Day 242 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 30 August 2023 reflections
Day 242, 30 August 2023
1)Ezekiel 18,19
Ezekiel 18
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
1 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying:
2 (Isa 3:15; La 5:7) What do you mean in using this proverb
concerning the land of Israel, saying:
"The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge"?
3 As I live, says the Lord God, you shall not have occasion anymore
to use this proverb in Israel.
4 (Eze 18:20; Ro 6:23; Nu 16:22) All souls are Mine. The soul of the father,
so also the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins shall die.
5 But if a man is righteous
and does that which is lawful and right,
6 (Eze 18:15; Dt 4:19; Eze 6:13) and has not eaten on the mountains;
nor has he lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
nor has he defiled his neighbour's wife,
nor has he approached a woman during her impurity;
7 (Eze 18:16; 18:12; Ex 22:26) and he has not oppressed anyone,
but has restored to the debtor his pledge;
has devastated no one by violence,
has given his bread to the hungry,
and has covered the naked with a garment;
8 (Ex 22:25; Zec 8:16; Dt 23:19-20) if he has not lent at interest,
nor has taken any increase,
but has withdrawn his hand from iniquity,
has executed true justice between man and man;
9 (Am 5:4; Eze 18:17) has walked in My statutes,
and has kept My judgments to deal truly,
he is righteous
and shall surely live,
says the Lord God.
10 (Ex 21:12) If he begets a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood,
and who does any of these things to a brother
11 (though he himself does not do any of these things),
but even has eaten on the mountain shrines
and defiled his neighbour's wife;
12 (Eze 8:6; 8:17) has oppressed the poor and needy,
has devastated by violence,
has not restored the pledge,
and has lifted up his eyes to the idols,
has committed abomination,
13 (Ex 22:25; Lev 20:9) has lent at interest, and has taken increase,
shall he then live?
He shall not live. He has done all these abominations. He shall surely die.
His blood shall be upon his own head.
14 (2Ch 34:21; Pr 23:24) Now if he begets a son who sees all his father's
sins which he has done, and considering does not do likewise:
15 He has not eaten on the mountain shrines,
nor has he lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
has not defiled his neighbour's wife;
16 (Eze 18:7) nor has he oppressed anyone,
has not withheld a pledge,
nor has he devastated by violence,
but has given his bread to the hungry,
and has covered the naked with a garment;
17 (Eze 18:8-9) he keeps his hand from the poor,
has not received usury nor increase,
has executed My judgments, and has walked in My statutes.
He shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live.
18 (Eze 3:18) As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, devastated
his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people,
he shall die for his iniquity.
Repent and Live
19 (Ex 20:5; Jer 15:4) Yet you say, "Why should the son not bear
the punishment of the iniquity of the father?" When the son has done
what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes, and has done them,
he shall surely live.
20 (Dt 24:16; 2Ki 14:6) The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not
bear the punishment of the iniquity of the father, nor shall the father
bear the punishment of the iniquity of the son. The righteousness
of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked
shall be upon himself.
21 (Eze 18:27-28; 33:19) But if the wicked turns from all his sins
that he has committed, and keeps all My statutes, and does that which
is lawful and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die.
22 (Ps 18:20-24; Isa 43:25) All his transgressions that he has committed,
they shall not be remembered against him. Because of his righteousness
that he has done, he shall live.
23 (Eze 33:11; Ps 147:11) Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,
says the Lord God, but rather that he should turn from his ways and live?
24 (1Sa 15:11; Eze 33:18) But when a righteous man turns away
from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all
the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live?
All his righteousness that he has done shall not be remembered for his
trespass that he has committed and in his sin that he has done.
In them he shall die.
25 (Eze 33:17; Ge 18:25) Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is not right."
Hear now, O house of Israel. Is not My way right? Are not your ways not right?
26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness
and commits iniquity,
he dies in it. For his iniquity that he has done he shall die.
27 (Isa 1:18; 55:7) Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness
that he has committed and does that which is lawful and right,
he shall save his soul.
28 Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions
that he has committed, he shall surely live. He shall not die.
29 Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the Lord is not right."
O house of Israel, are not My ways right? Are not your ways not right?
30 (Eze 18:21; 7:3) Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one
according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn away from all your
transgressions so that iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 (Eze 11:19; Ps 51:10) Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby
you have transgressed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
For why will you die, O house of Israel?
32 (Eze 18:23) For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord God. Therefore, repent and live.
Ezekiel 18
[1] The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
[2] What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel,
saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set
on edge?
[3] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to
use this proverb in Israel.
[4] Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul
of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
[5] But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
[6] And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes
to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's
wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
[7] And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge,
hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath
covered the naked with a garment;
[8] He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any
increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true
judgment between man and man,
[9] Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly;
he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
[10] If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth
the like to any one of these things,
[11] And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the
mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
[12] Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not
restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath
committed abomination,
[13] Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then
live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall
surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
[14] Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he
hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
[15] That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes
to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
[16] Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither
hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath
covered the naked with a garment,
[17] That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received
usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes;
he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
[18] As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by
violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall
die in his iniquity.
[19] Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When
the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my
statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
[20] The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the
son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the
wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
[21] But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed,
and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall
surely live, he shall not die.
[22] All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be
mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
[23] Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord
GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
[24] But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the
wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done
shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his
sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
[25] Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of
Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
[26] When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done
shall he die.
[27] Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he
hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his
soul alive.
[28] Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions
that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
[29] Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O
house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
[30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to
his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your
transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
[31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have
transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye
die, O house of Israel?
[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord
GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Ezekiel 19
A Lament for Israel's Princes
1 (2Ki 24:6; Eze 26:17) Moreover take up a lamentation
for the officials of Israel,
2 and say:
What was your mother?
A lioness among lions!
She lay down among young lions;
she nourished her whelps.
3 When she brought up one of her whelps,
he became a lion
and learned to catch his prey;
he devoured men.
4 (2Ki 23:33-34; 2Ch 36:4) The nations also heard of him;
he was taken in their pit,
and they brought him with chains
to the land of Egypt.
5 Now when she saw as she had waited
that her hope was lost,
then she took another of her whelps
and made him a young lion.
6 He went up and down among the lions;
he became a young lion,
and learned to catch the prey,
and devoured men.
7 (Eze 30:12) He destroyed their fortified palaces,
and he laid waste their cities;
and the land and its fullness
were appalled by the noise of his roaring.
8 (Eze 12:13; 19:4) Then the nations set against him
on every side from their provinces,
and spread their net over him;
he was taken in their pit.
9 (2Ch 36:6; Eze 6:2) They put him in a cage with hooks
and brought him to the king of Babylon;
they brought him in hunting nets,
so that his voice would be heard no more
on the mountains of Israel.
10 (Ps 80:8-11; Dt 8:7) Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard,
planted by the waters;
it was fruitful and full of branches
by reason of many waters.
11 (Eze 31:3; Ps 80:15) It had strong rods
for the scepters of those who rule.
And its stature
was exalted above the clouds,
so it appeared in its height
with the multitude of its branches.
12 (Eze 17:10; Hos 13:15) But it was plucked up in fury,
it was cast down to the ground,
and the east wind dried up its fruit.
Its strong rod was broken and it withered;
the fire consumed it.
13 (Hos 2:3; Eze 19:10) Now it is planted in the wilderness,
in a dry and thirsty ground.
14 (2Ki 24:20; Eze 19:1) Fire has gone out from its branch;
it has devoured its shoots and fruit,
so that there is no strong rod in it,
a scepter to rule.
This is a lamentation, and has become a lamentation.
Ezekiel 19
[1] Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
[2] And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she
nourished her whelps among young lions.
[3] And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it
learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
[4] The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they
brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.
[5] Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she
took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.
[6] And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and
learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
[7] And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and
the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.
[8] Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and
spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.
[9] And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of
Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be
heard upon the mountains of Israel.
[10] Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was
fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
[11] And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and
her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her
height with the multitude of her branches.
[12] But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and
the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered;
the fire consumed them.
[13] And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.
[14] And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her
fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a
lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.
2) Our Daily Bread for 30 August 2023 Freedom on the Path
Isaiah 26:1-13
A Song of Victory
1 (Isa 60:18; 12:1) In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
He appoints walls
and bulwarks for security.
2 (Ps 118:20; Isa 60:11) Open the gates,
that the righteous nation may enter,
the one who remains faithful.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
4 (Isa 12:2; 50:10) Trust in the Lord forever,
for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.
5 (Job 40:11-13) For He brings down those who dwell on high,
the lofty city; He lays it low; He lays it low,
even to the ground;
He brings it even to the dust.
6 The foot shall tread it down,
even the feet of the poor
and the steps of the needy.
7 The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.
8 In the way of Your judgments, O Lord,
we have waited for You eagerly;
the desire of our souls is Your name,
even Your memory.
9 (Ps 63:1; Mt 6:33 ) With my soul I have desired You in the night;
my spirit within me seeks You diligently;
for when Your judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
10 (Hos 11:7; Jn 5:37-38) Though favor is shown to the wicked,
yet he will not learn righteousness;
in the land of uprightness he deals unjustly
and does not perceive the majesty of the Lord.
11 (Isa 5:24; Mic 5:9) Lord, Your hand is lifted up,
but they do not see it.
They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame;
the fire of Your enemies shall devour them.
12 Lord, You will ordain peace for us,
for You also have done all our works for us.
13 (Isa 2:8) O Lord our God, other lords besides You have had dominion over
us, but through You alone we confess Your name.
[1] In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
[2] Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may
enter in.
[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
[4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength:
[5] For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth
it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the
dust.
[6] The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps
of the needy.
[7] The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the
path of the just.
[8] Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the
desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
[9] With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit
within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
[10] Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn
righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will
not behold the majesty of the LORD.
[11] LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall
see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine
enemies shall devour them.
[12] LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our
works in us.
[13] O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but
by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
In Beep Baseball, the players who are blind listen for a beeping ball or
buzzing base to know what to do and where to go. The blindfolded batter (to
account for various degrees of blindness) and sighted pitcher are on the same
team. When a batter swings the bat and hits the beeping ball, he or she runs
toward the buzzing base. The batter is out if a fielder "smothers" the ball
before the batter makes it to the base; otherwise, the batter scores a run.
One player remarked that the best part is that he feels "great freedom in
running" because he knows there's a clear path and direction.
The book of Isaiah tells us that God, "the Upright One, make[s] the way of the
righteous smooth" (26:7). When this was written, the path for the Israelites
looked anything but smooth; they were experiencing divine judgment for their
disobedience. Isaiah exhorted them to walk in faith and obedience-the often
difficult but smooth path. Being concerned for God's "name and renown" (v.
was to be their hearts' focus.
As believers in Jesus, we come to know more about God and build our trust in
His faithful character as we follow His ways in obedience. Our path in life
may not always look or feel smooth, but we can be assured as we trust in Him
that God is alongside us and making a way. We too can feel freedom as we run
in obedience on God's best path for us.
By: Anne Cetas
Reflect & Pray
What steps of obedience do you need to take? When and how might you do this?
Father God, I'm grateful for the freedom I experience
on Your good path. Please keep showing me Your way.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness
Luke 17:3 - 4
3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."
"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,
forgive him.
4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,
'I repent,' you must forgive him."
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'
disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through
Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,
21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,
"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?
Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)
The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to
develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be
forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if
he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!
But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,
forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"
And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They
were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the
outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.
We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far
- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're
forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".
He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance
for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.
That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our
checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.
Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God
and been forgiven, we are to forgive.
Application
a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I
have forgiven ? Why?
b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as
Jesus calls me to?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Chr 31:21
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house
of God and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house
of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,
he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 27:1-6
PSALMS 27
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom will I be afraid?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me
to eat my flesh -
my enemies and my foes -
they stumbled and fell.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,
that will I seek after -
for me to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in His temple.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble
He will hide me in His pavilion;
in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;
He will set me up on a rock.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8 - 9) Now my head will be lifted up
above my enemies encircling me;
therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,
Above mine enemies round about me:
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
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
Day 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray of prayer of repentance of your sin.
Pray to the Lord: "Father God, I'm grateful for the freedom I experience
on Your good path. Please keep showing me Your way."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a very good forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him Diligently.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord as Your Protector.
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 God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight
Pray for Abid, an Afghan refugee in Iran who is curious about God's Word.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1)Ezekiel 18,19
Ezekiel 18
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
1 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying:
2 (Isa 3:15; La 5:7) What do you mean in using this proverb
concerning the land of Israel, saying:
"The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge"?
3 As I live, says the Lord God, you shall not have occasion anymore
to use this proverb in Israel.
4 (Eze 18:20; Ro 6:23; Nu 16:22) All souls are Mine. The soul of the father,
so also the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins shall die.
5 But if a man is righteous
and does that which is lawful and right,
6 (Eze 18:15; Dt 4:19; Eze 6:13) and has not eaten on the mountains;
nor has he lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
nor has he defiled his neighbour's wife,
nor has he approached a woman during her impurity;
7 (Eze 18:16; 18:12; Ex 22:26) and he has not oppressed anyone,
but has restored to the debtor his pledge;
has devastated no one by violence,
has given his bread to the hungry,
and has covered the naked with a garment;
8 (Ex 22:25; Zec 8:16; Dt 23:19-20) if he has not lent at interest,
nor has taken any increase,
but has withdrawn his hand from iniquity,
has executed true justice between man and man;
9 (Am 5:4; Eze 18:17) has walked in My statutes,
and has kept My judgments to deal truly,
he is righteous
and shall surely live,
says the Lord God.
10 (Ex 21:12) If he begets a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood,
and who does any of these things to a brother
11 (though he himself does not do any of these things),
but even has eaten on the mountain shrines
and defiled his neighbour's wife;
12 (Eze 8:6; 8:17) has oppressed the poor and needy,
has devastated by violence,
has not restored the pledge,
and has lifted up his eyes to the idols,
has committed abomination,
13 (Ex 22:25; Lev 20:9) has lent at interest, and has taken increase,
shall he then live?
He shall not live. He has done all these abominations. He shall surely die.
His blood shall be upon his own head.
14 (2Ch 34:21; Pr 23:24) Now if he begets a son who sees all his father's
sins which he has done, and considering does not do likewise:
15 He has not eaten on the mountain shrines,
nor has he lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
has not defiled his neighbour's wife;
16 (Eze 18:7) nor has he oppressed anyone,
has not withheld a pledge,
nor has he devastated by violence,
but has given his bread to the hungry,
and has covered the naked with a garment;
17 (Eze 18:8-9) he keeps his hand from the poor,
has not received usury nor increase,
has executed My judgments, and has walked in My statutes.
He shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live.
18 (Eze 3:18) As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, devastated
his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people,
he shall die for his iniquity.
Repent and Live
19 (Ex 20:5; Jer 15:4) Yet you say, "Why should the son not bear
the punishment of the iniquity of the father?" When the son has done
what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes, and has done them,
he shall surely live.
20 (Dt 24:16; 2Ki 14:6) The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not
bear the punishment of the iniquity of the father, nor shall the father
bear the punishment of the iniquity of the son. The righteousness
of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked
shall be upon himself.
21 (Eze 18:27-28; 33:19) But if the wicked turns from all his sins
that he has committed, and keeps all My statutes, and does that which
is lawful and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die.
22 (Ps 18:20-24; Isa 43:25) All his transgressions that he has committed,
they shall not be remembered against him. Because of his righteousness
that he has done, he shall live.
23 (Eze 33:11; Ps 147:11) Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,
says the Lord God, but rather that he should turn from his ways and live?
24 (1Sa 15:11; Eze 33:18) But when a righteous man turns away
from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all
the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live?
All his righteousness that he has done shall not be remembered for his
trespass that he has committed and in his sin that he has done.
In them he shall die.
25 (Eze 33:17; Ge 18:25) Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is not right."
Hear now, O house of Israel. Is not My way right? Are not your ways not right?
26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness
and commits iniquity,
he dies in it. For his iniquity that he has done he shall die.
27 (Isa 1:18; 55:7) Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness
that he has committed and does that which is lawful and right,
he shall save his soul.
28 Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions
that he has committed, he shall surely live. He shall not die.
29 Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the Lord is not right."
O house of Israel, are not My ways right? Are not your ways not right?
30 (Eze 18:21; 7:3) Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one
according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn away from all your
transgressions so that iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 (Eze 11:19; Ps 51:10) Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby
you have transgressed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
For why will you die, O house of Israel?
32 (Eze 18:23) For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord God. Therefore, repent and live.
Ezekiel 18
[1] The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
[2] What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel,
saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set
on edge?
[3] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to
use this proverb in Israel.
[4] Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul
of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
[5] But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
[6] And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes
to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's
wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
[7] And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge,
hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath
covered the naked with a garment;
[8] He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any
increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true
judgment between man and man,
[9] Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly;
he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
[10] If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth
the like to any one of these things,
[11] And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the
mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
[12] Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not
restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath
committed abomination,
[13] Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then
live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall
surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
[14] Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he
hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
[15] That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes
to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
[16] Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither
hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath
covered the naked with a garment,
[17] That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received
usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes;
he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
[18] As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by
violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall
die in his iniquity.
[19] Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When
the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my
statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
[20] The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the
son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the
wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
[21] But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed,
and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall
surely live, he shall not die.
[22] All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be
mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
[23] Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord
GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
[24] But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the
wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done
shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his
sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
[25] Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of
Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
[26] When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done
shall he die.
[27] Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he
hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his
soul alive.
[28] Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions
that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
[29] Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O
house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
[30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to
his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your
transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
[31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have
transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye
die, O house of Israel?
[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord
GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Ezekiel 19
A Lament for Israel's Princes
1 (2Ki 24:6; Eze 26:17) Moreover take up a lamentation
for the officials of Israel,
2 and say:
What was your mother?
A lioness among lions!
She lay down among young lions;
she nourished her whelps.
3 When she brought up one of her whelps,
he became a lion
and learned to catch his prey;
he devoured men.
4 (2Ki 23:33-34; 2Ch 36:4) The nations also heard of him;
he was taken in their pit,
and they brought him with chains
to the land of Egypt.
5 Now when she saw as she had waited
that her hope was lost,
then she took another of her whelps
and made him a young lion.
6 He went up and down among the lions;
he became a young lion,
and learned to catch the prey,
and devoured men.
7 (Eze 30:12) He destroyed their fortified palaces,
and he laid waste their cities;
and the land and its fullness
were appalled by the noise of his roaring.
8 (Eze 12:13; 19:4) Then the nations set against him
on every side from their provinces,
and spread their net over him;
he was taken in their pit.
9 (2Ch 36:6; Eze 6:2) They put him in a cage with hooks
and brought him to the king of Babylon;
they brought him in hunting nets,
so that his voice would be heard no more
on the mountains of Israel.
10 (Ps 80:8-11; Dt 8:7) Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard,
planted by the waters;
it was fruitful and full of branches
by reason of many waters.
11 (Eze 31:3; Ps 80:15) It had strong rods
for the scepters of those who rule.
And its stature
was exalted above the clouds,
so it appeared in its height
with the multitude of its branches.
12 (Eze 17:10; Hos 13:15) But it was plucked up in fury,
it was cast down to the ground,
and the east wind dried up its fruit.
Its strong rod was broken and it withered;
the fire consumed it.
13 (Hos 2:3; Eze 19:10) Now it is planted in the wilderness,
in a dry and thirsty ground.
14 (2Ki 24:20; Eze 19:1) Fire has gone out from its branch;
it has devoured its shoots and fruit,
so that there is no strong rod in it,
a scepter to rule.
This is a lamentation, and has become a lamentation.
Ezekiel 19
[1] Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
[2] And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she
nourished her whelps among young lions.
[3] And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it
learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
[4] The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they
brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.
[5] Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she
took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.
[6] And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and
learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
[7] And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and
the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.
[8] Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and
spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.
[9] And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of
Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be
heard upon the mountains of Israel.
[10] Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was
fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
[11] And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and
her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her
height with the multitude of her branches.
[12] But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and
the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered;
the fire consumed them.
[13] And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.
[14] And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her
fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a
lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.
2) Our Daily Bread for 30 August 2023 Freedom on the Path
Isaiah 26:1-13
A Song of Victory
1 (Isa 60:18; 12:1) In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
He appoints walls
and bulwarks for security.
2 (Ps 118:20; Isa 60:11) Open the gates,
that the righteous nation may enter,
the one who remains faithful.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
4 (Isa 12:2; 50:10) Trust in the Lord forever,
for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.
5 (Job 40:11-13) For He brings down those who dwell on high,
the lofty city; He lays it low; He lays it low,
even to the ground;
He brings it even to the dust.
6 The foot shall tread it down,
even the feet of the poor
and the steps of the needy.
7 The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.
8 In the way of Your judgments, O Lord,
we have waited for You eagerly;
the desire of our souls is Your name,
even Your memory.
9 (Ps 63:1; Mt 6:33 ) With my soul I have desired You in the night;
my spirit within me seeks You diligently;
for when Your judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
10 (Hos 11:7; Jn 5:37-38) Though favor is shown to the wicked,
yet he will not learn righteousness;
in the land of uprightness he deals unjustly
and does not perceive the majesty of the Lord.
11 (Isa 5:24; Mic 5:9) Lord, Your hand is lifted up,
but they do not see it.
They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame;
the fire of Your enemies shall devour them.
12 Lord, You will ordain peace for us,
for You also have done all our works for us.
13 (Isa 2:8) O Lord our God, other lords besides You have had dominion over
us, but through You alone we confess Your name.
[1] In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
[2] Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may
enter in.
[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
[4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength:
[5] For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth
it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the
dust.
[6] The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps
of the needy.
[7] The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the
path of the just.
[8] Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the
desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
[9] With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit
within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
[10] Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn
righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will
not behold the majesty of the LORD.
[11] LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall
see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine
enemies shall devour them.
[12] LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our
works in us.
[13] O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but
by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
In Beep Baseball, the players who are blind listen for a beeping ball or
buzzing base to know what to do and where to go. The blindfolded batter (to
account for various degrees of blindness) and sighted pitcher are on the same
team. When a batter swings the bat and hits the beeping ball, he or she runs
toward the buzzing base. The batter is out if a fielder "smothers" the ball
before the batter makes it to the base; otherwise, the batter scores a run.
One player remarked that the best part is that he feels "great freedom in
running" because he knows there's a clear path and direction.
The book of Isaiah tells us that God, "the Upright One, make[s] the way of the
righteous smooth" (26:7). When this was written, the path for the Israelites
looked anything but smooth; they were experiencing divine judgment for their
disobedience. Isaiah exhorted them to walk in faith and obedience-the often
difficult but smooth path. Being concerned for God's "name and renown" (v.
was to be their hearts' focus.
As believers in Jesus, we come to know more about God and build our trust in
His faithful character as we follow His ways in obedience. Our path in life
may not always look or feel smooth, but we can be assured as we trust in Him
that God is alongside us and making a way. We too can feel freedom as we run
in obedience on God's best path for us.
By: Anne Cetas
Reflect & Pray
What steps of obedience do you need to take? When and how might you do this?
Father God, I'm grateful for the freedom I experience
on Your good path. Please keep showing me Your way.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness
Luke 17:3 - 4
3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."
"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,
forgive him.
4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,
'I repent,' you must forgive him."
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'
disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through
Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,
21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,
"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?
Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)
The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to
develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be
forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if
he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!
But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,
forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"
And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They
were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the
outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.
We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far
- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're
forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".
He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance
for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.
That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our
checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.
Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God
and been forgiven, we are to forgive.
Application
a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I
have forgiven ? Why?
b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as
Jesus calls me to?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Chr 31:21
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house
of God and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house
of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,
he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 27:1-6
PSALMS 27
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom will I be afraid?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me
to eat my flesh -
my enemies and my foes -
they stumbled and fell.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,
that will I seek after -
for me to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in His temple.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble
He will hide me in His pavilion;
in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;
He will set me up on a rock.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8 - 9) Now my head will be lifted up
above my enemies encircling me;
therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,
Above mine enemies round about me:
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
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
Day 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray of prayer of repentance of your sin.
Pray to the Lord: "Father God, I'm grateful for the freedom I experience
on Your good path. Please keep showing me Your way."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a very good forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him Diligently.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord as Your Protector.
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 God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight
Pray for Abid, an Afghan refugee in Iran who is curious about God's Word.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.