Day 131 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 11 May 2023 reflections
Day 131, 11 May 2023
1)1 Chronicles 20
2 Samuel 11
2 Samuel 12:1-14
Psalms 51
2 Samuel 12:15-25
1 Chronicles 20
Rabbah Captured
(2Sa 11:1; 12:29-31)
1 (2Sa 11:1; Dt 3:11) Now at the beginning of the year when kings would go
out to war, Joab led the army and devastated the land of the Ammonites.
He came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
So Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it.
2 Then David took the crown of their king from his head
and found it weighed about a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]
of gold with a precious stone set in it. And it was placed on David's head.
He also brought out a great abundance of plunder from the city.
3 He brought out the people who were it in, and put them to work with saws,
sharp iron tools, and axes. Thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites,
and then he and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
[1] And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that
kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the
country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David
tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
[2] And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it
to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was
set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the
city.
[3] And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws,
and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the
cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to
Jerusalem.
Philistine Giants Killed
2Sa 21:15-22
4 (2Sa 21:18-22) Now after this, when war broke out in Gezer
with the Philistines, Sibbekai of Hushah killed Sippai,
who was one of the descendants of the giants, and they were humbled.
5 (2Sa 21:19) Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan
the son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite,
the shaft of whose wooden spear was like a weaver's beam.
6 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature,
who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, 24 in number;
and he also was descended from the giants.
7 (1Sa 16:9; 1Ch 2:13) When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea,
David's brother, killed him.
8 These were descended from the giants in Gath,
and they fell by the hand of David and his servants.
[4] And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the
Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of
the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
[5] And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of
Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was
like a weaver's beam.
[6] And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature,
whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on
each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.
[7] But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother
slew him.
[8] These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of
David, and by the hand of his servants.
2 SAMUEL 11
David and Bathsheba
1 (1Ch 20:1; 1Ki 20:22; 20:26) In the spring of the year, the time
when the kings go out to battle, David sent out Joab and his officers,
all of Israel with him. They brought to ruin the Ammonites
and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
2 (Dt 22:8; Mt 5:28) One evening when David arose from his bed
and was walking on the roof of the king's house, from the roof
he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.
3 (2Sa 23:39; 1Ch 3:5) So, David sent someone to inquire about the woman.
And it was asked, "Is this not Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam,
the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
4 (Lev 18:19; Jas 1:14-15) So David sent messengers, and took her;
and she came to him, and he lay with her. When she had purified
herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.
5 (Dt 22:22) The woman conceived. So she sent a message
and reported to David, "I am pregnant."
6 Then David sent an order to Joab, "Send Uriah the Hittite to me."
So, Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 (Ge 37:14; 1Sa 17:22) When Uriah came to him, David asked
about the welfare of Joab, the people, and the fighting.
8 (Ge 18:4) Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house. Wash your feet."
So Uriah left the house of the king, and a gift from the king followed him.
9 But Uriah slept at the entrance of the house of the king with all
of the servants of his lord; he did not go down to his house.
10 When they reported to David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house,"
David said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey?
Why did you not go down to your house?"
11 (2Sa 7:2; 7:6) Uriah responded to David, "The ark, Israel, and Judah dwell
in make shift shelters. My lord Joab and the officers of my lord are camping
in the open field. But I may enter my house to eat, to drink,
and to sleep with my wife? As you live and as your soul lives,
I will not do this thing!"
12 So David said to Uriah, "Remain here another day, and I will send you back
tomorrow." Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the following day.
13 Now David invited him to eat in his presence, and he drank until he got
Uriah drunk. In the evening, he went to lie down in his lodging
with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.
14 (1Ki 21:8-10) That morning, David wrote a message to Joab
and sent it by way of Uriah.
15 (2Sa 12:9) He wrote in the message, "Send Uriah to the front of the line
where the fighting is heaviest then withdraw from him,
so that he may be struck down and die."
16 So as Joab was besieging the city, he stationed Uriah in a place
where he knew fierce men were.
17 When the men of the city came out, they fought with Joab,
and some people among those who served David fell;
Uriah the Hittite died among them.
18 Joab sent word to inform David of all of the events of the battle.
19 He instructed the messenger, "When you finish telling the king
all the details of the battle,
20 if his anger rises and he says to you, 'Why did you approach
so near to the city? Did you not know that they might shoot
from the city wall?
21 Who killed Abimelek the son of Jerub-Besheth?
Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the city wall
so that he died at Thebez? Why did you approach so near to the city wall?'
You shall then say, 'Additionally your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.' "
22 So the messenger departed and came to report to David everything that Joab
had sent with him.
23 The messenger reported to David, "The men prevailed over us
when they came out against us in the open field, but we drove them
back to the entrance of the gate.
24 Then the archers shot at your servants from upon the city wall,
and some of those who serve the king are dead.
Even your servant Uriah the Hittite died."
25 So David replied to the messenger, "Thus you shall report to Joab,
'Do not allow this thing to dismay you, for the sword devours one as well
as another. Sustain your attack against the city and bring it to ruin.'
Encourage him with this reply."
26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead,
she mourned for her husband.
27 (2Sa 12:9; Ps 51:4-5) When the time of mourning was concluded,
David sent for her and brought her to his house. She became his wife
and bore him a son.
But the thing that David had done was displeasing to the Lord.
2 Samuel 11
[1] And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings
go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all
Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But
David tarried still at Jerusalem.
[2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw
a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
[3] And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this
Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
[4] And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and
he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned
unto her house.
[5] And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with
child.
[6] And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent
Uriah to David.
[7] And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did,
and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
[8] And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And
Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of
meat from the king.
[9] But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of
his lord, and went not down to his house.
[10] And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his
house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then
didst thou not go down unto thine house?
[11] And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in
tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the
open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to
lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this
thing.
[12] And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will
let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
[13] And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he
made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants
of his lord, but went not down to his house.
[14] And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab,
and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
[15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of
the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
[16] And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned
Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
[17] And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell
some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died
also.
[18] Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
[19] And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of
telling the matters of the war unto the king,
[20] And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee,
Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not
that they would shoot from the wall?
[21] Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a
piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why
went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead
also.
[22] So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent
him for.
[23] And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us,
and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the
entering of the gate.
[24] And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of
the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
[25] Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let
not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as
another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and
encourage thou him.
[26] And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she
mourned for her husband.
[27] And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his
house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David
had done displeased the LORD.
2 SAMUEL 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1Ch 20:1-3
1 (1Ki 20:35-41) The Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said,
"There were two men in a certain city. One was wealthy,
but the other was poor.
2 The wealthy man had a very large flock and herd,
3 (2Sa 11:3) but the poor man had nothing except a single small ewe lamb
that he had acquired. He nourished it and raised it together with himself
and his sons. From his crumbs, it would eat; from his cup, it would drink;
and in his arms it would lie. It was like a daughter to him.
4 "There came a visitor to the wealthy man, but he was unwilling to take
from his own flock or herd to prepare a meal for the wanderer
who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb
and prepared food for the wanderer who had come to him."
5 (1Sa 26:16) David became very angry because of this man. He said to Nathan,
"As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die.
6 (Ex 22:1; Lk 19:8) And he shall restore the lamb fourfold,
because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."
7 (1Sa 16:13) Then Nathan told David, "You are this man! Thus says the Lord,
the God of Israel: I anointed you as king over Israel and I rescued you from
the hand of Saul.
8 I gave to you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms,
and I gave to you the house of Israel and Judah. If this were too little,
I would have continued to do for you much more.
9 (1Sa 15:19; 15:23) Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing
evil in His sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword,
and you took his wife as a wife for yourself. You killed him with the sword
of the Ammonites.
10 (2Sa 18:14-15) Now the sword will never depart from your house,
because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite
to be your wife.
11 (Dt 28:30; 2Sa 16:21-22) "Thus says the Lord: See, I will raise up trouble
against you from within your own house. I will take your wives before
your eyes and will give them to your neighbour, and he will lie
with your wives in broad daylight.
12 (2Sa 16:22) Although you did it secretly, I will do this thing before
all of Israel, and under the sun."
13 (2Sa 24:10; Lev 20:10) Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned
against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away
your sin; you shall not die.
14 (Isa 52:5; Ro 2:24) Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly
scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die."
2 Samuel 12
[1] And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto
him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
[2] The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
[3] But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had
bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his
children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in
his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
[4] And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of
his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was
come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that
was come to him.
[5] And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to
Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely
die:
[6] And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and
because he had no pity.
[7] And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of
Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the
hand of Saul;
[8] And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy
bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been
too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
[9] Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in
his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken
his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children
of Ammon.
[10] Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because
thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be
thy wife.
[11] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of
thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them
unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this
sun.
[12] For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel,
and before the sun.
[13] And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan
said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
[14] Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the
enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee
shall surely die.
PSALMS 51
For the Music Director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet came to him,
after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your lovingkindness;
according to the abundance of Your compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For I acknowledge my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Against You, You only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in Your sight,
so that You are justified when You speak,
and You are blameless when You judge.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin my mother conceived me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) You desire truth in the inward parts,
and in the hidden part You make me to know wisdom.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Make me to hear joy and gladness,
that the bones that You have broken may rejoice.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Hide Your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Do not cast me away from Your presence,
and do not take Your Holy Spirit fromme.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
and uphold me with Your willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure;
build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
with burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
then they will offer young bulls on Your altar.
Psalm 51
[1] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according
unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
[3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou
judgest.
[5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
[6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part
thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.
[8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken
may rejoice.
[9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from
me.
[12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free
spirit.
[13] Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be
converted unto thee.
[14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and
my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
[15] O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
[16] For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest
not in burnt offering.
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
[18] Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of
Jerusalem.
[19] Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with
burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon
thine altar.
2 SAMUEL 12
15 (1Sa 25:38) Then Nathan went to his house. The Lord struck the child
that the wife of Uriah had born for David, and he became sick.
16 (2Sa 13:31) David entreated God on behalf of the child.
He fasted for a period, and he would go in and lie throughout the night
on the ground.
17 (2Sa 3:35) The elders of his house stood beside him to rouse him
from the ground, but he was not willing, nor would he consume
food with them.
18 The child died on the seventh day, and the servants of David
were afraid to tell him that the child had died. They said,
"When the child was alive, we would speak to him,
but he would not acknowledge our voices.
Now how can we say to him, 'The child is dead'? He may do harm."
19 When David noticed that his servants were whispering to one another,
he perceived that the child was dead.
So he asked his servants, "Is the child dead?"
They said, "He is dead."
20 (Job 1:20; Ru 3:3) So David arose from the ground, washed,
anointed himself, and changed his garments. Then he entered the house
of the Lord and worshipped. He then went in to his own house.
When he asked, they set down food for him and ate.
21 His servants said to him, "What is this thing you have done?
You fasted and wept for the sake of the living child,
but when the child died, you arose and ate food."
22 (Isa 38:1-3; 38:5) He explained, "As long as the child was alive,
I fasted and wept because I thought, 'Who knows?
The Lord may be gracious to me, so that the child may live.'
23 (Ge 37:35; Job 7:8-10) But now he is dead. Why should I fast?
Am I able to bring him back again? I will go to him,
but he will not return to me."
The Birth of Solomon
24 (Mt 1:6) Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife. He went to her
and lay with her, so that she conceived a son. They named him Solomon,
and the Lord loved him.
25 (Ne 13:26) So He sent a word by way of the prophet Nathan that he should
be named Jedidiah for the sake of the Lord.
2 Samuel 12
[15] And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that
Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
[16] David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went
in, and lay all night upon the earth.
[17] And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up
from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
[18] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the
servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said,
Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not
hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that
the child is dead?
[19] But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that
the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child
dead? And they said, He is dead.
[20] Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and
changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped:
then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before
him, and he did eat.
[21] Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast
done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when
the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
[22] And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I
said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may
live?
[23] But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back
again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
[24] And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay
with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD
loved him.
[25] And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name
Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 11 May 2023
God Sees, Understands, and Cares
Psalm 147:1–5
Psalms 147
1 Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises unto our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He heals the broken in heart,
and binds up their wounds.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by their names.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Great is our Lord and great in power;
His understanding is without measure. .
Psalms 147
[1] Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it
is pleasant; and praise is comely.
[2] The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of
Israel.
[3] He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
[4] He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
[5] Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Sometimes, living with chronic pain and fatigue leads to being isolated at
home and feeling alone. I've often felt unseen by God and others. During an
early morning prayer-walk with my service dog, I struggled with these
feelings. I noticed a hot-air balloon in the distance. The people in its
basket could enjoy a bird's-eye view of our quiet neighbourhood, but they
couldn't really see me. As I continued walking past my neighbours' houses, I
sighed. How many people behind those closed doors feel unseen and
insignificant? As I finished my walk, I asked God to give me opportunities to
let my neighbours know that I see them and care for them, and so does He.
God determined the exact number of stars that He spoke into existence. He
identified each star with a name (Psalm 147:4), an intimate act that
demonstrates His attention to the smallest details. His strength-insight,
discernment, and knowledge-have "no limit" in the past, present,
or future (v. 5).
God hears each desperate cry and sees each silent tear as clearly as He
notices each sigh of contentment and belly laugh. He sees when we're stumbling
and when we're standing in triumph. He understands our deepest fears, our
innermost thoughts, and our wildest dreams. He knows where we've been and
where we're going. As God helps us see, hear, and love our neighbours, we
can trust Him to see, understand, and care for us.
How have your neighbours loved you? How can you love others today?
God, please help me see, hear, and love others in practical ways.
For further study, read Loving Our Neighbors.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 5 When you pray
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone,
so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
"My prayer don't seem to be very effective," a man told his pastor." I try
to make contact with God, but my prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce
back."
The pastor thought for a moment, then gently suggested,
"Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?"
"What do you mean?" The man's face flushed; the pastor has obviuosly struck
a nerve. "Well, I guess I've had some struggles with my mother ... and then,
my wife, and I ... ." The hidden truth came to light: the man was bound in
unforgiving relationships with five of the closest people to him.
Forgiveness is an essential element in prayer. For a very good reason,
worship services in liturgical churches place the confession of sin and the
absolution near the beginning of the service, before the reading of God's
Word, prayer, and the sermon. Forgiveness - both the Lord's forgiveness
of us and our forgiveness of others - clears the way for unhindered
communication between God and his people.
When we carry anger and bitterness, or even deeply buried, well-subliminated
unforgiveness, into the presence of God, our prayers will be affected. We can,
however, free the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others
through forgiveness. We can choose to forgive in light of God's forgiveness
of us. And when we do, the channels are re-established;
we can pray in power and open ourselves to an awareness of his activity
in our lives.
Application
a) Have my prayers ever been affected by unforgiveness in my life?
b) Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive,
whether or not I can work toward?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."
38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
5 Every word of God is pure:
He is a shield unto them that put their trust in 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?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
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 pray to be humble and repentant in Power.
Pray to the Lord: "God, please help me see, hear,
and love others in practical ways."
Pray to the Lord and pray to forgive those who have trespassed against you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a joyful giver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to His word as pure.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
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 your nation.
Pray that Fulani and Tuareg Christians in Niger will witness boldly
to family members who persecute them.
1)1 Chronicles 20
2 Samuel 11
2 Samuel 12:1-14
Psalms 51
2 Samuel 12:15-25
1 Chronicles 20
Rabbah Captured
(2Sa 11:1; 12:29-31)
1 (2Sa 11:1; Dt 3:11) Now at the beginning of the year when kings would go
out to war, Joab led the army and devastated the land of the Ammonites.
He came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
So Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it.
2 Then David took the crown of their king from his head
and found it weighed about a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]
of gold with a precious stone set in it. And it was placed on David's head.
He also brought out a great abundance of plunder from the city.
3 He brought out the people who were it in, and put them to work with saws,
sharp iron tools, and axes. Thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites,
and then he and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
[1] And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that
kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the
country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David
tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
[2] And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it
to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was
set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the
city.
[3] And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws,
and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the
cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to
Jerusalem.
Philistine Giants Killed
2Sa 21:15-22
4 (2Sa 21:18-22) Now after this, when war broke out in Gezer
with the Philistines, Sibbekai of Hushah killed Sippai,
who was one of the descendants of the giants, and they were humbled.
5 (2Sa 21:19) Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan
the son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite,
the shaft of whose wooden spear was like a weaver's beam.
6 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature,
who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, 24 in number;
and he also was descended from the giants.
7 (1Sa 16:9; 1Ch 2:13) When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea,
David's brother, killed him.
8 These were descended from the giants in Gath,
and they fell by the hand of David and his servants.
[4] And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the
Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of
the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
[5] And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of
Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was
like a weaver's beam.
[6] And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature,
whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on
each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.
[7] But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother
slew him.
[8] These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of
David, and by the hand of his servants.
2 SAMUEL 11
David and Bathsheba
1 (1Ch 20:1; 1Ki 20:22; 20:26) In the spring of the year, the time
when the kings go out to battle, David sent out Joab and his officers,
all of Israel with him. They brought to ruin the Ammonites
and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
2 (Dt 22:8; Mt 5:28) One evening when David arose from his bed
and was walking on the roof of the king's house, from the roof
he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.
3 (2Sa 23:39; 1Ch 3:5) So, David sent someone to inquire about the woman.
And it was asked, "Is this not Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam,
the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
4 (Lev 18:19; Jas 1:14-15) So David sent messengers, and took her;
and she came to him, and he lay with her. When she had purified
herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.
5 (Dt 22:22) The woman conceived. So she sent a message
and reported to David, "I am pregnant."
6 Then David sent an order to Joab, "Send Uriah the Hittite to me."
So, Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 (Ge 37:14; 1Sa 17:22) When Uriah came to him, David asked
about the welfare of Joab, the people, and the fighting.
8 (Ge 18:4) Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house. Wash your feet."
So Uriah left the house of the king, and a gift from the king followed him.
9 But Uriah slept at the entrance of the house of the king with all
of the servants of his lord; he did not go down to his house.
10 When they reported to David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house,"
David said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey?
Why did you not go down to your house?"
11 (2Sa 7:2; 7:6) Uriah responded to David, "The ark, Israel, and Judah dwell
in make shift shelters. My lord Joab and the officers of my lord are camping
in the open field. But I may enter my house to eat, to drink,
and to sleep with my wife? As you live and as your soul lives,
I will not do this thing!"
12 So David said to Uriah, "Remain here another day, and I will send you back
tomorrow." Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the following day.
13 Now David invited him to eat in his presence, and he drank until he got
Uriah drunk. In the evening, he went to lie down in his lodging
with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.
14 (1Ki 21:8-10) That morning, David wrote a message to Joab
and sent it by way of Uriah.
15 (2Sa 12:9) He wrote in the message, "Send Uriah to the front of the line
where the fighting is heaviest then withdraw from him,
so that he may be struck down and die."
16 So as Joab was besieging the city, he stationed Uriah in a place
where he knew fierce men were.
17 When the men of the city came out, they fought with Joab,
and some people among those who served David fell;
Uriah the Hittite died among them.
18 Joab sent word to inform David of all of the events of the battle.
19 He instructed the messenger, "When you finish telling the king
all the details of the battle,
20 if his anger rises and he says to you, 'Why did you approach
so near to the city? Did you not know that they might shoot
from the city wall?
21 Who killed Abimelek the son of Jerub-Besheth?
Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the city wall
so that he died at Thebez? Why did you approach so near to the city wall?'
You shall then say, 'Additionally your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.' "
22 So the messenger departed and came to report to David everything that Joab
had sent with him.
23 The messenger reported to David, "The men prevailed over us
when they came out against us in the open field, but we drove them
back to the entrance of the gate.
24 Then the archers shot at your servants from upon the city wall,
and some of those who serve the king are dead.
Even your servant Uriah the Hittite died."
25 So David replied to the messenger, "Thus you shall report to Joab,
'Do not allow this thing to dismay you, for the sword devours one as well
as another. Sustain your attack against the city and bring it to ruin.'
Encourage him with this reply."
26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead,
she mourned for her husband.
27 (2Sa 12:9; Ps 51:4-5) When the time of mourning was concluded,
David sent for her and brought her to his house. She became his wife
and bore him a son.
But the thing that David had done was displeasing to the Lord.
2 Samuel 11
[1] And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings
go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all
Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But
David tarried still at Jerusalem.
[2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw
a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
[3] And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this
Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
[4] And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and
he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned
unto her house.
[5] And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with
child.
[6] And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent
Uriah to David.
[7] And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did,
and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
[8] And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And
Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of
meat from the king.
[9] But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of
his lord, and went not down to his house.
[10] And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his
house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then
didst thou not go down unto thine house?
[11] And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in
tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the
open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to
lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this
thing.
[12] And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will
let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
[13] And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he
made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants
of his lord, but went not down to his house.
[14] And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab,
and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
[15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of
the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
[16] And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned
Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
[17] And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell
some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died
also.
[18] Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
[19] And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of
telling the matters of the war unto the king,
[20] And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee,
Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not
that they would shoot from the wall?
[21] Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a
piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why
went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead
also.
[22] So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent
him for.
[23] And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us,
and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the
entering of the gate.
[24] And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of
the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
[25] Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let
not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as
another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and
encourage thou him.
[26] And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she
mourned for her husband.
[27] And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his
house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David
had done displeased the LORD.
2 SAMUEL 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1Ch 20:1-3
1 (1Ki 20:35-41) The Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said,
"There were two men in a certain city. One was wealthy,
but the other was poor.
2 The wealthy man had a very large flock and herd,
3 (2Sa 11:3) but the poor man had nothing except a single small ewe lamb
that he had acquired. He nourished it and raised it together with himself
and his sons. From his crumbs, it would eat; from his cup, it would drink;
and in his arms it would lie. It was like a daughter to him.
4 "There came a visitor to the wealthy man, but he was unwilling to take
from his own flock or herd to prepare a meal for the wanderer
who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb
and prepared food for the wanderer who had come to him."
5 (1Sa 26:16) David became very angry because of this man. He said to Nathan,
"As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die.
6 (Ex 22:1; Lk 19:8) And he shall restore the lamb fourfold,
because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."
7 (1Sa 16:13) Then Nathan told David, "You are this man! Thus says the Lord,
the God of Israel: I anointed you as king over Israel and I rescued you from
the hand of Saul.
8 I gave to you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms,
and I gave to you the house of Israel and Judah. If this were too little,
I would have continued to do for you much more.
9 (1Sa 15:19; 15:23) Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing
evil in His sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword,
and you took his wife as a wife for yourself. You killed him with the sword
of the Ammonites.
10 (2Sa 18:14-15) Now the sword will never depart from your house,
because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite
to be your wife.
11 (Dt 28:30; 2Sa 16:21-22) "Thus says the Lord: See, I will raise up trouble
against you from within your own house. I will take your wives before
your eyes and will give them to your neighbour, and he will lie
with your wives in broad daylight.
12 (2Sa 16:22) Although you did it secretly, I will do this thing before
all of Israel, and under the sun."
13 (2Sa 24:10; Lev 20:10) Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned
against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away
your sin; you shall not die.
14 (Isa 52:5; Ro 2:24) Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly
scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die."
2 Samuel 12
[1] And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto
him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
[2] The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
[3] But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had
bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his
children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in
his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
[4] And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of
his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was
come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that
was come to him.
[5] And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to
Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely
die:
[6] And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and
because he had no pity.
[7] And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of
Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the
hand of Saul;
[8] And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy
bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been
too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
[9] Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in
his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken
his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children
of Ammon.
[10] Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because
thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be
thy wife.
[11] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of
thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them
unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this
sun.
[12] For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel,
and before the sun.
[13] And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan
said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
[14] Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the
enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee
shall surely die.
PSALMS 51
For the Music Director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet came to him,
after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your lovingkindness;
according to the abundance of Your compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For I acknowledge my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Against You, You only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in Your sight,
so that You are justified when You speak,
and You are blameless when You judge.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin my mother conceived me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) You desire truth in the inward parts,
and in the hidden part You make me to know wisdom.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Make me to hear joy and gladness,
that the bones that You have broken may rejoice.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Hide Your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Do not cast me away from Your presence,
and do not take Your Holy Spirit fromme.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
and uphold me with Your willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure;
build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
with burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
then they will offer young bulls on Your altar.
Psalm 51
[1] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according
unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
[3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou
judgest.
[5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
[6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part
thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.
[8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken
may rejoice.
[9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from
me.
[12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free
spirit.
[13] Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be
converted unto thee.
[14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and
my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
[15] O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
[16] For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest
not in burnt offering.
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
[18] Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of
Jerusalem.
[19] Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with
burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon
thine altar.
2 SAMUEL 12
15 (1Sa 25:38) Then Nathan went to his house. The Lord struck the child
that the wife of Uriah had born for David, and he became sick.
16 (2Sa 13:31) David entreated God on behalf of the child.
He fasted for a period, and he would go in and lie throughout the night
on the ground.
17 (2Sa 3:35) The elders of his house stood beside him to rouse him
from the ground, but he was not willing, nor would he consume
food with them.
18 The child died on the seventh day, and the servants of David
were afraid to tell him that the child had died. They said,
"When the child was alive, we would speak to him,
but he would not acknowledge our voices.
Now how can we say to him, 'The child is dead'? He may do harm."
19 When David noticed that his servants were whispering to one another,
he perceived that the child was dead.
So he asked his servants, "Is the child dead?"
They said, "He is dead."
20 (Job 1:20; Ru 3:3) So David arose from the ground, washed,
anointed himself, and changed his garments. Then he entered the house
of the Lord and worshipped. He then went in to his own house.
When he asked, they set down food for him and ate.
21 His servants said to him, "What is this thing you have done?
You fasted and wept for the sake of the living child,
but when the child died, you arose and ate food."
22 (Isa 38:1-3; 38:5) He explained, "As long as the child was alive,
I fasted and wept because I thought, 'Who knows?
The Lord may be gracious to me, so that the child may live.'
23 (Ge 37:35; Job 7:8-10) But now he is dead. Why should I fast?
Am I able to bring him back again? I will go to him,
but he will not return to me."
The Birth of Solomon
24 (Mt 1:6) Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife. He went to her
and lay with her, so that she conceived a son. They named him Solomon,
and the Lord loved him.
25 (Ne 13:26) So He sent a word by way of the prophet Nathan that he should
be named Jedidiah for the sake of the Lord.
2 Samuel 12
[15] And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that
Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
[16] David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went
in, and lay all night upon the earth.
[17] And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up
from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
[18] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the
servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said,
Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not
hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that
the child is dead?
[19] But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that
the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child
dead? And they said, He is dead.
[20] Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and
changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped:
then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before
him, and he did eat.
[21] Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast
done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when
the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
[22] And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I
said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may
live?
[23] But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back
again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
[24] And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay
with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD
loved him.
[25] And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name
Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 11 May 2023
God Sees, Understands, and Cares
Psalm 147:1–5
Psalms 147
1 Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises unto our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He heals the broken in heart,
and binds up their wounds.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by their names.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Great is our Lord and great in power;
His understanding is without measure. .
Psalms 147
[1] Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it
is pleasant; and praise is comely.
[2] The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of
Israel.
[3] He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
[4] He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
[5] Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Sometimes, living with chronic pain and fatigue leads to being isolated at
home and feeling alone. I've often felt unseen by God and others. During an
early morning prayer-walk with my service dog, I struggled with these
feelings. I noticed a hot-air balloon in the distance. The people in its
basket could enjoy a bird's-eye view of our quiet neighbourhood, but they
couldn't really see me. As I continued walking past my neighbours' houses, I
sighed. How many people behind those closed doors feel unseen and
insignificant? As I finished my walk, I asked God to give me opportunities to
let my neighbours know that I see them and care for them, and so does He.
God determined the exact number of stars that He spoke into existence. He
identified each star with a name (Psalm 147:4), an intimate act that
demonstrates His attention to the smallest details. His strength-insight,
discernment, and knowledge-have "no limit" in the past, present,
or future (v. 5).
God hears each desperate cry and sees each silent tear as clearly as He
notices each sigh of contentment and belly laugh. He sees when we're stumbling
and when we're standing in triumph. He understands our deepest fears, our
innermost thoughts, and our wildest dreams. He knows where we've been and
where we're going. As God helps us see, hear, and love our neighbours, we
can trust Him to see, understand, and care for us.
How have your neighbours loved you? How can you love others today?
God, please help me see, hear, and love others in practical ways.
For further study, read Loving Our Neighbors.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 5 When you pray
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone,
so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
"My prayer don't seem to be very effective," a man told his pastor." I try
to make contact with God, but my prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce
back."
The pastor thought for a moment, then gently suggested,
"Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?"
"What do you mean?" The man's face flushed; the pastor has obviuosly struck
a nerve. "Well, I guess I've had some struggles with my mother ... and then,
my wife, and I ... ." The hidden truth came to light: the man was bound in
unforgiving relationships with five of the closest people to him.
Forgiveness is an essential element in prayer. For a very good reason,
worship services in liturgical churches place the confession of sin and the
absolution near the beginning of the service, before the reading of God's
Word, prayer, and the sermon. Forgiveness - both the Lord's forgiveness
of us and our forgiveness of others - clears the way for unhindered
communication between God and his people.
When we carry anger and bitterness, or even deeply buried, well-subliminated
unforgiveness, into the presence of God, our prayers will be affected. We can,
however, free the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others
through forgiveness. We can choose to forgive in light of God's forgiveness
of us. And when we do, the channels are re-established;
we can pray in power and open ourselves to an awareness of his activity
in our lives.
Application
a) Have my prayers ever been affected by unforgiveness in my life?
b) Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive,
whether or not I can work toward?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."
38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
5 Every word of God is pure:
He is a shield unto them that put their trust in 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?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
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 pray to be humble and repentant in Power.
Pray to the Lord: "God, please help me see, hear,
and love others in practical ways."
Pray to the Lord and pray to forgive those who have trespassed against you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a joyful giver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to His word as pure.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
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 your nation.
Pray that Fulani and Tuareg Christians in Niger will witness boldly
to family members who persecute them.