Day 176 - 25 June 2021 reflections
Day 176, 25 June 2021
1 Kings 16 ; 2 Chron 17
1 Kings 16
1 (2Ch 19:2; 20:34) Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu
the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
2 (1Ki 14:7; 15:34) "I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince
over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam
and have made My people Israel to sin, to provoke Me to anger with their sins.
3 (1Ki 14:10) See, I will take away the posterity of Baasha and the posterity
of his house and will make your house
like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 (1Ki 14:11) Those from the house of Baasha who die in the city
will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the fields will be eaten
by the birds of the air."
5 (1Ki 14:19; 15:31) Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did
and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles
of the kings of Israel?
6 (1Ki 14:17; 15:21) So Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried
in Tirzah, and Elah his son reigned in his place.
7 (1Ki 14:14; Ps 115:4) And so it was by the hand of the prophet Jehu
the son of Hanani that the word of the Lord came against Baasha
and his house, for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord
in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands
because he acted like the house of Jeroboam and also because he killed it.
Elah, King of Israel
8 In the 26th year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha
began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he did so two years.
9 (Ge 24:2; 39:4) His servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots,
conspired against him, and when he was in Tirzah, drinking himself
drunk in the house of Arza, manager of his house in Tirzah,
10 Zimri went in and smote him and killed him. This took place in the 27th
year of Asa king of Judah, and Zimri reigned in his place.
11 (1Sa 25:22; 1Ki 15:29) When he began to reign, as soon as he was seated
on his throne, he executed all the household of Baasha. He left no males,
neither of his relatives nor of his friends.
12 (1Ki 16:1) Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha,
according to the word of the Lord which He spoke against Baasha
by Jehu the prophet,
13 (Dt 32:21; 1Sa 12:21) because of all the sins of Baasha
and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned
and by which they made Israel to sin in provoking the Lord God of Israel
to anger with their vanities.
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Zimri, King of Israel
15 (1Ki 15:27; Jos 19:44) In the 27th year of Asa king of Judah,
Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped
against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
16 The troops who were encamped heard how Zimri had conspired
and had slain the king. As a result, all Israel made Omri,
the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.
17 Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him,
and they besieged Tirzah.
18 (2Sa 17:23; 1Sa 31:4-5) When Zimri saw that the city had fallen,
he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house
over him with fire, and he died,
19 (1Ki 15:26; 12:28) because of his sins which he sinned in doing
evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam
and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.
20 (1Ki 16:5; 16:14) Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his treason,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri, King of Israel
21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts.
Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king,
and half followed Omri.
22 But the people who followed Omri defeated the people who followed Tibni,
the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
23 In the 31st year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel,
and he did so twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah.
24 (1Ki 13:32) He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents
[About 150 pounds, or 68 kilograms. of silver].
He fortified the hill and named the city he built after the name of Shemer,
owner of the hill, calling it "Samaria.."
25 (Mic 6:16; 1Ki 14:9) But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord
and did worse than all who preceded him,
26 (1Ki 16:19; 16:13) for he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam
the son of Nebat and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin
to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
27 Now the rest of the acts Omri performed and his might that he showed,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria,
and Ahab his son reigned in his place.
Ahab Reigns in Israel
29 In the 38th year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign
over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria 22 years.
30 (1Ki 16:25; 14:9) Ahab the son of Omri did more evil in the sight
of the Lord than all who were before him.
31 (Jdg 18:7; 2Ki 10:18) The sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat were seen
as minor for him to walk in, for he took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal,
king of the Sidonians, as his wife and went and served Baal and worshipped him.
32 (2Ki 10:21; 10:26-27) He raised an altar for Baal in the house of Baal,
which he had built in Samaria.
33 (2Ki 13:6; 1Ki 21:25) Ahab made an Asherah and did more to provoke
the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who preceded him.
34 (Jos 6:26) In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid the foundation
at the expense of his firstborn Abiram and set up the gates at the cost of the life
of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord,
which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah
1 (1Ki 15:24) Then Jehoshaphat his son (son of Asa) reigned in his place,
and he grew strong against Israel.
2 (2Ch 15:8) He put an army in all the fortified cities of Judah
and set military garrisons in the land of Judah, even in the cities of Ephraim
that Asa his father had captured.
3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the previous ways
of David his father, and he did not seek out the Baal cult.
4 (1Ki 12:28) For he sought out the God of his fathers and walked
in his commandments, rather than the deeds of Israel.
5 (2Ch 18:1; 1Sa 10:27) So the Lord made firm the kingdom in his hand,
and all Judah gave a tribute to Jehoshaphat. So he had an abundance
of riches and honor.
6 (2Ch 15:17; 20:33) His heart was raised up for the ways of the Lord.
He even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
7 (2Ch 35:3; 15:3) In the third year of his reign he sent officials, Ben-Hail,
Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah,
to teach in the cities of Jerusalem,
8 (2Ch 19:8) and with them were also the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah,
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah,
and Tob-Adonijah, who were Levites. And with these were
also Elishama and Jehoram, who were priests.
9 They taught the people in Judah, and they used the Book of the Law
of the Lord and they traveled about all the cities of Judah
and taught the people.
10 (2Ch 14:14; Ge 35:5) The terror of the Lord came on all the kingdoms
of the land that surrounded Judah, and they did not bring war
against Jehoshaphat.
11 (2Ch 26:8; 9:14) Some from the Philistine peoples brought gifts
to Jehoshaphat such as silver for tribute. The Arabians even brought
7700 rams and 7700 goats to him.
12 Jehoshaphat continued to increase in greatness, and he built citadels
and storehouses in Judah.
13 And he had much property in the cities of Judah, and the men of war,
mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14 This was their divisions by the houses of their father:
From Judah, the commanders of thousands:
Adnah the commander with 300000 mighty men of valor.
15 Beside him was Jehohanan the commander with 280000 mighty men of war.
16 (Jdg 5:9; 5:2) Beside him was Amasiah the son of Zikri, a volunteer
for the Lord with 200000 mighty men of war.
17 From Benjamin:
Eliada a mighty man of war with 200000 men armed with bow and shield.
18 Beside him was Jehozabad with 180000 equipped for warfare.
19 (2Ch 17:2) These were serving the king in addition to those the king
placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 June 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/06/25/new-purpose
entitled Children of God
Ephesians 4:32-5:10
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
1 (Eph 4:32; Mt 5:48) Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.
2 (Jn 13:34; Col 3:14) Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself
for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
3 (Col 3:5; 1Co 6:18; Eph 5:5) And do not let sexual immorality,
or any impurity, or greed be named among you,
as these are not proper among saints.
4 (Eph 4:29; Ro 1:28) Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks.
5 (Col 3:5; Gal 5:21) For this you know, that no sexually immoral
or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Walk as Children of Light
6 (Ro 1:18; Col 2:8) Let no one deceive you with empty words,
for because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 (Lk 16:8; Jn 12:36) For you were formerly darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord. Walk as children of light-
9 (Ro 15:14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness
and righteousness and truth-
10 (1Th 5:21 )proving what is pleasing to the Lord.
I once spoke at a secular conference for childless couples.
Heartbroken over their infertility, many attendees despaired at their future.
Having walked the childless path too, I tried to encourage them.
"You can have a meaningful identity without becoming parents," I said.
"I believe you are fearfully and wonderfully made,
and there's new purpose for you to find."
A woman later approached me in tears. "Thank you," she said.
"I've felt worthless being childless and needed to hear that I'm fearfully
and wonderfully made." I asked the woman if she was a believer in Jesus.
"I walked away from God years ago," she said.
"But I need a relationship with Him again."
Times like this remind me how profound the gospel is. Some identities,
like "mother" and "father," are hard for some to attain. Others, like those
based on a career, can be lost through unemployment. But through Jesus
we become God's "dearly loved children"-an identity that can never
be stolen (Ephesians 5:1). And then we can "walk in the way of love"-
a life purpose that transcends any role or employment status (v. 2).
All human beings are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14),
and those who follow Jesus become children of God (John 1:12-13).
Once in despair, that woman left in hope-about to find an identity
and purpose bigger than this world can give.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
Is there someone in despair whom you can affirm as "wonderfully made" today?
With whom can you share the offer of becoming a child of God?
Father, life in all its fullness is Yours alone to give.
I open my hands to accept it.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative
Isaiah 1:18
18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "
says the Lord.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool.
"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life
that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them
of some order in the world."
Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations
have been asking themselves the same question.
God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue
head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.
Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,
faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.
God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".
"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it,. You are not even able to be
true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power
or effort. Bit I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"
We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.
Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect
supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.
In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing
or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.
The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes
clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,
or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.
Application
a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a
'Rational choice'?
b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?
c) What other aspects of God's word
and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
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 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord not to be like the Kings of Israel
but rather like the godly King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
Pray to the Lord "Father, life in all its fullness is Yours alone to give.
I open my hands to accept it".
Pray to the Lord to confess your sins and be reasonable with the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and remember the Lord will make you successful
if you are loyal to Him.
Pray to the Lord and remember he is Healer.
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 that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray for new converts in India who are experiencing persecution .
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1 Kings 16 ; 2 Chron 17
1 Kings 16
1 (2Ch 19:2; 20:34) Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu
the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
2 (1Ki 14:7; 15:34) "I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince
over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam
and have made My people Israel to sin, to provoke Me to anger with their sins.
3 (1Ki 14:10) See, I will take away the posterity of Baasha and the posterity
of his house and will make your house
like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 (1Ki 14:11) Those from the house of Baasha who die in the city
will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the fields will be eaten
by the birds of the air."
5 (1Ki 14:19; 15:31) Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did
and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles
of the kings of Israel?
6 (1Ki 14:17; 15:21) So Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried
in Tirzah, and Elah his son reigned in his place.
7 (1Ki 14:14; Ps 115:4) And so it was by the hand of the prophet Jehu
the son of Hanani that the word of the Lord came against Baasha
and his house, for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord
in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands
because he acted like the house of Jeroboam and also because he killed it.
Elah, King of Israel
8 In the 26th year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha
began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he did so two years.
9 (Ge 24:2; 39:4) His servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots,
conspired against him, and when he was in Tirzah, drinking himself
drunk in the house of Arza, manager of his house in Tirzah,
10 Zimri went in and smote him and killed him. This took place in the 27th
year of Asa king of Judah, and Zimri reigned in his place.
11 (1Sa 25:22; 1Ki 15:29) When he began to reign, as soon as he was seated
on his throne, he executed all the household of Baasha. He left no males,
neither of his relatives nor of his friends.
12 (1Ki 16:1) Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha,
according to the word of the Lord which He spoke against Baasha
by Jehu the prophet,
13 (Dt 32:21; 1Sa 12:21) because of all the sins of Baasha
and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned
and by which they made Israel to sin in provoking the Lord God of Israel
to anger with their vanities.
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Zimri, King of Israel
15 (1Ki 15:27; Jos 19:44) In the 27th year of Asa king of Judah,
Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped
against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
16 The troops who were encamped heard how Zimri had conspired
and had slain the king. As a result, all Israel made Omri,
the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.
17 Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him,
and they besieged Tirzah.
18 (2Sa 17:23; 1Sa 31:4-5) When Zimri saw that the city had fallen,
he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house
over him with fire, and he died,
19 (1Ki 15:26; 12:28) because of his sins which he sinned in doing
evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam
and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.
20 (1Ki 16:5; 16:14) Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his treason,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri, King of Israel
21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts.
Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king,
and half followed Omri.
22 But the people who followed Omri defeated the people who followed Tibni,
the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
23 In the 31st year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel,
and he did so twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah.
24 (1Ki 13:32) He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents
[About 150 pounds, or 68 kilograms. of silver].
He fortified the hill and named the city he built after the name of Shemer,
owner of the hill, calling it "Samaria.."
25 (Mic 6:16; 1Ki 14:9) But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord
and did worse than all who preceded him,
26 (1Ki 16:19; 16:13) for he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam
the son of Nebat and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin
to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
27 Now the rest of the acts Omri performed and his might that he showed,
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria,
and Ahab his son reigned in his place.
Ahab Reigns in Israel
29 In the 38th year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign
over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria 22 years.
30 (1Ki 16:25; 14:9) Ahab the son of Omri did more evil in the sight
of the Lord than all who were before him.
31 (Jdg 18:7; 2Ki 10:18) The sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat were seen
as minor for him to walk in, for he took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal,
king of the Sidonians, as his wife and went and served Baal and worshipped him.
32 (2Ki 10:21; 10:26-27) He raised an altar for Baal in the house of Baal,
which he had built in Samaria.
33 (2Ki 13:6; 1Ki 21:25) Ahab made an Asherah and did more to provoke
the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who preceded him.
34 (Jos 6:26) In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid the foundation
at the expense of his firstborn Abiram and set up the gates at the cost of the life
of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord,
which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah
1 (1Ki 15:24) Then Jehoshaphat his son (son of Asa) reigned in his place,
and he grew strong against Israel.
2 (2Ch 15:8) He put an army in all the fortified cities of Judah
and set military garrisons in the land of Judah, even in the cities of Ephraim
that Asa his father had captured.
3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the previous ways
of David his father, and he did not seek out the Baal cult.
4 (1Ki 12:28) For he sought out the God of his fathers and walked
in his commandments, rather than the deeds of Israel.
5 (2Ch 18:1; 1Sa 10:27) So the Lord made firm the kingdom in his hand,
and all Judah gave a tribute to Jehoshaphat. So he had an abundance
of riches and honor.
6 (2Ch 15:17; 20:33) His heart was raised up for the ways of the Lord.
He even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
7 (2Ch 35:3; 15:3) In the third year of his reign he sent officials, Ben-Hail,
Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah,
to teach in the cities of Jerusalem,
8 (2Ch 19:8) and with them were also the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah,
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah,
and Tob-Adonijah, who were Levites. And with these were
also Elishama and Jehoram, who were priests.
9 They taught the people in Judah, and they used the Book of the Law
of the Lord and they traveled about all the cities of Judah
and taught the people.
10 (2Ch 14:14; Ge 35:5) The terror of the Lord came on all the kingdoms
of the land that surrounded Judah, and they did not bring war
against Jehoshaphat.
11 (2Ch 26:8; 9:14) Some from the Philistine peoples brought gifts
to Jehoshaphat such as silver for tribute. The Arabians even brought
7700 rams and 7700 goats to him.
12 Jehoshaphat continued to increase in greatness, and he built citadels
and storehouses in Judah.
13 And he had much property in the cities of Judah, and the men of war,
mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14 This was their divisions by the houses of their father:
From Judah, the commanders of thousands:
Adnah the commander with 300000 mighty men of valor.
15 Beside him was Jehohanan the commander with 280000 mighty men of war.
16 (Jdg 5:9; 5:2) Beside him was Amasiah the son of Zikri, a volunteer
for the Lord with 200000 mighty men of war.
17 From Benjamin:
Eliada a mighty man of war with 200000 men armed with bow and shield.
18 Beside him was Jehozabad with 180000 equipped for warfare.
19 (2Ch 17:2) These were serving the king in addition to those the king
placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 June 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/06/25/new-purpose
entitled Children of God
Ephesians 4:32-5:10
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
1 (Eph 4:32; Mt 5:48) Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.
2 (Jn 13:34; Col 3:14) Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself
for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
3 (Col 3:5; 1Co 6:18; Eph 5:5) And do not let sexual immorality,
or any impurity, or greed be named among you,
as these are not proper among saints.
4 (Eph 4:29; Ro 1:28) Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks.
5 (Col 3:5; Gal 5:21) For this you know, that no sexually immoral
or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Walk as Children of Light
6 (Ro 1:18; Col 2:8) Let no one deceive you with empty words,
for because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 (Lk 16:8; Jn 12:36) For you were formerly darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord. Walk as children of light-
9 (Ro 15:14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness
and righteousness and truth-
10 (1Th 5:21 )proving what is pleasing to the Lord.
I once spoke at a secular conference for childless couples.
Heartbroken over their infertility, many attendees despaired at their future.
Having walked the childless path too, I tried to encourage them.
"You can have a meaningful identity without becoming parents," I said.
"I believe you are fearfully and wonderfully made,
and there's new purpose for you to find."
A woman later approached me in tears. "Thank you," she said.
"I've felt worthless being childless and needed to hear that I'm fearfully
and wonderfully made." I asked the woman if she was a believer in Jesus.
"I walked away from God years ago," she said.
"But I need a relationship with Him again."
Times like this remind me how profound the gospel is. Some identities,
like "mother" and "father," are hard for some to attain. Others, like those
based on a career, can be lost through unemployment. But through Jesus
we become God's "dearly loved children"-an identity that can never
be stolen (Ephesians 5:1). And then we can "walk in the way of love"-
a life purpose that transcends any role or employment status (v. 2).
All human beings are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14),
and those who follow Jesus become children of God (John 1:12-13).
Once in despair, that woman left in hope-about to find an identity
and purpose bigger than this world can give.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
Is there someone in despair whom you can affirm as "wonderfully made" today?
With whom can you share the offer of becoming a child of God?
Father, life in all its fullness is Yours alone to give.
I open my hands to accept it.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative
Isaiah 1:18
18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "
says the Lord.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool.
"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life
that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them
of some order in the world."
Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations
have been asking themselves the same question.
God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue
head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.
Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,
faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.
God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".
"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it,. You are not even able to be
true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power
or effort. Bit I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"
We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.
Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect
supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.
In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing
or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.
The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes
clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,
or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.
Application
a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a
'Rational choice'?
b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?
c) What other aspects of God's word
and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
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 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord not to be like the Kings of Israel
but rather like the godly King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
Pray to the Lord "Father, life in all its fullness is Yours alone to give.
I open my hands to accept it".
Pray to the Lord to confess your sins and be reasonable with the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and remember the Lord will make you successful
if you are loyal to Him.
Pray to the Lord and remember he is Healer.
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 that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray for new converts in India who are experiencing persecution .
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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