Day 210 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 29 July 2023 reflections
Day 210, 29 July 2023
1) Isaiah 54, 55, 56, 57, 58
Isaiah 54
The Covenant of Peace
1 (1Sa 2:5; Gal 4:27) Sing, O barren,
you who did not bear a child.
Break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who did not travail with child.
For more are the children of the desolate
than the children of the married wife,
says the Lord.
2 (Isa 49:19-20; Ex 35:18) Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;
spare not,
lengthen your cords,
and strengthen your stakes.
3 (Isa 43:5-6) For you shall spread out to the right hand and to the left,
and your descendants shall inherit the nations
and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
4 (Jer 31:19) Do not fear, for you shall not be ashamed nor be humiliated;
for you shall not be put to shame,
for you shall forget the shame of your youth
and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
5 (Jer 3:14; Zec 14:9) For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of Hosts is His name;
and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He shall be called the God of the whole earth.
6 (Isa 62:4) For the Lord has called you
as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
and a wife of youth
when you were refused, says your God.
7 (Isa 26:20) For a small moment I have forsaken you,
but with great mercies I will gather you.
8 (Isa 54:5; 55:3)In a little wrath
I hid My face from you for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness
I will have mercy on you,
says the Lord your Redeemer.
9 (Ge 8:21; Isa 12:1) For this is as the waters of Noah to Me;
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no longer cover the earth,
so I have sworn that I would not be wrathful with you
nor rebuke you.
10 (2Sa 23:5; Ps 46:2) For the mountains may be removed,
and the hills may shake,
but My kindness shall not depart from you,
nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,
says the Lord who has mercy on you.
11 (1Ch 29:2) O afflicted one, tossed with tempest and not comforted,
I will lay your stones with fair colors
and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your windows of agates,
and your gates of crystal,
and all your borders of precious stones.
13 (Jn 6:45; Isa 48:18) All your sons shall be taught of the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your sons.
14 (Isa 1:26) In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression,
for you shall not fear,
and from terror,
for it shall not come near you.
15 Indeed they shall surely assail you fiercely, but not from Me.
Whoever assails you shall fall for your sake.
16 See, I have created the smith
that blows the coals in the fire
and who brings forth an instrument for his work;
and I have created the destroyer in order to cause ruin.
17 (Isa 50:8) No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper,
and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and their vindication is from Me,
says the Lord.
Isaiah 54
[1] Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and
cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children
of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
[2] Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains
of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy
stakes;
[3] For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy
seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
[4] Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for
thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy
youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
[5] For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy
Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be
called.
[6] For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
[7] For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I
gather thee.
[8] In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with
everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy
Redeemer.
[9] For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the
waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I
would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
[10] For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my
kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace
be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
[11] O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I
will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with
sapphires.
[12] And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and
all thy borders of pleasant stones.
[13] And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be
the peace of thy children.
[14] In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from
oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come
near thee.
[15] Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever
shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
[16] Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire,
and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the
waster to destroy.
[17] No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue
that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the
heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me,
saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55
The Invitation to the Waters
1 (SS 5:1; Rev 21:6) Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 (Ps 22:26; Hos 8:7) Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good,
and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 (Isa 61:8; Ac 13:34) Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Listen, so that your soul may live,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
even the sure mercies of David.
4 (Jer 30:9; Da 9:25) See, I have given him as a witness to the people,
a leader and commander to the people.
5 (Isa 60:9; Ge 49:10) Surely you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and nations that did not know you shall run to you
because of the Lord your God,
even the Holy One of Israel;
for He has glorified you.
6 (Ps 32:6; Isa 45:19 ) Seek the Lord while He may be found,
call you upon Him while He is near.
7 (Isa 44:22; Pr 28:13) Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him,
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,
says the Lord.
9 (Ps 103:11) For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 (Isa 30:23) For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there
but water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12 (Isa 44:23; Ps 105:43) For you shall go out with joy,
and be led out with peace;
the mountains and the hills
shall break forth into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field
shall clap their hands.
13 (Isa 41:19; 60:13) Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree,
and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign
that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55
[1] Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no
money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and
without price.
[2] Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour
for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that
which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
[3] Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
[4] Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and
commander to the people.
[5] Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that
knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the
Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
[6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
[7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to
our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
[12] For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the
mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all
the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
[13] Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the
brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 56
Salvation for the Nations
1 (Ps 85:9; Isa 46:13) Thus says the Lord:
Preserve justice
and do righteousness,
for My salvation is about to come
and My righteousness to be revealed.
2 (Isa 58:13; Ex 31:13-16) Blessed is the man who does this,
and the son of man who takes hold of it,
who keeps from polluting the Sabbath
and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner
who has joined himself to the Lord
speak, saying,
"The Lord has utterly separated me from His people";
do not let the eunuch say,
"I am only a dry tree."
4 For thus says the Lord:
To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
and choose the things that please Me,
and take hold of My covenant,
5 (Isa 55:13; Jn 1:12) to them I will give in My house and within My walls
a memorial, and a name
better than that of sons and of daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord
to serve Him,
and to love the name of the Lord,
and to be His servants,
to everyone who keeps from polluting the Sabbath
and takes hold of My covenant,
7 (Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17) even them I will bring to My holy mountain
and make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
shall be accepted on My altar;
for My house shall be called
a house of prayer for all people.
8 (Jn 10:16; Isa 60:3-11) The Lord God
who gathers the outcasts of Israel says,
Yet I will gather others to them
besides those who already are gathered to him.
God Accuses the Wicked
9 (Jer 12:9) All you beasts of the field,
all you beasts in the forest, come to devour.
10 (Isa 29:10; Jer 14:13-14) His watchmen are blind;
they all are ignorant;
they all are dumb dogs,
unable to bark;
sleepers lying down,
who love to slumber.
11 (Eze 13:19; Mic 3:11) They are greedy dogs
which can never have enough,
and they are shepherds who cannot understand;
they all turn to their own way,
every one for his gain, from his territory.
12 (Ps 10:6; Isa 5:22) "Come," they say, "let us get wine,
and let us fill ourselves with strong drink;
and tomorrow shall be as today,
only more so."
Isaiah 56
[1] Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation
is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
[2] Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold
on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from
doing any evil.
[3] Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the
LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people:
neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
[4] For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and
choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
[5] Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and
a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting
name, that shall not be cut off.
[6] Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to
serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one
that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
[7] Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my
house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be
accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer
for all people.
[8] The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I
gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
[9] All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the
forest.
[10] His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs,
they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
[11] Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are
shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one
for his gain, from his quarter.
[12] Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with
strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Isaiah 57
Israel's Futile Idolatry
1 (2Ki 22:20; Ps 12:1) The righteous man perishes,
and no man lays it to heart;
and merciful men are taken away
while no one understands,
for the righteous man is taken away
from the evil to come.
2 (2Ch 16:14; Eze 32:25) He shall enter into peace;
they shall rest in their beds,
each one walking in his uprightness.
3 (Mt 16:4) But draw near to here, you sons of a sorceress,
offspring of an adulterer and prostitute.
4 (Ps 35:21; Isa 1:4) Whom do you mock?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
and stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of transgression,
offspring of falsehood,
5 (2Ki 16:3-4; Isa 1:29) inflaming yourselves with idols
under every green tree,
slaying the children in the valleys
under the clefts of the rocks?
6 (Jer 3:9; 7:18) Among the smooth stones of the stream is your portion;
they are your lot.
Even to them you have poured out a drink offering;
you have offered a grain offering.
Should I relent concerning these things?
7 (Eze 16:16; 23:41) On a lofty and high mountain you have set your bed;
even there you went up to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the doors and the doorposts
you have set up your memorial;
far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself;
you have enlarged your bed and made a covenant with them;
you have loved their bed,
you have looked on their nakedness.
9 (Eze 23:16) You went to the king with ointment,
and increased your perfumes,
and sent your messengers far off,
and made them go down to Sheol.
10 (Jer 2:25; 18:12) You were wearied by the length of your road;
yet you did not say, "There is no hope."
You have found renewed strength;
therefore, you did not faint.
11 (Ps 50:21; Pr 29:25) Of whom were you afraid or fearful
when you lied
and you did not remember Me,
nor give Me a thought?
Have I not held My peace for a long time
so that you do not fear Me?
12 (Mic 3:2-4) I will declare your righteousness, and your works,
yet they shall not profit you.
13 (Ps 37:9; 37:3) When you cry out,
let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind shall carry them all away,
a breath shall take them away.
But he who puts his trust in Me
shall possess the land
and shall inherit My holy mountain.
Healing for the Contrite
14 (Isa 62:10; 40:3) And it shall be said,
"Build up, build up, prepare the way,
take up every stumbling block out of the way of My people."
15 (Ps 34:18; 138:6) For thus says the High and Lofty One
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place
and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 (Ps 85:5; Mic 7:18) For I will not contend forever,
nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before Me,
and the souls whom I have made.
17 (Isa 56:11; Jer 6:13) For the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry
and struck him;
I hid My face and was wrathful,
and he went on turning away in the way of his heart.
18 (Jer 3:22) I have seen his ways but will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
19 (Ac 2:39; Heb 13:15) by creating the fruit of the lips.
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,
says the Lord, and I will heal him.
20 (Job 18:5-14; Isa 3:11) But the wicked are like the troubled
sea when it cannot rest,
whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 (Isa 48:22) There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
Isaiah 57
[1] The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men
are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the
evil to come.
[2] He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one
walking in his uprightness.
[3] But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the
adulterer and the whore.
[4] Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth,
and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of
falsehood,
[5] Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the
children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
[6] Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy
lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a
meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
[7] Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither
wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
[8] Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance:
for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou
hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst
their bed where thou sawest it.
[9] And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy
perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself
even unto hell.
[10] Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not,
There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou
wast not grieved.
[11] And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and
hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace
even of old, and thou fearest me not?
[12] I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not
profit thee.
[13] When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall
carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust
in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
[14] And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the
stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
[15] For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose
name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones.
[16] For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for
the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
[17] For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid
me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
[18] I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and
restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
[19] I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off,
and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
[20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose
waters cast up mire and dirt.
[21] There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Isaiah 58
The Chosen Fast
1 Cry aloud, do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet,
and show My people their transgression
and the house of Jacob their sins.
2 (Isa 29:13; Titus 1:16) Yet they seek Me daily
and delight to know My ways,
as a nation that has done righteousness
and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for the ordinances of justice;
they take delight in approaching God.
3 (Mal 3:14; Lev 16:29) "Why have we fasted
and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves
and You take no notice?"
Certainly, on the day of your fast you find your desire
and are exacting on all your laborers.
4 (1Ki 21:9-13; Joel 2:13-14) Certainly, you fast for strife and debate
and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You do not fast as you do this day,
to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 (Zec 7:5; Lev 16:29) Is it such a fast that I have chosen,
a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread out sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast
and an acceptable day to the Lord?
6 (Ne 5:10-12) Is not this the fast that I have chosen:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and break every yoke?
7 (Eze 18:7; Isa 58:10; Eze 18:16) Is it not to divide your bread
with the hungry
and bring the poor who are outcasts into your house?
When you see the naked, to cover him
and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 (Ex 14:19; Job 11:17) Then your light shall break forth as the morning,
and your healing shall spring forth quickly,
and your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your reward.
9 (Pr 6:13; Ps 12:2) Then you shall call, and the Lord shall answer;
you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am.
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 (Job 11:17; Isa 58:7-8) and if you give yourself to the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted soul,
then your light shall rise in obscurity,
and your darkness shall become as the noonday.
11 (SS 4:15; Jer 31:12) And the Lord shall guide you continually,
and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 (Isa 61:4; Am 9:11) Those from among you shall rebuild
the old waste places;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
and you shall be called, the Repairer of the Breach,
the Restorer of Paths in which to Dwell.
13 (Ps 84:2; 84:10) If because of the Sabbath you turn away your foot
from doing your pleasure on My holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight,
the holy day of the Lord honorable,
and honor it, not doing your own ways,
nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,
14 (Dt 32:13; Job 22:26) then you shall delight yourself in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth,
and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 58
[1] Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my
people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
[2] Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that
did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of
me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
[3] Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have
we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of
your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
[4] Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of
wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be
heard on high.
[5] Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his
soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and
ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the
LORD?
[6] Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke?
[7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor
that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover
him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
[8] Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall
spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory
of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
[9] Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he
shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke,
the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
[10] And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted
soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the
noonday:
[11] And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
[12] And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou
shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be
called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
[13] If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on
my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD,
honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding
thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
[14] Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to
ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of
Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
2) Our Daily Bread for 29 July 2023 titled Quiet, Please
Luke 5:12-16
The Cleansing of a Leper
Mt 8:1-4; Mk 1:40-45
12 (Mt 8:2-4; 9:28) When He was in a certain city, a man full of leprosy,
upon seeing Jesus, fell on his face and begged Him,
"Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."
13 He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, "I will. Be clean."
And immediately the leprosy left him.
14 (Lev 14:2-32; Mt 8:4) Then He commanded him to tell no one,
"But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering
for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
15 (Mt 9:26) Yet even more so His fame went everywhere.
And great crowds came together to hear and to be healed by Him
of their infirmities.
16 (Mt 14:23; Lk 6:12) But He withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
[12] And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full
of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying,
Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
[13] And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou
clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
[14] And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the
priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a
testimony unto them.
[15] But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great
multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their
infirmities.
[16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Green Bank, West Virginia, is a tiny community in the rugged Appalachian
Mountains. The town resembles dozens of other small towns in the area-with
one major exception. None of the 142 residents have access to Wi-Fi. This is
to prevent interference from Wi-Fi or cellular phone towers near the Green
Bank Observatory, whose telescope is constantly trained on the sky. As a
result, Green Bank is one of the most technologically quiet places
in North America.
Sometimes quiet is the best environment for moving forward-especially in our
relationship with God. Jesus Himself modeled this by retreating to quiet,
secluded places to talk with His Father. In Luke 5:16 we read,
"And Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." Perhaps the key
word there is often. This was Christ's regular practice, and it sets the
perfect example for us. If the Creator of the universe was this aware of His
dependence upon His Father, how much more do we need Him!
Retreating to a quiet place to be refreshed in God's presence equips us to go
forward in His renewing strength. Where can you find such a place today?
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
What are some of the distractions that can interrupt your prayer times?
How could having a designated quiet place help you stay focused in prayer?
Father, sometimes the background noise of life in this world is deafening,
pulling my attention away from You and hindering the time with You. Help me
find a place where I can come away from it all and simply enjoy
Your wonderful presence.
For further study, see Talking with My Father: Jesus Teaches on Prayer.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 7 - The Cost of Widsom
Proverbs 4:4,7
Proverbs 4
4 (Pr 7:2; Eph 6:4) He also taught me and said to me,
"Let your heart retain my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
7 (Mt 13:44-46) Wisdom is principal; therefore get wisdom.
And with all your getting, get understanding. "
4 He taught me also, and said unto me,
Let thine heart retain my words:
Keep my commandments, and live.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
And with all thy getting get understanding.
Establishing priorities is a popular topic of conversation in our
generation. We carry appointment calendars and attend goal-setting
strategy seminars. We let machines answer our telephones so that
we won't miss any important messages, or so that we can screen calls
before we answer them. We order our lives so that we can "get ahead".
"Getting ahead" in God's kingdom, however, involves other priorities
than the ones we may set for ourselves. "Wisdom is supreme," the
principal thing, says Proverbs 4:7, "Get wisdom. Though it cost
all you have, get understanding."
Wisdom is defined as "an understanding of what is true, right, or lasting."
Biblical wisdom is not merely the accumulation of facts about God and his
teaching, but the application of those truths of life, taking on
the character of God as we mature in the image of Christ.
Such wisdom may, indeed, come at great cost. Jesus calls us to "lay
down our lives" to follow him - perhaps not literally to die, but to die
to self-centered priorities, to allow the Holy Spirit to establish
his value system in us.
"Keep my commandments and you will live," Proverbs 4:4 says. Real life -
rich, fulfilling, significant, abundant life - comes only through union
with God. The success offered by the world, the acclaim of others, material
prosperity and convenience cannot satisfy us once we have tasted
the joy of life with God in Christ.
Application
a) What does "getting wisdom" means to me?
b) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on the priorities and values of the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Exodus 3:7-8
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,
"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt
and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,
for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,
to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;
for I know their sorrows;
8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and
a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
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 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as Salvation in a land of corruption.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, sometimes the background noise of life in this
world is deafening, pulling my attention away from You and hindering the time
with You. Help me find a place where I can come away from it all and simply
enjoy Your wonderful presence."
Pray to the Lord and pray to get wisdom from the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that He will hear you cry for Help.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will protect you in times of trouble.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight.
Pray fir the peace of those in Cuba who have been denied education and jobs
for following Christ.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Isaiah 54, 55, 56, 57, 58
Isaiah 54
The Covenant of Peace
1 (1Sa 2:5; Gal 4:27) Sing, O barren,
you who did not bear a child.
Break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who did not travail with child.
For more are the children of the desolate
than the children of the married wife,
says the Lord.
2 (Isa 49:19-20; Ex 35:18) Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;
spare not,
lengthen your cords,
and strengthen your stakes.
3 (Isa 43:5-6) For you shall spread out to the right hand and to the left,
and your descendants shall inherit the nations
and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
4 (Jer 31:19) Do not fear, for you shall not be ashamed nor be humiliated;
for you shall not be put to shame,
for you shall forget the shame of your youth
and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
5 (Jer 3:14; Zec 14:9) For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of Hosts is His name;
and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He shall be called the God of the whole earth.
6 (Isa 62:4) For the Lord has called you
as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
and a wife of youth
when you were refused, says your God.
7 (Isa 26:20) For a small moment I have forsaken you,
but with great mercies I will gather you.
8 (Isa 54:5; 55:3)In a little wrath
I hid My face from you for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness
I will have mercy on you,
says the Lord your Redeemer.
9 (Ge 8:21; Isa 12:1) For this is as the waters of Noah to Me;
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no longer cover the earth,
so I have sworn that I would not be wrathful with you
nor rebuke you.
10 (2Sa 23:5; Ps 46:2) For the mountains may be removed,
and the hills may shake,
but My kindness shall not depart from you,
nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,
says the Lord who has mercy on you.
11 (1Ch 29:2) O afflicted one, tossed with tempest and not comforted,
I will lay your stones with fair colors
and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your windows of agates,
and your gates of crystal,
and all your borders of precious stones.
13 (Jn 6:45; Isa 48:18) All your sons shall be taught of the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your sons.
14 (Isa 1:26) In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression,
for you shall not fear,
and from terror,
for it shall not come near you.
15 Indeed they shall surely assail you fiercely, but not from Me.
Whoever assails you shall fall for your sake.
16 See, I have created the smith
that blows the coals in the fire
and who brings forth an instrument for his work;
and I have created the destroyer in order to cause ruin.
17 (Isa 50:8) No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper,
and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and their vindication is from Me,
says the Lord.
Isaiah 54
[1] Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and
cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children
of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
[2] Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains
of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy
stakes;
[3] For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy
seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
[4] Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for
thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy
youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
[5] For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy
Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be
called.
[6] For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
[7] For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I
gather thee.
[8] In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with
everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy
Redeemer.
[9] For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the
waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I
would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
[10] For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my
kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace
be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
[11] O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I
will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with
sapphires.
[12] And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and
all thy borders of pleasant stones.
[13] And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be
the peace of thy children.
[14] In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from
oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come
near thee.
[15] Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever
shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
[16] Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire,
and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the
waster to destroy.
[17] No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue
that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the
heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me,
saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55
The Invitation to the Waters
1 (SS 5:1; Rev 21:6) Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 (Ps 22:26; Hos 8:7) Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good,
and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 (Isa 61:8; Ac 13:34) Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Listen, so that your soul may live,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
even the sure mercies of David.
4 (Jer 30:9; Da 9:25) See, I have given him as a witness to the people,
a leader and commander to the people.
5 (Isa 60:9; Ge 49:10) Surely you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and nations that did not know you shall run to you
because of the Lord your God,
even the Holy One of Israel;
for He has glorified you.
6 (Ps 32:6; Isa 45:19 ) Seek the Lord while He may be found,
call you upon Him while He is near.
7 (Isa 44:22; Pr 28:13) Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him,
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,
says the Lord.
9 (Ps 103:11) For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 (Isa 30:23) For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there
but water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12 (Isa 44:23; Ps 105:43) For you shall go out with joy,
and be led out with peace;
the mountains and the hills
shall break forth into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field
shall clap their hands.
13 (Isa 41:19; 60:13) Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree,
and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign
that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55
[1] Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no
money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and
without price.
[2] Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour
for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that
which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
[3] Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
[4] Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and
commander to the people.
[5] Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that
knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the
Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
[6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
[7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to
our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
[12] For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the
mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all
the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
[13] Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the
brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 56
Salvation for the Nations
1 (Ps 85:9; Isa 46:13) Thus says the Lord:
Preserve justice
and do righteousness,
for My salvation is about to come
and My righteousness to be revealed.
2 (Isa 58:13; Ex 31:13-16) Blessed is the man who does this,
and the son of man who takes hold of it,
who keeps from polluting the Sabbath
and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner
who has joined himself to the Lord
speak, saying,
"The Lord has utterly separated me from His people";
do not let the eunuch say,
"I am only a dry tree."
4 For thus says the Lord:
To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
and choose the things that please Me,
and take hold of My covenant,
5 (Isa 55:13; Jn 1:12) to them I will give in My house and within My walls
a memorial, and a name
better than that of sons and of daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord
to serve Him,
and to love the name of the Lord,
and to be His servants,
to everyone who keeps from polluting the Sabbath
and takes hold of My covenant,
7 (Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17) even them I will bring to My holy mountain
and make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
shall be accepted on My altar;
for My house shall be called
a house of prayer for all people.
8 (Jn 10:16; Isa 60:3-11) The Lord God
who gathers the outcasts of Israel says,
Yet I will gather others to them
besides those who already are gathered to him.
God Accuses the Wicked
9 (Jer 12:9) All you beasts of the field,
all you beasts in the forest, come to devour.
10 (Isa 29:10; Jer 14:13-14) His watchmen are blind;
they all are ignorant;
they all are dumb dogs,
unable to bark;
sleepers lying down,
who love to slumber.
11 (Eze 13:19; Mic 3:11) They are greedy dogs
which can never have enough,
and they are shepherds who cannot understand;
they all turn to their own way,
every one for his gain, from his territory.
12 (Ps 10:6; Isa 5:22) "Come," they say, "let us get wine,
and let us fill ourselves with strong drink;
and tomorrow shall be as today,
only more so."
Isaiah 56
[1] Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation
is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
[2] Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold
on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from
doing any evil.
[3] Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the
LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people:
neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
[4] For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and
choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
[5] Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and
a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting
name, that shall not be cut off.
[6] Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to
serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one
that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
[7] Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my
house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be
accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer
for all people.
[8] The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I
gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
[9] All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the
forest.
[10] His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs,
they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
[11] Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are
shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one
for his gain, from his quarter.
[12] Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with
strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Isaiah 57
Israel's Futile Idolatry
1 (2Ki 22:20; Ps 12:1) The righteous man perishes,
and no man lays it to heart;
and merciful men are taken away
while no one understands,
for the righteous man is taken away
from the evil to come.
2 (2Ch 16:14; Eze 32:25) He shall enter into peace;
they shall rest in their beds,
each one walking in his uprightness.
3 (Mt 16:4) But draw near to here, you sons of a sorceress,
offspring of an adulterer and prostitute.
4 (Ps 35:21; Isa 1:4) Whom do you mock?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
and stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of transgression,
offspring of falsehood,
5 (2Ki 16:3-4; Isa 1:29) inflaming yourselves with idols
under every green tree,
slaying the children in the valleys
under the clefts of the rocks?
6 (Jer 3:9; 7:18) Among the smooth stones of the stream is your portion;
they are your lot.
Even to them you have poured out a drink offering;
you have offered a grain offering.
Should I relent concerning these things?
7 (Eze 16:16; 23:41) On a lofty and high mountain you have set your bed;
even there you went up to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the doors and the doorposts
you have set up your memorial;
far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself;
you have enlarged your bed and made a covenant with them;
you have loved their bed,
you have looked on their nakedness.
9 (Eze 23:16) You went to the king with ointment,
and increased your perfumes,
and sent your messengers far off,
and made them go down to Sheol.
10 (Jer 2:25; 18:12) You were wearied by the length of your road;
yet you did not say, "There is no hope."
You have found renewed strength;
therefore, you did not faint.
11 (Ps 50:21; Pr 29:25) Of whom were you afraid or fearful
when you lied
and you did not remember Me,
nor give Me a thought?
Have I not held My peace for a long time
so that you do not fear Me?
12 (Mic 3:2-4) I will declare your righteousness, and your works,
yet they shall not profit you.
13 (Ps 37:9; 37:3) When you cry out,
let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind shall carry them all away,
a breath shall take them away.
But he who puts his trust in Me
shall possess the land
and shall inherit My holy mountain.
Healing for the Contrite
14 (Isa 62:10; 40:3) And it shall be said,
"Build up, build up, prepare the way,
take up every stumbling block out of the way of My people."
15 (Ps 34:18; 138:6) For thus says the High and Lofty One
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place
and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 (Ps 85:5; Mic 7:18) For I will not contend forever,
nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before Me,
and the souls whom I have made.
17 (Isa 56:11; Jer 6:13) For the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry
and struck him;
I hid My face and was wrathful,
and he went on turning away in the way of his heart.
18 (Jer 3:22) I have seen his ways but will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
19 (Ac 2:39; Heb 13:15) by creating the fruit of the lips.
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,
says the Lord, and I will heal him.
20 (Job 18:5-14; Isa 3:11) But the wicked are like the troubled
sea when it cannot rest,
whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 (Isa 48:22) There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
Isaiah 57
[1] The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men
are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the
evil to come.
[2] He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one
walking in his uprightness.
[3] But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the
adulterer and the whore.
[4] Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth,
and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of
falsehood,
[5] Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the
children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
[6] Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy
lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a
meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
[7] Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither
wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
[8] Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance:
for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou
hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst
their bed where thou sawest it.
[9] And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy
perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself
even unto hell.
[10] Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not,
There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou
wast not grieved.
[11] And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and
hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace
even of old, and thou fearest me not?
[12] I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not
profit thee.
[13] When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall
carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust
in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
[14] And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the
stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
[15] For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose
name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones.
[16] For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for
the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
[17] For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid
me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
[18] I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and
restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
[19] I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off,
and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
[20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose
waters cast up mire and dirt.
[21] There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Isaiah 58
The Chosen Fast
1 Cry aloud, do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet,
and show My people their transgression
and the house of Jacob their sins.
2 (Isa 29:13; Titus 1:16) Yet they seek Me daily
and delight to know My ways,
as a nation that has done righteousness
and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for the ordinances of justice;
they take delight in approaching God.
3 (Mal 3:14; Lev 16:29) "Why have we fasted
and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves
and You take no notice?"
Certainly, on the day of your fast you find your desire
and are exacting on all your laborers.
4 (1Ki 21:9-13; Joel 2:13-14) Certainly, you fast for strife and debate
and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You do not fast as you do this day,
to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 (Zec 7:5; Lev 16:29) Is it such a fast that I have chosen,
a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread out sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast
and an acceptable day to the Lord?
6 (Ne 5:10-12) Is not this the fast that I have chosen:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and break every yoke?
7 (Eze 18:7; Isa 58:10; Eze 18:16) Is it not to divide your bread
with the hungry
and bring the poor who are outcasts into your house?
When you see the naked, to cover him
and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 (Ex 14:19; Job 11:17) Then your light shall break forth as the morning,
and your healing shall spring forth quickly,
and your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your reward.
9 (Pr 6:13; Ps 12:2) Then you shall call, and the Lord shall answer;
you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am.
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 (Job 11:17; Isa 58:7-8) and if you give yourself to the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted soul,
then your light shall rise in obscurity,
and your darkness shall become as the noonday.
11 (SS 4:15; Jer 31:12) And the Lord shall guide you continually,
and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 (Isa 61:4; Am 9:11) Those from among you shall rebuild
the old waste places;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
and you shall be called, the Repairer of the Breach,
the Restorer of Paths in which to Dwell.
13 (Ps 84:2; 84:10) If because of the Sabbath you turn away your foot
from doing your pleasure on My holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight,
the holy day of the Lord honorable,
and honor it, not doing your own ways,
nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,
14 (Dt 32:13; Job 22:26) then you shall delight yourself in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth,
and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 58
[1] Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my
people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
[2] Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that
did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of
me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
[3] Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have
we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of
your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
[4] Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of
wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be
heard on high.
[5] Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his
soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and
ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the
LORD?
[6] Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke?
[7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor
that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover
him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
[8] Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall
spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory
of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
[9] Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he
shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke,
the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
[10] And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted
soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the
noonday:
[11] And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
[12] And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou
shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be
called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
[13] If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on
my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD,
honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding
thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
[14] Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to
ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of
Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
2) Our Daily Bread for 29 July 2023 titled Quiet, Please
Luke 5:12-16
The Cleansing of a Leper
Mt 8:1-4; Mk 1:40-45
12 (Mt 8:2-4; 9:28) When He was in a certain city, a man full of leprosy,
upon seeing Jesus, fell on his face and begged Him,
"Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."
13 He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, "I will. Be clean."
And immediately the leprosy left him.
14 (Lev 14:2-32; Mt 8:4) Then He commanded him to tell no one,
"But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering
for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
15 (Mt 9:26) Yet even more so His fame went everywhere.
And great crowds came together to hear and to be healed by Him
of their infirmities.
16 (Mt 14:23; Lk 6:12) But He withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
[12] And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full
of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying,
Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
[13] And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou
clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
[14] And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the
priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a
testimony unto them.
[15] But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great
multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their
infirmities.
[16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Green Bank, West Virginia, is a tiny community in the rugged Appalachian
Mountains. The town resembles dozens of other small towns in the area-with
one major exception. None of the 142 residents have access to Wi-Fi. This is
to prevent interference from Wi-Fi or cellular phone towers near the Green
Bank Observatory, whose telescope is constantly trained on the sky. As a
result, Green Bank is one of the most technologically quiet places
in North America.
Sometimes quiet is the best environment for moving forward-especially in our
relationship with God. Jesus Himself modeled this by retreating to quiet,
secluded places to talk with His Father. In Luke 5:16 we read,
"And Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." Perhaps the key
word there is often. This was Christ's regular practice, and it sets the
perfect example for us. If the Creator of the universe was this aware of His
dependence upon His Father, how much more do we need Him!
Retreating to a quiet place to be refreshed in God's presence equips us to go
forward in His renewing strength. Where can you find such a place today?
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
What are some of the distractions that can interrupt your prayer times?
How could having a designated quiet place help you stay focused in prayer?
Father, sometimes the background noise of life in this world is deafening,
pulling my attention away from You and hindering the time with You. Help me
find a place where I can come away from it all and simply enjoy
Your wonderful presence.
For further study, see Talking with My Father: Jesus Teaches on Prayer.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 7 - The Cost of Widsom
Proverbs 4:4,7
Proverbs 4
4 (Pr 7:2; Eph 6:4) He also taught me and said to me,
"Let your heart retain my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
7 (Mt 13:44-46) Wisdom is principal; therefore get wisdom.
And with all your getting, get understanding. "
4 He taught me also, and said unto me,
Let thine heart retain my words:
Keep my commandments, and live.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
And with all thy getting get understanding.
Establishing priorities is a popular topic of conversation in our
generation. We carry appointment calendars and attend goal-setting
strategy seminars. We let machines answer our telephones so that
we won't miss any important messages, or so that we can screen calls
before we answer them. We order our lives so that we can "get ahead".
"Getting ahead" in God's kingdom, however, involves other priorities
than the ones we may set for ourselves. "Wisdom is supreme," the
principal thing, says Proverbs 4:7, "Get wisdom. Though it cost
all you have, get understanding."
Wisdom is defined as "an understanding of what is true, right, or lasting."
Biblical wisdom is not merely the accumulation of facts about God and his
teaching, but the application of those truths of life, taking on
the character of God as we mature in the image of Christ.
Such wisdom may, indeed, come at great cost. Jesus calls us to "lay
down our lives" to follow him - perhaps not literally to die, but to die
to self-centered priorities, to allow the Holy Spirit to establish
his value system in us.
"Keep my commandments and you will live," Proverbs 4:4 says. Real life -
rich, fulfilling, significant, abundant life - comes only through union
with God. The success offered by the world, the acclaim of others, material
prosperity and convenience cannot satisfy us once we have tasted
the joy of life with God in Christ.
Application
a) What does "getting wisdom" means to me?
b) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on the priorities and values of the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Exodus 3:7-8
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,
"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt
and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,
for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,
to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;
for I know their sorrows;
8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and
a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
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 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as Salvation in a land of corruption.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, sometimes the background noise of life in this
world is deafening, pulling my attention away from You and hindering the time
with You. Help me find a place where I can come away from it all and simply
enjoy Your wonderful presence."
Pray to the Lord and pray to get wisdom from the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that He will hear you cry for Help.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will protect you in times of trouble.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight.
Pray fir the peace of those in Cuba who have been denied education and jobs
for following Christ.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.