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the

LORD be between thee and me for ever.

[24] So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the

king sat him down to eat meat.

[25] And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by

the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's

place was empty.

[26] Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought,

Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

[27] And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the

month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son,

Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to

day?

[28] And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to

Bethlehem:

[29] And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in

the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I

have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my

brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.

[30] Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him,

Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast

chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of

thy mother's nakedness?

[31] For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not

be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me,

for he shall surely die.

[32] And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore

shall he be slain? what hath he done?

[33] And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that

it was determined of his father to slay David.

[34] So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat

the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his

father had done him shame.

[35] And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the

field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

[36] And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot.

And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

[37] And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had

shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

[38] And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And

Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

[39] But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the

matter.

[40] And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go,

carry them to the city.

[41] And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the

south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times:

and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David

exceeded.

[42] And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn

both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee,

and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and

Jonathan went into the city.



Psalms 11

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

1 In the Lord I seek refuge;

how do you say to my soul,

"Flee as a bird to your mountain,

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) for the wicked bend their bow;

they make ready their arrow on the string,

that they may treacherously shoot

the upright in heart.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) If the foundations are broken,

what can the righteous do?"

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) The Lord is in His holy temple,

His throne is in heaven;

His eyes see,

His eyes examine mankind.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The Lord tests the righteous,

but the wicked and one who loves violence

His soul hates.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Upon the wicked He will rain

coals of fire and brimstone and a burning wind;

this will be the portion of their cup.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) For the righteous Lord

loves righteousness;

His countenance beholds the upright.



Psalm 11

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1 In the LORD put I my trust:

How say ye to my soul, flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready

their arrow upon the string,

That they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed,

What can the righteous do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple,

The LORD's throne is in heaven:

His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The LORD trieth the righteous:

But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,

and an horrible tempest:

This shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness;

His countenance doth behold the upright.



2) Our Daily Bread for 12 April 2023 titled



God Speaking to Us




1 Samuel 3:3-10



3 (Ex 27:20-21; Lev 24:2-4) and the lamp of God had not yet gone out,

and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord where the ark of God was.

4 Then the Lord called to Samuel, and he answered, "Here I am."

5 He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called to me."

And he said, "I did not call. Return, lie down again."

And he went and lay down.

6 The Lord called Samuel again. So Samuel arose and went to Eli,

and said, "Here I am, for you called me."

And he answered, "I did not call, my son. Return, lie down again."

7 (Ac 19:2) Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word

of the Lord been revealed to him.

8 The Lord again called Samuel a third time. So he arose and went to

Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me."

Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling to the boy.

9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel,"Go, lie down. And it will be,

if He calls you, that you will say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant listens.'"

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The Lord came and stood, and He called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant listens."



[3] And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the

ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

[4] That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

[5] And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he

said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

[6] And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli,

and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not,

my son; lie down again.

[7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD

yet revealed unto him.

[8] And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went

to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that

the LORD had called the child.

[9] Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he

call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So

Samuel went and lay down in his place.

[10] And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel,

Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.



I received a phone call from an unknown number. Often, I let those calls go

to voicemail, but this time I picked up. The random caller asked politely

if I had just a minute for him to share a short Bible passage. He quoted

Revelation 21:3-5 about how God "will wipe every tear from their eyes." He

talked about Jesus, how he was our assurance and hope. I told him I already

know Jesus as my personal Saviour. But the caller wasn't aiming to "witness"

to me. Instead, he simply asked if he could pray with me. And he did, asking

God to give me encouragement and strength.



That call reminded me of another "call" in Scripture-God called out to the

young boy Samuel in the middle of the night (1 Samuel 3:4-10). Three times

Samuel heard the voice, thinking it was the elderly priest Eli. The final

time, following Eli's instruction, Samuel realized that God was calling him:

"Speak, for your servant is listening" (v. 10). Likewise, through our days

and nights, God may be speaking to us. We need to "pick up," which might mean

spending more time in His presence and listening for His voice.



I then thought of "the call" in another way. What if we sometimes are the

messenger of God's words to someone else? We might feel we have no way of

helping others. But as God guides us, we could phone a friend and ask,

"Would it be okay if I just prayed with you today?"



By: Kenneth Petersen



Reflect & Pray



What message of encouragement did someone recently share with you?

Who might be encouraged by a phone call from you?



Dear God, prompt me to think of others whom

I can encourage with Your wisdom.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 4 - Entire Forgiveness

Acts 13:38



38 (Lk 24:47; Ac 2:38) "Therefore, brothers, let it be known

to you that through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,"



38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,

that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:



At age 17 Mary, a cross-country runner, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

She went on to college, faced with the prospect of gradual physical decline

and, ultimately, life in a wheelchair. "The worst part," Mary admitted "is

not the pain or the inability to do what I once did. The worst part is

the hopelessness, the emotional struggle. There is no cure, no real

treatment - only insurance."

In our fallen world, there are many incurable circumstances we have to endure.

But the guilt of our sin is not one of them. Yet despite the declaration

of the Scripture that Jesus' sacrificial death paid the price for our sins,

many of us carry a load of guilt - as if we ourselves had tp pay the price.

Paul, a man who know the grace of God and the depth of his own sin,

emphasises the source and the completeness of our forgiveness.

Through Jesus - not through my good behaviour, not through my determination to

change, not through my reputation, my family's faith, or my religious duties.

Forgiveness of sins come through Christ alone, a gift we do not deserve,

a gift which places all of us on equal ground at the foot of the cross.

To acknowledge our sin without knowing the source of forgiveness only

results in hopelessness and despair - we see ourselves, yet we are powerless

to change the sin we see. But when we realise that Christ has provided

complete forgiveness of sin, we can face our sin honestly, knowing

the freedom of confession and the restoration of forgiveness.



Application



a) In what ways have I changed myself, to "turn over a new leaf",

to "make myself worthy" of God's love?



b) How can Acts 13:38 help me remember the source of forgiveness?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Gal 3:13-14



13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by

being made a curse for us - as it is written,

"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)-

14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come

on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise

of the Spirit through faith.



13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse

for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus

Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Guiding Presence



Ps 119:105-112



Nun



105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,

that I will keep Your righteous judgments.

107 I am greatly afflicted;

revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,

and teach me Your judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand,

yet I do not forget Your law.

110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,

yet I do not depart from Your precepts.

111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,

for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,

even unto the end.



Nun

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

And a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,

That I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much:

Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand:

Yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:

Yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:

For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes

Alway, even unto the end.





Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



DAY 26 APRIL 12

Niger is a landlocked country in western Africa. Niger has one of the fastest

birth and population growth rates globally, with over 75% of its inhabitants

being under 29, and is also one of the poorest countries. Niamey, located

along the Niger River, is the nation's capital. There isvsome industry in the

city, but most people work in the service sector. Niamey is home to the Grand

Mosque and a predominantly Muslim population.



People Group Focus



Zarma

Wodaabe

Fulani


North Hausa

Sokoto(Nigeria)

Fulani




Prayer Emphasis

- Pray for the advancement of God's Kingdom throughout the UUPGs of this city.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Niamey that multiplies

throughout the country of Niger.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

- Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for this city.



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



12th Day of the Month



a) Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business

to follow God's principles and act honourably and ethically



(Proverb 11:1



1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight.



1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:

But a just weight is his delight.



)



b) Pray the the Spirit of the Lord will restrain the spirit of

hatred and destruction against humanity across the world.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and ask Him for discretion when you feel threatened.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, prompt me to think of others whom

I can encourage with Your wisdom."



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord to entirely forgive your sins.



Pray to the Lord and pray to understand His sacrifice.



Pray to the Lord and pray to learn His Word as Lamp.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Prayer Emphasis

- Pray for the advancement of God's Kingdom throughout the UUPGs of this city.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Niamey that multiplies

throughout the country of Niger.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

- Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for this city.



Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business

to follow God's principles and act honourably and ethically



Pray the the Spirit of the Lord will restrain the spirit of

hatred and destruction against humanity across the world.



Pray that Christian magazines and other helpful resources

will have a strong impact in Turkey.

Day 101 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 11 April 2023 reflections

Day 101, 11 Apr 2022



1) 1 Samuel 15 - 17



1 Samuel 15-17



1 SAMUEL 15



The Lord Rejects Saul



1 (1Sa 9:16; 10:1) Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you to be

king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore listen to the voice of

the words of the Lord.

2 (Dt 25:17-19; Ex 17:8-16) Thus says the Lord of Hosts,

'I remember what Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way,

when he came up from Egypt.

3 (Nu 24:20; Dt 20:16-18) Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy

all that they have, and do not have compassion on them but put to death

both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' "

4 (Jos 15:24) So Saul summoned the people together, and numbered them

in Telaim, 200000 foot soldiers and 10000 men of Judah.

5 Then Saul came to the city of Amalek and laid an ambush in the valley.

6 (Jdg 1:16; Ex 18:19) Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, go down from

among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness

to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites

departed from among the Amalekites.

7 (Ge 16:7; 25:18) Then Saul struck the Amalekites from Havilah

until you come to Shur, which is near Egypt.

8 (1Sa 30:1; Nu 24:7) He took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive

and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

9 (1Sa 15:15; 15:3) But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best

of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, and lambs. And of all that was good, they were

not willing to utterly destroy them. But everything that was despised

and weak, that they completely destroyed.

10 Then came the word of the Lord to Samuel, saying,

11 (Ge 6:6; 1Sa 13:13) "I regret that I have set up Saul to be king because

he has turned back from following Me, and he has not carried out My words."

And it grieved Samuel, and he cried to the Lord all night.

12 (Jos 15:55; 1Sa 25:2) When Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning,

it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel and set himself up

a monument. Then he turned and has passed on down to Gilgal."

13 (Ge 14:19; Jdg 17:2) Samuel came to Saul. And Saul said to him,

"Blessed are you of the Lord. I have carried out the word of the Lord."

14 Samuel said, "Then what is the sound of this flock of sheep in my ears?

And the sound of the cattle which I am hearing?"

15 (1Sa 15:9; 15:21) And Saul said, "They have brought them from

the Amalekites. For the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen,

to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed."

16 Then Samuel said to Saul,

"Stop, and I will tell you what the Lord spoke to me this night."

And he said to him, "Speak."

17 (1Sa 9:21; 10:22) Samuel said, "When you were little in your own sight,

were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed

you king over Israel?

18 And the Lord sent you on a journey, and said, 'Go and utterly destroy

the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are destroyed.'

19 (1Sa 14:32) Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? And why

did you rush upon the spoil and do evil in the sight of the Lord?"

20 (1Sa 15:13) And Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord.

And I have followed in the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought

Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 (1Sa 15:15; Ex 32:22-23) But the people took from the plunder sheep

and oxen, the first fruits of the banned things to sacrifice

to the Lord your God in Gilgal."

22 (Hos 6:6; Jer 7:22-23; Mic 6:6-8) Samuel said,

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Obedience is better than sacrifice,

a listening ear than the fat of rams.

23 (1Sa 13:14 ) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

He has also rejected you from being king."

24 (2Sa 12:13; Pr 29:25) Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. For

I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and your words,

because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25 (Ex 10:17) Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me,

that I may worship the Lord."

26 (1Sa 13:14; 16:1) Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you.

For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected

you from being king over Israel."

27 As Samuel turned about to go, he seized the edge of his robe and it tore.

28 (1Sa 28:17-18) Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom

of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours

who is better than you.

29 (Nu 23:19; Eze 24:14; Titus 1:2) Also the Strength of Israel will not

lie nor repent. For He is not a man, that He should repent."

30 (Jn 5:44; 12:43) Then he said, "I have sinned, yet please honor me

before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn back with me,

that I may worship the Lord your God."

31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshipped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag the king of the Amalekites."

And Agag came to him reluctantly. But Agag said,

"Surely the bitterness of death is past."

33 (Jdg 1:7; Ge 9:6) Samuel said,

"As your sword has made women childless,

so will your mother be childless among women."

And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

34 (1Sa 11:4) Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up

to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

35 (1Sa 15:11; 16:1) Now Samuel did not see Saul up to the day of his death.

But Samuel mourned for Saul and the Lord regretted that he had made Saul

king over Israel.



1 Samuel 15

[1] Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king

over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of

the words of the LORD.

[2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to

Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

[3] Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and

spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and

sheep, camel and ass.

[4] And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two

hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

[5] And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.

[6] And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the

Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the

children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed

from among the Amalekites.

[7] And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur,

that is over against Egypt.

[8] And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed

all the people with the edge of the sword.

[9] But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of

the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and

would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse,

that they destroyed utterly.

[10] Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

[11] It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned

back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it

grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

[12] And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told

Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and

is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

[13] And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the

LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

[14] And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine

ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

[15] And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the

people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the

LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

[16] Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD

hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

[17] And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou

not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king

over Israel?

[18] And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy

the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

[19] Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly

upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

[20] And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king

of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

[21] But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the

things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD

thy God in Gilgal.

[22] And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and

sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better

than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

[23] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as

iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he

hath also rejected thee from being king.

[24] And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the

commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and

obeyed their voice.

[25] Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that

I may worship the LORD.

[26] And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast

rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being

king over Israel.

[27] And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of

his mantle, and it rent.

[28] And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from

thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better

than thou.

[29] And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not

a man, that he should repent.

[30] Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the

elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may

worship the LORD thy God.

[31] So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.

[32] Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the

Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the

bitterness of death is past.

[33] And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy

mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the

LORD in Gilgal.

[34] Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of

Saul.

[35] And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death:

nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made

Saul king over Israel.



1 SAMUEL 16



Samuel Anoints David as King



1 (1Sa 15:23; 15:35) The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn

for Saul, since I have rejected him from ruling over Israel?

Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite,

for I have chosen a king for Myself from among his sons."

2 (1Sa 9:12; 20:29) Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it,

he will kill me."

And the Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice

to the Lord.'

3 (1Sa 9:16; Ex 4:15) Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you

what you will do. And you will anoint for Me him whom I tell to you."

4 (1Ki 2:13; 2Ki 9:22) Samuel did that which the Lord spoke,

and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the town trembled at his coming,

and said, "Do you come in peace?"

5 (Ex 19:10; Jos 3:5) And he said, "I have come in peace to sacrifice

to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice."

And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice.

6 (1Sa 17:13) When they came, he looked on Eliab, and said,

"Surely the anointed of the Lord is before Him."

7 (1Ki 8:39; 1Ch 28:9) But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look

on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because

I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees. For man looks

on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

8 (1Sa 17:13) Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel.

And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one."

9 (1Sa 17:13) Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said,

"Neither has the Lord chosen this one."

10 So Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel.

And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these."

11 (2Sa 7:8; Ps 78:70-71) Samuel said to Jesse,

"Are these all your young men?"

And he said, "There remains yet the youngest,

and there he is shepherding the flock."

Then Samuel said to Jesse,

"Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here."

12 (1Sa 9:17; 17:42) So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy

with beautiful eyes and a good appearance.

And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."

13 (1Sa 10:1; 10:6) Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him

in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came on David

from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.



David Serves Saul



14 (Jdg 9:23; 1Sa 18:10) Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul

and an evil spirit from the Lord terrified him.

15 So the servants of Saul said to him, "See, an evil spirit from

God troubles you.

16 (2Ki 3:15; 1Sa 16:21-23) Let our lord now tell your servants, who are

before you, that they might seek out a man experienced in playing the lyre.

And it will come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is on you,

that he will play with his hand, and you will be well."

17 Saul said to his servants, "Find me now a man that can play well,

and bring him to me."

18 (1Sa 3:19; 17:32-36) Then one from the servants answered, and said,

"I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is experienced in playing

music, a mighty man of valor, a man of battle, and skillful in words, even

a man of fine appearance. And the Lord is with him."

19 (1Sa 16:11; 17:15) Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said,

"Send me David your son, who is with the sheep."

20 (1Sa 10:27; Pr 18:16) Jesse took a donkey laden with bread,

a bottle of wine, and a young goat and he sent them with his son David to Saul.

21 (Ge 41:46; Pr 22:29) David came to Saul, and stood before him.

And Saul loved him greatly and he became his armor bearer.

22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David stand before me, for he has found

favor in my sight."

23 It happened that when the evil spirit from God came on Saul,

David would take the lyre in his hand and play. So Saul was refreshed

and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.



1 Samuel 16

[1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing

I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and

go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a

king among his sons.

[2] And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he Will kill me. And the

LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the

LORD.

[3] And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt

do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

[4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the

elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

[5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify

yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and

his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and

said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.

[7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the

height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as

man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh

on the heart.

[8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he

said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

[9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD

chosen this.

[10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel

said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

[11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said,

There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And

Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he

come hither.

[12] And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a

beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise,

anoint him: for this is he.

[13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his

brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.

So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

[14] But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from

the LORD troubled him.

[15] And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God

troubleth thee.

[16] Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek

out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass,

when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his

hand, and thou shalt be well.

[17] And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play

well, and bring him to me.

[18] Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son

of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant

man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the

LORD is with him.

[19] Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy

son, which is with the sheep.

[20] And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a

kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

[21] And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly;

and he became his armourbearer.

[22] And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before

me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

[23] And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that

David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was

well, and the evil spirit departed from him.



1 SAMUEL 17



David and Goliath



1 (Jos 15:35; 1Sa 13:5; 1Ch 11:13) Now the Philistines gathered their armies

for battle, and were gathered at Sokoh, which belongs to Judah. And they

camped between Sokoh and Azekah in Ephes Dammim.

2 (1Sa 21:9; 17:19) Saul and Israel's fighting men were gathered,

and they camped in the Valley of Elah. And they drew up in battle order

to meet the Philistines. 3Now the Philistines were standing at the base

of the mountain on the one side, and Israel was standing at the base

of the mountain on the other side, and the valley was between them.

4 (Jos 11:22) There went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines,

Goliath was his name, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

[About 9 feet 9 inches, or 3 meters.]

5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed

with a coat of mail. Now the weight of the bronze coat was 5000 shekels.

[About 125 pounds, or 58 kilograms.]

6 (1Sa 17:45) He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a bronze javelin

between his shoulders.

7 (2Sa 21:19; 1Sa 17:41) The staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam.

His iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels.

[About 15 pounds, or 6.9 kilograms.]

And a shield-bearer was walking before him.

8 (1Sa 8:17) He stood and called out to the ranks of Israel,

"Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am not I the Philistine,

and you the servants of Saul? Choose for yourselves a man

and let him come down to me.

9 (1Sa 11:1) If he is able to fight with me and to strike me down,

then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him

and strike him down, then you will be our servants and will serve us."

10 (1Sa 17:45; 2Sa 21:21) The Philistine said, "I defy the battle lines

of Israel this day. Give me a man, and let us fight together."

11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine,

they were filled with terror and were greatly afraid.

12 (Ge 35:19; 1Sa 16:18) Now David was the son of that Ephrathite

of Bethlehem in Judah whose name was Jesse, who had eight sons.

And the man was old in the days of Saul and advanced in years.

13 (1Ch 2:13) The three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed

Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons that went

to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab,

and the third was Shammah.

14 (1Sa 16:11) As for David, he was the youngest.

The three eldest followed Saul,

15 (1Sa 16:11) but David would go back and forth from Saul

to shepherd his father's flock in Bethlehem.

16 The Philistine stepped forward morning and evening

and took his stand daily for forty days.

17 (1Sa 25:18) Then Jesse said to David his son, "Take now for your brothers

an ephah [Likely about 36 pounds, or 16 kilograms.] of this parched grain

and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers.

18 (Ge 37:14; 1Sa 16:20) Carry these ten cheeses

to the captain of their thousand, and look into your brothers' health,

and bring back news of them."

19 Now Saul, and they, and all Israel's fighting men were

in the Valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.

20 (1Sa 26:5) So David rose up early in the morning and left the flock

with a keeper. And he carried away the food and went as Jesse had

commanded him. And when he came to the encampment,

the army was going out to the battle line, and they shouted a war cry.

21 And Israel and the Philistines ordered themselves in battle lines,

army against army.

22 David left his things with the keeper of the equipment,

and he ran to the battle line. And he went and greeted his brothers.

23 As he was speaking with them, the champion, Goliath,

the Philistine from Gath, was going up from the battle line

of the Philistines. And he spoke these same words and David heard them.

24 When all Israel's fighting men saw the man, they fled from him,

and were very afraid.

25 (Jos 15:16) The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has

come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel, and it will be that the man

who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches, will give him

his daughter, and will make his father's house exempt from taxes in Israel."

26 (Dt 5:26; 1Sa 11:2) David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying,

"What will be done for the man that kills this Philistine

and takes away this reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised

Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

27 And the people answered him in the same way, saying,

"So will it be done to the man who kills him."

28 (Ge 37:4; 37:8) Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men.

And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said,

"Why have you come down here? And with whom have you left those

few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the evil of your heart.

For you have come down that you might see the battle."

29 David said, "What have I done now? Was it not only a word?"

30 (1Sa 17:26-27) And he turned from him toward another

and spoke in the same way. And the people answered him again as at the first.

31 When the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul

and he sent for him.



1 Samuel 17

[1] Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were

gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between

Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

[2] And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by

the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.

[3] And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel

stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

[4] And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named

Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

[5] And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a

coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

[6] And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between

his shoulders.

[7] And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's

head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went

before him.

[8] And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them,

Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and

ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

[9] If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your

servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our

servants, and serve us.

[10] And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me

a man, that we may fight together.

[11] When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were

dismayed, and greatly afraid.

[12] Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name

was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man

in the days of Saul.

[13] And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the

battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab

the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

[14] And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

[15] But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at

Bethlehem.

[16] And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself

forty days.

[17] And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah

of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy

brethren;

[18] And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and

look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

[19] Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of

Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

[20] And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a

keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the

trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the

battle.

[21] For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army

against army.

[22] And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage,

and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

[23] And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the

Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines,

and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

[24] And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and

were sore afraid.

[25] And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up?

surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who

killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him

his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

[26] And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be

done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach

from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy

the armies of the living God?

[27] And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be

done to the man that killeth him.

[28] And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and

Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down

hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I

know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down

that thou mightest see the battle.

[29] And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

[30] And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner:

and the people answered him again after the former manner.

[31] And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them

before Saul: and he sent for him.



1 SAMUEL 17



32 (1Sa 16:18; Dt 20:1-3) David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail

because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

33 (Nu 13:31) Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against

this Philistine to fight with him. For you are but a youth,

and he has been a man of war from his youth."

34 David said to Saul, "Your servant was a shepherd for my father's flock,

and the lion came and the bear, and took a lamb out of the flock.

35 (Am 3:12) And I went out after him, and struck him,

and delivered it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me,

I took hold of his beard, struck him, and killed him.

36 (1Sa 17:10; 17:26) Your servant slew both the lion and the bear.

And this uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them,

because he has reviled the armies of the living God."

37 (1Sa 20:13; 1Ch 22:11) David said, "The Lord who delivered me out

of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear,

He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine."

And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."

38 Saul clothed David with his armor. And he put a helmet of bronze

on his head. He also clothed him with a coat of mail.

39 David secured his sword to his armor and tried to walk,

but he was not used to it, for he had not tested them.

And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these,

for I have not tested them." So David took them off.

40 (Jdg 20:16) He took his staff in his hand and chose for himself

five smooth stones out of the brook. And he put them in his shepherd's bag,

even in a pouch. And his sling was in his hand.

Then he drew near to the Philistine.

41 The Philistine came walking and drew near to David,

and the man bearing the shield went before him.

42 (1Sa 16:12; Ps 123:3-4) When the Philistine looked and saw David,

he despised him. For he was a youth and ruddy with a handsome appearance.

43 (1Sa 24:14; 2Sa 3:8) The Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you

come to me with sticks?" Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 (1Ki 20:10-11) The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give

your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field."

45 (2Ch 32:8; 1Sa 17:10) Then David said to the Philistine,

"You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a shield,

but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts,

the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have reviled.

46 (Dt 28:26; Jos 4:24) This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand.

And I will strike you down and cut off your head. Then I will give

the corpses of the Philistine camp this day to the birds of the air

and to the beasts of the earth so that all the earth may

know that there is a God in Israel.

47 (Hos 1:7; Zec 4:6) And then all this assembly will know that it is not

by sword and spear that the Lord saves. For the battle belongs to the Lord,

and He will give you into our hands."

48 When the Philistine arose and came near to meet David,

David hurried and ran toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

49 David put his hand in his bag and took from there a stone.

And he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead.

Therefore the stone sunk into his forehead and he fell

upon his face to the ground.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone.

And he struck down the Philistine and slew him,

but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 (1Sa 21:9; Heb 11:34) Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine.

Then he took his sword and drew it from out of its sheath,

and he finished him off and he cut off his head with it.

When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

52 (Jos 15:11) And the fighting men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted.

And they pursued the Philistines from the entrance of the Valley of Elah

as far as the gates of Ekron. So the Philistine dead lay slain on the road

to Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

53 Then the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines

and they plundered their tents.

54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem,

but he put his armor in his tent.

55 (1Sa 16:21-22) When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine,

he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Whose son is this youth, Abner?"

And Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I do not know."

56 The king said, "Inquire whose son the young man is."

57 So when David returned from slaying the Philistine, Abner took him

and brought him before Saul with the Philistine's head in his hand.

58 (1Sa 17:12) Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?"

And David answered, "I am the son of your servant, Jesse the Bethlehemite."



[32] And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy

servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

[33] And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine

to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his

youth.

[34] And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and

there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

[35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his

mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote

him, and slew him.

[36] Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised

Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the

living God.

[37] David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the

lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of

this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

[38] And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass

upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

[39] And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for

he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for

I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

[40] And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out

of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a

scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

[41] And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that

bare the shield went before him.

[42] And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him:

for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

[43] And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me

with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

[44] And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh

unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

[45] Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and

with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD

of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

[46] This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite

thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the

host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild

beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in

Israel.

[47] And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword

and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our

hands.

[48] And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh

to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the

Philistine.

[49] And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang

it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his

forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

[50] So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone,

and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand

of David.

[51] Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword,

and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head

therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

[52] And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the

Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And

the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto

Gath, and unto Ekron.

[53] And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines,

and they spoiled their tents.

[54] And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem;

but he put his armour in his tent.

[55] And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto

Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner

said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

[56] And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

[57] And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took

him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his

hand.

[58] And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David

answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.



2) Our Daily Bread for 11 April 2023 Titled



Seize the Opportunity




2 Timothy 4:1 - 5



1 (Ac 10:42; 1Ti 5:21) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing

and His kingdom:

2 (Titus 1:13; 2:15) Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season,

reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

3 (1Ti 1:10) For the time will come when people will not endure sound

doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance

with their own desires, having itching ears,

4 (1Ti 1:4; 4:7) and they will turn their ears away from the truth

and turn to myths.

5 (Ac 21:8; 2Ti 1:8) But be self-controlled in all things,

endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,

and prove your ministry.



[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall

judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,

exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but

after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching

ears;

[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned

unto fables.

[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an

evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.



While waiting to enter the university, twenty-year-old Shin Yi decided to

commit three months of her break to serving in a youth mission organization.

It seemed like an odd time to do this, given the COVID-19 restrictions that

prevented face-to-face meetings. But Shin Yi soon found a way. "We couldn't

meet up with students on the streets, in shopping malls, or fast-food centers

like we usually did," she shared. "But we continued to keep in touch with the

Christian students via Zoom to pray for one another

and with the non-believers via phone calls."



Shin Yi did what the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to do: "Do the work

of an evangelist" (2 Timothy 4:5). Paul warned that people would find teachers

who would tell them what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to hear

(vv. 3-4). Yet Timothy was called to take courage and "be prepared in season

and out of season." He was to "correct, rebuke and encourage-with great

patience and careful instruction" (v. 2).



Though not all of us are called to be evangelists or preachers, each one of

us can play a part in sharing our faith with those around us. Unbelievers are

perishing without Christ. Believers need strengthening and encouragement.

With God's help, let's proclaim His good news whenever and wherever we can.



By: Poh Fang Chia



Reflect & Pray



What discourages you from sharing your faith?

How might remembering that Jesus is coming back

help you to overcome your fear?



Dear Jesus, help me to seize every opportunity

to share Your words with others that they may find hope and comfort in You.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 3 - The Remedy



Acts 4:12



12 (Mt 1:21; Jn 3:36) "There is no salvation in any other,

for there is no other name under heaven given among men

by which we must be saved."



12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name

under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.



"You have cancer", the doctor told his patient. "We need to operate

- as soon as possible. It's the only remedy." The patient, not wanting

to undergo surgery unless it was absolutely necessary, sought out a second

opinion, then a third. When the third round of testing came up with the same

results, she returned to the doctor and submitted herself to the treatment.

Often the remedy for the problems in our lives seems worst than the problems

themselves. We don't want to endure the pain of self-examination, of honest

confrontation with our sin and selfishness. We'd rather live in "blissful

ignorance" than face up to ourselves.

But the Bible tells us there is only one remedy for sin: casting ourselves

upon the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. Submitting ourselves to God's

"treatment" for sin is not an easy matter or a simple decision. We have to

give up on ourselves, on our own striving for self-salvation. We have to come

to the agonising realisation of our sin, the depths to which we have fallen.

Acknowledging sin is not a duty simply for "bad" people who have lived in

rebellion against God. "Good" people - Sunday-school kids, moral parents,

and sweet little grandmothers - may have more difficulty coming to Christ

than swindlers and prostitutes, precisely because their sin is not as

visible - sometimes it is even applauded by church and society.

"Good" or "bad", we all have the same problem: sin. And, because

of the Lord's grace, we all have the same remedy: salvation through Christ.

As we look to him, not to others, and see ourselves in light of his holiness,

we can glimpse the seriousness of our own resistance to him and call upon

his name.



Application



a) What other "remedies" have I tried to use in treating my sin?



b) Why is Jesus Christ the only source of salvation?



c) How can this verse help me to see the "salvation"

of Christ in the daily struggles of life?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



2 Cor 8:9



9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of

our Lord Jesus Christ,

that though He was rich,

yet for your sakes He became poor,

that through His poverty you might be rich.



9 For ye know the grace of

our Lord Jesus Christ,

that, though he was rich,

yet for your sakes he became poor,

that ye through his poverty might be rich.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Freeing Forgiveness



Eph 1:3-8a



Spiritual Blessings in Christ



3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual

blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him

before the foundation of the world, to be holy

and blameless before Him in love;

5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons

to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure

of His will,

6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace

which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.

7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood

and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,

8 which He lavished



3 Blessed be the God and Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual

blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 according as he hath chosen us in him

before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy

and without blame before him in love:

5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children

by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure

of his will,

6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 wherein he hath abounded





Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



DAY 25 APRIL 11

Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, is a large communications hub in

Northeast Africa. Prior to the secession of the south in 2011. Sudan

was the largest country in Africa. After decades of civil

war, the country signed an agreement to separate the predominantly Christian

south from the Muslim north, which had been seeking to become an Islamic state

since the 1960s. Sudan is a ripe harvest field, home to hundreds of unreached

people groups. As a major trade center Khartoumis the seedbed for the nation.



People Foucus Group



Sudanese Arab

Bela

Fur

Gaaliln

Guhayna



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for a breakthrough in vision and leadership that will result in

thousands of Christ-exacting, multiplying house churches

in the 34 languages of this city, especially among the listed UUPGs.

- Pray for the establishment of 24/7 prayer and for hearts to be opened

for Jesus followers to hear from heaven.

- Pray for leadership schools to be developed, and for church planters

to be sent out into every sector of society.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to come in signs, wonders, and power.



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



11th Day of the Month



a) Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,

city or community, and in Canada.



(



Ps 86:12



12 I will give You thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart,

and I will glorify Your name forever.



12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:

And I will glorify thy name for evermore.



John 12:28



28 "Father, glorify Your name."

Then a voice came from heaven, saying,

"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."



28 Father, glorify thy name.

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,

I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.



)



b) Pray for the province of New Brunswick



I) Pray for the leaders of New Brunswick, 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.



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 be humble about what responsibilities the Lord gives you

and pray to overcome obstacles.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, help me to seize every opportunity

to share Your words with others that they may find hope and comfort in You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord as the only source of Salvation.



Pray to the Lord and pray to understand His sacrifice.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord as forgiveness.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



People Focus Group



Sudanese Arab

Bela

Fur

Gaaliln

Guhayna



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for a breakthrough in vision and leadership that will result in

thousands of Christ-exacting, multiplying house churches

in the 34 languages of this city, especially among the listed UUPGs.

- Pray for the establishment of 24/7 prayer and for hearts to be opened

for Jesus followers to hear from heaven.

- Pray for leadership schools to be developed, and for church planters

to be sent out into every sector of society.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to come in signs, wonders, and power.



Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout

the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,

faithfulness and provision.



Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,

city or community, and in your country.



Pray that the members of various churches in Azerbaijan

will bear with on another in Love.

(Eph 4:2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,

bearing with one another in love,

[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one

another in love; )

Jesus before Pilate

Mark 15:2-5

Matthew 27:11-14

Luke 23:1-12

John 18:28-40

Mark 15:6-15

Matthew 27:15-26

Luke 23:13-25

John 19:1-16

Mark 15:16-20

Matthew 27:27-31



Mark 15:2-5



2 (Mt 2:2; 1Ti 6:13) Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

He answered him, "You have said so."

3 (Isa 53:7) The chief priests accused Him of many things,

but He answered nothing.

4 (Jn 19:10) So Pilate asked Him again, "Do You answer nothing?

See how many things they testify against You."

5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate was astonished.



[2] And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering

said unto him, Thou sayest it.

[3] And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered

nothing.

[4] And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how

many things they witness against thee.

[5] But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.



Matthew 27:11-14



Jesus Questioned by Pilate

Mk 15:2-5; Lk 23:3-5; Jn 18:33-38



11 (Mt 2:2; 26:25) Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor

asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

Jesus said to him, "You have said so."

12 (Mt 26:63) When He was accused by the chief priests and elders,

He gave no answer.

13 (Mt 26:62) Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things

they testify against You?”

14 But He never answered him a word,

so that the governor was greatly amazed.



[11] And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him,

saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

[12] And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered

nothing.

[13] Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they

witness against thee?

[14] And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor

marvelled greatly.



Luke 23:1-12



Jesus Brought Before Pilate

Mt 27:1-2, 11-14; Mk 15:1-5; Jn 18:28-38



1 Then the whole assembly rose and led Him to Pilate.

2 (Jn 19:12; Mk 15:3-5) And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this

Man perverting our nation, and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar,

and saying that He Himself is Christ a King."

3 (1Ti 6:13; Mt 27:1) 1So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

He answered, "You truly say so."

4 (Jn 18:38; Mk 15:14) Then Pilate said to the chief priests

and to the people, "I find no fault in this Man."

5 (Mk 1:14; Mt 4:23) But they insisted, saying, "He stirs up the people,

teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to here."



[1] And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

[2] And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting

the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself

is Christ a King.

[3] And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he

answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

[4] Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault

in this man.

[5] And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people,

teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.



Jesus Before Herod



6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man was a Galilean.

7 (Lk 3:1; 13:31) When he learned that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction,

he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8 (Mt 14:1; Mk 6:14) When Herod saw Jesus, he greatly rejoiced,

for he had desired to see Him for a long time, because he had heard

many things of Him, and he was hoping to see some miracle performed by Him.

9 (Mt 27:14) He questioned Him with many words, but He gave no answer.

10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him.

11 (Mk 9:12) Then Herod with his soldiers despised Him, and mocked Him,

and dressed Him in a fine robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

12 (Ac 4:27) On the same day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other,

having previously been at enmity with each other.



[6] When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

[7] And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he

sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

[8] And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to

see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he

hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

[9] Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

[10] And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

[11] And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and

arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

[12] And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for

before they were at enmity between themselves.



John 18:28-40



Jesus Before Pilate

Mt 27:1-2, 11-14; Mk 15:1-5; Lk 23:1-5



28 (Jn 18:33; 19:9; Mt 27:27) Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas

to the Praetorium. It was early. Yet they themselves did not enter

the Praetorium, so that they might not be defiled,

but might eat the Passover.

29 Pilate then went out to them and said,

"What accusation do you bring against this Man?"

30 They answered him, "If He were not an evildoer,

we would not have handed Him over to you."

31 Then Pilate said, "Take Him and judge Him according to your law."

The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,"

32 (Mt 20:19; 26:2) that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled

which He spoke, signifying what death He would die.

33 (Jn 19:9) Again Pilate entered the Praetorium, called Jesus,

and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking of your own accord,

or did others tell you about Me?"

35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation

and the chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?"

36 (Jn 6:15; Da 2:44) Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world.

If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would fight,

that I would not be handed over to the Jews.

But now My kingdom is not from here."

37 (Jn 8:47; 1Jn 4:6) Therefore Pilate said to Him, "Then are You a king?"

Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this reason

I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to bear witness

to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

38(Jn 19:4; Lk 23:4; Jn 19:6) Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?"

When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them,

"I find no guilt in Him at all.



[28] Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was

early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should

be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

[29] Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye

against this man?

[30] They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would

not have delivered him up unto thee.

[31] Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to

your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put

any man to death:

[32] That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying

what death he should die.

[33] Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and

said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

[34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others

tell it thee of me?

[35] Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests

have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

[36] Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of

this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to

the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

[37] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered,

Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause

came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one

that is of the truth heareth my voice.

[38] Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he

went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at

all.



Jesus Sentenced to Die

Mt 27:15-31; Mk 15:6-20; Lk 23:13-25



39 (Mt 27:15-18) "But you have a custom, that I should release someone

to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you

the King of the Jews?"

40 They all shouted again, "Not this Man, but Barabbas!"

Now Barabbas was a robber.



[39] But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the

passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

[40] Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now

Barabbas was a robber.



Mark 15:6-15



Jesus Sentenced to Die

Mt 27:15-26; Lk 23:13-25; Jn 18:39-19:16



6 (Jn 18:39-40) Now at the feast he always released to them one prisoner,

whomever they requested.

7 There was one named Barabbas, who had committed murder

in the insurrection and was bound with the rebels.

8 The crowd began crying aloud, asking Pilate to do as he had always

done for them.

9 He answered them, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over out of envy.

11 (Ac 3:14) But the chief priests stirred the people,

so that he should instead release Barabbas to them.

12 Pilate answered them again, "What then would you have me do to Him

whom you call the King of the Jews?"

13 They again cried out, "Crucify Him!"

14 (Lk 23:41) Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?"

But they cried out even more, "Crucify Him!"

15 (Mt 27:26; Jn 19:1) So Pilate, resolving to satisfy the people,

released Barabbas to them. And when he had scourged Jesus,

he handed Him over to be crucified.



[6] Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they

desired.

[7] And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had

made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

[8] And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever

done unto them.

[9] But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the

King of the Jews?

[10] For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

[11] But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release

Barabbas unto them.

[12] And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I

shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

[13] And they cried out again, Crucify him.

[14] Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried

out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

[15] And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto

them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.



Matthew 27:15-26



Jesus Sentenced to Die

Mk 15:6-15; Lk 23:13-25; Jn 18:39-19:16



15 Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to releasing

to the people a prisoner whom they chose.

16 They had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them,

"Whom do you want me to release to you—Barabbas,

or Jesus who is called Christ?"

18 (Pr 27:4) For he knew that they had handed Him over out of envy.

19 (Mt 27:24; Lk 23:47) When he was sitting on the judgment seat,

his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man,

for I have suffered much today in a dream on account of Him."

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas

and kill Jesus.

21 The governor answered, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?"

They said, "Barabbas."

22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus

who is called Christ?"

They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"

23 The governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?"

But they cried out all the more, "Let Him be crucified!"

24 (Mt 27:4; Ps 26:6) When Pilate saw that he could not prevail,

but rather that unrest was beginning, he took water

and washed his hands before the crowd, saying,

"I am innocent of the blood of this righteous Man. See to it yourselves."

25 (Jos 2:19; Ac 5:28) Then all the people answered, "His blood be on us

and on our children!"

26 (Jn 19:1; Isa 53:5) Then he released Barabbas to them.

But when he had scourged Jesus, he handed Him over to be crucified.



[15] Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a

prisoner, whom they would.

[16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

[17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom

will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

[18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

[19] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him,

saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many

things this day in a dream because of him.

[20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they

should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

[21] The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye

that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

[22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called

Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

[23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out

the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

[24] When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult

was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,

I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

[25] Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our

children.

[26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he

delivered him to be crucified.



Luke 23:13-25



Jesus Sentenced to Die

Mt 27:15-26; Mk 15:6-15; Jn 18:39-19:16



13 Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14 and said to them, "You have brought this Man to me as one who incites

the people. And truly, I, having examined Him before you, have found

no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him.

15 No, neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing worthy

of death has been done by Him.

16 (Mt 27:26; Mk 15:15) I will therefore chastise Him and release Him."

17 For he was obligated to release one man to them at the feast.

18 (Ac 3:14; 21:36) But they all cried out at once saying,

"Take this Man away and release Barabbas to us!"

19 (Ac 3:14) This man had been thrown in prison for an insurrection

in the city and for murder.

20 Therefore Pilate spoke to them again, desiring to release Jesus.

21 But they cried out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

22 (Lk 23:14; 23:16) He said to them a third time, "Why, what evil has

He done? I have found in Him no cause worthy of death.

I will therefore chastise Him and release Him."

23 But they insisted with loud voices, asking that He be crucified.

And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.

24 (Ex 23:2) So Pilate gave the sentence as they demanded.

25 He released to them the man who was thrown in prison for insurrection

and murder, whom they asked for. But he sentenced Jesus according

to their will.



[13] And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the

rulers and the people,

[14] Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that

perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have

found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

[15] No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of

death is done unto him.

[16] I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

[17] (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

[18] And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release

unto us Barabbas:

[19] (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast

into prison.)

[20] Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

[21] But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

[22] And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I

have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let

him go.

[23] And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be

crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

[24] And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

[25] And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast

into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.



John 19:1-16



John 19



1 (Isa 50:6; 53:5) Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him.

2 The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head,

and they put a purple robe on Him.

3 (Mt 27:29) They said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they hit Him

with their hands.

4 (Jn 18:38; 19:6) Again Pilate went out and said to them,

"Look, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that

I find no guilt in Him."

5 (Jn 19:2) Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns

and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the Man!"

6 (Jn 18:31; 19:4) When the chief priests and officers saw Him,

they cried out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves and crucify Him,

for I find no guilt in Him."

7 (Jn 5:18; Lev 24:16; Mt 26:63-66) The Jews answered him,

"We have a law, and by our law He ought to die,

because He made Himself the Son of God!"

8 When Pilate heard these words, he was more afraid,

9 (Jn 18:33) and entered the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus,

"Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me?

Do You not know that I have power to release You, and power to crucify You?"

11 (Ro 13:1; Mt 27:2) Jesus answered, "You would have no power at all over Me,

unless it were given to you from above.

Therefore he who handed Me over to you has the greater sin."

12 (Jn 18:33-36) From then on, Pilate tried to release Him.

But the Jews cried out, "If you release this Man, you are not Caesar's friend.

Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!"

13 (Mt 27:19) When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out

and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement

(which in Hebrew is Gabbatha).

14 (Mt 27:62; Mk 15:25) It was the Day of Preparation of the Passover

and about the sixth hour.

He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!"

15 (Lk 23:18; Ac 21:36) But they shouted,

"Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!"

Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?"

The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!"

16 Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified.



[1] Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

[2] And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and

they put on him a purple robe,

[3] And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

[4] Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring

him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

[5] Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.

And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

[6] When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out,

saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and

crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

[7] The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die,

because he made himself the Son of God.

[8] When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

[9] And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art

thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

[10] Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not

that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

[11] Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except

it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath

the greater sin.

[12] And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried

out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend:

whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

[13] When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and

sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in

the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

[14] And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour:

and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

[15] But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate

saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We

have no king but Caesar.

[16] Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they

took Jesus, and led him away.



Mark 15:16-20



The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Mt 27:27-31; Jn 19:2-3



16 (Jn 18:28; 19:9) The soldiers led Him away to Praetorium Hall,

and they called together the entire battalion.

17 (Lk 23:11) They clothed Him with a purple robe. And they wove a crown

of thorns and put it on His head,

18 and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

19 (Mk 14:65) They struck His head with a staff and spit on Him.

And bowing their knees, they worshipped Him.

20 When they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off of Him

and put His own garments on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.



[16] And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and

they call together the whole band.

[17] And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and

put it about his head,

[18] And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

[19] And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and

bowing their knees worshipped him.

[20] And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and

put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.



Matthew 27:27-31



The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Mk 15:16-20; Jn 19:2-3



27 (Jn 18:28; 18:33) Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into

the Praetorium, and gathered the whole detachment of soldiers before Him.

28 (Mk 15:17; Lk 23:11) They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him,

29 (Isa 53:3; Mt 20:19) and when they wove a crown of thorns, they put it

on His head and put a staff in His right hand. They knelt before Him a

nd mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

30 (Mt 26:67; Mk 15:19) They spit on Him, and took the staff

and hit Him on the head.

31 (Isa 53:7) After they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him,

put His own garments on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.



[27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and

gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

[28] And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

[29] And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head,

and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked

him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

[30] And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

[31] And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him,

and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Day 95 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 5 April 2023 reflections

Day 95, 5 Apr 2023



1) Judges 19 - 21



JUDGES 19



A Levite and His Concubine



1 (Jdg 18:1; 17:8) In those days, when there was no king in Israel,

there was a certain Levite living as resident foreigner in a remote

part of the hill country of Ephraim. He took a concubine for himself

from Bethlehem in Judah.

2 Yet his concubine became angry with him and went away from him

to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah. She was there for four months.

3 (Ge 34:3; 50:21) Her husband got up and went after her in order to speak

tenderly to her and bring her back. His servant and two donkeys were with

him. When he came to her father's house, the girl's father saw him

and was happy to meet with him.

4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay with him

for three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.

5 (Ge 18:5; Jdg 19:8) On the fourth day they woke up early in the morning.

He got ready to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law,

"Strengthen yourself with a little food, and then you can go."

6 (Jdg 16:25; 19:9) So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together.

Then the girl's father said to the man,

"Please spend the night and let your heart be merry."

7 The man got up to go, but his father-in-law urged him until he turned back

and spent the night there.

8 He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go. The girl's father said,

"Please, strengthen yourself and wait until later in the day."

So the two of them ate.

9 Then the man got up to go: he, his concubine, and his servant.

His father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! It is getting dark.

Spend the night! Settle in and spend the night here, let your heart be merry.

You can get up early tomorrow and go home."

10 (Jos 15:8; 15:63) Yet the man did not want to spend the night,

so he got up and left and approached Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).

Two saddled donkeys and his concubine were with him.

11 When they were near Jebus, it was getting very late.

The servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside

to this Jebusite city and spend the night in it."

12 His master said to him, "We must not turn aside to a city of foreigners,

who are not children of Israel. We will continue on to Gibeah."

13 He said to his servant, "Come, let us go to one of these places.

We will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."

14 They continued and went on. The sun went down

when they were near Gibeah in Benjamin.

15 (Jdg 19:18) So they turned aside there to go and spend the night

in Gibeah. They went in and sat in the city square,

but no one took them in to spend the night.

16 (Jdg 19:1; Ps 104:23) Just then, an old man came in at evening time from

his work in the field. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim

and lived as a resident foreigner in Gibeah,

but the townspeople were Benjamites.

17 He looked up and saw the traveler in the city square.

The old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"

18 (Jdg 18:31) He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah

to a remote part of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there.

I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the Lord.

No one has taken me into his home.

19 Yet there is enough straw and fodder for our donkeys, with bread and wine

for me, your maidservant, and the young man who is with your servant.

We do not lack anything."

20 (Jdg 6:23) The old man said, "Do not worry. I will take care of whatever

you need. Just do not spend the night in the city square."

21 (Ge 18:4; 43:24) So he brought him into his house and gave food

to his donkeys. They washed their feet, ate, and drank.

22 (Ge 19:4-5; Dt 13:13) While they were enjoying themselves, the men

of the city, who were wicked men, surrounded the house and pounded

on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house,

"Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him."

23 (Ge 34:7; Jdg 20:6) The master of the house went out to them and said,

"No, my brothers, do not commit this evil act, not after this man has come

into my house. Do not commit this disgrace.

24 (Ge 19:8; Dt 21:14) Here are my virgin daughter and the man's concubine.

Let me bring them out to you. Ravish them and do to them what you please.

But do not commit this vile act against this man."

25 The men were unwilling to listen to him, so the man seized his concubine

and brought her out to them in the street. They knew her and abused her all

night until morning. As the dawn began to break, they let her go.

26 The woman came back at daybreak and fell down at the door of the man's

house where her master was, lying there until it was light.

27 Her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house.

He went out to go on his way, but there was the woman, his concubine,

fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.

28 (Jdg 20:5) He said to her, "Get up, let us be going," but there was

no answer. So the man put her on a donkey and went home.

29 (1Sa 11:7) When he got home, he took a knife and seized his concubine,

then cut her body into twelve pieces. Then he sent her throughout

all the territory of Israel.

30 (Jdg 20:7; Pr 13:10) Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has

been done or seen since the day the children of Israel came out of the land

of Egypt until today. Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!"



Judges 19

[1] And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel,

that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who

took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

[2] And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him

unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.

[3] And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her,

and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses:

and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the

damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

[4] And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode

with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

[5] And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the

morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his

son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go

your way.

[6] And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the

damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry

all night, and let thine heart be merry.

[7] And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him:

therefore he lodged there again.

[8] And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the

damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried

until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

[9] And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his

servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now

the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day

groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow

get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.

[10] But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed,

and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two

asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.

[11] And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant

said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city

of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

[12] And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the

city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over

to Gibeah.

[13] And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of

these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

[14] And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them

when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

[15] And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and

when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no

man that took them into his house to lodging.

[16] And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at

even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the

men of the place were Benjamites.

[17] And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the

street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence

comest thou?

[18] And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the

side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I

am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me

to house.

[19] Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread

and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is

with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.

[20] And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants

lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

[21] So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses:

and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

[22] Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the

city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the

door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth

the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

[23] And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, Nay, my

brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come

into mine house, do not this folly.

[24] Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will

bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto

you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.

[25] But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine,

and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the

night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.

[26] Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the

door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light.

[27] And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house,

and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen

down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.

[28] And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then

the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his

place.

[29] And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on

his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces,

and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

[30] And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done

nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of

Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.



JUDGES 20



The Children of Israel Punish the Benjamites



1 (Jdg 11:11; 21:5) All the children of Israel from Dan to Beersheba,

and also from the land of Gilead, went out and gathered together in

an assembly as one man before the Lord at Mizpah.

2 (Jdg 8:10; 20:15) The leaders of all the people from all the tribes

of Israel presented themselves in an assembly of the people of God,

who numbered four hundred thousand infantrymen bearing swords.

3(The Benjamites heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.)

The children of Israel said, "Tell how this evil happened!"

4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered,

"My concubine and I came to Gibeah, in Benjamin, to spend the night.

5 (Jdg 19:22; 19:25-26) Then the leaders of Gibeah rose up against me.

At night they surrounded the house where I was staying.

They wanted to kill me; instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.

6 (Jdg 19:29; Jos 7:15) I seized my concubine, cut her into pieces,

and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel,

because they committed an infamous and disgraceful act in Israel.

7 (Jdg 19:30) Now, all of you are children of Israel.

Give your advice and counsel here."

8 All the people arose as one man and said, "Not a man among us will go

to his tent, and no one will turn aside to his house.

9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah. We will go against it by lot.

10 We will take ten men out of every hundred, from every tribe of Israel,

a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand,

to bring provisions for the troops. Then when they come to Gibeah

in Benjamin, they may repay them for all the evil

that they committed in Israel."

11 So all the men of Israel gathered at the city, united like one man.

12 (Dt 13:14) The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the whole tribe

of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil that has been committed among you?

13 (Dt 13:13; 17:12) Now hand over the wicked men in Gibeah,

so that we can kill them and purge the evil from Israel."

Yet the Benjamites were not willing to listen

to their fellow children of Israel.

14 The Benjamites gathered from their cities at Gibeah in order to go

out and wage war against the children of Israel.

15 (Nu 26:41) That day, the Benjamites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men

from the cities and seven hundred specially chosen men from Gibeah.

16 (Jdg 3:15; 1Ch 12:2) Out of all these people there were seven hundred

specially chosen men who were left-handed, all of whom could sling

a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 The men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, gathered four hundred thousand

armed men who drew the sword; all of them were men of war.

18 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:23) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel,

and asked God, "Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?"

The Lord said, "Judah first."

19T he children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.

20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin,

and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.

21 (Jdg 20:25) Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah

and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.

22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again

in the place where they had lined up on the first day.

23 (Jdg 20:26-27) Then the children of Israel went up

and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord,

"Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?"

The Lord said, "Advance against them."

24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.

25 (Jdg 20:21) And on the second day, the Benjamites went out from Gibeah

to meet them and again struck eighteen thousand men down to the ground,

every one of them armed.

26 (Jdg 20:23; 20:18) Then all the children of Israel, all the people, went up

to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord.

They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace

offerings before the Lord.

27 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 20:18) The children of Israel asked the Lord

(because the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

28 (Dt 18:5; Jos 24:33) and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron,

stood before it then), "Should we go out again to wage war with our

brother-tribesmen the Benjamites, or should we not?"

The Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."

29 (Jos 8:4) So Israel set an ambushing force around Gibeah.

30 The children of Israel went up against the Benjamites on the third day

and lined up at Gibeah as before.

31 The Benjamites went out to engage the people and were drawn away

from the city. They began to strike the people down as before. On the

main roads that go up to Bethel and Gibeah and in the field,

they struck down about thirty children of Israel.

32 The Benjamites said, "They are struck down before us like

at the beginning." But the children of Israel said, "Let us retreat

and draw them away from the city toward the main roads."

33 So all the men of Israel rose up out of their place

and assumed their battle positions at Baal Tamar.

Then the men of Israel in ambush charged out of their places,

out of the meadows of Gibeah.

34 (Jos 8:14; Job 21:13) Ten thousand specially chosen men

from all of Israel came against Gibeah. The battle was fierce,

and the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.

35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and that day the children

of Israel struck down 25100 Benjamites, every one of them armed.

36 The Benjamites saw that they were defeated.

Now the men of Israel had withdrawn from Benjamin, because they relied

on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.

37 (Jos 8:19) So the ambushing force rushed on and attacked Gibeah.

They struck down the whole city with the edge of the sword.

38 The men of Israel had made an agreement with the ambushing force

that when they sent up a large amount of smoke from the city,

39 (Jdg 20:32) the children of Israel would turn around in battle.

When the Benjamites had begun to strike the children of Israel down,

about thirty men, they said, "Surely they are struck down before us like

at the beginning."

40 (Jos 8:20) Yet when the smoke began to rise up from the city in a column,

the Benjamites looked behind them and suddenly noticed the whole city

going up in smoke to the sky.

41 Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin

were horrified because they saw that disaster had come on them.

42 So they fled from the men of Israel toward the direction

of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. Whoever came out

of the cities destroyed them in their midst.

43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them without rest,

and trampled them down near Gibeah toward the east.

44 Eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.

45 (Jos 15:32; Jdg 21:13) The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness

to Rimmon Rock, and they cut down five thousand men on the main roads.

They pursued them relentlessly until they reached Gidom

and killed two thousand of them.

46 So the Benjamites who fell that day numbered 25000, every one

of them armed, valorous men.

47 However, six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness,

to Rimmon Rock. They dwelled at Rimmon Rock for four months.

48 Yet the men of Israel turned back against the Benjamites

and struck them with the edge of the sword-city inhabitants, animals,

and everything that could be found. Indeed, they set on fire every city

that could be found.



Judges 20

[1] Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was

gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of

Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

[2] And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel,

presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred

thousand footmen that drew sword.

[3] (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were

gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this

wickedness?

[4] And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and

said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to

lodge.

[5] And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about

upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they

forced, that she is dead.

[6] And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout

all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed

lewdness and folly in Israel.

[7] Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and

counsel.

[8] And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to

his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.

[9] But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go

up by lot against it;

[10] And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of

Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to

fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of

Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.

[11] So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together

as one man.

[12] And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin,

saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?

[13] Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in

Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But

the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren

the children of Israel:

[14] But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the

cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

[15] And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the

cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants

of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.

[16] Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded;

every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

[17] And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred

thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.

[18] And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and

asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle

against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up

first.

[19] And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against

Gibeah.

[20] And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men

of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.

[21] And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed

down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

[22] And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their

battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the

first day.

[23] (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until

even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle

against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up

against him.)

[24] And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin

the second day.

[25] And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and

destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen

thousand men; all these drew the sword.

[26] Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came

unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted

that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before

the LORD.

[27] And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the

covenant of God was there in those days,

[28] And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in

those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children

of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to

morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

[29] And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.

[30] And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on

the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other

times.

[31] And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were

drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill,

as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of

God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

[32] And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as

at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them

from the city unto the highways.

[33] And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put

themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came

forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.

[34] And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all

Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.

[35] And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel

destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred

men: all these drew the sword.

[36] So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of

Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in

wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

[37] And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in

wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the

sword.

[38] Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers

in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the

city.

[39] And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to

smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said,

Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.

[40] But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of

smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city

ascended up to heaven.

[41] And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were

amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

[42] Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way

of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of

the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.

[43] Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and

trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

[44] And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of

valour.

[45] And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon:

and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard

after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

[46] So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five

thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.

[47] But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock

Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.

[48] And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and

smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the

beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that

they came to.



JUDGES 21



Wives for the Benjamites



1 (Jdg 20:1; 21:18) In Mizpah the men of Israel had taken an oath:

"No one among us will give his daughter to a Benjamite as his wife."

2 (Jdg 20:26; 20:18) So the people came to Bethel and sat there before

God until evening. They raised their voices and wept, sobbing loudly.

3 They said, "Why, Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel,

that today a tribe is missing from Israel?"

4 (2Sa 24:25) In the morning the people got up early and built an altar

there. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

5 (Jdg 5:23) The children of Israel said, "Who from all the tribes of Israel

did not go up with the assembly to the Lord?" For they vowed a solemn

oath regarding whoever did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah stating,

"He must be killed."

6 (Jdg 21:15) The children of Israel lamented for Benjamin their brother,

and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.

7 (Jdg 21:1) What can we do to find wives for those who are left?

For we swore by the Lord not to give them our daughters as wives."

8 (1Sa 31:11-13) So they said, "Is there anyone from among the tribes

of Israel who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah?" Then they learned

that no one from the camp of Jabesh Gilead had come to the assembly.

9 When the people were counted, indeed, there was not a man there

from among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead.

10 (Jdg 5:23; 21:5) So the assembly sent twelve thousand valorous men there

and commanded them, "Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead

with the edge of the sword, including women and children.

11 (Nu 31:17-18) This is what you will do: You will kill every man

and every woman who has slept with a man."

12 (Jos 18:1) So among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead they found

400 virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them

to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.

13 (Dt 20:10; Jdg 20:47) Then the whole assembly sent someone to speak

to the Benjamites who were at Rimmon Rock, and they declared peace.

14 So the Benjamites returned at that time, and they gave to them the women

who were still alive from among the women of Jabesh Gilead.

Yet they did not find enough for them.

15 (Jdg 21:6) The people felt sorry for Benjamin, for the Lord had made a gap

among the tribes of Israel.

16 The elders of the assembly said, "What can we do to find wives for those

who are left? The Benjamite women were destroyed."

17 They said, "There must be an inheritance for the remnant of Benjamin,

so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.

18 (Jdg 21:1) Yet we cannot give them our daughters for wives,

for the children of Israel swore, 'Cursed be anyone who gives

a wife to Benjamin.' "

19 They said, "Wait! There is an annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh,

which is north of Bethel, east of the main road that goes up from Bethel

to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."

20 So they commanded the Benjamites, "Go and hide in the vineyards.

21 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) Watch, and then when the daughters of Shiloh

come out to dance in the dances, come out from the vineyards

and have every man grab a wife for himself from among

the daughters of Shiloh. Then go to the land of Benjamin.

22 (Jdg 21:1; 21:18) When their fathers or their brothers come to us

to complain, we will say to them, 'Be favorable to them for our sakes,

because we did not take for each man a wife in the battle;

for you have not given women to them at the time,

thereby making yourselves guilty.' "

23 (Jdg 20:48) So the Benjamites did this. They carried away wives

for each man from among the dancers that they caught. Then they

returned to their inheritance, rebuilt the cities, and lived in them.

24 At that time, the children of Israel departed from there each man

to his tribe and to his family. They went out from

there to their own inheritance.

25 (Jdg 17:6; 18:1) In those days there was no king in Israel;

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.



Judges 21

[1] Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any

of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

[2] And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even

before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

[3] And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that

there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

[4] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built

there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

[5] And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of

Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had

made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh,

saying, He shall surely be put to death.

[6] And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and

said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

[7] How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by

the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

[8] And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not

up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from

Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.

[9] For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the

inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.

[10] And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the

valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of

Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

[11] And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every

male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

[12] And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred

young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they

brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

[13] And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of

Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.

[14] And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which

they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed

them not.

[15] And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had

made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

[16] Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for

them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

[17] And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of

Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

[18] Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children

of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

[19] Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly

in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the

highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

[20] Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie

in wait in the vineyards;

[21] And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in

dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife

of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

[22] And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to

complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes:

because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give

unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.

[23] And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to

their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and

returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.

[24] And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to

his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his

inheritance.

[25] In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was

right in his own eyes.



2) Our Daily Bread for 5 April 2023 entitled



More Than a Little Piece




Matthew 16:21-28



Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

Mk 8:31-9:1; Lk 9:22-27



21 (Mt 17:22-23; 27:63; 17:12) From that time on, Jesus began to show

His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things

from the elders and chief priests and scribes,

and be killed, and be raised on the third day.

22 Then Peter took Him and began rebuking Him, saying,

"Far be it from You, Lord! This shall not happen to You."

23 (Mt 4:10; Mk 8:33) But He turned and said to Peter,

"Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful

of the things that are of God, but those that are of men."

24 (Mt 10:38; Lk 14:27) Then Jesus said to His disciples,

"If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross, and follow Me.

25 (Mt 10:39; Jn 12:25) For whoever would save his life will lose it,

and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26 (Ps 49:7-8; Lk 12:20) For what will it profit a man

if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 (Ro 2:6; 2Co 5:10) For the Son of Man shall come with His angels

in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay every man

according to his works.

28 (Mt 10:23; 26:64) Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who

shall not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."



[21] From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that

he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief

priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

[22] Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from

thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

[23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art

an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but

those that be of men.

[24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let

him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose

his life for my sake shall find it.

[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose

his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

[27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his

angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

[28] Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not

taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.



We all leave a bit of ourselves behind when we move to a new place. But to

become a long-term resident of Villas Las Estrellas, Antarctica, a cold

and desolate place, leaving a piece of yourself behind is a literal thing.

With the nearest hospital 625 miles away, a person will be in serious trouble

if their appendix bursts. So every citizen must first undergo

an appendectomy before moving there.



Drastic, right? But it's not as drastic as becoming a resident of the kingdom

of God. Because people want to follow Jesus on their own terms and not His

(Matthew 16:25-27), He redefines what it means to be a disciple. He said,

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross

and follow me" (v. 24). This includes being prepared to let go of anything

that competes with Him and His kingdom. And as we take up our cross, we

declare a willingness to undergo social and political oppression and even

death for the sake of devotion to Christ. Along with letting go and taking up,

we're also to take on a willingness to truly follow Him. This is a

moment-by-moment posture of following His lead as He guides us into

service and sacrifice.



Following Jesus means so much more than leaving a little piece of our lives

behind. As He helps us, it's about submitting and surrendering

our whole lives-including our bodies-to Him alone.



By: Marvin Williams



Reflect & Pray



What does it mean for you to follow Jesus?

How is He asking you to sacrifice your life for Him?



Dear Jesus, help me give up anything that competes with You and Your kingdom.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 4 - Arming for Battle



Joshua 1:8



8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.

Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according

to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,

and you will be wise.



8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt

meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according

to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,

and then thou shalt have good success.



When God spoke these words to Joshua, the young leader's prospects for

"prosperity" and "success" were far from promising. Upon Moses' death,

Joshua was appointed to lead Israel into the Promised Land, to claim

the territory and establish a nation under God's rule.

Joshua was afraid, and for good reason. The people were rebellious

and intractable. And "claiming the land" meant battling many strong enemies.

Yet God told Joshua that his strength would come not in preparing for battle,

but in preparing for battle, but in preparing himself by meditating

on and applying God's word to his life.

We, too, face difficult battles as we seek to enter the "Promised Land"

of God's peace and presence. But his promise is the same as it was to Joshua:

through obedience to the Word, we can find prosperity and success.

God's promise does not necessarily mean financial prosperity

or material success. These victories may come as well, but God's primary

purpose for his people is spiritual success - the victory and joy of living

in fellowship with him. We can be enriched in the knowledge of God and

find power to overcome the enemies of sin and self. The way may not be easy

- after all, there is no victory without conflict - but God promises

that we will succeed as we look to him.



Application



a) What image do I have a personal "Promised Land" that I long

to enter and claim as my own?



b) What enemies will I need to battle in order to enter that land?



c) How can meditation on the Word of God and obedience to him bring me

prosperity and success?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Philip 4:19



19 (Ro 2:4) But my God shall supply your every need according

to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.



19 But my God shall supply all your need according

to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Reconciling Peace



Ps 85:8-13



8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) I will hear what God the Lord will speak,

for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints,

but let them not turn again to folly.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Surely His salvation is near to them who fear Him,

that glory may dwell in our land.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Mercy and truth have met together;

righteousness and peace have kissed.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Truth springs from the ground,

and righteousness looks down from the sky.

12 Yes, the Lord gives that which is good,

and our land shall yield its increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before Him

and prepare a way for His footsteps.



8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints:

But let them not turn again to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;

That glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth are met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth shall spring out of the earth;

And righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good;

And our land shall yield her increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before him;

And shall set us in the way of his steps.



Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



DAY 19 APRIL 5



When Iraq was at the height of its

stability and economic stature in

the 1970s, Muslims revered the

nation as the cosmopolitan center

of the Arab world. However, after enduring

seemingly constant war and conflict over the

past 30 years, this emblem feels like a fading

memory to its people. With unprecedented population growth and continued

economic instability, a window of opportunity has opened for the existing

Jesus-followers in Iraq to healtheir fractured nation through the shalom of

God found only in the Prince of Peace.

Mosul, the capital of Ninawa governorate, is Iraq's second-largest city. The

population has traditionally consisted of Kurds and a significant minority of

Christian Arabs. After much ethnic conflict, the city fell to the Islamic State

of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in June 2014. In 2017, Iraqi and Kurdish forces finally

pushed out the Sunni insurgents. Since then, efforts have been made to

restore the war-torn region.



People Group Focus

Syrian Arab

Northern Kurd(Behdini)



- Pray for the advancement of God's

Kingdom throughout the 14 languages

of this city, particularly among the listed

people groups.

-Pray for the teams who have dedicated

their lives to planting churches and

sharing the Gospel in the nation; pray

for their supernatural protection and for

wisdom and courage.

-Pray for a mighty movement of prayer

to be birthed in Mosul that multiplies

throughout the country.

-Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the

power of the Spirit. Pray for a resurrection

of God's divine purpose for this city.





My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



5th Day of the Month



a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,

that the Lord will draw them to Himself

(PS 145:13-18

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholds all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon You,

and You give them their food in due season.

16 You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways

and loving in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,

to all who call upon Him in truth.

)



Mem

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

Samek

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

Ain

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;

And thou givest them their meat in due season.

Pe

16 Thou openest thine hand,

And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Zade

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,

And holy in all his works.

Qoph

18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

To all that call upon him in truth.



b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,

reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness

( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,

and lead me in the ancient way. "



24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.



1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "



9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.





Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray not to be in conflict .



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, help me give up anything that

competes with You and Your kingdom."



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to help you win in the Promised Land.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as provider.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know His righteousness.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for the advancement of God's

Kingdom throughout the 14 languages

of this city, particularly among the listed

people groups.

-Pray for the teams who have dedicated

their lives to planting churches and

sharing the Gospel in the nation; pray

for their supernatural protection and for

wisdom and courage.

-Pray for a mighty movement of prayer

to be birthed in Mosul that multiplies

throughout the country.

-Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the

power of the Spirit. Pray for a resurrection

of God's divine purpose for this city.



Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,

that the Lord will draw them to Himself



Pray for the Lord to search your life ,

reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness



The story of the Lord's Supper

Mark 14:1-2

Matthew 26:1-5

Luke 22:1-2

Mark 14:10-11

Matthew 26:14-16

Luke 22:3-6

Mark 14:12-16

Matthew 26:17-19

Luke 22:7-13

John 13:1-20

Mark 14:17-26

Matthew 26:20-30

Luke 22:14-30

John 13:18-30



Mark 14:1-2



The Plot to Kill Jesus

Mt 26:1-5; Lk 22:1-2; Jn 11:45-53

1 (Lk 22:1-2; Jn 13:1) Now the feasts of the Passover

and of Unleavened Bread were two days away.

And the chief priests and the scribes looked for a way to seize Him

secretly and kill Him.

2 But they said "Not on the feast day,

lest there will be an uproar among the people."



[1] After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread:

and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by

craft, and put him to death.

[2] But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the

people.



Matthew 26:1-5



The Plot to Kill Jesus

Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2; Jn 11:45-3



1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said to His disciples,

2 (Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2) "You know that after two days is the Passover,

and the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified."

3 (Jn 18:24; Mt 26:57-58) Then the chief priests, the scribes,

and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest,

who was called Caiaphas,

4 and took counsel that they might take Jesus covertly and kill Him.

5 (Mt 27:24) But they said, "Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar

among the people."



[1] And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said

unto his disciples,

[2] Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of

man is betrayed to be crucified.

[3] Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the

elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called

Caiaphas,

[4] And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

[5] But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the

people.



Luke 22:1-2



The Plot to Kill Jesus

Mt 26:1-5, 14-16; Mk 14:1-2, 10-11; Jn 11:45-53



1 (Mk 14:1-2; Ex 12:6-23) Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

which is called the Passover, drew near.

2 And the chief priests and scribes were seeking how to kill Jesus,

for they feared the people.



[1] Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

[2] And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for

they feared the people.



Mark 14:10-11



Judas' Agreement to Betray Jesus

Mt 26:14-18; Lk 22:3-6



10 (Jn 13:2; Mt 26:14-16) Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve,

went to the chief priests to betray Him to them.

11 When they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him silver.

So he looked for how he might conveniently betray Him.



[10] And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to

betray him unto them.

[11] And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money.

And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.



Matthew 26:14-16



Judas' Agreement to Betray Jesus

Mk 14:10-11; Lk 22:3-6



14 (Mt 10:4; Lk 22:3-6) Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas

Iscariot, went to the chief priests

15 (Ex 21:32) and said to them, "What will you give me if I hand Him over

to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

16 From that moment he searched for an opportunity to betray Him.



[14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief

priests,

[15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto

you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

[16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.



Luke 22:3-6



3 (Jn 13:2; Mk 14:10-11) Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot,

who was one of the twelve.

4 (Ac 4:1; 5:24) He went and discussed with the chief priests

and captains how he might betray Him to them.

5 They were glad and agreed to give him money.

6 He fully consented and searched for an opportunity to betray Him

to them apart from the crowds.



[3] Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of

the twelve.

[4] And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains,

how he might betray him unto them.

[5] And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

[6] And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the

absence of the multitude.



Mark 14:12-16



The Passover With the Disciples

Mt 26:17-28; Lk 22:7-14, 21-23; Jn 13:21-30



12 (Ex 12:6; 12:8) On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed

the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him,

"Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"

13 So He sent two of His disciples and said to them,

"Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you there.

Follow him.

14 (Jn 11:28) Wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house,

'The Teacher says, Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover

with My disciples?'

15 (Ac 1:13) He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready.

Make preparations for us there."

16 His disciples went out, and came into the city,

and found it as He had told them. And they prepared the Passover.



[12] And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover,

his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that

thou mayest eat the passover?

[13] And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye

into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water:

follow him.

[14] And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The

Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with

my disciples?

[15] And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there

make ready for us.

[16] And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he

had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.



Matthew 26:17-19



The Passover With the Disciples

Mk 14:12-21; Lk 22:7-14, 21-23; Jn 13:21-30



17 (Ex 12:18-20; 12:6) On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread

the disciples came to Jesus, saying,

"Where will You have us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"

18 (Jn 7:6; 7:30) He said, "Go into the city to a certain man,

and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand.

I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.' "

19 The disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared

the Passover.



[17] Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came

to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat

the passover?

[18] And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The

Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with

my disciples.

[19] And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready

the passover.



Luke 22:7-13



The Preparation of the Passover

Mt 26:17-25; Mk 14:12-21; Jn 13:21-30



7 (Ex 12:18) Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came,

when the Passover lamb must be killed.

8 He sent Peter and John, saying,

"Go and prepare the Passover for us to eat it."

9 They said to Him, "Where will You have us prepare it?"

10 He said to them, "Now, as you enter the city, a man carrying a pitcher

of water will meet you there. Follow him into the house which he enters,

11 (Jn 11:28) and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says to you,

"Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" '

12 (Ac 1:13) He will show you a large furnished upper room. Prepare there."

13 They went and found it as He had told them. So they prepared the Passover.



[7] Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

[8] And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that

we may eat.

[9] And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

[10] And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there

shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house

where he entereth in.

[11] And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto

thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my

disciples?

[12] And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

[13] And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready

the passover.



John 13:1-20



Washing the Disciples' Feet



1 (Jn 12:23; 16:28) Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour

had come to depart from this world to the Father.

Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

2 (Ac 5:3) Now supper being concluded, the devil had put into the heart

of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him.

3 (Jn 8:42; Mt 11:27) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things

into His hands and that He came from God and was going to God,

4 (Lk 12:37; 22:27) rose from supper, laid aside His garments,

and took a towel and wrapped Himself.

5 (Lk 7:44; Ge 18:4) After that, He poured water into a basin

and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel

with which He was wrapped.

6 Then He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him,

"Lord, are You washing my feet?"

7Jn 12:16Jesus answered him, "You do not understand what I am doing now.

But later you will understand."

8 (1Co 6:11; Heb 10:22) Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!"

Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."

9 Simon Peter said to Him,

"Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"

10 (Jn 15:3) Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash

his feet, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you."

11 (Jn 2:25) For He knew who would betray Him. Therefore He said,

"Not all of you are clean."

12 (Jn 13:7) So when He had washed their feet, and put on His garments,

and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?

13 (1Co 12:3; Php 2:11) You call Me Teacher and Lord. You speak accurately,

for so I am.

14 (1Pe 5:5) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,

you also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 (Mt 11:29) For I have given you an example, that you should do

as I have done to you.

16 (Jn 15:20; Lk 6:40) Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater

than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

17 (Mt 7:24-25; Jas 1:25) If you know these things,

blessed are you if you do them.

18 (Ps 41:9; Mt 26:23) "I do not speak concerning all of you.

I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled,

'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' (Ps 41:9.)

19 (Jn 14:29; 16:4) "Now I tell you before it happens,

that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He.

20 (Lk 10:16; Mk 9:37) Truly, truly I say to you, he who receives whomever

I send receives Me. And he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."



[1] Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was

come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved

his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

[2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas

Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

[3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and

that he was come from God, and went to God;

[4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel,

and girded himself.

[5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the

disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

[6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou

wash my feet?

[7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but

thou shalt know hereafter.

[8] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him,

If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

[9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands

and my head.

[10] Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his

feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

[11] For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all

clean.

[12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was

set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

[13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

[14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought

to wash one another's feet.

[15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to

you.

[16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his

lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

[17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

[18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the

scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his

heel against me.

[19] Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may

believe that I am he.

[20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send

receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.



Mark 14:17-26



17 (Lk 22:14) In the evening He came with the twelve.

18 (Ps 41:9; Jn 6:70) As they sat and ate, Jesus said,

"Truly I say to you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me."

19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one by one,

"Is it I?" and another, "Is it I?"

20 (Jn 13:26) He answered them, "It is one of the twelve,

one who is dipping bread in the dish with Me.

21 (Mk 14:49) The Son of Man indeed goes as it is written concerning Him,

but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!

It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."



[17] And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

[18] And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of

you which eateth with me shall betray me.

[19] And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it

I? and another said, Is it I?

[20] And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that

dippeth with me in the dish.

[21] The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that

man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had

never been born.



The Lord's Supper

Mt 26:26-30; Lk 22:15-20; 1Co 11:23-25



22 (Mt 26:26-29; 14:19) As they were eating, Jesus took bread,

blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,

"Take and eat it. This is My body."

23 (1Co 10:16) Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks,

He gave it to them. And they all drank from it.

24 (Ex 24:8; Zec 9:11) He said to them, "This is My blood of the new

covenant, which is shed for many.

25 (Mt 26:29) Truly I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit

of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

26 (Mt 26:30; 21:1) When they had sung a hymn, they went

out to the Mount of Olives.



[22] And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and

gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

[23] And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them:

and they all drank of it.

[24] And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is

shed for many.

[25] Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine,

until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

[26] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.



Matthew 26:20-30



20 (Mk 14:17-21; Jn 13:21) When evening came, He sat down with the twelve.

21 (Jn 13:21; 6:70-71) And as they were eating, He said,

"Truly I say to you, one of you will betray Me."

22 They were very sorrowful, and each of them began saying to Him,

"Lord, is it I?"

23 (Jn 13:18; Ps 41:9) He answered and said, "He who has dipped his hand

with Me in the dish will betray Me.

24 (Mk 9:12; Lk 24:46) The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him,

but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!

It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

25 (Mt 26:64; 27:11) Then Judas, who betrayed Him, answered, "Master,

is it I?"

He said to him, "You have said it."



[20] Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

[21] And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you

shall betray me.

[22] And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say

unto him, Lord, is it I?

[23] And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish,

the same shall betray me.

[24] The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by

whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not

been born.

[25] Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He

said unto him, Thou hast said.



The Lord's Supper

Mk 14:22-26; Lk 22:15-20; 1Co 11:23-25



26 (Mt 14:19) As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it

and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said,

"Take and eat. This is My body."

27 Then He took the cup, and after He gave thanks, He gave it to them, saying,

"Drink of it, all of you.

28 (Mt 20:28; Ex 24:7-8) For this is My blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 (Mt 13:43; Mk 14:25) I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit

of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you

in My Father's kingdom."

30 (Mt 21:1; Lk 22:39) And when they had sung a hymn,

they went out to the Mount of Olives.



[26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake

it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

[27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,

Drink ye all of it;

[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for

the remission of sins.

[29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the

vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

[30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.



Luke 22:14-30



The Lord's Supper

Mt 26:26-30; Mk 14:22-26; 1Co 11:23-25



14 (Mt 26:20; Mk 14:17) When the hour had come, He and the twelve apostles

with Him sat down.

15 And He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover

with you before I suffer.

16 (Lk 14:15; Rev 19:9) For I tell you, I will never eat it again

until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

17 And He took the cup and gave thanks and said,

"Take this and divide it among yourselves.

18 (Mt 26:29; Mk 14:25) For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit

of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

19 (1Co 10:16; Mt 26:26-28) Then He took the bread, and when He had given

thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying,

"This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

20 (Ex 24:8; Zec 9:11) In like manner, He took the cup after supper, saying,

"This cup is the new covenant in My blood which is shed for you.

21 (Ps 41:9; Jn 13:26) But see the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me

at the table.

22 (Ac 2:23) Indeed, the Son of Man goes as it has been determined.

But woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

23 They began to inquire among themselves which of them it was who would

do this.



[14] And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with

him.

[15] And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover

with you before I suffer:

[16] For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be

fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

[17] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide

it among yourselves:

[18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until

the kingdom of God shall come.

[19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them,

saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of

me.

[20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new

testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

[21] But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

[22] And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that

man by whom he is betrayed!

[23] And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that

should do this thing.



The Dispute About Greatness



24 (Mk 9:34; Lk 9:46) There was also rivalry among them concerning which

of them was to be counted the greatest.

25 (Mt 20:25-28) He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise

lordship over them, and those who exercise authority

over them are called benefactors.

26 (Lk 9:48) But you are not so. Instead, let him who is greatest among

you be as the younger, and he who rules as he who serves.

27 (Mt 20:28; Lk 12:37) For who is greater: he who sits at the table,

or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table?

But I am among you as He who serves.

28 (Heb 2:18; 4:15) You are those who have continued with Me in My trials.

29 (2Ti 2:12; Mt 25:34) And I appoint to you a kingdom as My Father

has appointed one to Me,

30 (Mt 19:28; Lk 14:15) so that you may eat and drink at My table

in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."



[24] And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be

accounted the greatest.

[25] And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over

them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

[26] But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be

as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

[27] For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is

not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

[28] Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

[29] And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

[30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones

judging the twelve tribes of Israel.



John 13:18-30



18 (Ps 41:9; Mt 26:23) "I do not speak concerning all of you.

I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled,

'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' (Ps 41:9.)

19 (Jn 14:29; 16:4) "Now I tell you before it happens,

that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He.

20 (Lk 10:16; Mk 9:37) Truly, truly I say to you, he who receives whomever

I send receives Me. And he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."



[18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the

scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his

heel against me.

[19] Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may

believe that I am he.

[20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send

receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.



Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

Mt 26:20-25; Mk 14:17-21; Lk 22:21-23



21 (Mt 26:21; Mk 14:18) When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in spirit,

and testified, "Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me."

22 (Lk 22:23; Mt 26:22) The disciples looked at one another,

uncertain of whom He spoke.

23 (Jn 19:26; 20:2; 21:7)Now there was leaning against Jesus' bosom

one of His disciples whom Jesus loved.

24 Therefore Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.

25 (Jn 21:20) Leaning back against Jesus' bosom, he said to Him,

"Lord, who is it?"

26 (Mt 26:23) Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread

when I have dipped it." When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas

Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27 (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:2) After receiving the piece of bread, Satan entered him.

Then Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."

28 But no one at the table knew why He said this to him.

29 (Jn 12:5-6) Since Judas had the moneybox, some thought that Jesus said

to him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something

to the poor.

30 Having received the piece of bread, he then left immediately.

And it was night.



[21] When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and

said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

[22] Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

[23] Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus

loved.

[24] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should

be of whom he spake.

[25] He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

[26] Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have

dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the

son of Simon.

[27] And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him,

That thou doest, do quickly.

[28] Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

[29] For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had

said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or,

that he should give something to the poor.

[30] He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.



John 13:31-38

Mark 14:27-31

Matthew 26:31-35

Luke 22:31-38

John 14

John 15:1-17



John 13:31-38



The New Commandment



31 (Jn 7:39; 14:13) When he had gone out, Jesus then said,

"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and in Him God is glorified.

32 (Jn 12:23; 17:1) If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him

in Himself and will immediately glorify Him.

33 (Jn 7:33-34; 1Jn 2:1) "Little children, yet a little while I am with you.

You will seek Me. And as I said to the Jews, so now I tell you,

'Where I am going, you cannot come.'

34 (Lev 19:18; Eph 5:2) "A new commandment I give to you,

that you love one another, even as I have loved you,

that you also love one another.

35 (Jn 17:21) By this all men will know that you are My disciples,

if you have love for one another."



Peter's Denial Foretold

Mt 26:31-35; Mk 14:27-31; Lk 22:31-34



36 (2Pe 1:14; Jn 13:33) Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?"

Jesus answered him, "Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now.

But you shall follow Me afterward."

37 Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?

I will lay down my life for Your sake."

38 (Mk 14:30) Jesus answered Him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?

Truly, truly I say to you, the rooster shall not crow until you have denied Me

three times."



[31] Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world

be cast out.

[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

[33] This he said, signifying what death he should die.

[34] The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ

abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who

is this Son of man?

[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that

walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

[36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children

of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from

them.

[37] But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed

not on him:

[38] That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he

spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the

Lord been revealed?



Mark 14:27-31



Peter's Denial Foretold

Mt 26:31-35; Lk 22:31-34; Jn 13:36-38



27 (Zec 13:7; Mt 26:31) Jesus said to them,

"All of you will fall away on account of Me this night, for it is written:

'I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.' (Zec 13:7).

28 (Mt 28:16; Mk 16:7) But after I have risen,

I will go before you to Galilee."

29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all fall away, I will not."

30 (Mk 14:66-72; Jn 13:38) Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you that

this day, during the night, before the rooster crows twice,

you will deny Me three times."

31 But he said more vehemently, "If I must die with You, I will not deny You."

They all said the same thing.



[27] And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this

night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be

scattered.

[28] But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

[29] But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

[30] And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even

in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

[31] But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not

deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.



Matthew 26:31-35



Peter's Denial Foretold

Mk 14:27-31; Lk 22:31-34; Jn 13:36-38



31 (Zec 13:7; Jn 16:32) Then Jesus said to them,

"All of you will fall away on account of Me this night,

for it is written:

'I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.' (Zec 13:7).

32 (Mt 28:10; 28:16) But after I have risen, I will go before you to Galilee."

33 (Lk 22:33) Peter answered, "Though all men will fall away on account

of You, yet I will never fall away."

34 (Jn 13:38; Mt 26:75) Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, this night,

before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."

35 (Jn 13:37) Peter said to Him, "Though I should die with You, yet I will

not deny You." And all the disciples spoke in this manner.



[31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this

night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the

flock shall be scattered abroad.

[32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

[33] Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended

because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

[34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before

the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

[35] Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny

thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.



Luke 22:31-38



Peter's Denial Foretold



31 (Am 9:9; Job 1:6-12) Then the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, listen!

Satan has demanded to have you to sift you as wheat.

32 (Jn 21:15-17; Ro 8:34) But I have prayed for you that your faith

may not fail. And when you have repented, strengthen your brothers."

33 (Mt 26:33-35; Mk 14:29) He said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go

with You to prison and to death."

34 (Mt 26:34; Mk 14:30) He said, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster

crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me."



[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have

you, that he may sift you as wheat:

[32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art

converted, strengthen thy brethren.

[33] And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into

prison, and to death.

[34] And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day,

before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.



Purse, Bag, and Sword



35 (Lk 9:3; Mt 10:9-10) Then He said to them, "When I sent you without purse

or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"

They said, "Nothing."

36 He said to them, "But now, let him who has a purse take it and also a bag.

And let him who has no sword sell his garment and buy one.

37 (Isa 53:12) For I tell you, what is written must yet be accomplished in Me,

'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'(Isa 53:12.)

Indeed, what is written concerning Me has a fulfillment."

38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."

He said to them, "It is enough."



[35] And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and

shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

[36] Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it,

and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment,

and buy one.

[37] For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished

in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things

concerning me have an end.

[38] And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto

them, It is enough.



John 14



John 14

Jesus the Way to the Father



1 (Jn 12:44; 16:22-23) "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God.

Believe also in Me.

2 (Jn 13:33; 13:36) In My Father's house are many dwelling places. If it were

not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.

3 (Jn 12:26; 14:28) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.

4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."

5 (Jn 11:16) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going.

How can we know the way?"

6 (Jn 10:9; 1:14; Ac 4:12) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7 (Jn 8:19) If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.

From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."

8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father,

and that is sufficient for us."

9 (Heb 1:3; Jn 12:45; Col 1:15) Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you

such a long time, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen

Me has seen the Father. So how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

10 (Jn 5:19; 10:38) Do you not believe that I am in the Father

and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak

on My own authority. But the Father who lives in Me does the works.

11 (Jn 5:36; 10:38) Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father

is in Me. Or else believe Me on account of the works themselves.

12 (Mt 21:21; Jn 14:28) Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me

will do the works that I do also. And he will do greater works than these,

because I am going to My Father.

13 (Mt 7:7; Jn 13:31) I will do whatever you ask in My name, that the Father

may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.



[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would

have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and

receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

[5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how

can we know the way?

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man

cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from

henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

[8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

[9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet

hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the

Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?

the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father

that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

[11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else

believe me for the very works' sake.

[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works

that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;

because I

go unto my Father.

[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father

may be glorified in the Son.

[14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.



The Promise of the Spirit



15 (Eph 6:24) "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

16 (Jn 15:26; 14:26; 1Jn 2:1) I will pray the Father, and He will give you

another Counselor, that He may be with you forever:

17 (Jn 15:26; 16:13; 1Co 2:14) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot

receive, for it does not see Him, neither does it know Him. But you know Him,

for He lives with you, and will be in you.

18 (Jn 14:3) I will not leave you fatherless. I will come to you.

19 (Jn 7:33; 16:16) Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more.

But you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

20 (Jn 10:38; 14:10) On that day you will know that I am in My Father,

and you are in Me, and I am in you.

21 (Jn 14:15; 16:27) He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one

who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father. And I will love

him and will reveal Myself to him."

22 (Lk 6:16; Ac 1:13) Then Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it

that You will reveal Yourself to us, but not to the world?"

23 (Jn 14:15; 14:21) Jesus answered him, "If a man loves Me, he will keep

My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our home

with him.

24 (Jn 7:16; 14:10) He who does not love Me does not keep My words.

The word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.

25 "I have spoken these things to you while I am still with you.

26 (Jn 15:26; 16:7) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father

will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that

I told you.

27 (Jn 16:33; Php 4:7; Col 3:15) Peace I leave with you.

My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

28 (Jn 14:12; 14:18) "You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away

and am returning to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice

because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.

29 (Jn 13:19) Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens,

you may believe.

30 (Jn 12:31; 2Co 4:4; Heb 4:15) After this I will not speak much with you,

for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over Me.

31 (Jn 10:18; 12:49) But I do as the Father has commanded Me

so that the world may know that I love the Father.

"Rise, let us go from here.



[15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it

seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with

you, and shall be in you.

[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

[19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me:

because I live, ye shall live also.

[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I

in you.

[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth

me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,

and will manifest myself to him.

[22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt

manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my

words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our

abode with him.

[24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye

hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

[25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

[26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send

in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your

remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world

giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be

afraid.

[28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.

If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for

my Father is greater than I.

[29] And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come

to pass, ye might believe.

[30] Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world

cometh, and hath nothing in me.

[31] But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father

gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.



John 15:1-17



Jesus the True Vine

1 (Isa 5:1-7; 1Co 3:9) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 (Mt 3:10; 13:12) Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away.

And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 (Jn 13:10; 17:17) You are already clean through the word

which I have spoken to you.

4 (1Jn 2:6; Jn 6:56; Gal 2:20) Remain in Me, as I also remain in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine,

neither can you, unless you remain in Me.

5 (Php 4:13; Jn 15:16) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains

in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing.

6 (Mt 13:41; Jn 15:2) If a man does not remain in Me, he is thrown out

as a branch and withers. And they gather them and throw them into the fire,

and they are burned.

7 (Jn 14:13; 15:16) If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you,

you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you.

8 (Mt 5:16; Jn 8:31) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit;

so you will be My disciples.

9 (Jn 17:26) "As the Father loved Me, I also loved you. Remain in My love.

10 (Jn 14:15; 8:29; 17:4) If you keep My commandments, you will remain

in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments

and remain in His love.

11 (Jn 17:13; 16:24) I have spoken these things to you, that My joy

may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 (Jn 13:34; 1Jn 3:23) This is My commandment: that you love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 (Jn 10:11; 10:15) Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down

his life for his friends.

14 (Mt 12:50; Lk 12:4) You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

15 (Jn 8:26; 15:20) I no longer call you servants, for a servant does

not know what his master does. But I have called you friends,

for everything that I have heard from My Father have I made known to you.

16 (Jn 13:18; 6:70You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you,

that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain,

that the Father may give you whatever you ask Him in My name.

17 (Jn 15:12) This I command you: that you love one another.



[1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every

branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

[6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered;

and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

[7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,

and it shall be done unto you.

[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be

my disciples.

[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have

kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.

[12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for

his friends.

[14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what

his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have

heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

[16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye

should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that

whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

[17] These things I command you, that ye love one another.



John 15:18-27

John 16

John 17



John 15:18-27



The World's Hatred



18 (1Jn 3:13; Jn 7:7) "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me

before it hated you.

19 (Jn 15:16) If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.

But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world,

the world therefore hates you.

20 (Jn 13:16; Mt 10:24) Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant

is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also

persecute you. If they kept My words, they will keep yours also.

21 (Mt 10:22; Jn 16:3) But all these things they will do to you for

My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

22 (Jn 9:41; Ro 1:20) If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not

have had sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.

24 (Jn 5:36; 10:37) If I had not performed among them the works

which no one else did, they would have no sin.

But now have they seen and hated both My Father and Me.

25 (Ps 35:19; 69:4) But that the word which is written in their law might be

fulfilled, 'They hated Me without a cause.' (Ps 35:19; 69:4.)

26 (Jn 14:16-17; 14:26; 16:7) "But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send

to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,

He will bear witness of Me.

27 (Lk 24:48; Jn 21:24) And you also will bear witness, because you have been

with Me from the beginning.



[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye

are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the

world hateth you.

[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than

his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they

have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

[21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because

they know not him that sent me.

[22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now

they have no cloke for their sin.

[23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

[24] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they

had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my

Father.

[25] But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is

written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

[26] But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the

Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall

testify of me:

[27] And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the

beginning.



John 16

1 (Mt 11:6) "I have spoken these things to you so that you will not fall away.

2 (Jn 9:22; Ac 26:9-11) They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time

is coming that whoever kills you will think that he is offering

a service to God.

3 (Jn 15:21; 17:25) They will do these things to you, because they have not

known the Father nor Me.

4 (Jn 13:19; Mt 9:15) I have told you these things, so that when the time

comes, you may remember that I told you about them.



[1] These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

[2] They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that

whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

[3] And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the

Father, nor me.

[4] But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may

remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at

the beginning, because I was with you.



The Work of the Spirit



"I did not tell you these things at the beginning, because I was with you.

5 (Jn 13:36; 7:33) But now I am going to Him who sent Me, and none of you

asks Me, 'Where are You going?'

6 (Jn 14:1) Rather, sorrow has filled your heart because I have told you

these things.

7 (Jn 14:26; 15:26; 7:39) Nevertheless I tell you the truth:

It is expedient for you that I go away. For if I do not go away,

the Counselor will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.

8 (Jn 8:46) When He comes, He will convict the world of sin

and of righteousness and of judgment:

9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

10 (Jer 23:5-6; Ac 3:14) of righteousness, because I am going to My Father,

and you will see Me no more;

11 (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 2Co 4:4) and of judgment, because the ruler of this

world stands condemned.

12 (Mk 4:33) "I have yet many things to tell you,

but you cannot bear them now.

13 (Jn 14:17; 14:26; 15:26) But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide

you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority. But He will

speak whatever He hears, and He will tell you things that are to come.

14 (1Jn 4:13-14) He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me

and will declare it to you.

15 (Jn 17:10) All that the Father has is Mine. Therefore I said that

He will take what is Mine and will declare it to you.



[5] But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me,

Whither goest thou?

[6] But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your

heart.

[7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go

away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I

depart, I will send him unto you.

[8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of

righteousness, and of judgment:

[9] Of sin, because they believe not on me;

[10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

[11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into

all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

[14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it

unto you.

[15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he

shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.



Sorrow Will Turn Into Joy



16 (Jn 7:33; 16:17-19) "In a little while you will not see Me. And then after

a little while you will see Me, because I am going to the Father."

17 (Jn 16:5; Mk 9:10) Then some of His disciples said among themselves,

"What is this He is telling us: 'In a little while you will not see Me;

and then after a little while you will see Me,' and, 'because I am going

to the Father'?"

18 Then they said, "What is this He is telling us: 'In a little while'?

We do not know what He is saying."

19 (Jn 2:24-25; 16:30) Then Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him.

So He said to them, "Do you inquire among yourselves concerning what I said:

'In a little while you will not see Me;

and then after a little while you will see Me'?

20 (Mk 16:10; Mt 5:4) Truly, truly I say to you that you will weep and lament,

but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will

be turned into joy.

21 (1Th 5:3) When a woman is giving birth, she has pain, because her hour

has come. But as soon as she delivers the child, she no longer remembers

the anguish for joy that a child is born into the world.

22 (Jn 16:6; 1Pe 1:8) Therefore you now have sorrow. But I will see you

again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

23 (Jn 16:19; Mt 7:7) On that day you will ask Me nothing. Truly, truly I say

to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.

24 (Jn 15:11) Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will

receive, that your joy may be full.



[16] A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and

ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

[17] Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he

saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little

while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

[18] They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we

cannot tell what he saith.

[19] Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them,

Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall

not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

[20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the

world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be

turned into joy.

[21] A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come:

but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the

anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

[22] And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your

heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

[23] And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto

you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

[24] Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive,

that your joy may be full.



I Have Overcome the World



25 (Jn 16:2) "I have told you these things in proverbs. But the time is coming

when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs, for I will speak to you

plainly about the Father.

26 On that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying to you that

I shall ask the Father on your behalf.

27 (Jn 14:21; 14:23) For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved

Me, and have believed that I came from God.

28 (Jn 13:3; 8:14) I came from the Father and have come into the world.

As I said, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father."

29 (Jn 16:25) His disciples said to Him, "Yes! Now You are speaking plainly

and with no figure of speech.

30 (Jn 21:17) Now we know that You know everything and do not need anyone

to question You. By this we believe that You came from God."

31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?

32 (Mt 26:31; Jn 8:29) Listen, the hour is coming. Yes, it has now come that

you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone.

Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me.

33 (Jn 14:27; 1Jn 4:4; Jn 14:1) "I have told you these things so that in Me

you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good

cheer. I have overcome the world."



[25] These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh,

when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you

plainly of the Father.

[26] At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I

will pray the Father for you:

[27] For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have

believed that I came out from God.

[28] I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I

leave the world, and go to the Father.

[29] His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and

speakest no proverb.

[30] Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any

man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

[31] Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

[32] Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered,

every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In

the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome

the world.



John 17



The Prayer of Jesus



1 (Jn 11:41; 7:39) When Jesus spoke these words, He lifted His eyes toward

heaven and said:

"Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son,

that Your Son may also glorify You.

2 (Jn 6:37; 6:39) As You have given Him authority over all flesh,

He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.

3 (1Jn 5:20; Jn 3:17; 17:25) This is eternal life: that they may know You,

the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

4 (Jn 4:34; 19:30) I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work

You have given Me to do.

5 (Jn 17:24; Php 2:6) And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence

with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

6 (Jn 17:2; 17:26) "I have revealed Your name to the men whom You have given

Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have

kept Your word.

7 Now they know that all things You have given Me are from You.

8 (Jn 16:27; 17:14) For I have given them the words which You gave Me.

They have received them and certainly know that I came from You,

and they have believed that You sent Me.

9 (Lk 22:32; Jn 14:16) I pray for them. I do not pray for the world,

but for those whom You have given Me. For they are Yours.

10 (2Th 1:10) All that are Mine are Yours, and all that are Yours are Mine.

And I am glorified in them.

11 (Jn 13:1; 17:21-22) I am to be no longer in the world, though these are

in the world, for I am coming to You. Holy Father, through Your name keep

those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are one.

12 (Jn 13:18; 18:9; 2Th 2:3) While I was with them in the world, I kept them

in Your name. I have kept those whom You have given Me. And none of them

is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

13 (Jn 3:29; 15:11) "But now I am coming to You, and I say these things

in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 (Jn 8:23; 17:16) I have given them Your word. And the world has hated them

because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world,

but that You should keep them from the evil one.

16 (Jn 17:14) They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.

17 (Jn 15:3; 2Sa 7:28) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

18 (Jn 20:21) As You sent Me into the world, so I sent them into the world.

19 (Jn 10:36; 1Co 1:2) For their sakes I sanctify Myself,

that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me

through their word,

21 (Jn 10:38; 17:8) that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me,

and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that

You have sent Me.

22 (Jn 1:14; 14:20) I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they

may be one even as We are one:

23 (Jn 16:27; 17:21) I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in

unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved

them as You have loved Me.

24 (Jn 12:26; 17:5) "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me,

be with Me where I am, that they may see My glory which You have given Me.

For You loved Me before the creation of the world.

25 (Jn 7:29; 15:21) "O righteous Father, the world has not known You,

but I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me.

26 (Jn 15:9; 17:6) I have declared Your name to them, and will declare it,

that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."



[1] These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify

thee:

[2] As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal

life to as many as thou hast given him.

[3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

[4] I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou

gavest me to do.

[5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory

which I had with thee before the world was.

[6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the

world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy

word.

[7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of

thee.

[8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have

received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they

have believed that thou didst send me.

[9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast

given me; for they are thine.

[10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I

come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast

given me, that they may be one, as we are.

[12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that

thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of

perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

[13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that

they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

[14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they

are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

[15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that

thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into

the world.

[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be

sanctified through the truth.

[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe

on me through their word;

[21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast

sent me.

[22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be

one, even as we are one:

[23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and

that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou

hast loved me.

[24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me

where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for

thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

[25] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known

thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

[26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the

love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.



Day 94 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 4 April 2023 reflections

Day 94, 4 Apr 2023



1) Judges 16 - 18



JUDGES 16



Samson and Delilah

1 (Jos 15:47) Samson went to Gaza. There he saw a prostitute

and spent the night with her.

2 (1Sa 23:26; Ps 118:10-12) The people of Gaza were told,

"Samson has come here!" So they surrounded him and laid in wait

for him all night at the city gate. They kept quiet all night, thinking,

"In the morning light we will kill him."

3 Samson lay until midnight, then at midnight he got up.

He grabbed the doors of the city gate and the two gateposts

and pulled them out along with the bar. He put them on his shoulder

and brought them to the top of the mountain near Hebron.

4 After this Samson loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek,

whose name was Delilah.

5 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 14:15) The Philistine rulers came up to her and said,

"Trick him! Find out about how his strength is so great

and how we can overcome him, bind him, and humiliate him.

Each one of us will give you eleven hundred silver coins."

[About 28 pounds, or 13 kilograms.]

6 So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me how your strength is so great

and how you could be bound in order to be subdued."

7 Samson said to her, "If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that

have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like an ordinary man."

8 So the Philistine rulers brought her seven fresh bowstrings

that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

9 They lay in wait in her inner room. She said to him,

"The Philistines are upon you, Samson." Then he split apart the bowstrings

like a single thread is split apart at the touch of fire.

So the source of his strength did not become known.

10 (Jdg 16:13) Delilah said to Samson, "You have deceived me.

You have told me lies. Now, please tell me how you can be bound."

11 He said to her, "If they bind me with new ropes that have never

been used, then I will become weak and be like an ordinary man."

12 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them.

Then she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson."

For men were lying in wait, remaining in the room.

But he split apart the ropes on his arms like a thread.

13 Delilah said to Samson, "Up to now you have deceived me.

You have told me lies. Tell how you can be bound."

He said to her, "If you weave seven locks of my hair into the fabric

on the loom and fasten it with the pin, then I will become weak

and be like an ordinary man."

14 So Delilah lulled him to sleep and wove seven locks of his hair

into the fabric on the loom. She fastened it with the pin and said to him,

"The Philistines are upon you, Samson." He awakened from his sleep

and tore away from the loom pin and the fabric.

15 (Jdg 14:16) She said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,'

when your heart is not with me? You have deceived me these

three times and have not told me how your strength is so great."

16 Every day she nagged him with her words and pleaded with him

until he was tired to death.

17 (Jdg 13:5; Nu 6:5) So he told her all his secrets and said to her,

"No razor has touched my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God

from my mother's womb. If I were shaven, my strength would leave me,

and I would become weak and be like all other men."

18 (Jdg 16:5) Delilah saw that he had told her all his secrets,

so she sent for the Philistine rulers, saying, "Come up this time,

for he has told me all his secrets." So the Philistine rulers came up to her

and brought the money in their hands.

19 (Pr 7:26-27) Delilah lulled Samson to sleep on her knees

and called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair.

Then she began to humiliate him, and his strength left him.

20 (Jos 7:12; 1Sa 16:14) She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson."

Then he awakened from his sleep and thought,

"I will go out as before and shake myself free of them."

He did not know that the Lord had left him.

21 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes.

They took him down to Gaza, bound him with bronze chains,

and he ground grain in prison.

22 Yet after it had been shaven, the hair on his head began to grow back.



The Death of Samson



23 (1Sa 5:2-5) The Philistine rulers gathered to offer a great sacrifice

to Dagon their god and to celebrate.

They said, "Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hands."

24 (Da 5:4) The people saw him and praised their god, for they said,

"Our god has given into our hands

our enemy,

the one who ruined our land

and killed many of us."

25 (Jdg 9:27; 19:6) When their hearts were merry, they said,

"Call for Samson, so he can entertain us." So they called for Samson

from the prison, and he entertained them.

They placed him between the pillars.

26 Samson said to the young man who held his hand,

"Let me rest and touch the pillars on which the temple is set,

then I can lean against them."

27 (Dt 22:8; Jos 2:8) The temple was full of men and women,

and all the Philistine rulers were there. There were about 3000 men and women

on the roof watching Samson entertain.

28 (Jer 15:15) Samson called out to the Lord, "Lord God, remember me, I pray!

Please strengthen me just this once, God, so that I may get full revenge

on the Philistines for my two eyes!"

29 Then Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the temple was set

and leaned against them, one with his right hand and one with his left.

30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed with all

his strength, and the temple fell upon the rulers

and all the people who were in it.

At his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

31 (Jdg 15:20; 13:2) Then his brothers and all his family came down,

carried him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol

in the grave of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel for twenty years.



Judges 16

[1] Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

[2] And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they

compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city,

and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we

shall kill him.

[3] And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors

of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and

all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an

hill that is before Hebron.

[4] And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of

Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

[5] And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her,

Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we

may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will

give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

[6] And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great

strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

[7] And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that

were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

[8] Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs

which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

[9] Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And

she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the

withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his

strength was not known.

[10] And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me

lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

[11] And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never

were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

[12] Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said

unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait

abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

[13] And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me

lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If

thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

[14] And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be

upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the

pin of the beam, and with the web.

[15] And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine

heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not

told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

[16] And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and

urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;

[17] That he told her all his heart, and said unto her. There hath not come

a rasor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's

womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become

weak, and be like any other man.

[18] And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and

called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he

hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto

her, and brought money in their hand.

[19] And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and

she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to

afflict him, and his strength went from him.

[20] And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of

his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake

myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

[21] But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him

down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the

prison house.

[22] Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

[23] Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a

great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god

hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

[24] And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our

god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our

country, which slew many of us.

[25] And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call

for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the

prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

[26] And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that

I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon

them.

[27] Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the

Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand

men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

[28] And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I

pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may

be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

[29] And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house

stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of

the other with his left.

[30] And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself

with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the

people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more

than they which he slew in his life.

[31] Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took

him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the

burying place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.



JUDGES 17



Micah's Idols

1There was a man from the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Micah.

2 (Ne 13:25; Ru 3:10) He said to his mother,

"The eleven hundred shekels of silver

[About 28 pounds, or 13 kilograms.] that were taken from you, on which you

put a curse, even speaking the curse in my ears-here

is the silver with me. I took it."

Then his mother said, "May the Lord bless my son!"

3(Ex 20:4; 20:23) Then he returned the 1100 silver coins to his mother.

His mother said, "I certainly consecrated the silver to the Lord,

for my son to make a carved idol and a metal idol, so now I return it to you."

4 When he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred shekels

of silver [About 5 pounds, or 2.3 kilograms.] and gave them to a silversmith

to make a carved idol and a metal idol.

And they were put in the house of Micah.

5 (Ge 31:19; Jdg 8:27) This man Micah owned a shrine. He made an ephod

and household idols, and he hired one of his sons to be a priest for him.

6 (Dt 12:8; Jdg 18:1I) n those days there was no king in Israel.

Everyone did what was right in his eyes.

7 (Ru 1:1-2; Mic 5:2) There was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah.

He was a Levite from Judah, and he stayed as a resident foreigner there.

8 The man went from the city of Bethlehem in Judah to stay wherever

he could find a place. He came to the hill country of Ephraim,

to the house of Micah, to do his work.

9 Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?"

He said to him, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,

and I am going to stay wherever I can find a place."

10 Micah said to him, "Live with me, and be a father and a priest for me.

I will give you ten silver coins [About 4 ounces, or 115 grams.] a year,

a set of clothes, and food." So the Levite went in.

11T he Levite decided to live with the man, and the young man became

like one of his sons.

12 (Jdg 18:30) Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man

became his priest and lived in the house of Micah.

13 Then Micah said, "Now I know that the Lord will do good for me,

for I have a Levite to be my priest."



Judges 17

[1] And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.

[2] And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that

were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine

ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed

be thou of the LORD, my son.

[3] And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his

mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD

from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now

therefore I will restore it unto thee.

[4] Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two

hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a

graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

[5] And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim,

and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

[6] In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which

was right in his own eyes.

[7] And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah,

who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.

[8] And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn

where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of

Micah, as he journeyed.

[9] And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am

a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

[10] And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a

priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit

of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

[11] And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was

unto him as one of his sons.

[12] And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest,

and was in the house of Micah.

[13] Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I

have a Levite to my priest.



JUDGES 18



The Danites Settle in Laish



1 (Jdg 17:6; 19:1) In those days there was no king in Israel.

And in those days the tribe of the Danites was looking for an inheritance

in which to live, for no territory had come into their possession

among the tribes of Israel up to that time.

2 (Jdg 13:25; Jos 2:1) So the children of Dan sent out from their families

five valorous men from Zorah and Eshtaol in order to spy out

and explore the land. They said to them, "Go, explore the land."

They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah,

and they spent the night there.

3 When they were at the house of Micah, they noticed the speech

of the young Levite. They turned aside and said to him,

"Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place?

What is your business here?"

4 (Jdg 17:10) He told them what Micah had done for him, saying,

"He hired me, and I became his priest."

5 (1Ki 22:5) They said to him, "Please ask God if we may know whether

our mission will be a success as we go to do it."

6 (1Ki 22:6) The priest said to them, "Go in peace.

The Lord is watching the way you are going."

7 (Jos 19:47; Jdg 18:27-28) The five men went away and came to Laish.

They saw the people who were there, living securely according

to the culture of the Sidonians. There were no rulers in the land

who might put them to shame for anything. They were far from

the Sidonians and had no ties with anyone.

8 (Jdg 18:2; 18:11) When they came back to their brothers

in Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers asked them, "What do you have to say?"

9 (Nu 13:30; Jos 2:23-24) They said, "Get up! Let us go up against them,

for we have seen the land. It is very good. You are silent,

but do not hesitate to go to take the land.

10 (Jdg 18:7; 18:27) When you go, you will come to a secure people

and to an expansive land. For God has given it into your hands:

a place where there is no lack of anything on the earth."

11 So six hundred fully armed men set out from the family of the Danites,

from Zorah and Eshtaol.

12 (Jdg 13:25; Jos 15:60) They went up and set up camp in Kiriath Jearim

in Judah. Therefore they call that place Mahaneh Dan to this day.

It is west of Kiriath Jearim.

13 From there they passed the hill country of Ephraim

and came to the house of Micah.

14 (Jdg 17:5) The five men who went to spy out the land of Laish

said to their brothers, "Did you know that in these houses are an ephod,

household idols, a carved image, and a metal idol? Now think about

what to do."

15 (Ge 43:27) So they turned aside there and came to the house of the young

Levite, to the house of Micah, and greeted him.

16 The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war,

who were the children of Dan, stood at the entrance to the gate.

17 (Jdg 18:14; 17:4-5) The five men who went to spy out the land went in

and took the carved idol, ephod, household idols, and the metal idol.

The priest was standing at the entrance

to the gate with the 600 fully armed men.

18 When these men went into the house of Micah and took the carved idol,

ephod, household idols, and the metal idol,

the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"

19 (Jdg 17:10; Job 21:5) They said to him, "Quiet! Put your hand

over your mouth and go with us. Be a father and priest for us. Is it better

to be a priest for one man's house or for a tribe and a family in Israel?"

20 So the priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod, the household

idols, and the carved image and went among the people.

21 So they turned and left, putting the children, livestock,

and valuables in front of them.

22 They had gone far from the house of Micah, but the neighbors

of Micah assembled and caught up to the children of Dan.

23 They called out to the children of Dan. So they turned and said to Micah,

"What is wrong that have you assembled together?"

24 He said, "You took the gods that I made, and the priest, and then you left.

What do I have left? So what is this that you say to me, 'What is wrong?' "

25 The children of Dan said to him, "Do not let us hear your voice again.

Otherwise bitter men might meet you and you will forfeit your life

and the lives of your family."

26 So the children of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw

that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.

27 (Jos 19:47; Jdg 18:7) They took what Micah had made and his priest,

and came to Laish to a quiet and secure people.

They struck them down with the edge of the sword

and burned the city with fire.

28 (2Sa 10:6; Nu 13:21) There was no one to save them because the city was far

from Sidon and had no contact with anyone. It was in the valley by Beth Rehob.

They rebuilt the city and lived there.

29 (Ge 14:14; Jos 19:47) They called the city Dan, after their father Dan,

who was born to Israel (Laish was the former name of the city).

30 (Ex 2:22; Jdg 13:1) The children of Dan set up the carved idol

for themselves. Jonathan the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh,

and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan

until the time of exile from the land.

31 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 19:18) So they displayed Micah's graven image

that he had made, for the whole time that the house of God was in Shiloh.



Judges 18

[1] In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe

of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all

their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

[2] And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts,

men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to

search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came

to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

[3] When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young

man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought

thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?

[4] And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath

hired me, and I am his priest.

[5] And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may

know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

[6] And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way

wherein ye go.

[7] Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that

were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians,

quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put

them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no

business with any man.

[8] And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their

brethren said unto them, What say ye?

[9] And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen

the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to

go, and to enter to possess the land.

[10] When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land:

for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any

thing that is in the earth.

[11] And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah

and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.

[12] And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore

they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day: behold, it is behind

Kirjath-jearim.

[13] And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of

Micah.

[14] Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish,

and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an

ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore

consider what ye have to do.

[15] And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the

Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.

[16] And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were

of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.

[17] And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in

thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the

molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six

hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.

[18] And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the

ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto

them, What do ye?

[19] And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth,

and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to

be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe

and a family in Israel?

[20] And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the

teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.

[21] So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and

the carriage before them.

[22] And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that

were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and

overtook the children of Dan.

[23] And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces,

and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?

[24] And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest,

and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say

unto me, What aileth thee?

[25] And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among

us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives

of thy household.

[26] And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they

were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.

[27] And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he

had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and

they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.

[28] And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had

no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Beth-rehob.

And they built a city, and dwelt therein.

[29] And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their

father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at

the first.

[30] And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son

of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe

of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

[31] And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time

that the house of God was in Shiloh.



2) Our Daily Bread for 4 April 2023 titled



At Home in Jesus




John 15:1-11



Jesus the True Vine

1 (Isa 5:1-7; 1Co 3:9) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 (Mt 3:10; 13:12) Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away.

And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 (Jn 13:10; 17:17) You are already clean through the word

which I have spoken to you.

4 (1Jn 2:6; Jn 6:56; Gal 2:20) Remain in Me, as I also remain in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine,

neither can you, unless you remain in Me.

5 (Php 4:13; Jn 15:16) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains

in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing.

6 (Mt 13:41; Jn 15:2) If a man does not remain in Me, he is thrown out

as a branch and withers. And they gather them and throw them into the fire,

and they are burned.

7 (Jn 14:13; 15:16) If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you,

you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you.

8 (Mt 5:16; Jn 8:31) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit;

so you will be My disciples.

9 (Jn 17:26) "As the Father loved Me, I also loved you. Remain in My love.

10 (Jn 14:15; 8:29; 17:4) If you keep My commandments, you will remain

in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments

and remain in His love.

11 (Jn 17:13; 16:24) I have spoken these things to you, that My joy

may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.



[1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every

branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

[6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered;

and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

[7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,

and it shall be done unto you.

[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be

my disciples.

[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have

kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.



Several years ago, we brought home an adult black cat named Juno from the

local animal shelter. Truthfully, I only wanted help thinning our mice

population, but the rest of the family wanted a pet. The shelter gave us

rigorous instructions on how to establish a feeding routine that first week

so Juno would learn our house was his home, the place he belonged and where

he'd always have food and safety. This way, even if Juno might roam,

he would always eventually come home.



If we don’t know our true home, we're forever tempted to roam in vain search

for goodness, love, and meaning. If we want to find our true life, however,

Jesus said, "Abide in me" (John 15:4 . Biblical scholar Frederick Dale Bruner

highlights how abide (like a similar word abode) evokes a sense of family

and home. So Bruner translates Jesus'’ words this way: "Stay at home in me."



To drive this idea home, Jesus used the illustration of branches attached to

a vine. Branches, if they want to live, must always stay at home,

tenaciously fixed (abiding) where they belong.



There are many voices beckoning us with hollow promises to fix our problems

or provide us some new "wisdom" or exhilarating future. But if we're to truly

live, we must remain in Jesus. We must stay at home.



By: Winn Collier



Reflect & Pray



What pulls you away from your home in Jesus?

How has Jesus shown Himself to be your true source of life?



Jesus, I like to roam. I'm pulled in all kinds

of directions. But I want to stay at home with You.

You're my life. Help me to abide in You.





Learn more about abiding in Christ.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 3 - Let the Word Dwell in You



Col 3:16



16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.



16 Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.



Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our minds are

bombarded by 20th Century values: "Dress for success!" "Get ahead!"

"You deserve a break today ...." Television, radio, and the incessant

voices that surround us distract our attention and keep us from

focusing on what is really important in our lives.

Paul's instruction to the Colossian Church brings us back to God's

value system: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

When we give attention to the Word of God, we put ourselves in a position

to hear a higher truth the clamour of immediate demands

and the expectations of the world around us. We can experience peace

in the midst of struggle and rest in a restless environment.

God's Word is a powerful force for good in our lives - not merely

an attractive philosophy, but true power to overcome the pressures

of daily life.

Dwelling on the Word of God, and letting it indwell us, takes many forms.

Scripture memory, music, meditation, talking with others about the

goodness of God all help us keep our attention focused on Christ rather

than on the values of the world around us.

We can choose to listen to Christian radio or tapes. We can take time

daily for quiet meditation on his Word. We can commit the Word to memory

and draw on its power during the day. And as we listen to the voice

of the Spirit rather than the noise around us, we can enter into

his peace and live in communion with him.



Application



a) What pressures do I face that tend to distract me from the reality

of Christ's presence?



b) How can I "let the word of Christ dwell richly" in me, so that I

an regain my focus on him?



c) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus

my attention on Jesus and his word?





4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 16:10-12



10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful

also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also

in much.

11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who will give you that which is your own?"



10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who shall give you that which is your own?



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Reconciling Peace



Col 3:12-17



12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another

and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,

even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.

14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,

to which also you are called in one body,

rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.



12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have

a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye

are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.





Remember God's promises when You pray





The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



Day 18 April 4



Damascus, the capital of Syria, and Homs, a main center of the Syrian

uprising and catalyst for the civil war that began in 2011, are two of

the most populous cities in the country. The capital was crowned

for its beauty and has been called the "pearl of the East". Both cities

have suffered much loss and deterioration since the war

started. With Bashar al-Assad still in power, the only true

hope for the healing and transformation of Syria is the

Good News of Jesus. Thankfully, many Syrians report

that the Messiah revealed Himself to them in dreams and

visions while fleeing the country. With the country under

Assad's oppressive control the conflict has diminished,

and with increased stabilisation an opportunity is

presenting itself for Jesus-following Syrians to return

to their homes and share with their people an unfading,

imperishable Pearl of great price.



People Group Focus



Syrian Arab

Northern Kurd

Northern Iraqi Arab

Alawite

Palestinian Arab



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for the end of violence and for Christ-

exalting, multiplying house churches in

the 31 languages of Damascus and Noms,

especially in the listed people groups.

- Pray for refugees, the poor. and the broken

to find hope and healing in Jesus's name.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance

through signs, wonders, and power

in military, business, and government

leaders.



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



4nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada

(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a reproach to any people.



34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:

But sin is a reproach to any people.



)



b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right

use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to do the Lord's bidding.



Pray to the Lord: "Jesus, I like to roam. I'm pulled in all kinds

of directions. But I want to stay at home with You.

You're my life. Help me to abide in You."



Pray to the Lord and pray for the Holy Word to dwell in you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a faithful steward.



Pray to the Lord and pray for reconciliation.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for the end of violence and for Christ-

exalting, multiplying house churches in

the 31 languages of Damascus and Noms,

especially in the listed people groups.

- Pray for refugees, the poor. and the broken

to find hope and healing in Jesus's name.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance

through signs, wonders, and power

in military, business, and government

leaders.





Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada



Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right

use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.

Day 93 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 3 April 2023 reflections

Day 93, 3 Apr 2023



1) Judges 13 - 15



JUDGES 13



The Birth of Samson



1 ()Jdg 2:11; 1Sa 12:9) Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight

of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hands of the Philistines

for forty years.

2 (Jos 19:41; 15:33) There was a certain man from Zorah,

from the tribe of Dan. His name was Manoah. His wife was infertile

and had borne no children.

3 (Lk 1:13; Jdg 6:11-12) The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman

and said to her, "Indeed, you are infertile and have borne no childen,

yet you will conceive and bear a son.

4 (Nu 6:2-3; Jdg 13:14) Now be careful, I pray, that you drink no wine

or strong drink and that you do not eat anything ritually unclean.

5 (Nu 6:5; 1Sa 1:11) For you will conceive and bear a son. No razor may

touch his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb.

He will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines."

6 (Jdg 13:17-18; Dt 33:1) Then the woman went to her husband and said,

"A man of God came to me. He looked like a very fearsome angel of God.

I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name.

7 He said to me, 'You will conceive and bear a son. So now, do not drink

wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything ritually unclean,

for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day he dies.' "

8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, "O my Lord, let the man of God whom

You sent come again to us, so that he can teach us what we should do

for the boy who will be born."

9 God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again

to the woman. She was sitting in the field;

but her husband Manoah was not with her.

10 The woman hurried and ran to tell her husband,

"The man who came to me the other day has appeared to me."

11 So Manoah got up and went after his wife.

He came to the man and said to him,

"Are you the man who spoke to my wife?"

He said, "I am."

12 Then Manoah said, "Now may your words come true! What will be the boy's way

of life and his work?"

13 The angel of the Lord said to Manoah, "Your wife must observe everything

that I said to her.

14 (Jdg 13:4) She must not consume anything that grows on the vine.

She must not drink wine or strong drink, and she must not eat anything

ritually unclean. She must observe everything that I commanded her."

15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "Please let us detain you,

and let us prepare a young goat for you."

16 The angel of the Lord said to Manoah, "If I stay, I will not eat your

food, but if you want to make an offering to the Lord, you should offer it."

(For Manoah did not know that he was an angel of the Lord.)

17 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "What is your name,

so that we can honor you when your words come true?"

18 (Ge 32:29; Isa 9:6) The angel of the Lord said to him,

"Why do you ask my name? It is too wonderful."

19 (Jdg 6:19-21) Manoah took the young goat and the grain offering

and offered them to the Lord upon a rock. Then he did a wondrous

thing while Manoah and his wife watched.

20 (Lev 9:24; 1Ch 21:16) When the flame went up from the altar

toward the heavens, the angel of the Lord went up in the flames

from the altar. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell face down on the ground.

21 (Jdg 6:22) The angel of the Lord did not appear again to Manoah

and his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord.

22 (Ge 32:30; Dt 5:26) Manoah said to his wife,

"We are certainly going to die, for we have seen God."

23 (Ps 25:14) Yet his wife said to him, "If the Lord wanted to kill us,

He would not have taken the burnt offering and grain offering from us.

He would not have shown us these things, nor let us hear things such

as these at this time."

24 (1Sa 3:19; Lk 1:80) So the woman bore a son, and she called him Samson.

The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him.

25 (Jdg 3:10; Jos 15:33) The Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him

at Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.



Judges 13

[1] And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and

the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

[2] And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites,

whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.

[3] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her,

Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and

bear a son.

[4] Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink,

and eat not any unclean thing:

[5] For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on

his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he

shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

[6] Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto

me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very

terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

[7] But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and

now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the

child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

[8] Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God

which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto

the child that shall be born.

[9] And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came

again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not

with her.

[10] And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said

unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other

day.

[11] And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and

said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I

am.

[12] And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the

child, and how shall we do unto him?

[13] And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the

woman let her beware.

[14] She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her

drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded

her let her observe.

[15] And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain

thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.

[16] And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I

will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou

must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the

LORD.

[17] And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when

thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?

[18] And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my

name, seeing it is secret?

[19] So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock

unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked

on.

[20] For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the

altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And

Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

[21] But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife.

Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.

[22] And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have

seen God.

[23] But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he

would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands,

neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time

have told us such things as these.

[24] And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child

grew, and the LORD blessed him.

[25] And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of

Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.



JUDGES 14



Samson's Wedding



1 (Ge 38:12-13; Jos 15:10) Samson went down to Timnah

and saw a woman from the daughters of the Philistines.

2 (Ge 34:4; 21:21) He came back up and told his father and mother,

"I have seen a woman in Timnah from the daughters of the Philistines;

now get her for me as a wife."

3 (Jdg 15:18; 1Sa 14:6) His father and mother said to him,

"Are there no women among your relatives, or all of our people,

that you are intending to take a wife

from among the uncircumcised Philistines?"

Yet Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well."

4 (Jos 11:20; Jdg 13:1) His father and mother did not know that this was

from the Lord, for He was seeking an opportunity to act against the Philistines.

At that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.

5 Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah.

As they came to the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young

lion came roaring toward him.

6 (Jdg 3:10; 13:25) Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily

upon him, and though unarmed, he tore the lion in two as one might

tear a young goat in two. However, he did not tell his father and his mother

what he had done.

7 So Samson went down and spoke with the woman, and she pleased Samson.

8 After a while, when he returned to take her, he turned aside to see

the carcass of the lion. And a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass

of the lion.

9 He scooped it out into his hands and ate it as he went along.

He came to his father and mother and gave some to them,

and they also ate. Yet he did not tell them he had scooped

the honey out of a lion's carcass.

10 Then his father went down to the woman. Samson put on a feast there,

for this is what young men would do.

11 When the Philistines saw him,

they brought thirty companions to be with him.

12 (Ge 45:22; Eze 17:2) Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle.

If you can explain it to me within the seven days of the feast,

then I will find thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes to give you.

13 However, if you are not able to explain it to me, then you will give me

thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes."

They said to him, "Tell us your riddle, so we can hear it."

14 He said to them,

"Out of the eater came something to eat,

and out of the strong came something sweet."

They could not explain the riddle after three days.

15 (Jdg 15:6; 16:5) On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife,

"Trick your groom into telling us the riddle, or we will burn you

and your father's house with fire. Have you invited us to steal

what we have? Is that not so?"

16 (Jdg 16:15) So Samson's wife wept all over him and said,

"You must hate me. You do not love me. You have told a riddle

to the young men and did not tell it to me."

Then he said to her, "I have not told it to my father and mother.

Why should I tell it to you?"

17 (Jdg 16:16) She wept on him for the seven days of the feast,

then on the seventh day he told it to her because she had nagged him.

Then she explained the riddle to her people.

18So on the seventh day before sunset, the men of the city said to Samson,

"What is sweeter than honey,

and what is stronger than a lion?"

Then he said to them,

"If you had not plowed with my heifer,

you would not have solved my riddle."

19 (Jdg 3:10; 13:25) Then the Spirit of the Lord mightily came upon him,

and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty of their men.

He took their clothes and gave them to the ones who had explained the riddle.

His anger burned and he went up to his father's house.

20 (Jdg 15:2; Jn 3:29) So Samson's wife was given to his companion,

who had been his best man.



Judges 14

[1] And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the

daughters of the Philistines.

[2] And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have

seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore

get her for me to wife.

[3] Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman

among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest

to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his

father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

[4] But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he

sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines

had dominion over Israel.

[5] Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and

came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against

him.

[6] And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he

would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his

father or his mother what he had done.

[7] And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson

well.

[8] And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the

carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the

carcase of the lion.

[9] And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his

father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them

that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

[10] So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast;

for so used the young men to do.

[11] And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty

companions to be with him.

[12] And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if

ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find

it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

[13] But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and

thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle,

that we may hear it.

[14] And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the

strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the

riddle.

[15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's

wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we

burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that

we have? is it not so?

[16] And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and

lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people,

and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my

father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

[17] And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and

it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore

upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.

[18] And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun

went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And

he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out

my riddle.

[19] And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon,

and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of

garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled,

and he went up to his father's house.

[20] But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his

friend.



JUDGES 15



Samson's Revenge



1 (Ge 38:17) After a while, during the wheat harvest, Samson went to

visit his wife, taking a young goat. He said, "I'm going in to my wife

in her bedroom," but her father would not let him go in.

2 (Jdg 14:20) Her father said, "I thought that you thoroughly hated her,

so I gave her to your best man. Is not her younger sister better than she?

Please, let her be your wife instead."

3 Samson said to them, "This time I cannot be blamed by the Philistines

when I do them harm."

4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes. He took torches

and turned the foxes tail to tail and put a torch between each pair of tails.

5 He set fire to the torches and sent the foxes into standing grain

of the Philistines. He burned the harvested grain, standing grain,

vineyards, and olive trees.

6 (Jdg 14:15) The Philistines asked, "Who did this?" They said,

"Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because the Timnite

took the bride of Samson and gave her to his best man."

So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father with fire.

7 Samson said to them, "Because you have done this, I will take revenge

on you, and afterwards I will stop."

8 He struck them down with a mighty blow,

then went to live in a cave in Etam Rock.

9 (Jdg 15:17; 15:19) Then the Philistines went up and set up camp in Judah.

They deployed against Lehi.

10 The men of Judah said, "Why have you come up against us?"

They said, "It is to take Samson prisoner that we have come up,

to do to him what he did to us."

11 (Jdg 13:1; 14:4) So three thousand men from Judah went to the cave

in Etam Rock and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines

are ruling us? Why have you done this to us?"

He said to them, "As they did to me, so I have done to them."

12 They said to him, "We have come to take you prisoner,

to give you into the hands of the Philistines."

Samson said to them, "Swear to me that you will not attack me."

13 They said to him, "No, we will bind you securely and give

you into their hands, but we will not kill you." They bound him

with two new ropes and took him away from the rock.

14 (Jdg 14:19; 3:10) He came to Lehi, and the Philistines shouted

as they approached him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him.

The ropes on his arms became like burned flax and the ties

on his hands dissolved.

15 (Lev 26:8; Jos 23:10) Then he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey,

reached out his hand and took it, and with it struck down a thousand men.

16Samson said,

"With a jawbone of a donkey,

heaps upon heaps.

With a jawbone of a donkey

I have slain a thousand men."

17 When he finished speaking, he threw the jawbone away

and called that place Ramath Lehi.

18 He was very thirsty, and he called out to the Lord,

"You gave this great deliverance through Your servant,

but now may I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?"

19 (Ge 45:27) So God split open the basin at Lehi, and water flowed out

of it. He drank, was refreshed, and revived. Because of this he called

the place En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day.

20 (Jdg 13:1; 16:31) Samson judged Israel for twenty years

in the days of the Philistines.



Judges 15

[1] But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest,

that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my

wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

[2] And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her;

therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than

she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

[3] And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the

Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.

[4] And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and

turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

[5] And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing

corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing

corn, with the vineyards and olives.

[6] Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered,

Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and

given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and

her father with fire.

[7] And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be

avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

[8] And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down

and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

[9] Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread

themselves in Lehi.

[10] And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they

answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.

[11] Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and

said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us?

what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did

unto me, so have I done unto them.

[12] And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may

deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them,

Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

[13] And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and

deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they

bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.

[14] And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and

the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon

his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from

off his hands.

[15] And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took

it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

[16] And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the

jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.

[17] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast

away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.

[18] And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast

given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I

die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

[19] But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water

thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived:

wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this

day.

[20] And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.



2) Our Daily Bread for 3 April 2023 titled



Finding Strength in God




2 Corinthians 12:9-10



9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me, "My grace is

sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 (Ro 5:3; 2Co 13:4) So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in

hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. For when

I am weak, then I am strong.



[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is

made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

[10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in

necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am

weak, then am I strong.



Soccer player Christian Pulisic faced several injuries that influenced his

career. After learning he wouldn't be in the starting lineup of the Champions

League semifinals game, he was disappointed, but he described how God had

revealed Himself to him. "As always, I reach out to God, and He gives me

strength," he said. "I feel like I always have Someone who's with me. I don't

know how I would do any of this without that feeling." Pulisic ultimately

made a momentous impact when he was substituted later in the game. He

initiated a clever play that led to the game-winning shot and secured

their spot in the championship. These experiences taught him a valuable

lesson: we can always view our weaknesses as opportunities

for God to reveal His immeasurable power.



The world teaches us to rely on our own strength when encountering problems.

However, biblical wisdom teaches us that God's grace and power give us

strength in the most trying circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9). Therefore,

we can move in confidence, recognizing that we never face trials alone.

Our "weaknesses" become opportunities for God to reveal His power,

strengthening and supporting us (vv. 9-10). We can then use our struggles

to offer praise to God, giving thanks for His goodness and sharing these

encounters with others so that they can come to experience His love.



By: Kimya Loder



Reflect & Pray



When have you tried to overcome a struggle on your own?

How can you look to God for strength?



Dear heavenly Father, thank You for being the source

of my strength and guiding me each day.





For further reading, check out this article: Christian Pulisic reaches

out to God for strength with Chelsea in FA Cup, Champions League finals.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 2 - Growing Up



2 Tim 3:16-17



16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable

for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction

in righteousness,

17 (1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:21) that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.



16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction

in righteousness:

17 that the man of God may be perfect,

throughly furnished unto all good works.



"I can't wait till I get big!" Marc, age 5, declared. "Then I do

what I want!" Most of us, as children, shared Marc's statement.

We looked forward to that "magic age" - 16, 18, 21 - when we

would be adults: mature, able to make our own decisions.

We find, of course, that adulthood has its own share of

difficulties and conflicts. But even in our spiritual lives

we often long for a "magic moment" of maturity. As one woman

confessed, "Ever since I became a Christian, I've hoped I'd wake up

one morning to find myself mature."

But growth in the spiritual life comes gradually, like growth in

the physical world. In 2 Tim 2:16-17, Paul gives the young pastor

Timothy an important key to spiritual growing up - the Word of God.

The Word is "profitable" or "useful," Paul says, for "teaching" - that is,

for developing a right concept of God. Scripture offers "rebuke" when

we go wrong, "correction" to set us on the right path, and "training

in righteousness" so that we can grow in the image of Christ.

The purpose of Scripture's work in our lives, Paul emphasises,

is that we may be "perfect" - mature, equipped for the good things

God has for us to do. Such maturity does not come easily

or instantaneously, but it does come - sometimes imperceptibly -

as we submit our lives to the transforming power of God's Word.



Application



a) In what areas of my life do I need to grow? How can I benefit

from the Bible's



i) teaching?



ii) rebuke?



iii) correction?



iv) training in righteousness?



b) How can memorising God's Word help me grow in those areas?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 16:10-12



10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful

also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also

in much.

11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who will give you that which is your own?"



10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who shall give you that which is your own?



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Reconciling Peace



Col 3:12-17



12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another

and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,

even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.

14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,

to which also you are called in one body,

rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.



12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have

a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye

are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.



6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023



Day 17



The Republic of Djibouti is a small, strategically located, oil-rich country

in the Horn of Africa. Under French rule, the nation was known as French

Somaliland, until the country was granted Independence from European settlers

in 1977. The nation of Djibouti features a rugged and extreme landscape, from

arid desert plains in the South to lush green mountains in the North.

The 4 largest ethnic majorities in the nation are Somali, Afar , Omani, and

Yemeni - all of which are unreached people groups in the Horn of Africa

and the Arabian Peninsula. Hosting more stability and easier to access then

its neighbouring countries to the northeast and southeast, Djibouti is a

critical juncture for the Church to win East African and Arab unreached people

groups. Djibouti is also the name of the capital city.



People Focus Group



Afar (Danakil)

Yemeni Arab

Somali



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for the advancement of God's kingdom throughout the 11 languages

of Djibouti, Djibouti

- Pray for the New Testament translation in Ta'izzi-Adeni Arabic

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Djibouti

that multiplies throughout the country.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for this city.



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



3nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the province of Alberta as follows:

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.

3 For 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



b) Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin

and Canadian to faith in Christ.

( John 16:8 - When He comes, He will convict the world of sin

and of righteousness and of judgment:



8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness, and of judgment:



Matthew 9:36 - But when He saw the crowds, He was moved with

compassion for them, because they fainted and were scattered,

like sheep without a shepherd



36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with

compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered

abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. )





Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray not to look outside the Faith for solutions.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, thank You for being the source

of my strength and guiding me each day."



Pray to the Lord and pray for Him for help in dwelving deeper in the Word.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be good stewards.



Pray to the Lord and pray for unity in the Holy Spirit.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for the advancement of God's kingdom throughout the 11 languages

of Djibouti, Djibouti

- Pray for the New Testament translation in Ta'izzi-Adeni Arabic

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to be birthed in Djibouti

that multiplies throughout the country.

- Pray for followers of Jesus to walk in the power of the Spirit.

Pray for a resurrection of God's divine purpose for this city.



Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin

and Canadian to faith in Christ.

Day 92 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 2 April 2023 reflections

Day 92, 2 Apr 2023



Today at Calvary Community Church

, Pastor Doug spoke on Where is God? The Promise Doubted?



Genesis 3 :15



15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring

and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

(This is the foreshadowing of the Crucifixion of

Jesus The Lamb for Sinners Slain)



[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed

and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.



MAtthew 2



The Escape to Egypt



13 (Ac 5:19; Mt 1:20) Now when they departed, the angel of the Lord

appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,

"Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and escape to Egypt,

and stay there until I bring you word.

For Herod will seek the young Child to kill Him."

14 When he rose, he took the young Child and His mother by night,

and departed into Egypt,

15 (Hos 11:1; Ex 4:22) and remained there until the death of Herod,

to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet,

"Out of Egypt I have called My Son."

A talent was worth several hundred pounds.



The Killing of the Infants



16 (Isa 59:7) Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked

by the wise men, was utterly furious and sent forth and killed

all the male children who were in Bethlehem and the surrounding region,

from two years old and under, based on the time which he had diligently

inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet:

18 (Jer 31:15; Ge 42:36) "In Ramah a voice was heard,

grieving and weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be comforted,

because they are no more."[-21 Isa 42:1-4].



[13] And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to

Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother,

and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod

will seek the young child to destroy him.

[14] When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and

departed into Egypt:

[15] And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I

called my son.

[16] Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was

exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in

Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under,

according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

[17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

[18] In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great

mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted,

because they are not.



John 14



6 (Jn 10:9; 1:14; Ac 4:12) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7 (Jn 8:19) If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.

From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."

8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father,

and that is sufficient for us."

9 (Heb 1:3; Jn 12:45; Col 1:15) Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you

such a long time, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen

Me has seen the Father. So how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

10 (Jn 5:19; 10:38) Do you not believe that I am in the Father

and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak

on My own authority. But the Father who lives in Me does the works.

11 (Jn 5:36; 10:38) Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father

is in Me. Or else believe Me on account of the works themselves.



[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man

cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from

henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

[8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

[9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet

hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the

Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?

the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father

that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

[11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else

believe me for the very works' sake.



John 11:38-57



Lazarus Brought to Life



38 (Mt 27:60; Jn 11:33) Then Jesus, again groaning within Himself,

came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

39 (Jn 11:17) Jesus said, "Take away the stone."

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him,

"Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."

40 (Jn 11:4; 11:23-26) Jesus said to her,

"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

41 (Jn 17:1; Mt 11:25) So they took away the stone from the place where

the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up His eyes and said,

"Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42 (Jn 3:17; 17:21) I know that You always hear Me. But because of the people

standing around, I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

43 When He had said this, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

44 (Jn 20:7; 19:40) He who was dead came out, his hands and feet wrapped

with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth.

Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."



[38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a

cave, and a stone lay upon it.

[39] Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was

dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead

four days.

[40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest

believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

[41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.

And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast

heard me.

[42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which

stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

[43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come

forth.

[44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:

and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose

him, and let him go.



The Plot to Kill Jesus

Mt 26:1-5; Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2



45 (Jn 2:23; 11:19) Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary,

and saw what Jesus had done, believed in Him.

46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees

and told them what Jesus had done.

47 (Mt 26:3; 5:22) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees

assembled the Sanhedrin and said,

"What shall we do? This Man is performing many signs.

48 If we leave Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him,

and the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation."

49 (Mt 26:3; Jn 11:51) Then one of them named Caiaphas,

who was the high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all,

50 (Jn 18:14) nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man

should die for the people, that the whole nation should not perish."

51 (Ex 28:30; 1Sa 23:9) He did not say this on his own authority.

But being the high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die

for the nation,

52 (Jn 10:16; Isa 49:6) and not for the nation only, but that He might

also gather together in unity the children of God who were scattered abroad.

53 So from that day forward they planned to put Him to death.

54 (Jn 7:1; 2Ch 13:19 ) Therefore Jesus no longer walked

openly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country

near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim,

and remained there with His disciples.

55 (Jn 2:13; 6:4) Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand.

Many went up to Jerusalem from the country before the Passover

to purify themselves.

56 (Jn 7:11) Then they searched for Jesus and said among themselves

as they stood in the temple,

"What do you think, that He will not come to the feast?"

57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders

that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it,

that they might seize Him.



[45] Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which

Jesus did, believed on him.

[46] But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what

things Jesus had done.

[47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said,

What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

[48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans

shall come and take away both our place and nation.

[49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year,

said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

[50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for

the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

[51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he

prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

[52] And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together

in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

[53] Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to

death.

[54] Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence

unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there

continued with his disciples.

[55] And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the

country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

[56] Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood

in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

[57] Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment,

that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take

him.



Jesus was rejected - how about you?

Jesus was betrayed - how about you?

Jesus felt separated from God - how about you?

Jesus felt such physical pain and agony - how about you?



Although the promise was doubted, Jesus never gave up. He never quit in you!



1) Judges 10 -12



JUDGES 10



Tola



1 (Jdg 2:16) After the death of Abimelek, Tola the son of Puah,

the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir,

in the hill country of Ephraim.

2 He judged Israel for twenty-three years.

Then he died and was buried in Shamir.



Jair



3 After him Jair the Gileadite arose and judged Israel for 22 years.

4 (Nu 32:41; Dt 3:14) He had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys

and owned thirty cities that are in the land of Gilead.

They are called Havvoth Jair to this day.

5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon.



Jephthah



6 (1Ki 11:5; 11:7) Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight

of the Lord. They worshipped the Baals, the Ashtoreths,

and the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines.

They abandoned the Lord and did not serve Him.

7 (Jdg 2:14) The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He sold them

into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites.

8 They brutally oppressed the children of Israel that year.

For eighteen years they oppressed all the children of Israel

beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites in Gilead.

9 The Ammonites also crossed over the Jordan to wage war

against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed.

10 (1Sa 12:10; Jdg 3:9) Then the children of Israel cried out to the Lord,

"We have sinned against You, for we have abandoned

our God and worshipped the Baals."

11 (Ex 14:30; Nu 21:21-25) The Lord said to the children of Israel,

"Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites,

the Philistines,

12 (Jdg 6:3) the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites

when they oppressed you? You cried out to Me, and I saved you from their hands.

13 (Jer 2:13; Dt 32:15) Yet you have abandoned Me and worshipped other gods.

Therefore I will not save you again.

14 (Dt 32:37-38) Go and cry out to the gods that you have chosen.

Let them save you in your time of distress."

15 (1Sa 3:18; 2Sa 15:26) Then the children of Israel said to the Lord,

"We have sinned. Do to us whatever seems good in Your sight.

Please, just deliver us today."

16 (Isa 63:9; Ps 106:44-45) They removed the foreign gods from among them

and worshipped the Lord, and He could no longer endure

the suffering of Israel.

17 (Jdg 11:29; Ge 31:49) The Ammonites had been called out

and set up camp in Gilead. The children of Israel assembled and set up

camp in Mizpah.

18 (Jdg 11:11) The commanders of Gilead said to each other,

" Who is the man who will begin to fight against the Ammonites?

He will be the ruler of all the inhabitants of Gilead."



Judges 10

[1] And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah,

the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

[2] And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in

Shamir.

[3] And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two

years.

[4] And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had

thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the

land of Gilead.

[5] And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

[6] And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and

served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon,

and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of

the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

[7] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into

the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

[8] And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen

years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the

land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

[9] Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against

Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that

Israel was sore distressed.

[10] And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned

against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

[11] And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you

from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and

from the Philistines?

[12] The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress

you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

[13] Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will

deliver you no more.

[14] Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in

the time of your tribulation.

[15] And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou

unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee,

this day.

[16] And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the

LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

[17] Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in

Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and

encamped in Mizpeh.

[18] And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is

he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head

over all the inhabitants of Gilead.



JUDGES 11



1 (Heb 11:32; Jdg 6:12) Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour,

but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah.

2 Gilead's wife also bore him sons. His wife's sons grew up and drove

Jephthah away. They said to him, "You will not inherit anything

from our father's house because you are the son of another woman."

3 (Jdg 9:4; 1Sa 22:2) So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived

in the land of Tob. Men of ill repute gathered around Jephthah

and went out with him.

4 Some time passed, then the Ammonites waged war with Israel.

5 When the Ammonites waged war with Israel, the elders of Gilead

went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob.

6 They said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader so that we may

fight the Ammonites."

7 (Ge 26:27) Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead,

"Did you not hate me and drive me out of my father's house?

Why have you come to me now that you are in trouble?"

8 (Jdg 10:18) The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

"Even so, we have turned to you. Come with us and fight the Ammonites.

You will be ruler over all the inhabitants of Gilead."

9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me back to wage war

against the Ammonites, and the Lord gives them to me,

then I will be your ruler."

10 (Jer 42:5; Ge 31:50) The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

"May the Lord be a witness between us

if we do not act according to your word."

11 (Jdg 10:17; 20:1) So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead.

The people set him over them as ruler and leader.

And Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord in Mizpah.

12 Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king to say,

"What problem is there between you and me,

that you have come to me to wage war in my land?"

13 (Ge 32:22; Nu 21:24-26) The Ammonite king said to the messengers

of Jephthah, "Because when Israel came up from Egypt, they took my land,

from the Arnon to the Jabbok and as far as the Jordan.

Now return it peacefully."

14 Again Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king,

15 (Dt 2:9; 2:19) and said to him,

"Jephthah says this: Israel did not take the land of Moab,

nor the Ammonite land;

16 (Nu 14:25; Dt 1:40_ for when Israel came up from Egypt,

they went into the desert as far as the Red Sea and came to Kadesh.

17 (Nu 20:1; 20:14-21) Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom,

saying, 'Please let us pass through your land.' Yet the king of Edom would

not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab,

but he was unwilling. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.

18 (Nu 22:36; Dt 2:1-8) "They went into the wilderness, around the lands

of Edom and Moab. They went east of the land of Moab and set up camp

on the other side of the River Arnon. They did not cross the boundary

of Moab, for the River Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

19 "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites,

who ruled in Heshbon. Israel said to him,

"Please let us pass through your land to our home."

20 Yet Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory,

so Sihon gathered all his people and set up camp in Jahaz

to fight with Israel.

21 "The Lord God of Israel gave Sihon and all his people

into the hands of Israel, and they struck them down. So Israel took possession

of all the land of the Amorites who lived in that land.

22 (Dt 2:36) They took possession of all of the territory of the Amorites,

from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.

23 "Now that the Lord God of Israel has driven out the Amorites

from before His people Israel, should you take it?

24 (Nu 21:29; 1Ki 11:7) Will you not take possession of whatever Chemosh

your god gives you? So everything that the Lord our God possesses before us,

we will take possession of it.

25 (Mic 6:5) Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor,

the king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or wage war with them?

26 (Dt 2:36) Israel has lived in Heshbon and its nearby towns, in Aroer

and its nearby towns, and in all the cities along the banks of the River Arnon

for three hundred years. Why did you not take them back during that time?

27 (Ge 16:5; 18:25) So I have not sinned against you, but it is you who are

doing evil to me by waging war against me. May the Lord, the Judge,

judge today between the children of Israel and the Ammonites."

28 Yet the Ammonite king would not listen to the message

that Jephthah had sent him.



Judges 11

[1] Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the

son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

[2] And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they

thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our

father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.

[3] Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and

there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.

[4] And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made

war against Israel.

[5] And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel,

the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:

[6] And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight

with the children of Ammon.

[7] And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and

expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye

are in distress?

[8] And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to

thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of

Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

[9] And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again

to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me,

shall I be your head?

[10] And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness

between us, if we do not so according to thy words.

[11] Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him

head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the

LORD in Mizpeh.

[12] And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon,

saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight

in my land?

[13] And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of

Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt,

from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those

lands again peaceably.

[14] And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of

Ammon:

[15] And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land

of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:

[16] But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness

unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;

[17] Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I

pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken

thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would

not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

[18] Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of

Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab,

and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of

Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

[19] And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of

Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy

land into my place.

[20] But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon

gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against

Israel.

[21] And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the

hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the

Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.

[22] And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto

Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.

[23] So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from

before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?

[24] Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to

possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them

will we possess.

[25] And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of

Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,

[26] While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her

towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three

hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?

[27] Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to

war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of

Israel and the children of Ammon.

[28] Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words

of Jephthah which he sent him.



Judges 11:29 - 40



29 (Jdg 3:10; Nu 11:25) Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah

and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through

Mizpah of Gilead, and went on to the Ammonites.

30 (Ge 28:20; 1Sa 1:11) Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, "If You will indeed

give the Ammonites into my hands,

31 (1Sa 1:28) then whatever comes out from the door of my house

to meet me, when I return safely from the Ammonites, will surely

be the Lord's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."

32 So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammon­ites to wage war

against them, and the Lord gave them into his hands.

33 (Eze 27:17) He struck them down from Aroer to Minnith, twenty cities,

and as far as Abel Keramim. The defeat was very severe, and the Ammonites

were humbled before the children of Israel.

34 (Ex 15:20; Jer 31:4) When Jephthah went to his house at Mizpah, there was

his daughter coming out to meet him, dancing with a tambourine.

She was his only child. Other than her, he had neither son nor daughter.

35 When he saw her, he ripped up his clothes and said, "Alas, my daughter!

You have brought utter disaster to me. You are my undoing,

for I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot take it back."

36 (2Sa 18:19) She said to him, "My father, you have opened

your mouth to the Lord. Do to me what has come out of your mouth,

because the Lord worked vengeance upon your enemies, the Ammonites."

37 (Lk 1:25) Then she said to her father, "Let this be done for me:

Give me two months, and I and my friends will wander the hill country

and mourn over my virginity."

38 He said, "Go," and he sent her away for two months.

She and her friends went and mourned over her virginity in the hill country.

39 (Jdg 11:31) At the end of two months she returned to her father,

and he did to her according to the vow that he had made.

She had not ever slept with a man.

So it became a custom in Israel

40 that the women of Israel would commemorate the daughter

of Jephthah the Gileadite for four days each year.



[29] Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over

Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of

Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

[30] And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without

fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

[31] Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house

to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely

be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

[32] So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against

them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.

[33] And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even

twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great

slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of

Israel.

[34] And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter

came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only

child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

[35] And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and

said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of

them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot

go back.

[36] And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto

the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth;

forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even

of the children of Ammon.

[37] And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me

alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail

my virginity, I and my fellows.

[38] And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with

her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

[39] And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto

her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and

she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,

[40] That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of

Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.



JUDGES 12



Jephthah and Ephraim



1 (Jdg 8:1) The men of Ephraim gathered together and crossed over to Zaphon.

They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to wage war with the Ammonites

and not call us to go with you? We will burn down your house right on top

of you."

2 Jephthah said to them, "My people and I were in a very great conflict

with the Ammonites. I called you, but you did not save me from their hands.

3 (1Sa 19:5; 28:21) When I saw that you were not going to save me, I took my

life in my own hands and crossed over to the Ammonites.

Then the Lord gave them into my hands. Now why have you come

up to me today to wage war against me?"

4 (1Sa 25:10) Then Jephthah assembled all the men of Gilead and fought

with Ephraim. The men of Gilead struck Ephraim down, for they had said,

"You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim, living in Ephraim and Manasseh."

5 (Jdg 3:28; Jos 22:11) Gilead captured the fords of the Jordan River leading

to Ephraim. Whenever an Ephraimite fugitive would say, "Let me cross,"

the Gileadite men would say to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No,"

6 then they would say to him, "Say, 'Shibboleth'!" Yet he would say,

"Sibboleth," for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they would

grab him and kill him at the Jordan fords.

During that time 42000 from Ephraim fell.

7 Jephthah judged Israel for six years. When Jephthah the Gileadite died,

he was buried among the cities of Gilead.



[1] And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward,

and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the

children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine

house upon thee with fire.

[2] And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with

the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of

their hands.

[3] And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and

passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into

my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against

me?

[4] Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with

Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye

Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the

Manassites.

[5] And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites:

and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me

go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he

said, Nay;

[6] Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for

he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him

at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites

forty and two thousand.

[7] And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite,

and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.



Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon



8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

9 He had thirty sons, and he gave thirty daughters in marriage outside his clan;

and he brought thirty daughters from outside for his sons.

He judged Israel for seven years.

10 Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

11 After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel.

He judged Israel for ten years.

12 Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.

14 (Jdg 5:10; 10:4) He had forty sons and thirty grandsons

who rode seventy donkeys. He judged Israel for eight years.

15 (Jdg 5:14) Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon

in the land of Ephraim, in the Amalekite hill country.



[8] And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

[9] And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and

took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel

seven years.

[10] Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.

[11] And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel

ten years.

[12] And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country

of Zebulun.

[13] And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.

[14] And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and

ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

[15] And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in

Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.



2) Our Daily Bread for 2 April 2023 titled



Bluestone Church Bells




Luke 19:37-42



37 When He was coming near the descent of the Mount of Olives,

the whole crowd of the disciples began to rejoice

and praise God with loud voices for all the mighty works that they had seen,

38 (Lk 13:35; Mt 21:9) saying:

'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'(Ps 118:26.)

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Him,

"Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."

40 (Hab 2:11) He answered them, "I tell you, if these should be silent,

the stones would immediately cry out."

41 (Lk 13:34-35; Jn 11:35) When He came near, He beheld the city

and wept over it,

42 (Dt 32:29) saying, "If you, even you, had known even today what things

would bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.



[37] And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of

Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God

with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

[38] Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace

in heaven, and glory in the highest.

[39] And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,

Master, rebuke thy disciples.

[40] And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should

hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

[41] And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

[42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the

things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.



Bluestone is a fascinating variety of rock. When struck, certain bluestones

will ring with a musical tone. Maenclochog, a Welsh village whose name means

"bell" or "ringing stones," used bluestones as church bells until the 18th

century. Interestingly, the ruins of Stonehenge, in England, are built of

bluestone, causing some to wonder if that landmark's original purpose was

musical. Some researchers claim that the bluestone at Stonehenge was brought

from near Maenclochog, nearly two hundred miles away,

because of their unique acoustic properties.



Musical ringing stones are yet another of the wonders of God's great creation,

and they remind us of something Jesus said during His Palm Sunday entry into

Jerusalem. As the people praised Jesus, the religious leaders demanded Him to

rebuke them." 'I tell you,' he replied, 'if they keep quiet,

the stones will cry out'" (Luke 19:40).



If bluestone can make music, and if Jesus made mention of even the stones

bearing witness to their Creator, how might we express our own praise to the

One who made us, loves us, and rescued us? He is worthy of all worship. May

the Holy Spirit stir us to give Him the honor He deserves.

All of creation praises Him.



By: Bill Crowder



Reflect & Pray



How many ways can you think of in which creation praises God?

How can you join in daily worship of our Creator?



Creator God, You are deserving of all worship,

praise, and gratitude. When my heart grows hard

and I lose sight of Your worthiness, remind me

that all creation sings Your praise.





For further study, read All Creation Sings




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 1 - God's Perspective



Philip 4:13



13 (2Co 12:9-10; Eph 3:16) I can do all things because

of Christ who strengthens me.



13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.



Many of us live out self-fulfilling prophecies. We believe

what we tell ourselves - or what we have been told by others:

"You're stupid", "You're ugly", "You'll never amount to anything,"

"You can't do anything right."

We programme ourselves for spiritual failure as well.

"I just can't memorise Scripture," we say. "It comes and goes,

and I can't seem to get it to stay." Yet daily we memorise

volumes of information that is less significant than the

Scriptures - telephone numbers, identification codes,

songs lyrics, advertising jingles.

The answer to the dilemma of negativism is not positive

thinking, but right thinking - biblical thinking, according

to what the Bible reveals of God's perspective. God says,

"You are worthwhile. You are valued. You are loved. I created you

just as you are, and whatever I call you to do,

I will give you the strength to do it.

The context of Phillipians 4:13 shows that Paul had learned

this important secret of spiritual strength. Paul had known

poverty and plenty, trouble and victory. But he also knew

he did not have to let circumstances determine his response to God's will.

We need not be controlled by the negative messages life throws in our paths

- even those self-defeating pronouncements we make to ourselves.

Rather, we can respond according to God's perspective, with the

conviction that God has given us strength we need to meet the

challenges we face.



Application



a) What challenges do I face that make me realise my own insufficiencies?

IS memorising Scripture one of those challenges for me?



b) How does today's memory verse help me face those challenges?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Matthew 6:19-21



Treasures in Heaven



Lk 12:33-34



19 (Heb 13:5; Lk 12:21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth

where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

20 (Lk 12:33; Mt 19:21) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust destroy

and where thieves do not break in nor steal,

21 (Lk 12:34) for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."



19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth

corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Eternal Faithfulness



2 Tim 2:8-13



8 (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,

descended from David, according to my gospel,

9 (Php 1:7; 2Ti 1:8) in which I suffer trouble like a criminal,

even with chains. But the word of God is not bound.

10 (Col 1:24; 2Co 1:6; 4:17) Therefore I endure all things

for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain

the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10) This is a faithful saying:

If we die with Him,

we shall also live with Him.

12 (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17 ) If we endure,

we shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3 )If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.



8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead

according to my gospel:

9 wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of

God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also

obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him,

we shall also live with him:

12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him:

if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 18 March to 18 April 2023



DAY 16 April2



Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, has for many centuries been the chief

economic, political, and religious center of the country. According to

legend, Yemen was founded by Shem, one of the three sons of Noah.

Today, Yemen is home to the world's worst humanitarian crisis, after

a brutal civil war started six years ago. Since then, over

4 million people have fled their homes and there have been

233000 casualties from the war. There are currently over 20 million

people in Yemen who rely on some form of humanitarian aid for their

survival.The global Church must stand for Yemen in this hour

and believe that the country can live into its legend and receive a

flood-like baptism of God's mercy and grace,

transforming the nation through the blood of Jesus.



People Group Focus



Northern Yemeni

Arab


Tihami Arab



Sudanese Arab



Prayer Emphasis



- Pray for healing and restoration to come to the nation as churches are

planted amongthe Northern Yemeni Arabs, Tihami Arabs, and Sudanese Arabs.

- Pray fora mighty movement of prayer to sweep over Christians

everywhere so that they lift up this war-torn city.

- Pray that the Lord wouldhave mercy on the city and bring an end to the

civil war wrecking the nation.

- Pray forlhe Kingdom of God to come through mercy, giving

gifts to the poor and opening hearts to His Kingdom



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



2nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all Canadians (

Rom 10:14-15 -

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not

believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 I And how shall they preach

unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of

those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good

things!"



[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how

shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they

hear without a preacher?

[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How

beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring

glad tidings of good things!



)



b) Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God's heart for vision,wisdom

and direction. (

Jer 33:3

- Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you

great and mighty things which you do not know.



3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee

great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.



)



Conclusion:



Jesus, thank you that you are God's promise who came to Earth for my

brokenness, my failures, my pain. I surrender to you all of my rejection

and betrayal and abandonment. I invite you into my heart and life. I thank you

that you know and understand what I'm going through. Jesus, bring your promise

of healing and hope and restoration to me once again. Amen.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for Godly leaders and honourable

people.



Pray to the Lord: "Creator God, You are deserving of all worship,

praise, and gratitude. When my heart grows hard

and I lose sight of Your worthiness, remind me

that all creation sings Your praise."



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to help you memorise and understand His Word.



Pray to the Lord and pray to store treasure in Heaven.



Pray to the Lord and pray to never deny Him.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for healing and restoration to come to the nation as churches are

planted among the Northern Yemeni Arabs, Tihami Arabs, and Sudanese Arabs.

- Pray fora mighty movement of prayer to sweep over Christians

everywhere so that they lift up this war-torn city.

- Pray that the Lord would have mercy on the city and bring an end to the

civil war wrecking the nation.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to come through mercy, giving

gifts to the poor and opening hearts to His Kingdom



Pray for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all



Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God's heart for vision, wisdom

and direction.

The Palm Sunday Story

Mark 14:3-9

Matthew 26:6-13

John 12:1-11

Mark 11:1-11

Matthew 21:1-11

Luke 19:28-40

John 12:12-19

Luke 19:41-44

John 12:20-36



Mark 14:3-9



The Anointing at Bethany

Mt 26:6-13; Jn 12:1-8



3 (Mt 21:17; Lk 7:37-39) While He was in Bethany in the house of Simon

the leper, as He sat at supper, a ­woman came with an alabaster jar

of ointment, a very costly spikenard. She broke the jar and poured

the ointment on His head.

4 There were some with indignation within themselves, saying,

"Why was this ointment wasted?

5 (Jn 13:29) It might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii

(A year's wages.) and given to the poor." And they grumbled against her.

6 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done

a good work for Me.

7 (Dt 15:11; Mt 26:11) You always have the poor with you, and whenever

you wish, you may do good to them. But you will not always have Me.

8 (2Co 8:12) She has done what she could. She has come beforehand

to anoint My body for burial.

9 (Mk 16:15) Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel will be preached

throughout the whole world, what she has done will also be spoken of

as a memorial to her."



[3] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat,

there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very

precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

[4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said,

Why was this waste of the ointment made?

[5] For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have

been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

[6] And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a

good work on me.

[7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do

them good: but me ye have not always.

[8] She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to

the burying.

[9] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached

throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of

for a memorial of her.



Matthew 26:6-13





The Anointing at Bethany

Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:1-8



6 (Mt 21:17) When Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment

and poured it on His head as He sat at supper.

8 When His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "For what purpose

is this waste?

9 This ointment might have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor."

10 When Jesus perceived it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman?

She has done a good work for Me.

11 (Dt 15:11; Mk 14:7) For you have the poor always with you,

but you do not always have Me.

12 In pouring this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.

13 (Mt 24:14; Mk 14:9) Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel shall

be preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told

in memory of her."



[6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

[7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious

ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

[8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what

purpose is this waste?

[9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

[10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman?

for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

[11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

[12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my

burial.

[13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the

whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a

memorial of her.



John 12:1-11



John 12



The Anointing at Bethany

Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9

1 (Jn 11:55; Mt 21:17) Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany,

where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.

2 (Lk 10:38-42) They prepared a supper for Him there. Martha served,

but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

3 (Jn 11:2; Lk 7:37-38) Then Mary took a pint

(Gk. a litra, or half a liter.) of very costly ointment made

from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet

with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

4 (Mt 10:4) But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son,

who would betray Him, said,

5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii

(About a year's wages.) and given to the poor?"

6 (Jn 13:29) He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because

he was a thief. And having the money box, he used to steal what was put in it.

7 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of My

burial.

8 (Dt 15:11; Mt 26:11) For you always have the poor with you,

but you do not always have Me."



[1] Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus

was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

[2] There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of

them that sat at the table with him.

[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and

anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house

was filled with the odour of the ointment.

[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which

should betray him,

[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the

poor?

[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a

thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

[7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she

kept this.

[8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.



The Plot Against Lazarus



9 When many of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not for Jesus'

sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from

the dead.

10 (Lk 16:31) So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also,

11 (Jn 11:45; 12:18) because on account of him many of the Jews went away

and believed in Jesus.



[9] Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came

not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had

raised from the dead.

[10] But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to

death;

[11] Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed

on Jesus.



Mark 11:1-11



Mark 11



The Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem

Mt 21:1-11; Lk 19:28-40; Jn 12:12-19



1 (Zec 14:4; Mt 21:17) When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage

and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples

2 and said to them, "Go into the village opposite you. As soon as you enter

it, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it

and bring it here.

3 If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say 'The Lord has need

of it,' and immediately he will send it here."

4 They went their way and found the colt tied by the door outside

on the street. And they untied it.

5 Some of those who stood there said to them,

"What are you doing untying the colt?"

6 They answered just as Jesus had commanded. And they let them go.

7 (Mt 21:4-5; 21:7-8) They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments

on it. And He sat upon it.

8 Many spread their garments on the street. And others cut down branches off

the trees and scattered them on the street.

9 (Ps 118:25-26; Mt 23:39) Those who went before

and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'(Ps 118:26.)

10 (Lk 2:14; Ps 148:1) Blessed is the kingdom of our father David

that is coming in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!"

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. When He had looked

around at everything, as the hour was now late,

He went out to Bethany with the twelve.



[1] And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the

mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

[2] And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and

as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never

man sat; loose him, and bring him.

[3] And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath

need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

[4] And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in

a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

[5] And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing

the colt?

[6] And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them

go.

[7] And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and

he sat upon him.

[8] And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches

off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

[9] And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying,

Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

[10] Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of

the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

[11] And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had

looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went

out unto Bethany with the twelve.



Matthew 21:1-11



The Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem

Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:28-38; Jn 12:12-19



1 (Mt 24:3; 26:30) When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage,

on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, "Go over into the village opposite you,

and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.

Untie them and bring them to Me.

3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them.'

And he will send them immediately."

4 (Mt 1:22; Jn 12:15) All this was done to fulfill

what was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 (Isa 62:11; Ge 49:10) "Tell the daughter of Zion,

'Look, your King is coming to you,

humble, and sitting on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'Zec 9:9."

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.

7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their garments on them,

and He sat on them.

8 (2Ki 9:13) A very large crowd spread their garments on the road.

Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9 (Lk 2:14; Mt 23:39) The crowds that went before Him

and that followed Him cried out:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' (Ps 118:26.)

Hosanna in the highest!"

10 When He entered Jerusalem, the entire city was moved,

saying, "Who is He?"

11 (Lk 7:16; Jn 6:14) The crowds said, "This is Jesus,

the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."



In Jerusalem



Triumphal Entry



1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto

the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2 saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway

ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them

unto me.

3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of

them; and straightway he will send them.

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken

by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion,

Behold, thy King cometh unto thee,

Meek, and sitting upon an ass,

And a colt the foal of an ass.

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes,

and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way;

others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying,

Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the

Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying,

Who is this?

11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.



Luke 19:28-40



The Triumphant Entry in Jerusalem

Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-11; Jn 12:12-19



28 (Lk 9:51) When He had said this, He went before them,

ascending up to Jerusalem.

29 (Ac 1:12; Zec 14:4) When He came near to Bethphage and Bethany,

at the mountain called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples,

30 saying, "Go over into the village opposite you, where, as you enter,

you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat.

Untie it and bring it here.

31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say to him,

'Because the Lord has need of it.' "

32 Those who were sent went and found it just as He had told them.

33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,

"Why are you untying the colt?"

34 They said, "The Lord has need of it."

35 (Mt 21:7; Mk 11:7-8) They brought it to Jesus. And they threw

their garments on the colt, and they set Jesus on it.

36 As He went, they spread their clothes in the street.

37 When He was coming near the descent of the Mount of Olives,

the whole crowd of the disciples began to rejoice

and praise God with loud voices for all the mighty works that they had seen,

38 (Lk 13:35; Mt 21:9) saying:

'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'(Ps 118:26.)

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Him,

"Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."

40 (Hab 2:11) He answered them, "I tell you, if these should be silent,

the stones would immediately cry out."



[28] And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

[29] And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at

the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

[30] Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your

entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him,

and bring him hither.

[31] And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto

him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

[32] And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said

unto them.

[33] And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them,

Why loose ye the colt?

[34] And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

[35] And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the

colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

[36] And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

[37] And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of

Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God

with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

[38] Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace

in heaven, and glory in the highest.

[39] And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,

Master, rebuke thy disciples.

[40] And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should

hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.



John 12:12-19



The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem

Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:28-40



12 On the next day a great crowd that had come to the feast heard

that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

13 (Jn 1:49; Ps 118:25-26) They took branches of palm trees,

and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

"Hosanna!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!(Ps 118:25-26.)

The King of Israel!"

14 Then Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written:

15 (Zec 9:9) “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

see, your King is coming,

sitting on a donkey's colt." (Zec 9:9).

16 (Jn 2:22; 7:39) His disciples did not understand these things at first.

But when Jesus was glorified, they remembered that these things

were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

17 Now the crowd that was with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb

and raised him from the dead bore witness.

18 (Jn 12:11) The crowd went and met Him for this reason: They heard that

He had performed this sign.

19 (Jn 3:26) So the Pharisees said among themselves, "See, you are gaining

nothing! Look, the world has followed Him!"



[12] On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they

heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

[13] Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried,

Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

[14] And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is

written,

[15] Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an

ass's colt.

[16] These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus

was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him,

and that they had done these things unto him.

[17] The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of

his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

[18] For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had

done this miracle.

[19] The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye

prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.



Luke 19:41-44



41 (Lk 13:34-35; Jn 11:35) When He came near, He beheld the city

and wept over it,

42 (Dt 32:29) saying, "If you, even you, had known even today what things

would bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43 (Eze 4:2; 26:8) For the days will come upon you when your enemies

will build an embankment around you and surround you,

and press you in on every side.

44 (Lk 21:6; 1Pe 2:12) They will dash you, and your children within you,

to the ground. They will not leave one stone upon another within you,

because you did not know the time of your visitation."



[41] And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

[42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the

things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

[43] For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a

trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

[44] And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee;

and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou

knewest not the time of thy visitation.



John 12:20-36



Some Greeks Seek Jesus



20 (Jn 7:35; 1Ki 8:41-43) Now there were some Greeks among those who went

up to worship at the feast.

21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him,

"Sir, we want to see Jesus."

22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23 (Jn 13:31-32) Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man

to be glorified.

24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground

and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

25 (Mt 10:39; Lk 14:26) He who loves his life will lose it.

And he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 (Jn 14:3; 17:24) If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am,

there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.



[20] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the

feast:

[21] The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee,

and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

[22] Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell

Jesus.

[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man

should be glorified.

[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the

ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much

fruit.

[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in

this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall

also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.



The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up



27 (Lk 22:53; Jn 13:21) "Now My soul is troubled. What shall I say?

'Father, save Me from this hour'? ­Instead, for this reason I came

to this hour.

28 (Mt 3:17; 17:5) Father, glorify Your name."

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have glorified it, and will glorify

it again."

29 The crowd that stood by and heard it said that it had thundered.

Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him."

30 (Jn 11:42) Jesus answered, "This voice came not for My sake,

but for your sakes.

31 (Jn 14:30; 2Co 4:4; Eph 6:12) Now judgment is upon this world.

Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

32 (Jn 6:44; 3:14; 8:28) And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw

all men to Myself."

33 (Jn 18:32; 21:19) He said this to signify by what kind of death

He would die.

34 (Ps 110:4; Isa 9:7) The crowd answered Him, "We have heard from the law

that the Christ remains forever. Why do You say, 'The Son of Man must be

lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

35 (Jn 12:46; Eph 5:8) Then Jesus said to them, "Yet a little while the light

is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.

He who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

36 (Lk 16:8; Jn 8:59) While you have light, believe in the light that

you may become sons of light." Jesus said these things, and departed

and hid Himself from them.



[20] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the

feast:

[21] The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee,

and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

[22] Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell

Jesus.

[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man

should be glorified.

[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the

ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much

fruit.

[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in

this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall

also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Day 91 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 1 April 2023 reflections

Day 91, 1 Apr 2023



1) Judges 8,9



JUDGES 8



Zebah and Zalmunna



1 (2Sa 19:41) Then the men of Ephraim said to him,

"What have you done to us by not calling us to go

and wage war against Midian?" They argued heatedly with him.

2 He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you?

Are not the gleanings of the grapes of Ephraim better

than the harvest of Abiezer?

3 (Pr 15:1; Jdg 7:24-25) It was into your hands that God gave t

he Midianite commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. What was I able to do compared

to you?" When Gideon said this, their anger against him cooled down.

4 Then Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over,

he and the three hundred men who were with him, exhausted but still pursuing.

5 (Ge 33:17; Ps 60:6) He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Please give some

loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are exhausted,

and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian."

6 (1Ki 20:11) The officials of Sukkoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah

and Zalmunna already in your hands that we should give bread to your army?"

7 So Gideon said, "Because of this, when the Lord gives Zebah and Zalmunna

into my hands, I will tear your bodies with desert thorns and briers."

8 (Ge 32:30-31; 1Ki 12:25) He went up from there to Peniel

and spoke to them in the same way. The men of Peniel answered him

just as the men of Sukkoth had.

9 (Jdg 8:17; 1Ki 22:27-28) So he also said to the men of Peniel,

"When I return safely, I will tear down this tower."

10 (Jdg 7:12; 20:2) Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their armies,

about 15000 survivors; they were all who were left of all the army

of the Kedemites, for 120000 arms-bearing men had fallen.

11 (Nu 32:35; 32:42) Gideon went up on the route of the tent dwellers

east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the camp while the army

was off guard.

12 (Ps 83:11) Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and Gideon chased after them.

He captured Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian,

and the entire army was terrified.

13 Gideon son of Joash returned from battle by the Pass of Heres.

14 He captured a young man from among the men of Sukkoth

and asked him to write the names of the leaders and elders of Sukkoth, 77 men.

15 Then he came to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna,

about whom you taunted me. You said, 'Have you subjugated

Zebah and Zalmunna that we should give bread to your weary army?' "

16 (Jdg 8:7) He took the city elders and disciplined the men of Sukkoth

with thorns and briers of the wilderness.

17 (Jdg 8:9; 1Ki 12:25) He tore down the tower of Peniel

and killed the men of the city.

18 (Jdg 4:6) Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna,

"What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?"

They said, "They were like you. Each one looked like the son of a king."

19 He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother.

As the Lord lives, if you had allowed them to live, I would not kill you."

20 Gideon said to his firstborn Jether, "Rise and kill them!"

Yet the young man did not draw his sword because he was afraid,

for he was still a young man.

21 (Jdg 8:26; Ps 83:11) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said,

"You get up and attack us, for a man is judged by his strength."

So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna

and took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.



Gideon's Ephod



22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, you, and your son,

and your grandson, for you have saved us from the hands of Midian."

23 (1Sa 10:19; 12:12) Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you,

and my son will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you."

24 (Ge 25:13; 37:25) Gideon continued, "I have a request to make of you,

that each man would give me an earring from his spoils."

(Their enemy had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)

25 They said, "We will certainly give them."

So they spread out a cloak, and each man threw a ring of his spoils there.

26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1700 gold shekels.

[About 43 pounds, or 20 kilograms.]

This was in addition to the crescent-shaped ornaments, jewelry,

and purple clothing worn by the kings of Midian, as well as the chains

hanging on the necks of their camels.

27 (Jdg 17:5; 18:14) Gideon used these things to make an ephod.

He put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves

to it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.

28 (Jdg 5:31; 3:11) The Midianites were humbled before the children of Israel

and did not lift their heads high again. The land had peace

for 40 years in the days of Gideon.



The Death of Gideon



29 (Jdg 6:32; 7:1) Jerub-Baal son of Joash went to his house and lived there.

30 (Jdg 9:2; 9:5) Gideon had seventy sons, for he had many wives.

31 His concubine who lived in Shechem also bore him a son,

and he named him Abimelek.

32 (Ge 25:8; 15:15) Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age,

and he was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

33 (Jdg 9:4; 9:46) After Gideon died, the children of Israel turned again

to prostitute themselves with the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god.

34 (Ps 78:11; 78:42) The children of Israel did not remember the Lord

their God, who had delivered them from the hands of their enemies around them,

35 and they did not keep faith with the family of Jerub-Baal

(that is, Gideon), for all the good he had done for Israel.



Judges 8

[1] And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that

thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And

they did chide with him sharply.

[2] And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not

the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?

[3] God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb:

and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated

toward him, when he had said that.

[4] And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred

men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.

[5] And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread

unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after

Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

[6] And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now

in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

[7] And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and

Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the

wilderness and with briers.

[8] And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the

men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

[9] And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in

peace, I will break down this tower.

[10] Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about

fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of

the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

[11] And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east

of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

[12] And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the

two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.

[13] And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

[14] And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and

he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even

threescore and seventeen men.

[15] And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and

Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and

Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are

weary?

[16] And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and

briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

[17] And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

[18] Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom

ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one

resembled the children of a king.

[19] And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the

LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

[20] And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth

drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

[21] Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the

man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna,

and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.

[22] Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou,

and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the

hand of Midian.

[23] And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my

son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

[24] And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye

would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden

earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

[25] And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a

garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

[26] And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand

and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple

raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were

about their camels' necks.

[27] And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in

Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a

snare unto Gideon, and to his house.

[28] Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they

lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years

in the days of Gideon.

[29] And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.

[30] And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had

many wives.

[31] And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose

name he called Abimelech.

[32] And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in

the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.

[33] And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of

Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith

their god.

[34] And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had

delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

[35] Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon,

according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.



JUDGES 9



Abimelek



1 (Jdg 8:31) Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem,

to his mother's brothers. He spoke to them and to the house

of his mother's father saying,

2 (Ge 29:14; Jdg 8:30) "Please say in the hearing of all of the leaders of Shechem,

'Which is better for you, to have all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule

over you, or for one man to rule over you?

Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.' "

3 (Ge 29:15) So his mother's brothers spoke all these things about him

in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined

toward Abimelek, for they said, "He is our brother."

4 (Jdg 8:33; 11:3) They gave him seventy silver coins

[About 1 3/4 pounds, or 800 grams.]

from the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelek hired unprincipled

and undisciplined men, and they followed him.

5 (2Ki 11:1-2; Jdg 6:24) He went to his father's house at Ophrah

and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal, on a single stone.

Yet Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, survived because he hid himself.

6 (2Sa 5:9) All the leaders of Shechem and everyone from Beth Millo

gathered together by the oak near the pillar in Shechem to make Abimelek king.

7 (Dt 11:29; 27:12) When Jotham heard this, he went

and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim.

He raised his voice and called out, saying to them,

"Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!

8 (Jdg 8:22-23; 2Ki 14:9) The trees once went out to anoint a king over them.

They said to the olive tree, 'Rule over us!'

9 "Yet the olive tree said to them, 'Should I stop making oil,

by which God and men are honored, to go and sway over the trees?'

10 "So the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and rule over us.'

11 "Yet the fig tree said to them, 'Should I stop making my sweet aroma

and my fruit, to go and sway over the trees?'

12 "So the trees said to the grapevine, 'You come and rule over us.'

13 (Ps 104:15) "Yet the grapevine said to them, 'Should I stop making

my fresh wine, which cheers God and men, to go and sway over the trees?'

14 "So the trees said to the thorn bush, 'You come and rule over us.'

15 (Jdg 9:20; Isa 2:13) "The thorn bush said to the trees,

'If you really want to anoint me king over you,

then come and take refuge in my shade. If not, let fire come out

from the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

16 (Jdg 8:35) "Now then, did you show good faith and integrity

when you made Abimelek king? Did you deal well with Jerub-Baal

and his family? Did you do to him as his actions deserved,

17 considering that my father waged war for you, risked his life for you,

and delivered you from the hands of Midian?

18 (Jdg 9:5-6) Yet you have taken a stand against my father's family today.

You killed his seventy sons, each on a single stone.

You made Abimelek, son of his slave woman, king over the leaders of Shechem

because he is your brother.

19 (Isa 8:6) So if you did show good faith and integrity in what you did with

Jerub-Baal and his family today, then rejoice in Abimelek,

and may he also rejoice in you.

20 (Jdg 9:15; 9:56-57) If not, let fire come out from Abimelek

and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo,

and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem

and from Beth Millo and consume Abimelek!"

21 (Nu 21:16) Then Jotham ran away and fled. He went to Beer

and lived there because of Abimelek his brother.



Judges 9

[1] And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's

brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of

his mother's father, saying,

[2] Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is

better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore

and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also

that I am your bone and your flesh.

[3] And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of

Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for

they said, He is our brother.

[4] And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house

of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which

followed him.

[5] And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the

sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone:

notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he

hid himself.

[6] And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of

Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that

was in Shechem.

[7] And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount

Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken

unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

[8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said

unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

[9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith

by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

[10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

[11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my

good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

[12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

[13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God

and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

[14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

[15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over

you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come

out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

[16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have

made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house,

and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

[17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and

delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

[18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain

his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made

Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because

he is your brother;)

[19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his

house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in

you:

[20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of

Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of

Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

[21] And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for

fear of Abimelech his brother.





The Downfall of Abimelek



22 After Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years,

23 (Isa 33:1; 19:14) God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek

and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem

dealt treacherously with Abimelek,

24 (1Ki 2:32; Est 9:25) so that the violence done to the seventy

sons of Jerub-Baal and their blood might come back upon

Abimelek their brother, who killed them, and upon the leaders of Shechem,

who empowered him to kill his brothers.

25 The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against him on the hilltops

and robbed all who passed by them on the road. This was told to Abimelek.

26 Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his brothers came to Shechem,

and the leaders of Shechem trusted him.

27 (Jdg 9:4) They went out to the field, gathered

and trod their grapes, and had a celebration.

They went to the temple of their god and ate, drank,

and cursed Abimelek.

28 (Ge 34:2; 34:6) Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelek,

and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?

Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul his officer?

Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

Why should we serve Abimelek?

29 (2Sa 15:4) If only this people were under my command,

I would get rid of Abim­elek." So he said to Abimelek, "Muster your army

and come out!"

30 Then Zebul the city ruler heard the words of Gaal

son of Ebed and he burned with anger.

31 He secretly sent messengers to Abim­elek, saying, "Gaal, the son of Ebed,

and his brothers have come to Shechem and are fortifying the city against you.

32 So now, get up at night, you and the people with you,

and lie in wait in the field.

33 (1Sa 10:7; Ecc 9:10) In the morning at sunrise, get up early and attack

the city. He and the people with him will come out to you,

then you can do to them as you find opportunity."

34 So Abimelek and all the people who were with him got up at night

and lay in wait by Shechem in four companies.

35 When Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate

then Abimelek and the people who were with him

got up from their hiding places.

36 Gaal saw these people and said to Zebul,

"Look, people are coming down from the hilltops."

Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the hills look like men to you."

37 Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, people are coming down the middle

of the land, and a company is coming by way of the Diviner's Oak."

38 (Jdg 9:28-29) Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now,

which said, 'Who is Abimelek, that we should serve him?'

Are not these the people you dismissed out of hand?

Go now, I pray, and fight against them."

39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelek.

40 Abimelek chased him, and Gaal fled from him. Many fell wounded

at the entrance of the gate.

41 Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal

and his brothers from living in Shechem.

42 The next day the people went out into

the field, and this was told to Abimelek.

43 So he took the people and divided them into three companies,

and they laid in wait in the field. When the people came out from the city,

he rose up against them and struck them down.

44 Abimelek and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood

at the entrance of the city gate. The two other combat units attacked everyone

in the field and struck them down.

45 (2Ki 3:25; Dt 29:23) Abimelek fought against the city all that day.

He captured the city and killed the people inside it;

he tore down the city and spread salt over it.

46 (Jdg 8:33; 9:4) When the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard this,

they entered the fortified temple of El-Berith.

47 Abimelek was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem

had gathered together.

48 (Ps 68:14) So Abimelek and all the people who were with him went

up Mount Zalmon. He took an axe in his hand and cut off a tree branch,

lifted it, and carried it on his shoulder. Then he said to the men

who were with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do the same."

49 So everyone likewise cut off a branch and followed Abimelek.

They placed them on the fortification and set the fortification

on fire over them. So all the people of the Tower of Shechem died,

about 1000 men and women.

50 Then Abimelek went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it.

51 But there was a fortified tower within the city,

so all of the men and women and the leaders of the city fled there.

They shut themselves in and went up to the top of the tower.

52 Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it. But as he drew near

to the tower entrance to burn it with fire,

53 (2Sa 11:21) a certain woman dropped an upper millstone

on the head of Abimelek, and it crushed his skull.

54 Urgently he called to the young man who carried his gear and said to him,

"Draw your sword and kill me, so that people may not say about me,

'A woman killed him.' "

So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

55 Then the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, so everyone went home.

56 (Ps 94:23; Jdg 9:24) Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelek,

which he committed against his father by killing his seventy brothers.

57 (Jdg 9:20) God also repaid the evil deeds of the men of Shechem,

and the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came upon them.



[22] When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,

[23] Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem;

and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

[24] That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might

come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them;

and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

[25] And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the

mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was

told Abimelech.

[26] And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to

Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

[27] And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and

trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and

did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

[28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem,

that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his

officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we

serve him?

[29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove

Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

[30] And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of

Ebed, his anger was kindled.

[31] And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the

son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify

the city against thee.

[32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and

lie in wait in the field:

[33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou

shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people

that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou

shalt find occasion.

[34] And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night,

and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

[35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the

gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him,

from lying in wait.

[36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come

people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou

seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

[37] And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle

of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

[38] Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou

saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people

that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

[39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

[40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were

overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

[41] And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his

brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

[42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the

field; and they told Abimelech.

[43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid

wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out

of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

[44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and

stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies

ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

[45] And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the

city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and

sowed it with salt.

[46] And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered

into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

[47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem

were gathered together.

[48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that

were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough

from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the

people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I

have done.

[49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed

Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so

that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and

women.

[50] Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took

it.

[51] But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the

men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them

up to the top of the tower.

[52] And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard

unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

[53] And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head,

and all to brake his skull.

[54] Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said

unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew

him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

[55] And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed

every man unto his place.

[56] Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his

father, in slaying his seventy brethren:

[57] And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads:

and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.



2) Our Daily Bread for 1 April 2023 titled



More Than Skin Deep




Psalm 32



PSALMS 32

A Psalm of David. A Contemplative Maskil.

1 Blessed is he

whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Blessed is the man

against whom the Lord does not count iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) When I kept silent,

my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For day and night

Your hand was heavy on me;

my strength was changed

into the drought of summer. Selah

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I acknowledged my sin to You,

and my iniquity I did not conceal.

I said, "I will confess

my transgressions to the Lord,"

and You forgave

the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) For this cause everyone who is godly will pray to You

in a time when You may be found;

surely in the floods of great waters

they will not reach him.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) You are my hiding place;

You will preserve me from trouble;

You will surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) I will instruct you and teach you

in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye on you.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Do not be as the horse or as the mule

that are without understanding,

that must be restrained with bit and bridle,

or they will not come near you.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Many sorrows come to the wicked,

but lovingkindness will surround

the man who trusts in the Lord.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous one;

and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!



Psalms 32

[1] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

[2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in

whose spirit there is no guile.

[3] When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day

long.

[4] For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into

the drought of summer. Selah.

[5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I

said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the

iniquity of my sin. Selah.

[6] For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when

thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not

come nigh unto him.

[7] Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou

shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

[8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I

will guide thee with mine eye.

[9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding:

whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto

thee.

[10] Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD,

mercy shall compass him about.

[11] Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all

ye that are upright in heart.



José, a young believer in Jesus, was visiting his brother's church. As he

entered the sanctuary prior to the service, his brother's face fell when

he saw him. José's tattoos, covering both arms, were visible since he was

wearing a T-shirt. His brother told him to go home and put on a long-sleeved

shirt, for many of José's tattoos reflected the ways of his past. José

suddenly felt dirty. But another man overheard the brothers' interaction and

brought José to the pastor, telling him what had happened. The pastor smiled

and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a large tattoo on his chest-something

from his own past. He assured José that because God had made him pure

from the inside out, he didn't need to cover his arms.



David experienced the joy of being made pure by God. After confessing his sin

to Him, the king wrote, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose

sin is covered." (Psalm 32:1). He could now "shout for joy" with others "that

are upright in heart" (v. 11 nlt). The apostle Paul later quoted Psalm 32:1-2

in Romans 4:7-8, a passage declaring that faith in Jesus leads to salvation

and a pure standing before Him (see Romans 4:23-25).



Our purity in Jesus is much more than skin deep, for He knows and purifies our

hearts (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 John 1:9). May we rejoice in His purifying work today.



By: Tom Felten



Reflect & Pray



What past sins have you struggled with?

What does it mean to be transformed and purified by faith in Jesus?



Jesus, thank You for forgiving my sins and making me pure within.





For further study, read The Weight of Sin.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 7 - Upheld by His Hand



Is 41:10



10 (Jos 1:9; Isa 41:13-14) Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you,

yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.



10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.



Beth had the same recurring nightmare: she was running along a cliff,

then she slipped, and fell headlong, into a bottomless ravine.

Falling, without control,without end, falling, falling, falling...

Beth's dream may be one many of us identify with. The sense

of losing control can be nightmarish, and we may fear falling

without end, without remedy. Financial failure may be the chasm

that we face, or professional disgrace. Personal relationships

may go out of control, and we look into a never-ending

ravine of pain and misunderstanding

But God says, "Don't be afraid; I am holding you up."

Like the father who helps his child learn to swim,

God holds us above the water. We may not feel his hands;

indeed, we may suspect that he lets us go just so we can

do it on our own. But he promises that he doesn't let go.

"I am with you." he declares. "I give you strength

and hold you up."

God's promise never to let go takes on new meaning

in a world where relationships are temporary and life is

uncertain. We do not need to fear, for he is with us.

We can relax and stop striving, for he is our God.

His strength becomes ours; amid all our sin and rebellion,

he undergirds us with his righteousness. We cannot fall,

for he holds us firm.



Application



a) Under what circumstances have I felt myself "falling"?



b) How does God's promise in Is 41:10 help me to have faith

in the midst of my fears?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



1 Tim 6:17-19



17 (Ro 11:20; 1Ti 4:10) Command those who are rich in this world that they

not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,

who richly gives us all things to enjoy.

18 (Ro 12:8; 12:13) Command that they do good, that they be rich

in good works, generous, willing to share,

19 (Lk 16:9; 1Ti 6:12) and laying up in store for themselves a good

foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.



17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,

nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly

all things to enjoy;

18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works,

ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time

to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Eternal Faithfulness



Ps 89:1 -8



PSALMS 89



A Contemplative Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.



1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

with my mouth I will make known

Your faithfulness to all generations.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For I have said,

"Mercy shall be built up forever;

Your faithfulness shall be

established in the heavens."

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have said,

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

I have sworn to David my servant:

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) 'Your offspring I will establish forever,

and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord;

Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) For who in the skies can

be compared to the Lord?

Who among the heavenly sons is like the Lord?

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) God is greatly to be feared

in the assembly of the holy ones

and awesome to all those who surround Him.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) O Lord God of Hosts,

who is a mighty Lord like You,

with Your faithfulness all around You?



1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:

With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever:

Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen,

I have sworn unto David my servant,

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever,

And build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD:

Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

6 For who in the heaven

Can be compared unto the LORD?

Who among the sons of the mighty

Can be likened unto the LORD?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,

And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee?

Or to thy faithfulness round about thee?



Remember God's promises when You pray





The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 18 March to 18 April 2023



DAY 15 APRIL 1



Medina is a city in Saudi Arabia. It's where Islam originated

approximately 1,400 years ago, when its founder, Muhammad,

declared that no other religion should exist on the Arabian

Peninsula and thus established the Muslim community. As a result,

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam.

Each year around 2 million Muslims pilgrimage

to Medina and to Mecca, the holiest

city in Islam. More and more Saudis are growing

disillusioned with Islam, however, and coming to

Jesus through digital media, traveling abroad, and

faithful witness within the nation. With the Crown

Prince's push for a modernised Saudi Arabia, an

opportunity presents itself for the Saudi church

to stand in opposition to Muhammad's declaration

1.400 years ago, and to capitalise on greater freedom

within their nation in

claiming their country for the King of Kings.



Najdi Saudi Arab



Bedouin Arab



Southern Yemeni

Arab




Pray Emphasis



- Pray for a Christ-honoring breakthrough

and the launching of multiplying house

churches in the 24 languages of Medina,

especially among the listed people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to

sweep over the house churches, and for

the church in Medina to become a house

of prayer for all nations.

- Pray for the revelation of Jesus as King to

spread into every neighborhood.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to shatter

the darkness and to bring hope to those

trapped in darkness.



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



1st Day of the month



1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



(

Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,

I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream

dreams, and your young men will see visions.



28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon

all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men

shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:



Acts 2:17 "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.



17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

And your young men shall see visions,

And your old men shall dream dreams:



)



2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,

as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.



1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,

As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.



)





Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for leadership and wisdom.



Pray to the Lord: "Jesus, thank You for forgiving my sins

and making me pure within."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know that He will uphold you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a humble and joyful giver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember his faithfulness.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for a Christ-honoring breakthrough

and the launching of multiplying house

churches in the 24 languages of Medina,

especially among the listed people groups.

- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to

sweep over the house churches, and for

the church in Medina to become a house

of prayer for all nations.

- Pray for the revelation of Jesus as King to

spread into every neighborhood.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to shatter

the darkness and to bring hope to those

trapped in darkness.



Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God