Day 23 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 23 January 2024 reflections
Day 23, 23 January 2024
1)Gen 32 - 34
GENESIS 32
Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau
1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." So he called the name
of that place Mahanaim.
3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir,
the country of Edom.
4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must
say to my lord Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says, 'I have sojourned
with Laban and stayed there until now.
5 I have oxen and donkeys, flocks,
and male servants and female servants, and I am sending this message
to tell my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.' "
6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We went to your brother Esau.
He is coming to meet you, and what is more, four hundred men are with him."
7 Then Jacob was very afraid and distressed, and he divided the people
that were with him, along with the flocks and herds and the camels,
nto two groups.
8 He said, "If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it,
then the other camp which is left may escape."
9 And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God
of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, 'Return to your country
and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,'
10 I am not worthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness
which You have shown to Your servant. For with my staff I crossed over this
Jordan, and now I have become two encampments.
11 Deliver me, I pray,
from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau. For I fear him,
that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
12 You said, 'I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand
of the sea, which is too many to be counted.' "
13 So he spent the night there. Then he selected from what he had with him
a gift for his brother Esau:
14 two hundred female goats and twenty male
goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
15 thirty female camels
with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys
and ten male donkeys.
16 He gave them to his servants, every drove by itself,
and said to his servants, "Pass over before me,
and keep a distance between each drove."
17 He commanded the one leading, saying, "When my brother Esau meets you
and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going,
and to whom do these animals belong?'
18 then you are to say,
'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau,
and he is also behind us.' "
19 Likewise he commanded the second and the third and all that
followed the droves, saying, "This is what you are to say to Esau
when you find him.
20 Moreover, say, 'Your servant Jacob is behind us.' "
For he said, "I will appease him with the gift that goes before me,
and then I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."
21 So the gift went before him, but he lodged that night in the encampment.
[1] And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
[2] And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the
name of that place Mahanaim.
[3] And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land
of Seir, the country of Edom.
[4] And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau;
Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there
until now:
[5] And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants:
and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
[6] And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother
Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
[7] Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people
that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two
bands;
[8] And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other
company which is left shall escape.
[9] And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac,
the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred,
and I will deal well with thee:
[10] I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth,
which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
[11] Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of
Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with
the children.
[12] And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the
sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
[13] And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his
hand a present for Esau his brother;
[14] Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and
twenty rams,
[15] Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty
she asses, and ten foals.
[16] And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by
themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space
betwixt drove and drove.
[17] And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth
thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and
whose are these before thee?
[18] Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent
unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
[19] And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed
the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find
him.
[20] And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he
said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and
afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
[21] So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in
the company.
Jacob Wrestles With God
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants,
and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok.
23 He took them and sent them across the stream along with all that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him there until daybreak.
25 When the man saw that He did not prevail against Jacob,
He touched the socket of his thigh, so the socket of Jacob's thigh
was dislocated, as he wrestled with Him.
26 Then He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But Jacob said, "I will not let You go, unless You bless me."
27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel.
For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29 Then Jacob asked Him, "Tell me, I pray You, Your name."
But He said, "Why do you ask Me My name?" Then He blessed him there.
30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying,
"I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved."
31 As he crossed over Peniel, the sun rose over him,
and he was limping on his thigh.
32 Therefore to this day the children
of Israel do not eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the thigh,
because He touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.
[22] And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two
womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
[23] And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he
had.
[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the
breaking of the day.
[25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the
hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he
wrestled with him.
[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not
let thee go, except thou bless me.
[27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
[28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as
a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he
said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him
there.
[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face
to face, and my life is preserved.
[31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon
his thigh.
[32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank,
which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the
hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
GENESIS 33
Jacob Meets Esau
1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming and four hundred men with him.
So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.
2 He put the female servants and their children in front, then Leah
and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph last.
3 He went on before them,
bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck
and kissed him, and they wept. 5 When Esau looked up and saw
the women and the children, he said, "Who are those with you?"
Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
6 Then the female servants came near, they and their children,
and they bowed down.
7 Leah also with her children came near
and bowed themselves. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near,
and they bowed themselves.
8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company that I met?"
Jacob answered, "These are to find favour in the sight of my lord."
9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
10 Jacob said, "No, I pray you, if I have now found favuor in your sight,
then receive my gift from my hand. For I have seen your face,
and it is as though I have seen the face of God, with you having received me
favorably.
11 Please take my blessing that has been brought to you,
because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty."
So he urged him, and he took it.
12 Then Esau said, "Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you."
13 But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are weak,
and the flocks and herds with young are with me. If they are driven
too hard one day, all the flock will die.
14 Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on slowly,
according to the pace of the livestock that goes before me and the pace
the children will be able to endure, until I come to my lord at Seir."
15 So Esau said, "Let me leave some of the people that are with me with you."
But Jacob said, "What need is there?
Let me find favour in the sight of my lord."
16 So Esau returned that day making his way back to Seir.
17 But Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth and built himself a house a
nd made booths for his livestock.
Therefore the name of the place is called Sukkoth.
18 Jacob came peacefully to the city of Shechem,
which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan Aram,
and camped before the city.
19 He bought a parcel of a field,
where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father,
for a hundred pieces of silver.
20 He erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 33
[1] And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and
with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto
Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
[2] And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her
children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
[3] And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven
times, until he came near to his brother.
[4] And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and
kissed him: and they wept.
[5] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said,
Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously
given thy servant.
[6] Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed
themselves.
[7] And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and
after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
[8] And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he
said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
[9] And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto
thyself.
[10] And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy
sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy
face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
[11] Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God
hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him,
and he took it.
[12] And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go
before thee.
[13] And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and
the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive
them one day, all the flock will die.
[14] Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead
on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be
able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
[15] And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are
with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my
lord.
[16] So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
[17] And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths
for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
[18] And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of
Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.
[19] And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of
money.
[20] And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
GENESIS 34
Dinah Is Defiled
1 Now Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see
the daughters of the land.
2 When Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite,
prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and defiled her.
3 He was very smitten by Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl
and spoke kindly to her.
4 Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get me this girl for my wife."
5 Now Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah,
but his sons were with his livestock in the field,
so Jacob held his peace until they came.
6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to commune with him.
7 The sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it,
and the men were grieved and were very disturbed,
because Shechem had disgraced Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter,
a thing that should not be done.
8 Hamor spoke with them, saying, "The soul of my son Shechem longs for
your daughter. I pray that you will give her to him to marry.
9 Make marriages with us, and give your daughters to us,
and take our daughters for yourselves.
10 You may dwell with us, and the land will be before you.
Dwell and trade in it and get possessions in it."
11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers,
"Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.
12 You can make the dowry and gift I must bring high, and I will give
according to what you say to me. Just give me the girl to marry."
13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully,
because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
14 They said to them, "We cannot do this.
To give our sister to one who is uncircumcised would be a disgrace to us.
15 But we will consent to you in this: If you will become as we are,
that is, every one of your males be circumcised,
16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
17 But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then
we will take our daughter, and we will leave."
18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.
19 The young man did not delay to do the thing,
because he wanted Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected
than all the household of his father.
20 So Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city,
and they spoke with the men of their city, saying,
21 "These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land
and trade in it. For the land is large enough for them. Let us take their
daughters as our wives, and let us give them our daughters.
22 Only on this
condition will the men consent to dwell with us and be one people: if every
male among us will be circumcised as they are circumcised.
23 Will not their
livestock and their possessions and every animal of theirs be ours? Only,
let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us."
24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and Shechem
his son, and every male was circumcised,
all who went out of the gate of his city.
25 On the third day, when they were in pain, two of Jacob's sons,
Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords
and went to the unsuspecting city and killed all the males.
26 They killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge
of the sword and took Dinah out of the house of Shechem and departed.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and looted the city,
because they had defiled their sister.
28 They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys
and whatever was in the city and in the fields.
29 They took captive and looted all their wealth, all their little ones,
and their wives, even all that was in each house.
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me
by making me revolting among the inhabitants of the land,
among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. Our being few in number,
they will gather themselves together against me and slay me,
and I will be destroyed, both I and my household."
31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?"
Genesis 34
[1] And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to
see the daughters of the land.
[2] And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw
her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
[3] And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the
damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
[4] And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to
wife.
[5] And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons
were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were
come.
[6] And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.
[7] And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the
men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in
Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
[8] And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth
for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
[9] And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take
our daughters unto you.
[10] And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and
trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.
[11] And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find
grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.
[12] Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye
shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
[13] And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father
deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
[14] And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to
one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
[15] But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that
every male of you be circumcised;
[16] Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
[17] But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we
take our daughter, and we will be gone.
[18] And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
[19] And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight
in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his
father.
[20] And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and
communed with the men of their city, saying,
[21] These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land,
and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us
take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
[22] Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be
one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.
[23] Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be
ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
[24] And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of
the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of
the gate of his city.
[25] And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of
the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his
sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
[26] And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and
took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
[27] The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because
they had defiled their sister.
[28] They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which
was in the city, and that which was in the field,
[29] And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took
they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
[30] And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to
stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the
Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together
against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
[31] And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
(Honour killings for us)
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 January 2024 titled
Scraps to Beauty
Micah 4:1-5
The Mountain of the Lord
Isa 2:1-4
1 (Ps 22:27; 86:9) Then it will be that in the latter days,
the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established
as head of the mountains,
and will be lifted up above the hills;
and people will stream to it.
2 (Ps 25:8-9; Isa 54:13) And many nations will come and say,
"Come, that we might go up to the mountain of the Lord,
and to the house of the God of Jacob,
that He might teach us His ways,
and that we might walk in His paths."
For from Zion will go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3 (Isa 2:4) Then He will judge between many peoples
and mediate for mighty nations far and wide;
they will beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
and they will no longer train for war.
4 (1Ki 4:25; Isa 1:20) Then each man will sit under his vine
and under his fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.
5 (Zec 10:12; 2Ki 17:29) For all the peoples may walk,
each in the name of his God,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord
our God forever and ever.
[1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the
house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it
shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
[2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go
forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
[3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar
off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more.
[4] But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and
none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken
it.
[5] For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will
walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
My wife, Miska, has a necklace and hoop earrings from Ethiopia. Their elegant
simplicity reveals genuine artistry. What's most astounding about these
pieces, however, is their story. Due to decades of fierce conflict and a civil
war that rages on, Ethiopia's geography is littered with spent artillery
shells and cartridges. As an act of hope, Ethiopians scour the torched earth,
cleaning up the scraps. And artisans craft jewelry out of what remains of the
shells and cartridges.
When I heard this story, I heard echoes of Micah boldly declaring God's
promise. One day, the prophet announced, the people would "beat their swords
into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks" (4:3). Tools meant to
kill and maim would, because of God's powerful action, be transformed into
tools meant to nurture life. In God's coming day, the prophet insisted,
"nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more" (v. 3).
Micah's pronouncement was no harder to imagine in his day than ours. Like
Israel of old, we face violence and war, and it seems impossible that the
world could ever change. But God promises us that by His mercy and healing,
this astounding day is coming. The thing for us, then, is to begin to live
this truth now. God helps us to take on His work even now, turning scraps
into beautiful things.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
Where have you seen evil transformed by God's love?
How can you turn scraps into beauty?
Dear God, please change our world.
Work through me to bring beauty here.
Learn how to trust God when the world is mess.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 3 - Inseparable From God's Love
Romans 8:38-39
38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come,
39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Separation is a fact of human life. Relationships disintegrate,
children grow up, loved ones die, husbands and wives divorce,
friends changes and drift apart. We may resist change and separation,
but we must deal with them nevertheless.
Separation sometimes is a natural result of growth and development;
sometimes it is a violent, cataclysmic shaking of an individual's life.
2 lifelong friends go separate ways to college or into future careers;
a church splits over doctrinal differences; a wife finds out a hidden
secret in her husband's past.
But with God, there is no separation, no death, no breaking of vows,
no growing beyond the relationship. Nothing, says Paul, can separate
us from the love of God. A skeleton in my closet, once revealed, may
cost me the trust of those I thought were my friends. But God knows
all my past, all my sin; he forgives, and it cannot separate me from him.
My present personal struggles may cause trouble in my job and result in
the loss of that income, but God understands what I'm going through,
and even when I'm angry at him, he can take it without drawing away
or striking back. My present problems cannot separate me from the Lord.
And God knows, too, the plan he has established for my future. I cannot
walk away from him, grow beyond my need for him, or outrun him into
tomorrow.
She may separate me from my awareness of God's presence in my life,
but it cannot set me beyond his reach. There is no power that is greater
than God's love, and no place I can go that will separate me
from that love.
Application
a) Have I ever felt separated from the love of God? Under what circumstances?
b) How can today's verse free me from anxiety about the past,
the present or the future?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 30:19-20
19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him,
for He is your life and the length of your days;
and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord
swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 that thou mayest love the LORD thy God,
and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:
for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:
that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD
sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Ps 103:1-14
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment
For all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses,
His acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide:
Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children,
So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame;
He remembereth that we are dust.
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
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and Pray to seek Him in all decisions.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please change our world.
Work through me to bring beauty here."
Pray to the Lord and pray to God the Love God and how He will
separate from us.
Pray to the Lord and pray to chooser life and honour His covenant.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as forgiveness.
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 genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
There are very few known Christians in the Maldives. Pray the more Maldivians
will come to know the Lord.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
1)Gen 32 - 34
GENESIS 32
Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau
1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." So he called the name
of that place Mahanaim.
3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir,
the country of Edom.
4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must
say to my lord Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says, 'I have sojourned
with Laban and stayed there until now.
5 I have oxen and donkeys, flocks,
and male servants and female servants, and I am sending this message
to tell my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.' "
6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We went to your brother Esau.
He is coming to meet you, and what is more, four hundred men are with him."
7 Then Jacob was very afraid and distressed, and he divided the people
that were with him, along with the flocks and herds and the camels,
nto two groups.
8 He said, "If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it,
then the other camp which is left may escape."
9 And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God
of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, 'Return to your country
and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,'
10 I am not worthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness
which You have shown to Your servant. For with my staff I crossed over this
Jordan, and now I have become two encampments.
11 Deliver me, I pray,
from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau. For I fear him,
that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
12 You said, 'I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand
of the sea, which is too many to be counted.' "
13 So he spent the night there. Then he selected from what he had with him
a gift for his brother Esau:
14 two hundred female goats and twenty male
goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
15 thirty female camels
with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys
and ten male donkeys.
16 He gave them to his servants, every drove by itself,
and said to his servants, "Pass over before me,
and keep a distance between each drove."
17 He commanded the one leading, saying, "When my brother Esau meets you
and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going,
and to whom do these animals belong?'
18 then you are to say,
'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau,
and he is also behind us.' "
19 Likewise he commanded the second and the third and all that
followed the droves, saying, "This is what you are to say to Esau
when you find him.
20 Moreover, say, 'Your servant Jacob is behind us.' "
For he said, "I will appease him with the gift that goes before me,
and then I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."
21 So the gift went before him, but he lodged that night in the encampment.
[1] And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
[2] And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the
name of that place Mahanaim.
[3] And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land
of Seir, the country of Edom.
[4] And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau;
Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there
until now:
[5] And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants:
and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
[6] And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother
Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
[7] Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people
that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two
bands;
[8] And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other
company which is left shall escape.
[9] And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac,
the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred,
and I will deal well with thee:
[10] I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth,
which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
[11] Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of
Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with
the children.
[12] And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the
sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
[13] And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his
hand a present for Esau his brother;
[14] Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and
twenty rams,
[15] Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty
she asses, and ten foals.
[16] And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by
themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space
betwixt drove and drove.
[17] And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth
thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and
whose are these before thee?
[18] Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent
unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
[19] And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed
the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find
him.
[20] And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he
said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and
afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
[21] So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in
the company.
Jacob Wrestles With God
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants,
and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok.
23 He took them and sent them across the stream along with all that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him there until daybreak.
25 When the man saw that He did not prevail against Jacob,
He touched the socket of his thigh, so the socket of Jacob's thigh
was dislocated, as he wrestled with Him.
26 Then He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But Jacob said, "I will not let You go, unless You bless me."
27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel.
For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29 Then Jacob asked Him, "Tell me, I pray You, Your name."
But He said, "Why do you ask Me My name?" Then He blessed him there.
30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying,
"I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved."
31 As he crossed over Peniel, the sun rose over him,
and he was limping on his thigh.
32 Therefore to this day the children
of Israel do not eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the thigh,
because He touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.
[22] And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two
womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
[23] And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he
had.
[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the
breaking of the day.
[25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the
hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he
wrestled with him.
[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not
let thee go, except thou bless me.
[27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
[28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as
a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he
said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him
there.
[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face
to face, and my life is preserved.
[31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon
his thigh.
[32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank,
which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the
hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
GENESIS 33
Jacob Meets Esau
1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming and four hundred men with him.
So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.
2 He put the female servants and their children in front, then Leah
and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph last.
3 He went on before them,
bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck
and kissed him, and they wept. 5 When Esau looked up and saw
the women and the children, he said, "Who are those with you?"
Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
6 Then the female servants came near, they and their children,
and they bowed down.
7 Leah also with her children came near
and bowed themselves. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near,
and they bowed themselves.
8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company that I met?"
Jacob answered, "These are to find favour in the sight of my lord."
9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
10 Jacob said, "No, I pray you, if I have now found favuor in your sight,
then receive my gift from my hand. For I have seen your face,
and it is as though I have seen the face of God, with you having received me
favorably.
11 Please take my blessing that has been brought to you,
because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty."
So he urged him, and he took it.
12 Then Esau said, "Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you."
13 But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are weak,
and the flocks and herds with young are with me. If they are driven
too hard one day, all the flock will die.
14 Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on slowly,
according to the pace of the livestock that goes before me and the pace
the children will be able to endure, until I come to my lord at Seir."
15 So Esau said, "Let me leave some of the people that are with me with you."
But Jacob said, "What need is there?
Let me find favour in the sight of my lord."
16 So Esau returned that day making his way back to Seir.
17 But Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth and built himself a house a
nd made booths for his livestock.
Therefore the name of the place is called Sukkoth.
18 Jacob came peacefully to the city of Shechem,
which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan Aram,
and camped before the city.
19 He bought a parcel of a field,
where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father,
for a hundred pieces of silver.
20 He erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 33
[1] And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and
with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto
Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
[2] And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her
children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
[3] And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven
times, until he came near to his brother.
[4] And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and
kissed him: and they wept.
[5] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said,
Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously
given thy servant.
[6] Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed
themselves.
[7] And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and
after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
[8] And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he
said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
[9] And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto
thyself.
[10] And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy
sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy
face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
[11] Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God
hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him,
and he took it.
[12] And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go
before thee.
[13] And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and
the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive
them one day, all the flock will die.
[14] Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead
on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be
able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
[15] And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are
with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my
lord.
[16] So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
[17] And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths
for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
[18] And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of
Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.
[19] And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of
money.
[20] And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
GENESIS 34
Dinah Is Defiled
1 Now Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see
the daughters of the land.
2 When Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite,
prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and defiled her.
3 He was very smitten by Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl
and spoke kindly to her.
4 Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get me this girl for my wife."
5 Now Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah,
but his sons were with his livestock in the field,
so Jacob held his peace until they came.
6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to commune with him.
7 The sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it,
and the men were grieved and were very disturbed,
because Shechem had disgraced Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter,
a thing that should not be done.
8 Hamor spoke with them, saying, "The soul of my son Shechem longs for
your daughter. I pray that you will give her to him to marry.
9 Make marriages with us, and give your daughters to us,
and take our daughters for yourselves.
10 You may dwell with us, and the land will be before you.
Dwell and trade in it and get possessions in it."
11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers,
"Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.
12 You can make the dowry and gift I must bring high, and I will give
according to what you say to me. Just give me the girl to marry."
13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully,
because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
14 They said to them, "We cannot do this.
To give our sister to one who is uncircumcised would be a disgrace to us.
15 But we will consent to you in this: If you will become as we are,
that is, every one of your males be circumcised,
16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
17 But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then
we will take our daughter, and we will leave."
18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.
19 The young man did not delay to do the thing,
because he wanted Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected
than all the household of his father.
20 So Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city,
and they spoke with the men of their city, saying,
21 "These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land
and trade in it. For the land is large enough for them. Let us take their
daughters as our wives, and let us give them our daughters.
22 Only on this
condition will the men consent to dwell with us and be one people: if every
male among us will be circumcised as they are circumcised.
23 Will not their
livestock and their possessions and every animal of theirs be ours? Only,
let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us."
24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and Shechem
his son, and every male was circumcised,
all who went out of the gate of his city.
25 On the third day, when they were in pain, two of Jacob's sons,
Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords
and went to the unsuspecting city and killed all the males.
26 They killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge
of the sword and took Dinah out of the house of Shechem and departed.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and looted the city,
because they had defiled their sister.
28 They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys
and whatever was in the city and in the fields.
29 They took captive and looted all their wealth, all their little ones,
and their wives, even all that was in each house.
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me
by making me revolting among the inhabitants of the land,
among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. Our being few in number,
they will gather themselves together against me and slay me,
and I will be destroyed, both I and my household."
31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?"
Genesis 34
[1] And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to
see the daughters of the land.
[2] And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw
her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
[3] And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the
damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
[4] And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to
wife.
[5] And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons
were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were
come.
[6] And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.
[7] And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the
men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in
Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
[8] And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth
for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
[9] And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take
our daughters unto you.
[10] And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and
trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.
[11] And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find
grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.
[12] Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye
shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
[13] And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father
deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
[14] And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to
one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
[15] But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that
every male of you be circumcised;
[16] Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your
daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
[17] But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we
take our daughter, and we will be gone.
[18] And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
[19] And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight
in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his
father.
[20] And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and
communed with the men of their city, saying,
[21] These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land,
and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us
take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
[22] Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be
one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.
[23] Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be
ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
[24] And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of
the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of
the gate of his city.
[25] And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of
the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his
sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
[26] And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and
took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
[27] The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because
they had defiled their sister.
[28] They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which
was in the city, and that which was in the field,
[29] And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took
they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
[30] And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to
stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the
Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together
against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
[31] And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
(Honour killings for us)
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 January 2024 titled
Scraps to Beauty
Micah 4:1-5
The Mountain of the Lord
Isa 2:1-4
1 (Ps 22:27; 86:9) Then it will be that in the latter days,
the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established
as head of the mountains,
and will be lifted up above the hills;
and people will stream to it.
2 (Ps 25:8-9; Isa 54:13) And many nations will come and say,
"Come, that we might go up to the mountain of the Lord,
and to the house of the God of Jacob,
that He might teach us His ways,
and that we might walk in His paths."
For from Zion will go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3 (Isa 2:4) Then He will judge between many peoples
and mediate for mighty nations far and wide;
they will beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
and they will no longer train for war.
4 (1Ki 4:25; Isa 1:20) Then each man will sit under his vine
and under his fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.
5 (Zec 10:12; 2Ki 17:29) For all the peoples may walk,
each in the name of his God,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord
our God forever and ever.
[1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the
house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it
shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
[2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go
forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
[3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar
off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more.
[4] But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and
none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken
it.
[5] For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will
walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
My wife, Miska, has a necklace and hoop earrings from Ethiopia. Their elegant
simplicity reveals genuine artistry. What's most astounding about these
pieces, however, is their story. Due to decades of fierce conflict and a civil
war that rages on, Ethiopia's geography is littered with spent artillery
shells and cartridges. As an act of hope, Ethiopians scour the torched earth,
cleaning up the scraps. And artisans craft jewelry out of what remains of the
shells and cartridges.
When I heard this story, I heard echoes of Micah boldly declaring God's
promise. One day, the prophet announced, the people would "beat their swords
into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks" (4:3). Tools meant to
kill and maim would, because of God's powerful action, be transformed into
tools meant to nurture life. In God's coming day, the prophet insisted,
"nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more" (v. 3).
Micah's pronouncement was no harder to imagine in his day than ours. Like
Israel of old, we face violence and war, and it seems impossible that the
world could ever change. But God promises us that by His mercy and healing,
this astounding day is coming. The thing for us, then, is to begin to live
this truth now. God helps us to take on His work even now, turning scraps
into beautiful things.
By: Winn Collier
Reflect & Pray
Where have you seen evil transformed by God's love?
How can you turn scraps into beauty?
Dear God, please change our world.
Work through me to bring beauty here.
Learn how to trust God when the world is mess.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 3 - Inseparable From God's Love
Romans 8:38-39
38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come,
39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Separation is a fact of human life. Relationships disintegrate,
children grow up, loved ones die, husbands and wives divorce,
friends changes and drift apart. We may resist change and separation,
but we must deal with them nevertheless.
Separation sometimes is a natural result of growth and development;
sometimes it is a violent, cataclysmic shaking of an individual's life.
2 lifelong friends go separate ways to college or into future careers;
a church splits over doctrinal differences; a wife finds out a hidden
secret in her husband's past.
But with God, there is no separation, no death, no breaking of vows,
no growing beyond the relationship. Nothing, says Paul, can separate
us from the love of God. A skeleton in my closet, once revealed, may
cost me the trust of those I thought were my friends. But God knows
all my past, all my sin; he forgives, and it cannot separate me from him.
My present personal struggles may cause trouble in my job and result in
the loss of that income, but God understands what I'm going through,
and even when I'm angry at him, he can take it without drawing away
or striking back. My present problems cannot separate me from the Lord.
And God knows, too, the plan he has established for my future. I cannot
walk away from him, grow beyond my need for him, or outrun him into
tomorrow.
She may separate me from my awareness of God's presence in my life,
but it cannot set me beyond his reach. There is no power that is greater
than God's love, and no place I can go that will separate me
from that love.
Application
a) Have I ever felt separated from the love of God? Under what circumstances?
b) How can today's verse free me from anxiety about the past,
the present or the future?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 30:19-20
19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him,
for He is your life and the length of your days;
and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord
swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 that thou mayest love the LORD thy God,
and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:
for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:
that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD
sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Ps 103:1-14
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment
For all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses,
His acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide:
Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children,
So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame;
He remembereth that we are dust.
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
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and Pray to seek Him in all decisions.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please change our world.
Work through me to bring beauty here."
Pray to the Lord and pray to God the Love God and how He will
separate from us.
Pray to the Lord and pray to chooser life and honour His covenant.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as forgiveness.
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 genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
There are very few known Christians in the Maldives. Pray the more Maldivians
will come to know the Lord.
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