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Day 173 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 22 June 2023 reflections

Day 173, 22 June 2023



1) 1 Kings 12:1-20

2 Chronicles 10

1 Kings 12:21-24

2 Chronicles 11:1-4

1 Kings 12:25-33

2 Chronicles 11:5-17

2 Chronicles 11:18-23



1 Kings 12

Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam



2Ch 10:1-11:4



1 (2Ch 10:1-19) And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to

Shechem to make him king.

2 (1Ki 11:40) When Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was still in Egypt, heard

of it (for he had fled from King Solomon and stayed in Egypt),

3 they called and sent for him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation

of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

4 (1Sa 8:11-18; 1Ki 4:7) "Your father made our yoke unbearable. Now,

therefore, make the grievous service to your father and the heavy yoke

he put upon us lighter, and we will serve you."

5 He said to them, "Depart for three days, and then come back to me."

And the people departed.

6 (Job 12:12; 32:7) King Rehoboam consulted with the old men

who advised his father Solomon while he was still alive and asked,

"How do you advise me to answer the people?"

7 (Pr 15:1) And they spoke to him, saying, "If you will be a servant

to this people this day and will serve them and answer them and speak kind

words to them, they will be your servants forever."

8 But he rejected the advice that the old men gave him and consulted

with the young men who grew up with him and who stood before him,

9 and he said to them, "What advice do you give on how we should answer

this people, who have spoken to me saying,

'Make the yoke your father put on us lighter'?"

10 And the young men who grew up with him said, "Thus shall you answer

this people who said to you, 'Your father made our yoke heavy,

but make it lighter for us'; thus shall you say to them, 'My little finger

will be thicker than my father's loins!

11 Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your burden.

My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions!' "

12 (1Ki 12:5) So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam

on the third day, just as the king had appointed, saying,

"Come to me again the third day."

13 The king answered the people roughly and forsook the counsel the old men

gave him,

14 and instead spoke to them following the advice of the young men.

He said, "My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your burden.

My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."

15 (1Ki 12:24; Dt 2:30) Thus the king did not listen to the people,

for the cause was from the Lord, that He might fulfill His saying,

which the Lord spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

16 (2Sa 20:1) So when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them,

the people responded to the king, saying,

"What portion do we have in David?

We also do not have an inheritance in the son of Jesse.

To your tents, O Israel,

and see to your own house, David!"

So the people of Israel departed to their tents.

17 (1Ki 11:13; 11:36) But the people of Israel living in the cities of Judah

were ruled over by Rehoboam.

18 (1Ki 4:6; 5:14) Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was in charge

of the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death. As a result,

King Rehoboam quickly mounted his chariot and fled to Jerusalem.

19 (2Ki 17:21) So Israel rebelled against the house of David,

and it remains so even to this day.

20 (1Ki 11:13; 11:32) When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned,

they sent and called him before the congregation and made him king

over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.



The Kingdom Divided

1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make

him king.

2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt,

heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon,

and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt; )

3 that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of

Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,

4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous

service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter,

and we will serve thee.

5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me.

And the people departed.

6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon

his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer

this people?

7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people

this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them,

then they will be thy servants for ever.

8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and

consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood

before him:

9 and he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people,

who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us

lighter?

10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus

shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father

made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say

unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to

your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips,

but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king

had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.

13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel

that they gave him;

14 and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father

made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised

you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from

the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah

the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people

answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we

inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own

house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah,

Rehoboam reigned over them.

18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel

stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed

to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again,

that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over

all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David,

but the tribe of Judah only.



2 Chronicles 10

Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam



1 Ki 12:1-24

1 Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel journeyed to Shechem to make him

king.

2 (1Ki 11:40) It happened that Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this-he was

in Egypt, where he fled from King Solomon-so he returned from Egypt.

3 So they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came

and spoke to Rehoboam saying,

4 "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore, lighten your father's labor

and heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you."

5 He responded, "Return again to me in three days." So the people left.

6 (Job 32:7) Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who stood

in the presence of Solomon his father when he was alive saying,

"How do you counsel that I should give a response to this people?"

7 (Pr 15:1; 1Ki 12:7) They said to him, "If you are good to this people

and please them and speak well to them, then they will be servants

to you all your days."

8 (2Sa 17:14) But he abandoned the counsel of the elders that they gave

to him. And he consulted the young men who grew up and stood before him.

9Rehoboam said to them, "What do you counsel that we give as a response to

this people who have spoken to me, 'Lighten the yoke that your father

placed on us'?"

10 The young men who had grown up with him said, "So you should speak

to the people who have spoken to you saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy,

but you lighten it from us.'

So you will say to them, 'My little finger is thicker

than my father's waist!

11 Whereas my father placed a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke.

My father chastened you with whips, but I will scourge you with scorpions.' "

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day,

as the king had ordered saying, "Return to me on the third day."

13 Then the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice

of the elders.

14 He spoke to them with the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made

your yoke heavy, but I will increase it. My father chastised you with whips,

but I will chastise you with scorpions."

15 (1Ki 11:29-39; 2Ch 25:16-20) The king did not listen to the people,

for the event occurred because of God, that the Lord might establish

His word that He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam

the son of Nebat.



{Rehoboam should have prayed and served the Lord}



16 (2Sa 20:1; 2Ch 10:19) When all Israel saw that the king would not

listen to them, the people answered the king saying,

"What portion do we have in David?

We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.

O Israel, each man to your tent.

Now look after your own house, O David!"

Then all Israel departed to their tents.

17 The sons of Israel dwelled in the cities of Judah,

and Rehoboam reigned over them.

18 (1Ki 5:14; 4:6) Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the forced

labor, and the sons of Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam hurried

to mount his chariot and to flee to Jerusalem.

19 So Israel has rebelled against the house of David

until this day.



2 Chronicles 10

The Kingdom of Judah

1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make

him king.

2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt,

whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that

Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake

to Rehoboam, saying,

4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat

the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us,

and we will serve thee.

5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days.

And the people departed.



King Rehoboam



6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before

Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me

to return answer to this people?

7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people,

and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants

for ever.

8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel

with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this

people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy

father did put upon us?

10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying,

Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying,

Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us;

thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than

my father's loins.

11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your

yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with

scorpions.

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the

king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.

13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel

of the old men,

14 and answered them after the advice of the young men, saying,

My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto:

my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that

the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the

Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.



Revolt of Ten Tribes



16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them,

the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David?

and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents,

O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house.

So all Israel went to their tents.

17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah,

Rehoboam reigned over them.

18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the

children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died.

But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to

Jerusalem.

19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.



1 Kings 12



21 (2Ch 11:1-3) When Rehoboam arrived at Jerusalem, he assembled

all the house of Judah along with the tribe of Benjamin,

a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors,

to fight against the house of Israel and to bring the kingdom back

to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

22 (2Ch 11:2) But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God,saying:

23 Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house

of Judah and Benjamin and to the remnant of the people, saying,

24 (1Ki 12:15) "Thus says the Lord: You shall not go up, nor fight against

your brothers the children of Israel. Every man is to return to his house,

for this thing is from Me." They listened therefore to the word of the Lord

and turned to depart, according to the word of the Lord.



21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of

Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen

men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the

kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

23 Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all

the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren

the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is

from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned

to depart, according to the word of the LORD.



{ Rehoboam make a ridiculous decision to listen to his peers.

Not only should he have listened to the advisors of Solomon his father,

he should have prayed to the Lord about what to say!}



2 Chronicles 11



1 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he called together from the house of Judah

and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand (Or Abi in 2Ki 18:2.) choice men

to make war and to battle with Israel in order to restore the kingdom

to Rehoboam.

2 (2Ch 12:15) But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God saying:

3 Speak to Rehoboam, son of Solomon and king of Judah, and to all Israel

in Judah and Benjamin,

4 "So says the Lord: You are not to go up and fight against your brothers.

Each man must return to his house, for this event is from Me."

So they obeyed the word of the Lord and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.



2 Chronicles 11

Jerusalem the capital of Judah



Its Fortifications and Fenced Cities



1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah

and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were

warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again

to Rehoboam.

2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel

in Judah and Benjamin, saying,

4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren:

return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they

obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.



1 Kings 12



Jeroboam's Golden Calves



25 (Jdg 8:17; 8:8) Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim

and lived there and went out from there and built Peniel.

26 Jeroboam said in his heart, "The kingdom will return to the house of David.

27 (Dt 12:5-7; 12:14) If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house

of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again to

their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me

and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah."

28 (Ex 32:4; 32:8) At that point, the king got some advice and made

two golden calves and said to the people,

"It is too difficult for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods,

O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt."



25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein;

and went out from thence, and built Penuel.



Golden Calves



26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house

of David:

27 if this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem,

then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto

Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me,

and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto

them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel,

which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.



{Yet again an irrational Godless political decision . The start

of the end of a Kingdom plagued with rebellious paganism}



29 (Ge 28:19) He set one in Bethel, and he put the other in Dan.

30 (1Ki 13:34; 2Ki 17:21) This was a sin, for the people went to worship

before the one, even all the way in Dan.

31 (1Ki 13:32-33; 2Ki 17:32) He also made houses on high places

and appointed priests from among all the people who were not Levites.



29 And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.

30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before

the one, even unto Dan.

31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest

of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.



{Yet an irrational Godless political decision}



32 (1Ki 8:2; 8:5) Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month,

on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast in Judah,

and he offered sacrifice on the altar. He did this in Bethel,

sacrificing to the calves that he had made, and he stationed in Bethel

the priests of the high places he had made.

33 (1Ki 13:1; Nu 15:39) So he made offerings on the altar that he had made

in Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a holiday he imagined

in his own heart, and ordained a feast for the children of Israel,

and he sacrificed on the altar and burned incense.



32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of

the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered

upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had

made: and he placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places

which he had made.

33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day

of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart;

and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel:

and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.



{Jeroboam so self-centered that He forget the Lord who placed Him there}



2 Chronicles 11



Rehoboam Secures the Kingdom



5 (2Ch 8:2-6) So Rehoboam dwelled in Jerusalem and built siege cities in Judah.

6 He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

7 (Jos 15:35) Beth Zur in the east, Soko, Adullam,

8 Gath, Mareshah in the west, Ziph,

9 Adoraim, Lachish in the south, Azekah,

10 Zorah, Aijalon in the northwest, and central Hebron, all of which

were fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.

11He strengthened the fortresses and set leaders in them

with stockpiles of food, oil, and wine.

12 And in all the cities he placed shields and spears, and he greatly

strengthened these places. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

13 And the priests and Levites in all Israel came before him from

all their territories.

14 (2Ch 13:9; Nu 35:2-5) For the Levites left their pasture lands

and properties, and they traveled to Judah and Jerusalem

because Jeroboam and his sons excluded them from serving

as priests to the Lord.

15 (1Ki 12:28; 12:31) And he set for himself priests for the high places

and for the goat and calf idols that he made.

16 (2Ch 15:9) And those who set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel

followed after them from all the tribes of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem

to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.

17 (2Ch 12:1) So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah

and supported Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, for three years,

for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.



5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

7 and Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

8 and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

9 and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

10 and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin

fenced cities.

11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them,

and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

12 And in every several city he put shields and spears,

and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him

out of all their coasts.

14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to

Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from

executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

15 and he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils,

and for the calves which he had made.

16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts

to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD

God of their fathers.

17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son

of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in

the way of David and Solomon.



2 Chronicles 11:18-23





Rehoboam's Family



18 (1Sa 16:6; 17:13) And Rehoboam took Mahalath for a wife,

the daughter of both Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail

the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse,

19 and she bore sons to him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

20 (2Ch 13:2) Then after her he took Maakah the daughter of Absalom.

And she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

21 (Dt 17:17) And Rehoboam loved Maakah the daughter of Absalom

more than his other wives and concubines

(for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines), and he had 28 sons

and 60 daughters.

22 (Dt 21:15-17) And Rehoboam set Abijah the son of Maakah as chief

and head over his brothers for he planned to make him king.

23 And he was discerning and spread out all his sons to all the lands

of Judah and Benjamin, even among the fortified cities, and he provided

for them an abundance of provisions and wives.



18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David

to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;

19 which bare him children; Jeush, and Shemariah, and Zaham.

20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare

him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives

and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines;

and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among

his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all

the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city:

and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.





2) Our Daily Bread for 22 June 2023 Titled

Faith Comes from Hearing




Romans 10:8-17



8 (Dt 30:14) But what does it say? "The word is near you,

in your mouth and in your heart."(Dt 30:14.)

This is the word of faith that we preach:

9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord,

and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved,

10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

11 (Ro 9:33; Isa 28:16) For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes

in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 28:16.)

12 (Ro 3:22; 2:4) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,

for the same Lord over all is generous toward all who call upon Him.

13 (Ac 2:21; Joel 2:32) For, "Everyone who calls on the name

of the Lord shall be saved."(Joel 2:32.)

14 (Titus 1:3) 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 (Isa 52:7; Na 1:15) 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!"(Isa 52:7.)

16 (Isa 53:1; Ro 3:3) But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"(Isa 53:1.)

17 (Gal 3:2; 3:5) So then faith comes by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.



[8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy

heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt

believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved.

[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be

ashamed.

[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same

Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[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!

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who

hath believed our report?

[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.



When Pastor Bob suffered an injury that affected his voice, he entered fifteen

years of crisis and depression. What, he wondered, does a pastor do who can't

talk? He struggled with this question, pouring out his grief and confusion to

God. He reflected, "I only knew one thing to do-to go after the Word of God."

As he spent time reading the Bible, his love for God grew: "I've devoted my

life to absorbing and immersing myself in the Scripture because faith comes

from hearing and hearing by the word of God."



We find the phrase "faith comes from hearing" in the apostle Paul's letter to

the Romans. Paul longed for all of his fellow Jewish people to believe in

Christ and be saved (Romans 10:9). How would they believe? Through the faith

that "cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"

(v. 17).



Pastor Bob seeks to receive and believe in Christ's message, especially as he

reads the Bible. He can only speak for an hour a day and has constant pain

when he does so, but he continues to find peace and contentment from God

through his immersion in Scripture. So too we can trust that Jesus will

reveal Himself to us in our struggles. He will increase our faith as we

hear His message, whatever challenges we face.



By: Amy Boucher Pye



Reflect & Pray



How could immersing yourself in Scripture strengthen your faith?

How have you found contentment even when life is challenging?



Loving God, You give me hope even when

I feel stuck and in pain. Shape me into the person You want me to be.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 5 - 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.



"If God already knows everything about me, everything I've done,

then why do I need to confess it?" Grant struggled with a common

dilemma for many Christians. Indeed, God, knew all his sin - much

better than Grant did himself. But Grant needed to confess,

not for God's benefit, but for his own. Grant needed to agree with God

that his sin was wrong, and put himself in a position to receive God's

grace in forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 make the process quit clear. We confess,

and God forgives and cleanses. Many of us, however, want to take on

God's part as well. We confess, agreeing with God that our sin is wrong.

But then we proceed to try to 'clean up our act,'bargaining with God,

promising that if he will forgive us just this once,

we won't ever to it again.

The problem is, we can never keep such a promise.

We probably will do it again, and then we are back where we started,

begging for forgiveness, and trying once more to cleanse

ourselves for our unrighteousness.

God offers freedom from such futile performance. He says, "Just confess.

Agree that you sinned. Submit yourself to me. Then I'll take over from there."

God's grace does not give us freedom to keep on sinning, of course - we need

to cooperate with the work of his Spirit in our lives and do all we can

to avoid sin. But we do not have to beg God for forgiveness - forgiveness

is offered to us freely.

We do not have to clean up out act before God will accept us; God can make

the necessary changes in our lives. When we confess, submit ourselves to God,

and allow him to work within us, he is able both to forgive us and to cleanse

us from unrighteousness.



Application



a) In what ways have I bartered with God and tried to "Clean up my act"

in order to deserve his forgiveness?



b) What is my part in confession? What is God's response?

Why it is important for me to recognize God's part in my

confession and forgiveness?



c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see

when I lived in darkness?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 8:18



18 But you must remember the Lord your God,

for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,

so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,

as it is today.



18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth

thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant

which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.



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



When you are lonely



PSALMS 25:15-21



15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for He will lead my feet from the net.

16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,

for I am isolated and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

18 Look on my pain and misery,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,

and they hate me with violent hatred.

20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!

Let me not suffer shame,

for I seek refuge in You.

21 Truth and integrity will preserve me

while I wait for You.



Ain

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;

For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Pe

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;

For I am desolate and afflicted.

Zade

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:

O bring thou me out of my distresses.

(Qoph)

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

And forgive all my sins.

Resh

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

Shin

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:

Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Taw

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;

For I wait on 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?)



Quebec



Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec



Quebec 2015 population 8214 000



est Muslim Population 418946



CNMM Networks: Montreal



There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering

of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority

of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim

population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone

African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.

And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more

Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.

This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches

and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small

by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that

is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now

this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly

or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br

easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,

yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.

Agree in prayer for :



- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel

- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding

-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting

together for worship!

- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for

reaching Muslims in Quebec.



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



22 Day of the Month



a) Pray for the Province of Quebec



I) Pray for the leaders of Quebec,

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



b) Pray that the influence of the Holy Spirit would dissolve

every argument and pretension exalted against the knowledge

of God.



(



2 Cor 10: 3 - 5



3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strongholds,

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,



3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

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:



Pray to the Lord and pray to make your decisions based on prayer.



Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, You give me hope even when

I feel stuck and in pain. Shape me into the person You want me to be."



Pray to the Lord and pray to always confess your sins to Him.



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He is your source of wealth.



Pray to the Lord and pray for integrity and uprightness to preserve you.



Agree in prayer for Quebec:



- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel

- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding

-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting

together for worship!

- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for

reaching Muslims in Quebec.



- 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 that the influence of the Holy Spirit would dissolve

every argument and pretension exalted against the knowledge

of God.



Pray for Christians in Tajikistan who are ostracised by their families

and neighbours for following Christ.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.