Day 305 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 1 November 2023 reflections
Day 305, 1 November 2023
1)Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:36-51, Luke 21:34-38, Matthew 25
Mark 13:32-37
The Unknown Day and Hour
Mt 24:36-44
32 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13) "But concerning that day or hour no one knows,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 (Eph 6:18) Take heed, watch and pray.
For you do not know when the time will come.
34 (Jn 10:3) For the Son of Man is like a man leaving on a far journey
who left his house and gave authority to his servants
and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 (Mt 24:42) "Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master
of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight,
or at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-
36 (Mk 14:40) lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping.
37 (Mk 13:35) What I say to you I say to all: Watch!"
[32] But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which
are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
[33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
[34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his
house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and
commanded the porter to watch.
[35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house
cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
[36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
[37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Matthew 24:36-51
The Unknown Day and Hour
Mk 13:32-37; Lk 17:26-30, 34-36
36 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:32) "Concerning that day and hour no one knows,
not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 (Lk 17:26-27) As were the days of Noah, so will be
the coming of the Son of Man.
38 (Mt 22:30) For as in the days before the flood, they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah
entered the ark,
39 (Mt 24:37) and did not know until the flood came
and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.
41 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and the other left.
42 (Mt 25:13; 24:44) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour
your Lord will come.
43 (Lk 12:39) But know this, that if the owner of the house had known
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched
and not have let his house be broken into.
44 (Mt 25:10; 25:13) Therefore you also must be ready, for in an hour
when you least expect, the Son of Man is coming.
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven,
but my Father only.
[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be.
[38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered
into the ark,
[39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall
also the coming of the Son of man be.
[40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other
left.
[41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and
the other left.
[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
[43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch
the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his
house to be broken up.
[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son
of man cometh.
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant
Lk 12:41-48
45 (Mt 25:21; 25:23) "Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his master has made ruler over his household to give them food
at the appointed time?
46 (Rev 16:15) Blessed is that servant whom his master will find
so doing when he comes.
47 (Mt 25:21; 25:23) Truly, I say to you that he will make him
ruler over all his goods.
48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master delays his coming,'
49 and begins to strike his fellow servants
and eat and drink with the drunkards,
50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not look
for him and in an hour he is not aware of
51 (Mt 8:12) and will cut him in pieces and appoint him his portion
with the hypocrites, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler
over his household, to give them meat in due season?
[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing.
[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
[48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming;
[49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with
the drunken;
[50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for
him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
[51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the
hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 21:34-38
Exhortation to Watch
34 (Mk 4:19; Lev 10:9) "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts
become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life,
and that Day comes on you unexpectedly.
35 For as a snare it will come on all those who dwell on the face
of the whole earth.
36 (Mt 26:41; 25:13) Therefore watch always and pray that you may be
counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen
and to stand before the Son of Man."
37 (Mt 21:1; 21:17) Each day He was teaching in the temple,
and each night He went out and stayed on the mountain
called the Mount of Olives.
38 And all the people came early in the morning to hear Him in the temple.
[34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so
that day come upon you unawares.
[35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
whole earth.
[36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son
of man.
[37] And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went
out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
[38] And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for
to hear him.
Matthew 25
Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 (Mt 13:24; 22:23) "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins,
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were wise and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them.
4 But the wise took jars of oil with their lamps.
5 (Mt 24:48; 25:19) While the bridegroom delayed, they all rested and slept.
6 "But at midnight there was a cry,
'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'
7 (Lk 12:35) "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
8 (Lk 12:35) But the foolish said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out.'
9 "The wise answered, 'No, lest there not be enough for us and you.
Go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.'
10 (Lk 13:25) "But while they went to buy some, the bridegroom came,
and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.
And the door was shut.
11 (Mt 7:21-23) "Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us.'
12 (2Ti 2:19) "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'
13 (Mt 24:42-44) "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
[1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
[2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
[3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
[4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
[5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
[6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go
ye out to meet him.
[7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
[8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps
are gone out.
[9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us
and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
[10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
[11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
[12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
[13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of man cometh.
The Parable of the Talents
Lk 19:11-27
14 (Mt 21:33; Mk 13:34) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling
into a far country, who called his own servants
and entrusted his goods to them.
15 (Mt 18:24) To one he gave five talents,
(A talent was worth several hundred pounds.)
to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his ability.
And immediately he took his journey.
16 He who had received the five talents went and traded with them
and made another five talents.
17 So also, he who had received two gained another two.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground
and hid his master's money.
19 (Mt 25:5) "After a long time the master of those servants came
and settled accounts with them.
20 He who had received five talents came and brought the other five talents,
saying, 'Master, you entrusted to me five talents.
Look, I have gained five talents more.'
21 (Mt 24:47; 25:23) "His master said to him, 'Well done, you good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things.
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.'
22 "He who had received two talents also came and said,
'Master, you entrusted me with two talents.
See, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
23 (Mt 25:21) "His master said to him, 'Well done, you good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things.
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.'
24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said,
'Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow,
and gathering where you did not winnow.
25 So I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.
Here you have what is yours.'
26 (Mt 18:32) "His master answered, 'You wicked and slothful servant!
You knew that I reap where I have not sown,
and gather where I have not winnowed.
27 Then you ought to have given my money to the bankers,
and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 " 'So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 (Mt 13:12; Mk 4:25) For to everyone who has will more be given,
and he will have an abundance. But from him who has nothing,
even what he has will be taken away.
30 (Mt 8:12; 22:13; 13:42) And throw the unprofitable servant
into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
[15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;
to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his
journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the
same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his
lord's money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with
them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five
talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have
gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou
hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou
deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents
beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew
thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and
gathering where thou hast not strawed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there
thou hast that is thine.
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not
strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and
then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten
talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have
abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he
hath.
[30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Judgment of the Nations
31 (Mt 16:27; 19:28) "When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 (Mt 13:49; Mal 3:18) Before Him will be gathered all nations, and He will
separate them one from another
as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats.
33 (Ps 45:9) He will set the sheep at His right hand,
but the goats at the left.
34 (Jas 2:5; Lk 12:32) "Then the King will say to those at His right hand,
'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
since the foundation of the world.
35 (Eze 18:7; 18:16) For I was hungry and you gave Me food,
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in.
36 (Jas 1:27; Heb 10:34) I was naked and you clothed Me,
I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?'
40 (Mt 10:42; Pr 19:17) "The King will answer, 'Truly I say to you,
as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine,
you have done it for Me.'
41 (Mt 7:23; 2Pe 2:4) "Then He will say to those at the left hand,
'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire,
prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in,
I was naked and you did not clothe Me,
I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
44 "Then they also will answer Him,
'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger
or naked or sick or in prison, and did not serve You?'
45 (Pr 14:31; 17:5) "He will answer, 'Truly I say to you,
as you did it not for one of the least of these, you did it not for Me.'
46 (Jn 5:29; Da 12:2; Jn 3:36) "And they will go away into eternal
punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
[31] When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
[32] And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
[33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the
left.
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye
have done it unto me.
[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye
gave me no drink:
[43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not:
sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
[44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did
not minister unto thee?
[45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as
ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
[46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous
into life eternal.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 November 2023 titled
Worth It to Follow Jesus
Luke 14:25-33
The Cost of Discipleship
Mt 10:37-38
25 Large crowds went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
26 (Mt 10:37; Jn 12:25) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate
his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes,
and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
27 (Mt 10:38; Jn 19:17) And whoever does not bear his cross
and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
28 (Pr 24:27) "For who among you, intending to build a tower,
does not sit down first and count the cost to see whether
he has resources to complete it?
29 Otherwise, perhaps, after he has laid the foundation
and is not able to complete it, all who see it will begin to mock him,
30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to complete it.'
31 (Pr 20:18) "Or what king, going to wage war against another king,
does not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able
with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
32 Otherwise, while the other is yet at a distance, he sends a delegation
and requests conditions of peace.
33 (Lk 14:26; Php 3:7-8) So likewise, any of you who does not forsake
all that he has cannot be My disciple.
[25] And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto
them,
[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple.
[27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my
disciple.
[28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first,
and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
[29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to
finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
[30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
[31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down
first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that
cometh against him with twenty thousand?
[32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an
ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
[33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he
hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Ronit came from a religious but non-Christian family. Their discussions about
spiritual matters were dry and academic. "I kept praying all the prayers,"
she said, "but I wasn't hearing [from God]."
She began to study the Bible. Slowly, steadily, she inched toward faith in
Jesus as the Messiah. Ronit describes the defining moment: "I heard a clear
voice in my heart saying, 'You've heard enough. You've seen enough. It's time
to just believe.' " But Ronit faced a problem: her father.
"My dad responded as if Mount Vesuvius erupted," she recalls.
When Jesus walked this earth, crowds followed Him (Luke 14:25). We don't know
exactly what they were looking for, but He was looking for disciples. And that
comes with a cost. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person
cannot be my disciple," Jesus said (v. 26). He told a story about building a
tower. "Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost . . . ?" He asked
(v. 28). Jesus' point wasn't that we're to literally hate family; rather,
it's that we must choose Him over everything else. He said, "You who do not
give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (v. 33).
Ronit loves her family deeply, yet she concluded, "Whatever the cost, I
figured it's worth it." What might you need to give up to follow Jesus
as He guides you?
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
What's your story of the moment Jesus became real to you?
What has it cost you to follow Him?
Father, please help me choose Your Son over
everything this world has to offer.
3) Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 4 - Giving and Receiving
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."
38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured
to you again.
"Just give the Lord", the voice on the radio declared. "Give, and he will
give back to you, a hundredfold." The preacher went on to explain how
an old woman on social security had sent her last $10 to support his
ministry, and the next day she got an anonymous money order for
a $1000 . "The Lord will be faithful to his Word," the preacher
concluded. "You give, and you'll receive."
The Lord is, of course, faithful to his Word. But many well-meaning Christians
have interpreted Luke 6:38 as a "payment in kind" bargain with God:
if I give God my dollar, he's obliged to return it to me with interest.
This "seed-sowing" fallacy, where $20 supposedly becomes $2000 by
an act of divine, multiplication, has caused much
disappointment and frustration.
The "giving and receiving" principle is a valid one; the Lord does, indeed say
"Give, and it will be given to you," but he does not specify what the "return"
will be. The verse appears in the context of forgiveness, of not judging; the
principle is not investment, in any material sense, but generosity.
As we give, as few are compassionate with others, we take on the
character of the Lord himself. He is generous and giving, and he gives
to us as we give ourselves in love to others.
Application
a) Have I ever "given" to God to others as a bribe, to get something
in return?
b) What is God's concept of giving, as demonstrated
in the gift of Jesus Christ?
c) How can this verse help me to give more selflessly?
4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 8:18
18 But you must remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you
the ability to get wealth, so that He may establish His covenant which
He swore to your fathers, as it is today.
18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee
power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto
thy fathers, as it is this day.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 25:15-21
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for He will lead my feet from the net.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,
for I am isolated and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Look on my pain and misery,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,
and they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!
Let me not suffer shame,
for I seek refuge in You.
21 Truth and integrity will preserve me
while I wait for You.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;
For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:
O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:
Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;
For I wait on thee.
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?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
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!
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
1st Day of the month
1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
(
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
)
2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray for the Lord to Seek His second coming
and to treat those in need.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, please help me choose Your Son over
everything this world has to offer."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a joyful and selfless giver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the rewards of obedience.
Pray to the Lord and pray that integrity and uprightness preserves you.
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
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)Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:36-51, Luke 21:34-38, Matthew 25
Mark 13:32-37
The Unknown Day and Hour
Mt 24:36-44
32 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13) "But concerning that day or hour no one knows,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 (Eph 6:18) Take heed, watch and pray.
For you do not know when the time will come.
34 (Jn 10:3) For the Son of Man is like a man leaving on a far journey
who left his house and gave authority to his servants
and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 (Mt 24:42) "Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master
of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight,
or at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-
36 (Mk 14:40) lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping.
37 (Mk 13:35) What I say to you I say to all: Watch!"
[32] But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which
are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
[33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
[34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his
house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and
commanded the porter to watch.
[35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house
cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
[36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
[37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Matthew 24:36-51
The Unknown Day and Hour
Mk 13:32-37; Lk 17:26-30, 34-36
36 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:32) "Concerning that day and hour no one knows,
not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 (Lk 17:26-27) As were the days of Noah, so will be
the coming of the Son of Man.
38 (Mt 22:30) For as in the days before the flood, they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah
entered the ark,
39 (Mt 24:37) and did not know until the flood came
and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.
41 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and the other left.
42 (Mt 25:13; 24:44) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour
your Lord will come.
43 (Lk 12:39) But know this, that if the owner of the house had known
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched
and not have let his house be broken into.
44 (Mt 25:10; 25:13) Therefore you also must be ready, for in an hour
when you least expect, the Son of Man is coming.
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven,
but my Father only.
[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be.
[38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered
into the ark,
[39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall
also the coming of the Son of man be.
[40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other
left.
[41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and
the other left.
[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
[43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch
the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his
house to be broken up.
[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son
of man cometh.
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant
Lk 12:41-48
45 (Mt 25:21; 25:23) "Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his master has made ruler over his household to give them food
at the appointed time?
46 (Rev 16:15) Blessed is that servant whom his master will find
so doing when he comes.
47 (Mt 25:21; 25:23) Truly, I say to you that he will make him
ruler over all his goods.
48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master delays his coming,'
49 and begins to strike his fellow servants
and eat and drink with the drunkards,
50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not look
for him and in an hour he is not aware of
51 (Mt 8:12) and will cut him in pieces and appoint him his portion
with the hypocrites, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler
over his household, to give them meat in due season?
[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing.
[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
[48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming;
[49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with
the drunken;
[50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for
him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
[51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the
hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 21:34-38
Exhortation to Watch
34 (Mk 4:19; Lev 10:9) "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts
become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life,
and that Day comes on you unexpectedly.
35 For as a snare it will come on all those who dwell on the face
of the whole earth.
36 (Mt 26:41; 25:13) Therefore watch always and pray that you may be
counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen
and to stand before the Son of Man."
37 (Mt 21:1; 21:17) Each day He was teaching in the temple,
and each night He went out and stayed on the mountain
called the Mount of Olives.
38 And all the people came early in the morning to hear Him in the temple.
[34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so
that day come upon you unawares.
[35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
whole earth.
[36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son
of man.
[37] And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went
out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
[38] And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for
to hear him.
Matthew 25
Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 (Mt 13:24; 22:23) "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins,
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were wise and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them.
4 But the wise took jars of oil with their lamps.
5 (Mt 24:48; 25:19) While the bridegroom delayed, they all rested and slept.
6 "But at midnight there was a cry,
'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'
7 (Lk 12:35) "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
8 (Lk 12:35) But the foolish said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out.'
9 "The wise answered, 'No, lest there not be enough for us and you.
Go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.'
10 (Lk 13:25) "But while they went to buy some, the bridegroom came,
and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.
And the door was shut.
11 (Mt 7:21-23) "Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us.'
12 (2Ti 2:19) "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'
13 (Mt 24:42-44) "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
[1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
[2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
[3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
[4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
[5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
[6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go
ye out to meet him.
[7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
[8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps
are gone out.
[9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us
and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
[10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
[11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
[12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
[13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of man cometh.
The Parable of the Talents
Lk 19:11-27
14 (Mt 21:33; Mk 13:34) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling
into a far country, who called his own servants
and entrusted his goods to them.
15 (Mt 18:24) To one he gave five talents,
(A talent was worth several hundred pounds.)
to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his ability.
And immediately he took his journey.
16 He who had received the five talents went and traded with them
and made another five talents.
17 So also, he who had received two gained another two.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground
and hid his master's money.
19 (Mt 25:5) "After a long time the master of those servants came
and settled accounts with them.
20 He who had received five talents came and brought the other five talents,
saying, 'Master, you entrusted to me five talents.
Look, I have gained five talents more.'
21 (Mt 24:47; 25:23) "His master said to him, 'Well done, you good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things.
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.'
22 "He who had received two talents also came and said,
'Master, you entrusted me with two talents.
See, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
23 (Mt 25:21) "His master said to him, 'Well done, you good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things.
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.'
24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said,
'Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow,
and gathering where you did not winnow.
25 So I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.
Here you have what is yours.'
26 (Mt 18:32) "His master answered, 'You wicked and slothful servant!
You knew that I reap where I have not sown,
and gather where I have not winnowed.
27 Then you ought to have given my money to the bankers,
and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 " 'So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 (Mt 13:12; Mk 4:25) For to everyone who has will more be given,
and he will have an abundance. But from him who has nothing,
even what he has will be taken away.
30 (Mt 8:12; 22:13; 13:42) And throw the unprofitable servant
into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
[15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;
to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his
journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the
same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his
lord's money.
[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with
them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five
talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have
gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou
hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou
deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents
beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew
thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and
gathering where thou hast not strawed:
[25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there
thou hast that is thine.
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not
strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and
then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten
talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have
abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he
hath.
[30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Judgment of the Nations
31 (Mt 16:27; 19:28) "When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 (Mt 13:49; Mal 3:18) Before Him will be gathered all nations, and He will
separate them one from another
as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats.
33 (Ps 45:9) He will set the sheep at His right hand,
but the goats at the left.
34 (Jas 2:5; Lk 12:32) "Then the King will say to those at His right hand,
'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
since the foundation of the world.
35 (Eze 18:7; 18:16) For I was hungry and you gave Me food,
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in.
36 (Jas 1:27; Heb 10:34) I was naked and you clothed Me,
I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?'
40 (Mt 10:42; Pr 19:17) "The King will answer, 'Truly I say to you,
as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine,
you have done it for Me.'
41 (Mt 7:23; 2Pe 2:4) "Then He will say to those at the left hand,
'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire,
prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in,
I was naked and you did not clothe Me,
I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
44 "Then they also will answer Him,
'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger
or naked or sick or in prison, and did not serve You?'
45 (Pr 14:31; 17:5) "He will answer, 'Truly I say to you,
as you did it not for one of the least of these, you did it not for Me.'
46 (Jn 5:29; Da 12:2; Jn 3:36) "And they will go away into eternal
punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
[31] When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
[32] And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
[33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the
left.
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye
have done it unto me.
[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye
gave me no drink:
[43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not:
sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
[44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did
not minister unto thee?
[45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as
ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
[46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous
into life eternal.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 November 2023 titled
Worth It to Follow Jesus
Luke 14:25-33
The Cost of Discipleship
Mt 10:37-38
25 Large crowds went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
26 (Mt 10:37; Jn 12:25) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate
his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes,
and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
27 (Mt 10:38; Jn 19:17) And whoever does not bear his cross
and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
28 (Pr 24:27) "For who among you, intending to build a tower,
does not sit down first and count the cost to see whether
he has resources to complete it?
29 Otherwise, perhaps, after he has laid the foundation
and is not able to complete it, all who see it will begin to mock him,
30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to complete it.'
31 (Pr 20:18) "Or what king, going to wage war against another king,
does not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able
with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
32 Otherwise, while the other is yet at a distance, he sends a delegation
and requests conditions of peace.
33 (Lk 14:26; Php 3:7-8) So likewise, any of you who does not forsake
all that he has cannot be My disciple.
[25] And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto
them,
[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple.
[27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my
disciple.
[28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first,
and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
[29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to
finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
[30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
[31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down
first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that
cometh against him with twenty thousand?
[32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an
ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
[33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he
hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Ronit came from a religious but non-Christian family. Their discussions about
spiritual matters were dry and academic. "I kept praying all the prayers,"
she said, "but I wasn't hearing [from God]."
She began to study the Bible. Slowly, steadily, she inched toward faith in
Jesus as the Messiah. Ronit describes the defining moment: "I heard a clear
voice in my heart saying, 'You've heard enough. You've seen enough. It's time
to just believe.' " But Ronit faced a problem: her father.
"My dad responded as if Mount Vesuvius erupted," she recalls.
When Jesus walked this earth, crowds followed Him (Luke 14:25). We don't know
exactly what they were looking for, but He was looking for disciples. And that
comes with a cost. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person
cannot be my disciple," Jesus said (v. 26). He told a story about building a
tower. "Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost . . . ?" He asked
(v. 28). Jesus' point wasn't that we're to literally hate family; rather,
it's that we must choose Him over everything else. He said, "You who do not
give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (v. 33).
Ronit loves her family deeply, yet she concluded, "Whatever the cost, I
figured it's worth it." What might you need to give up to follow Jesus
as He guides you?
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
What's your story of the moment Jesus became real to you?
What has it cost you to follow Him?
Father, please help me choose Your Son over
everything this world has to offer.
3) Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 4 - Giving and Receiving
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."
38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured
to you again.
"Just give the Lord", the voice on the radio declared. "Give, and he will
give back to you, a hundredfold." The preacher went on to explain how
an old woman on social security had sent her last $10 to support his
ministry, and the next day she got an anonymous money order for
a $1000 . "The Lord will be faithful to his Word," the preacher
concluded. "You give, and you'll receive."
The Lord is, of course, faithful to his Word. But many well-meaning Christians
have interpreted Luke 6:38 as a "payment in kind" bargain with God:
if I give God my dollar, he's obliged to return it to me with interest.
This "seed-sowing" fallacy, where $20 supposedly becomes $2000 by
an act of divine, multiplication, has caused much
disappointment and frustration.
The "giving and receiving" principle is a valid one; the Lord does, indeed say
"Give, and it will be given to you," but he does not specify what the "return"
will be. The verse appears in the context of forgiveness, of not judging; the
principle is not investment, in any material sense, but generosity.
As we give, as few are compassionate with others, we take on the
character of the Lord himself. He is generous and giving, and he gives
to us as we give ourselves in love to others.
Application
a) Have I ever "given" to God to others as a bribe, to get something
in return?
b) What is God's concept of giving, as demonstrated
in the gift of Jesus Christ?
c) How can this verse help me to give more selflessly?
4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 8:18
18 But you must remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you
the ability to get wealth, so that He may establish His covenant which
He swore to your fathers, as it is today.
18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee
power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto
thy fathers, as it is this day.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 25:15-21
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for He will lead my feet from the net.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,
for I am isolated and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Look on my pain and misery,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,
and they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!
Let me not suffer shame,
for I seek refuge in You.
21 Truth and integrity will preserve me
while I wait for You.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;
For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:
O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:
Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;
For I wait on thee.
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?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
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!
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
1st Day of the month
1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
(
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
)
2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray for the Lord to Seek His second coming
and to treat those in need.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, please help me choose Your Son over
everything this world has to offer."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a joyful and selfless giver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the rewards of obedience.
Pray to the Lord and pray that integrity and uprightness preserves you.
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
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.