Day 267 - 24 September 2021 reflections
Day 267, 24 September 2021
Ezra 7-10
Ezra 7
The Arrival of Ezra
1 (Ne 2:1; 1Ch 6:4-14) Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes
king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah,
the son of Hilkiah,
2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar,
the son of Aaron the high priest -
6 (Ezr 7:9; 7:11-12) this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled
in the Law of Moses, given by the Lord God of Israel. Because the hand
of the Lord his God was upon him, the king granted him all his requests.
7 (Ezr 8:1-20) Some of the children of Israel, along with some of the priests,
and the Levites, the singers, the porters, and the temple servants,
went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
8 Ezra arrived at Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the king's seventh year.
9 (Ezr 7:6; Ne 2:8) From the first day of the first month when the journey
from Babylon began, until the first day of the fifth month when he arrived
at Jerusalem, the good hand of his God was upon him.
10 (Dt 33:10; Ezr 7:25) Because Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law
of the Lord, he was doing so and teaching the statutes and judgments in Israel.
The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra
11 Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra
the priest, who was likewise the scribe, the one responsible for the words
of the commandments of the Lord and His statutes to Israel:
12 (Eze 26:7; Da 2:37) "Artaxerxes, king of kings,
"To Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven:
"Perfect peace, and so forth.
13 (Ezr 6:1) "I have issued a decree that all the people of Israel,
and their priests, and the LeÂvites in my realm, who are inclined to go up
to Jerusalem, may go with you.
14 (Est 1:14) For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors
to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem in accordance with the Law
of your God which is in your hand,
15 (2Ch 6:2; Ps 135:21) and to carry the silver and gold, which the king
and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation
is in Jerusalem,
16 (1Ch 29:6; 29:9) along with all the silver and gold that you can find
in all the province of Babylon, plus the freewill offering of the people
and priests, who are voluntarily giving for the house of their God
in Jerusalem.
17 (Dt 12:5-11; Nu 15:4-13) Diligently use this money to buy bulls, rams,
lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them
on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.
18 "Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest
of the silver and the gold, do that according to the will of your God.
19 The vessels also that are given to you for the service of the house
of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.
20 (Ezr 6:4) And whatever else is needed for the house of your God
and is your responsibility to provide, use the king's treasury to pay for it.
21 (Ezr 7:6) "I, even I Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree
to all the treasurers of the province Beyond the River, that whatever
Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, should request
from you, you should do it with all diligence-
22 as much as a hundred talents
[About 3 3/4 tons, or 3.4 metric tons.] of silver, a hundred measures
[Likely about 18 tons, or 16 metric tons.] of wheat, a hundred baths
[About 600 gallons, or 2200 litres.] of wine, a hundred baths
[About 600 gallons, or 2200 liters.] of oil, and salt (without prescribing
how much).
23 Whatever is decreed by the God of Âheaven, let it be zealously done
for the house of the God of heaven so as to avoid there being wrath against
the realm of the king and his sons.
24 (Ezr 4:13; 7:7) Also we are informing you that with regard to all
the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants,
or other servants of this house of God, it is not permitted to impose toll,
tribute, or custom on them.
25 (Dt 16:18; Ezr 7:10) "You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God
who empowers you, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people
of the province Beyond the River, all those who know the laws of your God
and those who do not, whom you must teach.
26 (Ezr 6:11) Whoever will not observe the law of your God or the law
of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether that be death,
banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment."
27 (Ezr 6:22) Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who has put such
a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord
in Jerusalem,
28 (Ezr 9:9; 5:5) and has extended mercy to me before the king,
his counselors, and all the king's mighty princes. Thus I had been
strengthened, because the hand of the Lord my God was upon me.
As a result, I gathered together some of the chief men of Israel
to go up with me.
Ezra 8
Family Leaders Returning With Ezra
1 (Ezr 7:7) Now these are the chiefs of the households of the fathers
and the genealogical register of those who went up with me from Babylon,
in the reign of King Artaxerxes:
2 (1Ch 3:22) of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom;
of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel;
of the sons of David, Hattush,
3 (Ezr 2:3) a descendant of Shekaniah
and a descendant of Parosh, Zechariah, plus another 150 registered
in the genealogical register;
4 (Ezr 2:6) of the sons of Pahath-Moab; Eliehoenai a descendant of Zerahiah,
plus two hundred other males;
5 of the sons of Zattu, Shekaniah a descendant of Jahaziel,
plus three hundred other males;
6 (Ezr 2:15; Ne 7:20) of the sons of Adin, Ebed a descendant of Jonathan,
plus fifty other males;
7 of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah a descendant of Athaliah,
plus seventy other males;
8 of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah a descendant of Michael,
plus eighty other males;
9 of the sons of Joab, Obadiah a descendant of Jehiel,
plus two hundred and eighteen other males;
10 of the sons of Bani, Shelomith a descendant of Josiphiah,
plus one hundred and sixty other males;
11 (Ezr 10:28) of the sons of Bebai, his son Zechariah, plus 28 other males;
12 of the sons of Azgad, Johanan a descendant of Hakkatan,
plus one hundred and ten other males;
13 (Ezr 2:13) of the last sons of Adonikam, the ones named Eliphelet,
Jeuel, and Shemaiah, plus sixty other males;
14 also of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zakkur, plus seventy other males.
Temple Servants
15 (Ezr 7:7; 8:21) I gathered them together at the river that runs to Ahava,
and we camped in tents three days. As I examined the people and the priests,
I discovered that none of the sons of Levi were there.
16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan,
Zechariah, and Meshullam, chief men; and also for Joiarib and Elnathan,
discerning men.
17 (Ezr 2:43) I gave them orders for Iddo, chief at the place KasiphÂia,
and crafted exactly what they would say to Iddo, his brothers,
and the temple servants at the place Kasiphia so that they would bring us
ministering servants for the house of our God.
18 (1Ch 6:19; Ezr 7:28) Because the good hand of our God was upon us,
indeed they brought us a man of understanding descended from the sons
of Mahli, who is a descendant of Levi, the son of Israel-Sherebiah along
with his sons and his brothers, eighteen men;
19 (1Ch 6:1; 6:16) and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons
of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men;
20 (Ezr 2:43; 7:7) and of the temple servants whom David
and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites,
two hundred and twenty temple servants, all of them designated by name.
21 (2Ch 20:3; Ps 5:8) Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river
of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God,
to seek from Him a good route for us, our little ones,
and all our substance.
22 (2Ch 15:2; Ezr 7:6) For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort
of foot and horse soldiers to help us against the enemy on the way,
because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon
all who seek Him for good, but His power and His wrath are against all
who forsake Him."
23 (Jer 29:12-13; 1Ch 5:20) So we fasted and sought our God for this,
and He was moved by our prayers.
Temple Gifts
24 (Ezr 8:18-19) Then I separated twelve of the presiding priests-
Sherebiah and Hashabiah, along with ten of their brothers-
25 (Ezr 8:33) and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, the vessels,
as well as the contribution collected for the house of our God by the king,
his counselors, his lords, in conjunction with what all Israel had offered.
26 I weighed out into their hand six hundred and fifty talents
[About 24 tons, or about 22 metric tons.] of silver, silver articles worth
one hundred talents, [About 3 3/4 tons, or about 3.4 metric tons.]
one hundred talents [About 3 3/4 tons, or about 3.4 metric tons.] of gold,
27 twenty gold bowls worth a thousand darics, [About 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams.]
and two vessels of fine shining bronze, precious as gold.
28 (Lev 22:2-3; 21:6-8) I said to them, "You are holy to the Lord.
The vessels are holy also. The silver and the gold are a freewill offering
to the Lord God of your fathers.
29 (Ezr 8:33-34) Watch and guard them until you weigh them
before the presiding priests and Levites, and the presiding elders of Israel
at Jerusalem, for the chambers of the house of the Lord."
30 So the priests and the Levites accepted the weighed-out silver and gold,
along with the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.
The Return to Jerusalem
31 (Ezr 7:9; 8:15) Then we began the journey from the Ahava River
on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God
was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the attacker
and the ambusher along the way.
32 (Ne 2:11) When we arrived at Jerusalem, we stayed there three days.
33 (Ne 3:4; Ezr 8:30) Then on the fourth day the silver and the gold
and the vessels were weighed out in the house of our God by the hand
of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest. With him was Eleazar
the son of Phinehas as well as Jozabad the son of Jeshua,
and Noadiah the son of Binnui-both Levites.
34 All of it was counted by number and by weight,
and all the information was recorded at that time.
35 (Ezr 6:17) Then, the children of the exile who had come out of captivity
offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel. On behalf of all Israel,
they offered twelve bulls, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and 12 male goats
as a sin offering. All of it was offered as a burnt offering to the Lord.
36 (Ezr 7:21-24) Finally, they delivered the king's decrees to the satraps
of the king as well as to the governors of the province Beyond the River.
Accordingly, they supported the people and the house of God.
Ezra 9
Ezra Prays About Intermarriage
1 (Ne 9:2; Lev 18:24-30) Now when these things were done, the leaders
contacted me, saying, "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites
have not separated themselves from the people of the lands. They practice
the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites,
the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
2 (Ex 22:31; 34:16) Specifically, they have taken some of their daughters
as wives for themselves, as well as for their sons, so that the holy seed
has been mingled with the people of the lands. In fact, the involvement
of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this vile behavior."
3 (Ne 1:4; Jos 7:6) When I heard this, I tore my clothes and my robe,
plucked out the hair of my head and from my beard, and sat down astonished.
4 (Ezr 10:3; Ex 29:39) Because of the vile behavior of those who had been
in exile, every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered
to me, but I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
5 (Ex 9:29; 1Ki 8:22) At the evening sacrifice I rose up from my heaviness
and, despite having my clothes and my robe torn, I knelt on my knees
and stretched out my hands in prayer to the Lord my God
6 (2Ch 28:9; Rev 18:5) and said:
"O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God,
because our iniquities have expanded over our heads and our wrongdoing
has grown up to the heavens.
7 (2Ch 29:6; Da 9:5-8) Since the days of our fathers until this day,
we have been in a great guilt. It is because of our iniquities that we,
our kings, and our priests have been delivered-by the sword, by captivity,
by spoil, and by being shamed-into the hand of the kings of the lands.
This day is like that, too.
8 (Ps 13:3; Ecc 12:11) "Yet now for a little while, there has been a favorable
response from the Lord our God-leaving us a remnant to escape, giving us
a tent peg from His holy place, having our eyes enlightened by our God,
and giving us a little reviving in our bondage.
9 For though we were slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage
but has extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, granting us
a reviving for the rebuilding of the house of our God, for the repairing
of its ruins, and for giving us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
10 "Now, O our God, what shall we say after this?
For we have forsaken Your commandments,
11 (Ezr 6:21) which You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying,
'The land you are going to possess, it is an unclean land with the filthiness
of the people of the lands. By their abominations, it is has been filled
from one end to another with their uncleanness.
12 (Dt 7:3; 23:6) Now, therefore, cease giving your daughters as wives
to their sons, do not take their daughters to your sons,
and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you might grow strong
and eat the good of the land and leave it as an eternal inheritance
to your children.'
13 (Ps 103:10) "After all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds
and our great guilt, seeing that You our God have punished us less than
our iniquities deserve and have given us such deliverance as this,
14 (Dt 9:8; 9:14) should we again break Your commandments
and intermarry with the people of these abominations?
Would You not become so completely angry with us that there would be
no remnant nor any who escape?
15 (Ps 130:3; Da 9:14) O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous,
for we who escaped exile yet remain to this very day. Here we stand before
You in our guiltiness even though we should not stand before
You because of this."
Ezra 10
The People's Confession of Sin
1 (2Ch 20:9; Da 9:20) Now while Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping
and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large congregation
of men, women, and children gathered around him from Israel, for the people
too wept bitterly.
2 (Ne 13:27; Ezr 9:2) Shekaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam,
answered and said to Ezra, "We have acted with vile unfaithfulness against
our God and have wedded foreign women from the people of the land,
yet there is now hope in Israel concerning this.
3 (Dt 7:2-3; Ezr 9:4) Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God
to sever relations with all the women and their children according
to the counsel of my lord and those who tremble at the commandment
of our God. May this be done in accordance with the law.
4 (1Ch 28:10) Arise, for this matter is your responsibility.
But we are standing with you. Be courageous and act!"
5 (Ne 5:12; 13:25) Then Ezra stood and made the presiding Levitical priests
and all Israel to swear an oath to act according to this word.
And they swore an oath.
6 (Dt 9:18; Ne 3:1) Then Ezra stood in front of the house of God
and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib.
When he arrived there, he ate no bread and drank no water because
he was mourning over the vile unfaithfulness of the exiles.
7 They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the children
of the exile to assemble in Jerusalem.
8 Whoever would not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions,
according to the counsel of the leaders and the elders, and would himself be
excluded from the congregation of the exiles.
9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together
to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month,
on the twentieth day of the month. All the people sat on the grounds
of the house of God, trembling about this matter and also because
of the great rain.
10 Ezra the priest stood up and said to them,
"You have acted unfaithfully by bringing home foreign women,
adding to the guilt of Israel.
11 (Jos 7:19; Ezr 10:3) Now therefore make confession to the Lord God
of your fathers and do what pleases Him: Sever your relationships
with the people of the land, especially from the foreign women."
12 Then all the congregation answered loudly, "As you have said to us,
that we will do.
13 But there are many people, and because it is the rainy season
we will not be able to set up outside. Moreover, this is not a task
for a day or two since we have so grievously transgressed in this matter.
14 (2Ch 29:10; 30:8) Let now our rulers preside over all the congregation
so that, in each of our cities, all who have married foreign women,
along with the elders and judges of that city, will come at appointed times,
until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter is turned from us."
15 (Ne 11:16) Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah
opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.
16T hen the descendants of the captivity did so. Ezra the priest selected men,
heads of the fathers' households, according to their families,
each of them by name. They sat down in the first day of the tenth month
to examine the matter,
17 and finished dealing with every man who had married foreign women
by the first day of the first month.
Those Guilty of Intermarriage
18 (Ezr 2:2; 3:2) Some of the sons of the priests were discovered to have
wedded foreign women,
namely the sons of Joshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers:
Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.
19 (Lev 6:6; 2Ki 10:15) They committed to sever their relations with their
women, and, being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
20 (1Ch 24:14; Ezr 2:37) Likewise, of the sons of Immer,
there were Hanani and Zebadiah.
21 (1Ch 24:8) Of the sons of Harim,
there were Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22 (1Ch 9:12) Of the sons of Pashhur,
there were Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
23 Also, from the Levites,
there were Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah,
Judah, and Eliezer.
24 Among the singers,
there was Eliashib,
and from the porters,
there were Shallum, Telem, and Uri.
25 (Ezr 2:3; Ne 7:8) Further from Israel,
of the sons of Parosh,
there were Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, MijÂamin, Eleazar, Malkijah, and Benaiah.
26 (Ezr 10:2) Of the sons of Elam,
there were Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
27 (Ezr 2:8; Ne 7:13) Of the sons of Zattu,
there were Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.
28 Of the sons of Bebai,
there were Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
29 Of the sons of Bani,
there were Meshullam, Malluk, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
30 Of the sons of Pahath-Moab,
there were Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui,
and Manasseh.
31 (Ne 3:11) Of the sons of Harim,
there were Eliezer, Ishijah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32Benjamin,
Malluk, and Shemariah.
33 Of the sons of Hashum,
there were Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh,
and Shimei.
34 Of the sons of Bani,
there were Maadai, Amram, Uel,
35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi,
36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu.
38 Of the sons of Binnui,
there were Shimei,
39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
40 Maknadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
43 (Ezr 2:29) Of the sons of Nebo,
there were Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.
44 All these married foreign women,
and some of them had wives that had children.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 September 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/09/24/the-whatevers
Entitled The Whatevers
Philippians 4:1–9
Philippians 4
1 (Php 1:8; 1:27; 1Co 16:13) Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brothers,
my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
Exhortations
2 (Php 2:2-3) I exhort Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 (Lk 10:20; Php 1:27) I ask you also, true companion, help those women
who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with my other
fellow laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
4 (Php 3:1; Ro 12:12) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 (Jas 5:8-9) Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand.
6 (Eph 6:18; Mt 6:25-33) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything,
by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.
7 (Jn 14:27; Col 3:15; Isa 26:3) And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 (Ac 6:3; 10:22) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true,
whatever things are honest, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things
are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise,
think on these things.
9 (Php 3:17; Ro 15:33; Php 4:7) Do those things which you have both learned
and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Every Friday evening, the national news my family views concludes
the broadcast by highlighting an uplifting story. In contrast to the rest
of the news, it's always a breath of fresh air. A recent "good" Friday story
focused on a reporter who had suffered from COVID-19, fully recovered,
and then decided to donate plasma to possibly help others in their fight
against the virus. At the time, the jury was still out on how effective
antibodies would be. But when many of us felt helpless
and even in light of the discomfort of donating plasma (via needle),
she felt it "was a small price to pay for the potential payoff."
After that Friday broadcast, my family and I felt encouraged-dare I say
hope-filled. That’s the power of the "whatevers" Paul described
in Philippians 4: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (v.
.
Did Paul have in mind plasma donation? Of course not. But did he have in mind
sacrificial actions on behalf of someone in need-in other words,
Christlike behavior? I've no doubt the answer is yes.
But that hopeful news wouldn't have had its full effect if it hadn't
been broadcast. It's our privilege as witnesses to God's goodness to look
and listen for the "whatevers" all around us and then share that good news
with others that they may be encouraged.
By: John Blase
Reflect & Pray
What’s a "whatever" story that’s encouraged you lately?
Who might want or need to hear your story?
Father, I know that behind whatever is excellent
and praiseworthy is You. I love You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 6 - Shielded by the Word
Proverbs 30:5
5 (Ps 12:6; 18:30) Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
A wife of ten years, betrayed by her husband's infidelity, declares that
she will never trust a man again. A teenage son says of his father, "I
can't depend on him anymore! Dad always talk big and makes promises,
but he never does what he says." A career woman, her reputation
undermined by gossip, leaves the church broken, and never returns.
Human beings are weak, volatile, unfaithful creatures; often we
break our word and hurt others in the process. But the Scripture
clearly assures us that God's Word is not like the word of man.
God always reamins faithful to his Word, always fulfills his promises,
always does what he says he will do.
God's word is pure (or flawless), Proverbs 30:5 says. His Word
is not distorted with mixed motives or flawed by untruth. God's Word
is dependable, able to support and lift us up, able to speak
encouragement to us. His Word is a "shield" a protection for us
against the onslaughts of the Enemy, a place of refuge from the struggle
and confusion of daily life.
We live in a world that recongnises no absolute truth. Morality,
values, relationships, ethics - every decision of life, it seems,
"depends on the situation." But in the midst of the confusion,
God interjects his Word - timeless, pure, trustworthy, reliable.
We can depend upon God's Word. We can turn to him to verify who we are
and the purposes for which we were created. We can find refuge in his truth,
and rest in the knowledge that whatever he says, he will do.
Application
a) In my own experience, how have I found God's Word
to be different from the word of men and women?
b) In what areas of my life do I need the assurance of the validity
and dependability of God's Word?
c) How can today's verse help me trust more fully in God's Word?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Haggai 2:7-9
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.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
James 1:12-18
Trial and Temptation
12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"
for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.
14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;
and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
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?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truto.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
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 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that He will lead you in every decision you make.
Pray to the Lord "Father, I know that behind whatever is excellent
and praiseworthy is You. I love You."
Pray to the Lord and put your trust in Him for he is your shield .
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that everything is his .
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him when you face temptation.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
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 the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray for underground church leaders in Eritrea.
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.
Ezra 7-10
Ezra 7
The Arrival of Ezra
1 (Ne 2:1; 1Ch 6:4-14) Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes
king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah,
the son of Hilkiah,
2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar,
the son of Aaron the high priest -
6 (Ezr 7:9; 7:11-12) this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled
in the Law of Moses, given by the Lord God of Israel. Because the hand
of the Lord his God was upon him, the king granted him all his requests.
7 (Ezr 8:1-20) Some of the children of Israel, along with some of the priests,
and the Levites, the singers, the porters, and the temple servants,
went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
8 Ezra arrived at Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the king's seventh year.
9 (Ezr 7:6; Ne 2:8) From the first day of the first month when the journey
from Babylon began, until the first day of the fifth month when he arrived
at Jerusalem, the good hand of his God was upon him.
10 (Dt 33:10; Ezr 7:25) Because Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law
of the Lord, he was doing so and teaching the statutes and judgments in Israel.
The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra
11 Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra
the priest, who was likewise the scribe, the one responsible for the words
of the commandments of the Lord and His statutes to Israel:
12 (Eze 26:7; Da 2:37) "Artaxerxes, king of kings,
"To Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven:
"Perfect peace, and so forth.
13 (Ezr 6:1) "I have issued a decree that all the people of Israel,
and their priests, and the LeÂvites in my realm, who are inclined to go up
to Jerusalem, may go with you.
14 (Est 1:14) For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors
to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem in accordance with the Law
of your God which is in your hand,
15 (2Ch 6:2; Ps 135:21) and to carry the silver and gold, which the king
and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation
is in Jerusalem,
16 (1Ch 29:6; 29:9) along with all the silver and gold that you can find
in all the province of Babylon, plus the freewill offering of the people
and priests, who are voluntarily giving for the house of their God
in Jerusalem.
17 (Dt 12:5-11; Nu 15:4-13) Diligently use this money to buy bulls, rams,
lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them
on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.
18 "Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest
of the silver and the gold, do that according to the will of your God.
19 The vessels also that are given to you for the service of the house
of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.
20 (Ezr 6:4) And whatever else is needed for the house of your God
and is your responsibility to provide, use the king's treasury to pay for it.
21 (Ezr 7:6) "I, even I Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree
to all the treasurers of the province Beyond the River, that whatever
Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, should request
from you, you should do it with all diligence-
22 as much as a hundred talents
[About 3 3/4 tons, or 3.4 metric tons.] of silver, a hundred measures
[Likely about 18 tons, or 16 metric tons.] of wheat, a hundred baths
[About 600 gallons, or 2200 litres.] of wine, a hundred baths
[About 600 gallons, or 2200 liters.] of oil, and salt (without prescribing
how much).
23 Whatever is decreed by the God of Âheaven, let it be zealously done
for the house of the God of heaven so as to avoid there being wrath against
the realm of the king and his sons.
24 (Ezr 4:13; 7:7) Also we are informing you that with regard to all
the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants,
or other servants of this house of God, it is not permitted to impose toll,
tribute, or custom on them.
25 (Dt 16:18; Ezr 7:10) "You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God
who empowers you, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people
of the province Beyond the River, all those who know the laws of your God
and those who do not, whom you must teach.
26 (Ezr 6:11) Whoever will not observe the law of your God or the law
of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether that be death,
banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment."
27 (Ezr 6:22) Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who has put such
a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord
in Jerusalem,
28 (Ezr 9:9; 5:5) and has extended mercy to me before the king,
his counselors, and all the king's mighty princes. Thus I had been
strengthened, because the hand of the Lord my God was upon me.
As a result, I gathered together some of the chief men of Israel
to go up with me.
Ezra 8
Family Leaders Returning With Ezra
1 (Ezr 7:7) Now these are the chiefs of the households of the fathers
and the genealogical register of those who went up with me from Babylon,
in the reign of King Artaxerxes:
2 (1Ch 3:22) of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom;
of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel;
of the sons of David, Hattush,
3 (Ezr 2:3) a descendant of Shekaniah
and a descendant of Parosh, Zechariah, plus another 150 registered
in the genealogical register;
4 (Ezr 2:6) of the sons of Pahath-Moab; Eliehoenai a descendant of Zerahiah,
plus two hundred other males;
5 of the sons of Zattu, Shekaniah a descendant of Jahaziel,
plus three hundred other males;
6 (Ezr 2:15; Ne 7:20) of the sons of Adin, Ebed a descendant of Jonathan,
plus fifty other males;
7 of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah a descendant of Athaliah,
plus seventy other males;
8 of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah a descendant of Michael,
plus eighty other males;
9 of the sons of Joab, Obadiah a descendant of Jehiel,
plus two hundred and eighteen other males;
10 of the sons of Bani, Shelomith a descendant of Josiphiah,
plus one hundred and sixty other males;
11 (Ezr 10:28) of the sons of Bebai, his son Zechariah, plus 28 other males;
12 of the sons of Azgad, Johanan a descendant of Hakkatan,
plus one hundred and ten other males;
13 (Ezr 2:13) of the last sons of Adonikam, the ones named Eliphelet,
Jeuel, and Shemaiah, plus sixty other males;
14 also of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zakkur, plus seventy other males.
Temple Servants
15 (Ezr 7:7; 8:21) I gathered them together at the river that runs to Ahava,
and we camped in tents three days. As I examined the people and the priests,
I discovered that none of the sons of Levi were there.
16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan,
Zechariah, and Meshullam, chief men; and also for Joiarib and Elnathan,
discerning men.
17 (Ezr 2:43) I gave them orders for Iddo, chief at the place KasiphÂia,
and crafted exactly what they would say to Iddo, his brothers,
and the temple servants at the place Kasiphia so that they would bring us
ministering servants for the house of our God.
18 (1Ch 6:19; Ezr 7:28) Because the good hand of our God was upon us,
indeed they brought us a man of understanding descended from the sons
of Mahli, who is a descendant of Levi, the son of Israel-Sherebiah along
with his sons and his brothers, eighteen men;
19 (1Ch 6:1; 6:16) and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons
of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men;
20 (Ezr 2:43; 7:7) and of the temple servants whom David
and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites,
two hundred and twenty temple servants, all of them designated by name.
21 (2Ch 20:3; Ps 5:8) Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river
of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God,
to seek from Him a good route for us, our little ones,
and all our substance.
22 (2Ch 15:2; Ezr 7:6) For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort
of foot and horse soldiers to help us against the enemy on the way,
because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon
all who seek Him for good, but His power and His wrath are against all
who forsake Him."
23 (Jer 29:12-13; 1Ch 5:20) So we fasted and sought our God for this,
and He was moved by our prayers.
Temple Gifts
24 (Ezr 8:18-19) Then I separated twelve of the presiding priests-
Sherebiah and Hashabiah, along with ten of their brothers-
25 (Ezr 8:33) and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, the vessels,
as well as the contribution collected for the house of our God by the king,
his counselors, his lords, in conjunction with what all Israel had offered.
26 I weighed out into their hand six hundred and fifty talents
[About 24 tons, or about 22 metric tons.] of silver, silver articles worth
one hundred talents, [About 3 3/4 tons, or about 3.4 metric tons.]
one hundred talents [About 3 3/4 tons, or about 3.4 metric tons.] of gold,
27 twenty gold bowls worth a thousand darics, [About 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams.]
and two vessels of fine shining bronze, precious as gold.
28 (Lev 22:2-3; 21:6-8) I said to them, "You are holy to the Lord.
The vessels are holy also. The silver and the gold are a freewill offering
to the Lord God of your fathers.
29 (Ezr 8:33-34) Watch and guard them until you weigh them
before the presiding priests and Levites, and the presiding elders of Israel
at Jerusalem, for the chambers of the house of the Lord."
30 So the priests and the Levites accepted the weighed-out silver and gold,
along with the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.
The Return to Jerusalem
31 (Ezr 7:9; 8:15) Then we began the journey from the Ahava River
on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God
was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the attacker
and the ambusher along the way.
32 (Ne 2:11) When we arrived at Jerusalem, we stayed there three days.
33 (Ne 3:4; Ezr 8:30) Then on the fourth day the silver and the gold
and the vessels were weighed out in the house of our God by the hand
of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest. With him was Eleazar
the son of Phinehas as well as Jozabad the son of Jeshua,
and Noadiah the son of Binnui-both Levites.
34 All of it was counted by number and by weight,
and all the information was recorded at that time.
35 (Ezr 6:17) Then, the children of the exile who had come out of captivity
offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel. On behalf of all Israel,
they offered twelve bulls, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and 12 male goats
as a sin offering. All of it was offered as a burnt offering to the Lord.
36 (Ezr 7:21-24) Finally, they delivered the king's decrees to the satraps
of the king as well as to the governors of the province Beyond the River.
Accordingly, they supported the people and the house of God.
Ezra 9
Ezra Prays About Intermarriage
1 (Ne 9:2; Lev 18:24-30) Now when these things were done, the leaders
contacted me, saying, "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites
have not separated themselves from the people of the lands. They practice
the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites,
the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
2 (Ex 22:31; 34:16) Specifically, they have taken some of their daughters
as wives for themselves, as well as for their sons, so that the holy seed
has been mingled with the people of the lands. In fact, the involvement
of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this vile behavior."
3 (Ne 1:4; Jos 7:6) When I heard this, I tore my clothes and my robe,
plucked out the hair of my head and from my beard, and sat down astonished.
4 (Ezr 10:3; Ex 29:39) Because of the vile behavior of those who had been
in exile, every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered
to me, but I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
5 (Ex 9:29; 1Ki 8:22) At the evening sacrifice I rose up from my heaviness
and, despite having my clothes and my robe torn, I knelt on my knees
and stretched out my hands in prayer to the Lord my God
6 (2Ch 28:9; Rev 18:5) and said:
"O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God,
because our iniquities have expanded over our heads and our wrongdoing
has grown up to the heavens.
7 (2Ch 29:6; Da 9:5-8) Since the days of our fathers until this day,
we have been in a great guilt. It is because of our iniquities that we,
our kings, and our priests have been delivered-by the sword, by captivity,
by spoil, and by being shamed-into the hand of the kings of the lands.
This day is like that, too.
8 (Ps 13:3; Ecc 12:11) "Yet now for a little while, there has been a favorable
response from the Lord our God-leaving us a remnant to escape, giving us
a tent peg from His holy place, having our eyes enlightened by our God,
and giving us a little reviving in our bondage.
9 For though we were slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage
but has extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, granting us
a reviving for the rebuilding of the house of our God, for the repairing
of its ruins, and for giving us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
10 "Now, O our God, what shall we say after this?
For we have forsaken Your commandments,
11 (Ezr 6:21) which You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying,
'The land you are going to possess, it is an unclean land with the filthiness
of the people of the lands. By their abominations, it is has been filled
from one end to another with their uncleanness.
12 (Dt 7:3; 23:6) Now, therefore, cease giving your daughters as wives
to their sons, do not take their daughters to your sons,
and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you might grow strong
and eat the good of the land and leave it as an eternal inheritance
to your children.'
13 (Ps 103:10) "After all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds
and our great guilt, seeing that You our God have punished us less than
our iniquities deserve and have given us such deliverance as this,
14 (Dt 9:8; 9:14) should we again break Your commandments
and intermarry with the people of these abominations?
Would You not become so completely angry with us that there would be
no remnant nor any who escape?
15 (Ps 130:3; Da 9:14) O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous,
for we who escaped exile yet remain to this very day. Here we stand before
You in our guiltiness even though we should not stand before
You because of this."
Ezra 10
The People's Confession of Sin
1 (2Ch 20:9; Da 9:20) Now while Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping
and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large congregation
of men, women, and children gathered around him from Israel, for the people
too wept bitterly.
2 (Ne 13:27; Ezr 9:2) Shekaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam,
answered and said to Ezra, "We have acted with vile unfaithfulness against
our God and have wedded foreign women from the people of the land,
yet there is now hope in Israel concerning this.
3 (Dt 7:2-3; Ezr 9:4) Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God
to sever relations with all the women and their children according
to the counsel of my lord and those who tremble at the commandment
of our God. May this be done in accordance with the law.
4 (1Ch 28:10) Arise, for this matter is your responsibility.
But we are standing with you. Be courageous and act!"
5 (Ne 5:12; 13:25) Then Ezra stood and made the presiding Levitical priests
and all Israel to swear an oath to act according to this word.
And they swore an oath.
6 (Dt 9:18; Ne 3:1) Then Ezra stood in front of the house of God
and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib.
When he arrived there, he ate no bread and drank no water because
he was mourning over the vile unfaithfulness of the exiles.
7 They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the children
of the exile to assemble in Jerusalem.
8 Whoever would not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions,
according to the counsel of the leaders and the elders, and would himself be
excluded from the congregation of the exiles.
9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together
to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month,
on the twentieth day of the month. All the people sat on the grounds
of the house of God, trembling about this matter and also because
of the great rain.
10 Ezra the priest stood up and said to them,
"You have acted unfaithfully by bringing home foreign women,
adding to the guilt of Israel.
11 (Jos 7:19; Ezr 10:3) Now therefore make confession to the Lord God
of your fathers and do what pleases Him: Sever your relationships
with the people of the land, especially from the foreign women."
12 Then all the congregation answered loudly, "As you have said to us,
that we will do.
13 But there are many people, and because it is the rainy season
we will not be able to set up outside. Moreover, this is not a task
for a day or two since we have so grievously transgressed in this matter.
14 (2Ch 29:10; 30:8) Let now our rulers preside over all the congregation
so that, in each of our cities, all who have married foreign women,
along with the elders and judges of that city, will come at appointed times,
until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter is turned from us."
15 (Ne 11:16) Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah
opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.
16T hen the descendants of the captivity did so. Ezra the priest selected men,
heads of the fathers' households, according to their families,
each of them by name. They sat down in the first day of the tenth month
to examine the matter,
17 and finished dealing with every man who had married foreign women
by the first day of the first month.
Those Guilty of Intermarriage
18 (Ezr 2:2; 3:2) Some of the sons of the priests were discovered to have
wedded foreign women,
namely the sons of Joshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers:
Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.
19 (Lev 6:6; 2Ki 10:15) They committed to sever their relations with their
women, and, being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
20 (1Ch 24:14; Ezr 2:37) Likewise, of the sons of Immer,
there were Hanani and Zebadiah.
21 (1Ch 24:8) Of the sons of Harim,
there were Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22 (1Ch 9:12) Of the sons of Pashhur,
there were Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
23 Also, from the Levites,
there were Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah,
Judah, and Eliezer.
24 Among the singers,
there was Eliashib,
and from the porters,
there were Shallum, Telem, and Uri.
25 (Ezr 2:3; Ne 7:8) Further from Israel,
of the sons of Parosh,
there were Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, MijÂamin, Eleazar, Malkijah, and Benaiah.
26 (Ezr 10:2) Of the sons of Elam,
there were Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
27 (Ezr 2:8; Ne 7:13) Of the sons of Zattu,
there were Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.
28 Of the sons of Bebai,
there were Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
29 Of the sons of Bani,
there were Meshullam, Malluk, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
30 Of the sons of Pahath-Moab,
there were Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui,
and Manasseh.
31 (Ne 3:11) Of the sons of Harim,
there were Eliezer, Ishijah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32Benjamin,
Malluk, and Shemariah.
33 Of the sons of Hashum,
there were Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh,
and Shimei.
34 Of the sons of Bani,
there were Maadai, Amram, Uel,
35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi,
36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu.
38 Of the sons of Binnui,
there were Shimei,
39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
40 Maknadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
43 (Ezr 2:29) Of the sons of Nebo,
there were Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.
44 All these married foreign women,
and some of them had wives that had children.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 September 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/09/24/the-whatevers
Entitled The Whatevers
Philippians 4:1–9
Philippians 4
1 (Php 1:8; 1:27; 1Co 16:13) Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brothers,
my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
Exhortations
2 (Php 2:2-3) I exhort Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 (Lk 10:20; Php 1:27) I ask you also, true companion, help those women
who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with my other
fellow laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
4 (Php 3:1; Ro 12:12) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 (Jas 5:8-9) Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand.
6 (Eph 6:18; Mt 6:25-33) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything,
by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.
7 (Jn 14:27; Col 3:15; Isa 26:3) And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 (Ac 6:3; 10:22) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true,
whatever things are honest, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things
are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise,
think on these things.
9 (Php 3:17; Ro 15:33; Php 4:7) Do those things which you have both learned
and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Every Friday evening, the national news my family views concludes
the broadcast by highlighting an uplifting story. In contrast to the rest
of the news, it's always a breath of fresh air. A recent "good" Friday story
focused on a reporter who had suffered from COVID-19, fully recovered,
and then decided to donate plasma to possibly help others in their fight
against the virus. At the time, the jury was still out on how effective
antibodies would be. But when many of us felt helpless
and even in light of the discomfort of donating plasma (via needle),
she felt it "was a small price to pay for the potential payoff."
After that Friday broadcast, my family and I felt encouraged-dare I say
hope-filled. That’s the power of the "whatevers" Paul described
in Philippians 4: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (v.
.Did Paul have in mind plasma donation? Of course not. But did he have in mind
sacrificial actions on behalf of someone in need-in other words,
Christlike behavior? I've no doubt the answer is yes.
But that hopeful news wouldn't have had its full effect if it hadn't
been broadcast. It's our privilege as witnesses to God's goodness to look
and listen for the "whatevers" all around us and then share that good news
with others that they may be encouraged.
By: John Blase
Reflect & Pray
What’s a "whatever" story that’s encouraged you lately?
Who might want or need to hear your story?
Father, I know that behind whatever is excellent
and praiseworthy is You. I love You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 6 - Shielded by the Word
Proverbs 30:5
5 (Ps 12:6; 18:30) Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
A wife of ten years, betrayed by her husband's infidelity, declares that
she will never trust a man again. A teenage son says of his father, "I
can't depend on him anymore! Dad always talk big and makes promises,
but he never does what he says." A career woman, her reputation
undermined by gossip, leaves the church broken, and never returns.
Human beings are weak, volatile, unfaithful creatures; often we
break our word and hurt others in the process. But the Scripture
clearly assures us that God's Word is not like the word of man.
God always reamins faithful to his Word, always fulfills his promises,
always does what he says he will do.
God's word is pure (or flawless), Proverbs 30:5 says. His Word
is not distorted with mixed motives or flawed by untruth. God's Word
is dependable, able to support and lift us up, able to speak
encouragement to us. His Word is a "shield" a protection for us
against the onslaughts of the Enemy, a place of refuge from the struggle
and confusion of daily life.
We live in a world that recongnises no absolute truth. Morality,
values, relationships, ethics - every decision of life, it seems,
"depends on the situation." But in the midst of the confusion,
God interjects his Word - timeless, pure, trustworthy, reliable.
We can depend upon God's Word. We can turn to him to verify who we are
and the purposes for which we were created. We can find refuge in his truth,
and rest in the knowledge that whatever he says, he will do.
Application
a) In my own experience, how have I found God's Word
to be different from the word of men and women?
b) In what areas of my life do I need the assurance of the validity
and dependability of God's Word?
c) How can today's verse help me trust more fully in God's Word?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Haggai 2:7-9
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.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
James 1:12-18
Trial and Temptation
12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"
for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.
14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;
and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
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?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truto.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
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 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that He will lead you in every decision you make.
Pray to the Lord "Father, I know that behind whatever is excellent
and praiseworthy is You. I love You."
Pray to the Lord and put your trust in Him for he is your shield .
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that everything is his .
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him when you face temptation.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
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 the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray for underground church leaders in Eritrea.
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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