Day 21 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 21 January reflections
Day 21, 21 January 2024
Today at
Calvary Community Church , Pastor Barry Regier spoke on
Countering the enemy through Community.
Mark 13
13 (Mt 10:22; Da 12:12) You will be hated by all men for My name's sake.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
[13] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 5
11 (1Pe 4:14; Lk 6:22) "Blessed are you when men revile you,
and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 (Lk 6:23; Ac 5:41; 1Th 2:15) Rejoice and be very glad, because great is
your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for
so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Acts 4:23-31
The Believers Pray for Boldness
Acts 4:23 a
MEV On being released, they went to their own people
KJV And being let go, they went to their own company
A) Through connecting in community
B) Through pursuing unity
Acts 4
23 On being released, they went to their own people and reported
what the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 (Ne 9:6) When they heard this, they lifted their voices in unity to God
and prayed, "Lord, You are God, who has made the heaven and the earth
and the sea and everything in them,"
[23] And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that
the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
[24] And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is:
Ephesians 4:1-4
1 (Eph 3:1; Col 1:10) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to
walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called.
2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love,
3 be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 (Eph 1:18; 2:16) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called
in one hope of your calling,
[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of
your calling;
C) Through Prayer
Acts 4:24
24 (Ne 9:6) When they heard this, they lifted their voices in unity to God
and prayed, "Lord, You are God, who has made the heaven and the earth
and the sea and everything in them,
[24] And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is:
Acts 4:25-28
25 (Ac 1:16) and who by the mouth of Your servant David said:
'Why did the nations rage,
and the people devise vain things?
26 (Lk 4:18; Ac 10:38) The kings of the earth came,
and the rulers were assembled together
against the Lord
and against His Christ.'
27 (Mt 27:2; Ac 4:30) Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were assembled together
against Your holy Son Jesus whom You have anointed,
28 (Ac 2:23; Isa 46:10) to do what Your hand and Your counsel
had foreordained to be done.
[25] Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen
rage, and the people imagine vain things?
[26] The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together
against the Lord, and against his Christ.
[27] For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed,
both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel,
were gathered together,
[28] For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be
done.
Isaiah 55:10-11
10 (Isa 30:23) For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there
but water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Acts 4:29-30
29 (Ac 4:13; 4:31) Now, Lord, look on their threats
and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness,
30 (Ac 4:27; 3:6) by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs
and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus."
[29] And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants,
that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
[30] By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may
be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
James 4:2
2 You lust and do not have, so you kill.
You desire to have and cannot obtain. You fight and war.
Yet you do not have, because you do not ask
[2] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:
ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
D) With the filling of the Holy Spirit
Acts 4:31
31 (Ac 2:2; 2:4) When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and spoke the word of God with boldness.
[31] And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spake the word of God with boldness.
Ephesians 5:18
18 (Pr 20:1; 1Co 5:11; Lk 1:15) Do not be drunk with wine, for that is
reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit.
[18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit;
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Gen 27-29
Genesis 27
Isaac Blesses Jacob
1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could not see,
he called Esau his oldest son and said to him, "My son."
And he answered him, "Here I am."
2 He said, "I am old. I do not know the day of my death.
3 Therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out
to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And prepare for me savory food,
such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless
you before I die."
5 Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son.
So when Esau went to the field to hunt for wild game and bring it back,
6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "I heard your father speak to your brother
Esau, saying, 7 'Bring me wild game, and prepare for me savory food,
that I may eat and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.'
8 Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you.
9 Go now to the flock, and get me two choice young goats,
so that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he loves.
10 Then you will take it to your father, so that he may eat and so that he may
bless you before his death."
11 But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, "Look, my bro her Esau is a hairy
man, and I am a man of smooth skin. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me,
and I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I will bring a curse on myself
and not a blessing."
13 His mother said to him, "Let your curse be upon me, my son.
Only listen to me and go get them for me."
14 He went and got them and brought them to his mother.
Then his mother prepared savory food such as his father loved.
15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes belonging to her older son Esau,
which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
16 Then she put the skins of the young goats on his hands
and on the smooth part of his neck.
17 She put the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared,
into the hands of her son Jacob.
18 He came to his father and said, "My father."
And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?"
19 And Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn.
I have done just as you asked me. Please arise, sit and eat of my wild game,
so that your soul may bless me."
20 Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly,
my son?" And he said, "Because the Lord your God brought it to me."
21 Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, so that I may feel you, my son,
whether you are really my son Esau or not."
22 Jacob went near to his father Isaac, and he felt him and said,
"The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau."
23 He did not recognize him because his hands were hairy,
just like his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him.
24 He asked, "Are you really my son Esau?"
And he said, "I am."
25 He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's wild game,
so that my soul may bless you."
And he brought it near to him, and he ate. He also brought him wine,
and he drank.
26 His father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son."
27 He came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing
and blessed him and said,
"See, the smell of my son
is like the smell of the field
which the Lord has blessed.
28 Therefore, may God give you of the dew of heaven
and the fatness of the earth,
and plenty of grain and new wine.
29 Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be master over your brothers,
and let your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be those who bless you!"
30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had barely gone
out from the presence of his father Isaac, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31 He also had prepared savory food and brought it to his father,
and said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's wild game,
so that your soul may bless me."
32 Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?"
And he said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said,
"Who? Where then is he who hunted game and brought it to me?
I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him.
Yes, and he shall be blessed."
34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great
and exceedingly bitter cry, and said to his father,
"Bless me, even me also, O my father!"
35 He said, "Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing."
36 Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me
these two times. He took away my birthright, and now he has taken away
my blessing." And he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"
37 Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, "I have made him your lord,
and I have given to him all his brothers as servants;
and I have sustained him with grain and new wine.
What can I now do for you, my son?"
38 And Esau said to his father, "Do you have only one blessing, my father?
Bless me, even me also, O my father!" Then Esau lifted up his voice and wept.
39I saac his father answered and said to him,
"Your dwelling shall be
away from the fatness of the earth
and away from the dew of heaven from above.
40 You will live by your sword
and will serve your brother.
When you become restless,
you will break his yoke
from your neck."
Jacob Escapes From Esau
41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father
blessed him. And Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for
my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
42 These words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah;
and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him,
"Your brother Esau consoles himself regarding you by planning to kill you.
43 Now therefore, my son, listen to me and get up and flee to Laban,
my brother in Harran. 44 Stay with him a few days until your brother's fury subsides,
45 until your brother's anger against you turns away, and he forgets
what you have done to him. Then I will send and get you from there.
Why should I lose both of you in one day?"
46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am tired of my life because of
the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife from the daughters
of Heth, such as these who are of the daughters of the land,
what good will my life be to me?"
Genesis 27
[1] And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so
that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My
son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
[2] And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
[3] Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow,
and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
[4] And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may
eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
[5] And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the
field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
[6] And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father
speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
[7] Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless
thee before the LORD before my death.
[8] Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command
thee.
[9] Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the
goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
[10] And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may
bless thee before his death.
[11] And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a
hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
[12] My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a
deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
[13] And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey
my voice, and go fetch me them.
[14] And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his
mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
[15] And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with
her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
[16] And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon
the smooth of his neck:
[17] And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared,
into the hand of her son Jacob.
[18] And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am
I; who art thou, my son?
[19] And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done
according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison,
that thy soul may bless me.
[20] And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so
quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.
[21] And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel
thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
[22] And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said,
The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
[23] And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother
Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
[24] And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
[25] And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison,
that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat:
and he brought him wine, and he drank.
[26] And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
[27] And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his
raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell
of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
[28] Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the
earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
[29] Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy
brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one
that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
[30] And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing
Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his
father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
[31] And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and
said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison,
that thy soul may bless me.
[32] And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy
son, thy firstborn Esau.
[33] And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that
hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou
camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
[34] And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and
exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my
father.
[35] And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy
blessing.
[36] And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me
these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken
away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
[37] And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy
lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn
and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
[38] And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father?
bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
[39] And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling
shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
[40] And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it
shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break
his yoke from off thy neck.
[41] And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father
blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father
are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
[42] And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she
sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy
brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill
thee.
[43] Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my
brother to Haran;
[44] And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
[45] Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which
thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why
should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
[46] And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the
daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as
these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
GENESIS 28
1 Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him. Then he charged him and said
to him, "You must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go
to Paddan Aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take
for yourself a wife from there, from the daughters of Laban your mother's
brother. 3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply
you, so that you may become a multitude of people. 4 May He give you
the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you,
that you may inherit the land where you are a stranger,
which God gave to Abraham."
5 Then Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan Aram to Laban,
the son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's
mother.
6 Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram
to take for himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him
a charge, saying, "You must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,"
7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Paddan Aram.
8 Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please Isaac his father.
9 So Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife Mahalath the daughter
of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, in addition to the wives
he had.
Jacob's Dream at Bethel
10 Then Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Harran.
11 He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun
had set. He took one of the stones of that place and put it under his head,
and lay down in that place to sleep.
12 He dreamed and saw a ladder set up on the earth with the top of it reaching
to heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 The Lord stood above it and said, "I am the Lord God of Abraham
your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you will
I give it and to your descendants.
14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will
spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south,
and in you and in your descendants all the families of the earth will be
blessed. 15 Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever
you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until
I have done what I promised you."
16 Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely the Lord is in this
place, and I did not know it." 17 He was afraid and said,
"How awesome is this place! This is none other but the house of God,
and this is the gate of heaven."
18 So Jacob rose up early in the morning and took the stone
that he had put under his head, set it up as a pillar, and
poured oil on top of it.
19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but
previously the name of the city was called Luz.
20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me
and will protect me in this way that I go,
and will give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
21 so that I return to my father's house in peace,
then the Lord will be my God.
22 Then this stone, which I have set for a pillar,
will be the house of God, and from all that
You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."
Genesis 28
[1] And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto
him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
[2] Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father;
and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's
brother.
[3] And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee,
that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
[4] And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with
thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which
God gave unto Abraham.
[5] And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of
Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
[6] When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to
Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he
gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of
Canaan;
[7] And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to
Padan-aram;
[8] And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his
father;
[9] Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had
Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to
be his wife.
[10] And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.
[11] And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night,
because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put
them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
[12] And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of
it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending
on it.
[13] And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of
Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to
thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
[14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread
abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and
in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
[15] And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither
thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave
thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
[16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in
this place; and I knew it not.
[17] And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none
other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
[18] And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had
put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top
of it.
[19] And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city
was called Luz at the first.
[20] And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me
in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
[21] So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD
be my God:
[22] And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house:
and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
GENESIS 29
Jacob Meets Rachel
1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came into
the land of the people of the east.
2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep
lying by it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. A large stone
was on the well's opening. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there,
the shepherds rolled the stone from the well's opening, watered the sheep,
then put the stone back on the well's opening in its place.
4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?"
And they said, "We are from Harran."
5 Then he said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?"
And they said, "We know him."
6 He said to them, "s he well?"
And they said, "He is well, and here is Rachel
his daughter coming with the sheep."
7 He said, "Since it is yet midday, it is not the time
that the livestock should be gathered together.
Water the sheep, and go and feed them."
8 They said, "We cannot until all the flocks are gathered
together and the stone is rolled from the well's opening.
Then we may water the sheep."
9 While he was still speaking with them,
Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.
10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother
and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother,
Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's opening
and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11 Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. 12J acob told Rachel
that he was her father's relative and that he was Rebekah's son.
Then she ran and told her father.
13 When Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him
and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house.
Then Jacob told Laban all these things.
14 Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh"
And he stayed with him for a month. 15 Laban said to Jacob,
"Since you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing?
Tell me, what shall your wages be?"
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah,
and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah's eyes were tender,
but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.
18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel
your younger daughter."
19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give
her to another man. Stay with me." 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel,
and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
21Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,
so that I may have relations with her."
22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place and prepared a feast.
23 But in the evening he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob,
and Jacob had relations with her.
24 Laban gave Zilpah his maid to his daughter Leah for a maidservant.
25 In the morning Jacob discovered it was Leah, and he said to Laban,
"What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why then
have you tricked me?"
26 Then Laban said, "It is not the custom in our country to marry off the
younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the period of seven days for this one,
and we will give you the other also
in return for serving me another seven years."
28 Jacob did so and completed her week. Then Laban gave him
Rachel his daughter as his wife also. 29 Laban gave Bilhah his maidservant
to Rachel his daughter to be her maid. 30 So Jacob also had relations with
Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah
and served Laban another seven years.
Jacob's Children
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb,
but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and gave birth to a son,
and she called his name Reuben, for she said,
"Surely the Lord has looked upon my affliction.
Now therefore my husband will love me."
33 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said,
"Because the Lord has heard that I was unloved,
He has therefore given me this son also." Then she called his name Simeon.
34 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said,
"Now this time my husband will be joined to me,
because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi.
35 She conceived again and gave birth to a son, and she said,
"Now I will praise the Lord!" Therefore she called his name Judah.
Then she stopped giving birth.
Genesis 29
[1] Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of
the east.
[2] And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three
flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks:
and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
[3] And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from
the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the
well's mouth in his place.
[4] And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of
Haran are we.
[5] And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We
know him.
[6] And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and,
behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
[7] And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle
should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
[8] And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and
till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
[9] And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep:
for she kept them.
[10] And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his
mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob
went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock
of Laban his mother's brother.
[11] And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
[12] And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was
Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
[13] And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's
son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought
him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
[14] And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he
abode with him the space of a month.
[15] And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou
therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
[16] And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the
name of the younger was Rachel.
[17] Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
[18] And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for
Rachel thy younger daughter.
[19] And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I
should give her to another man: abide with me.
[20] And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a
few days, for the love he had to her.
[21] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,
that I may go in unto her.
[22] And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
[23] And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and
brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
[24] And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
[25] And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he
said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with
thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
[26] And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the
younger before the firstborn.
[27] Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which
thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
[28] And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his
daughter to wife also.
[29] And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her
maid.
[30] And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than
Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
[31] And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but
Rachel was barren.
[32] And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for
she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my
husband will love me.
[33] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD
hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and
she called his name Simeon.
[34] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will
my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore
was his name called Levi.
[35] And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I
praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
(The first 4)
2) Our Daily Bread for 21 January 2024 entitled
Drop by Drop
1 John 4:9-19
9 (Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:10; 5:11) In this way the love of God was revealed to us,
that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through Him.
10 (1Jn 2:2; 1Pe 3:18; 1Jn 3:1) In this is love: not that we loved God, but
that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another.
12 (Jn 1:18; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jn 2:5) No one has seen God at any time. If we love
one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.
13 (1Jn 3:24) We know that we live in Him, and He in us,
because He has given us His Spirit.
14 (Jn 4:42; 1:14) And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son
to be the Saviour of the world.
15 (Ro 10:9; 1Jn 5:5) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,
God lives in him, and he in God.
16 (1Jn 3:24; 3:1) And we have come to know and to believe the love
that God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us, so that we may
have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we
in this world.
18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out
fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect
in love.
19 (1Jn 4:10; Lk 7:47) We love Him because He first loved us.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent
his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth
in us, and his love is perfected in us.
[13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath
given us of his Spirit.
[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world.
[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in
him, and he in God.
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is
love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
[19] We love him, because he first loved us.
"In everything / we look for pleasant ways of serving God," writes
16th-century believer Teresa of Avila. She poignantly reflects on the many ways
we seek to stay in control through easier, more "pleasant" methods than total
surrender to God. We tend to slowly, tentatively, and even reluctantly grow to
trust Him with all of ourselves. And so, Teresa confesses, "even as we measure
out our lives to you / a bit at a time, / we must be content / to receive your
gifts drop by drop, / until we have surrendered our lives wholly to you."
As human beings, trust doesn't come naturally to many of us. So if
experiencing God's grace and love were dependent on our ability to trust
and receive it, we'd be in trouble!
But, as we read in 1 John 4, God's love for us comes first (v. 19). He loved
us long before we could love Him, so much that He was willing to sacrifice His
Son for us. "This is love," John writes in wonder and gratitude (v. 10).
Gradually, gently, little by little, God heals our hearts to receive His love.
Drop by drop, His grace helps us surrender our fears (v. 18). Drop by drop,
His grace reaches our hearts until we find ourselves experiencing showers of
His abundant beauty and love.
By: Monica La Rose
Reflect & Pray
In what ways have you experienced God's grace "drop by drop" in your life?
How has God's love helped you overcome fear in exchange for hope and trust?
Faithful God, thank You for loving me first,
even when my heart was too wounded and hurting to trust You.
Thank You for the many ways You reach me wherever I am.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back
Eph 1:7
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a
struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters
a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come
to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own
instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably
be back again.
In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through
His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."
We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped
his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the
world's system and the Enemy of our souls.
But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable
currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.
He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth
such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls
of the people he created and loved.
Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious
jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have
to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we
had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no
deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.
We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?
b) What does it mean, in practical terms, that God "redeemed" me
from that sin?
4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 8:18
18 But you must remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,
so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,
as it is today.
18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth
thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant
which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
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
21st Day of the Month
a) Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
(
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,
b) Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
8 ) Fast Pray Day 14
Makin Disciples
DEVOTION:
Our central objective as a church is that we have been called to make
disciples who in turn do the same. It is not simply about sharing the
gospel superficially but we must intentionally be investing in the lives of
individuals, equipping them to become faithful followers of Christ, and
empowering them to do the same with others.
This process is transformative and leads to growth, it requires personal
involvement, building relationships, teaching biblicaltruths,
demonstrating Christ-like behaviour, and fostering accountability and
responsibility. Making disciples who make disciples advances God's
Kingdom and continues the spread of the Good News. It is a calling to
invest in the lives of others, pouring into them and challenging them to
do likewise. creating a continuous cycle of disciple-making that extends
far beyond our personal efforts.
REFLECTION:
What is one small step I can take to become a disciple-maker in my
sphere of influence?
PRAYER:
Lord, it is your desire for everyone to know You. Help me to be an
influential disciple for Your kingdom and give me the grace to disciple
others. I pray in Jesus' name that I would be willing and able to be used
by You to help disciple others. Lord, reveal my weaknesses and give me
the strength to grow in these areas to be a better example to those I
disciple. Send me to my community, my city, my country, wherever you
may call me to disciple others. Help me to prepare others to be disciples
that in turn make disciples themselves so that Your church can grow
around the globe. Iask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus,
Amen
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Acts 1:8.
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Matthew 28:19
19 (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 1:8) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
VERSE OF THE DAY
Acts 28:30-31
30 (Ac 27:16) When the sailors strove to abandon ship and lowered the rowboat
into the sea, under the pretext of lowering anchors out of the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these sailors
remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."
[30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had
let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast
anchors out of the foreship,
[31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in
the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Conclusion:
Pray: "Now, Lord, look on their threats
and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness,
by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs
and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be honourable in his eyes.
Pray to the Lord: "Faithful God, thank You for loving me first,
even when my heart was too wounded and hurting to trust You.
Thank You for the many ways You reach me wherever I am."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His redeeming power.
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand His covenant.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the guidance of His Word.
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 leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
Pray that church leaders in Iraq will have opportunities to reach
refugees with the Gospel.
Pray: Lord, it is your desire for everyone to know You. Help me to be an
influential disciple for Your kingdom and give me the grace to disciple
others. I pray in Jesus' name that I would be willing and able to be used
by You to help disciple others. Lord, reveal my weaknesses and give me
the strength to grow in these areas to be a better example to those I
disciple. Send me to my community, my city, my country, wherever you
may call me to disciple others. Help me to prepare others to be disciples
that in turn make disciples themselves so that Your church can grow
around the globe. Iask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus,
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.
Today at
Calvary Community Church , Pastor Barry Regier spoke on
Countering the enemy through Community.
Mark 13
13 (Mt 10:22; Da 12:12) You will be hated by all men for My name's sake.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
[13] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 5
11 (1Pe 4:14; Lk 6:22) "Blessed are you when men revile you,
and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 (Lk 6:23; Ac 5:41; 1Th 2:15) Rejoice and be very glad, because great is
your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for
so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Acts 4:23-31
The Believers Pray for Boldness
Acts 4:23 a
MEV On being released, they went to their own people
KJV And being let go, they went to their own company
A) Through connecting in community
B) Through pursuing unity
Acts 4
23 On being released, they went to their own people and reported
what the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 (Ne 9:6) When they heard this, they lifted their voices in unity to God
and prayed, "Lord, You are God, who has made the heaven and the earth
and the sea and everything in them,"
[23] And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that
the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
[24] And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is:
Ephesians 4:1-4
1 (Eph 3:1; Col 1:10) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to
walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called.
2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love,
3 be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 (Eph 1:18; 2:16) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called
in one hope of your calling,
[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of
your calling;
C) Through Prayer
Acts 4:24
24 (Ne 9:6) When they heard this, they lifted their voices in unity to God
and prayed, "Lord, You are God, who has made the heaven and the earth
and the sea and everything in them,
[24] And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is:
Acts 4:25-28
25 (Ac 1:16) and who by the mouth of Your servant David said:
'Why did the nations rage,
and the people devise vain things?
26 (Lk 4:18; Ac 10:38) The kings of the earth came,
and the rulers were assembled together
against the Lord
and against His Christ.'
27 (Mt 27:2; Ac 4:30) Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were assembled together
against Your holy Son Jesus whom You have anointed,
28 (Ac 2:23; Isa 46:10) to do what Your hand and Your counsel
had foreordained to be done.
[25] Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen
rage, and the people imagine vain things?
[26] The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together
against the Lord, and against his Christ.
[27] For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed,
both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel,
were gathered together,
[28] For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be
done.
Isaiah 55:10-11
10 (Isa 30:23) For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there
but water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Acts 4:29-30
29 (Ac 4:13; 4:31) Now, Lord, look on their threats
and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness,
30 (Ac 4:27; 3:6) by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs
and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus."
[29] And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants,
that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
[30] By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may
be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
James 4:2
2 You lust and do not have, so you kill.
You desire to have and cannot obtain. You fight and war.
Yet you do not have, because you do not ask
[2] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:
ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
D) With the filling of the Holy Spirit
Acts 4:31
31 (Ac 2:2; 2:4) When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and spoke the word of God with boldness.
[31] And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spake the word of God with boldness.
Ephesians 5:18
18 (Pr 20:1; 1Co 5:11; Lk 1:15) Do not be drunk with wine, for that is
reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit.
[18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit;
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Gen 27-29
Genesis 27
Isaac Blesses Jacob
1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could not see,
he called Esau his oldest son and said to him, "My son."
And he answered him, "Here I am."
2 He said, "I am old. I do not know the day of my death.
3 Therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out
to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And prepare for me savory food,
such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless
you before I die."
5 Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son.
So when Esau went to the field to hunt for wild game and bring it back,
6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "I heard your father speak to your brother
Esau, saying, 7 'Bring me wild game, and prepare for me savory food,
that I may eat and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.'
8 Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you.
9 Go now to the flock, and get me two choice young goats,
so that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he loves.
10 Then you will take it to your father, so that he may eat and so that he may
bless you before his death."
11 But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, "Look, my bro her Esau is a hairy
man, and I am a man of smooth skin. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me,
and I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I will bring a curse on myself
and not a blessing."
13 His mother said to him, "Let your curse be upon me, my son.
Only listen to me and go get them for me."
14 He went and got them and brought them to his mother.
Then his mother prepared savory food such as his father loved.
15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes belonging to her older son Esau,
which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
16 Then she put the skins of the young goats on his hands
and on the smooth part of his neck.
17 She put the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared,
into the hands of her son Jacob.
18 He came to his father and said, "My father."
And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?"
19 And Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn.
I have done just as you asked me. Please arise, sit and eat of my wild game,
so that your soul may bless me."
20 Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly,
my son?" And he said, "Because the Lord your God brought it to me."
21 Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, so that I may feel you, my son,
whether you are really my son Esau or not."
22 Jacob went near to his father Isaac, and he felt him and said,
"The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau."
23 He did not recognize him because his hands were hairy,
just like his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him.
24 He asked, "Are you really my son Esau?"
And he said, "I am."
25 He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's wild game,
so that my soul may bless you."
And he brought it near to him, and he ate. He also brought him wine,
and he drank.
26 His father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son."
27 He came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing
and blessed him and said,
"See, the smell of my son
is like the smell of the field
which the Lord has blessed.
28 Therefore, may God give you of the dew of heaven
and the fatness of the earth,
and plenty of grain and new wine.
29 Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be master over your brothers,
and let your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be those who bless you!"
30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had barely gone
out from the presence of his father Isaac, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31 He also had prepared savory food and brought it to his father,
and said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's wild game,
so that your soul may bless me."
32 Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?"
And he said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said,
"Who? Where then is he who hunted game and brought it to me?
I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him.
Yes, and he shall be blessed."
34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great
and exceedingly bitter cry, and said to his father,
"Bless me, even me also, O my father!"
35 He said, "Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing."
36 Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me
these two times. He took away my birthright, and now he has taken away
my blessing." And he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"
37 Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, "I have made him your lord,
and I have given to him all his brothers as servants;
and I have sustained him with grain and new wine.
What can I now do for you, my son?"
38 And Esau said to his father, "Do you have only one blessing, my father?
Bless me, even me also, O my father!" Then Esau lifted up his voice and wept.
39I saac his father answered and said to him,
"Your dwelling shall be
away from the fatness of the earth
and away from the dew of heaven from above.
40 You will live by your sword
and will serve your brother.
When you become restless,
you will break his yoke
from your neck."
Jacob Escapes From Esau
41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father
blessed him. And Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for
my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
42 These words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah;
and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him,
"Your brother Esau consoles himself regarding you by planning to kill you.
43 Now therefore, my son, listen to me and get up and flee to Laban,
my brother in Harran. 44 Stay with him a few days until your brother's fury subsides,
45 until your brother's anger against you turns away, and he forgets
what you have done to him. Then I will send and get you from there.
Why should I lose both of you in one day?"
46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am tired of my life because of
the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife from the daughters
of Heth, such as these who are of the daughters of the land,
what good will my life be to me?"
Genesis 27
[1] And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so
that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My
son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
[2] And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
[3] Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow,
and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
[4] And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may
eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
[5] And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the
field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
[6] And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father
speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
[7] Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless
thee before the LORD before my death.
[8] Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command
thee.
[9] Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the
goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
[10] And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may
bless thee before his death.
[11] And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a
hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
[12] My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a
deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
[13] And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey
my voice, and go fetch me them.
[14] And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his
mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
[15] And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with
her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
[16] And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon
the smooth of his neck:
[17] And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared,
into the hand of her son Jacob.
[18] And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am
I; who art thou, my son?
[19] And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done
according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison,
that thy soul may bless me.
[20] And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so
quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.
[21] And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel
thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
[22] And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said,
The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
[23] And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother
Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
[24] And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
[25] And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison,
that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat:
and he brought him wine, and he drank.
[26] And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
[27] And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his
raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell
of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
[28] Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the
earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
[29] Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy
brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one
that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
[30] And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing
Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his
father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
[31] And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and
said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison,
that thy soul may bless me.
[32] And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy
son, thy firstborn Esau.
[33] And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that
hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou
camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
[34] And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and
exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my
father.
[35] And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy
blessing.
[36] And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me
these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken
away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
[37] And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy
lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn
and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
[38] And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father?
bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
[39] And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling
shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
[40] And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it
shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break
his yoke from off thy neck.
[41] And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father
blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father
are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
[42] And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she
sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy
brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill
thee.
[43] Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my
brother to Haran;
[44] And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
[45] Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which
thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why
should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
[46] And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the
daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as
these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
GENESIS 28
1 Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him. Then he charged him and said
to him, "You must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go
to Paddan Aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take
for yourself a wife from there, from the daughters of Laban your mother's
brother. 3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply
you, so that you may become a multitude of people. 4 May He give you
the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you,
that you may inherit the land where you are a stranger,
which God gave to Abraham."
5 Then Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan Aram to Laban,
the son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's
mother.
6 Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram
to take for himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him
a charge, saying, "You must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,"
7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Paddan Aram.
8 Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please Isaac his father.
9 So Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife Mahalath the daughter
of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, in addition to the wives
he had.
Jacob's Dream at Bethel
10 Then Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Harran.
11 He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun
had set. He took one of the stones of that place and put it under his head,
and lay down in that place to sleep.
12 He dreamed and saw a ladder set up on the earth with the top of it reaching
to heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 The Lord stood above it and said, "I am the Lord God of Abraham
your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you will
I give it and to your descendants.
14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will
spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south,
and in you and in your descendants all the families of the earth will be
blessed. 15 Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever
you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until
I have done what I promised you."
16 Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely the Lord is in this
place, and I did not know it." 17 He was afraid and said,
"How awesome is this place! This is none other but the house of God,
and this is the gate of heaven."
18 So Jacob rose up early in the morning and took the stone
that he had put under his head, set it up as a pillar, and
poured oil on top of it.
19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but
previously the name of the city was called Luz.
20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me
and will protect me in this way that I go,
and will give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
21 so that I return to my father's house in peace,
then the Lord will be my God.
22 Then this stone, which I have set for a pillar,
will be the house of God, and from all that
You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."
Genesis 28
[1] And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto
him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
[2] Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father;
and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's
brother.
[3] And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee,
that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
[4] And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with
thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which
God gave unto Abraham.
[5] And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of
Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
[6] When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to
Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he
gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of
Canaan;
[7] And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to
Padan-aram;
[8] And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his
father;
[9] Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had
Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to
be his wife.
[10] And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.
[11] And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night,
because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put
them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
[12] And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of
it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending
on it.
[13] And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of
Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to
thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
[14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread
abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and
in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
[15] And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither
thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave
thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
[16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in
this place; and I knew it not.
[17] And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none
other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
[18] And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had
put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top
of it.
[19] And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city
was called Luz at the first.
[20] And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me
in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
[21] So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD
be my God:
[22] And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house:
and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
GENESIS 29
Jacob Meets Rachel
1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came into
the land of the people of the east.
2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep
lying by it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. A large stone
was on the well's opening. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there,
the shepherds rolled the stone from the well's opening, watered the sheep,
then put the stone back on the well's opening in its place.
4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?"
And they said, "We are from Harran."
5 Then he said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?"
And they said, "We know him."
6 He said to them, "s he well?"
And they said, "He is well, and here is Rachel
his daughter coming with the sheep."
7 He said, "Since it is yet midday, it is not the time
that the livestock should be gathered together.
Water the sheep, and go and feed them."
8 They said, "We cannot until all the flocks are gathered
together and the stone is rolled from the well's opening.
Then we may water the sheep."
9 While he was still speaking with them,
Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.
10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother
and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother,
Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's opening
and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11 Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. 12J acob told Rachel
that he was her father's relative and that he was Rebekah's son.
Then she ran and told her father.
13 When Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him
and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house.
Then Jacob told Laban all these things.
14 Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh"
And he stayed with him for a month. 15 Laban said to Jacob,
"Since you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing?
Tell me, what shall your wages be?"
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah,
and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah's eyes were tender,
but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.
18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel
your younger daughter."
19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give
her to another man. Stay with me." 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel,
and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
21Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,
so that I may have relations with her."
22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place and prepared a feast.
23 But in the evening he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob,
and Jacob had relations with her.
24 Laban gave Zilpah his maid to his daughter Leah for a maidservant.
25 In the morning Jacob discovered it was Leah, and he said to Laban,
"What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why then
have you tricked me?"
26 Then Laban said, "It is not the custom in our country to marry off the
younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the period of seven days for this one,
and we will give you the other also
in return for serving me another seven years."
28 Jacob did so and completed her week. Then Laban gave him
Rachel his daughter as his wife also. 29 Laban gave Bilhah his maidservant
to Rachel his daughter to be her maid. 30 So Jacob also had relations with
Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah
and served Laban another seven years.
Jacob's Children
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb,
but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived and gave birth to a son,
and she called his name Reuben, for she said,
"Surely the Lord has looked upon my affliction.
Now therefore my husband will love me."
33 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said,
"Because the Lord has heard that I was unloved,
He has therefore given me this son also." Then she called his name Simeon.
34 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and said,
"Now this time my husband will be joined to me,
because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi.
35 She conceived again and gave birth to a son, and she said,
"Now I will praise the Lord!" Therefore she called his name Judah.
Then she stopped giving birth.
Genesis 29
[1] Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of
the east.
[2] And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three
flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks:
and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
[3] And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from
the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the
well's mouth in his place.
[4] And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of
Haran are we.
[5] And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We
know him.
[6] And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and,
behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
[7] And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle
should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
[8] And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and
till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
[9] And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep:
for she kept them.
[10] And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his
mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob
went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock
of Laban his mother's brother.
[11] And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
[12] And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was
Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
[13] And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's
son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought
him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
[14] And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he
abode with him the space of a month.
[15] And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou
therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
[16] And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the
name of the younger was Rachel.
[17] Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
[18] And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for
Rachel thy younger daughter.
[19] And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I
should give her to another man: abide with me.
[20] And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a
few days, for the love he had to her.
[21] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,
that I may go in unto her.
[22] And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
[23] And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and
brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
[24] And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
[25] And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he
said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with
thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
[26] And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the
younger before the firstborn.
[27] Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which
thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
[28] And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his
daughter to wife also.
[29] And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her
maid.
[30] And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than
Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
[31] And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but
Rachel was barren.
[32] And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for
she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my
husband will love me.
[33] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD
hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and
she called his name Simeon.
[34] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will
my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore
was his name called Levi.
[35] And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I
praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
(The first 4)
2) Our Daily Bread for 21 January 2024 entitled
Drop by Drop
1 John 4:9-19
9 (Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:10; 5:11) In this way the love of God was revealed to us,
that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through Him.
10 (1Jn 2:2; 1Pe 3:18; 1Jn 3:1) In this is love: not that we loved God, but
that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another.
12 (Jn 1:18; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jn 2:5) No one has seen God at any time. If we love
one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.
13 (1Jn 3:24) We know that we live in Him, and He in us,
because He has given us His Spirit.
14 (Jn 4:42; 1:14) And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son
to be the Saviour of the world.
15 (Ro 10:9; 1Jn 5:5) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,
God lives in him, and he in God.
16 (1Jn 3:24; 3:1) And we have come to know and to believe the love
that God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us, so that we may
have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we
in this world.
18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out
fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect
in love.
19 (1Jn 4:10; Lk 7:47) We love Him because He first loved us.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent
his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth
in us, and his love is perfected in us.
[13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath
given us of his Spirit.
[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world.
[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in
him, and he in God.
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is
love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
[19] We love him, because he first loved us.
"In everything / we look for pleasant ways of serving God," writes
16th-century believer Teresa of Avila. She poignantly reflects on the many ways
we seek to stay in control through easier, more "pleasant" methods than total
surrender to God. We tend to slowly, tentatively, and even reluctantly grow to
trust Him with all of ourselves. And so, Teresa confesses, "even as we measure
out our lives to you / a bit at a time, / we must be content / to receive your
gifts drop by drop, / until we have surrendered our lives wholly to you."
As human beings, trust doesn't come naturally to many of us. So if
experiencing God's grace and love were dependent on our ability to trust
and receive it, we'd be in trouble!
But, as we read in 1 John 4, God's love for us comes first (v. 19). He loved
us long before we could love Him, so much that He was willing to sacrifice His
Son for us. "This is love," John writes in wonder and gratitude (v. 10).
Gradually, gently, little by little, God heals our hearts to receive His love.
Drop by drop, His grace helps us surrender our fears (v. 18). Drop by drop,
His grace reaches our hearts until we find ourselves experiencing showers of
His abundant beauty and love.
By: Monica La Rose
Reflect & Pray
In what ways have you experienced God's grace "drop by drop" in your life?
How has God's love helped you overcome fear in exchange for hope and trust?
Faithful God, thank You for loving me first,
even when my heart was too wounded and hurting to trust You.
Thank You for the many ways You reach me wherever I am.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back
Eph 1:7
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a
struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters
a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come
to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own
instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably
be back again.
In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through
His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."
We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped
his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the
world's system and the Enemy of our souls.
But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable
currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.
He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth
such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls
of the people he created and loved.
Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious
jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have
to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we
had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no
deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.
We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?
b) What does it mean, in practical terms, that God "redeemed" me
from that sin?
4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 8:18
18 But you must remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,
so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,
as it is today.
18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth
thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant
which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
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
21st Day of the Month
a) Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
(
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,
b) Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
8 ) Fast Pray Day 14
Makin Disciples
DEVOTION:
Our central objective as a church is that we have been called to make
disciples who in turn do the same. It is not simply about sharing the
gospel superficially but we must intentionally be investing in the lives of
individuals, equipping them to become faithful followers of Christ, and
empowering them to do the same with others.
This process is transformative and leads to growth, it requires personal
involvement, building relationships, teaching biblicaltruths,
demonstrating Christ-like behaviour, and fostering accountability and
responsibility. Making disciples who make disciples advances God's
Kingdom and continues the spread of the Good News. It is a calling to
invest in the lives of others, pouring into them and challenging them to
do likewise. creating a continuous cycle of disciple-making that extends
far beyond our personal efforts.
REFLECTION:
What is one small step I can take to become a disciple-maker in my
sphere of influence?
PRAYER:
Lord, it is your desire for everyone to know You. Help me to be an
influential disciple for Your kingdom and give me the grace to disciple
others. I pray in Jesus' name that I would be willing and able to be used
by You to help disciple others. Lord, reveal my weaknesses and give me
the strength to grow in these areas to be a better example to those I
disciple. Send me to my community, my city, my country, wherever you
may call me to disciple others. Help me to prepare others to be disciples
that in turn make disciples themselves so that Your church can grow
around the globe. Iask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus,
Amen
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Acts 1:8.
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Matthew 28:19
19 (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 1:8) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
VERSE OF THE DAY
Acts 28:30-31
30 (Ac 27:16) When the sailors strove to abandon ship and lowered the rowboat
into the sea, under the pretext of lowering anchors out of the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these sailors
remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."
[30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had
let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast
anchors out of the foreship,
[31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in
the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Conclusion:
Pray: "Now, Lord, look on their threats
and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness,
by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs
and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be honourable in his eyes.
Pray to the Lord: "Faithful God, thank You for loving me first,
even when my heart was too wounded and hurting to trust You.
Thank You for the many ways You reach me wherever I am."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His redeeming power.
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand His covenant.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the guidance of His Word.
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 leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
Pray that church leaders in Iraq will have opportunities to reach
refugees with the Gospel.
Pray: Lord, it is your desire for everyone to know You. Help me to be an
influential disciple for Your kingdom and give me the grace to disciple
others. I pray in Jesus' name that I would be willing and able to be used
by You to help disciple others. Lord, reveal my weaknesses and give me
the strength to grow in these areas to be a better example to those I
disciple. Send me to my community, my city, my country, wherever you
may call me to disciple others. Help me to prepare others to be disciples
that in turn make disciples themselves so that Your church can grow
around the globe. Iask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus,
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.