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Day 31 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 31 Jan 2022 reflections

Day 31, 31 Jan 2022



1)

Exodus 4:18-31

Exodus 5

Exodus 6

Exodus 7:1-13



EXODUS 4

18 Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him,

"Please let me go and return to my brothers who are in Egypt,

and see whether they be yet alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."

19 The Lord said to Moses in Midian, "Go, return to Egypt, for all the men

are dead who sought your life."

20 Moses took his wife and his sons

and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt.

And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

21 The Lord said to Moses, "When you go to return into Egypt,

see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh,

which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart,

so that he shall not let the people go.

22 You shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the Lord: Israel is My son,

even My firstborn.

23 So I say to you, "Let My son go, that he may serve Me.

And if you refuse to let him go, I will slay your son, even your firstborn." ' "

24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met him and sought to kill him.

25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son,

and threw it at his feet, and said, "Surely a bloody husband are you to me."

26 So He let him go. Then she said, "A bloody husband you are,

because of the circumcision."

27 Now the Lord said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses."

So he went, and met him at the mount of God, and kissed him.

28 Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him,

and all the signs which He had commanded him.

29 Moses and Aaron went and gathered together

all the elders of the children of Israel.

30 And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken

to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people.

31 And the people believed. And when they heard that the Lord

had visited the children of Israel

and that He had looked on their affliction, they bowed down and worshipped.



[18] And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto

him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt,

and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

[19] And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all

the men are dead which sought thy life.

[20] And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he

returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

[21] And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see

that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine

hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

[22] And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son,

even my firstborn:

[23] And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou

refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

[24] And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and

sought to kill him.

[25] Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son,

and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

[26] So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of

the circumcision.

[27] And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And

he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.

[28] And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and

all the signs which he had commanded him.

[29] And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the

children of Israel:

[30] And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and

did the signs in the sight of the people.

[31] And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited

the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then

they bowed their heads and worshipped.



EXODUS 5



Bricks Without Straw



1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in and said to Pharaoh,

"Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Let My people go, that they

may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.' "

2 And Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice

to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go."

3 They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us.

Let us go, we pray you, three days' journey into the wilderness,

and sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest He fall upon us

with pestilence or with the sword."

4 But the king of Egypt said to them,

"Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work?

Get back to your labor."

5 Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land now are numerous,

and you make them rest from their labor."

6 Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people

and their officers, saying,

7 "You shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as before.

Let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 However, the quota of the bricks, which they were making previously,

you shall lay upon them. You shall not diminish any of it. For they are idle.

Therefore they cry out, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'

9 Let there be more work laid upon the men so that they may

labor therein, and let them not regard deceptive words."

10 The taskmasters of the people and their officers went out,

and they spoke to the people, saying, "Thus says Pharaoh,

' I will not give you straw. 11 Go, get straw where you can find it,

yet nothing of your work shall be diminished.'"

12 So the people scattered abroad throughout

all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

13 The taskmasters pushed them, saying, "Fulfill your works,

your daily tasks, just as when there was straw."

14 The officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's

taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked,

and demanded, "Why have you not fulfilled your task in making

brick both yesterday and today, as previously?"

15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh,

saying, "Why do you deal this way with your servants?

16 There is no straw being given to your servants, and they say to us,

'Make brick.' And indeed, your servants are beaten,

but the fault is in your own people."

17 But he said, "You are slackers! Slackers! Therefore you say,

'Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.'

18 Go therefore now and work, for there shall no straw be given you,

yet shall you deliver the quota of bricks."

19T he officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble,

after it was said, "You shall not diminish anything

from your bricks of your daily task.'

20 Then they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way,

as they came forth from Pharaoh.

21 And they said to them, "May the Lord look on you and judge,

because you have made our scent stink in the estimation of Pharaoh

and in the estimation of his servants,

to put a sword in their hand to slay us."



God Promises Deliverance



22 Moses returned to the Lord, and said, "Lord, why have

You caused trouble for this people? Why is it that You have sent me?

23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name,

he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at

all."



Exodus 5

[1] And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the

LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in

the wilderness.

[2] And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let

Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

[3] And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we

pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD

our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

[4] And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron,

let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

[5] And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye

make them rest from their burdens.

[6] And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and

their officers, saying,

[7] Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let

them go and gather straw for themselves.

[8] And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay

upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore

they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

[9] Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein;

and let them not regard vain words.

[10] And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and

they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you

straw.

[11] Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work

shall be diminished.

[12] So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to

gather stubble instead of straw.

[13] And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily

tasks, as when there was straw.

[14] And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters

had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not

fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as

heretofore?

[15] Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto

Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

[16] There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make

brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own

people.

[17] But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and

do sacrifice to the LORD.

[18] Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet

shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

[19] And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in

evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of

your daily task.

[20] And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth

from Pharaoh:

[21] And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye

have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes

of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

[22] And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou

so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

[23] For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to

this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.



EXODUS 6

1 (Ex 12:33; 12:39) Then the Lord said to Moses, "Now you shall see what

I will do to Pharaoh, for with a strong hand shall he let them go,

and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land."

2 (Isa 42:8; Mal 3:6) Then God spoke to Moses, and said to him,

"I am the Lord,

3 (Ps 83:18; Ge 17:1; Ps 68:4) and I appeared to Abraham,

to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by My name,

The Lord, I was not known to them.

4 (Ge 15:18; 28:4) I have also established

My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan,

the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they sojourned.

5 (Ex 2:24)

I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel,

whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant.

6 (Dt 26:8; 7:8; 1Ch 17:21) "Therefore say to the children of Israel:

'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from

under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage,

and I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm and with great judgments.

7 (Dt 4:20; 7:6 ) And I will take you to Me for a people,

and I will be to you a God. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God,

who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

8 (Ge 15:18; 26:3) I will bring you into the land, which I swore

to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and I will give it to you

for a heritage. I am the Lord.' "

9 (Ex 5:21) Moses spoke so to the children of Israel,

but they did not listen to Moses on account of

their anguish of spirit and for cruel ­bondage.

10 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

11 "Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel

go out of his land."

12 (Ex 4:10; 6:30) Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, "The children

of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me,

as I am of uncircumcised lips?"

13 And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command

for the children of Israel, and for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring

the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.



The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron



14 (Ge 46:9; 1Ch 5:3 ) These are the heads of their fathers' houses:

The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel:

Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. These are the families of Reuben.

15 (Ge 46:10; 1Ch 4:24) The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad,

Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.

These are the families of Simeon.

16 (Ge 46:11; Nu 3:17) These are the names of the sons of Levi

according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari,

and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven years.

17 (1Ch 6:17; Nu 3:18) The sons of Gershon: Libni, and Shimei,

according to their families.

18 (1Ch 6:2; 6:18) The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel,

and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three years.

19 (Nu 3:20; 1Ch 6:19) The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi.

These are the families of Levi according to their generations.

20 (Ex 2:1-2; Nu 26:59) Now Amram married Jochebed his father's sister,

and she bore him Aaron and Moses.

And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven years.

21 (Nu 16:1; 1Ch 6:37-38) The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zikri.

22 (Lev 10:4; Nu 3:30) The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.

23 (Ru 4:19-20; Nu 1:7) Aaron took to himself Elisheba,

daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, to wife;

and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

24 (1Ch 6:22-23) The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph.

These are the families of the Ko­rah­ites.

25 (Jos 24:33; Nu 25:7-13) Eleazar, Aaron's son,

married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas.

These are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.

26 (Ex 7:4; 12:17) It was that Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said,

"Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt

according to their armies."

27 They are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt

to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. It was that Moses and Aaron.



Aaron to Speak for Moses



28 On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,

29 (Ex 6:11; 7:2) the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "I am the Lord.

Speak to Pharaoh the king of Egypt all that I say to you."

30 (Ex 6:12; 4:10) However, Moses said before the Lord,

"Listen! I am unskilled in speech, so how will Pharaoh listen to me?"



Exodus 6

[1] Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to

Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand

shall he drive them out of his land.

[2] And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:

[3] And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of

God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

[4] And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land

of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

[5] And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the

Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

[6] Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will

bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you

out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and

with great judgments:

[7] And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and

ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under

the burdens of the Egyptians.

[8] And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear

to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an

heritage: I am the LORD.

[9] And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not

unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

[10] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

[11] Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of

Israel go out of his land.

[12] And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel

have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of

uncircumcised lips?

[13] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge

unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the

children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

[14] These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the

firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the

families of Reuben.

[15] And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and

Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of

Simeon.

[16] And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their

generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of

Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.

[17] The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.

[18] And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and

the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.

[19] And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of

Levi according to their generations.

[20] And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare

him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and

thirty and seven years.

[21] And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.

[22] And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.

[23] And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon,

to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

[24] And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the

families of the Korhites.

[25] And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to

wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the

Levites according to their families.

[26] These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the

children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.

[27] These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the

children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron.

[28] And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the

land of Egypt,

[29] That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto

Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.

[30] And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and

how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?



EXODUS 7

1 So the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh,

and Aaron your brother will be your prophet.

2 (Ex 4:15; 6:29) You shall speak all that I command you,

and Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh

to send the children of Israel out of his land.

3 (Ex 4:21; 11:9) But I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply My signs

and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 (Ex 6:6; 11:9) Nevertheless,

Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that I may lay My hand upon Egypt

and bring forth My armies and My people, the children of Israel,

out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

5 (Ex 7:17; 8:22) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord

when I stretch forth My hand upon Egypt and bring out

the children of Israel from among them."

6 (Ex 7:2; Ge 6:22) So Moses and Aaron did it. Just as the Lord commanded

them, so they did. 7 (Dt 31:2; 34:7) Moses was eighty years old,

and Aaron was eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.



Aaron's Rod Becomes a Snake



8 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

9 (Isa 7:11; Jn 2:18) "When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying,

'Show a miracle,'

then you shall say to Aaron, 'Take your rod, and throw it before Pharaoh,'

and it shall become a serpent."

10 (Ex 4:3) So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh,

and they did what the Lord had commanded.

And Aaron threw down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants,

and it became a serpent.

11 (Ex 7:22; Ge 41:8; Ex 8:7) Then Pharaoh also called the wise men

and the sorcerers. Then the magicians of Egypt likewise performed

with their secret arts. 12 For every man threw down his rod,

and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

13 (Ex 4:21; 8:15) Nonetheless, Pharaoh's heart hardened so that

he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.



Exodus 7

[1] And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh:

and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

[2] Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall

speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.

[3] And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders

in the land of Egypt.

[4] But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon

Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel,

out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

[5] And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth

mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

[6] And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.

[7] And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years

old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.

[8] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

[9] When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then

thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it

shall become a serpent.

[10] And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD

had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his

servants, and it became a serpent.

[11] Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the

magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

[12] For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but

Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

[13] And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as

the LORD had said.



2) Our Daily Bread for 31 January 2022

https://odb.org/CA/2022/01/31/unapologetic-tears

entitled Unapologetic Tears



Luke 7:36-44



A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 (Lk 11:37; 14:1) One of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.

So He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down for supper.

37 There, a woman of the city who was a sinner, when she learned

that Jesus was sitting for supper in the Pharisee's house, brought

an alabaster jar of ointment,

38 and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet

with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed His feet,

and anointed them with the ointment.

39 (Lk 7:16; 15:2) Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw it,

he said to himself, "If this Man were a prophet, He would have known

who and what kind of woman she is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."

40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."

He said, "Teacher, say it."

41 (Mt 18:28) "A creditor had two debtors. The one owed five hundred

denarii,[Gk. denarius, a coin worth about a day's wage.]

and the other fifty.

42 When they had no money to pay, he freely forgave them both.

Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"

43 Simon answered, "I suppose he whom he forgave more."

He said to him, "You have judged rightly."

44 (1Ti 5:10; Ge 19:2) Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon,

"Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You gave Me no water

for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped

them with the hair of her head."



In a Pharisee's House

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him.

And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that

Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of

ointment,

38 and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet

with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head,

and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself,

saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner

of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.

And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five

hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me

therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.

And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?

I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet:

but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs

of her head.



"I'm sorry," Karen said, apologizing for her flowing tears. After the death

of her husband, she stretched herself to care for her teenage kids. When

men from church provided a weekend camping excursion to entertain them

and give her a break, Karen wept with gratitude, apologizing over

and over for her tears.



Why do so many of us apologize for our tears? Simon, a Pharisee,

invited Jesus to dinner. In the middle of the meal, as Jesus reclined

at the table, a woman who had lived a sinful life brought an alabaster

jar of perfume. “and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet

with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head,

and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.” (Luke 7:38).

Unapologetically, this woman freely expressed her love and then unwound

her hair to dry Jesus' feet. Overflowing with gratitude and love for Jesus,

she topped off her tears with perfumed kisses-actions that contrasted

with those of the proper but cold-hearted host.



Jesus’ response? He praised her exuberant expression of love

and proclaimed her "forgiven" (vv. 44–48).



We may be tempted to squelch tears of gratitude when they threaten

to overflow. But God made us emotional beings, and we can use our feelings

to honour Him. Like the woman in Luke's gospel, let's unapologetically

express our love for our good God who provides for our needs

and freely receives our thankful response.



By: Elisa Morgan



Reflect & Pray



How can you freely express your gratitude to God through your emotions today?

How might you make others feel comfortable about sharing their tears?



Loving God, thank You for Your grace in providing for my needs!

I pour out my gratitude to You today.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation



Col 1:21-22



21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated

and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,

to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,



21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind

by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy

and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight



Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds

threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,

expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.

Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.

Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.

Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much

different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere

with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often

incompatible with our environment.

God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom

as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.

We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers

the imagination.

Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,

made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of

his world through Christ's death and resurrection.

Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.

And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.

No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self

is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.

We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.



Application



a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?



b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?



c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 12:15



15 Then He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness.

For a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."



15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's

life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



When you are Impatient



Ps 37:3-9



3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land, and practice faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;

trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

and your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret because of those who prosper in their way,

because of those who make wicked schemes.

8 Let go of anger, and forsake wrath;

do not fret-it surely leads to evil deeds.

9 For evildoers will be cut off,

but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the earth.





3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.



5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in him;

And he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,

And thy judgment as the noonday.



7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:

Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,

because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.



8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:

Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

But those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.



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."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.



6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)



2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493



British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.

Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver

and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations

in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are

between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all

other nationalities.



Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant

and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,

Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this

region is about 200000.

Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,

more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small

numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.

We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.

A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,

for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that



- the church will catch a vision to pray,

and a burden to train outreach to Muslims

- the church will press in to participate in effective

discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.



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 "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.

18 Even on My menservants and maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]



Footnotes

Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.

- 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, ...) .



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord that you will speak out again injustice.



Pray to the Lord

"Loving God, thank You for Your grace in providing for my needs!

I pour out my gratitude to You today."



Pray to the Lord and thank Him for He will help us to fit into Heaven.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the riches will not get you to Heaven.



Pray to the Lord and pray to let go of anger.



Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,

and a burden to train outreach to Muslims

Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective

discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.



Pray that Christian families in Northern Kyrgyzstan will become

missionaries in the South.



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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