Day 174 - 23 June 2021 reflections
Day 174, 23 June 2021
2 Chron 10-12
2 Chronicles 10
Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam
1 Ki 12:1-24
1 Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel journeyed to Shechem to make him
king.
2 (1Ki 11:40) It happened that Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this-he was
in Egypt, where he fled from King Solomon-so he returned from Egypt.
3 So they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came
and spoke to Rehoboam saying,
4 "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore, lighten your father's labor
and heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you."
5 He responded, "Return again to me in three days." So the people left.
6 (Job 32:7) Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who stood
in the presence of Solomon his father when he was alive saying,
"How do you counsel that I should give a response to this people?"
7 (Pr 15:1; 1Ki 12:7) They said to him, "If you are good to this people
and please them and speak well to them, then they will be servants
to you all your days."
8 (2Sa 17:14) But he abandoned the counsel of the elders that they gave
to him. And he consulted the young men who grew up and stood before him.
9Rehoboam said to them, "What do you counsel that we give as a response to
this people who have spoken to me, 'Lighten the yoke that your father
placed on us'?"
10 The young men who had grown up with him said, "So you should speak
to the people who have spoken to you saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy,
but you lighten it from us.' So you will say to them, 'My little finger is thicker
than my father's waist!
11 Whereas my father placed a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke.
My father chastened you with whips, but I will scourge you with scorpions.' "
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day,
as the king had ordered saying, "Return to me on the third day."
13 Then the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice
of the elders.
14 He spoke to them with the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made
your yoke heavy, but I will increase it. My father chastised you with whips,
but I will chastise you with scorpions."
15 (1Ki 11:29-39; 2Ch 25:16-20) The king did not listen to the people,
for the event occurred because of God, that the Lord might establish
His word that He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam
the son of Nebat.
{Rehoboam should have prayed and served the Lord}
16 (2Sa 20:1; 2Ch 10:19) When all Israel saw that the king would not
listen to them, the people answered the king saying,
"What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
O Israel, each man to your tent.
Now look after your own house, O David!"
Then all Israel departed to their tents.
17 The sons of Israel dwelled in the cities of Judah,
and Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 (1Ki 5:14; 4:6) Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the forced
labor, and the sons of Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam hurried
to mount his chariot and to flee to Jerusalem.
19 So Israel has rebelled against the house of David until this day.
2 Chronicles 11
1 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he called together from the house of Judah
and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand (Or Abi in 2Ki 18:2.) choice men
to make war and to battle with Israel in order to restore the kingdom
to Rehoboam.
2 (2Ch 12:15) But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God saying:
3 Speak to Rehoboam, son of Solomon and king of Judah, and to all Israel
in Judah and Benjamin,
4 "So says the Lord: You are not to go up and fight against your brothers.
Each man must return to his house, for this event is from Me."
So they obeyed the word of the Lord and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.
Rehoboam Secures the Kingdom
5 (2Ch 8:2-6) So Rehoboam dwelled in Jerusalem and built siege cities in Judah.
6 He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7 (Jos 15:35) Beth Zur in the east, Soko, Adullam,
8 Gath, Mareshah in the west, Ziph,
9 Adoraim, Lachish in the south, Azekah,
10 Zorah, Aijalon in the northwest, and central Hebron, all of which
were fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
11He strengthened the fortresses and set leaders in them
with stockpiles of food, oil, and wine.
12 And in all the cities he placed shields and spears, and he greatly
strengthened these places. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
13 And the priests and Levites in all Israel came before him from
all their territories.
14 (2Ch 13:9; Nu 35:2-5) For the Levites left their pasture lands
and properties, and they traveled to Judah and Jerusalem
because Jeroboam and his sons excluded them from serving
as priests to the Lord.
15 (1Ki 12:28; 12:31) And he set for himself priests for the high places
and for the goat and calf idols that he made.
16 (2Ch 15:9) And those who set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel
followed after them from all the tribes of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem
to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.
17 (2Ch 12:1) So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah
and supported Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, for three years,
for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.
Rehoboam's Family
18 (1Sa 16:6; 17:13) And Rehoboam took Mahalath for a wife,
the daughter of both Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail
the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse,
19 and she bore sons to him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
20 (2Ch 13:2) Then after her he took Maakah the daughter of Absalom.
And she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 (Dt 17:17) And Rehoboam loved Maakah the daughter of Absalom
more than his other wives and concubines
(for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines), and he had 28 sons
and 60 daughters.
22 (Dt 21:15-17) And Rehoboam set Abijah the son of Maakah as chief
and head over his brothers for he planned to make him king.
23 And he was discerning and spread out all his sons to all the lands
of Judah and Benjamin, even among the fortified cities, and he provided
for them an abundance of provisions and wives.
2 Chronicles 12
Egypt Attacks Jerusalem
1Ki 14:21-31
1 (2Ch 11:17; 12:13) Now when the reign of Rehoboam was established
and strong, he, and all of Israel with him, abandoned the law of the Lord.
2 (1Ki 11:40) And in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt
went up against Jerusalem for they had acted unfaithfully against the Lord,
3 (2Ch 16:8; Na 3:9; Da 11:439 with 1200 chariots and 60000 horses.
The people were without number who came with him from Egypt-Libyans,
Sukkiktes, and Ethiopians.
4 (2Ch 11:5-12) And he captured the fortified cities that were in Judah,
and he came even to Jerusalem.
5 (2Ch 11:2; 15:2) Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam
and the rulers of Judah who were assembled in Jerusalem before Shishak,
and he said to them, "So the Lord says: You have abandoned Me,
so I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak."
6 (Ex 9:27; Da 9:14) Then the king and the rulers of Israel humbled themselves
and said, "The Lord is righteous."
7 (2Ch 34:25) So when the Lord observed that they had humbled themselves,
the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, "They have humbled themselves,
so I will not destroy them. I will let some of them escape,
and My anger will not pour out against Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
8 (Dt 28:47-48; Isa 26:13) For they will be slaves to him so that
they experience My labor and the labor of the kingdoms of other lands."
9 (1Ki 10:16-17; 2Ch 9:15-16) So Shishak king of Egypt went up
against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord
and of the palace of the king. He took everything, even the gold shields
that Solomon made.
10 And King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place
and entrusted them to the hands of the rulers of the guards,
those who guarded the entrance to the king's palace.
11 And it happened that whenever the king came to the house of the Lord,
the guards came and carried the shields
and then returned them to the guardroom.
12 (2Ch 19:3; 1Ki 14:13) And when he humbled himself, the anger of the Lord
turned away from him so that there was not a complete annihilation.
Moreover, there were some good things in Judah during this time.
The Death of Rehoboam
13 (1Ki 14:21; Dt 12:5) So King Rehoboam was strong and reigned in Jerusalem.
For Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king,
and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem,
the city that the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel,
to put His name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.
14 (2Ch 19:3) And he acted evil because he did not set his heart
to seek out the Lord.
15 (2Ch 9:29; 12:5; 1Ki 12:22) Now, are not the acts of Rehoboam written
from beginning to end in the annals of Shemaiah the prophet
and Iddo the seer, according to genealogy?
And there were battles between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried
in the City of David, and Abijah ruled in his place.
{Rehoboam not seeking the God of Israel was his downfall}
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 June 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/06/23/imagine-this
entitled Imagine This!
Isaiah 65:17–25
The New Creation
17 (2Pe 3:13; Isa 66:22; Jer 3:16) For I create
new heavens and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
18 (Ps 98:1-9) But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
and her people for joy.
19 (Isa 35:10; 25:8) I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in My people;
and the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
nor the voice of crying.
20 (Dt 4:40; Job 5:26) There shall no longer be
an infant who lives only a few days
nor an old man who has not filled out his days.
For the child shall die
a hundred years old,
but the sinner being a hundred years old
shall be accursed.
21 (Am 9:14 ) They shall build houses and inhabit them;
and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.
22 (Ps 92:12-14) They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for as the days of a tree
are the days of My people,
and My chosen ones shall long enjoy
the work of their hands.
23 (Isa 61:9; Dt 28:3-12; Ac 2:39) They shall not labor in vain
nor bring forth children for trouble;
for they are the descendants of the blessed of the Lord
and their offspring with them.
24 (Da 9:20-23; 10:12 ) Before they call, I will answer;
and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
25 (Isa 65:11; Mic 4:3) The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
and the lion shall eat straw like the bull,
and dust shall be the serpent's food.
They shall not hurt nor destroy
in all My holy mountain,
says the Lord.
During the course of a popular home renovation television program,
viewers often hear the host say, "Imagine this!" Then she unveils what
could be when old things are restored and drab walls and floors are painted
or stained. In one episode, after the renovation the homeowner
was so overjoyed that, along with other expressions of elation, the words
"That's beautiful!" gushed from her lips three times.
One of the stunning “Imagine this!†passages in the Bible is Isaiah 65:17-25.
What a dazzling re-creation scene! The future renovation of heaven
and earth is in view (v. 17), and it's not merely cosmetic. It's deep and real,
life-altering and life-preserving. "They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit" (v. 21). Violence will be a thing
of the past:
"They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain" (v. 25).
While the reversals envisioned in Isaiah 65 will be realized in the future,
the God who will orchestrate universal restoration is in the business
of life-change now. The apostle Paul assures us, "If anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
(2 Corinthians 5:17). In need of restoration? Has your life been broken
by doubt, disobedience, and pain? Life-change through Jesus is real
and beautiful and available to those who ask and believe.
By: Arthur Jackson
Reflect & Pray
What changes can you imagine the God of restoration making in your life?
What's keeping you from believing in Jesus for life-change today?
God of restoration and renovation, You know what changes are needed
in my life for me to look more like You. Please work in my heart
and life today.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 4 - freedom from Fear
Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom will I be afraid?
Marcy was afraid of the dark. As a child she slept with a nightlight on,
and even she matured, she still had a fear of dark places.
When she was at home alone, she kept all the lights on,
and a small lamp at her bedside glowed through the night.
The psalmist David reflects that common fear of darkness when he says
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?"
David does not say, "The Lord brings light," but "The Lord is my light".
God is the source of understanding and security in our lives.
He is the One who can expose and deal with our fears.
When we are afraid - afraid of losing a job or a loved one,
afraid of making mistakes, afraid of being hurt, afraid of what others may
say about us - we can turn to the Lord who can handle our fears.
He is a "stronghold", a fortress of protection around us,
and in him we are safe.
Often we turn to other places for our security - to the bank account,
to a spouse or loved one, to the approval of the world.
We mistakenly think that these sources can provide a foundation of defence
against uncertainty of life. But when we find that people disappoint us, money
loses its value, and the praise of others is fleeting,
we must turn again to the true source of security, God alone.
Application
a) What sources of security have I trusted in besides God?
What was the result of that trust?
b) In what ways have I depended upon God for my security?
c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see
when I lived in darkness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 29:9
9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant
and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation os those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son ÂJesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to make righteousness and God Honouring decisions.
Pray to the Lord "God of restoration and renovation,
You know what changes are needed
in my life for me to look more like You. Please work in my heart
and life today.."
Pray to the Lord to put full trust in Him.
Pray to the Lord to keep His Covenant with Him.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for His love.
Pray for Muslims in Quebec to receive Christ as Saviour
and that Christian outreach will increase in Quebec.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have God's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation os those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
Pray for the training and equipping of house church leaders in Iran .
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.
2 Chron 10-12
2 Chronicles 10
Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam
1 Ki 12:1-24
1 Rehoboam went to Shechem because all Israel journeyed to Shechem to make him
king.
2 (1Ki 11:40) It happened that Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this-he was
in Egypt, where he fled from King Solomon-so he returned from Egypt.
3 So they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came
and spoke to Rehoboam saying,
4 "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore, lighten your father's labor
and heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you."
5 He responded, "Return again to me in three days." So the people left.
6 (Job 32:7) Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who stood
in the presence of Solomon his father when he was alive saying,
"How do you counsel that I should give a response to this people?"
7 (Pr 15:1; 1Ki 12:7) They said to him, "If you are good to this people
and please them and speak well to them, then they will be servants
to you all your days."
8 (2Sa 17:14) But he abandoned the counsel of the elders that they gave
to him. And he consulted the young men who grew up and stood before him.
9Rehoboam said to them, "What do you counsel that we give as a response to
this people who have spoken to me, 'Lighten the yoke that your father
placed on us'?"
10 The young men who had grown up with him said, "So you should speak
to the people who have spoken to you saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy,
but you lighten it from us.' So you will say to them, 'My little finger is thicker
than my father's waist!
11 Whereas my father placed a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke.
My father chastened you with whips, but I will scourge you with scorpions.' "
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day,
as the king had ordered saying, "Return to me on the third day."
13 Then the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice
of the elders.
14 He spoke to them with the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made
your yoke heavy, but I will increase it. My father chastised you with whips,
but I will chastise you with scorpions."
15 (1Ki 11:29-39; 2Ch 25:16-20) The king did not listen to the people,
for the event occurred because of God, that the Lord might establish
His word that He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam
the son of Nebat.
{Rehoboam should have prayed and served the Lord}
16 (2Sa 20:1; 2Ch 10:19) When all Israel saw that the king would not
listen to them, the people answered the king saying,
"What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
O Israel, each man to your tent.
Now look after your own house, O David!"
Then all Israel departed to their tents.
17 The sons of Israel dwelled in the cities of Judah,
and Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 (1Ki 5:14; 4:6) Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the forced
labor, and the sons of Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam hurried
to mount his chariot and to flee to Jerusalem.
19 So Israel has rebelled against the house of David until this day.
2 Chronicles 11
1 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he called together from the house of Judah
and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand (Or Abi in 2Ki 18:2.) choice men
to make war and to battle with Israel in order to restore the kingdom
to Rehoboam.
2 (2Ch 12:15) But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God saying:
3 Speak to Rehoboam, son of Solomon and king of Judah, and to all Israel
in Judah and Benjamin,
4 "So says the Lord: You are not to go up and fight against your brothers.
Each man must return to his house, for this event is from Me."
So they obeyed the word of the Lord and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.
Rehoboam Secures the Kingdom
5 (2Ch 8:2-6) So Rehoboam dwelled in Jerusalem and built siege cities in Judah.
6 He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7 (Jos 15:35) Beth Zur in the east, Soko, Adullam,
8 Gath, Mareshah in the west, Ziph,
9 Adoraim, Lachish in the south, Azekah,
10 Zorah, Aijalon in the northwest, and central Hebron, all of which
were fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
11He strengthened the fortresses and set leaders in them
with stockpiles of food, oil, and wine.
12 And in all the cities he placed shields and spears, and he greatly
strengthened these places. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
13 And the priests and Levites in all Israel came before him from
all their territories.
14 (2Ch 13:9; Nu 35:2-5) For the Levites left their pasture lands
and properties, and they traveled to Judah and Jerusalem
because Jeroboam and his sons excluded them from serving
as priests to the Lord.
15 (1Ki 12:28; 12:31) And he set for himself priests for the high places
and for the goat and calf idols that he made.
16 (2Ch 15:9) And those who set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel
followed after them from all the tribes of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem
to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.
17 (2Ch 12:1) So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah
and supported Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, for three years,
for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.
Rehoboam's Family
18 (1Sa 16:6; 17:13) And Rehoboam took Mahalath for a wife,
the daughter of both Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail
the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse,
19 and she bore sons to him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
20 (2Ch 13:2) Then after her he took Maakah the daughter of Absalom.
And she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 (Dt 17:17) And Rehoboam loved Maakah the daughter of Absalom
more than his other wives and concubines
(for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines), and he had 28 sons
and 60 daughters.
22 (Dt 21:15-17) And Rehoboam set Abijah the son of Maakah as chief
and head over his brothers for he planned to make him king.
23 And he was discerning and spread out all his sons to all the lands
of Judah and Benjamin, even among the fortified cities, and he provided
for them an abundance of provisions and wives.
2 Chronicles 12
Egypt Attacks Jerusalem
1Ki 14:21-31
1 (2Ch 11:17; 12:13) Now when the reign of Rehoboam was established
and strong, he, and all of Israel with him, abandoned the law of the Lord.
2 (1Ki 11:40) And in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt
went up against Jerusalem for they had acted unfaithfully against the Lord,
3 (2Ch 16:8; Na 3:9; Da 11:439 with 1200 chariots and 60000 horses.
The people were without number who came with him from Egypt-Libyans,
Sukkiktes, and Ethiopians.
4 (2Ch 11:5-12) And he captured the fortified cities that were in Judah,
and he came even to Jerusalem.
5 (2Ch 11:2; 15:2) Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam
and the rulers of Judah who were assembled in Jerusalem before Shishak,
and he said to them, "So the Lord says: You have abandoned Me,
so I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak."
6 (Ex 9:27; Da 9:14) Then the king and the rulers of Israel humbled themselves
and said, "The Lord is righteous."
7 (2Ch 34:25) So when the Lord observed that they had humbled themselves,
the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, "They have humbled themselves,
so I will not destroy them. I will let some of them escape,
and My anger will not pour out against Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
8 (Dt 28:47-48; Isa 26:13) For they will be slaves to him so that
they experience My labor and the labor of the kingdoms of other lands."
9 (1Ki 10:16-17; 2Ch 9:15-16) So Shishak king of Egypt went up
against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord
and of the palace of the king. He took everything, even the gold shields
that Solomon made.
10 And King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place
and entrusted them to the hands of the rulers of the guards,
those who guarded the entrance to the king's palace.
11 And it happened that whenever the king came to the house of the Lord,
the guards came and carried the shields
and then returned them to the guardroom.
12 (2Ch 19:3; 1Ki 14:13) And when he humbled himself, the anger of the Lord
turned away from him so that there was not a complete annihilation.
Moreover, there were some good things in Judah during this time.
The Death of Rehoboam
13 (1Ki 14:21; Dt 12:5) So King Rehoboam was strong and reigned in Jerusalem.
For Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king,
and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem,
the city that the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel,
to put His name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.
14 (2Ch 19:3) And he acted evil because he did not set his heart
to seek out the Lord.
15 (2Ch 9:29; 12:5; 1Ki 12:22) Now, are not the acts of Rehoboam written
from beginning to end in the annals of Shemaiah the prophet
and Iddo the seer, according to genealogy?
And there were battles between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried
in the City of David, and Abijah ruled in his place.
{Rehoboam not seeking the God of Israel was his downfall}
2) Our Daily Bread for 23 June 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/06/23/imagine-this
entitled Imagine This!
Isaiah 65:17–25
The New Creation
17 (2Pe 3:13; Isa 66:22; Jer 3:16) For I create
new heavens and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
18 (Ps 98:1-9) But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
and her people for joy.
19 (Isa 35:10; 25:8) I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in My people;
and the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
nor the voice of crying.
20 (Dt 4:40; Job 5:26) There shall no longer be
an infant who lives only a few days
nor an old man who has not filled out his days.
For the child shall die
a hundred years old,
but the sinner being a hundred years old
shall be accursed.
21 (Am 9:14 ) They shall build houses and inhabit them;
and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.
22 (Ps 92:12-14) They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for as the days of a tree
are the days of My people,
and My chosen ones shall long enjoy
the work of their hands.
23 (Isa 61:9; Dt 28:3-12; Ac 2:39) They shall not labor in vain
nor bring forth children for trouble;
for they are the descendants of the blessed of the Lord
and their offspring with them.
24 (Da 9:20-23; 10:12 ) Before they call, I will answer;
and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
25 (Isa 65:11; Mic 4:3) The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
and the lion shall eat straw like the bull,
and dust shall be the serpent's food.
They shall not hurt nor destroy
in all My holy mountain,
says the Lord.
During the course of a popular home renovation television program,
viewers often hear the host say, "Imagine this!" Then she unveils what
could be when old things are restored and drab walls and floors are painted
or stained. In one episode, after the renovation the homeowner
was so overjoyed that, along with other expressions of elation, the words
"That's beautiful!" gushed from her lips three times.
One of the stunning “Imagine this!†passages in the Bible is Isaiah 65:17-25.
What a dazzling re-creation scene! The future renovation of heaven
and earth is in view (v. 17), and it's not merely cosmetic. It's deep and real,
life-altering and life-preserving. "They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit" (v. 21). Violence will be a thing
of the past:
"They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain" (v. 25).
While the reversals envisioned in Isaiah 65 will be realized in the future,
the God who will orchestrate universal restoration is in the business
of life-change now. The apostle Paul assures us, "If anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
(2 Corinthians 5:17). In need of restoration? Has your life been broken
by doubt, disobedience, and pain? Life-change through Jesus is real
and beautiful and available to those who ask and believe.
By: Arthur Jackson
Reflect & Pray
What changes can you imagine the God of restoration making in your life?
What's keeping you from believing in Jesus for life-change today?
God of restoration and renovation, You know what changes are needed
in my life for me to look more like You. Please work in my heart
and life today.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 4 - freedom from Fear
Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom will I be afraid?
Marcy was afraid of the dark. As a child she slept with a nightlight on,
and even she matured, she still had a fear of dark places.
When she was at home alone, she kept all the lights on,
and a small lamp at her bedside glowed through the night.
The psalmist David reflects that common fear of darkness when he says
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?"
David does not say, "The Lord brings light," but "The Lord is my light".
God is the source of understanding and security in our lives.
He is the One who can expose and deal with our fears.
When we are afraid - afraid of losing a job or a loved one,
afraid of making mistakes, afraid of being hurt, afraid of what others may
say about us - we can turn to the Lord who can handle our fears.
He is a "stronghold", a fortress of protection around us,
and in him we are safe.
Often we turn to other places for our security - to the bank account,
to a spouse or loved one, to the approval of the world.
We mistakenly think that these sources can provide a foundation of defence
against uncertainty of life. But when we find that people disappoint us, money
loses its value, and the praise of others is fleeting,
we must turn again to the true source of security, God alone.
Application
a) What sources of security have I trusted in besides God?
What was the result of that trust?
b) In what ways have I depended upon God for my security?
c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see
when I lived in darkness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 29:9
9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant
and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 23 of the Month
a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation os those
who have committed crimes.
b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
(
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour
Heb 10:24
24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.
1 John 3:23
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son ÂJesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to make righteousness and God Honouring decisions.
Pray to the Lord "God of restoration and renovation,
You know what changes are needed
in my life for me to look more like You. Please work in my heart
and life today.."
Pray to the Lord to put full trust in Him.
Pray to the Lord to keep His Covenant with Him.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for His love.
Pray for Muslims in Quebec to receive Christ as Saviour
and that Christian outreach will increase in Quebec.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have God's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation os those
who have committed crimes.
Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.
Pray for the training and equipping of house church leaders in Iran .
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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