Day 91 - 1 Apri 2021 reflections
Day 91, 1 Apr 2021
Judges 6-7
Judges 6
Gideon
1 The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord,
so the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian for seven years.
2 The hands of Midian dominated Israel, and because of Midian
the children of Israel made hiding places for themselves in the mountains,
caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever Israel would plant crops, the Midianites,
Amalekites, and the people from the east would come up against them.
4 Then they would make camp by them and ruin crops of the land all the way
to Gaza. They did not leave any provisions behind in Israel-neither sheep,
nor cattle, nor donkeys.
5 For they came with their livestock and tents like a swarm of locusts.
They and their camels were too numerous to count, and they came into
the land to destroy it.
6 Israel was made weak before Midian and cried out to the Lord.
7 When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of Midian,
8 the Lord sent them a prophet who said, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
I brought you up from Egypt and out of that place of slavery.
9 I delivered you from the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors.
I drove them out from before you and gave you their land.
10 I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God. Do not worship the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living.' But you have disobeyed Me."
11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak tree in Ophrah
belonging to Joash the Abiezrite. Gideon his son was threshing wheat
in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him,
"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor."
13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us,
then why has all this happened to us? Where are all His miracles
that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Did not the Lord bring
us out of Egypt?' Yet now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered
us into the hands of the Midianites."
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours.
Save Israel from the control of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
15 And he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?
Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest
in my father's house."
16 Then the Lord said to him, "But I will be with you, and you will strike
the Midianites as one man."
17 And he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight,
give me a sign that it is You who are speaking with me.
18 Please do not depart from here until I come to You
and bring out my gift and set it before You."
And He said, "I will stay until you return."
19 So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread
from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket, and he put
the broth in a pot, and brought them out and offered them to Him
under the oak.
20 And the angel of God said to him,"Take the meat and the unleavened bread,
lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And so he did.
21 The angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was
in His hand and touched the meat and unleavened flatbread.
Fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread.
Then the angel of the Lord departed from his sight.
22 Then Gideon perceived that it was indeed the angel of the Lord.
So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord God! I have seen
the angel of the Lord face to face."
23 Then the Lord said to him, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.
You will not die."
24 Then Gideon built an altar for the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace.
Even to this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 That night the Lord said to him, "Take a bull from your father's herd
and a second bull seven years old. Tear down your father's Baal altar
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.
26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this stronghold
in an orderly way. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering
with the wood of the Asherah pole that you will cut down."
27 So Gideon took ten men from among his slaves
and did as the Lord had told him, but because he was too afraid of the rest
of his father's household and the men of the city to do it by day,
he did it at night.
28 When the men of the city got up early in the morning,
the altar of Baal was torn down, the Asherah pole beside it was cut down,
and the second bull had been offered on the new altar that had been built.
29 They said to each other, "Who has done this?"
When they had inquired and asked, they responded,
"Gideon son of Joash has done this."
30 Then the men of the city said to Joash,
"Bring out your son so that he may die, for he tore down the altar of Baal
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."
31 Joash then said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal?
Would you save him? Whoever fights for him will be killed by morning.
If Baal is a god, let him fight for himself,
for someone has torn down his altar."
32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerub-Baal, saying,
"Let Baal fight him, for he tore down the altar of Baal."
33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east gathered
together, and they crossed over, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
34 The Spirit of the Lord enveloped Gideon. He blew a ram's horn trumpet,
and the Abiezrites assembled behind him.
35 He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh and they assembled
behind him as well. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali,
so these tribes came up to meet them.
36 Gideon said to God, "If You will use my hands to save Israel,
as You have said-
37 I am placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.
If there is dew on the fleece only and all of the ground remains dry,
then I will know that You will save Israel with my hands, as You have said."
38 So it happened. He got up early the next morning and squeezed the fleece.
Enough dew poured out of the fleece to fill a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let Your anger burn against me
as I speak only one more time. Please let me perform a test with the fleece
one more time. Please, let the fleece be the only thing dry,
and let there be dew on all of the ground."
40 So God did this during that night. Only the fleece was dry,
and the dew was on all the ground.
Judges 7
Gideon Defeats the Midianites
1 Then Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with
him got up early and set up camp at Harod Spring.
There was a camp of Midianites to the north of them in the valley
near the hill of Moreh.
2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people with you for Me
to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves
over Me, saying, 'Our own power saved us.'
3 So now, call out so the people can hear, 'Whoever is afraid or anxious
may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' "
So 20000 from among the people turned back, and 10000 were left.
4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many people.
Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.
When I say to you, "This one will go with you,' he will go with you.
Everyone about whom I will say,' 'This one will not go with you,'
will not go."
5 So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon,
"You shall set apart by himself everyone who laps the water with his tongue
like dogs; likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink."
6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths,
was three hundred. The rest of the people had knelt to drink water.
7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With three hundred men who lapped to drink,
I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.
All the rest of the people should go home."
8 So the three hundred men took provisions and ram's horn trumpets
in their hands. Gideon sent all the other Israelite men to their tents,
but he kept the three hundred men.
Now the Midianite camp was below him in the valley.
9 That night the Lord said to him, "Get up and go down into the camp,
for I have given it into your hands.
10 Yet if you are afraid to go down, then go down to the camp with Purah
your servant.
11 Listen to what they say, and afterward you will be emboldened to go down
to the camp.." So he and Purah his servant went down near the edge
of the camp.
12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Kedemites covered the valley
like locusts; and their camels could not be counted, for they were
as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore.
13 Gideon came and overheard one man who was telling his dream to another.
The man said, "Listen to a dream I had. I saw a dry cake of barley bread
rolling into the Midianite camp. It rolled up to a tent and struck it.
It fell, turned upside down, and collapsed."
14 The other man responded, "This is none other than the sword of Gideon
son of Joash the Israelite. God has given Midian and the whole camp into
his hands."
15 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation,
he worshipped, returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Get up, for the Lord
has given the Midianite camp into your hands."
16 He divided the three hundred men into three combat units.
He gave all of them ram's horn trumpets, empty jars,
and torches within the jars.
17 He said to them, "Look at me and do likewise. Watch, and when I come
to the perimeter of the camp, do as I do.
18 When I and all who are with me blow the horn, then you will blow the horns
all around the camp and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon!' "
19 So Gideon and a hundred men with him went to the edge of the camp
at the start of the middle night watch, just as they were setting the watch.
Then they blew the horns and smashed the jars in their hands.
20 The three combat units blew the horns and broke the jars.
They held the torches in their left hands and the horns for
blowing in their right hands. They called out,
"A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"
21 Every man stood in his place all around the camp,
but the men in the camp ran, shouted, and fled.
22 When they blew the three hundred horns, the Lord turned every man's
sword against his fellow man throughout the camp. The Midianite camp
fled to Beth Shittah in the direction of Zererah, up to the border
of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath.
23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all of Manasseh
were summoned, and they chased after the Midianites.
24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying,
"Come down to engage Midian in battle.
Take control of the water ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan."
All the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they took control of the water
ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.
25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders.
They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb.
They chased after the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb
and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 Apr 2021
https://www.odb.org/CA/2021/04/01/so-helpful
entitled So Helpful
1 Peter 4:7–11 , Romans 12:13
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be solemn
and sober so you can pray.
8 Above all things, have unfailing love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
10 As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone serves,
let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that God in all things
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 12:13
13 contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
The caller to the Christian radio station said that his wife was coming home
from the hospital following surgery. Then he shared something that spoke
deeply to my heart: "Everyone in our church family has been
so helpful in taking care of us during this time."
When I heard this simple statement, it reminded me of the value
and necessity of Christian hospitality and care.
I began to think that the love and support of fellow believers
for one another is one of the greatest ways to demonstrate the life-changing
power of the gospel.
In First Peter, the apostle was writing a letter to be circulated
among the first-century churches in what's now the country of Turkey.
In that letter, he compelled his readers to do something that his friend
Paul wrote about in Romans 12:13: "Practice hospitality." Peter said,
"Love each other deeply . . . offer hospitality," and he told them to use
the gifts God gave them to "serve others" (1 Peter 4:8-10).
These are clear directions to all believers in Jesus for how we're to treat
fellow believers.
All of us know people like that caller's wife-those who need someone
to come alongside and show concern and Christlike love. In God's strength,
may we be among the ones who are noted for being "so helpful."
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What has God equipped you to do for those in need?
How has God revealed His own hospitable nature?
Loving God, help me to look around for people who need an encouraging
word or action from me. Then help me offer hospitality to them.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 5 - Waiting for the Wind
Is 40:31
31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4)
but those who wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
High above civilisation, alone on his craggy peak, the eagle waits.
He watches, senses, and then, with effortless grace, he spreads
his wings and soars. He does not flap frantically to gain altitude,
he merely turns his wings into the wind and rises.
Is 40:31 promises that we, too, can be like the eagle,
mounting up on wings, soaring effortlessly,
without weariness. But this is not often our experience.
We usually flap around like invalid pigeons, scratching
for mere existence, flying only when our place in the park is disturbed.
We need to learn to wait on the Lord. Like the wind that raises the eagle
to the heights, the wind of the Spirit will lift us up as well - beyond
the weariness of daily life, beyond the struggle for existence, beyond
the plodding pace of normal interaction.
But the eagle does not rise without plunging for the cliff into the wind.
His ability to stay aloft is based on his understand of wind currents;
when the wind is against him,he rises. He waits on the cliff
until the right moment, then allows the contrary breezes to lift him up.
Most of us are grounded by the winds that are against us. We give up
and never take the first flight. We fear the plunge from the cliff into the
buoyant breath of God, and so we stand fixed, afraid to launch out.
But when we do take the risk, when we wait upon the Lord, and then
give ourselves in obedience to a free-fall from the cliffs of his will,
we discover that there is rest in soaring with him. We do not have to
struggle; we have only to fly, and in flying, to find new strength.
Application
a) Why is "waiting upon the Lord" essential
to "Mounting up with wings as the eagle"?
b) How can this verse help me be more willing to take risks in God's will?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Philip 4:19
19 (Ro 2:4) But my God shall supply your every need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Reconciling Peace
Ps 85:8-13
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints,
but let them not turn again to folly.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Surely His salvation is near to them who fear Him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Truth springs from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord gives that which is good,
and our land shall yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before Him
and prepare a way for His footsteps.
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."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
From https://www.30daysprayer.com/
WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, is an international movement that began in 1993. It calls the church to make a deliberate but respectful effort to learn about, pray for and reach out to our world’s Muslim neighbors. It coincides annually with the important Islamic month of religious observation — Ramadan, a time of the year when Muslims are much more deeply aware of spiritual matters.
While Media sound bites about Islamic extremism can too easily incite anger, fear and even hatred towards Muslims, we seek to resist this temptation to generalize, and instead, resolve to respond and pray with the mind and heart of Christ.
Join the millions of Christians around the world, and churches and ministries from many denominations, who regularly participate in this largest ongoing prayer focus on the Muslim world. A new full-color prayer guide booklet — available each year in both adult and kids versions — is a proven tool to help Christians to understand and to persistently pray for Muslim neighbors and nations.
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
1st Day of the month
- Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
- Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water;
Conclusion:
Pray ot the Lord that you can be victorious in Lord like Gideon.
Pray to the Lord to help you be hospitable.
Pray to the Lord to be more willing to take risks in God's will.
Pray to the Lord to provide you with your needs.
Pray to the Lord walk in His righteousness.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .
Pray to the Lord for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada .
Pray to the Lord that the heart of your Prime Minister,
Monarch and/or President would be directed to do that which pleases God.
Pray to Know the Lord this Maundy Thursday.
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.
Judges 6-7
Judges 6
Gideon
1 The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord,
so the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian for seven years.
2 The hands of Midian dominated Israel, and because of Midian
the children of Israel made hiding places for themselves in the mountains,
caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever Israel would plant crops, the Midianites,
Amalekites, and the people from the east would come up against them.
4 Then they would make camp by them and ruin crops of the land all the way
to Gaza. They did not leave any provisions behind in Israel-neither sheep,
nor cattle, nor donkeys.
5 For they came with their livestock and tents like a swarm of locusts.
They and their camels were too numerous to count, and they came into
the land to destroy it.
6 Israel was made weak before Midian and cried out to the Lord.
7 When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of Midian,
8 the Lord sent them a prophet who said, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
I brought you up from Egypt and out of that place of slavery.
9 I delivered you from the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors.
I drove them out from before you and gave you their land.
10 I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God. Do not worship the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living.' But you have disobeyed Me."
11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak tree in Ophrah
belonging to Joash the Abiezrite. Gideon his son was threshing wheat
in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him,
"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor."
13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us,
then why has all this happened to us? Where are all His miracles
that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Did not the Lord bring
us out of Egypt?' Yet now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered
us into the hands of the Midianites."
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours.
Save Israel from the control of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
15 And he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?
Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest
in my father's house."
16 Then the Lord said to him, "But I will be with you, and you will strike
the Midianites as one man."
17 And he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight,
give me a sign that it is You who are speaking with me.
18 Please do not depart from here until I come to You
and bring out my gift and set it before You."
And He said, "I will stay until you return."
19 So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread
from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket, and he put
the broth in a pot, and brought them out and offered them to Him
under the oak.
20 And the angel of God said to him,"Take the meat and the unleavened bread,
lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And so he did.
21 The angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was
in His hand and touched the meat and unleavened flatbread.
Fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread.
Then the angel of the Lord departed from his sight.
22 Then Gideon perceived that it was indeed the angel of the Lord.
So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord God! I have seen
the angel of the Lord face to face."
23 Then the Lord said to him, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.
You will not die."
24 Then Gideon built an altar for the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace.
Even to this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 That night the Lord said to him, "Take a bull from your father's herd
and a second bull seven years old. Tear down your father's Baal altar
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.
26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this stronghold
in an orderly way. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering
with the wood of the Asherah pole that you will cut down."
27 So Gideon took ten men from among his slaves
and did as the Lord had told him, but because he was too afraid of the rest
of his father's household and the men of the city to do it by day,
he did it at night.
28 When the men of the city got up early in the morning,
the altar of Baal was torn down, the Asherah pole beside it was cut down,
and the second bull had been offered on the new altar that had been built.
29 They said to each other, "Who has done this?"
When they had inquired and asked, they responded,
"Gideon son of Joash has done this."
30 Then the men of the city said to Joash,
"Bring out your son so that he may die, for he tore down the altar of Baal
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."
31 Joash then said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal?
Would you save him? Whoever fights for him will be killed by morning.
If Baal is a god, let him fight for himself,
for someone has torn down his altar."
32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerub-Baal, saying,
"Let Baal fight him, for he tore down the altar of Baal."
33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east gathered
together, and they crossed over, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
34 The Spirit of the Lord enveloped Gideon. He blew a ram's horn trumpet,
and the Abiezrites assembled behind him.
35 He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh and they assembled
behind him as well. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali,
so these tribes came up to meet them.
36 Gideon said to God, "If You will use my hands to save Israel,
as You have said-
37 I am placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.
If there is dew on the fleece only and all of the ground remains dry,
then I will know that You will save Israel with my hands, as You have said."
38 So it happened. He got up early the next morning and squeezed the fleece.
Enough dew poured out of the fleece to fill a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let Your anger burn against me
as I speak only one more time. Please let me perform a test with the fleece
one more time. Please, let the fleece be the only thing dry,
and let there be dew on all of the ground."
40 So God did this during that night. Only the fleece was dry,
and the dew was on all the ground.
Judges 7
Gideon Defeats the Midianites
1 Then Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with
him got up early and set up camp at Harod Spring.
There was a camp of Midianites to the north of them in the valley
near the hill of Moreh.
2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people with you for Me
to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves
over Me, saying, 'Our own power saved us.'
3 So now, call out so the people can hear, 'Whoever is afraid or anxious
may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' "
So 20000 from among the people turned back, and 10000 were left.
4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many people.
Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.
When I say to you, "This one will go with you,' he will go with you.
Everyone about whom I will say,' 'This one will not go with you,'
will not go."
5 So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon,
"You shall set apart by himself everyone who laps the water with his tongue
like dogs; likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink."
6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths,
was three hundred. The rest of the people had knelt to drink water.
7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With three hundred men who lapped to drink,
I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.
All the rest of the people should go home."
8 So the three hundred men took provisions and ram's horn trumpets
in their hands. Gideon sent all the other Israelite men to their tents,
but he kept the three hundred men.
Now the Midianite camp was below him in the valley.
9 That night the Lord said to him, "Get up and go down into the camp,
for I have given it into your hands.
10 Yet if you are afraid to go down, then go down to the camp with Purah
your servant.
11 Listen to what they say, and afterward you will be emboldened to go down
to the camp.." So he and Purah his servant went down near the edge
of the camp.
12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Kedemites covered the valley
like locusts; and their camels could not be counted, for they were
as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore.
13 Gideon came and overheard one man who was telling his dream to another.
The man said, "Listen to a dream I had. I saw a dry cake of barley bread
rolling into the Midianite camp. It rolled up to a tent and struck it.
It fell, turned upside down, and collapsed."
14 The other man responded, "This is none other than the sword of Gideon
son of Joash the Israelite. God has given Midian and the whole camp into
his hands."
15 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation,
he worshipped, returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Get up, for the Lord
has given the Midianite camp into your hands."
16 He divided the three hundred men into three combat units.
He gave all of them ram's horn trumpets, empty jars,
and torches within the jars.
17 He said to them, "Look at me and do likewise. Watch, and when I come
to the perimeter of the camp, do as I do.
18 When I and all who are with me blow the horn, then you will blow the horns
all around the camp and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon!' "
19 So Gideon and a hundred men with him went to the edge of the camp
at the start of the middle night watch, just as they were setting the watch.
Then they blew the horns and smashed the jars in their hands.
20 The three combat units blew the horns and broke the jars.
They held the torches in their left hands and the horns for
blowing in their right hands. They called out,
"A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"
21 Every man stood in his place all around the camp,
but the men in the camp ran, shouted, and fled.
22 When they blew the three hundred horns, the Lord turned every man's
sword against his fellow man throughout the camp. The Midianite camp
fled to Beth Shittah in the direction of Zererah, up to the border
of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath.
23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all of Manasseh
were summoned, and they chased after the Midianites.
24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying,
"Come down to engage Midian in battle.
Take control of the water ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan."
All the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they took control of the water
ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.
25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders.
They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb.
They chased after the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb
and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 Apr 2021
https://www.odb.org/CA/2021/04/01/so-helpful
entitled So Helpful
1 Peter 4:7–11 , Romans 12:13
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be solemn
and sober so you can pray.
8 Above all things, have unfailing love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
10 As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone serves,
let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that God in all things
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 12:13
13 contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
The caller to the Christian radio station said that his wife was coming home
from the hospital following surgery. Then he shared something that spoke
deeply to my heart: "Everyone in our church family has been
so helpful in taking care of us during this time."
When I heard this simple statement, it reminded me of the value
and necessity of Christian hospitality and care.
I began to think that the love and support of fellow believers
for one another is one of the greatest ways to demonstrate the life-changing
power of the gospel.
In First Peter, the apostle was writing a letter to be circulated
among the first-century churches in what's now the country of Turkey.
In that letter, he compelled his readers to do something that his friend
Paul wrote about in Romans 12:13: "Practice hospitality." Peter said,
"Love each other deeply . . . offer hospitality," and he told them to use
the gifts God gave them to "serve others" (1 Peter 4:8-10).
These are clear directions to all believers in Jesus for how we're to treat
fellow believers.
All of us know people like that caller's wife-those who need someone
to come alongside and show concern and Christlike love. In God's strength,
may we be among the ones who are noted for being "so helpful."
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What has God equipped you to do for those in need?
How has God revealed His own hospitable nature?
Loving God, help me to look around for people who need an encouraging
word or action from me. Then help me offer hospitality to them.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 5 - Waiting for the Wind
Is 40:31
31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4)
but those who wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
High above civilisation, alone on his craggy peak, the eagle waits.
He watches, senses, and then, with effortless grace, he spreads
his wings and soars. He does not flap frantically to gain altitude,
he merely turns his wings into the wind and rises.
Is 40:31 promises that we, too, can be like the eagle,
mounting up on wings, soaring effortlessly,
without weariness. But this is not often our experience.
We usually flap around like invalid pigeons, scratching
for mere existence, flying only when our place in the park is disturbed.
We need to learn to wait on the Lord. Like the wind that raises the eagle
to the heights, the wind of the Spirit will lift us up as well - beyond
the weariness of daily life, beyond the struggle for existence, beyond
the plodding pace of normal interaction.
But the eagle does not rise without plunging for the cliff into the wind.
His ability to stay aloft is based on his understand of wind currents;
when the wind is against him,he rises. He waits on the cliff
until the right moment, then allows the contrary breezes to lift him up.
Most of us are grounded by the winds that are against us. We give up
and never take the first flight. We fear the plunge from the cliff into the
buoyant breath of God, and so we stand fixed, afraid to launch out.
But when we do take the risk, when we wait upon the Lord, and then
give ourselves in obedience to a free-fall from the cliffs of his will,
we discover that there is rest in soaring with him. We do not have to
struggle; we have only to fly, and in flying, to find new strength.
Application
a) Why is "waiting upon the Lord" essential
to "Mounting up with wings as the eagle"?
b) How can this verse help me be more willing to take risks in God's will?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Philip 4:19
19 (Ro 2:4) But my God shall supply your every need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Reconciling Peace
Ps 85:8-13
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints,
but let them not turn again to folly.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Surely His salvation is near to them who fear Him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Truth springs from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord gives that which is good,
and our land shall yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before Him
and prepare a way for His footsteps.
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."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
From https://www.30daysprayer.com/
WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, is an international movement that began in 1993. It calls the church to make a deliberate but respectful effort to learn about, pray for and reach out to our world’s Muslim neighbors. It coincides annually with the important Islamic month of religious observation — Ramadan, a time of the year when Muslims are much more deeply aware of spiritual matters.
While Media sound bites about Islamic extremism can too easily incite anger, fear and even hatred towards Muslims, we seek to resist this temptation to generalize, and instead, resolve to respond and pray with the mind and heart of Christ.
Join the millions of Christians around the world, and churches and ministries from many denominations, who regularly participate in this largest ongoing prayer focus on the Muslim world. A new full-color prayer guide booklet — available each year in both adult and kids versions — is a proven tool to help Christians to understand and to persistently pray for Muslim neighbors and nations.
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
1st Day of the month
- Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
- Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water;
Conclusion:
Pray ot the Lord that you can be victorious in Lord like Gideon.
Pray to the Lord to help you be hospitable.
Pray to the Lord to be more willing to take risks in God's will.
Pray to the Lord to provide you with your needs.
Pray to the Lord walk in His righteousness.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .
Pray to the Lord for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada .
Pray to the Lord that the heart of your Prime Minister,
Monarch and/or President would be directed to do that which pleases God.
Pray to Know the Lord this Maundy Thursday.
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.
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