Day 176 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 25 June 2023 reflections
Day 176, 25 June 2023
Today at Calvary Community
Church , Pastor Barry Regier spoke on God's Heart to Restire -
Confidence Through Trouble.
Nehemiah 4:1-3
Nehemiah 4
Opposition to the Rebuilding
1 (Ne 2:10; 2:19) When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall,
he became angry and was greatly irritated, and he mocked the Jews.
2 (Ezr 4:9-10; Ne 4:10) He spoke before his relatives and the army of Samaria
and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they fortifying themselves?
Will they make sacrifices? Can they complete this in a day?
Can they revive the burned-up stones out of the rubbish heaps?"
3 (Ne 2:10) Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said,
"Even what they are rebuilding, if even a fox climbed it,
that would break down their stone wall."
[1] But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall,
he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
[2] And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What
do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice?
will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps
of the rubbish which are burned?
[3] Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they
build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
A)When mocked or ridiculed, turn to God.
4 (Ps 79:12; 123:3-4) Hear, O our God, that we are despised. Turn
their reproach back upon their own head, and give them as spoil in a land
of captivity:
5 (Jer 18:23; Ps 109:14) No longer cover their iniquity nor blot out
their sin, which is before You since they have made insults
against the builders.
[4] Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their
own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
[5] And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from
before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
6 So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was solidified
up to half its height. The people had a passion for the work.
[6] So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half
thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
B) When tempted to Allow Discord
7 (Ne 2:10; 4:1) When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites,
and the Ashdodites heard how the restoration of Jerusalem's walls
was progressing and how the breaches had begun to be sealed,
it made them extremely furious.
8 (Ps 83:3-11) So they all conspired together to fight against Jerusalem
in order to cause it chaos.
[7] But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians,
and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem
were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very
wroth,
[8] And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against
Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
... Pray and seek unity.
9a (Ne 4:11) Nevertheless we prayed to our God,
[9a] Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God,
C) When threatened, Pray and Protect
13 (Ne 4:17-18) Therefore I set guards at the lowest positions
along the wall and just inside the wall at the unrepaired areas.
I also stationed the people by families providing them individually
their own swords, spears, and bows.
14 (Nu 14:9; 2Sa 10:12) After I looked around, I stood up
and said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people,
"Stop being terrified because of them! Remember instead that the Lord
is great and awesome. So fight for each other-and for your sons,
your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
15 (2Sa 17:14) Now when our enemies heard that this had become known to us
and that God had brought their counsel to nothing, then we all returned
to the wall, everyone to his work.
16 After that day, half of my servants did the work while the other half
handled the spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Commanders were appointed
to support every house of Judah.
17 Those rebuilding the wall and those hauling the loads were working
with one hand doing the task, but with the other hand holding the weapon.
18 For the builders, everyone had his sword bound to his side,
even while rebuilding. The trumpet blower worked beside me.
19 I said to the nobles, the rulers, and to the rest of the people,
"The work is vast and over a large area. Since we are spread along the wall
far from each other,
20 (Ex 14:14; Dt 1:30) assemble to us there at the place where you hear
the trumpet sounded. Our God shall fight for us."
21 So we labored in the work with half of them holding spears
from sunrise to the rising of the stars.
22 Likewise at the same time I said to the people,
"Every man and his servant must lodge within Jerusalem.
By night, they may be a guard to us; by day, a laborer for the work."
[13] Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher
places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their
spears, and their bows.
[14] And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers,
and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord,
which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and
your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
[15] And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us,
and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to
the wall, every one unto his work.
[16] And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants
wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the
shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all
the house of Judah.
[17] They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those
that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with
the other hand held a weapon.
[18] For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so
builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
[19] And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the
people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one
far from another.
[20] In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye
thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
[21] So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the
rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
[22] Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with
his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to
us, and labour on the day.
D) When discouraged or overwhelmed ...
10 Judah had said, "The strength of the burden bearers is failing though
there is much rubble. And we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall."
11 Our adversaries said, "They will neither know nor see until we have
entered in among them and slain them. Indeed, we will stop the work!"
12 When the Jews living near them came, they told us ten times,
"From every place where you turn, they will be against us."
[10] And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and
there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
[11] And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we
come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
[12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they
said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they
will be upon you.
... understand this is normal.
E) When faced with sacrifice, Lead the way!
23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard
who followed me took off our clothes.
Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
[23] So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the
guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every
one put them off for washing.
Nehemiah 6:15-16
15 (Ne 4:1-2) The wall was finished on the 25th day of the month Elul,
in 52 days.
16 (Ne 2:10; 4:1) When all our enemies heard it and all the surrounding
nations saw it, they were tremendously humbled. They perceived that,
because of our God, this work had been accomplished.
[15] So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul,
in fifty and two days.
[16] And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all
the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in
their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
Nehemiah 4:14
"Stop being terrified because of them! Remember instead that the Lord
is great and awesome."
Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord,
which is great and terrible,
Nehemiah 4:15
Now when our enemies heard that this had become known to us
and that God had brought their counsel to nothing,
when our enemies heard that it was known unto us,
and God had brought their counsel to nought,
Nehemiah 4:20
Our God shall fight for us.
our God shall fight for us.
1) 1 Kings 15:25-34 , 1 Kings 16:1-34 , 2 Chronicles 17
1 Kings 15
Nadab, King of Israel
25 (1Ki 14:20) Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel
in the second year of Asa king of Judah and reigned over Israel two years.
26 (1Ki 14:16; 15:30) He did evil in the sight of the Lord and walked
in the way of his father and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
27 (Jos 19:44; 21:23) Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar
conspired against him, and Baasha killed him at Gibbethon,
which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel laid siege
to Gibbethon.
28 It was in the third year of Asa king of Judah
that Baasha killed him and took his throne.
29 (1Ki 14:9-16) When he became king, Baasha killed all the house of Jeroboam.
No one from Jeroboam's family was left breathing. He completely destroyed
them, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by His servant
Ahijah the Shilonite,
30 (1Ki 15:26) because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned
and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation with which he provoked
the Lord God of Israel to anger.
31 (1Ki 14:19) Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
32 (1Ki 15:16) And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel
all their days.
Baasha, King of Israel
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began
to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, and he did so 24 years.
34 (1Ki 15:26; 12:28-29) He did evil in the sight of the Lord
and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin with
which he made Israel to sin.
Nadab
25 And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second
year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.
26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his
father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
Baasha
27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against
him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines;
for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him,
and reigned in his stead.
29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house
of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had
destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake
by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
30 because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made
Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God
of Israel to anger.
31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah
to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
34 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of
Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
1 Kings 16
1 (2Ch 19:2; 20:34) Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu
the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
2 (1Ki 14:7; 15:34) "I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince
over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam
and have made My people Israel to sin, to provoke Me to anger with their sins.
3 (1Ki 14:10) See, I will take away the posterity of Baasha and the posterity
of his house and will make your house
like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 (1Ki 14:11) Those from the house of Baasha who die in the city
will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the fields will be eaten
by the birds of the air."
5 (1Ki 14:19; 15:31) Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did
and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles
of the kings of Israel?
6 (1Ki 14:17; 15:21) So Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried
in Tirzah, and Elah his son reigned in his place.
7 (1Ki 14:14; Ps 115:4) And so it was by the hand of the prophet Jehu
the son of Hanani that the word of the Lord came against Baasha
and his house, for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord
in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands
because he acted like the house of Jeroboam and also because he killed it.
Elah, King of Israel
8 In the 26th year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha
began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he did so two years.
9 (Ge 24:2; 39:4) His servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots,
conspired against him, and when he was in Tirzah, drinking himself
drunk in the house of Arza, manager of his house in Tirzah,
10 Zimri went in and smote him and killed him. This took place in the 27th
year of Asa king of Judah, and Zimri reigned in his place.
11 (1Sa 25:22; 1Ki 15:29) When he began to reign, as soon as he was seated
on his throne, he executed all the household of Baasha. He left no males,
neither of his relatives nor of his friends.
12 (1Ki 16:1) Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha,
according to the word of the Lord which He spoke against Baasha
by Jehu the prophet,
13 (Dt 32:21; 1Sa 12:21) because of all the sins of Baasha
and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned
and by which they made Israel to sin in provoking the Lord God of Israel
to anger with their vanities.
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Zimri, King of Israel
15 (1Ki 15:27; Jos 19:44) In the 27th year of Asa king of Judah,
Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped
against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
16 The troops who were encamped heard how Zimri had conspired
and had slain the king. As a result, all Israel made Omri,
the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.
17 Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him,
and they besieged Tirzah.
18 (2Sa 17:23; 1Sa 31:4-5) When Zimri saw that the city had fallen,
he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house
over him with fire, and he died,
19 (1Ki 15:26; 12:28) because of his sins which he sinned in doing
evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam
and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.
20 (1Ki 16:5; 16:14) Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his treason,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri, King of Israel
21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts.
Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king,
and half followed Omri.
22 But the people who followed Omri defeated the people who followed Tibni,
the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
23 In the 31st year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel,
and he did so twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah.
24 (1Ki 13:32) He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents
[About 150 pounds, or 68 kilograms. of silver].
He fortified the hill and named the city he built after the name of Shemer,
owner of the hill, calling it "Samaria.."
25 (Mic 6:16; 1Ki 14:9) But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord
and did worse than all who preceded him,
26 (1Ki 16:19; 16:13) for he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam
the son of Nebat and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin
to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
27 Now the rest of the acts Omri performed and his might that he showed,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria,
and Ahab his son reigned in his place.
Ahab Reigns in Israel
29 In the 38th year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign
over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria 22 years.
30 (1Ki 16:25; 14:9) Ahab the son of Omri did more evil in the sight
of the Lord than all who were before him.
31 (Jdg 18:7; 2Ki 10:18) The sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat were seen
as minor for him to walk in, for he took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal,
king of the Sidonians, as his wife and went and served Baal and worshipped him.
32 (2Ki 10:21; 10:26-27) He raised an altar for Baal in the house of Baal,
which he had built in Samaria.
33 (2Ki 13:6; 1Ki 21:25) Ahab made an Asherah and did more to provoke
the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who preceded him.
34 (Jos 6:26) In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho.
He laid the foundation at the expense of his firstborn Abiram
and set up the gates at the cost of the life
of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord,
which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
1 Kings 16
Jehu
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha,
saying,
2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over
my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam,
and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
3 behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his
house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth
of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.
5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they
not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son
reigned in his stead.
7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word
of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil
that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work
of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.
Civil War in Israel
8 In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of
Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him,
as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of
his house in Tirzah.
10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh
year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
11 And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his
throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth
against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.
12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of
the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,
13 for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they
sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of
Israel to anger with their vanities.
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven
days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged
to the Philistines.
16 And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and
hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the
host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him,
and they besieged Tirzah.
18 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken,
that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house
over him with fire, and died,
19 for his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD,
in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did,
to make Israel to sin.
20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri
21 Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people
followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.
22 But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that
followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
23 In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign
over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.
24 And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver,
and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built,
after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.
25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that
were before him.
26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin
wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger
with their vanities.
27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he
shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings
of Israel?
28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria:
and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
Ahab
29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son
of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel
in Samaria twenty and two years.
30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all
that were before him.
31And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in
the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel
the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal,
and worshipped him.
32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had
built in Samaria.
33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of
Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
34 In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation
thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest
son Segub, according to the word of the LORD,
which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah
1 (1Ki 15:24) Then Jehoshaphat his son (son of Asa) reigned in his place,
and he grew strong against Israel.
2 (2Ch 15:8) He put an army in all the fortified cities of Judah
and set military garrisons in the land of Judah, even in the cities of Ephraim
that Asa his father had captured.
3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the previous ways
of David his father, and he did not seek out the Baal cult.
4 (1Ki 12:28) For he sought out the God of his fathers and walked
in his commandments, rather than the deeds of Israel.
5 (2Ch 18:1; 1Sa 10:27) So the Lord made firm the kingdom in his hand,
and all Judah gave a tribute to Jehoshaphat. So he had an abundance
of riches and honor.
6 (2Ch 15:17; 20:33) His heart was raised up for the ways of the Lord.
He even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
7 (2Ch 35:3; 15:3) In the third year of his reign he sent officials, Ben-Hail,
Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah,
to teach in the cities of Jerusalem,
8 (2Ch 19:8) and with them were also the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah,
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah,
and Tob-Adonijah, who were Levites. And with these were
also Elishama and Jehoram, who were priests.
9 They taught the people in Judah, and they used the Book of the Law
of the Lord and they traveled about all the cities of Judah
and taught the people.
10 (2Ch 14:14; Ge 35:5) The terror of the Lord came on all the kingdoms
of the land that surrounded Judah, and they did not bring war
against Jehoshaphat.
11 (2Ch 26:8; 9:14) Some from the Philistine peoples brought gifts
to Jehoshaphat such as silver for tribute. The Arabians even brought
7700 rams and 7700 goats to him.
12 Jehoshaphat continued to increase in greatness, and he built citadels
and storehouses in Judah.
13 And he had much property in the cities of Judah, and the men of war,
mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14 This was their divisions by the houses of their father:
From Judah, the commanders of thousands:
Adnah the commander with 300000 mighty men of valor.
15 Beside him was Jehohanan the commander with 280000 mighty men of war.
16 (Jdg 5:9; 5:2) Beside him was Amasiah the son of Zikri, a volunteer
for the Lord with 200000 mighty men of war.
17 From Benjamin:
Eliada a mighty man of war with 200000 men armed with bow and shield.
18 Beside him was Jehozabad with 180000 equipped for warfare.
19 (2Ch 17:2) These were serving the king in addition to those the king
placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself
against Israel.
2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons
in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father
had taken.
3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways
of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4 but sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments,
and not after the doings of Israel.
5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought
to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away
the high places and groves out of Judah.
7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even
to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and
to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah,
and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and
Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them,
and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that
were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute
silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand
and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles,
and cities of store.
13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war,
mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers:
Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men
of valour three hundred thousand.
15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred
and fourscore thousand.
16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself
unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men
with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand
ready prepared for the war.
19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced
cities throughout all Judah.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 June 2023 titled
Remembering the Sacrifice
1 Corinthians 11:23-28
The Lord's Supper
Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:14-20
23 (1Co 15:3; Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24) I have received of the Lord that
which I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which
He was betrayed, took bread.
24 When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take and eat.
This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."
(Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19.)
25 (Lk 22:20; 2Co 3:6) In the same manner He took the cup after He had
supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
(Mt 26:27-28; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20.)
26 (Jn 21:22; 1Co 4:5) As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,
That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is
my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink
it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the
Lord's death till he come.
Partaking of the Supper Unworthily
27 (Nu 9:10; 9:13) Therefore whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup
of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 (2Co 13:5; Gal 6:4) Let a man examine himself,
and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
[27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
[28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and
drink of that cup.
Following the Sunday morning worship service, my Moscow host took me to lunch
at a restaurant outside the Kremlin. Upon arrival, we noticed a line of
newlywed couples in wedding garb approaching the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
outside the Kremlin wall. The happiness of their wedding day intentionally
included remembering the sacrifices others had made to help make such a day
possible. It was a sobering sight as the couples took pictures by the memorial
before laying wedding flowers at its base.
All of us have cause to be thankful for others who've made sacrifices to bring
a measure of fullness to our lives. None of those sacrifices are unimportant,
but neither are those sacrifices the most important. It's only at the foot of
the cross where we see the sacrifice Jesus made for us and begin to understand
how thoroughly our lives are indebted to the Saviour.
Coming to the Lord's Table to take Communion reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice
-pictured in the bread and cup. Paul wrote, "whenever you eat this bread
and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1
Corinthians 11:26). May our times at His Table remind us to live every day in
remembrance and gratitude of all Jesus has done in us and for us.
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
When you approach the Lord's Table, how do you view it?
How can you use it as an opportunity to give thanks for Christ's
sacrifice on your behalf?
Loving God, nothing could ever repay the priceless
display of love evidenced in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Help me to
display my gratitude for what He's done for me.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 7 - Upheld by His Hand
Is 41:10
10 (Jos 1:9; Isa 41:13-14) Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Beth had the same recurring nightmare: she was running along a cliff,
then she slipped, and fell headlong, into a bottomless ravine.
Falling, without control,without end, falling, falling, falling...
Beth's dream may be one many of us identify with. The sense
of losing control can be nightmarish, and we may fear falling
without end, without remedy. Financial failure may be the chasm
that we face, or professional disgrace. Personal relationships
may go out of control, and we look into a never-ending
ravine of pain and misunderstanding
But God says, "Don't be afraid; I am holding you up."
Like the father who helps his child learn to swim,
God holds us above the water. We may not feel his hands;
indeed, we may suspect that he lets us go just so we can
do it on our own. But he promises that he doesn't let go.
"I am with you." he declares. "I give you strength
and hold you up."
God's promise never to let go takes on new meaning
in a world where relationships are temporary and life is
uncertain. We do not need to fear, for he is with us.
We can relax and stop striving, for he is our God.
His strength becomes ours; amid all our sin and rebellion,
he undergirds us with his righteousness. We cannot fall,
for he holds us firm.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I felt myself "falling"?
b) How does God's promise in Is 41:10 help me to have faith
in the midst of my fears?
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 1 Call to the Lord - 2 Samuel 22:3-4
3 (Ge 15:1; Ps 9:9) the God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my fortress and my sanctuary;
my Savior, You save me from violence.
4 (Ps 48:1; 96:4) I call upon the Lord, who is praiseworthy,
and I am saved from my enemies.
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust:
He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,
My saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:
So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
In the old Days of Television Western, we could always tell who the enemy was.
The bad guys wore black hats; the evil villain had a scar across
his cheek or a patch over one eye. But real life is
not quite so simple . Enemies come in many forms, and often are not easy to
recognise. Sin is an enemy; even those we love can seek
to undermine our faith;
modern materialism and distorted values lead us away from biblical principles.
These enemies may not seek our death in a physical sense,
but their influence results in spiritual death or, at the very least,
immaturity.
Yet God promises to rescue us from our enemies. David describes the Lord as a
"rock", a "shield", a "stronghold", and a "refuge". God provides a stable
foundation for our faith; he products us from the attacks of the enemy;
he offers a place of rest in battle.
Our battles are usually not physical ones, but rather spiritual
and emotional wars.
We struggle with difficult relationships, the burdens of the past,
the subtle accusations of the devil.
But these enemies can be overcome. David says,
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise" .
When we turn to the Lord, trust his Word, acknowledge his
worthiness, we put our own problems and difficulties in perspective.
We see that God is able to rescue us, and has promised to do so.
And as we respond to his grace by focusing
on him, we abandon trust in ourselves and allow him to do what he promised.
Application
a) What kinds of enemies do I face?
b) How have I tried to deal with those enemies by myself?
c) How can today's verses help me turn to the sources of my rescue?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 1:3
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season;
its leaf will not wither,
and whatever he does will prosper.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Angry of Vengeful
James 1:19-25
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, and slow to anger,
20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and remaining
wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able
to save your souls.
22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
viewing his natural face in a mirror.
24 He views himself, and goes his way,
and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But whoever looks into
the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it,
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this man will be blessed in his deeds.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
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
Day 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray for confidence despite troubles.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a reformer in the eyes of the Lord.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, nothing could ever repay the priceless
display of love evidenced in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Help me to
display my gratitude for what He's done for me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He is your refuge and rescue.
Pray to the Lord and remember He prosper those who are obedient.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be slow to anger and be doers of the Word.
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 there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray that restrictions in China will be lifted so church leaders can meet with
their congregations.
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.
Today at Calvary Community
Church , Pastor Barry Regier spoke on God's Heart to Restire -
Confidence Through Trouble.
Nehemiah 4:1-3
Nehemiah 4
Opposition to the Rebuilding
1 (Ne 2:10; 2:19) When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall,
he became angry and was greatly irritated, and he mocked the Jews.
2 (Ezr 4:9-10; Ne 4:10) He spoke before his relatives and the army of Samaria
and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they fortifying themselves?
Will they make sacrifices? Can they complete this in a day?
Can they revive the burned-up stones out of the rubbish heaps?"
3 (Ne 2:10) Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said,
"Even what they are rebuilding, if even a fox climbed it,
that would break down their stone wall."
[1] But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall,
he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
[2] And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What
do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice?
will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps
of the rubbish which are burned?
[3] Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they
build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
A)When mocked or ridiculed, turn to God.
4 (Ps 79:12; 123:3-4) Hear, O our God, that we are despised. Turn
their reproach back upon their own head, and give them as spoil in a land
of captivity:
5 (Jer 18:23; Ps 109:14) No longer cover their iniquity nor blot out
their sin, which is before You since they have made insults
against the builders.
[4] Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their
own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
[5] And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from
before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
6 So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was solidified
up to half its height. The people had a passion for the work.
[6] So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half
thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
B) When tempted to Allow Discord
7 (Ne 2:10; 4:1) When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites,
and the Ashdodites heard how the restoration of Jerusalem's walls
was progressing and how the breaches had begun to be sealed,
it made them extremely furious.
8 (Ps 83:3-11) So they all conspired together to fight against Jerusalem
in order to cause it chaos.
[7] But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians,
and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem
were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very
wroth,
[8] And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against
Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
... Pray and seek unity.
9a (Ne 4:11) Nevertheless we prayed to our God,
[9a] Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God,
C) When threatened, Pray and Protect
13 (Ne 4:17-18) Therefore I set guards at the lowest positions
along the wall and just inside the wall at the unrepaired areas.
I also stationed the people by families providing them individually
their own swords, spears, and bows.
14 (Nu 14:9; 2Sa 10:12) After I looked around, I stood up
and said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people,
"Stop being terrified because of them! Remember instead that the Lord
is great and awesome. So fight for each other-and for your sons,
your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
15 (2Sa 17:14) Now when our enemies heard that this had become known to us
and that God had brought their counsel to nothing, then we all returned
to the wall, everyone to his work.
16 After that day, half of my servants did the work while the other half
handled the spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Commanders were appointed
to support every house of Judah.
17 Those rebuilding the wall and those hauling the loads were working
with one hand doing the task, but with the other hand holding the weapon.
18 For the builders, everyone had his sword bound to his side,
even while rebuilding. The trumpet blower worked beside me.
19 I said to the nobles, the rulers, and to the rest of the people,
"The work is vast and over a large area. Since we are spread along the wall
far from each other,
20 (Ex 14:14; Dt 1:30) assemble to us there at the place where you hear
the trumpet sounded. Our God shall fight for us."
21 So we labored in the work with half of them holding spears
from sunrise to the rising of the stars.
22 Likewise at the same time I said to the people,
"Every man and his servant must lodge within Jerusalem.
By night, they may be a guard to us; by day, a laborer for the work."
[13] Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher
places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their
spears, and their bows.
[14] And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers,
and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord,
which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and
your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
[15] And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us,
and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to
the wall, every one unto his work.
[16] And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants
wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the
shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all
the house of Judah.
[17] They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those
that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with
the other hand held a weapon.
[18] For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so
builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
[19] And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the
people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one
far from another.
[20] In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye
thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
[21] So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the
rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
[22] Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with
his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to
us, and labour on the day.
D) When discouraged or overwhelmed ...
10 Judah had said, "The strength of the burden bearers is failing though
there is much rubble. And we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall."
11 Our adversaries said, "They will neither know nor see until we have
entered in among them and slain them. Indeed, we will stop the work!"
12 When the Jews living near them came, they told us ten times,
"From every place where you turn, they will be against us."
[10] And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and
there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
[11] And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we
come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
[12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they
said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they
will be upon you.
... understand this is normal.
E) When faced with sacrifice, Lead the way!
23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard
who followed me took off our clothes.
Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
[23] So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the
guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every
one put them off for washing.
Nehemiah 6:15-16
15 (Ne 4:1-2) The wall was finished on the 25th day of the month Elul,
in 52 days.
16 (Ne 2:10; 4:1) When all our enemies heard it and all the surrounding
nations saw it, they were tremendously humbled. They perceived that,
because of our God, this work had been accomplished.
[15] So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul,
in fifty and two days.
[16] And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all
the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in
their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
Nehemiah 4:14
"Stop being terrified because of them! Remember instead that the Lord
is great and awesome."
Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord,
which is great and terrible,
Nehemiah 4:15
Now when our enemies heard that this had become known to us
and that God had brought their counsel to nothing,
when our enemies heard that it was known unto us,
and God had brought their counsel to nought,
Nehemiah 4:20
Our God shall fight for us.
our God shall fight for us.
1) 1 Kings 15:25-34 , 1 Kings 16:1-34 , 2 Chronicles 17
1 Kings 15
Nadab, King of Israel
25 (1Ki 14:20) Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel
in the second year of Asa king of Judah and reigned over Israel two years.
26 (1Ki 14:16; 15:30) He did evil in the sight of the Lord and walked
in the way of his father and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
27 (Jos 19:44; 21:23) Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar
conspired against him, and Baasha killed him at Gibbethon,
which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel laid siege
to Gibbethon.
28 It was in the third year of Asa king of Judah
that Baasha killed him and took his throne.
29 (1Ki 14:9-16) When he became king, Baasha killed all the house of Jeroboam.
No one from Jeroboam's family was left breathing. He completely destroyed
them, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by His servant
Ahijah the Shilonite,
30 (1Ki 15:26) because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned
and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation with which he provoked
the Lord God of Israel to anger.
31 (1Ki 14:19) Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
32 (1Ki 15:16) And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel
all their days.
Baasha, King of Israel
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began
to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, and he did so 24 years.
34 (1Ki 15:26; 12:28-29) He did evil in the sight of the Lord
and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin with
which he made Israel to sin.
Nadab
25 And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second
year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.
26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his
father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
Baasha
27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against
him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines;
for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him,
and reigned in his stead.
29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house
of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had
destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake
by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
30 because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made
Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God
of Israel to anger.
31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah
to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
34 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of
Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
1 Kings 16
1 (2Ch 19:2; 20:34) Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu
the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
2 (1Ki 14:7; 15:34) "I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince
over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam
and have made My people Israel to sin, to provoke Me to anger with their sins.
3 (1Ki 14:10) See, I will take away the posterity of Baasha and the posterity
of his house and will make your house
like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 (1Ki 14:11) Those from the house of Baasha who die in the city
will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the fields will be eaten
by the birds of the air."
5 (1Ki 14:19; 15:31) Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did
and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles
of the kings of Israel?
6 (1Ki 14:17; 15:21) So Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried
in Tirzah, and Elah his son reigned in his place.
7 (1Ki 14:14; Ps 115:4) And so it was by the hand of the prophet Jehu
the son of Hanani that the word of the Lord came against Baasha
and his house, for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord
in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands
because he acted like the house of Jeroboam and also because he killed it.
Elah, King of Israel
8 In the 26th year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha
began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he did so two years.
9 (Ge 24:2; 39:4) His servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots,
conspired against him, and when he was in Tirzah, drinking himself
drunk in the house of Arza, manager of his house in Tirzah,
10 Zimri went in and smote him and killed him. This took place in the 27th
year of Asa king of Judah, and Zimri reigned in his place.
11 (1Sa 25:22; 1Ki 15:29) When he began to reign, as soon as he was seated
on his throne, he executed all the household of Baasha. He left no males,
neither of his relatives nor of his friends.
12 (1Ki 16:1) Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha,
according to the word of the Lord which He spoke against Baasha
by Jehu the prophet,
13 (Dt 32:21; 1Sa 12:21) because of all the sins of Baasha
and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned
and by which they made Israel to sin in provoking the Lord God of Israel
to anger with their vanities.
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Zimri, King of Israel
15 (1Ki 15:27; Jos 19:44) In the 27th year of Asa king of Judah,
Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped
against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
16 The troops who were encamped heard how Zimri had conspired
and had slain the king. As a result, all Israel made Omri,
the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.
17 Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him,
and they besieged Tirzah.
18 (2Sa 17:23; 1Sa 31:4-5) When Zimri saw that the city had fallen,
he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house
over him with fire, and he died,
19 (1Ki 15:26; 12:28) because of his sins which he sinned in doing
evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam
and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.
20 (1Ki 16:5; 16:14) Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his treason,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri, King of Israel
21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts.
Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king,
and half followed Omri.
22 But the people who followed Omri defeated the people who followed Tibni,
the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
23 In the 31st year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel,
and he did so twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah.
24 (1Ki 13:32) He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents
[About 150 pounds, or 68 kilograms. of silver].
He fortified the hill and named the city he built after the name of Shemer,
owner of the hill, calling it "Samaria.."
25 (Mic 6:16; 1Ki 14:9) But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord
and did worse than all who preceded him,
26 (1Ki 16:19; 16:13) for he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam
the son of Nebat and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin
to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
27 Now the rest of the acts Omri performed and his might that he showed,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria,
and Ahab his son reigned in his place.
Ahab Reigns in Israel
29 In the 38th year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign
over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria 22 years.
30 (1Ki 16:25; 14:9) Ahab the son of Omri did more evil in the sight
of the Lord than all who were before him.
31 (Jdg 18:7; 2Ki 10:18) The sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat were seen
as minor for him to walk in, for he took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal,
king of the Sidonians, as his wife and went and served Baal and worshipped him.
32 (2Ki 10:21; 10:26-27) He raised an altar for Baal in the house of Baal,
which he had built in Samaria.
33 (2Ki 13:6; 1Ki 21:25) Ahab made an Asherah and did more to provoke
the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who preceded him.
34 (Jos 6:26) In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho.
He laid the foundation at the expense of his firstborn Abiram
and set up the gates at the cost of the life
of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord,
which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
1 Kings 16
Jehu
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha,
saying,
2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over
my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam,
and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
3 behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his
house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth
of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.
5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they
not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son
reigned in his stead.
7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word
of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil
that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work
of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.
Civil War in Israel
8 In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of
Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him,
as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of
his house in Tirzah.
10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh
year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
11 And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his
throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth
against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.
12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of
the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,
13 for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they
sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of
Israel to anger with their vanities.
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven
days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged
to the Philistines.
16 And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and
hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the
host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him,
and they besieged Tirzah.
18 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken,
that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house
over him with fire, and died,
19 for his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD,
in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did,
to make Israel to sin.
20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri
21 Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people
followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.
22 But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that
followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
23 In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign
over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.
24 And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver,
and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built,
after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.
25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that
were before him.
26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin
wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger
with their vanities.
27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he
shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings
of Israel?
28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria:
and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
Ahab
29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son
of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel
in Samaria twenty and two years.
30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all
that were before him.
31And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in
the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel
the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal,
and worshipped him.
32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had
built in Samaria.
33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of
Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
34 In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation
thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest
son Segub, according to the word of the LORD,
which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah
1 (1Ki 15:24) Then Jehoshaphat his son (son of Asa) reigned in his place,
and he grew strong against Israel.
2 (2Ch 15:8) He put an army in all the fortified cities of Judah
and set military garrisons in the land of Judah, even in the cities of Ephraim
that Asa his father had captured.
3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the previous ways
of David his father, and he did not seek out the Baal cult.
4 (1Ki 12:28) For he sought out the God of his fathers and walked
in his commandments, rather than the deeds of Israel.
5 (2Ch 18:1; 1Sa 10:27) So the Lord made firm the kingdom in his hand,
and all Judah gave a tribute to Jehoshaphat. So he had an abundance
of riches and honor.
6 (2Ch 15:17; 20:33) His heart was raised up for the ways of the Lord.
He even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
7 (2Ch 35:3; 15:3) In the third year of his reign he sent officials, Ben-Hail,
Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah,
to teach in the cities of Jerusalem,
8 (2Ch 19:8) and with them were also the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah,
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah,
and Tob-Adonijah, who were Levites. And with these were
also Elishama and Jehoram, who were priests.
9 They taught the people in Judah, and they used the Book of the Law
of the Lord and they traveled about all the cities of Judah
and taught the people.
10 (2Ch 14:14; Ge 35:5) The terror of the Lord came on all the kingdoms
of the land that surrounded Judah, and they did not bring war
against Jehoshaphat.
11 (2Ch 26:8; 9:14) Some from the Philistine peoples brought gifts
to Jehoshaphat such as silver for tribute. The Arabians even brought
7700 rams and 7700 goats to him.
12 Jehoshaphat continued to increase in greatness, and he built citadels
and storehouses in Judah.
13 And he had much property in the cities of Judah, and the men of war,
mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14 This was their divisions by the houses of their father:
From Judah, the commanders of thousands:
Adnah the commander with 300000 mighty men of valor.
15 Beside him was Jehohanan the commander with 280000 mighty men of war.
16 (Jdg 5:9; 5:2) Beside him was Amasiah the son of Zikri, a volunteer
for the Lord with 200000 mighty men of war.
17 From Benjamin:
Eliada a mighty man of war with 200000 men armed with bow and shield.
18 Beside him was Jehozabad with 180000 equipped for warfare.
19 (2Ch 17:2) These were serving the king in addition to those the king
placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself
against Israel.
2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons
in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father
had taken.
3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways
of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4 but sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments,
and not after the doings of Israel.
5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought
to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away
the high places and groves out of Judah.
7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even
to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and
to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah,
and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and
Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them,
and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that
were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute
silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand
and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles,
and cities of store.
13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war,
mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers:
Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men
of valour three hundred thousand.
15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred
and fourscore thousand.
16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself
unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men
with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand
ready prepared for the war.
19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced
cities throughout all Judah.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 June 2023 titled
Remembering the Sacrifice
1 Corinthians 11:23-28
The Lord's Supper
Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:14-20
23 (1Co 15:3; Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24) I have received of the Lord that
which I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which
He was betrayed, took bread.
24 When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take and eat.
This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."
(Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19.)
25 (Lk 22:20; 2Co 3:6) In the same manner He took the cup after He had
supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
(Mt 26:27-28; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20.)
26 (Jn 21:22; 1Co 4:5) As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,
That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is
my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink
it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the
Lord's death till he come.
Partaking of the Supper Unworthily
27 (Nu 9:10; 9:13) Therefore whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup
of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 (2Co 13:5; Gal 6:4) Let a man examine himself,
and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
[27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
[28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and
drink of that cup.
Following the Sunday morning worship service, my Moscow host took me to lunch
at a restaurant outside the Kremlin. Upon arrival, we noticed a line of
newlywed couples in wedding garb approaching the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
outside the Kremlin wall. The happiness of their wedding day intentionally
included remembering the sacrifices others had made to help make such a day
possible. It was a sobering sight as the couples took pictures by the memorial
before laying wedding flowers at its base.
All of us have cause to be thankful for others who've made sacrifices to bring
a measure of fullness to our lives. None of those sacrifices are unimportant,
but neither are those sacrifices the most important. It's only at the foot of
the cross where we see the sacrifice Jesus made for us and begin to understand
how thoroughly our lives are indebted to the Saviour.
Coming to the Lord's Table to take Communion reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice
-pictured in the bread and cup. Paul wrote, "whenever you eat this bread
and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1
Corinthians 11:26). May our times at His Table remind us to live every day in
remembrance and gratitude of all Jesus has done in us and for us.
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
When you approach the Lord's Table, how do you view it?
How can you use it as an opportunity to give thanks for Christ's
sacrifice on your behalf?
Loving God, nothing could ever repay the priceless
display of love evidenced in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Help me to
display my gratitude for what He's done for me.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 7 - Upheld by His Hand
Is 41:10
10 (Jos 1:9; Isa 41:13-14) Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Beth had the same recurring nightmare: she was running along a cliff,
then she slipped, and fell headlong, into a bottomless ravine.
Falling, without control,without end, falling, falling, falling...
Beth's dream may be one many of us identify with. The sense
of losing control can be nightmarish, and we may fear falling
without end, without remedy. Financial failure may be the chasm
that we face, or professional disgrace. Personal relationships
may go out of control, and we look into a never-ending
ravine of pain and misunderstanding
But God says, "Don't be afraid; I am holding you up."
Like the father who helps his child learn to swim,
God holds us above the water. We may not feel his hands;
indeed, we may suspect that he lets us go just so we can
do it on our own. But he promises that he doesn't let go.
"I am with you." he declares. "I give you strength
and hold you up."
God's promise never to let go takes on new meaning
in a world where relationships are temporary and life is
uncertain. We do not need to fear, for he is with us.
We can relax and stop striving, for he is our God.
His strength becomes ours; amid all our sin and rebellion,
he undergirds us with his righteousness. We cannot fall,
for he holds us firm.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I felt myself "falling"?
b) How does God's promise in Is 41:10 help me to have faith
in the midst of my fears?
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 1 Call to the Lord - 2 Samuel 22:3-4
3 (Ge 15:1; Ps 9:9) the God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my fortress and my sanctuary;
my Savior, You save me from violence.
4 (Ps 48:1; 96:4) I call upon the Lord, who is praiseworthy,
and I am saved from my enemies.
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust:
He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,
My saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:
So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
In the old Days of Television Western, we could always tell who the enemy was.
The bad guys wore black hats; the evil villain had a scar across
his cheek or a patch over one eye. But real life is
not quite so simple . Enemies come in many forms, and often are not easy to
recognise. Sin is an enemy; even those we love can seek
to undermine our faith;
modern materialism and distorted values lead us away from biblical principles.
These enemies may not seek our death in a physical sense,
but their influence results in spiritual death or, at the very least,
immaturity.
Yet God promises to rescue us from our enemies. David describes the Lord as a
"rock", a "shield", a "stronghold", and a "refuge". God provides a stable
foundation for our faith; he products us from the attacks of the enemy;
he offers a place of rest in battle.
Our battles are usually not physical ones, but rather spiritual
and emotional wars.
We struggle with difficult relationships, the burdens of the past,
the subtle accusations of the devil.
But these enemies can be overcome. David says,
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise" .
When we turn to the Lord, trust his Word, acknowledge his
worthiness, we put our own problems and difficulties in perspective.
We see that God is able to rescue us, and has promised to do so.
And as we respond to his grace by focusing
on him, we abandon trust in ourselves and allow him to do what he promised.
Application
a) What kinds of enemies do I face?
b) How have I tried to deal with those enemies by myself?
c) How can today's verses help me turn to the sources of my rescue?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 1:3
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season;
its leaf will not wither,
and whatever he does will prosper.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Angry of Vengeful
James 1:19-25
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, and slow to anger,
20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and remaining
wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able
to save your souls.
22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
viewing his natural face in a mirror.
24 He views himself, and goes his way,
and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But whoever looks into
the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it,
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this man will be blessed in his deeds.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
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
Day 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray for confidence despite troubles.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a reformer in the eyes of the Lord.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, nothing could ever repay the priceless
display of love evidenced in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Help me to
display my gratitude for what He's done for me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He is your refuge and rescue.
Pray to the Lord and remember He prosper those who are obedient.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be slow to anger and be doers of the Word.
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 there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray that restrictions in China will be lifted so church leaders can meet with
their congregations.
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.