Day 17 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 17 January reflections
Day 17, 17 Jan 2024
1) Genesis 16-18
GENESIS 16
The Birth of Ishmael
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children,
and she had a maidservant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, "The Lord has prevented me from having children.
Please go in to my maid; it may be that I will obtain children through her."
Abram listened to Sarai.
3 So after Abram had been living
for ten years in the land of Canaan,
Sarai, his wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian,
and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived.
When she saw that she had conceived,
she began to despise her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram,
"May the wrong done to me be on you!
I gave my maid into your arms;
and when she saw that she had conceived,
I became despised in her eyes.
May the Lord judge between you and me."
6 But Abram said to Sarai,
"Indeed, your maid is in your power;
do to her as you please."
Then Sarai dealt harshly with her,
and she fled from her presence.
7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness.
It was the spring on the way to Shur.
8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid,
where have you come from
and where are you going?"
And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."
9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
10 The angel of the Lord also said to her,
"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly
so that they will be too many to count."
11 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"You are pregnant
and will bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He will be a wild man;
his hand will be against every man,
and every man's hand will be against him.
And he will dwell
in the presence of all his brothers."
13 Then she called the name of the Lord that spoke to her,
"You are the God who sees," for she said,
"Have I now looked on Him who sees me?"
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi.
It is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the son she bore Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
(Ishmael is the father of the Arab race)
Genesis 16
[1] Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an
Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
[2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from
bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain
children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
[3] And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had
dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to
be his wife.
[4] And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she
had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
[5] And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid
into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in
her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
[6] But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as
it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her
face.
[7] And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the
wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
[8] And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt
thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
[9] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and
submit thyself under her hands.
[10] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
[11] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child,
and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath
heard thy affliction.
[12] And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and
every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his
brethren.
[13] And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest
me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
[14] Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between
Kadesh and Bered.
[15] And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which
Hagar bare, Ishmael.
[16] And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to
Abram.
GENESIS 17
The Covenant of Circumcision
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old,
the Lord appeared to him and said,
"I am Almighty God. Walk before Me and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between you and Me and will exceedingly multiply you."
3 Abram fell on his face and God said to him,
4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer will your name be called Abram,
but your name will be Abraham,
for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful;
and I will make nations of you,
and kings will come from you.
7 I will establish My covenant between Me
and you and your descendants after you
throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant,
to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 All the land of Canaan, where you now live as strangers,
I will give to you and to your descendants for an everlasting possession,
and I will be their God."
9 Then God said to Abraham,
"As for you, you shall keep My covenant,
you and your descendants
after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant,
which you shall keep,
between Me and you
and your descendants after you;
every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 Every male throughout every generation
that is eight days old shall be circumcised,
whether born in your household
or bought with money from a foreigner
who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house
and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised.
My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.
14 Any uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin
is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people.
He has broken My covenant."
15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife,
you will not call her name Sarai,
but her name will be Sarah.
16 I will bless her and also give you a son by her.
I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations.
Kings of peoples will come from her."
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart,
"Shall a child be born to a man that is a hundred years old?
Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
18 Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"
19 Then God said, "No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,
and you will call his name Isaac.
I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant
and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you.
I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful
and will multiply him exceedingly.
He will be the father of twelve princes,
and I will make him a great nation.
21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac,
whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."
22 Then He stopped talking with Abraham, and God went up from him.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael, his son,
and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money,
every male among the men of Abraham's household,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins
that very same day as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 His son, Ishmael, was thirteen years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
27 All the men born in Abrahams's household
or bought from foreigners were circumcised with him.
Genesis 17
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou
perfect.
[2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly.
[3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father
of many nations.
[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be
Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
[6] And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of
thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
[7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after
thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee.
[8] And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein
thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession;
and I will be their God.
[9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou,
and thy seed after thee in their generations.
[10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy
seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
[11] And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a
token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
[12] And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man
child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with
money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
[13] He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money,
must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an
everlasting covenant.
[14] And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not
circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my
covenant.
[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call
her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
[16] And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will
bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of
her.
[17] Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart,
Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall
Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
[18] And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
[19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou
shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
[20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and
will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes
shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
[21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear
unto thee at this set time in the next year.
[22] And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
[23] And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of
Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame
day, as God had said unto him.
[24] And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[25] And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[26] In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
[27] And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money
of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
(God never breaks his word)
GENESIS 18
Isaac's Birth Foretold
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham
near the great oak trees of Mamre
while he sat in the tent door
in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham lifted up his eyes
and looked and saw three men standing across from him.
When he saw them, he ran from the tent door
to meet them and bowed himself toward the ground.
3 He said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight,
do not pass by Your servant.
4 Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet
and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 I will bring a piece of bread
so that you may refresh yourselves.
After that you may pass on,
now that you have come to your servant."
And they said, "So do, as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said,
"Quickly prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes."
7 Then Abraham ran to the herd
and took a choice and tender calf
and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought butter and milk
and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them;
and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "There, in the tent."
10 One of them said, "I will certainly return
to you about this time next year,
and Sarah your wife will have a son."
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and very advanced in age,
and Sarah was well past childbearing.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying,
"After I am so old and my lord is old also,
shall I have pleasure?"
(The Lord is in charge, nothing is impoosible for him)
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say,
'Shall I surely bear a child when I am old?'
14 Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
At the appointed time I will return to you,
at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
15 Then Sarah denied it, saying,
"I did not laugh," because she was afraid.
But He said, "Yes, you did laugh."
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the
tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and
when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself
toward the ground,
[3] And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not
away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
[4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree:
[5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after
that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they
said, So do, as thou hast said.
[6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready
quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the
hearth.
[7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and
gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
[8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set
it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
[9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in
the tent.
[10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of
life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the
tent door, which was behind him.
[11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased
to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
[12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old
shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
[13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,
Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
[14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return
unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
[15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he
said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Sodom and Gomorrah
16 Then the men rose up and looked toward Sodom,
and Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
19 I chose him, and he will instruct his children and his household
after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice,
so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He promised him."
20 Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great,
and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down and see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has come to Me. If not, I will know."
22 The men turned away from there
and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
23 Then Abraham drew near and said,
"Shall You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous in the city?
Shall You also destroy, and not spare the place,
for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this,
to slay the righteous with the wicked,
so that the righteous should be treated like the wicked;
far be it from You. Should not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
26 So the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare the entire place for their sakes."
27 Then Abraham answered and said,
"I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord.
28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous.
Will You destroy all the city for lack of five?"
And He said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said,
"Suppose there will be forty found there?"
So He said, "I will not do it for the sake of forty."
30 Then he said to Him,
"Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.
Suppose there will be thirty found there?"
Again He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31 He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord.
Suppose twenty are found there?"
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."
32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry,
and I will speak only once more.
Suppose ten will be found there?"
Then He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."
33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had stopped
speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
[16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham
went with them to bring them on the way.
[17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
[18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and
all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
[19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and
judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of
him.
[20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and
because their sin is very grievous;
[21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according
to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
[22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but
Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
[23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous
with the wicked?
[24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also
destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
[25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous
with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far
from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
[26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to
speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
[28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou
destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty
and five, I will not destroy it.
[29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be
forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
[30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:
Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do
it, if I find thirty there.
[31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord:
Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for twenty's sake.
[32] And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but
this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for ten's sake.
[33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with
Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
(You may bargain with the Lord in humility)
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 January 2024 entitled
Choosing to Follow God
Joshua 24:14-18
14 (Jos 24:23; Dt 10:12; 1Sa 12:24) "Now fear the Lord, and serve Him
with sincerity and faithfulness. Put away the gods your fathers
served beyond the River (Euphrates River.) and in Egypt. Serve the Lord.
15 (Jdg 6:10; 1Ki 18:21) If it is displeasing to you to serve the Lord,
then choose today whom you will serve, if it should be the gods
your fathers served beyond the River (Euphrates River.)
or the gods of the Amorites' land where you are now living.
Yet as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
16 The people answered and said, "God forbid that we forsake
the Lord and serve other gods!
17 For it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers out from slavery
in the land of Egypt and performed these great signs in our sight and guarded
us all the way that we went and among all the peoples through whom we passed.
18 The Lord drove out before us all the people, even the Amorites,
who lived in the land. So we will indeed serve the Lord, for He is our God."
[14] Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:
and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the
flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
[15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day
whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on
the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
[16] And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the
LORD, to serve other gods;
[17] For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out
of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great
signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and
among all the people through whom we passed:
[18] And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites
which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is
our God.
"The average person will make 773 618 decisions over a lifetime," claims the
Daily Mirror. The British newspaper goes on to assert that we "will come to
regret 143 262 of them." I have no idea how the paper arrived at these
numbers, but it's clear that we face countless decisions throughout our
lifetime. The sheer quantity of them might become paralysing, especially when
we consider that all our choices have consequences, some far more momentous
than others.
After 40 years wandering in the wilderness, the children of Israel stood at
the threshold of their new homeland. Later, after entering the land, Joshua,
their leader, issued to them a challenging choice: "Now therefore fear the
LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:
and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the
flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD."(Joshua 24:14). Joshua told them,
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day
whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on
the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (v. 15).
As we begin each new day, possibilities stretch before us, leading to scores
of decisions. Taking the time to ask God to guide us will influence the
choices we make. By the power of the Spirit, we can choose to follow Him
every day.
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
What choices have you regretted making?
How might you have handled those situations more wisely?
Father, sometimes life can feel overwhelming-and
so can the many choices that confront me. Please guide my steps
and my decision-making so that I honour You in the choices I make.
For further study, read
Dangerous Decisions: Learning from the Mistakes of Lot and Achan.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 4 - Entire Forgiveness
Acts 13:38
38 (Lk 24:47; Ac 2:38) "Therefore, brothers, let it be known
to you that through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,"
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,
that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
At age 17 Mary, a cross-country runner, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
She went on to college, faced with the prospect of gradual physical decline
and, ultimately, life in a wheelchair. "The worst part," Mary admitted "is
not the pain or the inability to do what I once did. The worst part is
the hopelessness, the emotional struggle. There is no cure, no real
treatment - only insurance."
In our fallen world, there are many incurable circumstances we have to endure.
But the guilt of our sin is not one of them. Yet despite the declaration
of the Scripture that Jesus' sacrificial death paid the price for our sins,
many of us carry a load of guilt - as if we ourselves had tp pay the price.
Paul, a man who know the grace of God and the depth of his own sin,
emphasises the source and the completeness of our forgiveness.
Through Jesus - not through my good behaviour, not through my determination to
change, not through my reputation, my family's faith, or my religious duties.
Forgiveness of sins come through Christ alone, a gift we do not deserve,
a gift which places all of us on equal ground at the foot of the cross.
To acknowledge our sin without knowing the source of forgiveness only
results in hopelessness and despair - we see ourselves, yet we are powerless
to change the sin we see. But when we realise that Christ has provided
complete forgiveness of sin, we can face our sin honestly, knowing
the freedom of confession and the restoration of forgiveness.
Application
a) In what ways have I changed myself, to "turn over a new leaf",
to "make myself worthy" of God's love?
b) How can Acts 13:38 help me remember the source of forgiveness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 48:15,17
15 I, even I, have spoken, and I have called him;
I have brought him, and his way will prosper.
17 (Ps 32:8; Isa 43:14) Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him:
I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;
I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit,
which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 91
PSALMS 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust."
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) He shall cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings you shall find protection;
His faithfulness shall be your shield and wall.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) nor of the pestilence that pursues in darkness,
nor of the destruction that strikes at noonday.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) A thousand may fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand,
but it shall not come near you.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Only with your eyes shall you behold
and see the reward of the wicked.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
even the Most High, your dwelling,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) there shall be no evil befall you,
neither shall any plague come near your tent;
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) for He shall give His angels charge over you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you up in their hands,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder;
the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
and I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him My salvation.
Psalm 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
My God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
And from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:
His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;
But it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge,
Even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee,
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
To keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,
Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him,
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?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savioru,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
8 ) Pray and Fast Day 10
PRODIGALS
DEVOTION:
There's nothing like a heart broken over a child who is far away from God
and maybe even from home, choosing destruction over blessings. It's
frustrating being unable to do anything in your own strength to change
or even help them.
Don't despair! God the Father loves them even more than we possibly
could. Trust in His promises and His ability to intervene no matter how
dire the situation seems. The enemy wants to discourage you and keep
your focus away from God's power and faithfulness but don't let him
succeed. Your prayers as a parent in Christ are potent and can break
down strongholds in your child's life.
As you pray for the prodigal in your life, focus on Jesus, who tirelessly
seeks after your loved one day and night. God desires that none should
be lost but that allwould know His love and saving grace. He has specific
plans and purposes for the prodigal's life and longs for them to fulfill them
Sometimes the prodigal in our life may be someone other than our child.
No matter whom they are. God has a unique plan and purpose for their
REFLECTION:
What can I do to help create a welcoming environment for prodigals to
find hope. redemption, and restorationwith God through our saviour
Jesus Christ?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord. I ask You to draw back to your loving embrace; for You
are full of grace, compassion, and patience. May they wholeheartedly
feel Your love for them with every fiber of their being. Lord. I ask that you
fulfilI Your divine purpose in ________'s life. Open their eyes to the truth
and lead them from darkness into Your glorious light. Please remove the
hardness of their heart and replace it with a soft and receptive heart.
Liberate them from the grip of Satan and guide them towards You. May
they experience the forgiveness of sins and receive the blessed
inheritance alongside those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus. In
His name, we pray, amen.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 Then He said, "A man had two sons.
12 (Mk 12:44; Lk 15:30) The younger of them said to his father,
'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.'
So he divided his estate between them.
13 (Lk 15:30; 16:1) "Not many days later, the younger son gathered
everything together, and journeyed to a distant country, and there
squandered his possessions in prodigal living.
14 When he had spent everything, there came a severe famine in that country,
and he began to be in want.
15 So he went and hired himself to a citizen of that county,
who sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the husks
that the swine were eating, but no one gave him any.
17 "When he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired
servants have an abundance of bread, and here I am perishing with hunger!
18 (Lk 15:21; 18:13) I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 (Lk 7:6-7) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Make me like one of your hired servants." '
20 (Ac 20:37; Ge 45:14) So he arose and came to his father.
"But while he was yet far away, his father saw him
and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced his neck and kissed him.
21 (Ps 51:4; Lk 15:18-19) "The son said to him,
'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 (Ge 41:42; Rev 6:11) "But the father said to his servants,
'Bring out the best robe and put it on him.
And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
23 Bring here the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.
24 (Lk 15:32; Eph 2:1) For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again;
he was lost, and is found.' So they began to be merry.
25 "Now his older son was in the field. As he came and drew near the house,
he heard music and dancing.
26 So he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.
27 He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed
the fattened calf, because he has received him safe and sound.'
28 "He was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out
and entreated him.
29 But he answered his father, 'Look! These many years have I served you.
Nor have I ever transgressed your commands, yet never have you given me
a goat, so that I might be merry with my friends.
30 (Pr 29:3; Lk 15:12-13) But when this son of yours came,
who has devoured your living with harlots,
you killed the fattened calf for him.'
31 "He said to him, 'Son, you are always with me,
and all that I have is yours.
32 (Lk 15:24) But it was fitting to be merry and be glad,
for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.'"
[11] And he said, A certain man had two sons:
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion
of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took
his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous
living.
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land;
and he began to be in want.
[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he
sent him into his fields to feed swine.
[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine
did eat: and no man gave unto him.
[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my
father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and before thee,
[19] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired
servants.
[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way
off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck,
and kissed him.
[21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in
thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put
it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be
merry:
[24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found. And they began to be merry.
[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the
house, he heard musick and dancing.
[26] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed
the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out,
and intreated him.
[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve
thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never
gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
[30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living
with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have
is thine.
[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy
brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
2 Peter 3:9
9 (1Ti 2:4; Hab 2:3; Heb 10:37) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise,
as some count slowness. But He is patient with us,
because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
VERSE OF THE DAY
Acts 16:31
31 (Mk 16:16; Jn 1:12) They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you and your household will be saved."
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and be humble in your prayer if you have to negotiate
and bargain with Him.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, sometimes life can feel overwhelming-and
so can the many choices that confront me. Please guide my steps
and my decision-making so that I honour You in the choices I make."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Jesus as the source of forgiveness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be obedient in the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as protector.
Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Pray for the safety of those who live in your community - safety from
conflict and crimes
Pray that Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be
protected from violent attacks by militant Islamic Groups.
Dear Lord. I ask You to draw back to your loving embrace; for You
are full of grace, compassion, and patience. May they wholeheartedly
feel Your love for them with every fiber of their being. Lord. I ask that you
fulfilI Your divine purpose in ________'s life. Open their eyes to the truth
and lead them from darkness into Your glorious light. Please remove the
hardness of their heart and replace it with a soft and receptive heart.
Liberate them from the grip of Satan and guide them towards You. May
they experience the forgiveness of sins and receive the blessed
inheritance alongside those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus. In
His name, we pray, amen.
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) Genesis 16-18
GENESIS 16
The Birth of Ishmael
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children,
and she had a maidservant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, "The Lord has prevented me from having children.
Please go in to my maid; it may be that I will obtain children through her."
Abram listened to Sarai.
3 So after Abram had been living
for ten years in the land of Canaan,
Sarai, his wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian,
and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived.
When she saw that she had conceived,
she began to despise her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram,
"May the wrong done to me be on you!
I gave my maid into your arms;
and when she saw that she had conceived,
I became despised in her eyes.
May the Lord judge between you and me."
6 But Abram said to Sarai,
"Indeed, your maid is in your power;
do to her as you please."
Then Sarai dealt harshly with her,
and she fled from her presence.
7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness.
It was the spring on the way to Shur.
8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid,
where have you come from
and where are you going?"
And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."
9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
10 The angel of the Lord also said to her,
"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly
so that they will be too many to count."
11 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,
"You are pregnant
and will bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He will be a wild man;
his hand will be against every man,
and every man's hand will be against him.
And he will dwell
in the presence of all his brothers."
13 Then she called the name of the Lord that spoke to her,
"You are the God who sees," for she said,
"Have I now looked on Him who sees me?"
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi.
It is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the son she bore Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
(Ishmael is the father of the Arab race)
Genesis 16
[1] Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an
Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
[2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from
bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain
children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
[3] And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had
dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to
be his wife.
[4] And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she
had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
[5] And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid
into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in
her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
[6] But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as
it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her
face.
[7] And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the
wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
[8] And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt
thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
[9] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and
submit thyself under her hands.
[10] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
[11] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child,
and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath
heard thy affliction.
[12] And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and
every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his
brethren.
[13] And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest
me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
[14] Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between
Kadesh and Bered.
[15] And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which
Hagar bare, Ishmael.
[16] And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to
Abram.
GENESIS 17
The Covenant of Circumcision
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old,
the Lord appeared to him and said,
"I am Almighty God. Walk before Me and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between you and Me and will exceedingly multiply you."
3 Abram fell on his face and God said to him,
4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer will your name be called Abram,
but your name will be Abraham,
for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful;
and I will make nations of you,
and kings will come from you.
7 I will establish My covenant between Me
and you and your descendants after you
throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant,
to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 All the land of Canaan, where you now live as strangers,
I will give to you and to your descendants for an everlasting possession,
and I will be their God."
9 Then God said to Abraham,
"As for you, you shall keep My covenant,
you and your descendants
after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant,
which you shall keep,
between Me and you
and your descendants after you;
every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 Every male throughout every generation
that is eight days old shall be circumcised,
whether born in your household
or bought with money from a foreigner
who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house
and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised.
My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.
14 Any uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin
is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people.
He has broken My covenant."
15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife,
you will not call her name Sarai,
but her name will be Sarah.
16 I will bless her and also give you a son by her.
I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations.
Kings of peoples will come from her."
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart,
"Shall a child be born to a man that is a hundred years old?
Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
18 Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"
19 Then God said, "No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son,
and you will call his name Isaac.
I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant
and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you.
I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful
and will multiply him exceedingly.
He will be the father of twelve princes,
and I will make him a great nation.
21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac,
whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year."
22 Then He stopped talking with Abraham, and God went up from him.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael, his son,
and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money,
every male among the men of Abraham's household,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins
that very same day as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 His son, Ishmael, was thirteen years old
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
27 All the men born in Abrahams's household
or bought from foreigners were circumcised with him.
Genesis 17
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou
perfect.
[2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly.
[3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father
of many nations.
[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be
Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
[6] And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of
thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
[7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after
thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee.
[8] And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein
thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession;
and I will be their God.
[9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou,
and thy seed after thee in their generations.
[10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy
seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
[11] And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a
token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
[12] And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man
child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with
money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
[13] He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money,
must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an
everlasting covenant.
[14] And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not
circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my
covenant.
[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call
her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
[16] And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will
bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of
her.
[17] Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart,
Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall
Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
[18] And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
[19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou
shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
[20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and
will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes
shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
[21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear
unto thee at this set time in the next year.
[22] And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
[23] And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house,
and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of
Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame
day, as God had said unto him.
[24] And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[25] And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin.
[26] In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
[27] And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money
of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
(God never breaks his word)
GENESIS 18
Isaac's Birth Foretold
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham
near the great oak trees of Mamre
while he sat in the tent door
in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham lifted up his eyes
and looked and saw three men standing across from him.
When he saw them, he ran from the tent door
to meet them and bowed himself toward the ground.
3 He said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight,
do not pass by Your servant.
4 Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet
and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 I will bring a piece of bread
so that you may refresh yourselves.
After that you may pass on,
now that you have come to your servant."
And they said, "So do, as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said,
"Quickly prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes."
7 Then Abraham ran to the herd
and took a choice and tender calf
and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought butter and milk
and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them;
and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"
And he said, "There, in the tent."
10 One of them said, "I will certainly return
to you about this time next year,
and Sarah your wife will have a son."
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and very advanced in age,
and Sarah was well past childbearing.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying,
"After I am so old and my lord is old also,
shall I have pleasure?"
(The Lord is in charge, nothing is impoosible for him)
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say,
'Shall I surely bear a child when I am old?'
14 Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
At the appointed time I will return to you,
at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
15 Then Sarah denied it, saying,
"I did not laugh," because she was afraid.
But He said, "Yes, you did laugh."
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the
tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and
when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself
toward the ground,
[3] And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not
away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
[4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree:
[5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after
that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they
said, So do, as thou hast said.
[6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready
quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the
hearth.
[7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and
gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
[8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set
it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
[9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in
the tent.
[10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of
life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the
tent door, which was behind him.
[11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased
to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
[12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old
shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
[13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,
Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
[14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return
unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
[15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he
said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Sodom and Gomorrah
16 Then the men rose up and looked toward Sodom,
and Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
19 I chose him, and he will instruct his children and his household
after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice,
so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He promised him."
20 Then the Lord said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great,
and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down and see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has come to Me. If not, I will know."
22 The men turned away from there
and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
23 Then Abraham drew near and said,
"Shall You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous in the city?
Shall You also destroy, and not spare the place,
for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this,
to slay the righteous with the wicked,
so that the righteous should be treated like the wicked;
far be it from You. Should not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
26 So the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare the entire place for their sakes."
27 Then Abraham answered and said,
"I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord.
28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous.
Will You destroy all the city for lack of five?"
And He said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said,
"Suppose there will be forty found there?"
So He said, "I will not do it for the sake of forty."
30 Then he said to Him,
"Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.
Suppose there will be thirty found there?"
Again He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31 He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord.
Suppose twenty are found there?"
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."
32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry,
and I will speak only once more.
Suppose ten will be found there?"
Then He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."
33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had stopped
speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
[16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham
went with them to bring them on the way.
[17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
[18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and
all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
[19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and
judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of
him.
[20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and
because their sin is very grievous;
[21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according
to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
[22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but
Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
[23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous
with the wicked?
[24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also
destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
[25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous
with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far
from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
[26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to
speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
[28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou
destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty
and five, I will not destroy it.
[29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be
forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
[30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:
Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do
it, if I find thirty there.
[31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord:
Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for twenty's sake.
[32] And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but
this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for ten's sake.
[33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with
Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
(You may bargain with the Lord in humility)
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 January 2024 entitled
Choosing to Follow God
Joshua 24:14-18
14 (Jos 24:23; Dt 10:12; 1Sa 12:24) "Now fear the Lord, and serve Him
with sincerity and faithfulness. Put away the gods your fathers
served beyond the River (Euphrates River.) and in Egypt. Serve the Lord.
15 (Jdg 6:10; 1Ki 18:21) If it is displeasing to you to serve the Lord,
then choose today whom you will serve, if it should be the gods
your fathers served beyond the River (Euphrates River.)
or the gods of the Amorites' land where you are now living.
Yet as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
16 The people answered and said, "God forbid that we forsake
the Lord and serve other gods!
17 For it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers out from slavery
in the land of Egypt and performed these great signs in our sight and guarded
us all the way that we went and among all the peoples through whom we passed.
18 The Lord drove out before us all the people, even the Amorites,
who lived in the land. So we will indeed serve the Lord, for He is our God."
[14] Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:
and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the
flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
[15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day
whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on
the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
[16] And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the
LORD, to serve other gods;
[17] For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out
of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great
signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and
among all the people through whom we passed:
[18] And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites
which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is
our God.
"The average person will make 773 618 decisions over a lifetime," claims the
Daily Mirror. The British newspaper goes on to assert that we "will come to
regret 143 262 of them." I have no idea how the paper arrived at these
numbers, but it's clear that we face countless decisions throughout our
lifetime. The sheer quantity of them might become paralysing, especially when
we consider that all our choices have consequences, some far more momentous
than others.
After 40 years wandering in the wilderness, the children of Israel stood at
the threshold of their new homeland. Later, after entering the land, Joshua,
their leader, issued to them a challenging choice: "Now therefore fear the
LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:
and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the
flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD."(Joshua 24:14). Joshua told them,
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day
whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on
the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (v. 15).
As we begin each new day, possibilities stretch before us, leading to scores
of decisions. Taking the time to ask God to guide us will influence the
choices we make. By the power of the Spirit, we can choose to follow Him
every day.
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
What choices have you regretted making?
How might you have handled those situations more wisely?
Father, sometimes life can feel overwhelming-and
so can the many choices that confront me. Please guide my steps
and my decision-making so that I honour You in the choices I make.
For further study, read
Dangerous Decisions: Learning from the Mistakes of Lot and Achan.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 4 - Entire Forgiveness
Acts 13:38
38 (Lk 24:47; Ac 2:38) "Therefore, brothers, let it be known
to you that through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,"
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,
that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
At age 17 Mary, a cross-country runner, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
She went on to college, faced with the prospect of gradual physical decline
and, ultimately, life in a wheelchair. "The worst part," Mary admitted "is
not the pain or the inability to do what I once did. The worst part is
the hopelessness, the emotional struggle. There is no cure, no real
treatment - only insurance."
In our fallen world, there are many incurable circumstances we have to endure.
But the guilt of our sin is not one of them. Yet despite the declaration
of the Scripture that Jesus' sacrificial death paid the price for our sins,
many of us carry a load of guilt - as if we ourselves had tp pay the price.
Paul, a man who know the grace of God and the depth of his own sin,
emphasises the source and the completeness of our forgiveness.
Through Jesus - not through my good behaviour, not through my determination to
change, not through my reputation, my family's faith, or my religious duties.
Forgiveness of sins come through Christ alone, a gift we do not deserve,
a gift which places all of us on equal ground at the foot of the cross.
To acknowledge our sin without knowing the source of forgiveness only
results in hopelessness and despair - we see ourselves, yet we are powerless
to change the sin we see. But when we realise that Christ has provided
complete forgiveness of sin, we can face our sin honestly, knowing
the freedom of confession and the restoration of forgiveness.
Application
a) In what ways have I changed myself, to "turn over a new leaf",
to "make myself worthy" of God's love?
b) How can Acts 13:38 help me remember the source of forgiveness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 48:15,17
15 I, even I, have spoken, and I have called him;
I have brought him, and his way will prosper.
17 (Ps 32:8; Isa 43:14) Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him:
I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;
I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit,
which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 91
PSALMS 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust."
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) He shall cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings you shall find protection;
His faithfulness shall be your shield and wall.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) nor of the pestilence that pursues in darkness,
nor of the destruction that strikes at noonday.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) A thousand may fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand,
but it shall not come near you.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Only with your eyes shall you behold
and see the reward of the wicked.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
even the Most High, your dwelling,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) there shall be no evil befall you,
neither shall any plague come near your tent;
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) for He shall give His angels charge over you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you up in their hands,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder;
the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
and I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him My salvation.
Psalm 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
My God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
And from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:
His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;
But it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge,
Even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee,
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
To keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,
Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him,
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?)
2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493
British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver
and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.
Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that
- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savioru,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
8 ) Pray and Fast Day 10
PRODIGALS
DEVOTION:
There's nothing like a heart broken over a child who is far away from God
and maybe even from home, choosing destruction over blessings. It's
frustrating being unable to do anything in your own strength to change
or even help them.
Don't despair! God the Father loves them even more than we possibly
could. Trust in His promises and His ability to intervene no matter how
dire the situation seems. The enemy wants to discourage you and keep
your focus away from God's power and faithfulness but don't let him
succeed. Your prayers as a parent in Christ are potent and can break
down strongholds in your child's life.
As you pray for the prodigal in your life, focus on Jesus, who tirelessly
seeks after your loved one day and night. God desires that none should
be lost but that allwould know His love and saving grace. He has specific
plans and purposes for the prodigal's life and longs for them to fulfill them
Sometimes the prodigal in our life may be someone other than our child.
No matter whom they are. God has a unique plan and purpose for their
REFLECTION:
What can I do to help create a welcoming environment for prodigals to
find hope. redemption, and restorationwith God through our saviour
Jesus Christ?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord. I ask You to draw back to your loving embrace; for You
are full of grace, compassion, and patience. May they wholeheartedly
feel Your love for them with every fiber of their being. Lord. I ask that you
fulfilI Your divine purpose in ________'s life. Open their eyes to the truth
and lead them from darkness into Your glorious light. Please remove the
hardness of their heart and replace it with a soft and receptive heart.
Liberate them from the grip of Satan and guide them towards You. May
they experience the forgiveness of sins and receive the blessed
inheritance alongside those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus. In
His name, we pray, amen.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 Then He said, "A man had two sons.
12 (Mk 12:44; Lk 15:30) The younger of them said to his father,
'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.'
So he divided his estate between them.
13 (Lk 15:30; 16:1) "Not many days later, the younger son gathered
everything together, and journeyed to a distant country, and there
squandered his possessions in prodigal living.
14 When he had spent everything, there came a severe famine in that country,
and he began to be in want.
15 So he went and hired himself to a citizen of that county,
who sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the husks
that the swine were eating, but no one gave him any.
17 "When he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired
servants have an abundance of bread, and here I am perishing with hunger!
18 (Lk 15:21; 18:13) I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 (Lk 7:6-7) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Make me like one of your hired servants." '
20 (Ac 20:37; Ge 45:14) So he arose and came to his father.
"But while he was yet far away, his father saw him
and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced his neck and kissed him.
21 (Ps 51:4; Lk 15:18-19) "The son said to him,
'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 (Ge 41:42; Rev 6:11) "But the father said to his servants,
'Bring out the best robe and put it on him.
And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
23 Bring here the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.
24 (Lk 15:32; Eph 2:1) For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again;
he was lost, and is found.' So they began to be merry.
25 "Now his older son was in the field. As he came and drew near the house,
he heard music and dancing.
26 So he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.
27 He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed
the fattened calf, because he has received him safe and sound.'
28 "He was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out
and entreated him.
29 But he answered his father, 'Look! These many years have I served you.
Nor have I ever transgressed your commands, yet never have you given me
a goat, so that I might be merry with my friends.
30 (Pr 29:3; Lk 15:12-13) But when this son of yours came,
who has devoured your living with harlots,
you killed the fattened calf for him.'
31 "He said to him, 'Son, you are always with me,
and all that I have is yours.
32 (Lk 15:24) But it was fitting to be merry and be glad,
for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.'"
[11] And he said, A certain man had two sons:
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion
of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took
his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous
living.
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land;
and he began to be in want.
[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he
sent him into his fields to feed swine.
[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine
did eat: and no man gave unto him.
[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my
father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and before thee,
[19] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired
servants.
[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way
off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck,
and kissed him.
[21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in
thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put
it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be
merry:
[24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found. And they began to be merry.
[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the
house, he heard musick and dancing.
[26] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed
the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out,
and intreated him.
[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve
thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never
gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
[30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living
with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have
is thine.
[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy
brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
2 Peter 3:9
9 (1Ti 2:4; Hab 2:3; Heb 10:37) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise,
as some count slowness. But He is patient with us,
because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
VERSE OF THE DAY
Acts 16:31
31 (Mk 16:16; Jn 1:12) They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you and your household will be saved."
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and be humble in your prayer if you have to negotiate
and bargain with Him.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, sometimes life can feel overwhelming-and
so can the many choices that confront me. Please guide my steps
and my decision-making so that I honour You in the choices I make."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Jesus as the source of forgiveness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be obedient in the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as protector.
Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.
Pray for the safety of those who live in your community - safety from
conflict and crimes
Pray that Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be
protected from violent attacks by militant Islamic Groups.
Dear Lord. I ask You to draw back to your loving embrace; for You
are full of grace, compassion, and patience. May they wholeheartedly
feel Your love for them with every fiber of their being. Lord. I ask that you
fulfilI Your divine purpose in ________'s life. Open their eyes to the truth
and lead them from darkness into Your glorious light. Please remove the
hardness of their heart and replace it with a soft and receptive heart.
Liberate them from the grip of Satan and guide them towards You. May
they experience the forgiveness of sins and receive the blessed
inheritance alongside those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus. In
His name, we pray, amen.
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.