Day 225 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 13 August 2023 reflections
Day 225, 13 August 2022
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/
Calvary Community Church Pastor Barry Regier spoke on
The Role of Worship
What is worship?
Worship = worth-ship , value and honour
(worship (n): the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration
for a deity)
Genesis 1:27
27 So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.
Worship ...
A) Includes celebration, thanksgiving and dedication
Nehemiah 12:27
27 (1Ch 15:16; 15:28) At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem
they sought to bring the Levites from all their places to Jerusalem
to celebrate the dedication appropriately with thanksgiving songs
and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.
[27] And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites
out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication
with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals,
psalteries, and with harps.
Psalm 100:1-5
PSALMS 100
A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;
it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
[1] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
[2] Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
[3] Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
[4] Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
[5] For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth
to all generations.
B) Requires Holiness
Nehemiah 12:30
30 (Ex 19:10; Job 1:5) Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves.
They also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
[30] And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the
people, and the gates, and the wall.
Psalm 51:17
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, You will not despise.
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
1 John 1:9
9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 23:25-26
25 (Mt 15:19-20; Lk 11:39-40) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish,
but inside they are full of extortion and greed.
26 You blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish,
that the outside of them may also be clean.
[25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the
outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion
and excess.
[26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and
platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
C) Covers the past and the present
Nememiah 12:36,45-46
36 (Ne 12:24; 1Ch 23:5) in conjunction with his relatives-Shemaiah,
Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani,
being accompanied with the musical instruments of David the man of God.
Ezra the scribe went before them.
45 (1Ch 25:1-26) who, accompanied by the singers
and the gatekeepers, attentively preserved the practices
of their God and the practices of purification, according
to the commandment of David and of his son Solomon.
46 (2Ch 29:30) For in the former days of David and Asaph
there were leaders for the singers, the songs of praise,
and thanksgivings to God.
[36] And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai,
Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man
of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
[45] And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and
the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of
Solomon his son.
[46] For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the
singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
D) Witneses to others
Nehemiah 12:31,38-39,43
31 (Ne 2:13; 12:38) Then I led the commanders of Judah up to the top
of the wall and appointed two great thanksgiving choirs.
The first choir proceeded to the right on the wall toward the Dung Gate.
[31] Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two
great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand
upon the wall toward the dung gate:
38 (Ne 3:8; 3:11) The second thanksgiving choir proceeded to the left
where I followed them with the other half of the people on top of the wall,
from the Tower of the Furnaces to the Broad Wall,
39 (Ne 3:1; 3:3; 3:6) then from above the Ephraim Gate past the Old Gate,
the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred,
as far as the Sheep Gate, but they stood still at the Gate of the Guard.
[38] And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them,
and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the
tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
[39] And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above
the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto
the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
43 (Ps 92:4) On that day they offered great sacrifices
and rejoiced because God had given them great cause for rejoicing.
The wives and the children rejoiced, too.
From far away the joyful celebration of Jerusalem was heard.
[43] Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had
made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced:
so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
E) Involves our finances
Nehemiah 12:44,47
44 (Ne 13:12-13) At that time men were appointed to govern
over the chambers for the treasures, for the contributions,
for the first fruits, and for the tithes, so that they might
gather into them out of the fields of the cities the legal portions
belonging to the priests and Levites. This was because the celebration
of Judah survived on the basis of the priests and the Levites
47 All Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah
gave the singers and the gatekeepers their portions,
as specified daily. Likewise, they consecrated what was
due to the Levites, who then consecrated what was due
to the descendants of Aaron.
[44] And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the
treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to
gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for
the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the
Levites that waited.
[47] And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah,
gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and
they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified
them unto the children of Aaron.
1) Jeremiah 30,31
Jeremiah 30
Israel and Judah Restored
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:
2 (Isa 30:8; Jer 36:32) Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.
3 (Jer 16:15; 29:14) For surely the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.
The Lord says, I also will cause them to return to the land that
I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
4 These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah.
5 (Isa 5:30; Am 5:16-18) For thus says the Lord:
I have heard a sound of trembling,
of fear, and not of peace.
6 (Jer 4:31; 6:24) Ask now, and see,
can a male labor with child?
Why do I see every man
with his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor,
and all faces turned pale?
7 (Joel 2:11; Jer 30:10 )Alas! for that day is great,
so that no one is like it;
it is even the time of Jacob's trouble,
but he shall be saved out of it.
8 (Eze 34:27; Isa 9:4; Jer 27:2) For it shall come to pass in that day,
says the Lord of Hosts,
that I shall break his yoke from off their neck
and tear away their bonds,
and strangers shall no longer make them their slaves.
9 (Hos 3:5; Lk 1:69; Isa 55:3-5) But they shall serve the Lord their God
and David their king,
whom I will raise up for them.
10 (Isa 43:5; Jer 46:27-28) Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,
says the Lord,
nor be dismayed, O Israel;
for I will save you from afar,
and your seed from the land of their captivity.
And Jacob shall return and shall be in rest and be quiet,
and no one shall make him afraid.
11 (Jer 10:24; 4:27) For I am with you, says the Lord,
to save you.
Although I make a full end of all nations
wherever I have scattered you,
yet I will not make a full end of you.
But I will correct you in measure
and will not leave you altogether unpunished.
12 (Jer 15:18; 2Ch 36:16) For thus says the Lord:
Your bruise is incurable
and your wound is severe.
13 (Jer 8:22; 46:11) There is no one to plead your cause
that you may be bound up.
You have no healing medicines.
14 (Job 30:21; Jer 5:6) All your lovers have forgotten you;
they do not seek you;
for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy,
with the chastisement of a cruel one,
because of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins are numerous.
15 (Jer 30:12; 30:14) Why do you cry because of your affliction?
Your sorrow is incurable.
Because of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins are numerous,
I have done these things to you.
16 (Jer 10:25; Isa 14:2) Therefore all who devour you will be devoured;
and all your adversaries, every one of them, will go into captivity.
And those who plunder you will become plunder,
and all who prey upon you I will give for prey.
17 (Ex 15:26; Ps 107:20) For I will restore health to you,
and I will heal you of your wounds,
says the Lord,
because they called you an outcast, saying,
"This is Zion whom no man cares for."
18 (Jer 30:3; Ps 102:13) Thus says the Lord:
I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents
and have mercy on his dwelling places;
and the city will be built upon her own heap,
and the palace will remain on its rightful place.
19 (Isa 35:10; 51:11) Out of them will proceed thanksgiving
and the voice of those who make merry;
and I will multiply them,
and they will not be few.
I will also glorify them,
and they will not be small.
20 Their children also will be as before,
and their congregation will be established before Me;
and I will punish all who oppress them.
21 (Nu 16:5; Ge 49:10) Their leader shall be one of them,
and their ruler shall proceed from their midst;
and I will cause him to draw near and he will approach Me;
for who is this that dares
to approach Me?
says the Lord.
22 (Jer 24:7; 31:1) You shall be My people,
and I will be your God.
23 (Jer 23:19-20; 25:32) Look, the whirlwind of the Lord
goes forth with fury,
a continuing whirlwind;
it will fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
24 (Jer 23:20; 4:28) The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return
until He has done it
and until He has performed the intentions of His heart.
In the latter days
you will understand it.
Jeremiah 30
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
[2] Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words
that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
[3] For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the
captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause
them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall
possess it.
[4] And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and
concerning Judah.
[5] For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear,
and not of peace.
[6] Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do
I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all
faces are turned into paleness?
[7] Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the
time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
[8] For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I
will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and
strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
[9] But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I
will raise up unto them.
[10] Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be
dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from
the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest,
and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
[11] For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full
end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full
end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee
altogether unpunished.
[12] For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is
grievous.
[13] There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou
hast no healing medicines.
[14] All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have
wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel
one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
[15] Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the
multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done
these things unto thee.
[16] Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine
adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil
thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
[17] For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy
wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying,
This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
[18] Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of
Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be
builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner
thereof.
[19] And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that
make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will
also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
[20] Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall
be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
[21] And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall
proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he
shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach
unto me? saith the LORD.
[22] And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
[23] Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing
whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
[24] The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it,
and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye
shall consider it.
Jeremiah 31
The Exiles Return
1 (Jer 30:22; Ge 17:7-8) At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God
of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.
2 (Nu 10:33; Dt 1:33) Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness,
when I went to give Israel rest.
3 (Hos 11:4; Mal 1:2) The Lord has appeared to him from afar, saying:
Indeed, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
4 (Jer 31:13; 33:7) Again I will build you
and you will be built, O virgin of Israel.
You will again be adorned with your tambourines
and shall go forth in the dances of those who make merry.
5 (Am 9:14; Dt 28:30) You will yet plant vines
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters will plant
and will enjoy them.
6 (Jer 50:4-5) For there will be a day when the watchmen
on the hills of Ephraim will proclaim,
"Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God."
7 (Ps 14:7; 28:9) For thus says the Lord:
Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations;
publish, praise, and say,
"O Lord, save Your people,
the remnant of Israel."
8 (Isa 42:16; Jer 23:8) See, I will bring them from the north country,
and gather them from the remote parts of the earth,
and with them the blind and the lame,
the woman with child and her who is in labour with child, together;
a great company will return here.
9 (Jer 3:4; Ex 4:22; Isa 63:13) They will come with weeping,
and with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
in a straight way in which they shall not stumble.
For I am a Father to Israel,
and Ephraim is My firstborn.
10 (Isa 40:11; 66:19; Eze 34:12) Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far off, and say,
"He who scattered Israel will gather him
and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock."
11 (Isa 44:23; 48:20) For the Lord has redeemed Jacob
and ransomed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.
12 (Isa 35:10; 58:11; 65:19 )Therefore they will come
and sing in the height of Zion,
and will be joyful over the goodness of the Lord,
for wheat and for wine and for oil
and for the young of the flock and of the herd;
and their souls will be as a watered garden.
And they will not sorrow any more at all.
13 (Ps 30:11; Isa 51:11) Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance,
both young men and old together;
for I will turn their mourning into joy,
and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
14 (Jer 31:25) I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance,
and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness,
says the Lord.
Jeremiah 31
[1] At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families
of Israel, and they shall be my people.
[2] Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace
in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
[3] The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
[4] Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:
thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the
dances of them that make merry.
[5] Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters
shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
[6] For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall
cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
[7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among
the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy
people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from
the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman
with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company
shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I
will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein
they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my
firstborn.
[10] Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles
afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him,
as a shepherd doth his flock.
[11] For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of
him that was stronger than he.
[12] Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall
flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for
oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul
shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
[13] Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old
together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them,
and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
[14] And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people
shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
15 (Jos 18:25; Ge 37:35) Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
16 (Ru 2:12; Jer 30:3) Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping
and your eyes from tears;
for your work shall be rewarded,
says the Lord,
and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
17 There is hope for your future,
says the Lord,
that your children will come back to their own border.
18 (Ps 80:3; Job 5:17 )I have surely heard Ephraim pleading:
"You have chastised me,
and I was chastised, as an untrained calf;
turn me back and I will be turned,
for you are the Lord my God.
19 (Jer 3:25; Eze 36:31; 21:12) Surely after I turned back,
I repented;
and after I was instructed,
I struck myself on my thigh;
I was ashamed and even humiliated
because I bore the reproach of my youth."
20 (Isa 55:7; 63:15) Is Ephraim My dear son?
Is he a pleasant child?
For since I spoke against him,
I surely do remember him still;
therefore My heart longs for him.
I will surely have mercy on him,
says the Lord.
21 (Jer 50:5; Isa 48:20) Set up road marks,
place guideposts.
Set your heart toward the highway,
even the way by which you went.
Turn back, O virgin of Israel,
turn back to these your cities.
22 (Jer 2:23; 3:6) How long will you go about,
O faithless daughter?
For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth:
A woman shall obtain a man.
23 (Zec 8:3; Isa 1:26; Jer 50:7) Thus says the Lord of Hosts,
the God of Israel: Once again they shall use this speech
in the land of Judah and in the cities when I restore their fortunes:
"May the Lord bless you, O habitation of righteousness
and mountain of holiness!"
24 (Zec 8:4-8; Eze 36:10) And Judah and all its cities will dwell there,
the farmer and those who go out with the flocks.
25 (Jer 31:14; Jn 4:14) For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every
languishing soul.
26 Upon this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was sweet to me.
27 (Hos 2:23; Eze 36:9) Surely, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah
with the seed of man and with the seed of beast.
28 (Jer 1:10; 44:27) It shall come to pass that as I have watched
over them to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down,
and to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them, to build,
and to plant, says the Lord.
29 (La 5:7; Eze 18:2-3) In those days they will say no more:
"The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge."
30 (Isa 3:11; Eze 18:4) But everyone will die for his own iniquity.
Every man that eats the sour grape, his teeth will be set on edge.
A New Covenant
31 (Lk 22:20; Jer 32:40 ) Surely, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.
32 (Dt 1:31; 5:3) It will not be according to the covenant
that I made with their fathers
in the day that I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt,
because they broke My covenant,
although I was a husband to them,
says the Lord.
33 (2Co 3:3; Heb 10:16) But this shall be the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put My law within them
and write it in their hearts;
and I will be their God,
and they shall be My people.
34 (Isa 54:13; Jer 33:8) They shall teach no more every man his neighbor
and every man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord,"
for they all shall know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest of them,
says the Lord,
for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more.
35 (Isa 51:15; Jer 10:16) Thus says the Lord,
who gives the sun
for a light by day
and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars
for a light by night,
who stirs up the sea
so that the waves roar,
the Lord of Hosts is His name:
36 (Isa 54:9-10; Jer 33:20-26) If those ordinances depart from before Me,
says the Lord,
then the seed of Israel also will cease
from being a nation before Me forever.
37 (Jer 33:22; 33:24-26) Thus says the Lord:
If heaven above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
for all that they have done,
says the Lord.
38 (2Ki 14:13; Zec 14:10) Surely, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when the city will be built to the Lord from the Tower of Hananel
to the Corner Gate.
39 (Zec 2:1-2) The measuring line shall stretch out straight to the
hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah.
40 (2Sa 15:23; Joel 3:17) The whole valley of the dead bodies
and of the ashes, and all the fields to the Kidron Valley,
to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, will be holy to the Lord.
It will not be plucked up nor thrown down any more forever.
[15] Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and
bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for
her children, because they were not.
[16] Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes
from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall
come again from the land of the enemy.
[17] And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall
come again to their own border.
[18] I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised
me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou
me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
[19] Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was
instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,
because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
[20] Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake
against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are
troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
[21] Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the
highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel,
turn again to these thy cities.
[22] How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD
hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
[23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use
this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall
bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice,
and mountain of holiness.
[24] And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof
together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
[25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every
sorrowful soul.
[26] Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
[27] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of
Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of
beast.
[28] And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to
pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to
afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.
[29] In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour
grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
[30] But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth
the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which
my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward
parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall
be my people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least
of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their
iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
[35] Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the
ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth
the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
[36] If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the
seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
[37] Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the
foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the
seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
[38] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to
the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
[39] And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill
Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
[40] And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the
fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward
the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor
thrown down any more for ever.
2) Our Daily Bread for 13 August 2023 Titled
https://odb.org/2023/08/13/a-different-approach">A Different Approach
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 (Mt 18:15; 1Co 9:1) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself
servant to all, that I might win even more.
20 (Ac 16:3; 21:20-26) To the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might win
the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might
win those who are under the law;
21 (Ro 2:12; 2:14) to those who are outside the law, as outside the law
(being not without God's law, but under Christ's law) that I might win
those who are outside the law.
22 (Ro 11:14; 1Co 10:33) To the weak, I became as weak, that I might win
the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means
save some.
23 (This I do for the gospel's sake, that I might partake of it with you.
[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to
them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that
are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to
God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without
law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof
with you.
When Mary Slessor sailed to the African nation of Calabar (now Nigeria) in
the late 1800s, she was enthusiastic to continue the missionary work of the
late David Livingstone. Her first assignment, teaching school while living
among fellow missionaries, left her burdened for a different way to serve. So
she did something rare in that region-she moved in with the people she was
serving. Mary learned their language, lived their way, and ate their food.
She even took in dozens of children who'd been abandoned. For nearly 40
years, she brought hope and the gospel to those who needed both.
The apostle Paul knew the importance of truly meeting the needs of those
around us. He mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 that there are "different
kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit," and "different kinds of service, but
the same Lord." So he served people in their area of need. For instance, "
to the weak [he] became weak" (9:22).
One church I'm aware of recently announced the launch of an "all abilities" ministry approach complete with a barrier-free facility-making worship
available for people with disabilities. This is the Paul-like kind of
thinking that wins hearts and allows the gospel to flourish in a community.
As we live out our faith before those around us, may God lead us
to introduce them to Jesus in new and fresh ways.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What unique way to reach out to others has God placed on your heart?
How will you accomplish it?
Dear heavenly Father, please give me wisdom
to find the right way to help others.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised
by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:19
19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,
and it proves unfruitful.
19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word,
and it becometh unfruitful.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
James 1:2 to 8
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.
4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men
liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers
is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
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
13th Day of the Month
a) Pray that, with God's help, children and
young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has
for each of them
b) Pray for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
I) Pray for the leaders of Newfoundland and Labrador, that God's Spirit
would influence then to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may
lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God
our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
)
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and revere Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of Intercession for your nation.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, please give me wisdom
to find the right way to help others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to confess the Lord as Saviour.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to deceived by the riches of this world.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom.
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 that, with God's help, children and
young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has
for each of them
Pray that Christians who feel isolated will be encouraged in their walk
with Christ in Saudi Arabia.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/
Calvary Community Church Pastor Barry Regier spoke on
The Role of Worship
What is worship?
Worship = worth-ship , value and honour
(worship (n): the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration
for a deity)
Genesis 1:27
27 So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.
Worship ...
A) Includes celebration, thanksgiving and dedication
Nehemiah 12:27
27 (1Ch 15:16; 15:28) At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem
they sought to bring the Levites from all their places to Jerusalem
to celebrate the dedication appropriately with thanksgiving songs
and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.
[27] And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites
out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication
with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals,
psalteries, and with harps.
Psalm 100:1-5
PSALMS 100
A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;
it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
[1] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
[2] Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
[3] Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
[4] Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
[5] For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth
to all generations.
B) Requires Holiness
Nehemiah 12:30
30 (Ex 19:10; Job 1:5) Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves.
They also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.
[30] And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the
people, and the gates, and the wall.
Psalm 51:17
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, You will not despise.
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
1 John 1:9
9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 23:25-26
25 (Mt 15:19-20; Lk 11:39-40) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish,
but inside they are full of extortion and greed.
26 You blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish,
that the outside of them may also be clean.
[25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the
outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion
and excess.
[26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and
platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
C) Covers the past and the present
Nememiah 12:36,45-46
36 (Ne 12:24; 1Ch 23:5) in conjunction with his relatives-Shemaiah,
Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani,
being accompanied with the musical instruments of David the man of God.
Ezra the scribe went before them.
45 (1Ch 25:1-26) who, accompanied by the singers
and the gatekeepers, attentively preserved the practices
of their God and the practices of purification, according
to the commandment of David and of his son Solomon.
46 (2Ch 29:30) For in the former days of David and Asaph
there were leaders for the singers, the songs of praise,
and thanksgivings to God.
[36] And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai,
Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man
of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.
[45] And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and
the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of
Solomon his son.
[46] For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the
singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
D) Witneses to others
Nehemiah 12:31,38-39,43
31 (Ne 2:13; 12:38) Then I led the commanders of Judah up to the top
of the wall and appointed two great thanksgiving choirs.
The first choir proceeded to the right on the wall toward the Dung Gate.
[31] Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two
great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand
upon the wall toward the dung gate:
38 (Ne 3:8; 3:11) The second thanksgiving choir proceeded to the left
where I followed them with the other half of the people on top of the wall,
from the Tower of the Furnaces to the Broad Wall,
39 (Ne 3:1; 3:3; 3:6) then from above the Ephraim Gate past the Old Gate,
the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred,
as far as the Sheep Gate, but they stood still at the Gate of the Guard.
[38] And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them,
and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the
tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
[39] And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above
the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto
the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
43 (Ps 92:4) On that day they offered great sacrifices
and rejoiced because God had given them great cause for rejoicing.
The wives and the children rejoiced, too.
From far away the joyful celebration of Jerusalem was heard.
[43] Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had
made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced:
so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
E) Involves our finances
Nehemiah 12:44,47
44 (Ne 13:12-13) At that time men were appointed to govern
over the chambers for the treasures, for the contributions,
for the first fruits, and for the tithes, so that they might
gather into them out of the fields of the cities the legal portions
belonging to the priests and Levites. This was because the celebration
of Judah survived on the basis of the priests and the Levites
47 All Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah
gave the singers and the gatekeepers their portions,
as specified daily. Likewise, they consecrated what was
due to the Levites, who then consecrated what was due
to the descendants of Aaron.
[44] And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the
treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to
gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for
the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the
Levites that waited.
[47] And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah,
gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and
they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified
them unto the children of Aaron.
1) Jeremiah 30,31
Jeremiah 30
Israel and Judah Restored
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:
2 (Isa 30:8; Jer 36:32) Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.
3 (Jer 16:15; 29:14) For surely the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.
The Lord says, I also will cause them to return to the land that
I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
4 These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah.
5 (Isa 5:30; Am 5:16-18) For thus says the Lord:
I have heard a sound of trembling,
of fear, and not of peace.
6 (Jer 4:31; 6:24) Ask now, and see,
can a male labor with child?
Why do I see every man
with his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor,
and all faces turned pale?
7 (Joel 2:11; Jer 30:10 )Alas! for that day is great,
so that no one is like it;
it is even the time of Jacob's trouble,
but he shall be saved out of it.
8 (Eze 34:27; Isa 9:4; Jer 27:2) For it shall come to pass in that day,
says the Lord of Hosts,
that I shall break his yoke from off their neck
and tear away their bonds,
and strangers shall no longer make them their slaves.
9 (Hos 3:5; Lk 1:69; Isa 55:3-5) But they shall serve the Lord their God
and David their king,
whom I will raise up for them.
10 (Isa 43:5; Jer 46:27-28) Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,
says the Lord,
nor be dismayed, O Israel;
for I will save you from afar,
and your seed from the land of their captivity.
And Jacob shall return and shall be in rest and be quiet,
and no one shall make him afraid.
11 (Jer 10:24; 4:27) For I am with you, says the Lord,
to save you.
Although I make a full end of all nations
wherever I have scattered you,
yet I will not make a full end of you.
But I will correct you in measure
and will not leave you altogether unpunished.
12 (Jer 15:18; 2Ch 36:16) For thus says the Lord:
Your bruise is incurable
and your wound is severe.
13 (Jer 8:22; 46:11) There is no one to plead your cause
that you may be bound up.
You have no healing medicines.
14 (Job 30:21; Jer 5:6) All your lovers have forgotten you;
they do not seek you;
for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy,
with the chastisement of a cruel one,
because of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins are numerous.
15 (Jer 30:12; 30:14) Why do you cry because of your affliction?
Your sorrow is incurable.
Because of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins are numerous,
I have done these things to you.
16 (Jer 10:25; Isa 14:2) Therefore all who devour you will be devoured;
and all your adversaries, every one of them, will go into captivity.
And those who plunder you will become plunder,
and all who prey upon you I will give for prey.
17 (Ex 15:26; Ps 107:20) For I will restore health to you,
and I will heal you of your wounds,
says the Lord,
because they called you an outcast, saying,
"This is Zion whom no man cares for."
18 (Jer 30:3; Ps 102:13) Thus says the Lord:
I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents
and have mercy on his dwelling places;
and the city will be built upon her own heap,
and the palace will remain on its rightful place.
19 (Isa 35:10; 51:11) Out of them will proceed thanksgiving
and the voice of those who make merry;
and I will multiply them,
and they will not be few.
I will also glorify them,
and they will not be small.
20 Their children also will be as before,
and their congregation will be established before Me;
and I will punish all who oppress them.
21 (Nu 16:5; Ge 49:10) Their leader shall be one of them,
and their ruler shall proceed from their midst;
and I will cause him to draw near and he will approach Me;
for who is this that dares
to approach Me?
says the Lord.
22 (Jer 24:7; 31:1) You shall be My people,
and I will be your God.
23 (Jer 23:19-20; 25:32) Look, the whirlwind of the Lord
goes forth with fury,
a continuing whirlwind;
it will fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
24 (Jer 23:20; 4:28) The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return
until He has done it
and until He has performed the intentions of His heart.
In the latter days
you will understand it.
Jeremiah 30
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
[2] Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words
that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
[3] For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the
captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause
them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall
possess it.
[4] And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and
concerning Judah.
[5] For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear,
and not of peace.
[6] Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do
I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all
faces are turned into paleness?
[7] Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the
time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
[8] For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I
will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and
strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
[9] But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I
will raise up unto them.
[10] Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be
dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from
the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest,
and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
[11] For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full
end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full
end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee
altogether unpunished.
[12] For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is
grievous.
[13] There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou
hast no healing medicines.
[14] All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have
wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel
one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
[15] Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the
multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done
these things unto thee.
[16] Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine
adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil
thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
[17] For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy
wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying,
This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
[18] Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of
Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be
builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner
thereof.
[19] And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that
make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will
also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
[20] Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall
be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
[21] And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall
proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he
shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach
unto me? saith the LORD.
[22] And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
[23] Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing
whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
[24] The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it,
and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye
shall consider it.
Jeremiah 31
The Exiles Return
1 (Jer 30:22; Ge 17:7-8) At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God
of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.
2 (Nu 10:33; Dt 1:33) Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness,
when I went to give Israel rest.
3 (Hos 11:4; Mal 1:2) The Lord has appeared to him from afar, saying:
Indeed, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
4 (Jer 31:13; 33:7) Again I will build you
and you will be built, O virgin of Israel.
You will again be adorned with your tambourines
and shall go forth in the dances of those who make merry.
5 (Am 9:14; Dt 28:30) You will yet plant vines
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters will plant
and will enjoy them.
6 (Jer 50:4-5) For there will be a day when the watchmen
on the hills of Ephraim will proclaim,
"Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God."
7 (Ps 14:7; 28:9) For thus says the Lord:
Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations;
publish, praise, and say,
"O Lord, save Your people,
the remnant of Israel."
8 (Isa 42:16; Jer 23:8) See, I will bring them from the north country,
and gather them from the remote parts of the earth,
and with them the blind and the lame,
the woman with child and her who is in labour with child, together;
a great company will return here.
9 (Jer 3:4; Ex 4:22; Isa 63:13) They will come with weeping,
and with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
in a straight way in which they shall not stumble.
For I am a Father to Israel,
and Ephraim is My firstborn.
10 (Isa 40:11; 66:19; Eze 34:12) Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far off, and say,
"He who scattered Israel will gather him
and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock."
11 (Isa 44:23; 48:20) For the Lord has redeemed Jacob
and ransomed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.
12 (Isa 35:10; 58:11; 65:19 )Therefore they will come
and sing in the height of Zion,
and will be joyful over the goodness of the Lord,
for wheat and for wine and for oil
and for the young of the flock and of the herd;
and their souls will be as a watered garden.
And they will not sorrow any more at all.
13 (Ps 30:11; Isa 51:11) Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance,
both young men and old together;
for I will turn their mourning into joy,
and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
14 (Jer 31:25) I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance,
and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness,
says the Lord.
Jeremiah 31
[1] At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families
of Israel, and they shall be my people.
[2] Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace
in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
[3] The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
[4] Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:
thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the
dances of them that make merry.
[5] Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters
shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
[6] For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall
cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
[7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among
the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy
people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from
the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman
with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company
shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I
will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein
they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my
firstborn.
[10] Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles
afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him,
as a shepherd doth his flock.
[11] For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of
him that was stronger than he.
[12] Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall
flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for
oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul
shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
[13] Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old
together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them,
and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
[14] And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people
shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
15 (Jos 18:25; Ge 37:35) Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
16 (Ru 2:12; Jer 30:3) Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping
and your eyes from tears;
for your work shall be rewarded,
says the Lord,
and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
17 There is hope for your future,
says the Lord,
that your children will come back to their own border.
18 (Ps 80:3; Job 5:17 )I have surely heard Ephraim pleading:
"You have chastised me,
and I was chastised, as an untrained calf;
turn me back and I will be turned,
for you are the Lord my God.
19 (Jer 3:25; Eze 36:31; 21:12) Surely after I turned back,
I repented;
and after I was instructed,
I struck myself on my thigh;
I was ashamed and even humiliated
because I bore the reproach of my youth."
20 (Isa 55:7; 63:15) Is Ephraim My dear son?
Is he a pleasant child?
For since I spoke against him,
I surely do remember him still;
therefore My heart longs for him.
I will surely have mercy on him,
says the Lord.
21 (Jer 50:5; Isa 48:20) Set up road marks,
place guideposts.
Set your heart toward the highway,
even the way by which you went.
Turn back, O virgin of Israel,
turn back to these your cities.
22 (Jer 2:23; 3:6) How long will you go about,
O faithless daughter?
For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth:
A woman shall obtain a man.
23 (Zec 8:3; Isa 1:26; Jer 50:7) Thus says the Lord of Hosts,
the God of Israel: Once again they shall use this speech
in the land of Judah and in the cities when I restore their fortunes:
"May the Lord bless you, O habitation of righteousness
and mountain of holiness!"
24 (Zec 8:4-8; Eze 36:10) And Judah and all its cities will dwell there,
the farmer and those who go out with the flocks.
25 (Jer 31:14; Jn 4:14) For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every
languishing soul.
26 Upon this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was sweet to me.
27 (Hos 2:23; Eze 36:9) Surely, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah
with the seed of man and with the seed of beast.
28 (Jer 1:10; 44:27) It shall come to pass that as I have watched
over them to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down,
and to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them, to build,
and to plant, says the Lord.
29 (La 5:7; Eze 18:2-3) In those days they will say no more:
"The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge."
30 (Isa 3:11; Eze 18:4) But everyone will die for his own iniquity.
Every man that eats the sour grape, his teeth will be set on edge.
A New Covenant
31 (Lk 22:20; Jer 32:40 ) Surely, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.
32 (Dt 1:31; 5:3) It will not be according to the covenant
that I made with their fathers
in the day that I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt,
because they broke My covenant,
although I was a husband to them,
says the Lord.
33 (2Co 3:3; Heb 10:16) But this shall be the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put My law within them
and write it in their hearts;
and I will be their God,
and they shall be My people.
34 (Isa 54:13; Jer 33:8) They shall teach no more every man his neighbor
and every man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord,"
for they all shall know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest of them,
says the Lord,
for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more.
35 (Isa 51:15; Jer 10:16) Thus says the Lord,
who gives the sun
for a light by day
and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars
for a light by night,
who stirs up the sea
so that the waves roar,
the Lord of Hosts is His name:
36 (Isa 54:9-10; Jer 33:20-26) If those ordinances depart from before Me,
says the Lord,
then the seed of Israel also will cease
from being a nation before Me forever.
37 (Jer 33:22; 33:24-26) Thus says the Lord:
If heaven above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
for all that they have done,
says the Lord.
38 (2Ki 14:13; Zec 14:10) Surely, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when the city will be built to the Lord from the Tower of Hananel
to the Corner Gate.
39 (Zec 2:1-2) The measuring line shall stretch out straight to the
hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah.
40 (2Sa 15:23; Joel 3:17) The whole valley of the dead bodies
and of the ashes, and all the fields to the Kidron Valley,
to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, will be holy to the Lord.
It will not be plucked up nor thrown down any more forever.
[15] Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and
bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for
her children, because they were not.
[16] Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes
from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall
come again from the land of the enemy.
[17] And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall
come again to their own border.
[18] I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised
me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou
me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
[19] Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was
instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,
because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
[20] Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake
against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are
troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
[21] Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the
highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel,
turn again to these thy cities.
[22] How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD
hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
[23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use
this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall
bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice,
and mountain of holiness.
[24] And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof
together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
[25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every
sorrowful soul.
[26] Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
[27] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of
Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of
beast.
[28] And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to
pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to
afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.
[29] In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour
grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
[30] But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth
the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which
my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward
parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall
be my people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least
of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their
iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
[35] Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the
ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth
the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
[36] If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the
seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
[37] Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the
foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the
seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
[38] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to
the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
[39] And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill
Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
[40] And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the
fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward
the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor
thrown down any more for ever.
2) Our Daily Bread for 13 August 2023 Titled
https://odb.org/2023/08/13/a-different-approach">A Different Approach
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 (Mt 18:15; 1Co 9:1) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself
servant to all, that I might win even more.
20 (Ac 16:3; 21:20-26) To the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might win
the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might
win those who are under the law;
21 (Ro 2:12; 2:14) to those who are outside the law, as outside the law
(being not without God's law, but under Christ's law) that I might win
those who are outside the law.
22 (Ro 11:14; 1Co 10:33) To the weak, I became as weak, that I might win
the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means
save some.
23 (This I do for the gospel's sake, that I might partake of it with you.
[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to
them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that
are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to
God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without
law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof
with you.
When Mary Slessor sailed to the African nation of Calabar (now Nigeria) in
the late 1800s, she was enthusiastic to continue the missionary work of the
late David Livingstone. Her first assignment, teaching school while living
among fellow missionaries, left her burdened for a different way to serve. So
she did something rare in that region-she moved in with the people she was
serving. Mary learned their language, lived their way, and ate their food.
She even took in dozens of children who'd been abandoned. For nearly 40
years, she brought hope and the gospel to those who needed both.
The apostle Paul knew the importance of truly meeting the needs of those
around us. He mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 that there are "different
kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit," and "different kinds of service, but
the same Lord." So he served people in their area of need. For instance, "
to the weak [he] became weak" (9:22).
One church I'm aware of recently announced the launch of an "all abilities" ministry approach complete with a barrier-free facility-making worship
available for people with disabilities. This is the Paul-like kind of
thinking that wins hearts and allows the gospel to flourish in a community.
As we live out our faith before those around us, may God lead us
to introduce them to Jesus in new and fresh ways.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What unique way to reach out to others has God placed on your heart?
How will you accomplish it?
Dear heavenly Father, please give me wisdom
to find the right way to help others.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised
by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:19
19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,
and it proves unfruitful.
19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word,
and it becometh unfruitful.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
James 1:2 to 8
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.
4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men
liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers
is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
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
13th Day of the Month
a) Pray that, with God's help, children and
young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has
for each of them
b) Pray for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
I) Pray for the leaders of Newfoundland and Labrador, that God's Spirit
would influence then to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may
lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God
our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
)
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and revere Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of Intercession for your nation.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, please give me wisdom
to find the right way to help others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to confess the Lord as Saviour.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to deceived by the riches of this world.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom.
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 that, with God's help, children and
young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has
for each of them
Pray that Christians who feel isolated will be encouraged in their walk
with Christ in Saudi Arabia.
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.