Day 216 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 4 August 2023 reflections
Day 216, 4 August 2023
1) Zephaniah 1, 2, 3
Zephaniah 1
1 (2Ch 34:1-33; Jer 1:2) The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah,
the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
The Great Day of the Lord
2 (2Ki 22:16-17) I will utterly consume all things
on the face of the earth,
says the Lord;
3 (Eze 7:19; Hos 4:3) I will consume man and beast;
I will consume the birds of the heavens
and the fish of the sea,
and the stumbling blocks with the wicked.
I will cut off man from the face of the land,
says the Lord.
4 (Hos 10:5; 2Ki 23:4-5) I will stretch out my hand against Judah,
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal,
and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
5 (1Ki 11:33; Jer 19:13) and those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of heaven;
those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord
and yet swear by Milcom;
6 (Isa 1:4; Jer 2:13) those who have turned back from following the Lord,
who have not sought the Lord nor inquired of Him.
7 (Isa 34:6; Jer 46:10) Be silent before the Lord God!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
the Lord has prepared the sacrifice;
He has consecrated His guests.
8 (Isa 24:21) On the day of the Lord's sacrifice,
I will punish the officials
and the king's sons,
and all who clothe themselves
with foreign attire.
9 (1Sa 5:5) On that day I will punish
all who step over the threshold,
who fill their masters' houses
with violence and deceit.
10 (2Ch 33:14; 2Ki 22:14) On that day, says the Lord,
a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills.
11 (Jas 5:1) Wail, you inhabitants of the Mortar!
For all the merchants are cut down;
all those who weigh out silver are cut off.
12 (Jer 48:11; Eze 8:12) At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are settled on their lees,
who say in their heart,
"The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil."
13 (Am 5:11; Mic 6:15) Their goods will be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they will not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink from their wine.
The Great Day of the Lord
14 (Joel 2:11; Zep 1:7) The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening quickly.
The sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man shall cry out there.
15 (Joel 2:2; Isa 22:5 ) That day is a day of wrath,
a day of trouble and distress,
a day of ruin and desolation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness,
16 (Isa 2:12-15) a day of trumpet and alarms
against the fortified cities
and against the high towers.
17 (Ps 83:10) I will bring distress on men,
so that they will walk like blind men.
Because they have sinned against the Lord,
their blood will be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18 (Zep 3:8; Eze 7:19; Zep 1:2-3) Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to deliver them
on the day of the Lord's wrath.
But the whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of His jealousy,
for He will make a sudden end
of all those who dwell on the earth.
Zephaniah 1
[1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son
of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah
the son of Amon, king of Judah.
[2] I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
[3] I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven,
and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I
will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
[4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this
place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
[5] And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them
that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
[6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not
sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.
[7] Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD
is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
[8] And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I
will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are
clothed with strange apparel.
[9] In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the
threshold,
which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
[10] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there
shall
be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second,
and a great crashing from the hills.
[11] Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut
down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
[12] And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem
with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that
say in
their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
[13] Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a
desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they
shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
[14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly,
even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there
bitterly.
[15] That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of
wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds
and thick darkness,
[16] A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against
the high towers.
[17] And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind
men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be
poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
[18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in
the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the
fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them
that dwell in the land.
Zephaniah 2
Judgment on the Nations
1 (2Ch 20:4; Joel 1:14) Gather together, yes, gather together,
O shameless nation,
2 (Isa 17:13; La 4:11) before the decree takes effect,
before the day passes like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you.
3 (Am 5:14-15; Ps 57:1) Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who carry out His judgment.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of the Lord's anger.
4 (Zec 9:5-7; Am 1:6-8 ) For Gaza will be forsaken,
and Ashkelon a desolation;
Ashdod will be driven out at noon,
and Ekron will be uprooted.
5 (Eze 25:16; Am 3:1) Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,
the nation of Kerethites!
The word of the Lord is against you,
O Canaan, land of the Philistines:
I will destroy you,
so that there will be no inhabitant.
6 The seacoast will be pastures,
with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks.
7 (Zep 3:20; Ex 4:31) The coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah,
on which they will feed.
In the houses of Ashkelon
they will lie down at evening.
For the Lord their God will visit them
and restore their fortunes.
Zephaniah 2
[1] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
[2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before
the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's
anger come upon you.
[3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his
judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in
the day of the LORD's anger.
[4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive
out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
[5] Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the
Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the
Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
[6] And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and
folds for flocks.
[7] And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall
feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the
evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their
captivity.
8 (Jer 49:1; Am 1:13) I have heard these taunts of Moab,
and the revilings of the Ammonites,
by which they have reproached My people,
and made boasts against their territory.
9 (Dt 29:23; Isa 11:14) Therefore, as I live,
says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel,
surely Moab will be like Sodom,
and the Ammonites like Gomorrah-
a land of weeds and salt pits,
and a perpetual desolation.
The remnant of My people will plunder them,
and the survivors of My nation will possess them.
10 (Isa 16:6; Zep 2:8) This will they have for their pride,
because they taunted and boasted against
the people of the Lord of Hosts.
11 (Ge 10:5; Ps 72:8-11) The Lord will be dreadful to them,
for He will weaken all the gods of the earth;
men will worship Him, every one from his place,
all the lands of the nations.
12 (Isa 18:1-7; 20:4-5) You also, O Ethiopians,
will be slain by My sword.
13 (Na 3:7; Isa 10:12) And He will stretch out His hand against the north
and destroy Assyria;
and He will make Nineveh a desolation,
and dry like the desert.
14 (Jer 22:14) Herds will lie down in her midst,
beasts of every kind;
the cormorant and the bittern
will lodge on her pillars.
Their voice will sing in the windows;
desolation will be on the threshold;
for He will lay bare the cedar work.
15 (Eze 28:2; Na 3:19) This is the rejoicing city
that dwelt securely,
that said in her heart,
"I am, and there is no one besides me."
How has she become a desolation,
a place for beasts to lie down!
Everyone who passes by her will hiss
and shake his fist.
[8] I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of
Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves
against their border.
[9] Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely
Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the
breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue
of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess
them.
[10] This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and
magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.
[11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of
the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the
isles of the heathen.
[12] Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
[13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy
Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
[14] And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the
nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper
lintels
of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the
thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
[15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her
heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a
place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss,
and wag his hand.
Zephaniah 3
Woe to Jerusalem
1 (Jer 6:6) Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
the oppressing city.
2 (Jer 5:3; Ps 78:22) She obeys no voice,
she receives no correction;
she does not trust in the Lord,
she does not draw near to her God.
3 (Hab 1:8; Jer 5:6) Her princes within her are roaring lions;
her judges are evening wolves
who leave nothing until the morning.
4 (Eze 22:26; Hos 9:7) Her prophets are reckless,
treacherous men;
her priests have profaned the sanctuary
and done violence to the law.
5 (Dt 32:4; Zep 3:15 ) The Lord is righteous in her midst;
He does no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He does not fail,
but the unjust knows no shame.
6 I have cut off nations,
their strongholds are devastated;
I have made their streets desolate,
with no one passing by.
Their cities are destroyed;
there is no man, no inhabitant.
7 (Hos 9:9; Jer 7:7) I said,
"Surely you will fear Me;
and you will receive correction."
So her dwelling will not be cut off,
according to all that I have appointed against her.
But they were more eager
to corrupt all their deeds.
The Conversion of the Nations
8(Joel 3:2; Zep 1:18) Therefore wait for Me, declares the Lord,
until the day when I rise up to seize the plunder;
for My decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
to pour on them My indignation,
all My fierce anger;
for all the earth will be devoured
with the fire of My jealousy.
9 (Isa 19:18; Ps 22:27) For then I will restore to the peoples a pure speech
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord,
to serve Him with one accord.
10 (Ps 68:31; Isa 11:11) From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
My worshippers, the daughter of My dispersed ones,
will bring My offering.
11 (Isa 54:4; Joel 2:26-27) On that day you will not be ashamed
for all your deeds by which you have transgressed against Me;
for then I will remove from your midst
those who rejoice in your pride,
and you will no longer be haughty
in My holy mountain.
12 (Isa 14:32; Na 1:7) But I will leave in your midst
a meek and humble people,
and they will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 (Zep 2:7; Rev 14:5) The remnant of Israel will do no unrighteousness,
nor speak lies;
nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
for they will feed and lie down,
and no one will make them afraid.
Israel's Song of Joy
14 (Isa 12:6; 54:1) Sing, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 (Isa 51:22; Zep 3:5) The Lord has taken away your judgments,
He has cast out your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you will see evil no more.
16 (Heb 12:12; Isa 35:3-4) On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands be slack.
17 (Jer 32:41; Zep 3:15) The Lord your God is in your midst,
a Mighty One, who will save.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
18 (Ps 42:2-4; La 1:4) I will gather those who grieve
for the appointed festival,
which is a reproach and burden on you.
19 (Isa 60:14; Eze 34:16) At that time I will deal
with all who oppress you;
I will save the lame
and gather the outcast;
I will give them praise and fame
in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 (Jer 29:14; Joel 3:1) At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,
says the Lord.
Zephaniah 3
[1] Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
[2] She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not
in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
[3] Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
[4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have
polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
[5] The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every
morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust
knoweth no shame.
[6] I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their
streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that
there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
[7] I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so
their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they
rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
[8] Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up
to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may
assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my
fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my
jealousy.
[9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all
call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
[10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of
my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
[11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou
hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of
thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty
because of my holy mountain.
[12] I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people,
and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
[13] The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither
shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and
lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
[14] Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all
the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
[15] The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy:
the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not
see evil any more.
[16] In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion,
Let not thine hands be slack.
[17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee
with singing.
[18] I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are
of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
[19] Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save
her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them
praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
[20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather
you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth,
when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 August 2023 Titled
People of Refuge
Ruth 3:1-9
Ruth's Redemption
1 (Ru 1:9) One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her,
"My daughter, why should I not find a home that will be good for you?
2 (Ru 2:8) Now is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women
you have been working? Tonight he winnows barley on the threshing floor.
3 (2Sa 14:2) Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes.
Then go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know
you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying.
Go in and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what you will do."
5 She said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did all that
her mother-in-law had instructed.
7 (Jdg 19:6; 19:9) When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry,
he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.
Then Ruth came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 At midnight, the man was startled and rolled over; and there,
a woman was lying at his feet.
9 (Ru 2:20; Eze 16:8) He said, "Who are you?"
And she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant.
Spread your cloak over me, for you are a redeeming kinsman."
Ruth 3
[1] Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not
seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
[2] And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast?
Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
[3] Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee,
and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man,
until he shall have done eating and drinking.
[4] And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place
where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee
down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
[5] And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
[6] And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her
mother in law bade her.
[7] And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to
lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered
his feet, and laid her down.
[8] And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned
himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
[9] And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid:
spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Phil and Sandy, moved by stories of refugee children, opened their hearts and
home to two of them. After they picked them up at the airport, they nervously
drove home in silence. Were they ready for this? They didn't share the same
culture, language, or religion, but they'd become people of refuge
for these precious children.
Boaz was moved by the story of Ruth. He'd heard how she left her people to
support Naomi, and when Ruth came to glean in his field, Boaz prayed this
blessing over her, "May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be
richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge"(Ruth 2:12).
Ruth reminded Boaz of his blessing when she interrupted his sleep one night.
Awakened by movement at his feet, Boaz asked, "Who are you?" Ruth replied,
"I am your servant Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me,
since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family" (3:9).
The Hebrew word for corner of your garment and wings is the same. Boaz gave
Ruth refuge by marrying her, and their great-grandson David echoed their
story in his praise to the God of Israel: "How priceless is your unfailing
love, O God!" he wrote. "People take refuge in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 36:7).
By: Mike Wittmer
Reflect & Pray
When has someone given you refuge and how did it make you feel?
How might you-in big or small ways-provide refuge for others?
Father, I take refuge in You. Use me to extend Your refuge to others.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 6 - It is Finished
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
"PLEASE BE PATIENT - GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET,"
the sweatshirt read. In this case, the message was an ironic one,
for the occupant of the shirt was a snaggle-toothed, freckle-faced six year
old!
In one sense, God is not finished with the work he has to do in each of us.
Life in Christ is an ongoing process of change and growth as we become
more like him. Certainly, the more we see of ourselves, the more we hope
he isn't finished with us!
Yet whatever plans God has for making us into the men and women he created
us to be, certain aspects of our life in Christ are finished, finalised.
Jesus declares with absolute assurance, "whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
Because we do not have to earn or deserve God's grace, because we are not
called to prove ourselves worthy of Salvation, we can have immediate
and total assurance of the security of life in Jesus Christ. The one who
put his trust in the Lord has eternal life; he will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life.
This "crossing over" into life happens in the split second when we acknowledge
our dependence upon Christ alone. And the rest of our lives is given over to
the development of his image in us.
God is not finished with us yet.
But his work of salvation is finished - complete,
fully dependable an accomplished fact.
Application
a) Have I ever doubted the "accomplished fact" of my own salvation? Why?
b) How can today's verse help me realise that, although I may have a lot of
growing yet to do, my salvation in Jesus Christ is secure?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 55:11
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.
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.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
James 5:13-16
13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.
14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save
the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
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 2021 edition?)
New Brunswick
Total population 753900
Muslim population (est.) 4543
Moncton, followed by Fredericton and Saint John, each have a growing Muslim
population in New Brunswick, In 2007, the building that was formerly a Baptist
church was converted into Moncton's 1st mosque. The University of Moncton
also has a Muslim student association hosting prayer services, fellowship
getherings, and outreaches on campus.
Fredericton also has one mosque and a Muslim student association serving the
campuses of the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.
Fredericton's Muslim population consists in 2014 of about 50 families,
and between 300 to 400 university students.
Saint John is home to the 1st Muslim Association for the province,
which also helped foster the Islamic associations of Fredericton and Moncton.
a 'musalla', or prayer location that is not officially structured as a mosque,
has been established in the Uptown area with the intention of seeing it grow
into a 2nd official place of Muslim worship. Demand for this new location has
been primarily for university students moving into the area.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) '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.'
- 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, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be just against oppression.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, I take refuge in You.
Use me to extend Your refuge to others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the His of Salvation is for eternity.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that the Lord's Word will not
come out void.
Pray to the Lord and pray for healng in your life.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
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 for the preservation of godly values in the world.
Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Pray that displaced Mozambique Christians receiving audio Bibles
will be strengthened by God's Word.
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) Zephaniah 1, 2, 3
Zephaniah 1
1 (2Ch 34:1-33; Jer 1:2) The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah,
the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
The Great Day of the Lord
2 (2Ki 22:16-17) I will utterly consume all things
on the face of the earth,
says the Lord;
3 (Eze 7:19; Hos 4:3) I will consume man and beast;
I will consume the birds of the heavens
and the fish of the sea,
and the stumbling blocks with the wicked.
I will cut off man from the face of the land,
says the Lord.
4 (Hos 10:5; 2Ki 23:4-5) I will stretch out my hand against Judah,
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal,
and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
5 (1Ki 11:33; Jer 19:13) and those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of heaven;
those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord
and yet swear by Milcom;
6 (Isa 1:4; Jer 2:13) those who have turned back from following the Lord,
who have not sought the Lord nor inquired of Him.
7 (Isa 34:6; Jer 46:10) Be silent before the Lord God!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
the Lord has prepared the sacrifice;
He has consecrated His guests.
8 (Isa 24:21) On the day of the Lord's sacrifice,
I will punish the officials
and the king's sons,
and all who clothe themselves
with foreign attire.
9 (1Sa 5:5) On that day I will punish
all who step over the threshold,
who fill their masters' houses
with violence and deceit.
10 (2Ch 33:14; 2Ki 22:14) On that day, says the Lord,
a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills.
11 (Jas 5:1) Wail, you inhabitants of the Mortar!
For all the merchants are cut down;
all those who weigh out silver are cut off.
12 (Jer 48:11; Eze 8:12) At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are settled on their lees,
who say in their heart,
"The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil."
13 (Am 5:11; Mic 6:15) Their goods will be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they will not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink from their wine.
The Great Day of the Lord
14 (Joel 2:11; Zep 1:7) The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening quickly.
The sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man shall cry out there.
15 (Joel 2:2; Isa 22:5 ) That day is a day of wrath,
a day of trouble and distress,
a day of ruin and desolation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness,
16 (Isa 2:12-15) a day of trumpet and alarms
against the fortified cities
and against the high towers.
17 (Ps 83:10) I will bring distress on men,
so that they will walk like blind men.
Because they have sinned against the Lord,
their blood will be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18 (Zep 3:8; Eze 7:19; Zep 1:2-3) Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to deliver them
on the day of the Lord's wrath.
But the whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of His jealousy,
for He will make a sudden end
of all those who dwell on the earth.
Zephaniah 1
[1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son
of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah
the son of Amon, king of Judah.
[2] I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
[3] I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven,
and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I
will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
[4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this
place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
[5] And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them
that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
[6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not
sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.
[7] Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD
is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
[8] And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I
will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are
clothed with strange apparel.
[9] In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the
threshold,
which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
[10] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there
shall
be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second,
and a great crashing from the hills.
[11] Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut
down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
[12] And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem
with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that
say in
their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
[13] Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a
desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they
shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
[14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly,
even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there
bitterly.
[15] That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of
wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds
and thick darkness,
[16] A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against
the high towers.
[17] And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind
men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be
poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
[18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in
the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the
fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them
that dwell in the land.
Zephaniah 2
Judgment on the Nations
1 (2Ch 20:4; Joel 1:14) Gather together, yes, gather together,
O shameless nation,
2 (Isa 17:13; La 4:11) before the decree takes effect,
before the day passes like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you.
3 (Am 5:14-15; Ps 57:1) Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who carry out His judgment.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of the Lord's anger.
4 (Zec 9:5-7; Am 1:6-8 ) For Gaza will be forsaken,
and Ashkelon a desolation;
Ashdod will be driven out at noon,
and Ekron will be uprooted.
5 (Eze 25:16; Am 3:1) Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,
the nation of Kerethites!
The word of the Lord is against you,
O Canaan, land of the Philistines:
I will destroy you,
so that there will be no inhabitant.
6 The seacoast will be pastures,
with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks.
7 (Zep 3:20; Ex 4:31) The coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah,
on which they will feed.
In the houses of Ashkelon
they will lie down at evening.
For the Lord their God will visit them
and restore their fortunes.
Zephaniah 2
[1] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
[2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before
the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's
anger come upon you.
[3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his
judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in
the day of the LORD's anger.
[4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive
out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
[5] Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the
Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the
Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
[6] And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and
folds for flocks.
[7] And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall
feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the
evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their
captivity.
8 (Jer 49:1; Am 1:13) I have heard these taunts of Moab,
and the revilings of the Ammonites,
by which they have reproached My people,
and made boasts against their territory.
9 (Dt 29:23; Isa 11:14) Therefore, as I live,
says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel,
surely Moab will be like Sodom,
and the Ammonites like Gomorrah-
a land of weeds and salt pits,
and a perpetual desolation.
The remnant of My people will plunder them,
and the survivors of My nation will possess them.
10 (Isa 16:6; Zep 2:8) This will they have for their pride,
because they taunted and boasted against
the people of the Lord of Hosts.
11 (Ge 10:5; Ps 72:8-11) The Lord will be dreadful to them,
for He will weaken all the gods of the earth;
men will worship Him, every one from his place,
all the lands of the nations.
12 (Isa 18:1-7; 20:4-5) You also, O Ethiopians,
will be slain by My sword.
13 (Na 3:7; Isa 10:12) And He will stretch out His hand against the north
and destroy Assyria;
and He will make Nineveh a desolation,
and dry like the desert.
14 (Jer 22:14) Herds will lie down in her midst,
beasts of every kind;
the cormorant and the bittern
will lodge on her pillars.
Their voice will sing in the windows;
desolation will be on the threshold;
for He will lay bare the cedar work.
15 (Eze 28:2; Na 3:19) This is the rejoicing city
that dwelt securely,
that said in her heart,
"I am, and there is no one besides me."
How has she become a desolation,
a place for beasts to lie down!
Everyone who passes by her will hiss
and shake his fist.
[8] I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of
Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves
against their border.
[9] Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely
Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the
breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue
of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess
them.
[10] This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and
magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.
[11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of
the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the
isles of the heathen.
[12] Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
[13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy
Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
[14] And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the
nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper
lintels
of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the
thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
[15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her
heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a
place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss,
and wag his hand.
Zephaniah 3
Woe to Jerusalem
1 (Jer 6:6) Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
the oppressing city.
2 (Jer 5:3; Ps 78:22) She obeys no voice,
she receives no correction;
she does not trust in the Lord,
she does not draw near to her God.
3 (Hab 1:8; Jer 5:6) Her princes within her are roaring lions;
her judges are evening wolves
who leave nothing until the morning.
4 (Eze 22:26; Hos 9:7) Her prophets are reckless,
treacherous men;
her priests have profaned the sanctuary
and done violence to the law.
5 (Dt 32:4; Zep 3:15 ) The Lord is righteous in her midst;
He does no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He does not fail,
but the unjust knows no shame.
6 I have cut off nations,
their strongholds are devastated;
I have made their streets desolate,
with no one passing by.
Their cities are destroyed;
there is no man, no inhabitant.
7 (Hos 9:9; Jer 7:7) I said,
"Surely you will fear Me;
and you will receive correction."
So her dwelling will not be cut off,
according to all that I have appointed against her.
But they were more eager
to corrupt all their deeds.
The Conversion of the Nations
8(Joel 3:2; Zep 1:18) Therefore wait for Me, declares the Lord,
until the day when I rise up to seize the plunder;
for My decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
to pour on them My indignation,
all My fierce anger;
for all the earth will be devoured
with the fire of My jealousy.
9 (Isa 19:18; Ps 22:27) For then I will restore to the peoples a pure speech
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord,
to serve Him with one accord.
10 (Ps 68:31; Isa 11:11) From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
My worshippers, the daughter of My dispersed ones,
will bring My offering.
11 (Isa 54:4; Joel 2:26-27) On that day you will not be ashamed
for all your deeds by which you have transgressed against Me;
for then I will remove from your midst
those who rejoice in your pride,
and you will no longer be haughty
in My holy mountain.
12 (Isa 14:32; Na 1:7) But I will leave in your midst
a meek and humble people,
and they will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 (Zep 2:7; Rev 14:5) The remnant of Israel will do no unrighteousness,
nor speak lies;
nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
for they will feed and lie down,
and no one will make them afraid.
Israel's Song of Joy
14 (Isa 12:6; 54:1) Sing, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 (Isa 51:22; Zep 3:5) The Lord has taken away your judgments,
He has cast out your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you will see evil no more.
16 (Heb 12:12; Isa 35:3-4) On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands be slack.
17 (Jer 32:41; Zep 3:15) The Lord your God is in your midst,
a Mighty One, who will save.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
18 (Ps 42:2-4; La 1:4) I will gather those who grieve
for the appointed festival,
which is a reproach and burden on you.
19 (Isa 60:14; Eze 34:16) At that time I will deal
with all who oppress you;
I will save the lame
and gather the outcast;
I will give them praise and fame
in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 (Jer 29:14; Joel 3:1) At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,
says the Lord.
Zephaniah 3
[1] Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
[2] She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not
in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
[3] Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
[4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have
polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
[5] The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every
morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust
knoweth no shame.
[6] I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their
streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that
there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
[7] I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so
their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they
rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
[8] Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up
to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may
assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my
fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my
jealousy.
[9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all
call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
[10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of
my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
[11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou
hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of
thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty
because of my holy mountain.
[12] I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people,
and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
[13] The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither
shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and
lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
[14] Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all
the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
[15] The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy:
the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not
see evil any more.
[16] In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion,
Let not thine hands be slack.
[17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee
with singing.
[18] I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are
of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
[19] Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save
her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them
praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
[20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather
you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth,
when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 August 2023 Titled
People of Refuge
Ruth 3:1-9
Ruth's Redemption
1 (Ru 1:9) One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her,
"My daughter, why should I not find a home that will be good for you?
2 (Ru 2:8) Now is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women
you have been working? Tonight he winnows barley on the threshing floor.
3 (2Sa 14:2) Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes.
Then go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know
you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying.
Go in and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what you will do."
5 She said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did all that
her mother-in-law had instructed.
7 (Jdg 19:6; 19:9) When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry,
he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.
Then Ruth came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 At midnight, the man was startled and rolled over; and there,
a woman was lying at his feet.
9 (Ru 2:20; Eze 16:8) He said, "Who are you?"
And she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant.
Spread your cloak over me, for you are a redeeming kinsman."
Ruth 3
[1] Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not
seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
[2] And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast?
Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
[3] Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee,
and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man,
until he shall have done eating and drinking.
[4] And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place
where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee
down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
[5] And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
[6] And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her
mother in law bade her.
[7] And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to
lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered
his feet, and laid her down.
[8] And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned
himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
[9] And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid:
spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Phil and Sandy, moved by stories of refugee children, opened their hearts and
home to two of them. After they picked them up at the airport, they nervously
drove home in silence. Were they ready for this? They didn't share the same
culture, language, or religion, but they'd become people of refuge
for these precious children.
Boaz was moved by the story of Ruth. He'd heard how she left her people to
support Naomi, and when Ruth came to glean in his field, Boaz prayed this
blessing over her, "May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be
richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge"(Ruth 2:12).
Ruth reminded Boaz of his blessing when she interrupted his sleep one night.
Awakened by movement at his feet, Boaz asked, "Who are you?" Ruth replied,
"I am your servant Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me,
since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family" (3:9).
The Hebrew word for corner of your garment and wings is the same. Boaz gave
Ruth refuge by marrying her, and their great-grandson David echoed their
story in his praise to the God of Israel: "How priceless is your unfailing
love, O God!" he wrote. "People take refuge in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 36:7).
By: Mike Wittmer
Reflect & Pray
When has someone given you refuge and how did it make you feel?
How might you-in big or small ways-provide refuge for others?
Father, I take refuge in You. Use me to extend Your refuge to others.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 6 - It is Finished
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
"PLEASE BE PATIENT - GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET,"
the sweatshirt read. In this case, the message was an ironic one,
for the occupant of the shirt was a snaggle-toothed, freckle-faced six year
old!
In one sense, God is not finished with the work he has to do in each of us.
Life in Christ is an ongoing process of change and growth as we become
more like him. Certainly, the more we see of ourselves, the more we hope
he isn't finished with us!
Yet whatever plans God has for making us into the men and women he created
us to be, certain aspects of our life in Christ are finished, finalised.
Jesus declares with absolute assurance, "whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
Because we do not have to earn or deserve God's grace, because we are not
called to prove ourselves worthy of Salvation, we can have immediate
and total assurance of the security of life in Jesus Christ. The one who
put his trust in the Lord has eternal life; he will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life.
This "crossing over" into life happens in the split second when we acknowledge
our dependence upon Christ alone. And the rest of our lives is given over to
the development of his image in us.
God is not finished with us yet.
But his work of salvation is finished - complete,
fully dependable an accomplished fact.
Application
a) Have I ever doubted the "accomplished fact" of my own salvation? Why?
b) How can today's verse help me realise that, although I may have a lot of
growing yet to do, my salvation in Jesus Christ is secure?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 55:11
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.
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.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
James 5:13-16
13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.
14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save
the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
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 2021 edition?)
New Brunswick
Total population 753900
Muslim population (est.) 4543
Moncton, followed by Fredericton and Saint John, each have a growing Muslim
population in New Brunswick, In 2007, the building that was formerly a Baptist
church was converted into Moncton's 1st mosque. The University of Moncton
also has a Muslim student association hosting prayer services, fellowship
getherings, and outreaches on campus.
Fredericton also has one mosque and a Muslim student association serving the
campuses of the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.
Fredericton's Muslim population consists in 2014 of about 50 families,
and between 300 to 400 university students.
Saint John is home to the 1st Muslim Association for the province,
which also helped foster the Islamic associations of Fredericton and Moncton.
a 'musalla', or prayer location that is not officially structured as a mosque,
has been established in the Uptown area with the intention of seeing it grow
into a 2nd official place of Muslim worship. Demand for this new location has
been primarily for university students moving into the area.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) '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.'
- 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, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be just against oppression.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, I take refuge in You.
Use me to extend Your refuge to others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the His of Salvation is for eternity.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that the Lord's Word will not
come out void.
Pray to the Lord and pray for healng in your life.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
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 for the preservation of godly values in the world.
Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Pray that displaced Mozambique Christians receiving audio Bibles
will be strengthened by God's Word.
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.