Day 283 - 10 October 2021 reflections
Day 283, 10 October 2021
Happy Thanksgiving
at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ we addressed
Focus - key to an effective life
Establish goals and vision
1 Cor 9:26
26 So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty.
So I fight, not as one who beats the air.
1 Tim 5:8
8 (Titus 1:16; Gal 6:10) But if any do not care for their own,
and especially for those of their own house, they have denied
the faith and are worse than unbelievers.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are encompassed with such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
2 (Heb 1:3; Lk 24:26) Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Rev 3:20
Listen! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 (Php 4:4) Rejoice always.
17 (Eph 6:18; Lk 18:1) Pray without ceasing.
18 (Eph 5:20; Heb 13:15) In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Matthew 11
1 (Mt 9:35) When Jesus finished instructing His twelve disciples,
He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
The Messengers From John the Baptist
Lk 7:18-35
2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 (Lk 4:18; Isa 35:4-6; Mt 5:3) The blind receive their sight
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
[Taken from Isa 35:5-6; 61:1.]
6 (Isa 8:14-15; Mt 24:10) Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me."
7 (Eph 4:14; Jas 1:6) As they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds
concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
A reed shaken by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see?
A man dressed in soft clothing? Indeed,
those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 (Lk 1:76; Mt 14:5) Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 (Mal 3:1; Mk 1:2) For this is he of whom it is written:
'Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face,
who will prepare Your way before You.'[Mal 3:1.]
11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women,
there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.
But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 (Lk 16:16) From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the kingdom of heaven has forcefully advanced,
and the strong take it by force.
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14 (Mal 4:5; Mt 17:10-13) And if you are willing to receive it,
he is Elijah, who is to come.
15 (Mt 13:9; 13:43) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children
sitting in the markets, calling to their friends,
17 saying:
'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge to you,
and you did not mourn.'
18 (Mt 3:4; Lk 1:15) For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
'He has a demon.'
19 (Mt 9:10-11; Lk 5:29-30) The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, 'Here is a gluttonous man, a drunkard, a friend of
tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her children."
Unrepentant Cities
Lk 10:13-15
20 (Ps 81:11–13; Isa 1:2-5) Then He began to reprimand the cities
where most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent:
21 (Mt 15:21; Mk 6:45) "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done
in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 (Mt 10:15; 11:24) But I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you.
23 (Isa 14:13-15; Mt 4:13) And you, Capernaum, who is exalted toward heaven,
will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works which have been done
in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 (Mt 10:15; 11:22) But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you."
Come to Me and Rest
Lk 10:21-22
25 (Ps 8:2; Jn 11:41) At that time Jesus said, "I thank You, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things
from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.
26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.
27 (Jn 10:15; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:18) "All things are delivered to Me
by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except the Father.
And no one knows the Father, except the Son
and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[Jer 6:16. ]
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.â€
2) Our Daily Bread for 10 October 2021
https://odb.org/us/2021/10/10/for-others-sake-2
Entitled For Others' Sake
Romans 14:13-21
Do Not Make Your Brother Stumble
13 (Mt 7:1) Therefore let us no longer pass judgment on one another,
but rather determine not to put a stumbling block or an obstacle
in a brother's way.
14 (1Co 8:7; Ro 14:2) I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself, but to him who considers
anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 (Eph 5:2) If your brother is grieved because of your food,
you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one
for whom Christ died.
16 (Ro 12:17; 1Co 10:29-30) So do not let what is good to you be spoken
of as evil.
17 (Ro 15:13; 1Co 8:8; Gal 5:22) For the kingdom of God does not mean
eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 (2Co 8:21; Ro 16:18) For he who serves Christ in these things
is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 (Ps 34:14; Ro 15:2) Therefore let us pursue the things which produce peace
and the things that build up one another.
20 (Ro 14:14-15; Ac 10:15) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake
of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is evil for the man
who causes someone to fall by what he eats.
21 (1Co 8:13) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine, nor do anything
whereby your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans stayed home to avoid being
infected. But I blissfully continued swimming, believing it was safe.
My wife, however, feared that I might pick up an infection at the public pool
and pass it on to her aged mother-who, like other seniors,
was more vulnerable to the virus.
"Can you just avoid swimming for some time, for my sake?" she asked.
At first, I wanted to argue that there was little risk.
Then I realised that this mattered less than her feelings.
Why would I insist on swimming-hardly an essential thing-
when it made her worry unnecessarily?
In Romans 14, Paul addressed issues like whether believers in Christ
should eat certain foods or celebrate certain festivals.
He was concerned that some people were imposing their views on others.
Paul reminded the church in Rome, and us, that believers in Jesus may
view situations differently. We also have diverse backgrounds that colour
our attitudes and practices. He wrote, "Let us stop passing judgment
on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block
or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister" (v. 13).
God's grace gives us great freedom even as it helps us express His love
to fellow believers. We can use that freedom to put the spiritual needs
of others above our own convictions about rules and practices
that don't contradict the essential truths found in the gospel (v. 20).
By: Leslie Koh
Reflect & Pray
What are some of the rules and practices you keep
as a believer in Christ? How might they affect other believers
who think differently?
Jesus, give me the grace to give way on things
that don't contradict the gospel truth
and the love to put the feelings of others above my own.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 55:11
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
James 5:13-16
13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.
14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save
the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
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?)
Prince Edward Island
Total population 146300
Muslim population (est.) 1127
Charlottetown does not currently (fall 2014) have a local CNMM network.
Pray with us for God's people to come together in reaching Muslims
cooperatively across denominational and organisational lines.
More than 200 attended the Eid festival at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic
month of fasting during daylight hours and the reading of the Qur'an, at
the Dar as-Salam mosque in 2014. This second mosque established
in Charlottetown, the other being the Muslims Assoication of PEI.
As of mid-2014,there are between 250 to 300 families, mostly in Charlottetown.
The Muslims of Charlottetown see their community as symbolically important
for this nation since this is known as the "birthplace of Canada". Yet we were
established as the "Dominion of Canada" with an appeal not only to
monarchial authority, but even more to God's higher Biblical authority as
shown in Psalm 72:8, "May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth."
Let us intercede togther for:
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of PEace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual waysto sahre the Gosepl
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and poeple , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for realtionship with the Father
through the Son.
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
10th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
(
John 3:16
16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1:18)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
)
b) Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Conclusion:
Pray to open the door of your heart and let the Lord enter in.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who can give you rest and renewal.
Pray to the Lord "Jesus, give me the grace to give way on things
that don't contradict the gospel truth
and the love to put the feelings of others above my own."
Pray to the Lord and confess Him as Lord and Saviour.
Pray to the Lord and pray that His will be accomplished in your life.
Pray to the Lord and for those who are sick.
Pray for Prince Edward Island and Let us intercede togther for:
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of PEace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual ways to share the Gosepl
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and poeple , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for realtionship with the Father
through the Son.
Pray for your country, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Pray that God will restore Columbians widows and orphans
physically and mentally.
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.
Happy Thanksgiving
at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ we addressed
Focus - key to an effective life
Establish goals and vision
1 Cor 9:26
26 So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty.
So I fight, not as one who beats the air.
1 Tim 5:8
8 (Titus 1:16; Gal 6:10) But if any do not care for their own,
and especially for those of their own house, they have denied
the faith and are worse than unbelievers.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are encompassed with such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
2 (Heb 1:3; Lk 24:26) Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Rev 3:20
Listen! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 (Php 4:4) Rejoice always.
17 (Eph 6:18; Lk 18:1) Pray without ceasing.
18 (Eph 5:20; Heb 13:15) In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Matthew 11
1 (Mt 9:35) When Jesus finished instructing His twelve disciples,
He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
The Messengers From John the Baptist
Lk 7:18-35
2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 (Lk 4:18; Isa 35:4-6; Mt 5:3) The blind receive their sight
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
[Taken from Isa 35:5-6; 61:1.]
6 (Isa 8:14-15; Mt 24:10) Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me."
7 (Eph 4:14; Jas 1:6) As they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds
concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
A reed shaken by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see?
A man dressed in soft clothing? Indeed,
those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 (Lk 1:76; Mt 14:5) Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 (Mal 3:1; Mk 1:2) For this is he of whom it is written:
'Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face,
who will prepare Your way before You.'[Mal 3:1.]
11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women,
there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.
But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 (Lk 16:16) From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the kingdom of heaven has forcefully advanced,
and the strong take it by force.
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14 (Mal 4:5; Mt 17:10-13) And if you are willing to receive it,
he is Elijah, who is to come.
15 (Mt 13:9; 13:43) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children
sitting in the markets, calling to their friends,
17 saying:
'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge to you,
and you did not mourn.'
18 (Mt 3:4; Lk 1:15) For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
'He has a demon.'
19 (Mt 9:10-11; Lk 5:29-30) The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, 'Here is a gluttonous man, a drunkard, a friend of
tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her children."
Unrepentant Cities
Lk 10:13-15
20 (Ps 81:11–13; Isa 1:2-5) Then He began to reprimand the cities
where most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent:
21 (Mt 15:21; Mk 6:45) "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done
in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 (Mt 10:15; 11:24) But I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you.
23 (Isa 14:13-15; Mt 4:13) And you, Capernaum, who is exalted toward heaven,
will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works which have been done
in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 (Mt 10:15; 11:22) But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you."
Come to Me and Rest
Lk 10:21-22
25 (Ps 8:2; Jn 11:41) At that time Jesus said, "I thank You, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things
from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.
26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.
27 (Jn 10:15; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:18) "All things are delivered to Me
by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except the Father.
And no one knows the Father, except the Son
and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[Jer 6:16. ]
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.â€
2) Our Daily Bread for 10 October 2021
https://odb.org/us/2021/10/10/for-others-sake-2
Entitled For Others' Sake
Romans 14:13-21
Do Not Make Your Brother Stumble
13 (Mt 7:1) Therefore let us no longer pass judgment on one another,
but rather determine not to put a stumbling block or an obstacle
in a brother's way.
14 (1Co 8:7; Ro 14:2) I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself, but to him who considers
anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 (Eph 5:2) If your brother is grieved because of your food,
you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one
for whom Christ died.
16 (Ro 12:17; 1Co 10:29-30) So do not let what is good to you be spoken
of as evil.
17 (Ro 15:13; 1Co 8:8; Gal 5:22) For the kingdom of God does not mean
eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 (2Co 8:21; Ro 16:18) For he who serves Christ in these things
is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 (Ps 34:14; Ro 15:2) Therefore let us pursue the things which produce peace
and the things that build up one another.
20 (Ro 14:14-15; Ac 10:15) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake
of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is evil for the man
who causes someone to fall by what he eats.
21 (1Co 8:13) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine, nor do anything
whereby your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans stayed home to avoid being
infected. But I blissfully continued swimming, believing it was safe.
My wife, however, feared that I might pick up an infection at the public pool
and pass it on to her aged mother-who, like other seniors,
was more vulnerable to the virus.
"Can you just avoid swimming for some time, for my sake?" she asked.
At first, I wanted to argue that there was little risk.
Then I realised that this mattered less than her feelings.
Why would I insist on swimming-hardly an essential thing-
when it made her worry unnecessarily?
In Romans 14, Paul addressed issues like whether believers in Christ
should eat certain foods or celebrate certain festivals.
He was concerned that some people were imposing their views on others.
Paul reminded the church in Rome, and us, that believers in Jesus may
view situations differently. We also have diverse backgrounds that colour
our attitudes and practices. He wrote, "Let us stop passing judgment
on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block
or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister" (v. 13).
God's grace gives us great freedom even as it helps us express His love
to fellow believers. We can use that freedom to put the spiritual needs
of others above our own convictions about rules and practices
that don't contradict the essential truths found in the gospel (v. 20).
By: Leslie Koh
Reflect & Pray
What are some of the rules and practices you keep
as a believer in Christ? How might they affect other believers
who think differently?
Jesus, give me the grace to give way on things
that don't contradict the gospel truth
and the love to put the feelings of others above my own.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 55:11
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
James 5:13-16
13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.
14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save
the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
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?)
Prince Edward Island
Total population 146300
Muslim population (est.) 1127
Charlottetown does not currently (fall 2014) have a local CNMM network.
Pray with us for God's people to come together in reaching Muslims
cooperatively across denominational and organisational lines.
More than 200 attended the Eid festival at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic
month of fasting during daylight hours and the reading of the Qur'an, at
the Dar as-Salam mosque in 2014. This second mosque established
in Charlottetown, the other being the Muslims Assoication of PEI.
As of mid-2014,there are between 250 to 300 families, mostly in Charlottetown.
The Muslims of Charlottetown see their community as symbolically important
for this nation since this is known as the "birthplace of Canada". Yet we were
established as the "Dominion of Canada" with an appeal not only to
monarchial authority, but even more to God's higher Biblical authority as
shown in Psalm 72:8, "May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth."
Let us intercede togther for:
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of PEace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual waysto sahre the Gosepl
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and poeple , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for realtionship with the Father
through the Son.
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
10th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
(
John 3:16
16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1:18)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
)
b) Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Conclusion:
Pray to open the door of your heart and let the Lord enter in.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who can give you rest and renewal.
Pray to the Lord "Jesus, give me the grace to give way on things
that don't contradict the gospel truth
and the love to put the feelings of others above my own."
Pray to the Lord and confess Him as Lord and Saviour.
Pray to the Lord and pray that His will be accomplished in your life.
Pray to the Lord and for those who are sick.
Pray for Prince Edward Island and Let us intercede togther for:
- the growing Muslim population of Charlottetown and spreading
outward through PEI to encounter the Prince of PEace.
- believers to have faith and vision to reach out to the Muslim Community
in contextual ways to share the Gosepl
- churches and ministries to rise up in wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
giving and training, coaching and encouragement to believers reaching
out to Muslims locally.
- a prayer movement to be established, feeding a growing move of Yahweh's
Spirit in His churches and poeple , and an awakening an openness
and spiritual hunger in Muslims for realtionship with the Father
through the Son.
Pray for your country, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Pray that God will restore Columbians widows and orphans
physically and mentally.
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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