Day 155 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 4 June 2022 reflections
Day 155, 4 June 2022
1) Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, 2- 6
Ecclesiastes 1
The Burden of Wisdom
12 (Ecc 1:1) I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 (Ecc 3:10; 1:17; Ge 3:19) I set my heart to seek and to investigate
with wisdom everything that is done under heaven.
It is a burdensome task that God has given to the sons of men,
by which they may be occupied.
14 (Ecc 2:11; 2:17) I have seen everything that is done under the sun,
and indeed, all is vanity and like chasing the wind.
15 What is bent cannot be straightened,
and what is missing cannot be counted.
16 (1Ki 4:30; Ecc 2:9) I spoke in my heart, saying,
"I have been great and increased in wisdom more than anyone else
who has been before me in Jerusalem, and my heart has had great experience
of wisdom and knowledge."
17 (Ecc 2:3) And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know the folly of ideas
and to know foolish behavior,
and I know that this as well is like chasing the wind.
18 For in an abundance of wisdom is an abundance of frustration,
and he who increases in knowledge also increases in sorrow.
The Vanity of Knowledge
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all
things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given
to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;
and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight:
and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate,
and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me
in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly:
I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth
knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 2
The Vanity of Pleasure
1 (Ecc 8:15; Lk 12:19) And I said in my heart,
"Come, and I will test you with selfish pleasures to experience desires."
And notice that this too is vanity.
2 (Pr 14:13) And I said of frivolous fun, "They are only senseless ideas";
and regarding selfish pleasure, "What purpose is this?"
3 (Pr 20:1; Ecc 1:17) I investigated how to cheer up my body with wine,
while my heart was still guiding me with wisdom, in order to grasp
folly until I might experience what is good for sons of men to do under
heaven during the number of days that they might have life.
4 (1Ki 7:1-12) I accomplished great works. I built houses for myself,
and planted myself vineyards.
5 I made for myself royal gardens and parks, and I planted in them
all sorts of fruit trees.
6 (Ne 2:14) I made for myself pools of water to irrigate the forests
of growing trees.
7 I even bought male and female slaves; even some were born to me
in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks
more than any who had been in Jerusalem before me.
8 (2Sa 19:35; 1Ki 9:28) I also gathered for myself silver and gold
and treasures of kings and provinces. I obtained singers,
both men and women, and the delights of the sons of men,
and many concubines.
9 (1Ch 29:25; Ecc 1:16) So I became great and surpassed anyone
who had been in Jerusalem before me. All the while my wisdom
remained with me.
10 (Ecc 3:22; 5:18) And everything that my eyes wanted I did not refuse them.
And I did not withhold my heart from any selfish pleasure,
for my heart was glad from all my efforts;
and this was my reward for all my efforts.
11 (Ecc 1:14; 1:3) Then I turned to all the work that my hands had designed
and all the labor that I had toiled to make;
and notice, all of it was vanity and chasing the wind.
And there was no benefit under the sun.
The Fate of the Wise and the Fool
12 (Ecc 1:17; 7:25) So I turned to consider wisdom,
the folly of ideas, and foolish behavior;
for what else can a man do who comes after the king?
Or what more than those have already done?
13 (Ecc 7:11-12) Then I saw that there is more benefit in wisdom
than in foolishness, more benefit in light than in darkness.
14 (Ps 49:10; Pr 17:24) A wise man has eyes in his head so he sees
where he walks, but the fool continues in darkness.
Yet I perceived
that the same fate overtakes them all.
15 (Ecc 6:8) Then I said in my heart,
"What happens to the fool will happen to me also.
So to what advantage is my wisdom?"
Then I said to myself,
"This also is vanity."
16 (Ecc 1:11; 9:5) For there is no lasting memory for the wise or the fool,
by which in the coming days everyone will be forgotten.
How the wise dies just like the fool!
17 (Ecc 2:11) And I began to hate life for the labor that was done
under the sun was contemptible to me, for all of this was vanity
and chasing the wind.
18 (Ps 39:6; 49:10) And I despised all the toil in which I labored
under the sun, which I will give up to the man who comes after me.
19 And who knows if this man will be wise or a fool? Yet he will gain
power over every labor that I have toiled and my use of wisdom under the sun.
Also this is vanity.
20 So I turned to give my heart up to despair concerning all the toil
of my labors under the sun.
21 For there is a man who labors with wisdom,
knowledge, and skill; yet to a man who did not labor for this, he leaves it
as his inheritance. This also is vanity and a great distress.
22 (Ecc 1:3; 3:9) For what becomes of a man with all his labor
and with the striving in his heart that he toils under the sun?
23 (Job 5:7; 14:1) For all his days are sorrowful, and his work is a vexation;
even at night his heart finds no rest. Also this is fleeting.
24 (Ecc 3:12-13; 3:22) There is nothing better for a man than to eat
and drink, and find enjoyment in his labor.
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
25 For who can even eat or have enjoyment more so than I?
[Some Heb. and Gk. texts, apart from Him.]
26 (Pr 13:22; Job 27:16-17) For to a man who is pleasing before Him,
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner
He gives the work of gathering and collecting to give him
who is pleasing before God. Also this is vanity and chasing the wind.
The Vanity of Pleasure
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth,
therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart
with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good
for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days o
f their life.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them
of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood
that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house;
also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all
that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings
and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights
of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me
in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not
my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour:
and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour
that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit,
and there was no profit under the sun.
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can
the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and
I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 1
5 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even
to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also
is vanity.
16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever;
seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten.
And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun
is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
The Vanity of Work and Riches
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because
I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall
he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured,
and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour
which I took under the sun.
21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge,
and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall
he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart,
wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief;
yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink,
and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw,
that it was from the hand of God.
2 5For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge,
and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up,
that he may give to him that is good before God.
This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 (Ecc 3:17) To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under heaven:
2 (Heb 9:27; Job 14:5) a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted;
3 (1Sa 2:6; Hos 6:1-2) a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 (Ex 15:20; Ro 12:15) a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 (2Ki 3:25; Joel 2:16) a time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to gain, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 (Am 5:13; Ge 37:29) a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 (Lk 14:26) a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The God-Given Task
9 (Ecc 1:3; 2:11) What benefit does the worker have in his toil?
10 (Ge 3:19; Ecc 2:26) I have seen the task that God has given to sons of men
to be concerned with.
11 (Ecc 8:17; Ro 11:33) He has made everything beautiful in its appropriate
time. He has also put obscurity in their hearts Or timelessness,
or perpetuity. so that no one comes to know the work that God has done
from the beginning to the end.
12 (Ps 37:3; Ecc 3:22) I experienced that there is nothing better for them
than to be glad and do good in their life.
13 (Ecc 2:24) And also that everyone should eat and drink and experience
good in all their labor. This is a gift of God.
14 (Jas 1:17) I have perceived that everything that God has done
will be lasting. And to this there is nothing to be added, and from it there
is nothing to be taken away. And God has done this so that
in His presence men fear Him.
15 That which is has already been,
and what is to come has also already been;
and God seeks out what has been driven away.
The Vanity of Injustice
16 (Ecc 4:1; 5:8) Moreover I saw what was under the sun:
In the place of justice, there was wickedness;
and in the place of righteousness, there was wickedness.
17 (Ecc 3:1; Mt 16:27) I thought in my heart:
God will bring judgment
to the righteous and the wicked,
for there is an appropriate time
for every matter and deed.
18 (Ps 73:22) Then I thought in my heart: Regarding the account
of sons of men, God is making clear to them to show that they are but animals.
19 (Ps 49:12) For what befalls the sons of men befalls animals; as one dies,
so dies the other. There is one breath for all of them; there is no advantage
for man any more than animals, for all is vanity.
20 (Ge 3:19; Job 34:15) All go to one place:
All are from the dust and all return to dust.
21 (Ecc 12:7) Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward
and the spirit of animals goes down to the earth?
22 (Ecc 2:24; 6:12) So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man
should rejoice in his labor, for that is his reward.
For who will bring him to see what will happen after his life?
Ecclesiastes 3
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck
up that which is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to
embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men
to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set
the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that
God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice,
and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good
of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be
put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should
fear before him.
15T hat which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been;
and God requireth that which is past.
16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness w
as there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked:
for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God
might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing
befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one
breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the
beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man
should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall
bring him to see what shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 4
Evil Under the Sun
1 (Ecc 3:16; 5:8) Again I saw all types of oppression
that are done under the sun:
Look! The tears of the oppressed,
and no one was there to comfort them.
And there was force from the hand of the oppressors,
and no one was there to comfort them.
2 (Ecc 2:17) And I thought that fortunate were the dead
who had already died,
even more than the living
who were still alive.
3 (Lk 23:29) And still better than both
is he who has not been,
who has not seen the evil deeds
that are done under the sun.
4 (Ecc 1:14; 2:21) Then I saw that all toil and every skillful work come
from one man's envy of another. This also is vanity and like chasing the wind.
5 (Isa 9:20) The fool folds his hands
and eats his own flesh.
6 (Pr 15:16-17; 16:8) Better is a full hand of quietness
than handfuls of toil and chasing the wind.
7 (Ecc 4:1) Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
8 (Pr 27:20; Ecc 1:8) There is a man who is alone,
neither having son or brother,
and there is not an end to all his toil,
and his eyes are not satisfied with riches to say,
"For whom do I labor
and cause my life to lack good things?"
Also this is vanity
and a burdensome task.
9 Two are better than one,
because there is a good reward for their labor together.
10 For if they fall,
then one will help up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls
and has no one to help him up.
11 Also if two lie down together, then they will keep warm;
but how can one keep warm by himself?
12 And if someone might overpower another by himself,
two together can withstand him.
A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The Vanity of Status
13 (Ecc 9:15-16) Better is a poor and wise youth than an old
and foolish king who will no longer be admonished.
14 (Ge 41:14) For out of prison he has come to reign,
even though he was born poor in the kingdom.
15 Then I saw all those who live and walk under the sun,
along with the next youth who will arise in the king's place.
16 (Ecc 1:14) There is no end of all the people, to all who were before them.
Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity
and chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4
1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under
the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had
no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power;
but they had no comforter.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the
living which are yet alive.
3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been,
who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man
is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full
with travail and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child
nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye
satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave
my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that
is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat:
but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,
who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that
is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second
child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them:
they also that come after shall not rejoice in him.
Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 5
Revere God
1 (Ex 3:5; Pr 15:8) Guard your steps when you enter the house of God,
and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools,
for they do not know that they are doing evil. [4:17 in the Heb. text.]
2 (Pr 10:19; Mt 6:7) Do not be quick to speak with your mouth,
nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word
before God.
For God is in heaven,
and you are on the earth;
therefore may your words be few.
3 (Pr 10:19; 15:2) For a dream comes when there is a great burden,
and a foolish voice when there are many words.
4 (Nu 30:2; Ps 66:13-14) When you make a vow to God, do not delay
in fulfilling it because He has no pleasure in fools.
Fulfill what you have vowed.
5 (Pr 20:25; Ac 5:4) Better it is that you do not make a vow than you
make a vow and not fulfill it.
6 (1Co 11:10) Do not let your mouth cause you to sin,
and do not say before the messenger that it was an error.
Why should God be angry with your words
and destroy the work of your hands?
7 (Ecc 12:13; 7:18) For when there is an abundance of dreams and futilities,
then words increase too. Therefore it is God you should fear.
The Vanity of Loving Money
8 (Ps 12:5; Ecc 4:1; Ps 82:1) If you see in a district the oppression
of the poor and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness,
do not be astounded at the matter; for the high official is watched over
by an even higher official, and there are even higher officials over them.
9 But this is an advantage to the land in every way, like a king committed
to a cultivated field.
10 (Ecc 4:8; 2:11 ) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money;
nor he who loves abundance with increase.
This also is vanity.
11 When there is an increase of good things,
then there is an increase of those who devour them.
And what profit have the owners
except to see them with their eyes?
12 (Pr 3:24 ) Sweet is the sleep of a laboring man,
whether he eats a little or much;
but the abundance of the rich
will not let him sleep.
13 (Ecc 6:1-2) There is a grave misery that I have seen under the sun:
when riches were kept by an owner to his hurt,
14 and those riches were lost in a misfortunate business deal;
and although he has a son,
there is nothing at all to put in his hand.
15 (Job 1:21; Ps 49:17) As he came from his mother's womb,
naked shall he return, to go as he came;
he shall take nothing from his labor
which he may carry away in his hands.
16 (Pr 11:29; Ecc 1:3) This also is a grievous evil:
Just as he came,
so shall he go.
And what profit is there to him who toils for the wind?
17 (Ps 127:2) Moreover, in all his days he eats in darkness,
while he is greatly irritated in sickness and anger.
18 (Ecc 2:10; 2:24) This is what I have seen to be good:
It is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all his labor
in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life,
which God has given to him; for this is his reward.
19 (Ecc 6:2; 3:13) And also everyone to whom God has given wealth
and possessions, and given him power to enjoy them,
and to receive his reward and to rejoice in his labor
-this is the gift of God.
20 For he will not much remember the days of his life
because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to
hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they
do evil.
2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any
thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:
therefore let thy words be few.
3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice
is known by multitude of words.
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no
pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow,
than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the
angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice,
and destroy the work of thine hands?
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers
vanities: but fear thou God.
8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment
and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher
than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver;
nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is
there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:
but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept
for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son,
and there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go
as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away
in his hand.
16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he
go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow
and wrath with his sickness.
18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat
and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under
the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him
power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour;
this is the gift of God.
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life;
because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 6
1 (Ecc 5:13) There is an evil that I have seen under the sun,
and it lies heavy on mankind:
2 (Ps 17:14; Ecc 5:19) a man to whom God gives wealth,
possessions, and honor so that there is no want in his life
from among anything that he desires; yet God does not give him ability
to eat from them because another man eats and enjoys from his possessions.
This is vanity and a tormenting injustice.
3 (Job 3:16; Ecc 4:3) If a man fathers a hundred children
and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many,
but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he has no burial,
I say that a stillborn child is better off than he-
4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and in darkness its name
is covered up. 5Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything,
yet it finds rest rather than he.
6 Though the man may live a thousand years, twice over, yet he does not see
the good things. Does not everyone go to the same place?
7 (Pr 16:26) All the labor of man is for his mouth,
yet his appetite is not satisfied.
8 For what benefit is there for the wise
over the fool?
And what more does the poor man know
who walks before others?
9 (Ecc 1:14) Better to be content with the sight of eyes
than to have a wandering appetite.
This is vanity
and like chasing the wind.
10 (Job 9:32; Ecc 3:15) Whatever happens, it has already been given a name,
and it is known what man is;
he cannot contend with Him who is stronger than he.
11 The more words,
the more vanity,
so what profit is there to mankind?
12 (Job 14:2; Ecc 3:22) For who knows what is good for man
while he lives the few days of his vain life which pass like a shadow?
For who can tell men what will be after them under the sun?
1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun,
and it is common among men:
2 a man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth
nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power
to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is
an evil disease.
3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days
of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that
he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
4 For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name
shall be covered with darkness.
5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing:
this hath more rest than the other.
6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good:
do not all go to one place?
7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth
to walk before the living?
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire:
this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man:
neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain
life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after
him under the sun?
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 June 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/04/god-focus
Entitled God Focus
1 Timothy 6:6-11
6 (1Ti 4:8; Heb 13:5) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 (Job 1:21; Ps 49:17) For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain that we can carry nothing out.
8 (Ge 28:20) If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with
these things.
9 (Pr 15:27; 1Ti 3:7) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation
and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men
in ruin and destruction.
10 (Dt 16:19) For the love of money is the root of all evil.
While coveting after money, some have strayed from the faith
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The Good Fight of Faith
11 (2Ti 2:22; 3:17) But you, O man of God, escape these things, and follow
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows.
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
When I was shopping for engagement rings, I spent many hours looking for
exactly the right diamond. I was plagued by the thought,
What if I miss the best one?
According to economic psychologist Barry Schwartz, my chronic indecision
indicates that I am what he calls a "maximizer," in contrast to
a "satisficer." A satisficer makes choices based on whether something
is adequate for their needs. Maximizers? We have a need to always make
the best choice (guilty!). The potential outcome of our indecision
in the face of many choices? Anxiety, depression, and discontent.
In fact, sociologists have coined another phrase for this phenomenon:
fear of missing out.
We won't find the words maximizer or satisficer in Scripture, of course. But
we do find a similar idea. In 1 Timothy, Paul challenged Timothy to find value
in God rather than the things of this world. The world's promises of
fulfillment can never fully deliver. Paul wanted Timothy to instead root his
identity in God: "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6). Paul sounds
like a satisficer when he adds, "But if we have food and clothing, we will be
content with that" (v.
.
When I fixate on the myriad ways the world promises fulfillment, I usually
end up restless and unsatisfied. But when I focus on God and relinquish my
compulsive urge to maximize, my soul moves toward genuine contentment
and rest.
By: Adam Holz
Reflect & Pray
Would you say you tend to be a content person? Why or why not?
How do you think your relationship with God affects your overall contentment in life?
Father, help me to remember that only You can fill my soul.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 (Ro 11:20; 1Ti 4:10) Command those who are rich in this world that they
not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who richly gives us all things to enjoy.
18 (Ro 12:8; 12:13) Command that they do good, that they be rich
in good works, generous, willing to share,
19 (Lk 16:9; 1Ti 6:12) and laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy;
18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 89:1 -8
PSALMS 89
A Contemplative Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
with my mouth I will make known
Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For I have said,
"Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness shall be
established in the heavens."
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have said,
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) 'Your offspring I will establish forever,
and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) For who in the skies can
be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly sons is like the Lord?
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) God is greatly to be feared
in the assembly of the holy ones
and awesome to all those who surround Him.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) O Lord God of Hosts,
who is a mighty Lord like You,
with Your faithfulness all around You?
1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:
With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever:
Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen,
I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever,
And build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD:
Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven
Can be compared unto the LORD?
Who among the sons of the mighty
Can be likened unto the LORD?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee?
Or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
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 2022 edition?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "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!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
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, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to recall that the Lord is the source of joy
and wisdom.
Pray to the Lord:"Father, help me to remember that only You can fill my soul."
Pray to the Lord and pray to for Him to plant his Righteousness in You.
Pray to the Lord and pray for riches in Eternity.
Pray to the Lord and praise Him for his mercies.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- 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!
Pray for the preservation of godly values in the world
Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Pray for Minji, whose husband was killed for his Christian faith in
North Korea.
1) Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, 2- 6
Ecclesiastes 1
The Burden of Wisdom
12 (Ecc 1:1) I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 (Ecc 3:10; 1:17; Ge 3:19) I set my heart to seek and to investigate
with wisdom everything that is done under heaven.
It is a burdensome task that God has given to the sons of men,
by which they may be occupied.
14 (Ecc 2:11; 2:17) I have seen everything that is done under the sun,
and indeed, all is vanity and like chasing the wind.
15 What is bent cannot be straightened,
and what is missing cannot be counted.
16 (1Ki 4:30; Ecc 2:9) I spoke in my heart, saying,
"I have been great and increased in wisdom more than anyone else
who has been before me in Jerusalem, and my heart has had great experience
of wisdom and knowledge."
17 (Ecc 2:3) And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know the folly of ideas
and to know foolish behavior,
and I know that this as well is like chasing the wind.
18 For in an abundance of wisdom is an abundance of frustration,
and he who increases in knowledge also increases in sorrow.
The Vanity of Knowledge
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all
things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given
to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;
and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight:
and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate,
and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me
in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly:
I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth
knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 2
The Vanity of Pleasure
1 (Ecc 8:15; Lk 12:19) And I said in my heart,
"Come, and I will test you with selfish pleasures to experience desires."
And notice that this too is vanity.
2 (Pr 14:13) And I said of frivolous fun, "They are only senseless ideas";
and regarding selfish pleasure, "What purpose is this?"
3 (Pr 20:1; Ecc 1:17) I investigated how to cheer up my body with wine,
while my heart was still guiding me with wisdom, in order to grasp
folly until I might experience what is good for sons of men to do under
heaven during the number of days that they might have life.
4 (1Ki 7:1-12) I accomplished great works. I built houses for myself,
and planted myself vineyards.
5 I made for myself royal gardens and parks, and I planted in them
all sorts of fruit trees.
6 (Ne 2:14) I made for myself pools of water to irrigate the forests
of growing trees.
7 I even bought male and female slaves; even some were born to me
in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks
more than any who had been in Jerusalem before me.
8 (2Sa 19:35; 1Ki 9:28) I also gathered for myself silver and gold
and treasures of kings and provinces. I obtained singers,
both men and women, and the delights of the sons of men,
and many concubines.
9 (1Ch 29:25; Ecc 1:16) So I became great and surpassed anyone
who had been in Jerusalem before me. All the while my wisdom
remained with me.
10 (Ecc 3:22; 5:18) And everything that my eyes wanted I did not refuse them.
And I did not withhold my heart from any selfish pleasure,
for my heart was glad from all my efforts;
and this was my reward for all my efforts.
11 (Ecc 1:14; 1:3) Then I turned to all the work that my hands had designed
and all the labor that I had toiled to make;
and notice, all of it was vanity and chasing the wind.
And there was no benefit under the sun.
The Fate of the Wise and the Fool
12 (Ecc 1:17; 7:25) So I turned to consider wisdom,
the folly of ideas, and foolish behavior;
for what else can a man do who comes after the king?
Or what more than those have already done?
13 (Ecc 7:11-12) Then I saw that there is more benefit in wisdom
than in foolishness, more benefit in light than in darkness.
14 (Ps 49:10; Pr 17:24) A wise man has eyes in his head so he sees
where he walks, but the fool continues in darkness.
Yet I perceived
that the same fate overtakes them all.
15 (Ecc 6:8) Then I said in my heart,
"What happens to the fool will happen to me also.
So to what advantage is my wisdom?"
Then I said to myself,
"This also is vanity."
16 (Ecc 1:11; 9:5) For there is no lasting memory for the wise or the fool,
by which in the coming days everyone will be forgotten.
How the wise dies just like the fool!
17 (Ecc 2:11) And I began to hate life for the labor that was done
under the sun was contemptible to me, for all of this was vanity
and chasing the wind.
18 (Ps 39:6; 49:10) And I despised all the toil in which I labored
under the sun, which I will give up to the man who comes after me.
19 And who knows if this man will be wise or a fool? Yet he will gain
power over every labor that I have toiled and my use of wisdom under the sun.
Also this is vanity.
20 So I turned to give my heart up to despair concerning all the toil
of my labors under the sun.
21 For there is a man who labors with wisdom,
knowledge, and skill; yet to a man who did not labor for this, he leaves it
as his inheritance. This also is vanity and a great distress.
22 (Ecc 1:3; 3:9) For what becomes of a man with all his labor
and with the striving in his heart that he toils under the sun?
23 (Job 5:7; 14:1) For all his days are sorrowful, and his work is a vexation;
even at night his heart finds no rest. Also this is fleeting.
24 (Ecc 3:12-13; 3:22) There is nothing better for a man than to eat
and drink, and find enjoyment in his labor.
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
25 For who can even eat or have enjoyment more so than I?
[Some Heb. and Gk. texts, apart from Him.]
26 (Pr 13:22; Job 27:16-17) For to a man who is pleasing before Him,
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner
He gives the work of gathering and collecting to give him
who is pleasing before God. Also this is vanity and chasing the wind.
The Vanity of Pleasure
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth,
therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart
with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good
for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days o
f their life.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them
of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood
that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house;
also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all
that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings
and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights
of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me
in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not
my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour:
and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour
that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit,
and there was no profit under the sun.
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can
the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and
I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 1
5 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even
to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also
is vanity.
16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever;
seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten.
And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun
is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
The Vanity of Work and Riches
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because
I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall
he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured,
and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour
which I took under the sun.
21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge,
and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall
he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart,
wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief;
yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink,
and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw,
that it was from the hand of God.
2 5For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge,
and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up,
that he may give to him that is good before God.
This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 (Ecc 3:17) To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under heaven:
2 (Heb 9:27; Job 14:5) a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted;
3 (1Sa 2:6; Hos 6:1-2) a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 (Ex 15:20; Ro 12:15) a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 (2Ki 3:25; Joel 2:16) a time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to gain, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 (Am 5:13; Ge 37:29) a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 (Lk 14:26) a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The God-Given Task
9 (Ecc 1:3; 2:11) What benefit does the worker have in his toil?
10 (Ge 3:19; Ecc 2:26) I have seen the task that God has given to sons of men
to be concerned with.
11 (Ecc 8:17; Ro 11:33) He has made everything beautiful in its appropriate
time. He has also put obscurity in their hearts Or timelessness,
or perpetuity. so that no one comes to know the work that God has done
from the beginning to the end.
12 (Ps 37:3; Ecc 3:22) I experienced that there is nothing better for them
than to be glad and do good in their life.
13 (Ecc 2:24) And also that everyone should eat and drink and experience
good in all their labor. This is a gift of God.
14 (Jas 1:17) I have perceived that everything that God has done
will be lasting. And to this there is nothing to be added, and from it there
is nothing to be taken away. And God has done this so that
in His presence men fear Him.
15 That which is has already been,
and what is to come has also already been;
and God seeks out what has been driven away.
The Vanity of Injustice
16 (Ecc 4:1; 5:8) Moreover I saw what was under the sun:
In the place of justice, there was wickedness;
and in the place of righteousness, there was wickedness.
17 (Ecc 3:1; Mt 16:27) I thought in my heart:
God will bring judgment
to the righteous and the wicked,
for there is an appropriate time
for every matter and deed.
18 (Ps 73:22) Then I thought in my heart: Regarding the account
of sons of men, God is making clear to them to show that they are but animals.
19 (Ps 49:12) For what befalls the sons of men befalls animals; as one dies,
so dies the other. There is one breath for all of them; there is no advantage
for man any more than animals, for all is vanity.
20 (Ge 3:19; Job 34:15) All go to one place:
All are from the dust and all return to dust.
21 (Ecc 12:7) Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward
and the spirit of animals goes down to the earth?
22 (Ecc 2:24; 6:12) So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man
should rejoice in his labor, for that is his reward.
For who will bring him to see what will happen after his life?
Ecclesiastes 3
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck
up that which is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to
embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men
to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set
the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that
God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice,
and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good
of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be
put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should
fear before him.
15T hat which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been;
and God requireth that which is past.
16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness w
as there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked:
for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God
might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing
befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one
breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the
beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man
should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall
bring him to see what shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 4
Evil Under the Sun
1 (Ecc 3:16; 5:8) Again I saw all types of oppression
that are done under the sun:
Look! The tears of the oppressed,
and no one was there to comfort them.
And there was force from the hand of the oppressors,
and no one was there to comfort them.
2 (Ecc 2:17) And I thought that fortunate were the dead
who had already died,
even more than the living
who were still alive.
3 (Lk 23:29) And still better than both
is he who has not been,
who has not seen the evil deeds
that are done under the sun.
4 (Ecc 1:14; 2:21) Then I saw that all toil and every skillful work come
from one man's envy of another. This also is vanity and like chasing the wind.
5 (Isa 9:20) The fool folds his hands
and eats his own flesh.
6 (Pr 15:16-17; 16:8) Better is a full hand of quietness
than handfuls of toil and chasing the wind.
7 (Ecc 4:1) Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
8 (Pr 27:20; Ecc 1:8) There is a man who is alone,
neither having son or brother,
and there is not an end to all his toil,
and his eyes are not satisfied with riches to say,
"For whom do I labor
and cause my life to lack good things?"
Also this is vanity
and a burdensome task.
9 Two are better than one,
because there is a good reward for their labor together.
10 For if they fall,
then one will help up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls
and has no one to help him up.
11 Also if two lie down together, then they will keep warm;
but how can one keep warm by himself?
12 And if someone might overpower another by himself,
two together can withstand him.
A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The Vanity of Status
13 (Ecc 9:15-16) Better is a poor and wise youth than an old
and foolish king who will no longer be admonished.
14 (Ge 41:14) For out of prison he has come to reign,
even though he was born poor in the kingdom.
15 Then I saw all those who live and walk under the sun,
along with the next youth who will arise in the king's place.
16 (Ecc 1:14) There is no end of all the people, to all who were before them.
Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity
and chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4
1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under
the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had
no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power;
but they had no comforter.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the
living which are yet alive.
3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been,
who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man
is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full
with travail and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child
nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye
satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave
my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that
is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat:
but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,
who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that
is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second
child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them:
they also that come after shall not rejoice in him.
Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 5
Revere God
1 (Ex 3:5; Pr 15:8) Guard your steps when you enter the house of God,
and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools,
for they do not know that they are doing evil. [4:17 in the Heb. text.]
2 (Pr 10:19; Mt 6:7) Do not be quick to speak with your mouth,
nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word
before God.
For God is in heaven,
and you are on the earth;
therefore may your words be few.
3 (Pr 10:19; 15:2) For a dream comes when there is a great burden,
and a foolish voice when there are many words.
4 (Nu 30:2; Ps 66:13-14) When you make a vow to God, do not delay
in fulfilling it because He has no pleasure in fools.
Fulfill what you have vowed.
5 (Pr 20:25; Ac 5:4) Better it is that you do not make a vow than you
make a vow and not fulfill it.
6 (1Co 11:10) Do not let your mouth cause you to sin,
and do not say before the messenger that it was an error.
Why should God be angry with your words
and destroy the work of your hands?
7 (Ecc 12:13; 7:18) For when there is an abundance of dreams and futilities,
then words increase too. Therefore it is God you should fear.
The Vanity of Loving Money
8 (Ps 12:5; Ecc 4:1; Ps 82:1) If you see in a district the oppression
of the poor and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness,
do not be astounded at the matter; for the high official is watched over
by an even higher official, and there are even higher officials over them.
9 But this is an advantage to the land in every way, like a king committed
to a cultivated field.
10 (Ecc 4:8; 2:11 ) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money;
nor he who loves abundance with increase.
This also is vanity.
11 When there is an increase of good things,
then there is an increase of those who devour them.
And what profit have the owners
except to see them with their eyes?
12 (Pr 3:24 ) Sweet is the sleep of a laboring man,
whether he eats a little or much;
but the abundance of the rich
will not let him sleep.
13 (Ecc 6:1-2) There is a grave misery that I have seen under the sun:
when riches were kept by an owner to his hurt,
14 and those riches were lost in a misfortunate business deal;
and although he has a son,
there is nothing at all to put in his hand.
15 (Job 1:21; Ps 49:17) As he came from his mother's womb,
naked shall he return, to go as he came;
he shall take nothing from his labor
which he may carry away in his hands.
16 (Pr 11:29; Ecc 1:3) This also is a grievous evil:
Just as he came,
so shall he go.
And what profit is there to him who toils for the wind?
17 (Ps 127:2) Moreover, in all his days he eats in darkness,
while he is greatly irritated in sickness and anger.
18 (Ecc 2:10; 2:24) This is what I have seen to be good:
It is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all his labor
in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life,
which God has given to him; for this is his reward.
19 (Ecc 6:2; 3:13) And also everyone to whom God has given wealth
and possessions, and given him power to enjoy them,
and to receive his reward and to rejoice in his labor
-this is the gift of God.
20 For he will not much remember the days of his life
because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to
hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they
do evil.
2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any
thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:
therefore let thy words be few.
3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice
is known by multitude of words.
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no
pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow,
than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the
angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice,
and destroy the work of thine hands?
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers
vanities: but fear thou God.
8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment
and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher
than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver;
nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is
there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:
but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept
for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son,
and there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go
as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away
in his hand.
16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he
go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow
and wrath with his sickness.
18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat
and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under
the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him
power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour;
this is the gift of God.
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life;
because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 6
1 (Ecc 5:13) There is an evil that I have seen under the sun,
and it lies heavy on mankind:
2 (Ps 17:14; Ecc 5:19) a man to whom God gives wealth,
possessions, and honor so that there is no want in his life
from among anything that he desires; yet God does not give him ability
to eat from them because another man eats and enjoys from his possessions.
This is vanity and a tormenting injustice.
3 (Job 3:16; Ecc 4:3) If a man fathers a hundred children
and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many,
but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he has no burial,
I say that a stillborn child is better off than he-
4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and in darkness its name
is covered up. 5Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything,
yet it finds rest rather than he.
6 Though the man may live a thousand years, twice over, yet he does not see
the good things. Does not everyone go to the same place?
7 (Pr 16:26) All the labor of man is for his mouth,
yet his appetite is not satisfied.
8 For what benefit is there for the wise
over the fool?
And what more does the poor man know
who walks before others?
9 (Ecc 1:14) Better to be content with the sight of eyes
than to have a wandering appetite.
This is vanity
and like chasing the wind.
10 (Job 9:32; Ecc 3:15) Whatever happens, it has already been given a name,
and it is known what man is;
he cannot contend with Him who is stronger than he.
11 The more words,
the more vanity,
so what profit is there to mankind?
12 (Job 14:2; Ecc 3:22) For who knows what is good for man
while he lives the few days of his vain life which pass like a shadow?
For who can tell men what will be after them under the sun?
1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun,
and it is common among men:
2 a man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth
nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power
to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is
an evil disease.
3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days
of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that
he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
4 For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name
shall be covered with darkness.
5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing:
this hath more rest than the other.
6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good:
do not all go to one place?
7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth
to walk before the living?
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire:
this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man:
neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain
life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after
him under the sun?
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 June 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/04/god-focus
Entitled God Focus
1 Timothy 6:6-11
6 (1Ti 4:8; Heb 13:5) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 (Job 1:21; Ps 49:17) For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain that we can carry nothing out.
8 (Ge 28:20) If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with
these things.
9 (Pr 15:27; 1Ti 3:7) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation
and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men
in ruin and destruction.
10 (Dt 16:19) For the love of money is the root of all evil.
While coveting after money, some have strayed from the faith
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The Good Fight of Faith
11 (2Ti 2:22; 3:17) But you, O man of God, escape these things, and follow
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition.
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows.
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
When I was shopping for engagement rings, I spent many hours looking for
exactly the right diamond. I was plagued by the thought,
What if I miss the best one?
According to economic psychologist Barry Schwartz, my chronic indecision
indicates that I am what he calls a "maximizer," in contrast to
a "satisficer." A satisficer makes choices based on whether something
is adequate for their needs. Maximizers? We have a need to always make
the best choice (guilty!). The potential outcome of our indecision
in the face of many choices? Anxiety, depression, and discontent.
In fact, sociologists have coined another phrase for this phenomenon:
fear of missing out.
We won't find the words maximizer or satisficer in Scripture, of course. But
we do find a similar idea. In 1 Timothy, Paul challenged Timothy to find value
in God rather than the things of this world. The world's promises of
fulfillment can never fully deliver. Paul wanted Timothy to instead root his
identity in God: "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6). Paul sounds
like a satisficer when he adds, "But if we have food and clothing, we will be
content with that" (v.
.When I fixate on the myriad ways the world promises fulfillment, I usually
end up restless and unsatisfied. But when I focus on God and relinquish my
compulsive urge to maximize, my soul moves toward genuine contentment
and rest.
By: Adam Holz
Reflect & Pray
Would you say you tend to be a content person? Why or why not?
How do you think your relationship with God affects your overall contentment in life?
Father, help me to remember that only You can fill my soul.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 (Ro 11:20; 1Ti 4:10) Command those who are rich in this world that they
not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who richly gives us all things to enjoy.
18 (Ro 12:8; 12:13) Command that they do good, that they be rich
in good works, generous, willing to share,
19 (Lk 16:9; 1Ti 6:12) and laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy;
18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 89:1 -8
PSALMS 89
A Contemplative Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
with my mouth I will make known
Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For I have said,
"Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness shall be
established in the heavens."
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have said,
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) 'Your offspring I will establish forever,
and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) For who in the skies can
be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly sons is like the Lord?
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) God is greatly to be feared
in the assembly of the holy ones
and awesome to all those who surround Him.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) O Lord God of Hosts,
who is a mighty Lord like You,
with Your faithfulness all around You?
1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:
With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever:
Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen,
I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever,
And build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD:
Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven
Can be compared unto the LORD?
Who among the sons of the mighty
Can be likened unto the LORD?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee?
Or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
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 2022 edition?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "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!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
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, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to recall that the Lord is the source of joy
and wisdom.
Pray to the Lord:"Father, help me to remember that only You can fill my soul."
Pray to the Lord and pray to for Him to plant his Righteousness in You.
Pray to the Lord and pray for riches in Eternity.
Pray to the Lord and praise Him for his mercies.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- 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!
Pray for the preservation of godly values in the world
Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Pray for Minji, whose husband was killed for his Christian faith in
North Korea.
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