Day 96 - 6 April 2021 reflections
Day 96, 6 Apr 2021
Judges 19-21
JUDGES 19
A Levite and His Concubine
1 (Jdg 18:1; 17:8) In those days, when there was no king in Israel,
there was a certain Levite living as resident foreigner in a remote
part of the hill country of Ephraim. He took a concubine for himself
from Bethlehem in Judah.
2 Yet his concubine became angry with him and went away from him
to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah. She was there for four months.
3 (Ge 34:3; 50:21) Her husband got up and went after her in order to speak
tenderly to her and bring her back. His servant and two donkeys were with
him. When he came to her father's house, the girl's father saw him
and was happy to meet with him.
4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay with him
for three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.
5 (Ge 18:5; Jdg 19:8) On the fourth day they woke up early in the morning.
He got ready to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law,
"Strengthen yourself with a little food, and then you can go."
6 (Jdg 16:25; 19:9) So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together.
Then the girl's father said to the man,
"Please spend the night and let your heart be merry."
7 The man got up to go, but his father-in-law urged him until he turned back
and spent the night there.
8 He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go. The girl's father said,
"Please, strengthen yourself and wait until later in the day."
So the two of them ate.
9 Then the man got up to go: he, his concubine, and his servant.
His father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! It is getting dark.
Spend the night! Settle in and spend the night here, let your heart be merry.
You can get up early tomorrow and go home."
10 (Jos 15:8; 15:63) Yet the man did not want to spend the night,
so he got up and left and approached Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).
Two saddled donkeys and his concubine were with him.
11 When they were near Jebus, it was getting very late.
The servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside
to this Jebusite city and spend the night in it."
12 His master said to him, "We must not turn aside to a city of foreigners,
who are not children of Israel. We will continue on to Gibeah."
13 He said to his servant, "Come, let us go to one of these places.
We will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."
14 They continued and went on. The sun went down
when they were near Gibeah in Benjamin.
15 (Jdg 19:18) So they turned aside there to go and spend the night
in Gibeah. They went in and sat in the city square,
but no one took them in to spend the night.
16 (Jdg 19:1; Ps 104:23) Just then, an old man came in at evening time from
his work in the field. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim
and lived as a resident foreigner in Gibeah,
but the townspeople were Benjamites.
17 He looked up and saw the traveler in the city square.
The old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"
18 (Jdg 18:31) He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah
to a remote part of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there.
I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the Lord.
No one has taken me into his home.
19 Yet there is enough straw and fodder for our donkeys, with bread and wine
for me, your maidservant, and the young man who is with your servant.
We do not lack anything.â€
20 (Jdg 6:23) The old man said, "Do not worry. I will take care of whatever
you need. Just do not spend the night in the city square.â€
21 (Ge 18:4; 43:24) So he brought him into his house and gave food
to his donkeys. They washed their feet, ate, and drank.
22 (Ge 19:4-5; Dt 13:13) While they were enjoying themselves, the men
of the city, who were wicked men, surrounded the house and pounded
on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house,
"Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him."
23 (Ge 34:7; Jdg 20:6) The master of the house went out to them and said,
"No, my brothers, do not commit this evil act, not after this man has come
into my house. Do not commit this disgrace.
24 (Ge 19:8; Dt 21:14) Here are my virgin daughter and the man's concubine.
Let me bring them out to you. Ravish them and do to them what you please.
But do not commit this vile act against this man."
25 The men were unwilling to listen to him, so the man seized his concubine
and brought her out to them in the street. They knew her and abused her all
night until morning. As the dawn began to break, they let her go.
26 The woman came back at daybreak and fell down at the door of the man's
house where her master was, lying there until it was light.
27 Her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house.
He went out to go on his way, but there was the woman, his concubine,
fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.
28 (Jdg 20:5) He said to her, "Get up, let us be going," but there was
no answer. So the man put her on a donkey and went home.
29 (1Sa 11:7) When he got home, he took a knife and seized his concubine,
then cut her body into twelve pieces. Then he sent her throughout
all the territory of Israel.
30 (Jdg 20:7; Pr 13:10) Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has
been done or seen since the day the children of Israel came out of the land
of Egypt until today. Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!"
JUDGES 20
The Children of Israel Punish the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 11:11; 21:5) All the children of Israel from Dan to Beersheba,
and also from the land of Gilead, went out and gathered together in
an assembly as one man before the Lord at Mizpah.
2 (Jdg 8:10; 20:15) The leaders of all the people from all the tribes
of Israel presented themselves in an assembly of the people of God,
who numbered four hundred thousand infantrymen bearing swords.
3(The Benjamites heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.)
The children of Israel said, "Tell how this evil happened!â€"
4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered,
"My concubine and I came to Gibeah, in Benjamin, to spend the night.
5 (Jdg 19:22; 19:25-26) Then the leaders of Gibeah rose up against me.
At night they surrounded the house where I was staying.
They wanted to kill me; instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.
6 (Jdg 19:29; Jos 7:15) I seized my concubine, cut her into pieces,
and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel,
because they committed an infamous and disgraceful act in Israel.
7 (Jdg 19:30) Now, all of you are children of Israel.
Give your advice and counsel here.â€
8 All the people arose as one man and said, "Not a man among us will go
to his tent, and no one will turn aside to his house.
9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah. We will go against it by lot.
10 We will take ten men out of every hundred, from every tribe of Israel,
a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand,
to bring provisions for the troops. Then when they come to Gibeah
in Benjamin, they may repay them for all the evil
that they committed in Israel."
11 So all the men of Israel gathered at the city, united like one man.
12 (Dt 13:14) The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the whole tribe
of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil that has been committed among you?
13 (Dt 13:13; 17:12) Now hand over the wicked men in Gibeah,
so that we can kill them and purge the evil from Israel."
Yet the Benjamites were not willing to listen
to their fellow children of Israel.
14 The Benjamites gathered from their cities at Gibeah in order to go
out and wage war against the children of Israel.
15 (Nu 26:41) That day, the Benjamites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men
from the cities and seven hundred specially chosen men from Gibeah.
16 (Jdg 3:15; 1Ch 12:2) Out of all these people there were seven hundred
specially chosen men who were left-handed, all of whom could sling
a stone at a hair and not miss.
17 The men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, gathered four hundred thousand
armed men who drew the sword; all of them were men of war.
18 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:23) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel,
and asked God, "Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?"
The Lord said, "Judah first."
19T he children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin,
and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.
21 (Jdg 20:25) Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah
and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.
22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again
in the place where they had lined up on the first day.
23 (Jdg 20:26-27) Then the children of Israel went up
and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord,
"Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?"
The Lord said, "Advance against them."
24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.
25 (Jdg 20:21) And on the second day, the Benjamites went out from Gibeah
to meet them and again struck eighteen thousand men down to the ground,
every one of them armed.
26 (Jdg 20:23; 20:18) Then all the children of Israel, all the people, went up
to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord.
They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings before the Lord.
27 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 20:18) The children of Israel asked the Lord
(because the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28 (Dt 18:5; Jos 24:33) and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron,
stood before it then), "Should we go out again to wage war with our
brother-tribesmen the Benjamites, or should we not?"
The Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."
29 (Jos 8:4) So Israel set an ambushing force around Gibeah.
30 The children of Israel went up against the Benjamites on the third day
and lined up at Gibeah as before.
31 The Benjamites went out to engage the people and were drawn away
from the city. They began to strike the people down as before. On the
main roads that go up to Bethel and Gibeah and in the field,
they struck down about thirty children of Israel.
32 The Benjamites said, "They are struck down before us like
at the beginning." But the children of Israel said, "Let us retreat
and draw them away from the city toward the main roads."
33 So all the men of Israel rose up out of their place
and assumed their battle positions at Baal Tamar.
Then the men of Israel in ambush charged out of their places,
out of the meadows of Gibeah.
34 (Jos 8:14; Job 21:13) Ten thousand specially chosen men
from all of Israel came against Gibeah. The battle was fierce,
and the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.
35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and that day the children
of Israel struck down 25100 Benjamites, every one of them armed.
36 The Benjamites saw that they were defeated.
Now the men of Israel had withdrawn from Benjamin, because they relied
on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.
37 (Jos 8:19) So the ambushing force rushed on and attacked Gibeah.
They struck down the whole city with the edge of the sword.
38 The men of Israel had made an agreement with the ambushing force
that when they sent up a large amount of smoke from the city,
39 (Jdg 20:32) the children of Israel would turn around in battle.
When the Benjamites had begun to strike the children of Israel down,
about thirty men, they said, "Surely they are struck down before us like
at the beginning."
40 (Jos 8:20) Yet when the smoke began to rise up from the city in a column,
the Benjamites looked behind them and suddenly noticed the whole city
going up in smoke to the sky.
41 Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin
were horrified because they saw that disaster had come on them.
42 So they fled from the men of Israel toward the direction
of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. Whoever came out
of the cities destroyed them in their midst.
43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them without rest,
and trampled them down near Gibeah toward the east.
44 Eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
45 (Jos 15:32; Jdg 21:13) The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness
to Rimmon Rock, and they cut down five thousand men on the main roads.
They pursued them relentlessly until they reached Gidom
and killed two thousand of them.
46 So the Benjamites who fell that day numbered 25000, every one
of them armed, valorous men.
47 However, six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness,
to Rimmon Rock. They dwelled at Rimmon Rock for four months.
48 Yet the men of Israel turned back against the Benjamites
and struck them with the edge of the sword-city inhabitants, animals,
and everything that could be found. Indeed, they set on fire every city
that could be found.
JUDGES 21
Wives for the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 20:1; 21:18) In Mizpah the men of Israel had taken an oath:
"No one among us will give his daughter to a Benjamite as his wife."
2 (Jdg 20:26; 20:18) So the people came to Bethel and sat there before
God until evening. They raised their voices and wept, sobbing loudly.
3 They said, "Why, Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel,
that today a tribe is missing from Israel?"
4 (2Sa 24:25) In the morning the people got up early and built an altar
there. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5 (Jdg 5:23) The children of Israel said, "Who from all the tribes of Israel
did not go up with the assembly to the Lord?" For they vowed a solemn
oath regarding whoever did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah stating,
"He must be killed."
6 (Jdg 21:15) The children of Israel lamented for Benjamin their brother,
and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.
7 (Jdg 21:1) What can we do to find wives for those who are left?
For we swore by the Lord not to give them our daughters as wives."
8 (1Sa 31:11-13) So they said, "Is there anyone from among the tribes
of Israel who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah?" Then they learned
that no one from the camp of Jabesh Gilead had come to the assembly.
9 When the people were counted, indeed, there was not a man there
from among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead.
10 (Jdg 5:23; 21:5) So the assembly sent twelve thousand valorous men there
and commanded them, "Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead
with the edge of the sword, including women and children.
11 (Nu 31:17-18) This is what you will do: You will kill every man
and every woman who has slept with a man."
12 (Jos 18:1) So among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead they found
400 virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them
to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.
13 (Dt 20:10; Jdg 20:47) Then the whole assembly sent someone to speak
to the Benjamites who were at Rimmon Rock, and they declared peace.
14 So the Benjamites returned at that time, and they gave to them the women
who were still alive from among the women of Jabesh Gilead.
Yet they did not find enough for them.
15 (Jdg 21:6) The people felt sorry for Benjamin, for the Lord had made a gap
among the tribes of Israel.
16 The elders of the assembly said, "What can we do to find wives for those
who are left? The Benjamite women were destroyed."
17 They said, “There must be an inheritance for the remnant of Benjamin,
so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.
18 (Jdg 21:1) Yet we cannot give them our daughters for wives,
for the children of Israel swore, 'Cursed be anyone who gives
a wife to Benjamin.' "
19 They said, "Wait! There is an annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh,
which is north of Bethel, east of the main road that goes up from Bethel
to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."
20 So they commanded the Benjamites, “Go and hide in the vineyards.
21 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) Watch, and then when the daughters of Shiloh
come out to dance in the dances, come out from the vineyards
and have every man grab a wife for himself from among
the daughters of Shiloh. Then go to the land of Benjamin.
22 (Jdg 21:1; 21:18) When their fathers or their brothers come to us
to complain, we will say to them, 'Be favorable to them for our sakes,
because we did not take for each man a wife in the battle;
for you have not given women to them at the time,
thereby making yourselves guilty.' "
23 (Jdg 20:48) So the Benjamites did this. They carried away wives
for each man from among the dancers that they caught. Then they
returned to their inheritance, rebuilt the cities, and lived in them.
24 At that time, the children of Israel departed from there each man
to his tribe and to his family. They went out from
there to their own inheritance.
25 (Jdg 17:6; 18:1) In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
2) Our Daily Bread for 6 Apr 2021
https://www.odb.org/CA/2021/04/06/companions-in-christ
entitled Companions in Christ
Phil 1:3-8
3 (Ro 1:8-9; 2Ti 1:3) I thank my God for every reminder of you.
4 (Ro 1:9) In every prayer of mine for you all,
I have always made requests with joy,
5 (Ac 16:12-40; Php 1:7) due to your fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now.
6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing, that He who
began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7 (2Co 7:3; Ac 20:23) It is right for me to think this of you all because
I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonments and in the defense
and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers of my grace.
8 (Ro 1:9; 9:1) For God is my witness, how I long after you all
with the affection of Jesus Christ.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is a decades-long project that's
resulted in a greater understanding
of the importance of healthy relationships. The research began with a group
of 268 sophomores at Harvard University in the 1930s and later expanded
to, among others, 456 Boston inner--ity residents. Researchers have conducted
interviews with the participants and pored over their medical records every
few years. They discovered that close relationships are the biggest factor
in predicting happiness and health. It turns out that if we surround ourselves
with the right people, we’ll likely experience a deeper sense of joy.
This appears to reflect what the apostle Paul is describing in Philippians 1.
Writing from prison, Paul can't help but tell his friends that he thanks
God for them every time he remembers them, praying "with joy" (v. 4).
But these aren't just any friends; these are brothers and sisters in Jesus
who "share in God's grace," partners in the gospel with Paul (v. 7).
Their relationship was one of sharing and mutuality-a true fellowship
shaped by God's love and the gospel itself.
Yes, friends are important, but fellow companions in Christ are catalysts of
a true and deep joy. The grace of God can bind us together like nothing else.
And even through the darkest seasons of life, the joy that comes from
that bond will last.
By: Glenn Packiam
Reflect & Pray
Who are the friends that surround you? What's the substance
of your relationships? How has the grace of God shaped
your choice of companions?
Dear God, thank You for the gift of friendship.
Help me to express my gratitude to those who have been faithful companions
to me. Give me the grace to strengthen and encourage them.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 3 - Let the Word Dwell in You
Col 3:16
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our minds are
bombarded by 20th Century values: "Dress for success!" "Get ahead!"
"You deserve a break today ...." Television, radio, and the incessant
voices that surround us distract our attention and keep us from
focusing on what is really important in our lives.
Paul's instruction to the Colossian Church brings us back to God's
value system: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."
When we give attention to the Word of God, we put ourselves in a position
to hear a higher truth the clamour of immediate demands
and the expectations of the world around us. We can experience peace
in the midst of struggle and rest in a restless environment.
God's Word is a powerful force for good in our lives - not merely
an attractive philosophy, but true power to overcome the pressures
of daily life.
Dweliing on the Word of God, and letting it indwell us, takes many forms.
Scripture memory, music, meditation, talking with others about the
goodness of God all help us keep our attention focused on Christ rather
than on the values of the world around us.
We can choose to listen to Christian radio or tapes. We can take time
daily for quiet meditation on his Word. We can commit the Word to memory
and draw on its power during the day. And as we listen to the voice
of the Spirit rather than the noise around us, we can enter into
his peace and live in communion with him.
Application
a) What pressures do I face that tend to distract me from the reality
of Chirst's presence?
b) How can I "let the word of Christ dwell richly" in me, so that I
an regain my focus on him?
c) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on Jesus and his word?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Kings 18:7
7 (1Sa 18:14; 2Ki 16:7; Ge 39:2–3 )The Lord was with him.
Wherever he went, he prospered. He (Ahaz) rebelled against
the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 121
PSALMS 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills,
from where does my help come?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He will not let your foot slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Behold, He who guards Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The Lord is your guardian;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The sun shall not harm you during the day,
nor the moon during the night.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The Lord shall protect you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord shall preserve your going out
and your coming in from now and for evermore.
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
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
(
Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7) Therefore, keep and do them,
for this is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the
nations which shall hear all these statutes,
and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great,
who has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is
in all things whenever we call on Him?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty?
It is from then on good for nothing but to be thrown out
and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18)"You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16)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.
16(1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8)Let your light so shine before
men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15)"But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall
be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of BC, that God's Spirit would
influence then to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses beaming
forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding
the Hope Campaign and booklet
to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray ot the Lord to exercise self-control.
Pray to the Lord to give the right friends.
Pray to the Lord to focus on Jesus Christ every day.
Pray to the Lord to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Pray to the Lord to seek Him in times of trouble.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every community
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 19-21
JUDGES 19
A Levite and His Concubine
1 (Jdg 18:1; 17:8) In those days, when there was no king in Israel,
there was a certain Levite living as resident foreigner in a remote
part of the hill country of Ephraim. He took a concubine for himself
from Bethlehem in Judah.
2 Yet his concubine became angry with him and went away from him
to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah. She was there for four months.
3 (Ge 34:3; 50:21) Her husband got up and went after her in order to speak
tenderly to her and bring her back. His servant and two donkeys were with
him. When he came to her father's house, the girl's father saw him
and was happy to meet with him.
4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay with him
for three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.
5 (Ge 18:5; Jdg 19:8) On the fourth day they woke up early in the morning.
He got ready to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law,
"Strengthen yourself with a little food, and then you can go."
6 (Jdg 16:25; 19:9) So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together.
Then the girl's father said to the man,
"Please spend the night and let your heart be merry."
7 The man got up to go, but his father-in-law urged him until he turned back
and spent the night there.
8 He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go. The girl's father said,
"Please, strengthen yourself and wait until later in the day."
So the two of them ate.
9 Then the man got up to go: he, his concubine, and his servant.
His father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! It is getting dark.
Spend the night! Settle in and spend the night here, let your heart be merry.
You can get up early tomorrow and go home."
10 (Jos 15:8; 15:63) Yet the man did not want to spend the night,
so he got up and left and approached Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).
Two saddled donkeys and his concubine were with him.
11 When they were near Jebus, it was getting very late.
The servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside
to this Jebusite city and spend the night in it."
12 His master said to him, "We must not turn aside to a city of foreigners,
who are not children of Israel. We will continue on to Gibeah."
13 He said to his servant, "Come, let us go to one of these places.
We will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."
14 They continued and went on. The sun went down
when they were near Gibeah in Benjamin.
15 (Jdg 19:18) So they turned aside there to go and spend the night
in Gibeah. They went in and sat in the city square,
but no one took them in to spend the night.
16 (Jdg 19:1; Ps 104:23) Just then, an old man came in at evening time from
his work in the field. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim
and lived as a resident foreigner in Gibeah,
but the townspeople were Benjamites.
17 He looked up and saw the traveler in the city square.
The old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"
18 (Jdg 18:31) He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah
to a remote part of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there.
I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the Lord.
No one has taken me into his home.
19 Yet there is enough straw and fodder for our donkeys, with bread and wine
for me, your maidservant, and the young man who is with your servant.
We do not lack anything.â€
20 (Jdg 6:23) The old man said, "Do not worry. I will take care of whatever
you need. Just do not spend the night in the city square.â€
21 (Ge 18:4; 43:24) So he brought him into his house and gave food
to his donkeys. They washed their feet, ate, and drank.
22 (Ge 19:4-5; Dt 13:13) While they were enjoying themselves, the men
of the city, who were wicked men, surrounded the house and pounded
on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house,
"Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him."
23 (Ge 34:7; Jdg 20:6) The master of the house went out to them and said,
"No, my brothers, do not commit this evil act, not after this man has come
into my house. Do not commit this disgrace.
24 (Ge 19:8; Dt 21:14) Here are my virgin daughter and the man's concubine.
Let me bring them out to you. Ravish them and do to them what you please.
But do not commit this vile act against this man."
25 The men were unwilling to listen to him, so the man seized his concubine
and brought her out to them in the street. They knew her and abused her all
night until morning. As the dawn began to break, they let her go.
26 The woman came back at daybreak and fell down at the door of the man's
house where her master was, lying there until it was light.
27 Her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house.
He went out to go on his way, but there was the woman, his concubine,
fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.
28 (Jdg 20:5) He said to her, "Get up, let us be going," but there was
no answer. So the man put her on a donkey and went home.
29 (1Sa 11:7) When he got home, he took a knife and seized his concubine,
then cut her body into twelve pieces. Then he sent her throughout
all the territory of Israel.
30 (Jdg 20:7; Pr 13:10) Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has
been done or seen since the day the children of Israel came out of the land
of Egypt until today. Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!"
JUDGES 20
The Children of Israel Punish the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 11:11; 21:5) All the children of Israel from Dan to Beersheba,
and also from the land of Gilead, went out and gathered together in
an assembly as one man before the Lord at Mizpah.
2 (Jdg 8:10; 20:15) The leaders of all the people from all the tribes
of Israel presented themselves in an assembly of the people of God,
who numbered four hundred thousand infantrymen bearing swords.
3(The Benjamites heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.)
The children of Israel said, "Tell how this evil happened!â€"
4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered,
"My concubine and I came to Gibeah, in Benjamin, to spend the night.
5 (Jdg 19:22; 19:25-26) Then the leaders of Gibeah rose up against me.
At night they surrounded the house where I was staying.
They wanted to kill me; instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.
6 (Jdg 19:29; Jos 7:15) I seized my concubine, cut her into pieces,
and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel,
because they committed an infamous and disgraceful act in Israel.
7 (Jdg 19:30) Now, all of you are children of Israel.
Give your advice and counsel here.â€
8 All the people arose as one man and said, "Not a man among us will go
to his tent, and no one will turn aside to his house.
9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah. We will go against it by lot.
10 We will take ten men out of every hundred, from every tribe of Israel,
a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand,
to bring provisions for the troops. Then when they come to Gibeah
in Benjamin, they may repay them for all the evil
that they committed in Israel."
11 So all the men of Israel gathered at the city, united like one man.
12 (Dt 13:14) The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the whole tribe
of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil that has been committed among you?
13 (Dt 13:13; 17:12) Now hand over the wicked men in Gibeah,
so that we can kill them and purge the evil from Israel."
Yet the Benjamites were not willing to listen
to their fellow children of Israel.
14 The Benjamites gathered from their cities at Gibeah in order to go
out and wage war against the children of Israel.
15 (Nu 26:41) That day, the Benjamites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men
from the cities and seven hundred specially chosen men from Gibeah.
16 (Jdg 3:15; 1Ch 12:2) Out of all these people there were seven hundred
specially chosen men who were left-handed, all of whom could sling
a stone at a hair and not miss.
17 The men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, gathered four hundred thousand
armed men who drew the sword; all of them were men of war.
18 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:23) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel,
and asked God, "Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?"
The Lord said, "Judah first."
19T he children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin,
and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.
21 (Jdg 20:25) Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah
and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.
22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again
in the place where they had lined up on the first day.
23 (Jdg 20:26-27) Then the children of Israel went up
and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord,
"Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?"
The Lord said, "Advance against them."
24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.
25 (Jdg 20:21) And on the second day, the Benjamites went out from Gibeah
to meet them and again struck eighteen thousand men down to the ground,
every one of them armed.
26 (Jdg 20:23; 20:18) Then all the children of Israel, all the people, went up
to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord.
They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings before the Lord.
27 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 20:18) The children of Israel asked the Lord
(because the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28 (Dt 18:5; Jos 24:33) and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron,
stood before it then), "Should we go out again to wage war with our
brother-tribesmen the Benjamites, or should we not?"
The Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."
29 (Jos 8:4) So Israel set an ambushing force around Gibeah.
30 The children of Israel went up against the Benjamites on the third day
and lined up at Gibeah as before.
31 The Benjamites went out to engage the people and were drawn away
from the city. They began to strike the people down as before. On the
main roads that go up to Bethel and Gibeah and in the field,
they struck down about thirty children of Israel.
32 The Benjamites said, "They are struck down before us like
at the beginning." But the children of Israel said, "Let us retreat
and draw them away from the city toward the main roads."
33 So all the men of Israel rose up out of their place
and assumed their battle positions at Baal Tamar.
Then the men of Israel in ambush charged out of their places,
out of the meadows of Gibeah.
34 (Jos 8:14; Job 21:13) Ten thousand specially chosen men
from all of Israel came against Gibeah. The battle was fierce,
and the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.
35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and that day the children
of Israel struck down 25100 Benjamites, every one of them armed.
36 The Benjamites saw that they were defeated.
Now the men of Israel had withdrawn from Benjamin, because they relied
on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.
37 (Jos 8:19) So the ambushing force rushed on and attacked Gibeah.
They struck down the whole city with the edge of the sword.
38 The men of Israel had made an agreement with the ambushing force
that when they sent up a large amount of smoke from the city,
39 (Jdg 20:32) the children of Israel would turn around in battle.
When the Benjamites had begun to strike the children of Israel down,
about thirty men, they said, "Surely they are struck down before us like
at the beginning."
40 (Jos 8:20) Yet when the smoke began to rise up from the city in a column,
the Benjamites looked behind them and suddenly noticed the whole city
going up in smoke to the sky.
41 Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin
were horrified because they saw that disaster had come on them.
42 So they fled from the men of Israel toward the direction
of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. Whoever came out
of the cities destroyed them in their midst.
43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them without rest,
and trampled them down near Gibeah toward the east.
44 Eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
45 (Jos 15:32; Jdg 21:13) The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness
to Rimmon Rock, and they cut down five thousand men on the main roads.
They pursued them relentlessly until they reached Gidom
and killed two thousand of them.
46 So the Benjamites who fell that day numbered 25000, every one
of them armed, valorous men.
47 However, six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness,
to Rimmon Rock. They dwelled at Rimmon Rock for four months.
48 Yet the men of Israel turned back against the Benjamites
and struck them with the edge of the sword-city inhabitants, animals,
and everything that could be found. Indeed, they set on fire every city
that could be found.
JUDGES 21
Wives for the Benjamites
1 (Jdg 20:1; 21:18) In Mizpah the men of Israel had taken an oath:
"No one among us will give his daughter to a Benjamite as his wife."
2 (Jdg 20:26; 20:18) So the people came to Bethel and sat there before
God until evening. They raised their voices and wept, sobbing loudly.
3 They said, "Why, Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel,
that today a tribe is missing from Israel?"
4 (2Sa 24:25) In the morning the people got up early and built an altar
there. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5 (Jdg 5:23) The children of Israel said, "Who from all the tribes of Israel
did not go up with the assembly to the Lord?" For they vowed a solemn
oath regarding whoever did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah stating,
"He must be killed."
6 (Jdg 21:15) The children of Israel lamented for Benjamin their brother,
and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.
7 (Jdg 21:1) What can we do to find wives for those who are left?
For we swore by the Lord not to give them our daughters as wives."
8 (1Sa 31:11-13) So they said, "Is there anyone from among the tribes
of Israel who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah?" Then they learned
that no one from the camp of Jabesh Gilead had come to the assembly.
9 When the people were counted, indeed, there was not a man there
from among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead.
10 (Jdg 5:23; 21:5) So the assembly sent twelve thousand valorous men there
and commanded them, "Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead
with the edge of the sword, including women and children.
11 (Nu 31:17-18) This is what you will do: You will kill every man
and every woman who has slept with a man."
12 (Jos 18:1) So among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead they found
400 virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them
to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.
13 (Dt 20:10; Jdg 20:47) Then the whole assembly sent someone to speak
to the Benjamites who were at Rimmon Rock, and they declared peace.
14 So the Benjamites returned at that time, and they gave to them the women
who were still alive from among the women of Jabesh Gilead.
Yet they did not find enough for them.
15 (Jdg 21:6) The people felt sorry for Benjamin, for the Lord had made a gap
among the tribes of Israel.
16 The elders of the assembly said, "What can we do to find wives for those
who are left? The Benjamite women were destroyed."
17 They said, “There must be an inheritance for the remnant of Benjamin,
so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.
18 (Jdg 21:1) Yet we cannot give them our daughters for wives,
for the children of Israel swore, 'Cursed be anyone who gives
a wife to Benjamin.' "
19 They said, "Wait! There is an annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh,
which is north of Bethel, east of the main road that goes up from Bethel
to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."
20 So they commanded the Benjamites, “Go and hide in the vineyards.
21 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) Watch, and then when the daughters of Shiloh
come out to dance in the dances, come out from the vineyards
and have every man grab a wife for himself from among
the daughters of Shiloh. Then go to the land of Benjamin.
22 (Jdg 21:1; 21:18) When their fathers or their brothers come to us
to complain, we will say to them, 'Be favorable to them for our sakes,
because we did not take for each man a wife in the battle;
for you have not given women to them at the time,
thereby making yourselves guilty.' "
23 (Jdg 20:48) So the Benjamites did this. They carried away wives
for each man from among the dancers that they caught. Then they
returned to their inheritance, rebuilt the cities, and lived in them.
24 At that time, the children of Israel departed from there each man
to his tribe and to his family. They went out from
there to their own inheritance.
25 (Jdg 17:6; 18:1) In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
2) Our Daily Bread for 6 Apr 2021
https://www.odb.org/CA/2021/04/06/companions-in-christ
entitled Companions in Christ
Phil 1:3-8
3 (Ro 1:8-9; 2Ti 1:3) I thank my God for every reminder of you.
4 (Ro 1:9) In every prayer of mine for you all,
I have always made requests with joy,
5 (Ac 16:12-40; Php 1:7) due to your fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now.
6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing, that He who
began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7 (2Co 7:3; Ac 20:23) It is right for me to think this of you all because
I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonments and in the defense
and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers of my grace.
8 (Ro 1:9; 9:1) For God is my witness, how I long after you all
with the affection of Jesus Christ.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is a decades-long project that's
resulted in a greater understanding
of the importance of healthy relationships. The research began with a group
of 268 sophomores at Harvard University in the 1930s and later expanded
to, among others, 456 Boston inner--ity residents. Researchers have conducted
interviews with the participants and pored over their medical records every
few years. They discovered that close relationships are the biggest factor
in predicting happiness and health. It turns out that if we surround ourselves
with the right people, we’ll likely experience a deeper sense of joy.
This appears to reflect what the apostle Paul is describing in Philippians 1.
Writing from prison, Paul can't help but tell his friends that he thanks
God for them every time he remembers them, praying "with joy" (v. 4).
But these aren't just any friends; these are brothers and sisters in Jesus
who "share in God's grace," partners in the gospel with Paul (v. 7).
Their relationship was one of sharing and mutuality-a true fellowship
shaped by God's love and the gospel itself.
Yes, friends are important, but fellow companions in Christ are catalysts of
a true and deep joy. The grace of God can bind us together like nothing else.
And even through the darkest seasons of life, the joy that comes from
that bond will last.
By: Glenn Packiam
Reflect & Pray
Who are the friends that surround you? What's the substance
of your relationships? How has the grace of God shaped
your choice of companions?
Dear God, thank You for the gift of friendship.
Help me to express my gratitude to those who have been faithful companions
to me. Give me the grace to strengthen and encourage them.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 3 - Let the Word Dwell in You
Col 3:16
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our minds are
bombarded by 20th Century values: "Dress for success!" "Get ahead!"
"You deserve a break today ...." Television, radio, and the incessant
voices that surround us distract our attention and keep us from
focusing on what is really important in our lives.
Paul's instruction to the Colossian Church brings us back to God's
value system: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."
When we give attention to the Word of God, we put ourselves in a position
to hear a higher truth the clamour of immediate demands
and the expectations of the world around us. We can experience peace
in the midst of struggle and rest in a restless environment.
God's Word is a powerful force for good in our lives - not merely
an attractive philosophy, but true power to overcome the pressures
of daily life.
Dweliing on the Word of God, and letting it indwell us, takes many forms.
Scripture memory, music, meditation, talking with others about the
goodness of God all help us keep our attention focused on Christ rather
than on the values of the world around us.
We can choose to listen to Christian radio or tapes. We can take time
daily for quiet meditation on his Word. We can commit the Word to memory
and draw on its power during the day. And as we listen to the voice
of the Spirit rather than the noise around us, we can enter into
his peace and live in communion with him.
Application
a) What pressures do I face that tend to distract me from the reality
of Chirst's presence?
b) How can I "let the word of Christ dwell richly" in me, so that I
an regain my focus on him?
c) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on Jesus and his word?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Kings 18:7
7 (1Sa 18:14; 2Ki 16:7; Ge 39:2–3 )The Lord was with him.
Wherever he went, he prospered. He (Ahaz) rebelled against
the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Protection in Times of Trouble
Ps 121
PSALMS 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills,
from where does my help come?
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He will not let your foot slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Behold, He who guards Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The Lord is your guardian;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) The sun shall not harm you during the day,
nor the moon during the night.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The Lord shall protect you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord shall preserve your going out
and your coming in from now and for evermore.
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
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
(
Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7) Therefore, keep and do them,
for this is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the
nations which shall hear all these statutes,
and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great,
who has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is
in all things whenever we call on Him?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty?
It is from then on good for nothing but to be thrown out
and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18)"You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16)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.
16(1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8)Let your light so shine before
men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15)"But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall
be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of BC, that God's Spirit would
influence then to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses beaming
forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding
the Hope Campaign and booklet
to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray ot the Lord to exercise self-control.
Pray to the Lord to give the right friends.
Pray to the Lord to focus on Jesus Christ every day.
Pray to the Lord to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Pray to the Lord to seek Him in times of trouble.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every community
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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