Day 108 18 Apr 2021 reflections
Day 108, 18 Apr 2021
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ , Pasto Doug
Talked about That was then, This is Now, There is Tomorrow.
WE look at the current COVID-19 situation and compare if
to the Jewish exile in Babylon.
Let define Captivity as "the situation where you find yourself having
your freedom limited involuntarily; being confined, trapped, restricted or
controlled against your will."
That was Then - Mixed Emotions
Hebrews 11:1
(2Co 4:18; 5:7) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Ezra 3:8-13
8 Now in the second month of the second year of their coming
to the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel,
Joshua the son of Jozadak, along with the remnant of their brothers
the Levitical priests and all who had come out of captivity back
to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites twenty years old
and older to supervise the work on the house of the Lord.
9 (Ezr 2:40) Then Joshua with his sons and brothers, and Kadmiel
with his sons, who are the sons of Judah, along with the sons of Henadad
with their sons and their brothers-all Levites-stood together to supervise
the workers on the house of God.
10 (Zec 4:10) When the builders laid the foundation of the temple
of the Lord, the priests in their apparel stood with trumpets and,
from the Levites, the sons of Asaph stood with cymbals
to praise the Lord, following the example of David king of Israel.
11 (1Ch 16:34; 16:41) They sang responsively, praising
and giving thanks unto the Lord,
"For He is good,
for His mercy endures forever toward Israel."
And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord,
because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
12 (Hag 2:3) Now many of the older Levitical priests
and chiefs of the fathers' households who had seen the first temple wept
with a loud voice as the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes,
though many others shouted exuberantly for joy.
13 As a result, the people could not distinguish the noise
of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people
since the people had raised such a loud noise that could be heard from afar off.
Haggai 2:3
3 (Ezr 3:12) Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory?
How do you see it now? Is it not, in your eyes, as nothing in comparison?
This is Now - Re-envision opportunity
Is 43:16-19
16 (Ps 77:19; Isa 51:10) Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea
and a path in the mighty waters,
17 (Isa 1:31; Ex 14:4-9) who brings forth the chariot and horse,
the army and the mighty men
(they shall lie down together, they shall not rise;
they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):
18 (Isa 65:17) Do not remember the former things
nor consider the things of old.
19 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) See, I will do a new thing,
now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
- Re-Engage Opportunity
- Re-evaluate priorities
Haggai 1:2-8
2 Thus says the Lord of Hosts: These people say, The time has not yet come
to rebuild the house of the Lord.
3 (Ezr 5:1) Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying:
4 (2Sa 7:2; Ps 132:3-5) Is it time for you yourselves to live in paneled
houses, while this house lies in ruins?
5 (La 3:40) Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of Hosts: Consider your ways.
6 (Hag 2:16; Zec 8:10) You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat,
but you do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink;
you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns
wages to put them into a bag with holes.
7 (Hag 1:5) Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Consider your ways.
8 (Ps 132:13-14; Hag 2:7) Go up to the mountain and bring wood
and rebuild the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,
says the Lord.
John 9:4
4 (Jn 12:35; 4:34) I must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work
There Will be Tomorrow
Haggai 2:4-9
4 (Zec 8:9; 2Sa 5:10) Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord,
and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong
all you people of the land, says the Lord. Work, for I am with you,
says the Lord of Hosts.
5 (Ne 9:20; Ex 29:45-46) According to the covenant that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.
6 (Isa 10:25; 29:17) For thus says the Lord of Hosts: Once more, in
a little while, I will shake the heavens and earth, the sea and dry land.
7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations, and they will come
with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house
with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of Hosts.
9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater than the former,
says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place I will give peace,
says the Lord of Hosts.
A divided and broken culture needs a united and healty church.
Prayer
Jesus, I want to change today. I don't want to be stuck in my past fears
and failures. I'm sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. Thank you
for dying and being resurrected for me. Please come into my life
and world today. Give me a brand new start.
Ps 17,35,54,63
PSALMS 17
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer
that is not spoken from deceitful lips.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) May my sentence go out from Your presence;
may Your eyes see rightly.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have examined my heart; You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Concerning the works of men,
by the word of Your lips
I have avoided
the paths of the violent,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) placing my steps in Your paths,
that my footsteps do not slip.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I called on You, for You will answer me, OGod;
incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Show marvelously Your lovingkindness,
O Deliverer of those who seek refuge
by Your right hand from those who arise in opposition.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) from the wicked who bring ruin to me,
from my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) They close their hard hearts;
with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) They have now encircled us in our steps;
they have set their eyes to bend down to the earth;
12 it is like a lion that is anxious to rip its prey,
and as a young lion lurking in secrecy.
13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, cast him down!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword,
14 from men by Your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their belly with Your treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness.
PSALMS 35
A Psalm of David.
1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with my adversaries;
fight those who fight me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Take hold of the large shield and small shield,
and rise up for my help.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Draw the spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
"I am Your salvation."
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) May those who seek my life
be ashamed and humiliated;
may those who plan my injury
be turned back and put to shame.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) May they be as chaff before the wind,
and may the angel of the Lord cast them down.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) May their way be dark and slippery,
and may the angel of the Lord pursue them.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) For without cause they have hidden their net
for me in a pit,
which they have dug without cause for my soul.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Let destruction come on him without warning,
and let the net that he hid ensnare him;
let him fall into it, to his destruction.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) My soul will be joyful in the Lord;
it will rejoice in His salvation.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) All my bones will say,
"Lord, who is like You,
who delivers the poor from a stronger one,
the poor and the needy from the one who robs them?"
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Witnesses intent on violence rose up;
they accused me of things I knew nothing about.
12 They rewarded me evil for good,
the bereavement of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled my soul with fasting;
and my prayer returns to my own heart.
14 I paced as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down lamenting,
as one who mourns for a mother.
15 But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together;
assailants gathered together against me, though I was unaware;
they tore me apart and did not stop;
16 with hypocritical mockers in feasts,
they gnashed on me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue my soul from their destructions,
my life from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation;
I will praise You among a mighty people.
19 May my deceitful enemies
not rejoice over me;
nor may those who hate me without cause
wink with their eye.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but they devise deceitful matters
against the restful ones in the land.
21 They opened their mouth wide against me,
and said, "Aha, aha, our eye has seen it."
22 This You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent;
O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Rouse Yourself and awake for my judgment,
for my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness,
and may they not rejoice over me.
25 May they not say in their hearts, "Ah, we have our soul's desire."
May they not say, "We have swallowed him up."
26 May those who rejoice at my harm be ashamed
and altogether put to shame;
may they be clothed with shame and dishonor
who magnify themselves against me.
27 May those who favor my righteous cause
shout for joy and be glad;
may they say continually, "The Lord be magnified,
who delights in the peace of His servant."
28 My tongue will speak of Your righteousness
and of Your praise all the day long.
PSALMS 54
For the Music Director. With stringed instruments.
A Contemplative Maskil of David, when the Ziphites
went and told Saul, "Is David not hiding among us?"
1 O God, save me by Your name,
and judge me by Your strength.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For strangers rise up against me,
and formidable adversaries seek my life;
they do not set God before them. Selah
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) God is my helper;
the Lord is with those who support my life.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) He will repay my enemies for their evil.
In Your faithfulness, destroy them.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You;
I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) For He has delivered me out of all trouble;
and my eye has looked down on my enemies.
PSALMS 63
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
early will I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my flesh faints for You,
in a dry and thirsty land
with no water.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I have seen You in the sanctuary,
to see Your power and Your glory.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips will praise You.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Thus will I bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) My soul will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) When I remember You on my bed,
and meditate on You in the night watches,
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) because You have been my help,
therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) My soul clings hard to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) But those who seek my soul to destroy it
will go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) They will fall by the sword;
they will be a portion for jackals.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) But the king will rejoice in God;
everyone who swears by Him will glory,
because the mouth of liars will be stopped.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 Apr 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/04/18/hard-ground-and-tender-mercy
entitled Hard Ground and Tender Mercy
Ruth 4:13-22
The Genealogy of David
13 (Ge 29:31; 33:5) So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife.
When they came together, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.
14 (Lk 1:58) Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not
left you without a redeemer. May he become famous in Israel!
15 (1Sa 1:8) He will be a comfort for your soul and support you in your
old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better
to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."
16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him on her lap, and became his nurse.
17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi!"
And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 (1Ch 2:4-8; Mt 1:3-6) Now these are the descendants of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,
19 Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab,
20 (Nu 1:7) Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
21 (Mt 1:5; Lk 3:32) Salmon the father of Boaz,
Boaz the father of Obed,
22 Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of David.
When James was just six years old, his older brother David died
tragically in an ice-skating accident. It was the day before David's
fourteenth birthday. In the years that followed, James tried his best
to console his mother, Margaret, who in her deep grief sometimes
reminded herself that her elder son would never have to face
the challenges of growing up. In James Barrie's fertile imagination,
decades later that same idea would burgeon into inspiration for
a much-loved children's story character who never aged:
Peter Pan. Like a flower pushing its way through pavement, good emerged
even from the hard ground of unthinkable heartache.
How comforting is the thought that God, in an infinitely more creative way,
is able to bring good out of our most difficult circumstances. A beautiful
illustration of this occurs in the Old Testament story of Ruth.
Naomi lost her two sons, leaving her without means or support.
Her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth chose to remain with Naomi
to help provide for her and to serve her God (Ruth 1:16). In the end,
God's provision brought them unexpected joy. Ruth remarried and had a child,
"and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David" (4:17).
He would also be listed among the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
God's tender mercy reaches beyond our ability to fathom
and meets us in surprising places. Keep looking! Perhaps you'll see it today.
By: James Banks
Reflect & Pray
When have you seen God bring unexpected good out of difficult circumstances
in your life? How can you share what He's done with others?
Loving God, I thank You that one day You'll wipe every tear
from my eyes because You're greater than every heartache or difficulty
I'll ever face.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back
Eph 1:7
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace
In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a
struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters
a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come
to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own
instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably
be back again.
In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through
His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."
We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped
his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the
world's system and the Enemy of our souls.
But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable
currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.
He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth
such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls
of the people he created and loved.
Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious
jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have
to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we
had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no
deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.
We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?
b) What does it mean, in pratical terms, that God "redeemed" me from that sin?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gen 13:2,5-6,14-17
2 (Ge 24:35; Ps 112:1–3) Abram was very wealthy in livestock,
in silver and in gold.
5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
6 (Ge 36:6–7) But the land was not able to support them
both dwelling together because their possessions were so great.
14 (Ge 28:14; Dt 3:27) After Lot had departed from him,
the Lord said to Abram,
"Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are,
northward and southward and eastward and westward.
15 (Ge 12:7; 2Ch 20:7) All the land that you see I will give to you
and to your descendants forever.
16 (Ge 28:14; Nu 23:10) I will make your descendants like the dust
of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust of the earth,
then your descendants could also be numbered.
17 Arise, and walk throughout the land across its length
and its width, for I will give it to you."
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Generous Provision
Ps 145:13b-21
13 Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord preserves all those who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all people bless His holy name
forever and ever.
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 13 April to 12 May 2021
From https://www.30daysprayer.com/
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/dreams-and-healing-in-new-york/
DREAMS AND HEALING IN NEW YORK
WOLOF PEOPLE OF THE MOURIDE ISLAMIC SECT ACCEPT CHRIST
Fatou, a member of the proud Mouride Islamic sect, felt like she was dying.
So, she did what many of the Wolof people
of Senegal have done for generations.
"The blood disease was taking over my body. I was Muslim, and in my culture,
you see the marabouts, or Islamic sorcerers for help.
I spent tens of thousands of dollars on various marabouts,
without being healed."
Things changed after she moved to New York City, where more
than 20 000 Wolof people now make up the city's largest West African
Muslim ethnic group. (There are some seven million Wolof
people across the world.)
"A friend of mine invited me to church. I was only interested
because Jesus performed miracles in her life; so I went.
"Then God appeared to me in a dream and said I needed to read the Bible
to have the answer for us Muslims who have been oppressed.
I read the Bible, and I trusted Jesus to heal me and save me from oppression
and sin. I rejoice that I’ve now been healed and saved!"
Fatou didn't know any Wolof Christians,
so she began boldly sharing her faith with her neighbors.
"I don't care if they kill me," she said.
"I have to share Jesus with my people."
Within two years of her conversion, more than 15 of her Wolof friends
and family members have become followers of Christ
in the U.S., France, Italy, and Senegal.
Today, there are no Wolof-speaking churches in North America.
Pray that the first Wolof church in North America will be founded soon.
The Wolof are the most influential West African Muslim ethnic group
in NYC and Senegal. Pray that God uses them to spread His light
to other West Africans.
Pray that like Fatou, more Wolof will exchange their sorcerers
for the healing power of Christ (Acts 19:19
19 Many who practiced magic brought their books together
and burned them before everyone. They calculated their value,
which equaled fifty thousand drachmas.
[A drachma was worth about a day's wage.]
).
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to be stuck in my past fears and failures.
Pray to the Lord to seek justice in His way.
Pray to the Lord to find his temder mercies.
Pray to the Lord to get and keep you out of sin.
Pray to the Lord to seek His Righteous blessings!
Pray to the Lor to seek the destruction of evil and wickedness.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .'
Pray that the first Wolof church in North America will be founded soon.
The Wolof are the most influential West African Muslim ethnic group
in NYC and Senegal.
Pray that God uses them to spread His light
to other West Africans.
Pray that more Wolof will exchange their sorcerers
for the healing power of Christ
Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ , Pasto Doug
Talked about That was then, This is Now, There is Tomorrow.
WE look at the current COVID-19 situation and compare if
to the Jewish exile in Babylon.
Let define Captivity as "the situation where you find yourself having
your freedom limited involuntarily; being confined, trapped, restricted or
controlled against your will."
That was Then - Mixed Emotions
Hebrews 11:1
(2Co 4:18; 5:7) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Ezra 3:8-13
8 Now in the second month of the second year of their coming
to the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel,
Joshua the son of Jozadak, along with the remnant of their brothers
the Levitical priests and all who had come out of captivity back
to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites twenty years old
and older to supervise the work on the house of the Lord.
9 (Ezr 2:40) Then Joshua with his sons and brothers, and Kadmiel
with his sons, who are the sons of Judah, along with the sons of Henadad
with their sons and their brothers-all Levites-stood together to supervise
the workers on the house of God.
10 (Zec 4:10) When the builders laid the foundation of the temple
of the Lord, the priests in their apparel stood with trumpets and,
from the Levites, the sons of Asaph stood with cymbals
to praise the Lord, following the example of David king of Israel.
11 (1Ch 16:34; 16:41) They sang responsively, praising
and giving thanks unto the Lord,
"For He is good,
for His mercy endures forever toward Israel."
And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord,
because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
12 (Hag 2:3) Now many of the older Levitical priests
and chiefs of the fathers' households who had seen the first temple wept
with a loud voice as the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes,
though many others shouted exuberantly for joy.
13 As a result, the people could not distinguish the noise
of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people
since the people had raised such a loud noise that could be heard from afar off.
Haggai 2:3
3 (Ezr 3:12) Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory?
How do you see it now? Is it not, in your eyes, as nothing in comparison?
This is Now - Re-envision opportunity
Is 43:16-19
16 (Ps 77:19; Isa 51:10) Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea
and a path in the mighty waters,
17 (Isa 1:31; Ex 14:4-9) who brings forth the chariot and horse,
the army and the mighty men
(they shall lie down together, they shall not rise;
they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):
18 (Isa 65:17) Do not remember the former things
nor consider the things of old.
19 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) See, I will do a new thing,
now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
- Re-Engage Opportunity
- Re-evaluate priorities
Haggai 1:2-8
2 Thus says the Lord of Hosts: These people say, The time has not yet come
to rebuild the house of the Lord.
3 (Ezr 5:1) Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying:
4 (2Sa 7:2; Ps 132:3-5) Is it time for you yourselves to live in paneled
houses, while this house lies in ruins?
5 (La 3:40) Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of Hosts: Consider your ways.
6 (Hag 2:16; Zec 8:10) You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat,
but you do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink;
you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns
wages to put them into a bag with holes.
7 (Hag 1:5) Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Consider your ways.
8 (Ps 132:13-14; Hag 2:7) Go up to the mountain and bring wood
and rebuild the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,
says the Lord.
John 9:4
4 (Jn 12:35; 4:34) I must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work
There Will be Tomorrow
Haggai 2:4-9
4 (Zec 8:9; 2Sa 5:10) Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord,
and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong
all you people of the land, says the Lord. Work, for I am with you,
says the Lord of Hosts.
5 (Ne 9:20; Ex 29:45-46) According to the covenant that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.
6 (Isa 10:25; 29:17) For thus says the Lord of Hosts: Once more, in
a little while, I will shake the heavens and earth, the sea and dry land.
7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations, and they will come
with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house
with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of Hosts.
9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater than the former,
says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place I will give peace,
says the Lord of Hosts.
A divided and broken culture needs a united and healty church.
Prayer
Jesus, I want to change today. I don't want to be stuck in my past fears
and failures. I'm sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. Thank you
for dying and being resurrected for me. Please come into my life
and world today. Give me a brand new start.
Ps 17,35,54,63
PSALMS 17
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer
that is not spoken from deceitful lips.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) May my sentence go out from Your presence;
may Your eyes see rightly.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have examined my heart; You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Concerning the works of men,
by the word of Your lips
I have avoided
the paths of the violent,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) placing my steps in Your paths,
that my footsteps do not slip.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I called on You, for You will answer me, OGod;
incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Show marvelously Your lovingkindness,
O Deliverer of those who seek refuge
by Your right hand from those who arise in opposition.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) from the wicked who bring ruin to me,
from my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) They close their hard hearts;
with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) They have now encircled us in our steps;
they have set their eyes to bend down to the earth;
12 it is like a lion that is anxious to rip its prey,
and as a young lion lurking in secrecy.
13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, cast him down!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword,
14 from men by Your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their belly with Your treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness.
PSALMS 35
A Psalm of David.
1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with my adversaries;
fight those who fight me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Take hold of the large shield and small shield,
and rise up for my help.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Draw the spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
"I am Your salvation."
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) May those who seek my life
be ashamed and humiliated;
may those who plan my injury
be turned back and put to shame.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) May they be as chaff before the wind,
and may the angel of the Lord cast them down.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) May their way be dark and slippery,
and may the angel of the Lord pursue them.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) For without cause they have hidden their net
for me in a pit,
which they have dug without cause for my soul.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Let destruction come on him without warning,
and let the net that he hid ensnare him;
let him fall into it, to his destruction.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) My soul will be joyful in the Lord;
it will rejoice in His salvation.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) All my bones will say,
"Lord, who is like You,
who delivers the poor from a stronger one,
the poor and the needy from the one who robs them?"
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Witnesses intent on violence rose up;
they accused me of things I knew nothing about.
12 They rewarded me evil for good,
the bereavement of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled my soul with fasting;
and my prayer returns to my own heart.
14 I paced as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down lamenting,
as one who mourns for a mother.
15 But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together;
assailants gathered together against me, though I was unaware;
they tore me apart and did not stop;
16 with hypocritical mockers in feasts,
they gnashed on me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue my soul from their destructions,
my life from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation;
I will praise You among a mighty people.
19 May my deceitful enemies
not rejoice over me;
nor may those who hate me without cause
wink with their eye.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but they devise deceitful matters
against the restful ones in the land.
21 They opened their mouth wide against me,
and said, "Aha, aha, our eye has seen it."
22 This You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent;
O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Rouse Yourself and awake for my judgment,
for my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness,
and may they not rejoice over me.
25 May they not say in their hearts, "Ah, we have our soul's desire."
May they not say, "We have swallowed him up."
26 May those who rejoice at my harm be ashamed
and altogether put to shame;
may they be clothed with shame and dishonor
who magnify themselves against me.
27 May those who favor my righteous cause
shout for joy and be glad;
may they say continually, "The Lord be magnified,
who delights in the peace of His servant."
28 My tongue will speak of Your righteousness
and of Your praise all the day long.
PSALMS 54
For the Music Director. With stringed instruments.
A Contemplative Maskil of David, when the Ziphites
went and told Saul, "Is David not hiding among us?"
1 O God, save me by Your name,
and judge me by Your strength.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For strangers rise up against me,
and formidable adversaries seek my life;
they do not set God before them. Selah
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) God is my helper;
the Lord is with those who support my life.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) He will repay my enemies for their evil.
In Your faithfulness, destroy them.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You;
I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) For He has delivered me out of all trouble;
and my eye has looked down on my enemies.
PSALMS 63
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
early will I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my flesh faints for You,
in a dry and thirsty land
with no water.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I have seen You in the sanctuary,
to see Your power and Your glory.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips will praise You.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Thus will I bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) My soul will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) When I remember You on my bed,
and meditate on You in the night watches,
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) because You have been my help,
therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) My soul clings hard to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) But those who seek my soul to destroy it
will go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) They will fall by the sword;
they will be a portion for jackals.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) But the king will rejoice in God;
everyone who swears by Him will glory,
because the mouth of liars will be stopped.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 Apr 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/04/18/hard-ground-and-tender-mercy
entitled Hard Ground and Tender Mercy
Ruth 4:13-22
The Genealogy of David
13 (Ge 29:31; 33:5) So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife.
When they came together, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.
14 (Lk 1:58) Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not
left you without a redeemer. May he become famous in Israel!
15 (1Sa 1:8) He will be a comfort for your soul and support you in your
old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better
to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."
16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him on her lap, and became his nurse.
17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi!"
And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 (1Ch 2:4-8; Mt 1:3-6) Now these are the descendants of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,
19 Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab,
20 (Nu 1:7) Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
21 (Mt 1:5; Lk 3:32) Salmon the father of Boaz,
Boaz the father of Obed,
22 Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of David.
When James was just six years old, his older brother David died
tragically in an ice-skating accident. It was the day before David's
fourteenth birthday. In the years that followed, James tried his best
to console his mother, Margaret, who in her deep grief sometimes
reminded herself that her elder son would never have to face
the challenges of growing up. In James Barrie's fertile imagination,
decades later that same idea would burgeon into inspiration for
a much-loved children's story character who never aged:
Peter Pan. Like a flower pushing its way through pavement, good emerged
even from the hard ground of unthinkable heartache.
How comforting is the thought that God, in an infinitely more creative way,
is able to bring good out of our most difficult circumstances. A beautiful
illustration of this occurs in the Old Testament story of Ruth.
Naomi lost her two sons, leaving her without means or support.
Her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth chose to remain with Naomi
to help provide for her and to serve her God (Ruth 1:16). In the end,
God's provision brought them unexpected joy. Ruth remarried and had a child,
"and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David" (4:17).
He would also be listed among the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
God's tender mercy reaches beyond our ability to fathom
and meets us in surprising places. Keep looking! Perhaps you'll see it today.
By: James Banks
Reflect & Pray
When have you seen God bring unexpected good out of difficult circumstances
in your life? How can you share what He's done with others?
Loving God, I thank You that one day You'll wipe every tear
from my eyes because You're greater than every heartache or difficulty
I'll ever face.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back
Eph 1:7
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace
In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a
struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters
a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come
to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own
instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably
be back again.
In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through
His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."
We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped
his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the
world's system and the Enemy of our souls.
But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable
currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.
He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth
such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls
of the people he created and loved.
Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious
jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have
to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we
had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no
deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.
We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?
b) What does it mean, in pratical terms, that God "redeemed" me from that sin?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gen 13:2,5-6,14-17
2 (Ge 24:35; Ps 112:1–3) Abram was very wealthy in livestock,
in silver and in gold.
5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
6 (Ge 36:6–7) But the land was not able to support them
both dwelling together because their possessions were so great.
14 (Ge 28:14; Dt 3:27) After Lot had departed from him,
the Lord said to Abram,
"Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are,
northward and southward and eastward and westward.
15 (Ge 12:7; 2Ch 20:7) All the land that you see I will give to you
and to your descendants forever.
16 (Ge 28:14; Nu 23:10) I will make your descendants like the dust
of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust of the earth,
then your descendants could also be numbered.
17 Arise, and walk throughout the land across its length
and its width, for I will give it to you."
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Generous Provision
Ps 145:13b-21
13 Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord preserves all those who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all people bless His holy name
forever and ever.
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 13 April to 12 May 2021
From https://www.30daysprayer.com/
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/dreams-and-healing-in-new-york/
DREAMS AND HEALING IN NEW YORK
WOLOF PEOPLE OF THE MOURIDE ISLAMIC SECT ACCEPT CHRIST
Fatou, a member of the proud Mouride Islamic sect, felt like she was dying.
So, she did what many of the Wolof people
of Senegal have done for generations.
"The blood disease was taking over my body. I was Muslim, and in my culture,
you see the marabouts, or Islamic sorcerers for help.
I spent tens of thousands of dollars on various marabouts,
without being healed."
Things changed after she moved to New York City, where more
than 20 000 Wolof people now make up the city's largest West African
Muslim ethnic group. (There are some seven million Wolof
people across the world.)
"A friend of mine invited me to church. I was only interested
because Jesus performed miracles in her life; so I went.
"Then God appeared to me in a dream and said I needed to read the Bible
to have the answer for us Muslims who have been oppressed.
I read the Bible, and I trusted Jesus to heal me and save me from oppression
and sin. I rejoice that I’ve now been healed and saved!"
Fatou didn't know any Wolof Christians,
so she began boldly sharing her faith with her neighbors.
"I don't care if they kill me," she said.
"I have to share Jesus with my people."
Within two years of her conversion, more than 15 of her Wolof friends
and family members have become followers of Christ
in the U.S., France, Italy, and Senegal.
Today, there are no Wolof-speaking churches in North America.
Pray that the first Wolof church in North America will be founded soon.
The Wolof are the most influential West African Muslim ethnic group
in NYC and Senegal. Pray that God uses them to spread His light
to other West Africans.
Pray that like Fatou, more Wolof will exchange their sorcerers
for the healing power of Christ (Acts 19:19
19 Many who practiced magic brought their books together
and burned them before everyone. They calculated their value,
which equaled fifty thousand drachmas.
[A drachma was worth about a day's wage.]
).
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to be stuck in my past fears and failures.
Pray to the Lord to seek justice in His way.
Pray to the Lord to find his temder mercies.
Pray to the Lord to get and keep you out of sin.
Pray to the Lord to seek His Righteous blessings!
Pray to the Lor to seek the destruction of evil and wickedness.
Pray for Muslims in Manitoba to receive Christ as Saviour .'
Pray that the first Wolof church in North America will be founded soon.
The Wolof are the most influential West African Muslim ethnic group
in NYC and Senegal.
Pray that God uses them to spread His light
to other West Africans.
Pray that more Wolof will exchange their sorcerers
for the healing power of Christ
Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
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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