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Day 161 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 10 June 2022 reflections

Day 160, 9 June 2022



1) 1 Kings 20-23 - 22:9 , 2 Chronicles 18:1-8



1 Kings 20



23 (1Ki 14:23) The servants of the king of Aram said to him,

"Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were stronger than us,

but if we fight against them in the plain,

we will surely be stronger than they.

24 Do this: Dismiss the kings, each from his position,

and put commanders in their places,

25 and assemble an army like the army that you lost,

horse for horse and chariot for chariot, and we will fight them in the plain

and will surely be stronger than they." And he listened to their advice

and followed it.

26 (2Ki 13:17; 1Ki 20:22) The next year Ben-Hadad assembled the Arameans

and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

27 (Jdg 6:5; 1Sa 13:5-8) The children of Israel were assembled and were all

present, and they went against them, and the children of Israel camped

in front of them like two little flocks of kids, while the Arameans filled

the country.

28 (1Ki 20:13; 17:18) A man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel

and said, "Thus says the Lord: Because the Arameans have said,

'The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,'

I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand,

and you will know that I am the Lord."

29 They camped opposite each other for seven days, and on the seventh day,

the battle was joined. The children of Israel killed a hundred thousand

Aramean footmen in one day.

30 (1Ki 22:25; 2Ch 18:24) But the rest fled into the city of Aphek,

where a wall fell on 27000 of the men who were left.

And Ben-Hadad fled and came into the city into an inner chamber.

31 (Ge 37:34; 2Sa 3:31) His servants said to him, "We have heard that

the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings.

Please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads

and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life."

32 (1Ki 20:3-6) So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes

on their heads and came to the king of Israel and said,

"Your servant Ben-Hadad says, 'Please let me live.' "

And he said, "Is he still alive? He is my brother!"

33 Now the men were diligently looking for a positive sign

and quickly took hold of it, and they said, "Your brother Ben-Hadad!"

Then he said, "Go. You bring him." Then Ben-Hadad came to him

and got into the chariot.

34 (1Ki 15:20) Ben-Hadad said to him, "I will restore the cities

which my father took from your father, and you shall make streets

for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria."

Then Ahab said, "I will send you away with this covenant."

So he made a covenant with him and sent him away.



A Prophet Condemns Ahab



35 (1Ki 13:17-18; 2Ki 2:15) Speaking in the word of the Lord,

a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor,

"Strike me, please." But the man refused to strike him.

36 Then he said to him, "Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord,

as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you."

And as soon as he left him, a lion found and killed him.

37 Then he found another man and said, "Strike me, please."

And the man struck him so that he was wounded.

38 (1Ki 14:2) So the prophet departed and waited by the road for the king

and disguised himself with ashes on his face.

39 (2Ki 10:24) As the king passed by, he cried to the king and said,

"Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and a man turned

aside and brought a man to me and said, 'Keep this man,

and if by any means he goes missing, then your life shall be given

for his life, or else you shall pay a talent

[About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.] of silver.'

40 As your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared."

And the king of Israel said to him,

"So shall your judgment be; you have decided it yourself."

41 He quickly took the ashes away from his face, and the king of Israel

recognized him as one of the prophets.

42 (1Ki 22:31-37; 20:39) He said to him, "Thus says the Lord,

'Because you have let go out of your hand a man whom I had appointed

to utter destruction, you shall pay for his life with your life and his people

with your people.' "

43 (1Ki 21:4) The king of Israel went to his house in Samaria angry

and depressed.



[23] And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are

gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight

against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

[24] And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place,

and

put captains in their rooms:

[25] And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for

horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the

plain,

and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their

voice, and did so.

[26] And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad numbered

the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.

[27] And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and

went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two

little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.

[28] And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and

said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is

God of

the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all

this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

[29] And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was,

that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel

slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.

[30] But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon

twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Ben-hadad fled,

and

came into the city, into an inner chamber.

[31] And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the

kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put

sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of

Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.

[32] So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads,

and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I

pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.

[33] Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from

him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Ben-hadad.

Then he

said, Go ye, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came forth to him; and he caused him

to come up into the chariot.

[34] And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy

father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in

Damascus, as

my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this

covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

[35] And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour

in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to

smite

him.

[36] Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the

LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee.

And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

[37] Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the

man

smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.

[38] So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and

disguised himself with ashes upon his face.

[39] And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy

servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned

aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means

he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt

pay a talent of silver.

[40] And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king

of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

[41] And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of

Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.

[42] And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out

of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life

shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

[43] And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and

came to Samaria.



1 Kings 21



Naboth's Vineyard



1 (Jdg 6:33; 1Ki 18:45-46) Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard

in Jezreel right by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2 (1Sa 8:14) And after this Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me

your vineyard, so that I can have it for a garden of herbs,

because it is near to my house, and I will give you a better vineyard

for it, or if you prefer, I will give you its worth in money."

3 (Lev 25:23; Nu 36:7) Naboth said to Ahab, "The Lord forbid that I should

give you the inheritance of my fathers."

4 (1Ki 20:43) Ahab returned home angry and depressed because of the answer

Naboth the Jezreelite had given him, for he had said, "I will not give you

the inheritance of my fathers." He lay down on his bed and sulked

and would not eat any bread.

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said,

"Why is your spirit so sad that you refuse to eat bread?"

6 And he said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite

and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if you prefer,

I will give you another vineyard for it.'

And he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.' "

7 Jezebel his wife said to him, "Are you not the governor of the kingdom

of Israel? Get up and eat bread, and let your heart be happy,

for I will get the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you."

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal

and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles that were in the city

where Naboth lived.

9 In the letters she wrote,

"Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people,

10 (Ex 22:28; Ac 6:11) and set two men, sons of Belial,Or, evil men.

before him, to bear witness against him, saying, 'You blasphemed God

and the king.' And then carry him out and stone him, so that he will die."

11 The men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city,

did as Jezebel had sent word to them, as it was written in the letters

that she had sent to them.

12 (Isa 58:4) They proclaimed a fast and set Naboth on high among the people.

13 (2Ki 9:26) Two men, children of Belial, came in and sat in front of him,

and the men of Belial witnessed against Naboth in the presence of the people,

saying, "Naboth blasphemed God and the king."

Then they carried him out of the city and stoned him to death.

14 Then they sent word to Jezebel,

saying, "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."

15 When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead,

she said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth

the Jezreelite, which he refused to sell to you for money,

for Naboth is not alive, but dead."

16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up to go down to the vineyard

of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.



The Lord Condemns Ahab



17 (Ps 9:12) The word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying:

18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who is in Samaria.

He is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to possess it.

19 (1Ki 22:38; 2Sa 12:9) You shall speak to him, saying, "Thus says the Lord:

Have you killed and also taken possession?" And you shall speak to him,

saying, "Thus says the Lord: In the place where dogs licked

the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your own blood!"

20 (1Ki 18:17; 21:25) Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?"

And he answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself

to work evil in the sight of the Lord.

21 (1Ki 14:10) 'See, I will bring disaster upon you and will take away

your posterity and will cut off all your males, both free and slave,

who are left in Israel,

22 (1Ki 16:3; 14:16) and will make your house like the house of Jeroboam

the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah,

for the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger

and made Israel to sin.'

23 (2Ki 9:10; 9:30-37) "The Lord also spoke of Jezebel, saying,

'The dogs will eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'

24 (1Ki 14:11; 16:4) "Those from Ahab's family who die in the city

will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten

by birds of the air."

25 (1Ki 21:20; 16:30-33) But there were none compared to Ahab,

who sold himself to evil deeds in the sight of the Lord,

which Jezebel his wife stirred up.

26 (Ge 15:16; 2Ki 21:11) He performed the most abominable act in following

idols like the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

27 (2Ki 6:30; Ge 37:34) When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes

and put on sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth

and walked meekly.

28 The word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

29 (2Ki 9:25-26) "See how Ahab humbles himself before Me?

Because he humbles himself before Me,

I will not bring the disaster during his lifetime,

but during his son's lifetime I will bring the disaster on his household."



1 Kings 21

[1] And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a

vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

[2] And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may

have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will

give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I

will give thee the worth of it in money.

[3] And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the

inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

[4] And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word

which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not

give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed,

and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

[5] But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit

so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

[6] And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and

said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I

will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give

thee my vineyard.

[7] And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of

Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give

thee

the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

[8] So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and

sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city,

dwelling with Naboth.

[9] And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set

Naboth on

high among the people:

[10] And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against

him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out,

and stone him, that he may die.

[11] And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the

inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was

written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

[12] They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.

[13] And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and

the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the

presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then

they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he

died.

[14] Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

[15] And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and

was

dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of

Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth

is not alive, but dead.

[16] And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab

rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take

possession of it.

[17] And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

[18] Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria:

behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess

it.

[19] And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou

killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying,

Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth

shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

[20] And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he

answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in

the sight of the LORD.

[21] Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity,

and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that

is shut up and left in Israel,

[22] And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,

and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation

wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.

[23] And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel

by the wall of Jezreel.

[24] Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that

dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.

[25] But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work

wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

[26] And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things

as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

[27] And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his

clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in

sackcloth,

and went softly.

[28] And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

[29] Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth

himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's

days will I bring the evil upon his house.



1 KINGS 22



Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab



2Ch 18:1-27



1 And there were three years without war between Aram and Israel.

2 (1Ki 15:24; 22:1) In the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went

to visit the king of Israel.

3 (Dt 4:43; Jos 21:38) The king of Israel said to his servants, "You know that

Ramoth in Gilead is ours, but we have done nothing to take it out of the hand

of the king of Aram!"

4 (2Ki 3:7) And he said to Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to battle

Ramoth Gilead?"

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel,

"I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."

5 (2Ki 3:11) Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel,

"Please ask for a word from the Lord today."

6 (1Ki 18:19) Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together,

approximately four hundred men, and said to them,

"Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I wait?"

And they said,

"Go up, for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king."

7 Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can ask?"

8 (Am 5:10) And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still

one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we can inquire of the Lord.

But I hate him because he never prophesies good for me, but always evil."

And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."

9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said,

"Quickly, bring Micaiah the son of Imlah."



1 Kings 22

[1] And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.

[2] And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of

Judah came down to the king of Israel.

[3] And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in

Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the

king

of Syria?

[4] And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to

Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou

art,

my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

[5] And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at

the word of the LORD to day.

[6] Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four

hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to

battle,

or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it

into

the hand of the king.

[7] And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides,

that we might inquire of him?

[8] And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man,

Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate

him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat

said, Let not the king say so.



2 Chronicles 18:1-8



2 CHRONICLES 18



Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab



1Ki 22:1-28



1 (2Ch 17:5; 21:6) Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor,

and he married into the family of Ahab.

2A t the end of some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria.

And Ahab slaughtered a great amount of sheep and oxen for Jehoshaphat

and those who journeyed with him and then lured him up to Ramoth Gilead.

3 And King Ahab of Israel said to King Jehoshaphat of Judah,

"Will you go up with me to Ramoth Gilead?"

And he responded,

"I am as you are, and as your people also my people are.

We will be with you in this war"

4 And Jehoshaphat further said to the king of Israel,

"Inquire today the word of the Lord on this."

5 So the king of Israel gathered together four hundred prophets,

and he inquired from them, "Should I go up to Ramoth Gilead for battle,

or should I cease from this?"

They said, "Go up, for God will give this to the hand of the king."

6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not still here another prophet

for the Lord from whom we might inquire?"

7 (Lk 6:22) Then the king of Israel responded to Jehoshaphat,

"There is still one man from whom we can seek the Lord,

but I hate him because he does not prophesy anything good

for me but always disaster. He is Micaiah the son of Imlah."

And Jehoshaphat said, "May the king not speak like this."

8 So the king of Israel called to a court eunuch and said,

"Hurry and bring Micaiah the son of Imlah."



2 Chronicles 18

[1] Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity

with Ahab.

[2] And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed

sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with

him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.

[3] And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou

go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my

people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

[4] And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at

the word of the LORD to day.

[5] Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred

men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I

forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

[6] But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides,

that we might inquire of him?

[7] And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by

whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied

good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And

Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

[8] And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch

quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.



2) Our Daily Bread for 10 June 2022

https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/10/time-enough

Entitled Time Enough



Ecclesiastes 3:1-13



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.



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.



When I saw the massive volume of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace on my friend's

bookshelf, I confessed, "I've never actually made it all the way through that."

"Well," Marty chuckled, "When I retired from teaching, I got it as a gift from

a friend who told me, 'Now you'll finally have time to read it.' "



The first eight verses of Ecclesiastes 3 state a familiar, natural rhythm of

the activities of life with some arbitrary choices. No matter what stage of

life we find ourselves in, it's often difficult to find time to do everything

we want to do. And to make wise decisions about managing our time, it's

helpful to have a plan (Psalm 90:12).



Time spent with God each day is a priority for our spiritual health. Doing

productive work is satisfying to our spirit (Ecclesiastes 3:13). Serving God

and helping other people is essential to fulfilling God's purpose for us

(Ephesians 2:10). And times of rest or leisure aren't wasted but refreshing

for body and spirit.



Of course, it’s easy to become too focused on the here and now-finding time

for the things that matter most to us. But Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God

has "set eternity" in our hearts-reminding us to make a priority of things

that are eternal. That can bring us face to face with something

of the greatest importance-God's eternal perspective "from beginning to end."



By: Cindy Hess Kasper



Reflect & Pray



What different choices might you make about the way you're spending your time?

What did the author of Ecclesiastes mean about God setting eternity

in the human heart?



Jesus, give me a glimpse of Your eternal perspective

and help me to search for the right balance of time

that better fulfills Your purpose.



Learn how to help the hurting.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 6 Reconciliation



2 Cor 5:18-19



18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ

and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation,

19 that is, that God was

in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins

against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.



18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus

Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.



When Paul writes in 2 Cor 5:17 that we become a "new creation" in Christ

Jesus, the story does not end there. The verses following give us direction

for tht new life in Christ. "All This", Paul says, referring to the miracle of

new life in Christ, "is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reconciliation means to bring back together what was once separated. Man was

separated from God by sin, and God took the initiative to reconcile man to

himself. Our "ministry of reconciliation" as Christians is twofold: to draw

others to the Lord and to work for reconciliation between individuals.

Reconciliation is the ultimate goal of forgiveness. God, through his grace ,

extends forgiveness to us when we are still sinners, unrepentant,

undeserving. When we respond, we come into reconciliation with him

and are brought back into oneness. Likewise, when we extend the grace

of forgiveness to another, we are set free by the act of forgiving, but we

hope that the ultimate outcome will be reconciliation.

God shows us the pattern: he is the wronged party, yet he does not wait for

the offender to come to him, hat in hand. He takes a bold initiative, offering

forgiveness freely with out regard to merit. The pattern applies to us;

as the new life in Christ takes hold of us, we must reach out, and reach,

and keep on reaching, breaking down the barriers, taking the risk of

rejection so that we may come to reconciliation.



Application



a) What barriers stand between me and reconciliation with another person?



b) How can I take a risk and reach out to offer forgiveness and

reconciliation to them?



c) What kind of attitude do I need to be a "minister of reconciliation"?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



2 Chr 31:21



21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house

of God and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,

he did this with all his heart, and he found success.



21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house

of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,

he did it with all his heart, and prospered.



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



God's Protection in Times of Trouble



Ps 27:1-6



PSALMS 27



A Psalm of David.



1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom will I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom will I be afraid?

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me

to eat my flesh -

my enemies and my foes -

they stumbled and fell.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

though war should rise against me,

in this will I be confident.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,

that will I seek after -

for me to dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to see the beauty of the Lord,

and to inquire in His temple.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble

He will hide me in His pavilion;

in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;

He will set me up on a rock.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8 - 9) Now my head will be lifted up

above my enemies encircling me;

therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.



1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,

came upon me to eat up my flesh,

They stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:

Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:

In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;

he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,

Above mine enemies round about me:

Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.



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



10th Day of the Month



a) Pray for Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of

Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.



(

John 3:16



16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1:18)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."



16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



)



b) Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,

soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to be guided in Leadership by His righteous hand.



Pray to the Lord: "Jesus, give me a glimpse of Your eternal perspective

and help me to search for the right balance of time

that better fulfills Your purpose."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a minister of reconciliation.



Pray to the Lord and pray seek him diligently daily.



Pray to the Lord and pray to look for Him for protection and His salvation.



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 Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of

Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.



Pray for ministers whose congregants have lost their jobs due to political

and economic instability in Lebanon.

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