Skip to content

Day 101 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 10 April 2024 reflections

Day 101, 10 April 2024



1) 1 Chronicles 9:35-39

1 Samuel 13, 14



1 Chronicles 9:35-39



35 Now Jeiel the father of Gibeon,

whose wife's name was Maakah, dwelt in Gibeon.

36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.

38 Mikloth became the father of Shimeam. These also dwelt in Jerusalem

with their own families near their brothers.

39 (1Sa 13:22) Ner became the father of Kish; Kish the father of Saul;

Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.



[35] And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was

Maachah:

[36] And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and

Nadab,

[37] And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

[38] And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at

Jerusalem, over against their brethren.

[39] And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and

Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.



1 Samuel 13, 1 Samuel 14



1 SAMUEL 13



Saul Fails His Commission

1 Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign,

and he reigned 42 years over Israel. [Lit. “The son of a year

was Saul in his ruling and two years he ruled over Israel.”]

[Most translations read in Saul’s age and length of reign

from external evidence (Josephus) or from the New Testament

(Paul, who mentions a forty-year reign for Saul in Ac 13:21).

2 (1Sa 10:26; 13:5) Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel.

2000 were with Saul in Mikmash and in mountains of Bethel,

and a 1000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin.

The rest of the people he sent each to his tent.

3 (1Sa 10:5; Jdg 3:27) Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines

that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew

the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear."

4 (Ge 34:30; Ex 5:21) All Israel heard that Saul had struck the garrison

of the Philistines, and that Israel had become odious to the Philistines.

And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

5 (Jos 11:4; 1Sa 14:23) The Philistines gathered together to fight

with Israel, 30000 chariots and 6000 horsemen, with people

like the sand which is on the seashore in multitude.

And they came up and camped in Mikmash, east of Beth Aven.



[1] Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

[2] Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were

with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan

in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his

tent.

[3] And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and

the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the

land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

[4] And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the

Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the

Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

[5] And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel,

thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand

which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in

Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.



6 (Jdg 6:2; Heb 11:38) When Israel's fighting men saw that they

were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people

hid themselves in caves, in hollows, among rocks, and in cellars

and cisterns.

7 Some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him,

trembling.

8 (1Sa 10:8) He waited seven days, according to the set time that Samuel

had appointed. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people

were scattered from him.

9 (1Ki 3:4; Dt 12:6) Saul said, "Bring here to me the burnt offering

and the peace offerings." Then he offered the burnt offering.

10 (1Sa 15:13) When he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel came.

And Saul went out to meet him to greet him.

11 (1Sa 13:2; 13:5) Samuel said, "What have you done?"

And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me,

and that you did not come to the appointed assembly days, and the Philistines

are gathering themselves together at Mikmash,

12 therefore I said, 'The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal,

and I have not yet appeased the face of the Lord.'

So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering."

13 (2Ch 16:9; 1Sa 15:11) Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly.

You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God,

which He commanded you. Truly now, the Lord would have established

your kingdom over Israel forever.

14 (1Sa 15:28; Ac 13:22) But now your kingdom will not continue.

The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart

and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over His people,

because you have not kept that which the Lord commanded you."

15 (1Sa 13:2; 14:2) Samuel arose, and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah

of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him,

about six hundred men.

Israel Unarmed

16 Now Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were with them,

were staying in Gibeah of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Mikmash.

17 (Jos 18:23; 1Sa 14:15) Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines

in three companies. One company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah,

to the land of Shual.

18 (Ne 11:34; Jos 18:13-14) And another company turned the way to Beth Horon.

And another company turned to the way of the border that looks to the Valley

of Zeboyim toward the wilderness.



[6] When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people

were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in

thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

[7] And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him

trembling.

[8] And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had

appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from

him.

[9] And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.

And he offered the burnt offering.

[10] And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the

burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he

might salute him.

[11] And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that

the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days

appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at

Michmash;

[12] Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal,

and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore,

and offered a burnt offering.

[13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept

the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would

the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

[14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man

after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his

people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

[15] And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin.

And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred

men.

[16] And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with

them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

[17] And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three

companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the

land of Shual:

[18] And another company turned the way to Beth-horon: and another company

turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward

the wilderness.



19 (2Ki 24:14; Jdg 5:8) Now there was no blacksmith found throughout

all the land of Israel. For the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make

for themselves swords or spears."

20 So all the children of Israel went down to the Philistines, to sharpen

every man his plow-point, his axe, his adze and his hoe.

21 The sharpening charge was two-thirds of a shekel

(About 1/4 ounce, or 8 grams.) for plow-points, axes, pitchforks, and adzes,

and to fix an ox-goad.

22 (Jdg 5:8) So it came to pass on the day of battle, that neither sword

nor spear were found in the hand of any of the people who were with

Saul and Jonathan. But they were found in the hand of Saul

and Jonathan his son.

23 (Isa 10:28; 1Sa 14:1) And the garrison of the Philistines had marched

out to the ravine of Mikmash.



[19] Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the

Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

[20] But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every

man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

[21] Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the

forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

[22] So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword

nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and

Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

[23] And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of

Michmash.



1 SAMUEL 14



Jonathan Defeats the Philistines



1 A day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man that

bore his armor, "Come, and let us cross over to the Philistine garrison

which is on the other side." But he did not tell his father.

2 (1Sa 13:15-16) Now Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah

under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron. And the people

that were with him were about six hundred men.

3 (1Sa 2:28; 4:21) And Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother,

the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh,

was wearing the ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

4 (1Sa 13:23) Between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over

to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side,

and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of the one was Bozez,

and the name of the other Seneh.

5 The crag of the one rose north opposite Mikmash,

and the other faced southward opposite Geba.

6 (1Sa 17:26; 17:36) Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor,

"Come, and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised.

Perhaps the Lord will work for us. For the Lord is not limited

to save by many or by few."

7 His armor bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart.

Turn yourself, and I will be with you according to your heart."

8 (Jdg 7:9-14) Then Jonathan said, "Now we will cross over to these men,

and we will reveal ourselves to them.

9 If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still

in our place, and we will not go up to them.

10 (Ge 24:14) But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up,

for the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us."

11 (1Sa 13:6; 14:22) So the two of them revealed themselves to the garrison

of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming

out of the caves where they have hidden themselves."

12 (1Sa 17:43-44; 2Sa 5:24) The men of the garrison answered Jonathan

and his armor bearer, and said,

"Come up to us, and we will teach you something."

So Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come up after me.

For the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel."

13 Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet with his armor

bearer behind him. And they fell before Jonathan. And his armor bearer

was dealing death blows after him.

14 That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made,

was about twenty men within about a half-acre field.

15 (1Sa 13:17; Ge 35:5) There was trembling in the camp, in the field,

and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled,

and the ground quaked. It was the fear of God.

16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold,

the multitude melted away, and they went even here and there.

17 Then Saul said to the people that were with him,

"Number now, and see who has gone from us."

And when they had numbered, Jonathan nor his armor bearer were there.

18 Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring here the ark of God." For the ark of God was

at that time with the children of Israel.

19 (Nu 27:21) It came to pass, while Saul talked to the priest,

that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines went on

and increased. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

20 (Jdg 7:22; 2Ch 20:23) Saul and all the people who were

with him assembled, and they went to the battle. And every man's sword

was against his fellow, so that there was very great confusion.

21 (1Sa 29:4) Even the Hebrews who were with the Philistines the days

before, who went up with them into the camp from the country round

about, even they also turned to be with the children of Israel that were

with Saul and Jonathan.

22 (1Sa 13:6) Also all of Israel's fighting men, who had hidden themselves

in mountains of Ephraim, heard that the Philistines fled, and even they

followed hard after them in the battle.

23 (Ex 14:30; 1Sa 13:5) So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle

passed beyond Beth Aven.



[1] Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto

the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the

Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his

father.

[2] And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate

tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six

hundred men;

[3] And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas,

the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the

people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

[4] And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the

Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp

rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of

the other Seneh.

[5] The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash,

and the other southward over against Gibeah.

[6] And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let

us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD

will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or

by few.

[7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn

thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

[8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we

will discover ourselves unto them.

[9] If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand

still in our place, and will not go up unto them.

[10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD

hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

[11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the

Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of

the holes where they had hid themselves.

[12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and

said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto

his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into

the hand of Israel.

[13] And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his

armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer

slew after him.

[14] And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was

about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of

oxen might plow.

[15] And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the

people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth

quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

[16] And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the

multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.

[17] Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see

who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his

armourbearer were not there.

[18] And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of

God was at that time with the children of Israel.

[19] And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise

that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said

unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.

[20] And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves,

and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his

fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

[21] Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time,

which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even

they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

[22] Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount

Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed

hard after them in the battle.

[23] So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto

Beth-aven.



Saul's Rash Oath



24 (Jos 6:26) Now Israel's fighting men were distressed that day.

For Saul had placed the people under a curse, saying,

"Cursed is the man that eats any food before it is evening,

and I have been avenged on my enemies."

So none of the people tasted any food.

25 All the people of the land came to the forest, and there was honey

on the ground.

26 When the people came into the forest there was flowing honey.

But no man put his hand to his mouth, because the people feared the oath.

27 (1Sa 30:12; 14:43) But Jonathan had not heard when his father made

the people swear. Therefore he put forward the end of the rod that was

in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb. Then he put his hand to his

mouth, and his eyes were brightened.

28 Then one of the people answered, and said, "Your father surely made

the people swear, saying, 'Cursed is the man that eats any food this day.' "

And the people were weary.

29 (1Ki 18:18) Then said Jonathan, "My father has troubled the land.

See how my eyes have brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 How much more, if the people had surely eaten freely today of the spoil

of their enemies which they found? But now the defeat of the Philistines

has not been great."

31 (Jos 10:12) And they struck the Philistines that day from Mikmash

to Aijalon, and the people were very weary.

32 (Lev 3:17; 1Sa 15:19) The people rushed upon the spoil;

they took sheep, oxen, and calves and slew them on the ground.

And the people ate them with the blood.

33 Then they reported to Saul, saying, "Look, the people are sinning against

the Lord by eating the blood."

And he said, "You have dealt faithlessly. Roll a great stone to me this day."

34 Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them,

'Bring to me here every man his ox or sheep. And slaughter them here,

and eat. But you shall not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.' '

And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night,

and slew them there.

35 (1Sa 7:17) And Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first altar

that he built to the Lord.

36 Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night

and plunder them until the morning light. And let us not leave a man of them."

And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you."

Then the priest said, "Let us draw near here to God."

37 (1Sa 28:6) Saul asked of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines?

Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But He did not answer him

that day.

38 (1Sa 10:19-20) Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people,

and observe and see how this sin has come about this day.

39 (1Sa 14:44; 2Sa 12:5) For, as the Lord lives, who saves Israel,

even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die."

But there was not one who answered him from among all the people.

40 Then he said to all Israel, "You will be on one side, and I and Jonathan

my son will be on the other side."

And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you."

41 (Ac 1:24; Jos 7:16-18) Therefore Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel,

“Give a perfect lot.” And Saul and Jonathan were taken,

but the people escaped.

42 Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son."

And Jonathan was taken.

43 (Jos 7:19; 1Sa 14:27) Then Saul said to Jonathan,

"Tell me what you have done."

And Jonathan told him, and said,

"I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was

in my hand. Here I am. I must die."

44 (Ru 1:17; 1Sa 14:39) Saul said, "May God do so to me and more also,

for you will surely die, Jonathan."

45 (2Sa 14:11; 1Ki 1:52) The people said to Saul, "Will Jonathan die, who has

worked this great salvation in Israel? God forbid. As the Lord lives,

there will not one hair of his head fall to the ground.

For he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan,

and he did not die.

46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines, and the Philistines

went to their own place.

47 (2Sa 10:6) So Saul took the kingdom over Israel and fought against

all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the Ammonites,

against Edom and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines.

Whatever place he turned himself, he defeated them.

48 He gathered an army, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel

out of the hand of its plunderers.



[24] And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured

the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening,

that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any

food.

[25] And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the

ground.

[26] And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped;

but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

[27] But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the

oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and

dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were

enlightened.

[28] Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged

the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this

day. And the people were faint.

[29] Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you,

how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this

honey.

[30] How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil

of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater

slaughter among the Philistines?

[31] And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and

the people were very faint.

[32] And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and

calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the

blood.

[33] Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD,

in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a

great stone unto me this day.

[34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them,

Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them

here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And

all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them

there.

[35] And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar

that he built unto the LORD.

[36] And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil

them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they

said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us

draw near hither unto God.

[37] And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines?

wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that

day.

[38] And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and

know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

[39] For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan

my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people

that answered him.

[40] Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my

son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what

seemeth good unto thee.

[41] Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot.

And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.

[42] And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan

was taken.

[43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan

told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod

that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.

[44] And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die,

Jonathan.

[45] And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought

this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall

not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God

this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

[46] Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines

went to their own place.

[47] So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his

enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and

against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines:

and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

[48] And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel

out of the hands of them that spoiled them.



Saul's Family



49 (1Sa 31:2; 1Ch 8:33) Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi,

and Malki-Shua. And the names of his two daughters were Merab,

the firstborn, and Michal, the youngest.

50 (2Sa 2:8) And the name of the wife of Saul was Ahinoam,

the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army

was Abner, the son of Ner, the uncle of Saul.

51 (1Sa 9:1; 9:21) Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner

was the son of Abiel.

52 (1Sa 8:11) There was strong war against the Philistines

all the days of Saul, and when Saul saw any strong man,

or any valiant man, he took him into his service.



[49] Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the

names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and

the name of the younger Michal:

[50] And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and

the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

[51] And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the

son of Abiel.

[52] And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul:

and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.



2) Our Daily Bread for 10 April 2024 titled



Eyes to See
By Amy Boucher Pye



Isaiah 42:5-9



5 (Ac 17:25; Job 12:10) Thus says God the Lord,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread forth the earth and that which comes out of it,

who gives breath to the people on it,

and spirit to those who walk in it:

6 (Lk 2:32; Isa 49:6; 49:8) I the Lord have called You in righteousness,

and will hold Your hand,

and will keep You and appoint You

for a covenant of the people,

for a light of the nations,

7 (Isa 35:5; 61:1; 49:9) to open the blind eyes,

to bring out the prisoners from the prison,

and those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.

8 (Isa 48:11; Ex 20:3-5) I am the Lord, that is My name;

and My glory I will not give to another,

nor My praise to graven images.

9 (Isa 43:19) See, the former things have come to pass,

and new things I declare;

before they spring forth

I tell you of them.



[5] Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them

out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he

that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk

therein:

[6] I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand,

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light

of the Gentiles;

[7] To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and

them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

[8] I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another,

neither my praise to graven images.

[9] Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do declare:

before they spring forth I tell you of them.



Genevieve had to be the "eyes" for her three children, each born with

congenital cataracts. Whenever she took them into their village

in the Republic of Benin of western Africa, she strapped the baby onto

her back and held on to the arm and hand of her older two, always looking for

danger. In a culture where blindness was thought to be caused by witchcraft,

Genevieve despaired and cried out to God for help.



Then a man from her village told her about Mercy Ships, a ministry that

provides vital surgeries to honour Jesus' model of bringing hope and healing

to the poor. Uncertain if they could help, she approached them.

When the children woke up after their surgeries, they could see!



God's story has always been about coming alongside those shrouded in darkness

and bringing His light. The prophet Isaiah declared that God would be

"a light for the Gentiles" (Isaiah 42:6). He would "open eyes that are blind"

(v. 7), restoring not only physical sight but spiritual vision as well. And

He promised to "take hold" of His people's hand (v. 6). He restored sight

to the blind and brought light to those living in the darkness.



If you feel overcome by darkness, cling to hope as you embrace the promises

of our loving Father while asking for His light to bring illumination.



How has God opened your eyes, physically or spiritually?

How can He remove the blinders you may have?



Heavenly Father, You desire that no one would

live in darkness. Release Your love on those who are blinded in any way,

that they might see.



Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness



Luke 17:3 - 4



3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."

"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,

forgive him.

4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,

and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,

'I repent,' you must forgive him."



3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;

and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,

and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;

thou shalt forgive him.



The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'

disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through

Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,

21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,

"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?

Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)

The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to

develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be

forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if

he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!

But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,

forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"

And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They

were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the

outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.

We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far

- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're

forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".

He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance

for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.

That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our

checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.

Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God

and been forgiven, we are to forgive.



Application



a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I

have forgiven ? Why?



b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as

Jesus calls me to?





4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Romans 13:7-8



7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes

are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,

and honor to whom honour is due.

8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.



7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth

another hath fulfilled the law.



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



God's Eternal Faithfulness



Ps 117



1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.



1 O praise the LORD,

All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.

2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:

And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.

Praise ye 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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 10 March 2024 to 8 April 2024



1 Timothy 2:1-7



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead

a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God

our Saviour,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32) who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.

5 (Gal 3:20; 1Co 8:6; Dt 6:4) There is one God and one mediator between God

and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 (1Co 1:6; 1Ti 6:15) who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

This was the testimony given at the proper time.

7 (Ac 9:15; 2Ti 1:11) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle

(I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and truth.



[1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead

a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God

our Saviour,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32) who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.

5 (Gal 3:20; 1Co 8:6; Dt 6:4) There is one God and one mediator between God

and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 (1Co 1:6; 1Ti 6:15) who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

This was the testimony given at the proper time.

7 (Ac 9:15; 2Ti 1:11) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle

(I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and truth.



How can we keep praying?



Pray for Muslims you know and those that live around you.



Ask those who are serving Christ among

Muslim people how you can pray for them.



When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray

for Muslims throughout the year and encourage them to also

participate in 30 Days.



What should you pray for?



Pray for the leaders of Muslim-majority nations to pursue peace and freedom

in the places they govern.



Pray for Muslim groups, tribes and communities in different regions to have

access to the gospel and respond to the message of Christ.



Pray for families and individuals to know the blessings of God and to be

saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.



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 that the Lord will give you victory.



Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, You desire that no one would

live in darkness. Release Your love on those who are blinded in any way,

that they might see."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a determined forgiver

without keeping scoreboards.



Pray to the Lord and pray to pay those who you owe.



Pray to the Lord and pray to fell His mercies.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray for Muslims you know and those that live around you.



Ask those who are serving Christ among

Muslim people how you can pray for them.



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 leaders of Muslim-majority nations to pursue peace and freedom

in the places they govern.



Pray for Muslim groups, tribes and communities in different regions to have

access to the gospel and respond to the message of Christ.



Pray for families and individuals to know the blessings of God and to be

saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.



Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout

the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,

faithfulness and provision.



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

Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.



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

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



Pray for the protection of Christians in Cameroon living in villages

along the northwestern border where Islamists' attacks have occured.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Day 100 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 9 April 2024 reflections

Day 100, 9 Apr 2024



1) 1 Samuel 9, 1 Samuel 10, 1 Samuel 11, 1 Samuel 12



1 SAMUEL 9



Samuel Anoints Saul



1 (1Sa 14:51; 1Ch 9:36-39) Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name

was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of

Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

2 He had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man,

and there was not a better looking man among the children of Israel.

From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.

3 Now the donkeys of Kish, the father of Saul, were lost.

And Kish said to his son Saul, "Take now one of the servants with you,

and arise, go find the donkeys."

4 (2Ki 4:42; Jos 24:33) He passed through the mountains of Ephraim,

and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them.

And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there.

Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

5 (1Sa 10:2; 1:1) When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant

that was with him, "Come, and let us return lest my father stop caring

about the donkeys and worry about us."

6 (Dt 33:1; 1Ki 13:1) He said to him, "Look, there is in this city a man

of God, and he is highly respected. All that he speaks surely comes about.

Now let us go there. Perhaps he can show us the way that we should go."

7 (1Ki 14:3; 2Ki 8:8) Then Saul said to his servant, "But listen, if we go,

what will we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our satchels,

and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"

8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, "Look, I have here in my

hand a quarter of a shekel [About 1/10 ounce, or 3 grams. ] of silver.

I will give it to the man of God, to tell us our way."

9(2Sa 24:11; 2Ki 17:13)(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire

of God, thus he said, "Come, and let us go to the seer." For he that is now

called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)

10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go."

So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11 (Ge 24:11; Ex 2:16) As they went up the hill to the city, they found young

women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here?"

12 (Ge 31:54; 1Sa 10:5) And they answered them and said, "He is. See,

he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for today he came to the city,

because there is a sacrifice for the people in the high place today.

13 (Jn 6:11) As soon as you come into the city, you will find him

before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat

until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice. Afterwards

those invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time of the day

you will find him there."

14 So they went up into the city. And when they entered, Samuel was coming

toward them to go up to the high place.

15 (1Sa 15:1; Ac 13:21) Now the Lord had revealed in the ear of Samuel

one day before Saul came, saying,

16 (1Sa 10:1; Ex 3:7-9) "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man

out of the land of Benjamin. And you will anoint him to be leader

over My people Israel, that he may save

My people out of the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked

upon My people, because their cry has come unto Me."

17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, "Here is the man of whom

I spoke to you! This one will rule over My people."

18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said,

"Tell me, please, where is the seer's house?"

19 Samuel answered Saul, and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me

to the high place, for you will eat with me today. And tomorrow

I will let you go, and will tell you then all that is in your heart.

20 (1Sa 8:5; 12:13) As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago,

do not your worry about them for they have been found. And on

whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and

on all your father's house?"

21 (1Sa 15:17; Jdg 20:46-48) And Saul answered and said,

"Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?

And my family the least of all the families of the tribe

of Benjamin? Why do you speak to me this way?"

22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the hall,

and gave them a place at the head of those invited,

which were about thirty men.

23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which

I said to you, 'Set it aside.' "

24 (Lev 7:3-33; Eze 24:4) Then the cook took up the thigh and what was on it

and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here is what was set aside.

Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until this time,

since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

25 (Dt 22:8; Ac 10:9) When they had come down from the high place

into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul up on the roof.

26 They arose early, and it was at the rising of the dawn that Samuel

called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away"

So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went to the street.

27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city,

Samuel said to Saul,"Tell the servant to pass on before us."

So he passed on. "But you stand still and I will proclaim

to you the word of God."



1 Samuel 9

[1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel,

the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a

mighty man of power.

[2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly:

and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he:

from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

[3] And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his

son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

[4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of

Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of

Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the

Benjamites, but they found them not.

[5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant

that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for

the asses, and take thought for us.

[6] And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God,

and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now

let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

[7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we

bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a

present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

[8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at

hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of

God, to tell us our way.

[9] (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake,

Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was

beforetime called a Seer.)

[10] Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went

unto the city where the man of God was.

[11] And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens

going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?

[12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make

haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the

people to day in the high place:

[13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him,

before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until

he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that

be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

[14] And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city,

behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.

[15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

[16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of

Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel,

that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have

looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

[17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I

spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

[18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray

thee, where the seer's house is.

[19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto

the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let

thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

[20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind

on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it

not on thee, and on all thy father's house?

[21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of

the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the

tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

[22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the

parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were

bidden, which were about thirty persons.

[23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of

which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

[24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set

it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before

thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I

have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

[25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel

communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

[26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day,

that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send

thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel,

abroad.

[27] And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to

Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou

still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.



1 SAMUEL 10



1 (1Sa 16:13; Dt 32:9; Ps 2:12) Then Samuel took a vial of oil

and poured it upon his head. And he kissed him and said,

"Has not the Lord anointed you over His inheritance as ruler?

2 (1Sa 9:3-5; Ge 35:19-20) When you have departed from me today,

you will find two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin

at Zelzah. And they will say to you "The donkeys which you went to look

for have been found. And now, your father has stopped caring

about the donkeys, and worries for you, saying, "What will I do for my son?"

3 (Ge 28:22; 35:1) "Then you will go forward from there, and you will come

to the plain of Tabor. And there you will meet three men going up to God

to Bethel: one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread,

and another carrying a bottle of wine.

4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will

receive from their hands.

5 (1Sa 13:3; 19:20) "After that you will come to the hill of God, where

the garrison of the Philistines is. And when you come there to the city,

you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place

with a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre before them.

And they will prophesy.

6 (1Sa 10:10; Nu 11:25; 1Sa 19:23-24) And the Spirit of the Lord will

come upon you, and you will prophesy with them. And you will

be turned into another man.

7 (Jdg 6:12; Ex 4:8) And it will be when these signs come to you,

do for yourself what the occasion requires; for God is with you.

8 (1Sa 11:14-15; 13:4) "Then you will go down before me to Gilgal.

And listen, I will be coming down to you, in order to offer burnt offerings,

and to offer sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you will wait, until I

come to you. Then I will make known to you what you will do."

9 And it happened, that when he turned his back to go from Samuel,

that God gave him another heart. And all those signs came to pass that day.

10 (1Sa 10:5-6) When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him.

And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

11 (1Sa 19:24; Jn 7:15) So when all who previously knew him saw that

he prophesied among the prophets, the people said one to another,

"What is this that has come upon the son of Kish?

Is Saul also among the prophets?"

12 (Isa 54:13; Jn 6:45) And a man from there answered and said,

"But who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb,

"Is Saul also among the prophets?"

13 When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

14 (1Sa 14:50) And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?"

And he said, "To seek the donkeys. And when we saw that they were

nowhere around, we went to Samuel."

15 Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."

16 (1Sa 9:20) Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly

that the donkeys were found." But the matter of the kingdom,

of which Samuel had spoken, he did not mention.

Saul Proclaimed King

17 (Jdg 20:1; 1Sa 7:5-6) Therefore Samuel called the people together

unto the Lord at Mizpah.

18 (Jdg 6:8-9) And he said to the children of Israel, "Thus says the Lord,

the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you

out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms,

and of them that oppressed you.'

19 (1Sa 12:12; Jos 24:1) But you have today rejected your God,

who saves you from all your troubles and your distresses.

And you have said to Him, 'No, but set a king over us.'

Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord

by your tribes, and by your clans."

20 So Samuel brought near all the tribes of Israel

and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

21 Then he brought near the tribe of Benjamin by its families.

And the family of Matri was chosen. Then Saul the son of Kish was taken.

But when they sought him, he could not be found.

22 Therefore they inquired again of the Lord, "Has the man come here yet?"

And the Lord answered, "He has hidden himself among the equipment."

23 (1Sa 9:2) So they ran and took him from there. When he stood among

the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders

and upward.

24 (2Sa 21:6; 1Ki 1:25) Then Samuel said to all the people,

"Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen?

Truly there is none like him among all the people."

And all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king."

25 (Dt 17:14-20; 1Sa 8:11-18) Samuel told the people the ordinances

of the kingdom, and wrote them in a book, and laid them up

before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

26 (1Sa 11:4; 15:34) Saul also went home to Gibeah. And there went with him

a band of valiant men whose hearts God had touched.

27 (Dt 13:13; 1Ki 10:25) But some worthless men said, "How will this man

save us?" And they despised him, and did not bring him a present.

But he remained silent.



1 Samuel 10

[1] Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed

him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain

over his inheritance?

[2] When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by

Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say

unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy

father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What

shall I do for my son?

[3] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the

plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to

Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread,

and another carrying a bottle of wine:

[4] And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou

shalt receive of their hands.

[5] After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of

the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to

the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the

high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before

them; and they shall prophesy:

[6] And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy

with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

[7] And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as

occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

[8] And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come

down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of

peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew

thee what thou shalt do.

[9] And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God

gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

[10] And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets

met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

[11] And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that,

behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to

another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among

the prophets?

[12] And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father?

Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

[13] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

[14] And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And

he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came

to Samuel.

[15] And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

[16] And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were

found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him

not.

[17] And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

[18] And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of

Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand

of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that

oppressed you:

[19] And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of

all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay,

but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by

your tribes, and by your thousands.

[20] And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the

tribe of Benjamin was taken.

[21] When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their

families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken:

and when they sought him, he could not be found.

[22] Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come

thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

[23] And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the

people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

[24] And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath

chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people

shouted, and said, God save the king.

[25] Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in

a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away,

every man to his house.

[26] And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of

men, whose hearts God had touched.

[27] But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they

despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.



1 SAMUEL 11



Saul Rescues Jabesh Gilead



1 (Jdg 21:8; 1Sa 12:12) Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped

against Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash,

"Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you."

2 (1Sa 17:26; Ge 34:14) Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition

will I make a covenant with you, that I may pluck out all your right eyes.

So I will inflict it as a reproach upon all Israel."

3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days, that we may send

messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then if there is no one

to rescue us, we will come out to you."

4 (Jdg 2:4; 1Sa 10:26) So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke

the words in the ears of the people. And all the people lifted

up their voices, and wept.

5 (1Ki 19:19) Now Saul was coming out of the field after the cattle,

and Saul said, "Why are the people weeping?" And they reported to him

the words of the men of Jabesh.

6 (1Sa 10:10; Jdg 3:10) The Spirit of God came strongly upon Saul

when he heard these words, and he became very angry.

7 (Jdg 19:29; 20:1) He took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces.

And he sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands

of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul

and after Samuel, so will it be done to his oxen." And the fear of the Lord

fell on the people, and they came out as one man.

8 (Jdg 1:4-5; 2Sa 24:9) When he numbered them in Bezek,

the children of Israel were three hundred thousand,

and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They said to the messengers that came, "Thus will you say to the

men of Jabesh Gilead, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot,

you will have help.'" And the messengers came and reported it

to the men of Jabesh and they were glad.

10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you,

and you may do to us all that seems good to you."

11 (Jdg 7:16) On the next day Saul put the people in three companies.

And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning and struck down

the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those surviving were scattered,

so that even two of them were not left together.

Saul Confirmed as King

12 (1Sa 10:27; Lk 19:27) The people said to Samuel, "Who said,

'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death."

13 (Ex 14:13; 1Sa 19:5) Saul said, "There will not be a man put to death

this day. For today the Lord has worked deliverance in Israel."

14 (1Sa 10:8; 7:16) Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, and let us go

to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there."

15 (1Sa 10:8; 10:17) All the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul

king before the Lord in Gilgal. And there they made sacrifices of peace

offerings before the Lord. And there Saul and all Israel's fighting

men rejoiced greatly.



1 Samuel 11

[1] Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead:

and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we

will serve thee.

[2] And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a

covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for

a reproach upon all Israel.

[3] And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite,

that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if

there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.

[4] Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the

ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.

[5] And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said,

What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the

men of Jabesh.

[6] And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and

his anger was kindled greatly.

[7] And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them

throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying,

Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done

unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came

out with one consent.

[8] And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three

hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

[9] And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the

men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have

help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they

were glad.

[10] Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you,

and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.

[11] And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three

companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch,

and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that

they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left

together.

[12] And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign

over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

[13] And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to

day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

[14] Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and

renew the kingdom there.

[15] And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before

the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings

before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.



1 SAMUEL 12



Samuel's Farewell Address



1 (1Sa 10:24; 11:14-15) Then Samuel said to all Israel: "I have listened to

your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.

2 (1Sa 8:5; 8:1; 8:20) And now, see, the king walks before you, but I am old

and gray-headed. As for my sons, they are with you. But I have walked

before you from my childhood to this day.

3 (Nu 16:15; 1Sa 10:1) Behold, here I am. Witness against me before the Lord

and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken?

Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have

I received any bribe to blind my eyes with? Indeed I will restore it you."

4 They said, "You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us. Neither have you

taken anything from any man's hand."

5Ex 22:4; Ac 23:9He said to them, "The Lord is witness against you,

and His anointed is witness this day, t

hat you have not found anything in my hand."

And they answered, "He is witness."

6 (Mic 6:4; Ex 6:26) Samuel said to the people: "It is the Lord that prepared

Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

7 (Isa 1:18) Now therefore stand still that I may reason with you before

the Lord, concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord, which He did for you

and your fathers.

8 (Ex 4:14-16; 2:23-24) "When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried

out to the Lord, the Lord sent Moses and Aaron who brought forth your fathers

out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place.

9 (Jdg 3:12; 4:2) "When they forgot the Lord their God, He sold them

into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor,

and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab.

And they fought against them.

10 (Jdg 2:13; 10:10) They cried to the Lord, and said,

'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served

the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us out of the hand of

our enemies, and we will serve You.'

11 (Jdg 6:32; 6:14) The Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Bedan,Perhaps Barak here

(see LXX). Jephthah, and Samuel. And He delivered you out of the hand

of your enemies on every side, and you dwelled in safety.

12 (Jdg 8:23; 1Sa 8:5-7) "When you saw that Nahash, king of the Ammonites,

came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king will reign over us,'

when the Lord your God was your king.

13 (1Sa 10:24; Hos 13:11) Now therefore, look at the king whom you have chosen

and for whom you have asked! And see that the Lord has set a king over you.

14 (Jos 24:14) If you will fear the Lord, and serve Him, and obey His voice,

and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king

that reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.

15 (Jos 24:20; Isa 1:20) But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord,

but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then will the hand of the Lord

be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16 (Ex 14:13; 14:31) "Even now, take your stand and see this great thing

which the Lord is doing before your eyes.

17 (1Sa 7:9-10; 8:7) Is it not the wheat harvest today?

I will call to the Lord. And He will send thunder and rain, that you may know

and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done

in the sight of the Lord, by asking for yourselves a king."

18 (Ex 14:31; Ezr 10:9) So Samuel called to the Lord.

And the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly

feared the Lord and Samuel.

19 (Ex 9:28; 1Jn 5:16) All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants

to the Lord your God, that we will not die, for we have added to all our sins

this evil, to ask for ourselves a king."

20 (Dt 11:16) Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this

wickedness, only do not turn aside from following the Lord,

and serve the Lord with all your heart.

21 (Hab 2:18; Jer 10:15) But do not turn aside, for then you would be going

after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.

22 (Jos 7:9; 1Ki 6:13) As befits His great name, the Lord will not abandon

His people. For it has pleased the Lord to make you His people.

23 (1Ki 8:36; Pr 4:11) Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin

against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. But I will teach you the good

and the right way.

24 (Dt 10:21; Isa 5:12) Fear the Lord; serve Him in truth with all your heart,

and consider what great things He has done for you.

25 (Jos 24:20; 1Sa 31:1-5) But if you still do wickedly, both you

and your king will be swept away."



1 Samuel 12

[1] And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your

voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

[2] And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and

grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you

from my childhood unto this day.

[3] Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his

anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I

defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe

to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

[4] And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither

hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

[5] And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed

is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they

answered, He is witness.

[6] And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and

Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

[7] Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of

all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

[8] When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD,

then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of

Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.

[9] And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of

Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines,

and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

[10] And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have

forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us

out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

[11] And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and

delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled

safe.

[12] And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came

against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the

LORD your God was your king.

[13] Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have

desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

[14] If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not

rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the

king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:

[15] But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the

commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as

it was against your fathers.

[16] Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do

before your eyes.

[17] Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall

send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is

great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

[18] So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that

day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

[19] And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the

LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this

evil, to ask us a king.

[20] And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this

wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD

with all your heart;

[21] And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which

cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

[22] For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake:

because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

[23] Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in

ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

[24] Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for

consider how great things he hath done for you.

[25] But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and

your king.



2) Our Daily Bread for 9 April 2024 titled



Clothed in Christ




Romans 13:11-14



The Approach of the Day of Christ



11 (Eph 5:14; 1Co 15:34) Furthermore, knowing the time, now is the moment

to awake from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

12 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:7) The night is far spent, the day is at hand.

Therefore let us take off the works of darkness and put on the armor

of light.

13 (Gal 5:21; Lk 21:34; Eph 5:18) Let us behave properly, as in the day,

not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and wickedness,

not in strife and envy.

14 (Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no

provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.



[11] And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of

sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

[12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off

the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

[13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness,

not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the

flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.



I was so excited to put on my new glasses for the first time, but after just

a few hours I wanted to throw them away. My eyes ached and head throbbed

from adjusting to the new prescription. My ears were sore from the unfamiliar

frames. The next day I groaned when I remembered I had to wear them. I had to

repeatedly choose to use my glasses each day in order for my body to adjust.

It took several weeks, but after that, I hardly noticed I was wearing them.



Putting on something new requires an adjustment, but over time we grow into

it, and it suits us better. We may even see things we didn't see before.

In Romans 13, the apostle Paul instructed Christ followers to "put on

the armour of light" (v. 12) and practice right living. They had already

believed in Jesus, but it seems they had fallen into "slumber" and become

more complacent; they needed to "wake up" and take action, behave decently

and let go of all sin (vv. 11-13). Paul encouraged them to be clothed with

Jesus and become more like Him in their thoughts and deeds (v. 14).



We don't begin to reflect the loving, gentle, kind, grace-filled, and faithful

ways of Jesus overnight. It's a long process of choosing to "put on

the armour of light" every day, even when we don't want to because it's

uncomfortable. Over time, He changes us for the better.



By: Karen Pimpo



Reflect & Pray



What does it look like to "put on" Jesus today?

How does practicing Christlikeness become more comfortable over time?



Dear Jesus, thank You that You're transforming me day by day.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness



Ephesians 4:32



32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.



32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.



Don had lost his job because he stood against his boss and refused to

compromise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had

turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,

and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support

of those who cared.

But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to

recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and

honestly, " I believe my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show

him." The kindness of Don's heart, and the tenderness with which he

extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's

boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of

forgiving.

Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be

overstocked with judgment and crammed full of condemnation, but we have

little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick

to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for

the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,

the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.

Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgiveness when he

looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet

for his cloak, and said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what

are doing."

When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are

doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -

not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,

in the simplicity and purity of God's love.



Application



a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?



b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?



c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



3 John 2



2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be

in good health, even as your soul is well.



2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,

even as thy soul prospereth.



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



God's Inexhaustible Strength



Is 40:27-31



27 Why do you say, O Jacob,

and assert, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the Lord,

and my justice escapes the notice of my God"?

28 (Ps 147:5; Ge 21:33; Isa 57:15) Have you not known?

Have you not heard,

that the everlasting God, the Lord,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

does not faint, nor is He weary?

His understanding is inscrutable.

29 (Isa 41:10) He gives power to the faint,

and to those who have no might He increases strength.

30 (Isa 9:17) Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4) but those who wait upon the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

and they shall walk and not faint.



27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid

from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,

the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not,

neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall

utterly fall:

31 but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall

mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 10 March 2024 to 8 April 2024



1 Timothy 2:1-7



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead

a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God

our Saviour,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32) who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.

5 (Gal 3:20; 1Co 8:6; Dt 6:4) There is one God and one mediator between God

and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 (1Co 1:6; 1Ti 6:15) who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

This was the testimony given at the proper time.

7 (Ac 9:15; 2Ti 1:11) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle

(I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and truth.



[1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead

a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God

our Saviour,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32) who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.

5 (Gal 3:20; 1Co 8:6; Dt 6:4) There is one God and one mediator between God

and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6 (1Co 1:6; 1Ti 6:15) who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

This was the testimony given at the proper time.

7 (Ac 9:15; 2Ti 1:11) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle

(I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and truth.



How can we keep praying?



Pray for Muslims you know and those that live around you.



Ask those who are serving Christ among

Muslim people how you can pray for them.



When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray

for Muslims throughout the year and encourage them to also

participate in 30 Days.



What should you pray for?



Pray for the leaders of Muslim-majority nations to pursue peace and freedom

in the places they govern.



Pray for Muslim groups, tribes and communities in different regions to have

access to the gospel and respond to the message of Christ.



Pray for families and individuals to know the blessings of God and to be

saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.





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



9th Day of the Month



a) Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout

the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,

faithfulness and provision.



(

Ps 100



A Psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;

come before His presence with singing.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;

it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise;

be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations.



Psalm 100



A Psalm of praise.

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:

It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise:

Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;

And his truth endureth to all generations.



)



b) Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways

to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.

(

1 Chr 12:32



32 (Est 1:13) From the sons of Issachar,

those having understanding of times

and what Israel should do: two hundred of their captains

with all their brothers at their command.



32 And of the children of Issachar,

which were men that had understanding of the times,

to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred;

and all their brethren were at their commandment



)



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray that the Lord knows our heart.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You that You're

transforming me day by day."



Pray to the Lord and pray to have a good attitude of forgiveness.



Pray to the Lord and pray for spiritual health.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for strength.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray for Muslims you know and those that live around you.



Ask those who are serving Christ among

Muslim people how you can pray for them.



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 leaders of Muslim-majority nations to pursue peace and freedom

in the places they govern.



Pray for Muslim groups, tribes and communities in different regions to have

access to the gospel and respond to the message of Christ.



Pray for families and individuals to know the blessings of God and to be

saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.



Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout

the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,

faithfulness and provision.



Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways

to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.



Pray fir pastors in Ethiopia like Dereje who haved faced severe opposition

due to their Christian witness



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Day 99 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 8 April 2024 reflections

Day 99, 8 April 2024



1) 1 Samuel 4 - 8



1 SAMUEL 4



1 (1Sa 7:12; 29:1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.



The Ark of God Captured



And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines

and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.

2 The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when

the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck

down on the field of battle about four thousand men.

3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said,

"Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines?

Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us,

that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies."

4 (2Sa 6:2; Ps 80:1) So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from

there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the

cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there

with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 (Jos 6:5) When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,

all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the ground was in an uproar.

6 When the Philistines heard the sound of the shout, they said,

"What does this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?"

Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.

7 The Philistines were afraid, when they said, "God is come into the camp."

And they said, "Woe to us! For this has never happened to us before.

8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?

These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with every plague

in the wilderness.

9 (Jdg 13:1; 1Co 16:13) Be strong and be men, O Philistines, lest you be

servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Now be men and fight."

10 (Dt 28:25; 1Sa 4:2) So the Philistines fought and Israel was beaten.

And they fled every man into his tent. It was a very great defeat,

for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.

11 (1Sa 2:34; Ps 78:64) Now the ark of God was taken, and the two sons

of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.



[1] And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against

the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines

pitched in Aphek.

[2] And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when

they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew

of the army in the field about four thousand men.

[3] And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said,

Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us

fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when

it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

[4] So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark

of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims:

and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the

covenant of God.

[5] And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all

Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

[6] And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What

meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they

understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

[7] And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the

camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing

heretofore.

[8] Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods?

these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the

wilderness.

[9] Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be

not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves

like men, and fight.

[10] And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every

man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of

Israel thirty thousand footmen.

[11] And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and

Phinehas, were slain.



12 (Jos 7:6; 2Sa 1:2) There ran a man of Benjamin from the battle line,

and he came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn

and with dust upon his head.

13 (1Sa 1:9; 4:18) When he came, Eli was sitting on a seat by the wayside

watching. For his heart feared for the ark of God. Now the man came

to tell it in the city, and all the city cried out.

14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said,

"What does the noise of this tumult mean?"

And the man hurriedly came and told Eli.

15 (1Sa 3:2) Now Eli was 98 years old, and his eyes were dim,

so that he could not see.

16 (2Sa 1:4) The man said to Eli, "I am he that came out of the army,

and I fled today out of the battle line."

And he said, "What is the word, my son?"

17 The messenger answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines,

and there also has been a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons

also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead. And the ark of God is taken."

18 (1Sa 4:13) When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell from off the seat

backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died,

for he was an old and heavy man. And he had judged Israel forty years.

19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant, about to give birth.

And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken,

and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead,

she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.

20 (Ge 35:17-18) About the time of her death the women that stood

by her said to her, "Do not fear, for you have borne a son."

But she did not answer or regard it.

21 (Ps 26:8; Jer 2:11) She named the child Ichabod, saying,

"The glory is departed from Israel," because the ark of God was taken,

and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

22 She said, "The glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken."



[12] And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the

same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

[13] And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for

his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city,

and told it, all the city cried out.

[14] And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the

noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.

[15] Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he

could not see.

[16] And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I

fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?

[17] And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the

Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people,

and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is

taken.

[18] And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he

fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake,

and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel

forty years.

[19] And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be

delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and

that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and

travailed; for her pains came upon her.

[20] And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto

her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did

she regard it.

[21] And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from

Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law

and her husband.

[22] And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is

taken.



[Remember not to leave an evil legacy]



1 SAMUEL 5



The Philistines and the Ark



1 (1Sa 4:1; 7:12) Now the Philistines took the ark of God,

and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

2 (Jdg 16:23; 1Ch 10:10) When the Philistines took the ark of God,

they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.

3 (Isa 19:1; 46:1-2; 46:7) When the Ashdodites arose early in the morning,

Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord.

And they took Dagon and set him in his place again.

4 (Mic 1:7; Jer 50:2) When they arose early on the next morning, again

Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord,

and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off

upon the threshold. Only the torso of Dagon was left to him.

5 (Zep 1:9) Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any coming

into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

6 (1Sa 5:11; Ex 9:3; Ps 32:4) But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon

the Ashdodites. He desolated them and struck them with tumors,

even Ashdod and its territories.

7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God

of Israel cannot remain with us. For His hand is heavy upon us and upon

Dagon our god."

8 So they sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them,

and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?"

And they answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried around

to Gath." And they carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

9 (1Sa 5:6; Dt 2:15; 1Sa 7:13) It happened that after they had carried it

about, the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great

destruction. And He struck the men of the city, both small and great.

And tumors broke out on them.

10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron.

And it came about that as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites

cried out, saying, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel

to slay us and our people."

11 (1Sa 5:6; 5:8-9) So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the

Philistines, and said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go

again to His own place that He might not kill me and my people,"

for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city.

The hand of God was very heavy there.

12 (Ex 12:30) The men that did not die were plagued with the tumors.

And the cry of the city went up to heaven.



1 Samuel 5

[1] And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer

unto Ashdod.

[2] When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house

of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

[3] And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was

fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took

Dagon, and set him in his place again.

[4] And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was

fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head

of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold;

only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

[5] Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's

house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

[6] But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed

them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

[7] And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the

God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and

upon Dagon our god.

[8] They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto

them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they

answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And

they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.

[9] And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the

LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the

men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret

parts.

[10] Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as

the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They

have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our

people.

[11] So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines,

and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his

own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly

destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

[12] And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of

the city went up to heaven.



[Only Yahweh is the True God]



1 SAMUEL 6



The Ark Returned to Israel



1 Now the ark of the Lord had been in the country

of the Philistines seven months.

2 (Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11) The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners,

saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the Lord?

Tell us how we should send it to its place."

3 (Ex 23:15; Dt 16:16) They said, "If you send away the ark of the God

of Israel, do not send it empty. But return to Him a guilt offering.

Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why His hand

is not removed from you."

4 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3) Then said they, "What will be the guilt offering

which we will return to Him?"

They answered, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice according

to the number of the lords of the Philistines. For one plague was on

you all, and on your lords.

5 (Jos 7:19; 1Sa 5:6-7; 5:11) Therefore you will make images of your tumors

and images of your mice that ravage the land. And you will give glory

to the God of Israel. Perhaps He will lighten His hand from off you,

even from off your gods and from off your land.

6 (Ex 7:13; 8:15) Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians

and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He dealt severely with them,

did they not let the people go, and they departed?

7 (Nu 19:2; 2Sa 6:3) "Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milk

cows on which there has never been a yoke. Then tie the cows to the cart

and bring their calves home, away from them.

8 Then take the ark of the Lord and set it on the cart. And put the images

of gold, which you return to Him for a guilt offering, in a box by the side.

And send it away, that it may go.

9 (Jos 15:10; 21:16) See, if it goes up by the way of His own territory

to Beth Shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then

we will know that it is not His hand that struck us; it was by chance

that it happened to us."

10 The men did so. And they took two milk cows, tied them to the cart,

and shut up their calves at home.

11 And they set the ark of the Lord on the cart, as well as the box

with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.

12 Then the cows took the straight way to the way of Beth Shemesh,

and went along the highway, lowing as they went. They did not turn aside

to the right hand or to the left with the lords of the Philistines walking

after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.

13 Now Beth Shemesh was reaping their wheat harvest in the valley.

And they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and they rejoiced to see it.

14 (2Sa 24:22) The cart came into the field of Joshua, the Beth Shemite,

and stood there where there was a great stone. And they split the wood

of the cart, and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord.

15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the box that was with it,

where the articles of gold were, and put them on the great stone.

And the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices

the same day to the Lord.

16 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 3:3) When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it,

they returned to Ekron the same day.

17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for

a guilt offering to the Lord: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one,

for Gath one, for Ekron one.

18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities

of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities,

and of country villages. And the great stone, where they set the ark

of the Lord, is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua,

the Beth Shemite.

19 (Ex 19:21; Nu 4:15) Then He struck the men of Beth Shem­esh,

because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. He struck 50070 men.

And the people lamented, because the Lord had struck the people

with a great slaughter.

20 (2Sa 6:9; Mal 3:2) The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand

before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?"

21 (1Ch 13:5-6; Jos 9:17) And they sent messengers to the inhabitants

of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark

of the Lord. Come down, and take it up to you."



1 Samuel 6

[1] And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven

months.

[2] And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying,

What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it

to his place.

[3] And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not

empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be

healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

[4] Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall

return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice,

according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was

on you all, and on your lords.

[5] Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice

that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel:

peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods,

and from off your land.

[6] Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharoah

hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they

not let the people go, and they departed?

[7] Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there

hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home

from them:

[8] And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the

jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by

the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

[9] And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh,

then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that is

not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.

[10] And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart,

and shut up their calves at home:

[11] And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with

the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.

[12] And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went

along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right

hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto

the border of Beth-shemesh.

[13] And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the

valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see

it.

[14] And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemite, and stood

there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart,

and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.

[15] And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was

with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone:

and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed

sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.

[16] And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned

to Ekron the same day.

[17] And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a

trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon

one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

[18] And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the

Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of

country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down

the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of

Joshua, the Beth-shemite.

[19] And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the

ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore

and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of

the people with a great slaughter.

[20] And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy

LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

[21] And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying,

The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and

fetch it up to you.



1 SAMUEL 7



1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord.

And they brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill,

and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.

2 And from the day the ark resided in Kiriath Jearim,

the days increased to twenty years.



1 Samuel 7

[1] And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD,

and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified

Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

[2] And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the

time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented

after the LORD.



Samuel Judges Israel



And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.

3 (Jos 24:14; Ge 35:2; Dt 6:13) Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel,

saying, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart,

then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths from your midst.

And make firm your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only.

Then He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and Ashtoreths

and served the Lord only.

5 (Jdg 20:1) Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah,

and I will pray to the Lord for you."

6 (Jdg 10:10; Ps 106:6) They gathered together to Mizpah.

And they drew water and poured it out before the Lord.

And they fasted on that day, and said there,

"We have sinned against the Lord."

So Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.

7 (1Sa 17:11; 13:6) When the Philistines heard that the children

of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines

went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it,

they were afraid of the Philistines.

8 (Isa 37:4; 1Sa 12:19-24) The children of Israel said to Samuel,

"Do not stop crying unto the Lord our God for us, that He might save us

out of the hand of the Philistines."

9 (Ps 99:6; Jer 15:1) Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a burnt

offering unto the Lord. And Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel and the Lord

heard him.

10 (1Sa 2:10; Jos 10:10) As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering,

the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel, but the Lord thundered

with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines, and confused them.

So they were beaten before Israel.

11 Israel's fighting men went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines,

and struck them, as far as below Beth Kar.

12 (Ge 35:14; Jos 4:9) Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah

and Shen. And he called its name EbenezerLit.

Stone of help. saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."

13 (Jdg 13:1) So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not again

come into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against

the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored

to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath. And Israel rescued their territory

out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel

and the Amorites.

15 (1Sa 7:6; Jdg 2:16) So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

16 He went annually in a circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah.

And he judged Israel in all those places.

17 (1Sa 1:19; 1:1) But his return was to Ramah, for his house was there

and there he judged Israel. And there he built an altar to the Lord.



[3] And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return

unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and

Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve

him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

[4] Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and

served the LORD only.

[5] And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you

unto the LORD.

[6] And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out

before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned

against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

[7] And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered

together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And

when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

[8] And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the

LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the

Philistines.

[9] And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering

wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the

LORD heard him.

[10] And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew

near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder

on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were

smitten before Israel.

[11] And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines,

and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.

[12] Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and

called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

[13] So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast

of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days

of Samuel.

[14] And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were

restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did

Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace

between Israel and the Amorites.

[15] And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

[16] And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and

Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

[17] And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he

judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.



1 SAMUEL 8



Israel Demands a King

1 (Dt 16:18-19) And it came about when Samuel was old, that he installed

his sons as judges for Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second

son was Abijah. They were judging in Beersheba.

3 (Dt 16:19; Ps 15:5) But his sons did not walk in his way, for they followed

after unlawful gain, and they took bribes, and they perverted justice.

4 (1Sa 7:17) And all the elders of Israel gathered together and they came

to Samuel at Ramah.

5 (Dt 17:14-15; 1Sa 8:19-20) They said to him, "You are old and your sons

do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like

all the nations."

6 (1Sa 15:11; 12:17) But the thing was evil in the eyes of Samuel,

because they said, "Give us a king to govern us."

And Samuel prayed to the Lord.

7 (Ex 16:8; 1Sa 10:19) The Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people

in relation to all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected,

but Me they have rejected from reigning over them.

8 Just as all the deeds which they have done to Me, from the day I brought

them up from Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken Me

and have served other gods, so they are doing also to you now.

9 (1Sa 8:11-18; 10:25) Now then, obey their voice. Only you will testify

against them and proclaim to them the judgment concerning the king

who will reign over them."

10 So Samuel said all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking

from him a king.

11 (1Sa 10:25; 14:52) And he said, "This will be the judgment concerning

the king who will reign over you: Your sons he will take in order to place

them for himself in his chariots and as his horsemen, and they will run

before his chariot,

12 and in order to assign for himself captains of thousands and captains

of fifties, and to plow his ground, and to gather in his harvest,

and to make his weapons of war and the equipment of his chariots.

13 And your daughters he will take for perfumers, and cooks, and bakers.

14 (1Ki 21:7; Eze 46:18) And your choicest fields, and vineyards,

and olive groves he will take and give them to his servants.

15 And of your seed fields and your vineyards he will take a tenth

of their harvest and will give it to his high officials and to his servants.

16 And your menservants and your maidservants, and the best of your

young men and asses he will take and make do his work.

17 Your flocks he will take a tenth of, but you will be his for slaves.

18 (Isa 1:15; Mic 3:4) And you will cry out in that day because of your king,

whom you have chosen for yourselves,

but the Lord will not answer you in that day."

19 (Jer 44:16_ But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel.

And they said, "No! But surely a king will be over us!

20 (1Sa 8:5) So that we also will be like all the nations!

And so that our king will govern us, and will go out before us,

and will fight our battles."

21 (Jdg 11:11) And after Samuel heard all the words of the people,

he spoke them in the hearing of the Lord.

22 (1Sa 8:7; Hos 13:11) And the Lord said to Samuel,

"Obey their voice, and make for them a king."

So Samuel said to Israel's fighting men,

"Go every man to his city."



1 Samuel 8

[1] And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges

over Israel.

[2] Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second,

Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

[3] And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and

took bribes, and perverted judgment.

[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to

Samuel unto Ramah,

[5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy

ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

[6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge

us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

[7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in

all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have

rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

[8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I

brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have

forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

[9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly

unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

[10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of

him a king.

[11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over

you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots,

and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

[12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over

fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and

to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

[13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks,

and to be bakers.

[14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards,

even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

[15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and

give to his officers, and to his servants.

[16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your

goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

[17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

[18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall

have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

[19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they

said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

[20] That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge

us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

[21] And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in

the ears of the LORD.

[22] And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a

king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.



2) Our Daily Bread for 8 April 2024 titled



Joy in the City




Proverbs 11:1-11



Proverbs 11



1 (Pr 16:11; 20:10; 20:23) A false balance is abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight.

2 (Pr 29:23; 18:12) When pride comes, then comes shame;

but with the humble is wisdom.

3 (Pr 13:6 ) The integrity of the upright will guide them,

but the perverseness of transgressors will destroy them.

4 (Ge 7:1; Pr 10:2) Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.

5 (Pr 5:22) The righteousness of the upright will direct his way,

but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

6 (Ecc 10:8) The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

but transgressors will be taken by their schemes.

7 (Pr 10:28; Job 8:13-14) When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,

and the hope of unjust men perishes.

8 (Pr 21:18) The righteous is delivered out of trouble,

and the wicked comes in his place.

9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,

but through knowledge the just will be delivered.

10 (Pr 28:12) When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 (Pr 29:8) By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,

but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.



1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:

But a just weight is his delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame:

But with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:

But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath:

But righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:

But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:

But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:

And the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,

And the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:

But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:

And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.



When France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, it was an

incredible contest that many dubbed the "greatest World Cup match in

history." As the final seconds ticked off in extra time, the score was tied

3-3, sending the soccer teams to penalty kicks. After Argentina made

the winning goal, the nation erupted in celebration. More than a million

Argentineans overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires. Drone footage spread across

social media showing this raucous, happy scene. One BBC report described

how the city quaked with "an explosion of joy."



Joy is always a wonderful gift. Proverbs, though, describes how a city,

a people, can experience joy that goes even deeper and lasts far longer.

"When the righteous prosper," Proverbs says, "the city rejoices" (11:10).

When those who truly live by God's designs for humanity begin to influence

a community, then this signals good news because it means God's justice

is taking hold. Greed diminishes. The poor find support. The oppressed

are protected. Whenever God's right way of living flourishes,

then there's joy and "blessing" in the city (v. 11).



If we're genuinely living out God’s ways, then the result will be good news

for everyone. The way we live will make the community around us better

and more whole. God invites us to be part of His work to heal the world.

He invites us to bring joy to the city.



By: Winn Collier



Reflect & Pray



Where do you see the need for joy in your city?

How can you bring God's joy there?



Dear God, please help me to join You in bringing joy to others.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 2 - The key to the Prison Cell



Matt 6:14-15



14 For if you forgive men for their sins, your heavenly Father will

also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men for their sins,

neither will your Father forgive your sins.



14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will

also forgive you: 15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses,

neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.



Ann had been badly wounded in a relationship that had ended in anger

and accusation. For more than a year, Ann nursed her bitterness, rallying

support for her attitudes from friends and colleagues. Any time she saw

her former friend, Ann put up an icy wall of hostility. She thought she was

"getting over" the hurt, but the very mention of her friend's name brought

back a flood of negative feelings. Ann was trapped, locked in a prison of

unforgiveness , a jail built block by block by her own unwillingness to

forgive. Ann didn't "get over it"; instead, her wounds festered

and her bitterness grew worse.

Then one day - she never knew how - Ann let go of her bitterness. The barriers

of hostility and anger melted away, and when she saw her friend again, she was

able to forgive. And Ann was finally able to turn to the Lord for her own

healing and forgiveness.

"If you do not forgive," Jesus says - and the statement falls hard on

unforgiving hearts, "Neither will you be forgiven." In one sense, God's

forgiveness is unconditional - we do not have to earn or deserve it, and it is

always available to us. But we cannot experience the forgiveness God has

extended to us when we harbour unforgiveness towards others and build walls

of bitterness in our hearts.

When we refuse forgiveness toward those who have hurt or betrayed us, we do

not keep them in bondage, but ourselves. We lock ourselves away for an

awareness of God's loving presence; we imprison ourselves in a cell of

revenge. But when we reach out to forgive, we turn in the lock;

the door is open for our own sins to be forgiven and our own hearts

cleansed and purified.



Application



a) Why is forgiving others a condition for experiencing forgiveness

in my own life?



b) How can these verses have a practical effect upon my willingness

to forgive others?





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



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





Pray for the Moors of Mauritania




John 5:17



17 (Jn 9:4; 14:10) Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still,

and I am working."



[17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.



Mauritania is an Islamic republic in West Africa and is predominantly

a desert country - mostly hot, dry, and windy. It is about the size

of France and Spain combined, but with only 4.3 million inhabitants.

Mauritania has an ethnically diverse population, but two dominating groups are

the Bidhan, or "white Moors" who are 30% of the population and the Haratin,

or "black Moors" who make up 40%. Both groups are themselves a blend of Arab

and Berber cultural influences. They are almost entirely Muslim.



Most Moorish families were still nomads only two or three generations ago,

but sustained droughts forced over one million people to move to the capital,

Nouakchott, and become more involved in trade.



The status of Moorish women is somewhat different from other societies

in the region. A striking example is a genre of exclusively female poetry

called tebra, which is composed and recited by women before an all-female

audience only.



Mothers from the Riyad 5 school have formed the Association for the Promotion

of our Students and their Futures to keep students safe outside of school,

Nouakchott, Mauritania.



However, Mauritanian Moors also have a tradition of viewing obesity in women

as a status symbol, promoting the idea that a man with a thin wife must not

be able to afford to feed her. This has led to dangerous practices

of over-eating, sometimes by force, with the aim of attracting a wealthy

husband. Other challenges faced by Moorish women include the practices

of female genital mutilation and child marriage – also done with the aim

of making girls attractive to men in the hope of securing financial security.



How to Pray



Pray for Moorish women to understand the love that God

has for them and their value in His Kingdom.



Pray that God’s love and salvation would be revealed

to all the people of Mauritania.



Pray for the tribes of Mauritania to find in Christ

the fulfillment of His promises of peace and salvation.



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



8th Day of the Month



a) Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer

and never cease to call upon God



(

Is 62:6



6 (Isa 52:8; Ps 74:2) I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem,

who shall never hold their peace day nor night.

You who remind the Lord, do not keep silent;



6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold

their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,



Ps 5:3



3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice;

in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will watch expectantly.



3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;

In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.



Ps 55:17



17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will make my complaint and murmur,

and He will hear my voice.



17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:

And he shall hear my voice.



)



b) Pray for the province of Manitoba



I) Pray for the leaders of Manitoba, that God's Spirit would influence them

to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.

( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings

and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life

in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and

acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to leave a good legacy in His name.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to join You

in bringing joy to others."



Pray to the Lord and pray to honestly forgive trespasses.



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek hikm is your work.



Pray to the Lord and pray to put your faith in the Lord.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray for Moorish women to understand the love that God

has for them and their value in His Kingdom.



Pray that God’s love and salvation would be revealed

to all the people of Mauritania.



Pray for the tribes of Mauritania to find in Christ

the fulfillment of His promises of peace and salvation.



Pray that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer

and never cease to call upon God



Pray that more Kuwaitis will head the Good News of Jesus Christ and place

their faith in Him.



Pray that isolated Christians in Oman who must worship alone will experience

the joy and comfort of God's presence.



Pray for new Christians in Benin whose lives are at risk due to opposing

family and community members.



Praise God that Qataris can access the Bible via the Internet!

Pray that many more will be transformed by God's Word.



Pray that ministry workers who are reaching out to Syrian Refugees with the

message of Christ and be strengthened.



Pray for Berber Christians in Algeria who continue to boldly share

the Gospel in and around the al-Qaida terrorist camps.



Pray for an intelligence officer in Turkmenistan whose heart was touched

by the Gospel due to the faithful witness of one of his captives.



Praise God for Mussalam's faithfulness in Uzbekistan to the Lord

and her courage despite persecution from family members.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Day 98 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 7 April 2024 reflections

Day 98, 7 April 2024



Today at

Calvary Community Church
, Pastor Barry Regier spoke on

On Mission with the Rusen Christ



JOb 1:6-8



6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves

before the Lord, and the Adversary also came among them. 7 And the Lord

said to the Adversary, "From where have you come?" Then the Adversary

answered the Lord, saying, "From roaming on the earth, and from walking up

and down on it."

8 And the Lord said to the Adversary, "Have you considered My servant Job,

that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and an upright man,

who fears God, and avoids evil?"



[6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves

before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

[7] And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered

the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up

and down in it.

[8] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that

there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that

feareth God, and escheweth evil?



Ephesians 5:8-10



8 (Lk 16:8; Jn 12:36) For you were formerly darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light-

9 (Ro 15:14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness

and righteousness and truth-

10 (1Th 5:21) proving what is pleasing to the Lord.



[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk

as children of light:

[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and

truth;)

[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.



Matthew 28:19-20



19 (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 1:8) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 (Mt 18:20; Ac 2:42) teaching them to observe all things I have commanded

you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.



[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.



Acts 1:8



8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."



[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon

you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all

Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.



Through Philip's example we learn to



A) Follow God's leading Acts 8:26



Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch



26 (Ac 5:19; 27:23; 12:23) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip,

"Rise up and go toward the south on the way that goes down from Jerusalem

to Gaza." This is desert.



[26] And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go

toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza,

which is desert.



B) Make ourselves Available Acts 8:27-29



27 (Ps 68:31; 87:4) So he rose up and went. And there was a man of Ethiopia,

a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,

who was in command of her entire treasury.

He had come to Jerusalem to worship.

28 He was returning, sitting in his chariot

and reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.

29 (Ac 10:19; 11:12) The Spirit said to Philip,

"Go to this chariot and stay with it."



[27] And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of

great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of

all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

[28] Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

[29] Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this

chariot.



C) Take initiative Acts 8:30



30 Then Philip ran to him, and heard him read the book of Isaiah the prophet,

and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"



[30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias,

and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?



D) Be tactful 1 Peter 3:15-16 Acts 8:30-31



15 (Col 4:6; Isa 29:23) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.

Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for

a reason for the hope that is in you, with

gentleness and fear.

16 (Heb 13:18; 1Pe 2:12) Have a good conscience so that evildoers who speak

evil of you and falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.



[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give

an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

[16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of

evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in

Christ.



30 Then Philip ran to him, and heard him read the book of Isaiah the prophet,

and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"



[30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias,

and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?



31 (Ro 10:14) He said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?"

So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.



[31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired

Philip that he would come up and sit with him.



E) Be prepared



32 (Isa 53:7-8) The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

"He was led as a sheep to slaughter;

and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

so He opened not His mouth.

33 (Isa 53:8; 53:12) In His humiliation justice was denied Him;

who will speak of His generation?

For His life is taken from the earth."

34 The eunuch said to Philip, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet speak,

of himself or of someone else?"

35 (Lk 24:27; Ac 18:28) Then Philip spoke, beginning with the same Scripture,

and preached Jesus to him.



[32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a

sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened

he not his mouth:

[33] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare

his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

[34] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh

the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

[35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and

preached unto him Jesus.





36 (Ac 10:47) As they went on their way, they came to some water.

And the eunuch said, "Look, here is water.

What hinders me from being baptised?"

37 Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." He answered,

"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

38 And he commanded the chariot to halt. Then both Philip and the eunuch went

down into the water, and he baptized him.

39 (1Ki 18:12; 2Ki 2:16) When they came up out of the water,

the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. And the eunuch saw him no more,

and he went his way rejoicing.

40 (Ac 10:1; 21:8) But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through,

he preached the gospel in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.



[36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the

eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

[37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.

And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

[38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both

into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

[39] And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord

caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way

rejoicing.

[40] But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all

the cities, till he came to Caesarea.



The Romans Road to Sharing Jesus



i) Romans 3:23



23 (Ro 3:9) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,



[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;



ii) Romans 6:23



23 (Ro 5:12; Ge 2:17; Ro 2:7) For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.



[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.



iii) Romans 5:8



8 (Jn 15:13; 1Pe 3:18) But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.



[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet

sinners, Christ died for us.



iv) Romans 10:9-10



9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord,

and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved,

10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.



[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt

believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved.

[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.



v) Romans 10:13



13 (Ac 2:21; Joel 2:32) For, "Everyone who calls on the name

of the Lord shall be saved."(Joel 2:32.)



[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.



1) 1 Samuel 1 - 3



1 SAMUEL 1



The Birth of Samuel



1 (1Sa 1:19; 1Ch 6:34) Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim Zuphim,

in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,

the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

2 And he had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the second

was Peninnah. Now Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 (Ex 23:14; Dt 12:5-7) This man went up out of his city annually to worship

and to sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. And there the two sons of Eli,

Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord.

4 (Dt 12:17-18; 16:11) When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave

portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters.

5 (Ge 30:2) But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved Hannah,

but the Lord had closed her womb.

6 Now her rival provoked her greatly, making her miserable because the Lord

had closed her womb.

7 Thus it was yearly, when she went up to the house of the Lord,

that she provoked her. So Hannah wept and did not eat.

8 (Ru 4:15) Then said Elkanah her husband to her, "Hannah, why are

you weeping? And why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved?

Am I not better to you than ten sons?"



[1] Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and

his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu,

the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

[2] And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of

the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

[3] And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice

unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and

Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

[4] And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his

wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

[5] But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the

LORD had shut up her womb.

[6] And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because

the LORD had shut up her womb.

[7] And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the

LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

[8] Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why

eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than

ten sons?



9 (1Sa 3:3) So Hannah arose after they had eaten in Shiloh and after

they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a seat by the door

of the tabernacle of the Lord.

10 (Job 7:11; 10:1) And she was bitter, and prayed to the Lord,

and wept severely.

11 (Jdg 13:5; Ge 29:32; Nu 6:5) So she made a vow and said, "O Lord of Hosts,

if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant, and remember

me and not forget Your maidservant, but will give to Your maidservant a baby

boy, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor

shall touch his head."Perhaps Barak here (see LXX).

12 And as she was praying before the Lord, Eli watched her mouth.

13 (Ge 24:42-45) Now Hannah was speaking in her heart. Her lips were moving,

but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

14 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk?

Put away your wine from you."

15 (Ps 42:4; 62:8) And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman

of sorrow. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my

soul before the Lord.

16 (1Sa 2:12) Do not consider your handmaid to be a sinful woman, for out of

the abundance of my concern and provocation I have spoken until now."

17 (Jdg 18:6; 2Ki 5:19) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God

of Israel grant you your request that you have asked of Him."

18 (Ru 2:13; Ge 33:15) And she said, "Let your handmaid find grace in your

sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was not sad as before.

19 (Ge 30:22; 4:1) They rose up in the morning early and worshipped before

the Lord. And they returned and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah

knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

20 (Ge 41:51-52; Ex 2:10) And it came to pass that Hannah conceived

and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel saying,

"Because I have asked him of the Lord."



[10] And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept

sore.

[11] And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed

look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget

thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will

give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor

come upon his head.

[12] And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli

marked her mouth.

[13] Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice

was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

[14] And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine

from thee.

[15] And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful

spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my

soul before the LORD.

[16] Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the

abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

[17] Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant

thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

[18] And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman

went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

[19] And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD,

and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his

wife; and the LORD remembered her.

[20] Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah

had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying,

Because I have asked him of the LORD.



The Dedication of Samuel



21 (1Sa 1:3) Then the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer

to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow.

22 (1Sa 1:11; 1:28) But Hannah did not go, for she said to her husband,

"I will not go up until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him,

that he may appear before the Lord and live there forever."

23 (2Sa 7:25) So Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good to you.

Wait until you have weaned him; only may the Lord establish His word."

So the woman remained, and nursed her son until she weaned him.

24 (Jos 18:1; Nu 15:9-10) When she had weaned him, she took him up with her

with three bulls, one ephah [Likely about 36 pounds, or 16 kilograms.]

of flour, and a bottle of wine. And she brought him to the house of the Lord

in Shiloh, though the boy was young.

25 (Lk 2:22) Then they slaughtered a bull, and they brought the boy to Eli.

26 (2Ki 2:2; 2:4) And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am

the woman that stood by you here praying to the Lord.

27 (1Sa 1:11-13) For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition

which I asked of Him.

28 (Ge 24:26; 24:52) Therefore also I have let the Lord have him.

As long as he lives he will be dedicated to the Lord."

And he worshipped the Lord there.



[21] And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD

the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

[22] But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up

until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear

before the LORD, and there abide for ever.

[23] And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry

until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman

abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

[24] And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three

bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto

the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

[25] And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

[26] And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman

that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

[27] For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I

asked of him:

[28] Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he

shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.



1 SAMUEL 2



The Prayer of Hannah



1 (Ps 9:14; 13:5) Hannah prayed, saying:

"My heart rejoices in the Lord;

my horn is exalted in the Lord.

My mouth is bold against my enemies,

because I rejoice in Your salvation.

2 (Ex 15:11; 2Sa 22:32) "There is none holy as the Lord,

for there is none besides You,

and there is no rock like our God.

3 (1Ki 8:39; Pr 8:13) "Do not multiply proud speech,

nor let arrogance come out of your mouth,

for the Lord is the God of knowledge,

and by Him actions are examined.

4 (Ps 37:15; 46:9) "The bows of the mighty are broken,

but those who stumbled are girded with strength.

5 (Ps 113:9; Jer 15:9) Those that were full have hired out

themselves for bread,

and those that were hungry ceased to hunger.

Even the barren has borne seven,

and she that has many children wastes away.

6 (Dt 32:39; 2Ki 5:7; Isa 26:19) "The Lord kills and makes alive;

He brings down to the grave and brings up.

7 (Job 5:11; Ps 75:7) The Lord makes poor and makes rich;

He brings low and lifts up.

8 (Ps 113:7-8; Job 38:4-6) He raises up the poor out of the dust

and lifts up the oppressed from the dunghill

to make them sit with princes

and inherit a throne of glory.

"For the pillars of the earth belong to the Lord,

and He has set the world upon them.

9 (Ps 33:16-17; 91:11-12) He will guard the feet of His saints,

but the wicked will be silent in darkness.

"For by strength shall no man prevail.

10 (Ps 2:9; 89:24) The adversaries of the Lord will be broken to pieces;

He will thunder against them out of heaven.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

"He will give strength to His king

and exalt the horn of His anointed."

11 (1Sa 2:18; 3:1_ Then Elkanah went to Ramah to his house.

And the boy ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.



[1] And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn

is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I

rejoice in thy salvation.

[2] There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither

is there any rock like our God.

[3] Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your

mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

[4] The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded

with strength.

[5] They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that

were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath

many children is waxed feeble.

[6] The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and

bringeth up.

[7] The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

[8] He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from

the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne

of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the

world upon them.

[9] He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in

darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

[10] The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven

shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and

he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

[11] And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto

the LORD before Eli the priest.

[12] Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.



Wicked Sons of Eli



12 (Jer 2:8; Jdg 2:10) Now the sons of Eli were corrupt.

They did not know the Lord.

13 The priest's custom with the people was that when any man offered

a sacrifice, the priest's servant came while the flesh was cooking with

a three-pronged fork in his hand.

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot,

and all that the fork brought up the priest took for himself.

This they did in Shiloh to all the children of Israel who came there.

15 (Lev 3:16; 3:3-5) Even before they burned the fat, the priest's servant

would come and say to the man sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest

to roast. For he will not take boiled meat from you, but only raw."

16 If any man said to him, "Let them first burn the fat and then take

as much as you wish," then he would answer him, "No, but you will give

it to me now, and if not, I will take it by force."

17 (Ge 6:11) Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before

the Lord. For the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.



[13] And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered

sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with

a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

[14] And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that

the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh

unto all the Israelites that came thither.

[15] Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to

the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not

have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

[16] And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat

presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer

him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by

force.

[17] Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for

men abhorred the offering of the LORD.



God Blesses Hannah



18 (1Sa 2:11; 3:1) But Samuel ministered before the Lord, as a boy,

wearing a linen ephod.

19 (1Sa 1:3; 1:21) Now his mother would make him a little coat

and brought it to him every year when she came up with her husband to

offer the yearly sacrifice.

20 (1Sa 1:27-28) And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say,

"The Lord give you offspring from this woman for the sake of the request

which was made to the Lord." Then they would return to their home.

21 (Ge 21:1; Jdg 13:24) The Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived

and bore three sons and two daughters.

And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord.





[18] But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a

linen ephod.

[19] Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from

year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly

sacrifice.

[20] And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed

of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto

their own home.

[21] And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons

and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.





Eli Confronts Hophni and Phinehas



22 (Ex 38:8; 1Sa 2:13-17) Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that

his sons were doing to all Israel, even that they lay with the women

who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

23 He said to them, "Why are you doing these things? For I am hearing

of your evil dealings from all these people.

24 No, my sons! Truly, it is not a good report that I hear the people

of the Lord spreading.

25 (Jos 11:20; Nu 15:30) If one man sins against another, God will judge him,

but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him" But they

did not listen to the voice of their father, because the Lord desired

to kill them.

26 (Lk 2:52) Now the boy Samuel was growing both in stature

and favor with the Lord and also with men.



[22] Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel;

and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle

of the congregation.

[23] And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil

dealings by all this people.

[24] Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's

people to transgress.

[25] If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man

sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they

hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay

them.

[26] And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and

also with men.



God's Case Against the House of Eli



27 (1Ki 13:1; Ex 4:14-16) A man of God came to Eli and said to him,

"Thus says the Lord, 'Did I not plainly reveal Myself to the house

of your father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

28 (Ex 28:1; Lev 8:7-8) And choose him out of all the tribes of Israel

to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, to wear

an ephod before Me? And I gave to the house of your father

all the offerings made by fire by the children of Israel?

29 (1Sa 2:13-17; Mt 10:37) Why do you kick at My sacrifice and

at My offering, which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons

above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings

of Israel My people?'

30 (Ex 29:9; Ps 50:23) "Therefore the Lord God of Israel says, 'I surely said

that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me

forever,' but now the Lord says, 'Far be it from Me to do so, for those

who honor Me, I will honor, and those that despise Me will be humbled.

31 (1Sa 22:17-20) The days are coming when I will cut off your authority

and the strength of your father's house, so there shall not be an old man

in your house.

32 (Zec 8:4; 1Sa 4:11) You shall see the distress of My dwelling, despite

all the good which will be done for Israel. And there shall not be an elderly

man in your house perpetually.

33 Yet the one I do not cut off from My altar will be spared so your eyes

will not stop weeping or your soul grieving. All the increase of your house

will die in their prime.

34 (1Sa 4:11; 1Ki 13:3) "'This will be the sign to you which will come upon

your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: In one day, they will both die.

35 (2Sa 7:11; 7:27) And I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest;

what is in My heart and in My soul he will do it. And I will build him

a sure house, and it will walk before My anointed forever.

36 (1Ki 2:27) But it will be that everyone who is left in your house

will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel

of bread, and will say, Please attach me to one of the priestly offices,

that I may eat a piece of bread."



[27] And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the

LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in

Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

[28] And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest,

to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and

did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of

the children of Israel?

[29] Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have

commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make

yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

[30] Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house,

and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the

LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and

they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

[31] Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of

thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

[32] And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which

God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for

ever.

[33] And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall

be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of

thine house shall die in the flower of their age.

[34] And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons,

on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

[35] And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to

that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure

house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

[36] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house

shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread,

and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I

may eat a piece of bread.



[Remember in any position, the Lord gave you stewardship of it]



1 SAMUEL 3



God Calls Samuel



1 (1Sa 2:11; Ps 74:9) Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord

before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days.

There was no vision coming forth.

2 (1Sa 4:15; Ge 27:1)At that time, Eli was lying down in his place

(now his eyes had begun to grow weak that he could not see),

3 (Ex 27:20-21; Lev 24:2-4) and the lamp of God had not yet gone out,

and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord where the ark of God was.

4 Then the Lord called to Samuel, and he answered, "Here I am."

5 He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called to me."

And he said, "I did not call. Return, lie down again."

And he went and lay down.

6 The Lord called Samuel again. So Samuel arose and went to Eli,

and said, "Here I am, for you called me."

And he answered, "I did not call, my son. Return, lie down again."

7 (Ac 19:2) Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word

of the Lord been revealed to him.

8 The Lord again called Samuel a third time. So he arose and went to

Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me."

Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling to the boy.

9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel,"Go, lie down. And it will be,

if He calls you, that you will say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant listens.'"

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The Lord came and stood, and He called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant listens."

11 (2Ki 21:12; Jer 19:3) The Lord said to Samuel, "See, I am doing something

in Israel which will make both ears ring of every one that hears it.

12 (1Sa 2:27-36) In that day I will bring about against Eli everything which

I have spoken with regard to his house, from beginning to end.

13 (1Sa 2:12; 2:17) For I told him that I will judge his house forever,

for the guilt which he knew, because his sons are cursed,

and he did not rebuke them.

14 (Isa 22:14; 1Sa 2:25) Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that

the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for with sacrifice

nor offering forever."

15 Samuel lay until the morning; then he opened the doors of the house

of the Lord. Now Samuel feared to report the vision to Eli.

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, "Samuel, my son."

And he answered, "Here I am."

17 (Ru 1:17; 2Sa 3:35) He said, "What is the thing that the Lord has spoken t

o you? Do not hide it from me. Thus may God do so to you, and more also,

if you hide from me a word out of all the things that He spoke to you."

18 (Job 2:10; Isa 39:8) Samuel told him everything, and did not hide from

him a thing. And he said, "It is the Lord; let Him do

what is good in His eyes."

19 (1Sa 2:21; 9:6) And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him

and did not let any of his words fall to the ground.

20 (Jdg 20:1; 2Sa 3:10) All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that

Samuel was proven to be a prophet of the Lord.

21 (Ge 12:7; 1Sa 3:1) And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh.

For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.



[1] And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word

of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

[2] And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place,

and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

[3] And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the

ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

[4] That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

[5] And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he

said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

[6] And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli,

and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not,

my son; lie down again.

[7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD

yet revealed unto him.

[8] And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went

to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that

the LORD had called the child.

[9] Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he

call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So

Samuel went and lay down in his place.

[10] And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel,

Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

[11] And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at

which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

[12] In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken

concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

[13] For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the

iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he

restrained them not.

[14] And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of

Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

[15] And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of

the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

[16] Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here

am I.

[17] And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I

pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou

hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

[18] And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said,

It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

[19] And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his

words fall to the ground.

[20] And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was

established to be a prophet of the LORD.

[21] And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to

Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.



[Hide nothing the Lord says, for He is in control]



2) Our Daily Bread for 7 April 2024 titled



Five Good Things




Psalm 107:1-9



1 Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,

for His mercy endures forever!

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Let the redeemed of the Lord speak out,

whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) and gathered them from the lands,

from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) They wandered in the wilderness on a deserted path;

they found no city to dwell in.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted in them.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,

and He delivered them out of their distresses.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He led them on a level road,

that they might go to a city to live in.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Let them praise the Lord for His goodness

and for His wonderful works to the people!

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) For He satisfies the longing soul

and fills the hungry soul with goodness.



[1] O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for

ever.

[2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the

hand of the enemy;

[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west,

from the north, and from the south.

[4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no

city to dwell in.

[5] Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

[6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them

out of their distresses.

[7] And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of

habitation.

[8] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his

wonderful works to the children of men!

[9] For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with

goodness.



According to research, people who are intentionally grateful for what

they have report better sleep, fewer symptoms of illness, and more happiness.

Those are impressive benefits. Psychologists even suggest keeping a

"gratitude journal" to improve our well-being, writing down five things

we're grateful for each week.



Scripture has long promoted the practice of gratitude. From meals

and marriage (1 Timothy 4:3-5) to the beauties of creation (Psalm 104),

the Bible has called us to see such things as gifts and to thank the Giver

for them. Psalm 107 lists five things Israel could be especially grateful

for: their rescue from the desert (vv. 4-9), their release from captivity

(vv. 10-16), healing from disease (vv. 18-22), safety at sea (vv. 23-32),

and their flourishing in a barren land (vv. 33-42).

"Give thanks to the Lord," the psalm repeats, for these are all signs

of God's "unfailing love" (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31).



Do you have a notepad handy? Why not write down five good things you're

grateful for now? It might be the meal you just enjoyed, your marriage or,

like Israel, God's rescue points in your life to date. Give thanks

for the birds singing outside, the smells from your kitchen,

the comfort of your chair, the murmurs of loved ones.

Each is a gift and a sign of God’s unfailing love.



By: Sheridan Voysey



Reflect & Pray



Why do you think Scripture so often calls us to be thankful?

What five good things are you grateful for today?



Father God, I'm grateful for every good thing

You've brought into my life. And most of all, I'm grateful for You.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 1 - Forgiving as God Forgave



Col 3:13



13 Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone

has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.



13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man

have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.



"No!" Brett slammed his hand against the desk to punctuate his point.

"My wife's infidelity is completely unforgivable. She just wants to make things

look good, to have me condone her new relationship.

I won't do it. I won't forgive her."

Brett was a man in pain, and his perspective on forgiving

his wife is understandable. But unfortunately, many of us are

the victims of "unforgivable" offenses; many of us, as well,

are the perpetrators of such offenses, and we desperately need

to be forgiven.

Brett ultimately came to understand that forgiving and "unforgivable"

hurt is not based on the worthiness of the recipient of forgiveness,

but on the worthiness of Christ himself. The Bible teaches that we are bound

to forgiveness for one simple reason:

because God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ.

"Forgive as the Lord forgave", Paul commands in Col 3:13 . How did Christ

forgive? Freely, completely, without basing his forgiveness on our merit. He

forgave us unilaterally, offering forgiveness before we asked,

before we were aware of our sin and the pain it caused him,

before we came to him in repentance.

Forgiveness does more that release the perpetrator for the bondage of

his wrongdoing. It releases the victim as well. Forgiveness frees

the forgiver from the bondage of anger and bitterness that keeps him distant

from the love of God. We can forgive the most "unforgivable" of offenses

against us when we focus our attention not on the offender, but on Christ,

who forgave us.



Application



a) Have I ever harboured unforgiveness toward another person?

What was the result in my spiritual/emotional life?



b) Is there someone in my life who has hurt me, who I need to forgive?

How can this verse help me extend the forgiveness to that person?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



2 Cor 9:8,11



8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you,

so that you, always having enough of everything,

may abound to every good work.

11 So you will be enriched in everything to all bountifulness,

which makes us give thanks to God.



8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having

all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

11 being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through

us thanksgiving to God.



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



When you are Facing Pain and Suffering



Ps 9:9-12



9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You,

for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

11 Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion;

declare His deeds among the people.

12 He who avenges deaths remembers them;

He does not forget the cry of the humble.



Waw

9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

A refuge in times of trouble.

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:

For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Zain

11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion:

Declare among the people his doings.

12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them:

He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further



30 day of Prayers from 18 March 2023 to 18 April 2023





Pray for the Afar of Ethiopia




Luke 15:4



4 (Eze 34:11-12; 34:16) "What man among you having a hundred sheep

and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness

and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?



[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth

not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is

lost, until he find it?



The Afar people group mostly live in East Africa, in the nations of Ethiopia,

Djbouti and Eritrea. They are almost entirely Muslim - there are less than

0.5% known believers in their ethnic group. With a population of only

2 million, they are a small population but they have existed for centuries

- they claim to be the descendants of Ham, the son of Noah. The Afar have

been known as Muslims since the earliest recording of them, although there

are traces of their ancient spiritual beliefs in their customs,

such as wearing amulets, divination and folk magic.



Most Afar - around 1.5 million - live in Ethiopia. Most of them live

a nomadic life and work as herdsmen, while others work in the salt

mines of the Danakil Depression - a feature of the dry land where

they have survived heat and drought for generations.



There are many obstacles to the Afar people hearing the gospel.

Their nomadic lifestyle, a strong cultural identity shaped around Islam,

and social pressure to remain faithful to the tribal beliefs make it

very challenging to introduce the message of Jesus. As drought and famine

force more Afar into urban areas for work, they may have more opportunities

to meet a Christian but it is still unlikely.



How to Pray



Pray for the Afar people to have dreams

and visions of Jesus that lead to salvation.



Pray that ministries in Ethiopia will find creative ways

of sharing the gospel with the Afar.



Ask the Lord to bless the Afar people, and to send them

ways to experience His great love for them.



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



7th Day of the Month



a) Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society

and be their help



(

Ps 34:18 - The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,

and saves the contrite of spirit.



18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;

And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.



Ps 145: 14 - 16



14 The Lord upholds all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon You,

and You give them their food in due season.

16 You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.



Samek

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

Ain

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;

And thou givest them their meat in due season.

Pe

16 Thou openest thine hand,

And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.



)



b) Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your

city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.

(



Romans 12:4-8



4 (1Co 12:12-14)For just as we have many parts in one body,

and not all parts have the same function,

5(1Co 10:17; 12:20)so we, being many, are one body in Christ,

and all are parts of one another.

6(Ac 13:1; 1Co 13:2)We have diverse gifts according to the grace that

is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;

7 (Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11)if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching;

8 (2Co 9:7; 1Co 12:28) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with

generosity; he who rules, with diligence;

he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.



4 For as we have many members in one body,

and all members have not the same office:

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ,

and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that

is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according

to the proportion of faith;

7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let

him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.



Col 3:17



17(1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20)And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.



17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.



)





Conclusion:



Lord Jesus, l know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I

believe that You died for my sins and l trust in You alone for my salvation. I

choose to turn away from the things in my life of which You don't approve

and now surrender my life to You. I invite You to come and reign and rule in

my heart and fife and open my spirit Establish Your presence within me

and please bring me Your peace. I want to know the power of the Holy Spirit

working in me and live forever with You in the Kingdom of God. I choose to

trust and follow You as my Lord and saviour. Amen



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a good steward of what the Lord has given you

and to dedicate your children to Him.



Pray to the Lord: "Father God, I'm grateful for every good thing

You've brought into my life. And most of all, I'm grateful for You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a genuine forgiver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to receive His Grace.



Pray to the Lord and pray to put your trust in the Lord,

]even in tiems of troubles.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray for the Afar people to have dreams

and visions of Jesus that lead to salvation.



Pray that ministries in Ethiopia will find creative ways

of sharing the gospel with the Afar.



Ask the Lord to bless the Afar people, and to send them

ways to experience His great love for them..



Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society

and be their help



Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your

city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.





Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Google Gemini reviews Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child

I can provide you with some reviews and insights into "Doctor Who: An Unearthly

Child" to help you form your own opinion:



Background



"An Unearthly Child" is the very first serial of Doctor Who, originally airing

in four parts in November 1963. It introduces viewers to the Doctor, his

granddaughter Susan, and the companions Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright.

The serial is a historical adventure, landing the TARDIS in prehistoric Earth.



Review



Here's a breakdown of some key points:



Groundbreaking for Television: For its time, "An Unearthly Child" was

a groundbreaking show. The concept of a time-traveling alien was original,

and the serial tackled social issues like classism

that were rarely seen on television at the time.



Slow Pace by Modern Standards: Viewers accustomed to the fast-paced action of

modern Doctor Who might find "An Unearthly Child" slow. The dialogue can be

exposition-heavy, and the plot unfolds gradually.



Characters Still Developing: The Doctor, Susan, Ian, and Barbara were all

introduced in this serial. Their personalities and dynamics are still being

established, which can feel underdeveloped compared to later seasons.



Historical Accuracy (or Lack Thereof): The portrayal of prehistoric humanity

in "An Unearthly Child" is not entirely accurate by today's standards.

However, historical accuracy wasn't a major focus of the show in its early

days.



Reception



Positive: Praised for its originality, themes, and introduction of the

TARDIS and the Doctor.



Negative: Criticised for its slow pace, dialogue, and lack of historical

accuracy.



Overall Thoughts



"An Unearthly Child" holds historical significance as the birth of Doctor Who.

While it might not hold up entirely by modern standards, it's a valuable piece

of television history that laid the foundation for one of the longest-running

science fiction shows ever.



Would I recommend watching it?:



If you're a die-hard Doctor Who fan or interested in television history,

"An Unearthly Child" is a must-watch. However, if you're new to the show

and prefer fast-paced action adventures, you might want to start with a later

serial.

Day 97 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 6 April 2024 reflections

Day 97, 6 April 2024



1) Ruth

1 Chronicles 2:9-55

1 Chronicles 4:1-23

1 Samuel 1:1-8



RUTH 1



Naomi Loses



1 (Ge 12:10; 26:1) In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine

in the land. And a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the land

of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.

2 (Ge 35:19) The name of the man was Elimelek, the name of his wife

was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion.

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. And they went to Moab

and lived there.

3 Now Elimelek, the husband of Naomi, died,

so she was left alone with her two sons.

4 (Mt 1:5) They took Moabite wives for themselves; the name of one

was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years.

5 Then Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left

without her two sons and her husband.

6 (Ex 4:31; Ps 132:15) So she got up with her daughters-in-law to return

from the land of Moab, for in the land of Moab, she had heard

that the Lord had visited His people by giving them food.

7 She set out from the place where she had been,

with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way

to return to the land of Judah.

8 (Ru 1:5; 2:20) Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law,

"Go, return each to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly

with you, as you have dealt with your deceased husbands and with me.

9 (Ru 3:1) May the Lord grant that you each find rest

in the house of another husband."

Then she kissed them, and they raised their voices and wept aloud.

10 They said to her, "We will return with you to your people."

11 (Ge 38:11; Dt 25:5) But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters.

Why would you go with me? Are there sons in my womb,

who could become your husbands?

12 Turn back, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband.

Even if I thought that there was still hope for me, that I could have

a husband tonight and give birth to sons,

13 (Jdg 2:15; Job 19:2) 1would you wait until they were grown?

Would you refrain from getting married? No, my daughters.

It is much more bitter for me than for you, for the hand of the Lord

has turned against me."

14 (Pr 17:17; 18:24) Then they raised their voices and wept aloud once more.

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 (Jdg 11:24; Jos 24:15) Naomi said, "Look, your sister-in-law has returned

to her people and her gods. Return with her!"

16 (Ru 2:11-12) But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back

from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay,

I will stay. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

17 (1Sa 3:17; 25:22) Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.

May the Lord do thus to me, and worse,

if anything but death separates you and me!"

18 (Ac 21:14) When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her,

she said no more to her.

19 (Mt 21:10) So they both went on until they came to Bethlehem.

When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them,

and the women asked, "Is this Naomi?"

20 (Job 6:4) But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara,

because the Almighty has brought great bitterness to me.

21 (Job 1:21) I was full when I left, but the Lord has caused me to return

empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the Lord has opposed me?

The Almighty has brought misfortune upon me!"

22 (Ru 2:23; 2Sa 21:9) So Naomi returned from the land of Moab

with Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law.

They came to Bethlehem at the start of the spring barley harvest.



Ruth 1

[1] Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a

famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in

the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

[2] And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi,

and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of

Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

[3] And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

[4] And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was

Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten

years.

[5] And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of

her two sons and her husband.

[6] Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the

country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD

had visited his people in giving them bread.

[7] Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two

daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land

of Judah.

[8] And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her

mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the

dead, and with me.

[9] The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of

her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

[10] And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy

people.

[11] And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are

there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

[12] Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an

husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to

night, and should also bear sons;

[13] Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them

from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your

sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

[14] And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her

mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

[15] And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people,

and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

[16] And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from

following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou

lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

[17] Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do

so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

[18] When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she

left speaking unto her.

[19] So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass,

when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them,

and they said, Is this Naomi?

[20] And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the

Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

[21] I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why

then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the

Almighty hath afflicted me?

[22] So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with

her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem

in the beginning of barley harvest.



RUTH 2



Ruth Meets Boaz



1 (Ru 3:2; 3:12) Now Naomi had a relative of her husband,

a man of prominence and means from the clan of Elimelek. His name was Boaz.

2 (Lev 19:9; 23:22) Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go into

the field and glean among the heads of grain behind anyone

in whose eyes I may find favor."

Naomi said to her, "Go, my daughter.."

3 So she went to glean in the field behind the harvesters. She happened

to come to a part of the field belonging to Boaz,

who was from the clan of Elimelek.

4 (Ps 129:7-8; Lk 1:28) Just then Boaz came from Bethlehem

and said to the harvesters, "May the Lord be with you!"

And they said to him, "May the Lord bless you."

5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of his harvesters,

"Whose young woman is this?"

6 (Ru 1:22) So the servant who was in charge of his harvesters answered,

"She is the young Moabitess woman who came back with Naomi

from the land of Moab.

7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather grain among the bundles

behind the harvesters.' So she came and has remained from morning

until now, though she rested a little while in the house."

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter. Do not go to glean

in another field and leave this one. Stay close to my young women.

9 Keep your eyes on the field in which they reap and follow after them.

I have commanded the men not to touch you. When you are thirsty,

go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn."

10 (1Sa 25:23) So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground,

and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes,

that you should acknowledge me, a foreigner?"

11 Boaz answered and said to her, "I have been told all that you have done

for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband,

and how you left your father and mother and your homeland

and came to a people you did not know before.

12 (1Sa 24:19; Ru 1:16) May the Lord reward your deeds.

May you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel,

under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

13 (Ge 33:15; 1Sa 1:18) Then she said, "May I find favor in your eyes,

my lord, for you have comforted me and have spoken kindly

to your servant, though I am not like one of your servant girls."

14 (Ru 2:18) At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come over here,

and eat some bread, and dip your piece in the vinegar."

So she sat down beside the harvesters, and he passed her some roasted grain.

She ate and was full and had some left over.

15 When she got up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men,

"Let her glean even among the bundles, and do not harm her.

16 Also pull out some grain for her from the bundles and leave it

so that she may glean it, and do not rebuke her."

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out

what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah

[Likely about 30 pounds, or 13 kilograms.]

of barley.

18 (Ru 2:14) She took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law

saw what she had gleaned. She drew it out and gave her what she had left,

after she had been satisfied.

19 (Ru 2:10; Ps 41:1) Her mother-in-law said to her,

"Where did you glean today, and where did you work?

May he who took notice of you be blessed."

So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked,

and said, "The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz."

20 (2Sa 2:5; Ru 3:9-10) Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law,

"May he be blessed of the Lord who has not withdrawn His kindness

to the living and to the dead." Naomi said to her, "This man is

a close relative of ours, one of our redeeming relatives."

21 Then Ruth the Moabitess said, "He even told me, 'You should stay close

to my servants until they have finished all my harvest.' "

22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law,

"It is better, my daughter, that you go with his young women,

for in someone else's field you might be harmed."

23 So she stayed close to the young women of Boaz to glean until

the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest.

And she lived with her mother-in-law.



Ruth 2

[1] And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the

family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

[2] And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and

glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said

unto her, Go, my daughter.

[3] And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and

her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of

the kindred of Elimelech.

[4] And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The

LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

[5] Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose

damsel is this?

[6] And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is

the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

[7] And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers

among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning

until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

[8] Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean

in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

[9] Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after

them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and

when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the

young men have drawn.

[10] Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said

unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take

knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

[11] And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all

that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband:

and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy

nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

[12] The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the

LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

[13] Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou

hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine

handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

[14] And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the

bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers:

and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and

left.

[15] And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men,

saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

[16] And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave

them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

[17] So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had

gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

[18] And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw

what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had

reserved after she was sufficed.

[19] And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day?

and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee.

And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The

man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

[20] And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who

hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said

unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

[21] And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast

by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

[22] And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter,

that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other

field.

[23] So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley

harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.



RUTH 3



Ruth's Redemption



1 (Ru 1:9) One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her,

"My daughter, why should I not find a home that will be good for you?

2 (Ru 2:8) Now is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women

you have been working? Tonight he winnows barley on the threshing floor.

3 (2Sa 14:2) Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes.

Then go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know

you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.

4 When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying.

Go in and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what you will do."

5 She said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did all that

her mother-in-law had instructed.

7 (Jdg 19:6; 19:9) When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry,

he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.

Then Ruth came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

8 At midnight, the man was startled and rolled over; and there,

a woman was lying at his feet.

9 (Ru 2:20; Eze 16:8) He said, "Who are you?"

And she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant.

Spread your cloak over me, for you are a redeeming kinsman."

10 (Ru 2:20; 1:8) He said, "May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter.

You have shown your last act of kindness to be greater than the first,

because you have not pursued young men, whether poor or rich.

11 (Pr 12:4; 31:10) So now, my daughter, do not worry. All that you ask me,

I will do for you. All of my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman

of noble character.

12 (Ru 4:1) Now it is true that I am a redeeming kinsman.

Yet there is another redeemer closer than I am.

13 (Jdg 8:19; Ru 4:5) Stay here tonight, and in the morning

if he wants to redeem you, very well. Let him do so.

Yet if he does not want to redeem you, then I will redeem you.

I will, as the Lord lives! Sleep here until morning."

14 (Ro 14:16; 2Co 8:21) So she lay at his feet until morning,

but she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said,

"It must not be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."

15 He said, "Bring me the shawl you have on you, and hold it."

So she held it, and he poured six measures of barley into it

and placed it on her. Then she went into the city.

16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi said,

"How did it go, my daughter?"

Then she told her all that Boaz had done for her.

17 She said, "He gave me these six ephahs of barley, for he said to me,

'Do not return to your mother-in-law empty-handed.' "

18 (Ps 37:3-5) Then Naomi said, "Wait here, my daughter, until you learn

what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."



Ruth 3

[1] Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not

seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

[2] And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast?

Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

[3] Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee,

and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man,

until he shall have done eating and drinking.

[4] And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place

where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee

down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

[5] And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

[6] And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her

mother in law bade her.

[7] And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to

lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered

his feet, and laid her down.

[8] And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned

himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

[9] And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid:

spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

[10] And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast

shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as

thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

[11] And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou

requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous

woman.

[12] And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a

kinsman nearer than I.

[13] Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will

perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's

part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do

the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the

morning.

[14] And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one

could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into

the floor.

[15] Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And

when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her:

and she went into the city.

[16] And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my

daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

[17] And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to

me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

[18] Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter

will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing

this day.





RUTH 4



Boaz Marries Ruth



1 (Ru 3:12) So Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there.

And now the redeemer of whom he had spoken passed by,

and Boaz said, "Come over, friend, and sit here."

So he went over and sat down.

2 (1Ki 21:8; Pr 31:23) Then Boaz took ten men from among the elders

of the town and said, "Sit here." So they sat down.

3 He said to the redeemer, "Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab,

must sell the plot of land belonging to our brother Elimelek.

4 I thought I should inform you and say, 'Buy it in the presence of those

sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want

to redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not redeem it, tell me

so that I know, for there is no one prior to you to redeem it,

and I am next after you.' "

So he said, "I will redeem it."

5 (Ge 38:8; Dt 25:5-6) Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field

from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabitess,

the wife of the deceased, to perpetuate the name of the deceased

through his inheritance."

6 The redeemer replied, "I am not able to redeem it for myself lest

I ruin my own inheritance. Take my redemption rights for yourself,

for I cannot do it."

7 (Dt 25:7-10) (Now this was the custom in ancient times in Israel

for redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, a man would

remove his sandal and give it to his neighbor.

This was a binding act in Israel.)

8 Therefore the redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it yourself,"

and he removed his sandal.

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses today

that I have bought everything that belonged to Elimelek, Kilion,

and Mahlon from Naomi.

10 (Dt 25:6) Moreover I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess,

the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, in order to preserve the name

of the deceased man for his inheritance, so that his name will not be

cut off from among his brothers or from his town.

You are witnesses this day."

11 (Dt 25:9; Ge 29:32-30:24) Then all the people who were at the gate,

along with the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman

who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built up

the house of Israel. May you do well in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem!

12 (Ge 38:29; 46:12) May your house be like the house of Perez,

whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring

that the Lord will give you by this young woman."



Ruth 4

[1] Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the

kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn

aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

[2] And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down

here. And they sat down.

[3] And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the

country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother

Elimelech's:

[4] And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants,

and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but

if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none

to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem

it.

[5] Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi,

thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise

up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

[6] And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own

inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

[7] Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming

and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his

shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

[8] Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off

his shoe.

[9] And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses

this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was

Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

[10] Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be

my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the

name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate

of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

[11] And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are

witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel

and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily

in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

[12] And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto

Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.



RUTH 4



The Genealogy of David



13 (Ge 29:31; 33:5) So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife.

When they came together, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.

14 (Lk 1:58) Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not

left you without a redeemer. May he become famous in Israel!

15 (1Sa 1:8) He will be a comfort for your soul and support you in your

old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better

to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."

16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him on her lap, and became his nurse.

17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi!"

And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18 (1Ch 2:4-8; Mt 1:3-6) Now these are the descendants of Perez:

Perez was the father of Hezron,

19 Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab,

20 (Nu 1:7) Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

21 (Mt 1:5; Lk 3:32) Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

22 Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.



[13] So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her,

the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

[14] And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left

thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

[15] And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of

thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better

to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

[16] And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse

unto it.

[17] And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son

born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the

father of David.

[18] Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,

[19] And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,

[20] And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,

[21] And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

[22] And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.



1 Chron 2



9 Ru 4:19; 1Ch 2:42Now the sons of Hezron, who were born to him, were

Jerahmeel, Ram, and Kelubai.



Sons of Ram



10 (Mt 1:4; Nu 1:7)Ram became the father of

Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,

a leader of the sons of Judah.

11 (Ru 4:21; Mt 1:4-5) Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma

became the father of Boaz. 12Boaz became the father of Obed,

and Obed became the father of Jesse.

13 (1 Sa 17:13) Now Jesse became the father of

his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,

14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,

15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh;

16 (1Sa 26:6) their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail.

The sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three in all.

17 (2Sa 17:25) Abigail bore Amasa: the father of Amasa was Jether

the Ishmaelite.



Sons of Caleb



18 Caleb the son of Hezron had children with his wife Azubah and with Jerioth.

These are her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.

19 (1Ch 2:50) Now Azubah died, and Caleb took Ephrath as a wife. She bore Hur

for him.

20 (Ex 31:2) Hur became the father of Uri,

and Uri became the father of Bezalel.

21 (Nu 27:1) Afterward Hezron had relations with the daughter of Makir,

the father of Gilead, whom he took as a wife when he was sixty years old,

and she bore Segub for him.

22 Segub became the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land

of Gilead.

23 He took Geshur and Aram, the towns of Jair, from them,

with Kenath and its villages, sixty towns. All these were descendants

of Makir, the father of Gilead.

24 (1Ch 4:5) After the death of Hezron in Caleb Ephrathah, Hezron's wife

Abijah bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.



Sons of Jerahmeel



25 Now the sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were

Ram the firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

26 Jerahmeel also had another wife. Her name was Atarah,

and she was the mother of Onam.

27 The sons of Ram the firstborn of Je­rahmeel were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.

28 The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada.

And the sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur.

29 The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail. She bore him Ahban and Molid.

30 The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim, but Seled died without children.

31 (1Ch 2:34-35) The son of Appaim was Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan,

and the son of Sheshan was Ahlai.

32 The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai were

Jether and Jonathan, but Jether died without children.

33 The sons of Jonathan were

Peleth and Zaza.

These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

34 Now Sheshan had no children except daughters,

but he did have a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.

35 Sheshan gave one of his daughters to Jarha his servant as a wife,

and she bore him Attai.

36 (1Ch 11:41) Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became

the father of Zabad.

37 Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed.

38 Obed became the father of Jehu, and Jehu became the father of Azariah.

39 Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah.

40 Eleasah became the father of Sismai,

and Sismai became the father of Shallum.

41 Shallum became the father of Jekamiah,

and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama.



Caleb's Clans



42 Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn,

who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.

43 The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.

44 Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam,

and Rekem became the father of Shammai.

45 Jos 15:58The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.

46 Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez,

and Haran became the father of Gazez.

47 The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.

48 Maakah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.

49 Jos 15:31She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah,

Sheva the father of Makbenah, and the father of Gibea.

The daughter of Caleb was Aksah.

50 These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah:

Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,

51 (1Ch 4:4) Salma the father of Bethlehem,

and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

52 (1Ch 4:2) Now sons were born to Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim:

Haroeh and half of the Manahathites.

53 (2Sa 23:38) The families of Kiriath Jearim were the Ithrites, the Puthites,

the Shumathites, and the Mishraites. From these the Zorathites

and the Eshtaolites went forth.

54 (Ezr 2:22; Ne 7:26) The sons of Salma were

Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half

of the Manahath­ites, the Zorites.

55 (Jdg 1:16; 2Ki 10:15) The families of the scribes who lived at Jabez were

the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Sucathites. They are the Kenites

who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rekab.



9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram,

and Chelubai.

10 And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon,

prince of the children of Judah;

11 and Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,

12 and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,

13 and Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second,

and Shimma the third,

14 Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,

15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:

16 whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah;

Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

17 And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.

18 And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife,

and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.

19 And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.

20 And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel.

21 And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father

of Gilead, whom he married when he was threescore years old;

and she bare him Segub.

22 And Segub begat Jair, who had three and twenty cities

in the land of Gilead.

23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair,

from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities.

All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.

24 And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-ephratah, then Abiah Hezron's wife

bare him Ashur the father of Tekoa.

25 And the sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were, Ram the firstborn,

and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, and Ahijah.

26 Jerahmeel had also another wife, whose name was Atarah;

she was the mother of Onam.

27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin,

and Eker.

28 And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and Jada. And the sons of Shammai;

Nadab, and Abishur.

29 And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail,

and she bare him Ahban, and Molid.

30 And the sons of Nadab; Seled, and Appaim: but Seled died without children.

31 And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan.

And the children of Sheshan; Ahlai.

32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan:

and Jether died without children.

33 And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza.

These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

34 Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant,

an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.

35 And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife;

and she bare him Attai.

36 And Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat Zabad,

37 and Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,

38 and Obed begat Jehu, and Jehu begat Azariah,

39 and Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Eleasah,

40 and Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum,

41 and Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begat Elishama.

42 Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were, Mesha his firstborn,

which was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.

43 And the sons of Hebron; Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.

44 And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rekem begat Shammai.

45 And the son of Shammai was Maon: and Maon was the father of Beth-zur.

46 And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez:

and Haran begat Gazez.

47 And the sons of Jahdai; Regem, and Jotham, and Gesham, and Pelet,

and Ephah, and Shaaph.

48 Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah.

49 She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father

of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsa.

50 These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah;

Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim,

51 Salma the father of Beth-lehem, Hareph the father of Beth-gader.

52 And Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim had sons; Haroeh,

and half of the Manahethites.

53 And the families of Kirjath-jearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites,

and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites,

and the Eshtaulites.

54 The sons of Salma; Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth,

the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.

55 And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites,

the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath,

the father of the house of Rechab.



1 Chronicles 4



Other Sons of Judah



1 (Ge 46:12; 38:29) The sons of Judah

were Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur, and Shobal.

2 Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father of Jahath,

and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad.

These are the families of the Zorathites.

3 These were the sons of the father of Etam:

Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. The name of their sister was Hazzelelponi.

4 (1Ch 2:50; 4:18) Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father

of Hushah.

These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah,

the father of Bethlehem.

5 (1Ch 2:24) Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives: Helah and Naarah.

6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari.

These were the sons of Naarah.

7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan.

8 Koz became the father of Anub and Hazzobebah

and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

9 (Ge 34:19) Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers,

and his mother called his name Jabez, saying,

"Because I bore him in hardship."

10 Then Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying,

"Oh, that You would indeed bless me and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil,

that it may not bring me hardship!" So God granted what he asked.

11 Kelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir,

who was the father of Eshton.

12 Eshton became the father of Beth Rapha,

aseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. These were the men of Rekah.

13 (Jos 15:17; Jdg 1:13) The sons of Kenaz were

Othniel and Seraiah,

and the sons of Othniel were

Hathath and Meonothai.

14 Meonothai became the father of Ophrah,

and Seraiah became the father of Joab,

the father of Ge Harashim, for they were craftsmen.

15 (Nu 13:6) The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh

were Iru, Elah, and Naam,and the son of Elah was Kenaz.

16 The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.

17 The sons of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon,

and Mered's wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18 (1Ch 4:4) His Judean wife bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber

the father of Soko, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.

So these were the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.

19 (Jos 15:44) The sons of his wife Hodiah, the sister of Naham,

were the father of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maakathite.

20 The sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon.

And the sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.

21 (Ge 38:5; 46:12) The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were

Er the father of Lekah, Laadah the father of Mareshah,

the families of the house of workers of fine linen at Beth Ashbea;

22 Jokim, the men of Kozeba, Joash, Saraph, who was lord in Moab,

and Jashubi Lehem (these records are ancient).

23 They were the potters, those dwelling at Netaim and Gederah

(they dwelt there with the king for his work).



Sons of Judah



1 The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai,

and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.

3 And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash:

and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi:

4 and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah.

These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah,

the father of Beth-lehem.

5 And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

6 And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari.

These were the sons of Naarah.

7 And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan.

8 And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families

of Aharhel the son of Harum.

9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:

and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless

me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me,

and that thou wouldest keep me from evil,

that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

11 And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, which was the father of Eshton.

12 And Eshton begat Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father

of Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah.

13 And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah:

and the sons of Othniel; Hathath.

14 And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father

of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.

15 And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam:

and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.

16 And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.

17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon:

and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18 And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber

the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.

And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.

19 And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham,

the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.

20 And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan,

and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Ben-zoheth.

21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah,

and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them

that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,

22 and Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph,

who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem. And these are ancient things.

23 These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges:

there they dwelt with the king for his work.



1 Samuel 1:1-8



1 SAMUEL 1



The Birth of Samuel



1 (1Sa 1:19; 1Ch 6:34) Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim Zuphim,

in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,

the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

2 And he had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the second

was Peninnah. Now Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 (Ex 23:14; Dt 12:5-7) This man went up out of his city annually to worship

and to sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts in Shiloh. And there the two sons of Eli,

Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord.

4 (Dt 12:17-18; 16:11) When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave

portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters.

5 (Ge 30:2) But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved Hannah,

but the Lord had closed her womb.

6 Now her rival provoked her greatly, making her miserable because the Lord

had closed her womb.

7 Thus it was yearly, when she went up to the house of the Lord,

that she provoked her. So Hannah wept and did not eat.

8 (Ru 4:15) Then said Elkanah her husband to her, "Hannah, why are

you weeping? And why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved?

Am I not better to you than ten sons?"



[1] Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and

his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu,

the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

[2] And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of

the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

[3] And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice

unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and

Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

[4] And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his

wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

[5] But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the

LORD had shut up her womb.

[6] And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because

the LORD had shut up her womb.

[7] And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the

LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

[8] Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why

eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than

ten sons?



2) Our Daily Bread for 6 April 2024 titled



Our New Nature in Christ




Ephesians 4:17-28



The Old Life and New Life



17 (Ro 1:21; Eph 2:1-3) Therefore this I say and testify in the Lord,

that from now on you walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity

of their minds,

18 (Eph 2:12; Gal 4:8) having their understanding darkened, excluded

from the life of God through the ignorance that is within them,

due to the hardness of their hearts.

19 (1Ti 4:2) Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality

for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

20 But you did not learn about Christ in this manner,

21 (Eph 1:13) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him,

as the truth is in Jesus:

22 (Ro 6:6; Heb 3:13) that you put off the former way of life in the old

nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23 (Ro 12:2; Col 3:10) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 (Ro 6:4; Eph 2:10) and that you put on the new nature,

which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.



[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk

not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

[18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God

through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their

heart:

[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness,

to work all uncleanness with greediness.

[20] But ye have not so learned Christ;

[21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the

truth is in Jesus:

[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which

is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in

righteousness and true holiness.



Rules for the New Life



25 (Col 3:9; Zec 8:16; Ro 12:5) Therefore, putting away lying, let every man

speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

26 (Ps 37:8; 4:4) Be angry but do not sin.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

27 (Jas 4:7) Do not give place to the devil.

28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more. Instead,

let him labour, working with his hands things which are good,

that he may have something to share with him who is in need.



[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.

[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

[27] Neither give place to the devil.

[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working

with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that

needeth.



Our blue spruce was dropping pinecones and needles. The tree doctor took one

look at it and explained the problem. "It's just being a spruce," he said.

I'd hoped for a better explanation. Or a remedy. But the tree man shrugged,

saying again, "It's just being a spruce." By nature, the tree sheds

needles. It can't change.



Thankfully, our spiritual lives aren't limited by unchangeable actions

or attitudes. Paul stressed this liberating truth to the new believers

at Ephesus. The gentiles were "darkened in their understanding," he said,

their minds closed to God. They possessed hardened hearts containing

"every kind of impurity," and sought only

after pleasures and greed (Ephesians 4:18-19).



But "since you have heard about Jesus" and His truth, the apostle wrote,

"throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life" (v. 22 nlt).

Paul noted how our old nature "is corrupted by lust and deception." He said,

"Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature,

created to be like God-truly righteous and holy" (vv. 22-24 nlt).



Then he listed new ways to live. Stop lying. Resist anger. Stop cursing.

Quit stealing. "Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give

generously to others in need" (v. 28 nlt). Our new self in Christ allows

us to live a life worthy of our calling, yielded to our Saviour's way.



By: Patricia Raybon



Reflect & Pray



What does it mean to put on your "new self"?

How can you seek to walk the Saviour's way?



Renew my nature today, dear Jesus,

as I yield to become more like You.



Learn more about developing your new nature in Christ.



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



Hebrews 7:8



8 In the one case mortal men receive tithes,

but in the other he of whom it is witnessed

that he is alive receives them.



8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them,

of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.



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



When you are Facing Pain and Suffering



2 Cor 12:7-10



7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance

of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan,

to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.

8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.

9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made

perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships,

in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.



7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of

the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is

made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,

in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak,

then am I strong.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





Pray for the Cham




Romans 10:15



15 (Isa 52:7; Na 1:15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach

the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good things!"(Isa 52:7.)



[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How

beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring

glad tidings of good things!



The Cham people originate from the ancient Champa Kingdom located

in present-day Vietnam. A large number of them migrated west into Cambodia

forming what is now considered a separate ethnic group, the Western Cham.

They represent 3% of the population of Cambodia, about 600,000 people.



Most Cambodians are of the Khmer people group and follow Buddhism.

The Western Cham are almost all Muslim and can be found in nearly every

province of Cambodia, though the largest populations occur in the provinces

of Kampong Cham and Kampong Chhnang, where large river systems are located.



Some Cham Muslims practice a form of Islam, unique to them, that was

developed from their own traditional practices and the Islam introduced

by Arab traders. However, Islamic missionary efforts to Cambodia

have encouraged people to follow more common forms of Islam,

as practiced globally.



Nop is an 84-year-old Cham lady who lives in Cambodia. A Christian friend

gave her an audio New Testament in her own language and she listened to

the gospel message from morning until evening. Every day she would listen

to her audio bible, and then one day she asked her friend if she could be

baptised. Her friend was surprised as she had never shared about baptism

with Nop, but Nop learned about it from just listening to God's word.



God's word is alive and truly is at work in people's hearts,

even among the Cham.



How to Pray



The New Testament is available in the Cham language

both in written and audio form. Pray that when people read

or listen to His word, God will reveal Himself so that

they will come to know Jesus.



Pray for more Christian missionaries to serve among the Cham

and for them to have more opportunities to hear the gospel.



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



6th Day of the Month



a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community



(

Deut 4:6-7



6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7 ) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and

your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these

statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and

understanding people."

7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near

to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?



6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and

your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these

statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and

understanding people.

7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,

as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?



Matt 5:13-16



13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt

loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for

nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.

14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden.

15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) 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.

16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine before men that they

may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.



13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set

on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on

a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.



Acts 1:8



8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes

upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."



8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."



b) Pray for the province of British Columbia



I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to

act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.

( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4) 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, 2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings

and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life

in all godliness and honesty, 3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and

acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all

men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 for kings,

and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable

life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign and booklet

to turn many hearts to Jesus



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to expand your godly influence and thank Him for

His ordering of history and His redemption.



Pray to the Lord: "Renew my nature today, dear Jesus,

as I yield to become more like You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to break up fallow grouond in your life

and reap righteousness.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for the tihes and offerings

you give to go to righteousness.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for strength in illness.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for thousands of Christ-exacting,

multiplying house churches in the 27

languages spoken in this city.

- Pray fora mighty movement of prayer to

sweep over the house churches.

- Pray for Tripoli to be a sending place,

impacting the entire nation and the region

with the delivering power of Jesus.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to destroy

the works of the devil.



Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every community



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God



Day 96 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 5 April 2024 reflections

Day 96, 5 April 2024



1) Judges 19, Judges 20, Judges 21



JUDGES 19



A Levite and His Concubine



1 (Jdg 18:1; 17:8) In those days, when there was no king in Israel,

there was a certain Levite living as resident foreigner in a remote

part of the hill country of Ephraim. He took a concubine for himself

from Bethlehem in Judah.

2 Yet his concubine became angry with him and went away from him

to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah. She was there for four months.

3 (Ge 34:3; 50:21) Her husband got up and went after her in order to speak

tenderly to her and bring her back. His servant and two donkeys were with

him. When he came to her father's house, the girl's father saw him

and was happy to meet with him.

4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay with him

for three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.

5 (Ge 18:5; Jdg 19:8) On the fourth day they woke up early in the morning.

He got ready to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law,

"Strengthen yourself with a little food, and then you can go."

6 (Jdg 16:25; 19:9) So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together.

Then the girl's father said to the man,

"Please spend the night and let your heart be merry."

7 The man got up to go, but his father-in-law urged him until he turned back

and spent the night there.

8 He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go. The girl's father said,

"Please, strengthen yourself and wait until later in the day."

So the two of them ate.

9 Then the man got up to go: he, his concubine, and his servant.

His father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! It is getting dark.

Spend the night! Settle in and spend the night here, let your heart be merry.

You can get up early tomorrow and go home."

10 (Jos 15:8; 15:63) Yet the man did not want to spend the night,

so he got up and left and approached Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).

Two saddled donkeys and his concubine were with him.

11 When they were near Jebus, it was getting very late.

The servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside

to this Jebusite city and spend the night in it."

12 His master said to him, "We must not turn aside to a city of foreigners,

who are not children of Israel. We will continue on to Gibeah."

13 He said to his servant, "Come, let us go to one of these places.

We will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."

14 They continued and went on. The sun went down

when they were near Gibeah in Benjamin.

15 (Jdg 19:18) So they turned aside there to go and spend the night

in Gibeah. They went in and sat in the city square,

but no one took them in to spend the night.

16 (Jdg 19:1; Ps 104:23) Just then, an old man came in at evening time from

his work in the field. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim

and lived as a resident foreigner in Gibeah,

but the townspeople were Benjamites.

17 He looked up and saw the traveler in the city square.

The old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"

18 (Jdg 18:31) He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah

to a remote part of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there.

I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the Lord.

No one has taken me into his home.

19 Yet there is enough straw and fodder for our donkeys, with bread and wine

for me, your maidservant, and the young man who is with your servant.

We do not lack anything."

20 (Jdg 6:23) The old man said, "Do not worry. I will take care of whatever

you need. Just do not spend the night in the city square."

21 (Ge 18:4; 43:24) So he brought him into his house and gave food

to his donkeys. They washed their feet, ate, and drank.

22 (Ge 19:4-5; Dt 13:13) While they were enjoying themselves, the men

of the city, who were wicked men, surrounded the house and pounded

on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house,

"Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him."

23 (Ge 34:7; Jdg 20:6) The master of the house went out to them and said,

"No, my brothers, do not commit this evil act, not after this man has come

into my house. Do not commit this disgrace.

24 (Ge 19:8; Dt 21:14) Here are my virgin daughter and the man's concubine.

Let me bring them out to you. Ravish them and do to them what you please.

But do not commit this vile act against this man."

25 The men were unwilling to listen to him, so the man seized his concubine

and brought her out to them in the street. They knew her and abused her all

night until morning. As the dawn began to break, they let her go.

26 The woman came back at daybreak and fell down at the door of the man's

house where her master was, lying there until it was light.

27 Her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house.

He went out to go on his way, but there was the woman, his concubine,

fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.

28 (Jdg 20:5) He said to her, "Get up, let us be going," but there was

no answer. So the man put her on a donkey and went home.

29 (1Sa 11:7) When he got home, he took a knife and seized his concubine,

then cut her body into twelve pieces. Then he sent her throughout

all the territory of Israel.

30 (Jdg 20:7; Pr 13:10) Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has

been done or seen since the day the children of Israel came out of the land

of Egypt until today. Consider it, take counsel, and speak up!"



Judges 19

[1] And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel,

that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who

took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

[2] And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him

unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.

[3] And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her,

and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses:

and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the

damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

[4] And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode

with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

[5] And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the

morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his

son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go

your way.

[6] And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the

damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry

all night, and let thine heart be merry.

[7] And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him:

therefore he lodged there again.

[8] And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the

damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried

until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

[9] And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his

servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now

the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day

groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow

get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.

[10] But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed,

and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two

asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.

[11] And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant

said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city

of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

[12] And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the

city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over

to Gibeah.

[13] And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of

these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

[14] And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them

when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

[15] And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and

when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no

man that took them into his house to lodging.

[16] And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at

even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the

men of the place were Benjamites.

[17] And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the

street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence

comest thou?

[18] And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the

side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I

am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me

to house.

[19] Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread

and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is

with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.

[20] And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants

lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

[21] So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses:

and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

[22] Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the

city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the

door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth

the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

[23] And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, Nay, my

brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come

into mine house, do not this folly.

[24] Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will

bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto

you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.

[25] But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine,

and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the

night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.

[26] Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the

door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light.

[27] And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house,

and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen

down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.

[28] And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then

the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his

place.

[29] And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on

his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces,

and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

[30] And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done

nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of

Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.



JUDGES 20



The Children of Israel Punish the Benjamites



1 (Jdg 11:11; 21:5) All the children of Israel from Dan to Beersheba,

and also from the land of Gilead, went out and gathered together in

an assembly as one man before the Lord at Mizpah.

2 (Jdg 8:10; 20:15) The leaders of all the people from all the tribes

of Israel presented themselves in an assembly of the people of God,

who numbered four hundred thousand infantrymen bearing swords.

3(The Benjamites heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.)

The children of Israel said, "Tell how this evil happened!"

4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered,

"My concubine and I came to Gibeah, in Benjamin, to spend the night.

5 (Jdg 19:22; 19:25-26) Then the leaders of Gibeah rose up against me.

At night they surrounded the house where I was staying.

They wanted to kill me; instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.

6 (Jdg 19:29; Jos 7:15) I seized my concubine, cut her into pieces,

and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel,

because they committed an infamous and disgraceful act in Israel.

7 (Jdg 19:30) Now, all of you are children of Israel.

Give your advice and counsel here."

8 All the people arose as one man and said, "Not a man among us will go

to his tent, and no one will turn aside to his house.

9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah. We will go against it by lot.

10 We will take ten men out of every hundred, from every tribe of Israel,

a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand,

to bring provisions for the troops. Then when they come to Gibeah

in Benjamin, they may repay them for all the evil

that they committed in Israel."

11 So all the men of Israel gathered at the city, united like one man.

12 (Dt 13:14) The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the whole tribe

of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil that has been committed among you?

13 (Dt 13:13; 17:12) Now hand over the wicked men in Gibeah,

so that we can kill them and purge the evil from Israel."

Yet the Benjamites were not willing to listen

to their fellow children of Israel.

14 The Benjamites gathered from their cities at Gibeah in order to go

out and wage war against the children of Israel.

15 (Nu 26:41) That day, the Benjamites mustered twenty-six thousand armed men

from the cities and seven hundred specially chosen men from Gibeah.

16 (Jdg 3:15; 1Ch 12:2) Out of all these people there were seven hundred

specially chosen men who were left-handed, all of whom could sling

a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 The men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, gathered four hundred thousand

armed men who drew the sword; all of them were men of war.

18 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:23) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel,

and asked God, "Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?"

The Lord said, "Judah first."

19T he children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.

20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin,

and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.

21 (Jdg 20:25) Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah

and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.

22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again

in the place where they had lined up on the first day.

23 (Jdg 20:26-27) Then the children of Israel went up

and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord,

"Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?"

The Lord said, "Advance against them."

24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.

25 (Jdg 20:21) And on the second day, the Benjamites went out from Gibeah

to meet them and again struck eighteen thousand men down to the ground,

every one of them armed.

26 (Jdg 20:23; 20:18) Then all the children of Israel, all the people, went up

to Bethel where they wept and sat before the Lord.

They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace

offerings before the Lord.

27 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 20:18) The children of Israel asked the Lord

(because the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

28 (Dt 18:5; Jos 24:33) and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron,

stood before it then), "Should we go out again to wage war with our

brother-tribesmen the Benjamites, or should we not?"

The Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."

29 (Jos 8:4) So Israel set an ambushing force around Gibeah.

30 The children of Israel went up against the Benjamites on the third day

and lined up at Gibeah as before.

31 The Benjamites went out to engage the people and were drawn away

from the city. They began to strike the people down as before. On the

main roads that go up to Bethel and Gibeah and in the field,

they struck down about thirty children of Israel.

32 The Benjamites said, "They are struck down before us like

at the beginning." But the children of Israel said, "Let us retreat

and draw them away from the city toward the main roads."

33 So all the men of Israel rose up out of their place

and assumed their battle positions at Baal Tamar.

Then the men of Israel in ambush charged out of their places,

out of the meadows of Gibeah.

34 (Jos 8:14; Job 21:13) Ten thousand specially chosen men

from all of Israel came against Gibeah. The battle was fierce,

and the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.

35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and that day the children

of Israel struck down 25100 Benjamites, every one of them armed.

36 The Benjamites saw that they were defeated.

Now the men of Israel had withdrawn from Benjamin, because they relied

on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah.

37 (Jos 8:19) So the ambushing force rushed on and attacked Gibeah.

They struck down the whole city with the edge of the sword.

38 The men of Israel had made an agreement with the ambushing force

that when they sent up a large amount of smoke from the city,

39 (Jdg 20:32) the children of Israel would turn around in battle.

When the Benjamites had begun to strike the children of Israel down,

about thirty men, they said, "Surely they are struck down before us like

at the beginning."

40 (Jos 8:20) Yet when the smoke began to rise up from the city in a column,

the Benjamites looked behind them and suddenly noticed the whole city

going up in smoke to the sky.

41 Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin

were horrified because they saw that disaster had come on them.

42 So they fled from the men of Israel toward the direction

of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. Whoever came out

of the cities destroyed them in their midst.

43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them without rest,

and trampled them down near Gibeah toward the east.

44 Eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.

45 (Jos 15:32; Jdg 21:13) The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness

to Rimmon Rock, and they cut down five thousand men on the main roads.

They pursued them relentlessly until they reached Gidom

and killed two thousand of them.

46 So the Benjamites who fell that day numbered 25000, every one

of them armed, valorous men.

47 However, six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness,

to Rimmon Rock. They dwelled at Rimmon Rock for four months.

48 Yet the men of Israel turned back against the Benjamites

and struck them with the edge of the sword-city inhabitants, animals,

and everything that could be found. Indeed, they set on fire every city

that could be found.



Judges 20

[1] Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was

gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of

Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

[2] And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel,

presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred

thousand footmen that drew sword.

[3] (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were

gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this

wickedness?

[4] And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and

said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to

lodge.

[5] And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about

upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they

forced, that she is dead.

[6] And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout

all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed

lewdness and folly in Israel.

[7] Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and

counsel.

[8] And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to

his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.

[9] But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go

up by lot against it;

[10] And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of

Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to

fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of

Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.

[11] So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together

as one man.

[12] And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin,

saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?

[13] Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in

Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But

the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren

the children of Israel:

[14] But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the

cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

[15] And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the

cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants

of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.

[16] Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded;

every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

[17] And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred

thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.

[18] And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and

asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle

against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up

first.

[19] And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against

Gibeah.

[20] And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men

of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.

[21] And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed

down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

[22] And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their

battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the

first day.

[23] (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until

even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle

against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up

against him.)

[24] And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin

the second day.

[25] And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and

destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen

thousand men; all these drew the sword.

[26] Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came

unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted

that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before

the LORD.

[27] And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the

covenant of God was there in those days,

[28] And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in

those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children

of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to

morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

[29] And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.

[30] And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on

the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other

times.

[31] And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were

drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill,

as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of

God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

[32] And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as

at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them

from the city unto the highways.

[33] And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put

themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came

forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.

[34] And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all

Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.

[35] And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel

destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred

men: all these drew the sword.

[36] So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of

Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in

wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

[37] And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in

wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the

sword.

[38] Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers

in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the

city.

[39] And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to

smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said,

Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.

[40] But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of

smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city

ascended up to heaven.

[41] And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were

amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

[42] Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way

of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of

the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.

[43] Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and

trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

[44] And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of

valour.

[45] And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon:

and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard

after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

[46] So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five

thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.

[47] But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock

Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.

[48] And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and

smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the

beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that

they came to.



JUDGES 21



Wives for the Benjamites



1 (Jdg 20:1; 21:18) In Mizpah the men of Israel had taken an oath:

"No one among us will give his daughter to a Benjamite as his wife."

2 (Jdg 20:26; 20:18) So the people came to Bethel and sat there before

God until evening. They raised their voices and wept, sobbing loudly.

3 They said, "Why, Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel,

that today a tribe is missing from Israel?"

4 (2Sa 24:25) In the morning the people got up early and built an altar

there. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

5 (Jdg 5:23) The children of Israel said, "Who from all the tribes of Israel

did not go up with the assembly to the Lord?" For they vowed a solemn

oath regarding whoever did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah stating,

"He must be killed."

6 (Jdg 21:15) The children of Israel lamented for Benjamin their brother,

and said, "One tribe is cut off from Israel today.

7 (Jdg 21:1) What can we do to find wives for those who are left?

For we swore by the Lord not to give them our daughters as wives."

8 (1Sa 31:11-13) So they said, "Is there anyone from among the tribes

of Israel who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah?" Then they learned

that no one from the camp of Jabesh Gilead had come to the assembly.

9 When the people were counted, indeed, there was not a man there

from among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead.

10 (Jdg 5:23; 21:5) So the assembly sent twelve thousand valorous men there

and commanded them, "Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead

with the edge of the sword, including women and children.

11 (Nu 31:17-18) This is what you will do: You will kill every man

and every woman who has slept with a man."

12 (Jos 18:1) So among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead they found

400 virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them

to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.

13 (Dt 20:10; Jdg 20:47) Then the whole assembly sent someone to speak

to the Benjamites who were at Rimmon Rock, and they declared peace.

14 So the Benjamites returned at that time, and they gave to them the women

who were still alive from among the women of Jabesh Gilead.

Yet they did not find enough for them.

15 (Jdg 21:6) The people felt sorry for Benjamin, for the Lord had made a gap

among the tribes of Israel.

16 The elders of the assembly said, "What can we do to find wives for those

who are left? The Benjamite women were destroyed."

17 They said, "There must be an inheritance for the remnant of Benjamin,

so that a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel.

18 (Jdg 21:1) Yet we cannot give them our daughters for wives,

for the children of Israel swore, 'Cursed be anyone who gives

a wife to Benjamin.' "

19 They said, "Wait! There is an annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh,

which is north of Bethel, east of the main road that goes up from Bethel

to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."

20 So they commanded the Benjamites, "Go and hide in the vineyards.

21 (Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34) Watch, and then when the daughters of Shiloh

come out to dance in the dances, come out from the vineyards

and have every man grab a wife for himself from among

the daughters of Shiloh. Then go to the land of Benjamin.

22 (Jdg 21:1; 21:18) When their fathers or their brothers come to us

to complain, we will say to them, 'Be favorable to them for our sakes,

because we did not take for each man a wife in the battle;

for you have not given women to them at the time,

thereby making yourselves guilty.' "

23 (Jdg 20:48) So the Benjamites did this. They carried away wives

for each man from among the dancers that they caught. Then they

returned to their inheritance, rebuilt the cities, and lived in them.

24 At that time, the children of Israel departed from there each man

to his tribe and to his family. They went out from

there to their own inheritance.

25 (Jdg 17:6; 18:1) In those days there was no king in Israel;

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.



Judges 21

[1] Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any

of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

[2] And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even

before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

[3] And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that

there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

[4] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built

there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

[5] And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of

Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had

made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh,

saying, He shall surely be put to death.

[6] And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and

said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

[7] How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by

the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

[8] And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not

up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from

Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.

[9] For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the

inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.

[10] And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the

valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of

Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

[11] And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every

male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

[12] And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred

young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they

brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

[13] And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of

Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.

[14] And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which

they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed

them not.

[15] And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had

made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

[16] Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for

them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

[17] And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of

Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

[18] Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children

of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

[19] Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly

in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the

highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

[20] Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie

in wait in the vineyards;

[21] And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in

dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife

of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

[22] And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to

complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes:

because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give

unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.

[23] And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to

their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and

returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.

[24] And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to

his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his

inheritance.

[25] In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was

right in his own eyes.



2) Our Daily Bread for 5 April 2024 entitled



God's Presence




Ecclesiastes 3:1-11



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.



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.



Monique was struggling. She had friends who were believers in Jesus,

and she respected how they handled life's struggles. She was even a bit

jealous of them. But Monique didn't think she could live the way they did;

she thought having faith in Christ was about following rules. Finally, a

fellow college student helped her see that God wasn't out to spoil her life;

instead, He wanted the best for her amidst her ups and downs. Once she

understood this, Monique was ready to trust Jesus as her Saviour

and embrace the magnificent truth about God's love for her.



King Solomon could have given Monique similar advice. He acknowledged

that this world does have its sorrows. Indeed, "To every thing there

is a season" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)-"a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (v. 4).

But there's more. God "has also set eternity in the human heart" (v. 11).

An eternity meant to be lived in His presence.



Monique gained life "to the full," as Jesus said (John 10:10), when she

trusted Him. But she gained so much more! Through faith, the

"eternity in [her] heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11) became the promise of a

future when life's struggles will be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17)

and God's glorious presence will be an eternal reality.



By: Dave Branon



Reflect & Pray



How have you experienced the fulfilling life Jesus offers?

What are some things about your life in Him that you’re thankful for?



Dear Jesus, Solomon was right.

Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life

valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the

eternal joys that await.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 6 God Works!



Phil 2:12-13



12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence,

but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.



12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence

only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.



"I just can't do it!" Marlys, a career woman in her 30s, was struggling to fit

her new Christian principles into the business world. Accustomed to the

cutthroat tactics of the corporate hierarchy, she has a hard time knowing

Jesus' examples of grace and mercy applied.

Marlys was right. She couldn't do it. In our own strength, none of us is able

to "live the Christian life." Someone has said, " The Christian life isn't

difficult -- it's impossible!" Only the power of the Holy Spirit is

effective to work the needed changes in our priorities and behaviour;

only God can accomplish what he calls us to do.

In Phillippians 2:12, Paul says "work it out." If we stop there,

we are likely to throw up our hands in despair.

But the good news appears in verse 13:

" For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure."

WE are not left on our own to figure out how to live the Christian life.

God gives us both the will and the ability to obey him, to live in a way

that will please him.

The key to a God-pleasing life is not performance, but obedience. God does not

expect us to "do great things" for him, to deserve his love and grace.

Our part in the process of salvation is to respond in obedience to the Lord,

to say "yes" to what he asks of us. We cannot change ourselves;

we cannot even know ourselves apart from the Spirit's insight. But

as we cooperate with him, as we agree to be obedient, the Spirit changes us

within, and those changes are "worked out" into our lives.



Application



a) Have I ever tried to "Live the Christian life" on my own strength?

What was the result?



b) In what practical ways is Paul's declaration that "God works in me"

good new in my life?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Malachi 3:10-12



10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in

My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not

open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing,

that there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 I will rebuke the devourer

for your sakes, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground,

and the vines in your field will not fail to bear fruit,

says the Lord of Hosts.

12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be

a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.



10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in

mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not

open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall

not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy

the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit

before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be

a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.



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



When you are Worried Over Money



Matt 6:19-21



Treasures in Heaven



Lk 12:33-34



19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth

and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

20 But store up

for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy

and where thieves do not break in nor steal,

21 for where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.



19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth

and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth

nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





Pray for the Riau Malay




Matthew 11:28-30



28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,

and I will give you rest.

29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.

For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[Jer 6:16. ]

30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”



[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give

you rest.

[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in

heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.



"Have you heard of Lailat al Qadr, or the Night of Power?" Laman asked

a gospel worker as they shared coffee together. Laman is one of 2.2 million

Riau Malay Muslims in Indonesia.



"Lailat al Qadr is the most special night of the year. The barrier separating

heaven and earth is at its thinnest. One fortunate individual’s prayer will

be granted, completely, no questions asked! Imagine that!"



"Why this night?" asked the gospel worker.



"Good question. It marks the night when the Qur'an

was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad."



"So what prayers will you be praying through the night Laman?"



Laman's eyes clouded as he thought of his recently deceased parents.

The years during the COVID pandemic had been difficult and the communal meals

he held to pray for them had been more modest than he had wanted. His heart

felt heavy as he considered that the fate of his parents depended

on the prayers of remaining family members.



He sighed, "My deepest desire is for my mother and father to be accepted

by Allah. May all their sins be forgiven."



How to Pray



As Riau Malay seek Allah's favour during the Night of Power,

pray their eyes will be opened to see that God accepts all

who come to Him through Jesus Christ.



Pray that Riau Malay Muslims will know that they can give their economic

and family burdens to Jesus, and he will give them rest.



Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir Christians in Riau province

to boldly share their faith with Riau Malay Muslims.



See also Pray for Egyptians



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



5th Day of the Month



a) Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,

that the Lord will draw them to Himself

(PS 145:13-18

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholds all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon You,

and You give them their food in due season.

16 You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways

and loving in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,

to all who call upon Him in truth.

)



Mem

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

Samek

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

Ain

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;

And thou givest them their meat in due season.

Pe

16 Thou openest thine hand,

And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Zade

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,

And holy in all his works.

Qoph

18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

To all that call upon him in truth.



b) Pray for the Lord to search your life ,

reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness

( ps 139:24 " and see if there is any rebellious way in me,

and lead me in the ancient way. "



24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.



1: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "



9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray not to be in conflict .



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, Solomon was right.

Life is a rollercoaster. Thank You for making this life

valuable and worth the effort. And thank You for the

eternal joys that await."



Pray to the Lord and pray to live Life under the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a generous giver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to lay treasure in Heaven.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



How to Pray



As Riau Malay seek Allah's favour during the Night of Power,

pray their eyes will be opened to see that God accepts all

who come to Him through Jesus Christ.



Pray that Riau Malay Muslims will know that they can give their economic

and family burdens to Jesus, and he will give them rest.



Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir Christians in Riau province

to boldly share their faith with Riau Malay Muslims.



Pray for Canada's First Nation peoples,

that the Lord will draw them to Himself



Pray for the Lord to search your life ,

reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God



Day 95 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 4 April 2024 reflections

Day 95, 4 Apr 2024



1) Judges 16, Judges 17, Judges 18



JUDGES 16



Samson and Delilah

1 (Jos 15:47) Samson went to Gaza. There he saw a prostitute

and spent the night with her.

2 (1Sa 23:26; Ps 118:10-12) The people of Gaza were told,

"Samson has come here!" So they surrounded him and laid in wait

for him all night at the city gate. They kept quiet all night, thinking,

"In the morning light we will kill him."

3 Samson lay until midnight, then at midnight he got up.

He grabbed the doors of the city gate and the two gateposts

and pulled them out along with the bar. He put them on his shoulder

and brought them to the top of the mountain near Hebron.

4 After this Samson loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek,

whose name was Delilah.

5 (Jos 13:3; Jdg 14:15) The Philistine rulers came up to her and said,

"Trick him! Find out about how his strength is so great

and how we can overcome him, bind him, and humiliate him.

Each one of us will give you eleven hundred silver coins."

[About 28 pounds, or 13 kilograms.]

6 So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me how your strength is so great

and how you could be bound in order to be subdued."

7 Samson said to her, "If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that

have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like an ordinary man."

8 So the Philistine rulers brought her seven fresh bowstrings

that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

9 They lay in wait in her inner room. She said to him,

"The Philistines are upon you, Samson." Then he split apart the bowstrings

like a single thread is split apart at the touch of fire.

So the source of his strength did not become known.

10 (Jdg 16:13) Delilah said to Samson, "You have deceived me.

You have told me lies. Now, please tell me how you can be bound."

11 He said to her, "If they bind me with new ropes that have never

been used, then I will become weak and be like an ordinary man."

12 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them.

Then she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson."

For men were lying in wait, remaining in the room.

But he split apart the ropes on his arms like a thread.

13 Delilah said to Samson, "Up to now you have deceived me.

You have told me lies. Tell how you can be bound."

He said to her, "If you weave seven locks of my hair into the fabric

on the loom and fasten it with the pin, then I will become weak

and be like an ordinary man."

14 So Delilah lulled him to sleep and wove seven locks of his hair

into the fabric on the loom. She fastened it with the pin and said to him,

"The Philistines are upon you, Samson." He awakened from his sleep

and tore away from the loom pin and the fabric.

15 (Jdg 14:16) She said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,'

when your heart is not with me? You have deceived me these

three times and have not told me how your strength is so great."

16 Every day she nagged him with her words and pleaded with him

until he was tired to death.

17 (Jdg 13:5; Nu 6:5) So he told her all his secrets and said to her,

"No razor has touched my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God

from my mother's womb. If I were shaven, my strength would leave me,

and I would become weak and be like all other men."

18 (Jdg 16:5) Delilah saw that he had told her all his secrets,

so she sent for the Philistine rulers, saying, "Come up this time,

for he has told me all his secrets." So the Philistine rulers came up to her

and brought the money in their hands.

19 (Pr 7:26-27) Delilah lulled Samson to sleep on her knees

and called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair.

Then she began to humiliate him, and his strength left him.

20 (Jos 7:12; 1Sa 16:14) She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson."

Then he awakened from his sleep and thought,

"I will go out as before and shake myself free of them."

He did not know that the Lord had left him.

21 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes.

They took him down to Gaza, bound him with bronze chains,

and he ground grain in prison.

22 Yet after it had been shaven, the hair on his head began to grow back.



Judges 16

[1] Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

[2] And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they

compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city,

and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we

shall kill him.

[3] And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors

of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and

all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an

hill that is before Hebron.

[4] And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of

Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

[5] And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her,

Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we

may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will

give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

[6] And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great

strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

[7] And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that

were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

[8] Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs

which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

[9] Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And

she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the

withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his

strength was not known.

[10] And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me

lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

[11] And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never

were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

[12] Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said

unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait

abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

[13] And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me

lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If

thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

[14] And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be

upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the

pin of the beam, and with the web.

[15] And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine

heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not

told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

[16] And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and

urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;

[17] That he told her all his heart, and said unto her. There hath not come

a rasor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's

womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become

weak, and be like any other man.

[18] And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and

called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he

hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto

her, and brought money in their hand.

[19] And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and

she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to

afflict him, and his strength went from him.

[20] And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of

his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake

myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

[21] But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him

down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the

prison house.

[22] Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.



The Death of Samson



23 (1Sa 5:2-5) The Philistine rulers gathered to offer a great sacrifice

to Dagon their god and to celebrate.

They said, "Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hands."

24 (Da 5:4) The people saw him and praised their god, for they said,

"Our god has given into our hands

our enemy,

the one who ruined our land

and killed many of us."

25 (Jdg 9:27; 19:6) When their hearts were merry, they said,

"Call for Samson, so he can entertain us." So they called for Samson

from the prison, and he entertained them.

They placed him between the pillars.

26 Samson said to the young man who held his hand,

"Let me rest and touch the pillars on which the temple is set,

then I can lean against them."

27 (Dt 22:8; Jos 2:8) The temple was full of men and women,

and all the Philistine rulers were there. There were about 3000 men and women

on the roof watching Samson entertain.

28 (Jer 15:15) Samson called out to the Lord, "Lord God, remember me, I pray!

Please strengthen me just this once, God, so that I may get full revenge

on the Philistines for my two eyes!"

29 Then Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the temple was set

and leaned against them, one with his right hand and one with his left.

30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed with all

his strength, and the temple fell upon the rulers

and all the people who were in it.

At his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

31 (Jdg 15:20; 13:2) Then his brothers and all his family came down,

carried him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol

in the grave of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel for twenty years.



[23] Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a

great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god

hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

[24] And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our

god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our

country, which slew many of us.

[25] And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call

for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the

prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

[26] And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that

I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon

them.

[27] Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the

Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand

men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

[28] And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I

pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may

be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

[29] And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house

stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of

the other with his left.

[30] And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself

with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the

people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more

than they which he slew in his life.

[31] Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took

him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the

burying place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.



JUDGES 17



Micah's Idols

1There was a man from the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Micah.

2 (Ne 13:25; Ru 3:10) He said to his mother,

"The eleven hundred shekels of silver

[About 28 pounds, or 13 kilograms.] that were taken from you, on which you

put a curse, even speaking the curse in my ears-here

is the silver with me. I took it."

Then his mother said, "May the Lord bless my son!"

3(Ex 20:4; 20:23) Then he returned the 1100 silver coins to his mother.

His mother said, "I certainly consecrated the silver to the Lord,

for my son to make a carved idol and a metal idol, so now I return it to you."

4 When he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred shekels

of silver [About 5 pounds, or 2.3 kilograms.] and gave them to a silversmith

to make a carved idol and a metal idol.

And they were put in the house of Micah.

5 (Ge 31:19; Jdg 8:27) This man Micah owned a shrine. He made an ephod

and household idols, and he hired one of his sons to be a priest for him.

6 (Dt 12:8; Jdg 18:1I) n those days there was no king in Israel.

Everyone did what was right in his eyes.

7 (Ru 1:1-2; Mic 5:2) There was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah.

He was a Levite from Judah, and he stayed as a resident foreigner there.

8 The man went from the city of Bethlehem in Judah to stay wherever

he could find a place. He came to the hill country of Ephraim,

to the house of Micah, to do his work.

9 Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?"

He said to him, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,

and I am going to stay wherever I can find a place."

10 Micah said to him, "Live with me, and be a father and a priest for me.

I will give you ten silver coins [About 4 ounces, or 115 grams.] a year,

a set of clothes, and food." So the Levite went in.

11T he Levite decided to live with the man, and the young man became

like one of his sons.

12 (Jdg 18:30) Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man

became his priest and lived in the house of Micah.

13 Then Micah said, "Now I know that the Lord will do good for me,

for I have a Levite to be my priest."



Judges 17

[1] And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.

[2] And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that

were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine

ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed

be thou of the LORD, my son.

[3] And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his

mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD

from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now

therefore I will restore it unto thee.

[4] Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two

hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a

graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

[5] And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim,

and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

[6] In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which

was right in his own eyes.

[7] And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah,

who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.

[8] And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn

where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of

Micah, as he journeyed.

[9] And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am

a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

[10] And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a

priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit

of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

[11] And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was

unto him as one of his sons.

[12] And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest,

and was in the house of Micah.

[13] Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I

have a Levite to my priest.



JUDGES 18



The Danites Settle in Laish



1 (Jdg 17:6; 19:1) In those days there was no king in Israel.

And in those days the tribe of the Danites was looking for an inheritance

in which to live, for no territory had come into their possession

among the tribes of Israel up to that time.

2 (Jdg 13:25; Jos 2:1) So the children of Dan sent out from their families

five valorous men from Zorah and Eshtaol in order to spy out

and explore the land. They said to them, "Go, explore the land."

They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah,

and they spent the night there.

3 When they were at the house of Micah, they noticed the speech

of the young Levite. They turned aside and said to him,

"Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place?

What is your business here?"

4 (Jdg 17:10) He told them what Micah had done for him, saying,

"He hired me, and I became his priest."

5 (1Ki 22:5) They said to him, "Please ask God if we may know whether

our mission will be a success as we go to do it."

6 (1Ki 22:6) The priest said to them, "Go in peace.

The Lord is watching the way you are going."

7 (Jos 19:47; Jdg 18:27-28) The five men went away and came to Laish.

They saw the people who were there, living securely according

to the culture of the Sidonians. There were no rulers in the land

who might put them to shame for anything. They were far from

the Sidonians and had no ties with anyone.

8 (Jdg 18:2; 18:11) When they came back to their brothers

in Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers asked them, "What do you have to say?"

9 (Nu 13:30; Jos 2:23-24) They said, "Get up! Let us go up against them,

for we have seen the land. It is very good. You are silent,

but do not hesitate to go to take the land.

10 (Jdg 18:7; 18:27) When you go, you will come to a secure people

and to an expansive land. For God has given it into your hands:

a place where there is no lack of anything on the earth."

11 So six hundred fully armed men set out from the family of the Danites,

from Zorah and Eshtaol.

12 (Jdg 13:25; Jos 15:60) They went up and set up camp in Kiriath Jearim

in Judah. Therefore they call that place Mahaneh Dan to this day.

It is west of Kiriath Jearim.

13 From there they passed the hill country of Ephraim

and came to the house of Micah.

14 (Jdg 17:5) The five men who went to spy out the land of Laish

said to their brothers, "Did you know that in these houses are an ephod,

household idols, a carved image, and a metal idol? Now think about

what to do."

15 (Ge 43:27) So they turned aside there and came to the house of the young

Levite, to the house of Micah, and greeted him.

16 The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war,

who were the children of Dan, stood at the entrance to the gate.

17 (Jdg 18:14; 17:4-5) The five men who went to spy out the land went in

and took the carved idol, ephod, household idols, and the metal idol.

The priest was standing at the entrance

to the gate with the 600 fully armed men.

18 When these men went into the house of Micah and took the carved idol,

ephod, household idols, and the metal idol,

the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"

19 (Jdg 17:10; Job 21:5) They said to him, "Quiet! Put your hand

over your mouth and go with us. Be a father and priest for us. Is it better

to be a priest for one man's house or for a tribe and a family in Israel?"

20 So the priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod, the household

idols, and the carved image and went among the people.

21 So they turned and left, putting the children, livestock,

and valuables in front of them.

22 They had gone far from the house of Micah, but the neighbors

of Micah assembled and caught up to the children of Dan.

23 They called out to the children of Dan. So they turned and said to Micah,

"What is wrong that have you assembled together?"

24 He said, "You took the gods that I made, and the priest, and then you left.

What do I have left? So what is this that you say to me, 'What is wrong?' "

25 The children of Dan said to him, "Do not let us hear your voice again.

Otherwise bitter men might meet you and you will forfeit your life

and the lives of your family."

26 So the children of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw

that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.

27 (Jos 19:47; Jdg 18:7) They took what Micah had made and his priest,

and came to Laish to a quiet and secure people.

They struck them down with the edge of the sword

and burned the city with fire.

28 (2Sa 10:6; Nu 13:21) There was no one to save them because the city was far

from Sidon and had no contact with anyone. It was in the valley by Beth Rehob.

They rebuilt the city and lived there.

29 (Ge 14:14; Jos 19:47) They called the city Dan, after their father Dan,

who was born to Israel (Laish was the former name of the city).

30 (Ex 2:22; Jdg 13:1) The children of Dan set up the carved idol

for themselves. Jonathan the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh,

and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan

until the time of exile from the land.

31 (Jos 18:1; Jdg 19:18) So they displayed Micah's graven image

that he had made, for the whole time that the house of God was in Shiloh.



Judges 18

[1] In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe

of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all

their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

[2] And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts,

men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to

search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came

to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

[3] When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young

man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought

thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?

[4] And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath

hired me, and I am his priest.

[5] And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may

know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

[6] And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way

wherein ye go.

[7] Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that

were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians,

quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put

them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no

business with any man.

[8] And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their

brethren said unto them, What say ye?

[9] And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen

the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to

go, and to enter to possess the land.

[10] When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land:

for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any

thing that is in the earth.

[11] And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah

and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.

[12] And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore

they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day: behold, it is behind

Kirjath-jearim.

[13] And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of

Micah.

[14] Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish,

and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an

ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore

consider what ye have to do.

[15] And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the

Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.

[16] And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were

of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.

[17] And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in

thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the

molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six

hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.

[18] And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the

ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto

them, What do ye?

[19] And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth,

and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to

be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe

and a family in Israel?

[20] And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the

teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.

[21] So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and

the carriage before them.

[22] And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that

were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and

overtook the children of Dan.

[23] And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces,

and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?

[24] And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest,

and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say

unto me, What aileth thee?

[25] And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among

us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives

of thy household.

[26] And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they

were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.

[27] And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he

had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and

they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.

[28] And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had

no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Beth-rehob.

And they built a city, and dwelt therein.

[29] And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their

father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at

the first.

[30] And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son

of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe

of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

[31] And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time

that the house of God was in Shiloh.



2) Our Daily Bread for 4 April 2024 titled



In God's Arms




Psalm 91:1-2,14-16



PSALMS 91



1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God in whom I trust."



14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

and I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

and show him My salvation.



Psalm 91



1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:



14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:

I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him,

And shew him my salvation.



The sound of the drill terrified five-year-old Sarah. She leaped out

of the dentist's chair and refused to get back in. Nodding

understandingly, the dentist told her father, "Daddy, get into the chair."

Jason thought he was meant to show his daughter how easy it was. But then

the dentist turned to the little girl and said, "Now, climb up and sit in

Daddy's lap." With her father now cradling her in his reassuring arms,

Sarah relaxed completely, and the dentist was able to continue.



That day, Jason learned a great lesson about the comfort of the presence

of his heavenly Father. "Sometimes, God [chooses not to] take over what

we have to go through," he said. "But God was showing me,

'I will be there with you.' "



Psalm 91 speaks of the comforting presence and power of God that gives

us the strength to face our trials. Knowing that we can rest in His

powerful arms gives us great assurance, as does His promise to those

who love Him:

"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble" (v. 15).



There are many unavoidable challenges and trials in life, and we will

inevitably have to go through pain and suffering. But with God's reassuring

arms wrapped around us, we'll be able to bear our crises and circumstances,

and let Him strengthen our faith as we grow through them.



By: Leslie Koh



Reflect & Pray



What trials are you going through now?

How can you remind yourself that God is always with you?



Gracious Father, thank You for Your reassuring presence

in my circumstances. Please help me through them,

knowing that You're always with me.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 5 Called by Name



Isaiah 43:1



1 But now, thus says the Lord who created you, O Jacob,

and He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; you are Mine.



1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob,

and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not:

for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.



Eric, age 4, somehow lost his mother in a large and busy department store.

Found sobbing under a coat rack, the boy tried to tell the security guard

where he was when he got separated from his mother. Finally the guard said,

"what's your name, Son? Who do you belong to?"

The child brightened a bit, gave the guard his name, and within minutes

the frantic mother was reunited with her lost son.

One of the first questions we are asked, both as children and adults, is

"What is your name?" - that is, "Who are you? Who do you belong to?"

Children bear the name of their parents, and most women,

except for professional reasons,

take the name of their husbands when they marry.

Our names are our primary method of identification;

they connect us with our heritage and those we love.

In Isaiah 43:1, God declares that we belong to him.

The Lord who created us and formed us says,

"I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." God's

right of ownership in our lives extends beyond the bond of family and friends,

of parent, child, or spouse. We belong first to him;

we are called by him into oneness with him.

The Scripture is filled with images of the Lord's care for us;

when we are lost, he does

not wait for us to find him,

but takes the initiative, like a loving parent

to seek us out. That declaration of belonging can give us

a strong sense of security in our lives. God loves us;

he will never let us go.



Application



a) What experiences have I had of being lost of abandoned?



b) How can today's verse help me find security in belonging to God?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 16:10-12



10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful

also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also

in much.

11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who will give you that which is your own?"



10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who shall give you that which is your own?



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



God's Reconciling Peace



Col 3:12-17



12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another

and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,

even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.

14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,

to which also you are called in one body,

rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.



12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have

a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye

are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





The Night of Power




Matthew 7:7



7 (Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24) "Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. "



[7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it

shall be opened unto you:



There are many historic events which Muslims honour and remember, but none

are more important than the remembrance of the initial revelation of the

Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. This is the event recalled on the Night

of Power, or Lailat Al Qadr – also known as the Night of Destiny.



It is said that the Prophet Muhammad would frequently retire to a cave

called Hira, on the outskirts of Mecca, where he would spend days

in meditation. He was said to spend this time reflecting on how to

solve the problems faced by the communities around him.



According to Islamic sources, in the month of Ramadan, in 610 CE,

Muhammad was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who revealed the first verses

of the Qur'an to the Prophet. The Prophet ran home to his wife, Kadijah,

and told her what had happened. She encouraged him and took him to her cousin,

Waraqa, who was a scholar. He advised Muhammad that he had been chosen

as a prophet and was sent by God to call society to worship the One God

and lead a righteous life.



The story of Muhammad's revelation inspires Muslims particularly during the

last 10 days of Ramadan when the Night of Power is said to occur, probably

on the 26th. In the mosque, there will be increased worship, recitation of

the Qur'an and fervent prayer. Many Muslims believe that prayers prayed

on the Night of Power are a thousand times more effective than prayers

prayed on other days.



How to Pray



Many Muslims have had dreams or visions of Jesus on the Night of Power.

Pray that through Jesus many will come to have that revelation of God

that they desire.



Pray for opportunities for Muslims who are seeking revelation to have

encounters with believers who can help them to understand the revelation

we have of God through Jesus.



Pray that on this night of heightened expectation,

many will find what they are seeking.



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 do the Lord's bidding.



Pray to the Lord: "Gracious Father, thank You for Your reassuring presence

in my circumstances. Please help me through them,

knowing that You're always with me."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know you belong to Him.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a faithful steward.



Pray to the Lord and pray for reconciliation.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



- Pray for the end of violence and for Christ-

exalting, multiplying house churches in

the 31 languages of Damascus and Noms,

especially in the listed people groups.

- Pray for refugees, the poor. and the broken

to find hope and healing in Jesus's name.

- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance

through signs, wonders, and power

in military, business, and government

leaders.





Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada



Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right

use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God



Day 94 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 3 April 2024 reflections

Day 94, 3 April 2024



1) Judges 13 , Judges 14, Judges 15



JUDGES 13



The Birth of Samson



1 ()Jdg 2:11; 1Sa 12:9) Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight

of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hands of the Philistines

for forty years.

2 (Jos 19:41; 15:33) There was a certain man from Zorah,

from the tribe of Dan. His name was Manoah. His wife was infertile

and had borne no children.

3 (Lk 1:13; Jdg 6:11-12) The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman

and said to her, "Indeed, you are infertile and have borne no childen,

yet you will conceive and bear a son.

4 (Nu 6:2-3; Jdg 13:14) Now be careful, I pray, that you drink no wine

or strong drink and that you do not eat anything ritually unclean.

5 (Nu 6:5; 1Sa 1:11) For you will conceive and bear a son. No razor may

touch his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb.

He will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines."

6 (Jdg 13:17-18; Dt 33:1) Then the woman went to her husband and said,

"A man of God came to me. He looked like a very fearsome angel of God.

I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name.

7 He said to me, 'You will conceive and bear a son. So now, do not drink

wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything ritually unclean,

for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day he dies.' "

8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, "O my Lord, let the man of God whom

You sent come again to us, so that he can teach us what we should do

for the boy who will be born."

9 God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again

to the woman. She was sitting in the field;

but her husband Manoah was not with her.

10 The woman hurried and ran to tell her husband,

"The man who came to me the other day has appeared to me."

11 So Manoah got up and went after his wife.

He came to the man and said to him,

"Are you the man who spoke to my wife?"

He said, "I am."

12 Then Manoah said, "Now may your words come true! What will be the boy's way

of life and his work?"

13 The angel of the Lord said to Manoah, "Your wife must observe everything

that I said to her.

14 (Jdg 13:4) She must not consume anything that grows on the vine.

She must not drink wine or strong drink, and she must not eat anything

ritually unclean. She must observe everything that I commanded her."

15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "Please let us detain you,

and let us prepare a young goat for you."

16 The angel of the Lord said to Manoah, "If I stay, I will not eat your

food, but if you want to make an offering to the Lord, you should offer it."

(For Manoah did not know that he was an angel of the Lord.)

17 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "What is your name,

so that we can honor you when your words come true?"

18 (Ge 32:29; Isa 9:6) The angel of the Lord said to him,

"Why do you ask my name? It is too wonderful."

19 (Jdg 6:19-21) Manoah took the young goat and the grain offering

and offered them to the Lord upon a rock. Then he did a wondrous

thing while Manoah and his wife watched.

20 (Lev 9:24; 1Ch 21:16) When the flame went up from the altar

toward the heavens, the angel of the Lord went up in the flames

from the altar. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell face down on the ground.

21 (Jdg 6:22) The angel of the Lord did not appear again to Manoah

and his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord.

22 (Ge 32:30; Dt 5:26) Manoah said to his wife,

"We are certainly going to die, for we have seen God."

23 (Ps 25:14) Yet his wife said to him, "If the Lord wanted to kill us,

He would not have taken the burnt offering and grain offering from us.

He would not have shown us these things, nor let us hear things such

as these at this time."

24 (1Sa 3:19; Lk 1:80) So the woman bore a son, and she called him Samson.

The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him.

25 (Jdg 3:10; Jos 15:33) The Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him

at Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.



Judges 13

[1] And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and

the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

[2] And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites,

whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.

[3] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her,

Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and

bear a son.

[4] Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink,

and eat not any unclean thing:

[5] For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on

his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he

shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

[6] Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto

me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very

terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

[7] But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and

now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the

child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

[8] Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God

which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto

the child that shall be born.

[9] And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came

again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not

with her.

[10] And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said

unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other

day.

[11] And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and

said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I

am.

[12] And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the

child, and how shall we do unto him?

[13] And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the

woman let her beware.

[14] She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her

drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded

her let her observe.

[15] And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain

thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.

[16] And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I

will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou

must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the

LORD.

[17] And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when

thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?

[18] And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my

name, seeing it is secret?

[19] So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock

unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked

on.

[20] For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the

altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And

Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

[21] But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife.

Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.

[22] And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have

seen God.

[23] But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he

would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands,

neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time

have told us such things as these.

[24] And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child

grew, and the LORD blessed him.

[25] And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of

Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.



JUDGES 14



Samson's Wedding



1 (Ge 38:12-13; Jos 15:10) Samson went down to Timnah

and saw a woman from the daughters of the Philistines.

2 (Ge 34:4; 21:21) He came back up and told his father and mother,

"I have seen a woman in Timnah from the daughters of the Philistines;

now get her for me as a wife."

3 (Jdg 15:18; 1Sa 14:6) His father and mother said to him,

"Are there no women among your relatives, or all of our people,

that you are intending to take a wife

from among the uncircumcised Philistines?"

Yet Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well."

4 (Jos 11:20; Jdg 13:1) His father and mother did not know that this was

from the Lord, for He was seeking an opportunity to act against the Philistines.

At that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.

5 Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah.

As they came to the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young

lion came roaring toward him.

6 (Jdg 3:10; 13:25) Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily

upon him, and though unarmed, he tore the lion in two as one might

tear a young goat in two. However, he did not tell his father and his mother

what he had done.

7 So Samson went down and spoke with the woman, and she pleased Samson.

8 After a while, when he returned to take her, he turned aside to see

the carcass of the lion. And a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass

of the lion.

9 He scooped it out into his hands and ate it as he went along.

He came to his father and mother and gave some to them,

and they also ate. Yet he did not tell them he had scooped

the honey out of a lion's carcass.

10 Then his father went down to the woman. Samson put on a feast there,

for this is what young men would do.

11 When the Philistines saw him,

they brought thirty companions to be with him.

12 (Ge 45:22; Eze 17:2) Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle.

If you can explain it to me within the seven days of the feast,

then I will find thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes to give you.

13 However, if you are not able to explain it to me, then you will give me

thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes."

They said to him, "Tell us your riddle, so we can hear it."

14 He said to them,

"Out of the eater came something to eat,

and out of the strong came something sweet."

They could not explain the riddle after three days.

15 (Jdg 15:6; 16:5) On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife,

"Trick your groom into telling us the riddle, or we will burn you

and your father's house with fire. Have you invited us to steal

what we have? Is that not so?"

16 (Jdg 16:15) So Samson's wife wept all over him and said,

"You must hate me. You do not love me. You have told a riddle

to the young men and did not tell it to me."

Then he said to her, "I have not told it to my father and mother.

Why should I tell it to you?"

17 (Jdg 16:16) She wept on him for the seven days of the feast,

then on the seventh day he told it to her because she had nagged him.

Then she explained the riddle to her people.

18So on the seventh day before sunset, the men of the city said to Samson,

"What is sweeter than honey,

and what is stronger than a lion?"

Then he said to them,

"If you had not plowed with my heifer,

you would not have solved my riddle."

19 (Jdg 3:10; 13:25) Then the Spirit of the Lord mightily came upon him,

and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty of their men.

He took their clothes and gave them to the ones who had explained the riddle.

His anger burned and he went up to his father's house.

20 (Jdg 15:2; Jn 3:29) So Samson's wife was given to his companion,

who had been his best man.



Judges 14

[1] And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the

daughters of the Philistines.

[2] And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have

seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore

get her for me to wife.

[3] Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman

among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest

to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his

father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

[4] But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he

sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines

had dominion over Israel.

[5] Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and

came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against

him.

[6] And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he

would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his

father or his mother what he had done.

[7] And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson

well.

[8] And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the

carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the

carcase of the lion.

[9] And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his

father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them

that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

[10] So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast;

for so used the young men to do.

[11] And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty

companions to be with him.

[12] And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if

ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find

it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

[13] But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and

thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle,

that we may hear it.

[14] And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the

strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the

riddle.

[15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's

wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we

burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that

we have? is it not so?

[16] And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and

lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people,

and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my

father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

[17] And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and

it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore

upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.

[18] And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun

went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And

he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out

my riddle.

[19] And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon,

and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of

garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled,

and he went up to his father's house.

[20] But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his

friend.



JUDGES 15



Samson's Revenge



1 (Ge 38:17) After a while, during the wheat harvest, Samson went to

visit his wife, taking a young goat. He said, "I'm going in to my wife

in her bedroom," but her father would not let him go in.

2 (Jdg 14:20) Her father said, "I thought that you thoroughly hated her,

so I gave her to your best man. Is not her younger sister better than she?

Please, let her be your wife instead."

3 Samson said to them, "This time I cannot be blamed by the Philistines

when I do them harm."

4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes. He took torches

and turned the foxes tail to tail and put a torch between each pair of tails.

5 He set fire to the torches and sent the foxes into standing grain

of the Philistines. He burned the harvested grain, standing grain,

vineyards, and olive trees.

6 (Jdg 14:15) The Philistines asked, "Who did this?" They said,

"Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because the Timnite

took the bride of Samson and gave her to his best man."

So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father with fire.

7 Samson said to them, "Because you have done this, I will take revenge

on you, and afterwards I will stop."

8 He struck them down with a mighty blow,

then went to live in a cave in Etam Rock.

9 (Jdg 15:17; 15:19) Then the Philistines went up and set up camp in Judah.

They deployed against Lehi.

10 The men of Judah said, "Why have you come up against us?"

They said, "It is to take Samson prisoner that we have come up,

to do to him what he did to us."

11 (Jdg 13:1; 14:4) So three thousand men from Judah went to the cave

in Etam Rock and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines

are ruling us? Why have you done this to us?"

He said to them, "As they did to me, so I have done to them."

12 They said to him, "We have come to take you prisoner,

to give you into the hands of the Philistines."

Samson said to them, "Swear to me that you will not attack me."

13 They said to him, "No, we will bind you securely and give

you into their hands, but we will not kill you." They bound him

with two new ropes and took him away from the rock.

14 (Jdg 14:19; 3:10) He came to Lehi, and the Philistines shouted

as they approached him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him.

The ropes on his arms became like burned flax and the ties

on his hands dissolved.

15 (Lev 26:8; Jos 23:10) Then he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey,

reached out his hand and took it, and with it struck down a thousand men.

16Samson said,

"With a jawbone of a donkey,

heaps upon heaps.

With a jawbone of a donkey

I have slain a thousand men."

17 When he finished speaking, he threw the jawbone away

and called that place Ramath Lehi.

18 He was very thirsty, and he called out to the Lord,

"You gave this great deliverance through Your servant,

but now may I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?"

19 (Ge 45:27) So God split open the basin at Lehi, and water flowed out

of it. He drank, was refreshed, and revived. Because of this he called

the place En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day.

20 (Jdg 13:1; 16:31) Samson judged Israel for twenty years

in the days of the Philistines.



Judges 15

[1] But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest,

that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my

wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

[2] And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her;

therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than

she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

[3] And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the

Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.

[4] And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and

turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

[5] And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing

corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing

corn, with the vineyards and olives.

[6] Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered,

Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and

given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and

her father with fire.

[7] And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be

avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

[8] And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down

and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

[9] Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread

themselves in Lehi.

[10] And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they

answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.

[11] Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and

said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us?

what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did

unto me, so have I done unto them.

[12] And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may

deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them,

Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

[13] And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and

deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they

bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.

[14] And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and

the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon

his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from

off his hands.

[15] And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took

it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

[16] And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the

jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.

[17] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast

away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.

[18] And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast

given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I

die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

[19] But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water

thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived:

wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this

day.

[20] And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.



2) Our Daily Bread for 3 April 2024 titled



I Hear You, God!




John 10:1-11,16



The Parable of the Shepherd



1 "Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter by the door

into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.

2 (Jn 10:14) But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 (Jn 10:4; 10:16) To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice.

He calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out.

4 (Jn 10:16) When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them.

And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5 Yet they will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him.

For they do not know the voice of strangers."

6 Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand

what He was telling them.



[1] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into

the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a

robber.

[2] But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

[3] To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth

his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

[4] And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the

sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

[5] And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they

know not the voice of strangers.

[6] This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things

they were which he spake unto them.



Jesus the Good Shepherd



7 (Jn 10:9; 10:1) Then Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly I say to you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 (Eze 34:2; Jn 10:1) All who came before Me are thieves and robbers,

but the sheep did not listen to them.

9 (Jn 10:1; 14:6) I am the door. If anyone enters through Me,

he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 (Jn 6:33; Heb 7:25) The thief does not come, except to steal and kill

and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it

more abundantly.

11 (Isa 40:11; Eze 34:23; Heb 13:20) "I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.



16 (Isa 56:8; Jn 11:52) I have other sheep who are not of this fold.

I must also bring them, and they will hear My voice. There will

be one flock and one shepherd.





[7] Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am

the door of the sheep.

[8] All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did

not hear them.

[9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall

go in and out, and find pasture.

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I

am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more

abundantly.

[11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the

sheep.



[16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must

bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one

shepherd.



Baby Graham fussed and wiggled as his mother held him in her lap while

the doctors inserted his first hearing aid. Moments after the doctor turned

on the device, Graham stopped crying. His eyes widened. He grinned. He could

hear his mother's voice comforting him, encouraging him, and calling his name.



Baby Graham heard his mother speaking, but he needed help learning how to

recognise her voice and understand the meaning of her words. Jesus invites

people into a similar learning process. Once we accept Christ as our Saviour,

we become the sheep He knows intimately and guides personally (John 10:3).

We can grow to trust and obey Him as we practice hearing

and heeding His voice (v. 4).



In the Old Testament, God spoke through the prophets. In the New Testament,

Jesus-God in the flesh-spoke directly to people. Today, believers in Jesus

have access to the power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand

and obey God's words which He inspired and preserved in the Bible.

We can communicate directly with Jesus through our prayers as He speaks

to us through Scripture and through His people. As we come to recognise

God's voice, which is always in alignment with His words in the Bible,

we can cry out with grateful praise, "I hear You, God!"



By: Xochitl Dixon



Reflect & Pray



How has God used the Scriptures to reveal Himself to you this week?

How can you speak His wisdom to others who need comfort or encouragement today?



I hear You, God! Please help me receive

and share the truth and love You reveal to me as I read the Bible.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 4 Under the Mercy



Ps 13:5-6



5 I for my part confide in Your kindness;may my heart exult in Your salvation!

6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.



5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.



In Sheldon Vanauken's book "A Severe Mercy", Vanauken faced the "severe mercy"

of the untimely death of his wife. His friend C. S. Lewis , who had endured a

similar grief , comforted him through letters,

encouraging him with the exhotation, "Go under the Mercy".

While God's grace deals with sin and forgiveness,

God's mercy deals with the pain pf human existence. We all experience pain

- sometimes as a natural result of wrongs we have done, sometimes unfairly

as a consequence of living in a fallen world.

But for all who hurt, God provides

mercy - respite from pain, and the assurance of a Lord who cares.

David , in Psalm 13 says " I trust in your mercy, your unfailing love."

God's love never fail us, no matter how much we may have failed him.

David knew the consequences of sin; he knew what it meant to fail God,

to rebel against God's faithfulness. Yet David trusted in God's Goodness

rather than depending upon his own; he focused his attention upon the

mercy of the Lord.

We need, like David, to "Go under the mercy", even when it is a

"severe mercy."

Even when circumstances seem bad; even when things seem out of control; even

when we think God has forsaken us, yet his mercy is at work to bring us

fulfillment and cause us to turn to him

with a song of praise on our lips.



Application



a) How have I experienced the mercy of God?



b) How can these verses help me focus on God's

merciful intervention in my life even when circumstances seem

out of control?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



2 Cor 9:6



6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.



6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;

and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.



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



When you are Worried Over Money



1 Tim 6:6-10



6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain

that we can carry nothing out.

8 If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these things.

9 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 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.

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.



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.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





Pray for the Fulani in Guinea




Luke 18:16



16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Permit the little children

to come to Me, and do not hinder them. For

to such belongs the kingdom of God.



[16] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to

come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.



Binta and her 80 classmates enthusiastically jumped to their feet. Today,

the teacher had brought the big book with the exciting stories! Binta

particularly liked the adventures of the prophet Joseph. She studies in

fourth grade at a Christian school in Guinea, West Africa. 80 % of the

population here are Muslim, but the secular state allows the free practice

of religion – even in schools. Binta and most of her classmates come

from Muslim families.



Reading and writing is still difficult for Binta because classes are

usually in French and not very interesting. Binta’s parents cannot read

and write, like 70% of the population. To them, it is more important

that the children can recite surahs from the Quran. They are proud that

it was their ancestors who brought Islam to sub- Saharan Africa, but their

traditional lifestyle as wandering herders has been prevented

by the loss of good pasture land and they have settled in town.



Like their nomadic ancestors, the Fulani of Guinea like to travel,

and to many the dangerous trip to Europe seems to offer the only hope for

a stable economic future. Binta will never forget saying farewell to her

cousin Mamadou, who left with great dreams for a prosperous future.



How is he doing? Binta hopes that he trusts in God and experiences

His protection like the prophet Joseph on his long journey.



How to Pray



Pray that teachers in Christian schools would be courageous,

teaching Biblical stories in a culturally sensitive way.



Pray that traditions would not keep people

from discovering the truth of Jesus.



Pray that the young generation in Guinea would use their

creativity to build up their homeland and change it for

the better – like Joseph did.



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



3nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the province of Alberta as follows:

I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to

act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. (

1 Tim 2:1-4

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in

the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.

III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



b) Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin

and Canadian to faith in Christ.

( John 16:8 - When He comes, He will convict the world of sin

and of righteousness and of judgment:



8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness, and of judgment:



Matthew 9:36 - But when He saw the crowds, He was moved with

compassion for them, because they fainted and were scattered,

like sheep without a shepherd



36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with

compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered

abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. )





Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray not to look outside the Faith for solutions.



Pray to the Lord: "I hear You, God! Please help me receive

and share the truth and love You reveal to me as I read the Bible."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord's mercy even when events feel

out of control.



Pray to the Lord and pray reap bountifully in the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray fto be content in the Lord.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray that teachers in Christian schools would be courageous,

teaching Biblical stories in a culturally sensitive way.



Pray that traditions would not keep people

from discovering the truth of Jesus.



Pray that the young generation in Guinea would use their

creativity to build up their homeland and change it for

the better – like Joseph did.



Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin

and Canadian to faith in Christ.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God



Day 93 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 2 April 2024 reflections

Day 93, 2 April 2024



1) Judges 10, Judges 11, Judges 12



JUDGES 10



Tola



1 (Jdg 2:16) After the death of Abimelek, Tola the son of Puah,

the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir,

in the hill country of Ephraim.

2 He judged Israel for twenty-three years.

Then he died and was buried in Shamir.



[1] And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah,

the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

[2] And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in

Shamir.



Jair



3 After him Jair the Gileadite arose and judged Israel for 22 years.

4 (Nu 32:41; Dt 3:14) He had thirty sons who rode thirty donkeys

and owned thirty cities that are in the land of Gilead.

They are called Havvoth Jair to this day.

5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon.



[3] And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two

years.

[4] And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had

thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the

land of Gilead.

[5] And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.



Jephthah



6 (1Ki 11:5; 11:7) Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight

of the Lord. They worshipped the Baals, the Ashtoreths,

and the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines.

They abandoned the Lord and did not serve Him.

7 (Jdg 2:14) The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He sold them

into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites.

8 They brutally oppressed the children of Israel that year.

For eighteen years they oppressed all the children of Israel

beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites in Gilead.

9 The Ammonites also crossed over the Jordan to wage war

against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed.

10 (1Sa 12:10; Jdg 3:9) Then the children of Israel cried out to the Lord,

"We have sinned against You, for we have abandoned

our God and worshipped the Baals."

11 (Ex 14:30; Nu 21:21-25) The Lord said to the children of Israel,

"Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites,

the Philistines,

12 (Jdg 6:3) the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites

when they oppressed you? You cried out to Me, and I saved you from their hands.

13 (Jer 2:13; Dt 32:15) Yet you have abandoned Me and worshipped other gods.

Therefore I will not save you again.

14 (Dt 32:37-38) Go and cry out to the gods that you have chosen.

Let them save you in your time of distress."

15 (1Sa 3:18; 2Sa 15:26) Then the children of Israel said to the Lord,

"We have sinned. Do to us whatever seems good in Your sight.

Please, just deliver us today."

16 (Isa 63:9; Ps 106:44-45) They removed the foreign gods from among them

and worshipped the Lord, and He could no longer endure

the suffering of Israel.

17 (Jdg 11:29; Ge 31:49) The Ammonites had been called out

and set up camp in Gilead. The children of Israel assembled and set up

camp in Mizpah.

18 (Jdg 11:11) The commanders of Gilead said to each other,

" Who is the man who will begin to fight against the Ammonites?

He will be the ruler of all the inhabitants of Gilead."



[6] And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and

served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon,

and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of

the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

[7] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into

the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

[8] And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen

years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the

land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

[9] Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against

Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that

Israel was sore distressed.

[10] And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned

against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

[11] And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you

from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and

from the Philistines?

[12] The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress

you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

[13] Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will

deliver you no more.

[14] Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in

the time of your tribulation.

[15] And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou

unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee,

this day.

[16] And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the

LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

[17] Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in

Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and

encamped in Mizpeh.

[18] And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is

he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head

over all the inhabitants of Gilead.



JUDGES 11



1 (Heb 11:32; Jdg 6:12) Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour,

but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah.

2 Gilead's wife also bore him sons. His wife's sons grew up and drove

Jephthah away. They said to him, "You will not inherit anything

from our father's house because you are the son of another woman."

3 (Jdg 9:4; 1Sa 22:2) So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived

in the land of Tob. Men of ill repute gathered around Jephthah

and went out with him.

4 Some time passed, then the Ammonites waged war with Israel.

5 When the Ammonites waged war with Israel, the elders of Gilead

went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob.

6 They said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader so that we may

fight the Ammonites."

7 (Ge 26:27) Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead,

"Did you not hate me and drive me out of my father's house?

Why have you come to me now that you are in trouble?"

8 (Jdg 10:18) The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

"Even so, we have turned to you. Come with us and fight the Ammonites.

You will be ruler over all the inhabitants of Gilead."

9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me back to wage war

against the Ammonites, and the Lord gives them to me,

then I will be your ruler."

10 (Jer 42:5; Ge 31:50) The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

"May the Lord be a witness between us

if we do not act according to your word."

11 (Jdg 10:17; 20:1) So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead.

The people set him over them as ruler and leader.

And Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord in Mizpah.

12 Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king to say,

"What problem is there between you and me,

that you have come to me to wage war in my land?"

13 (Ge 32:22; Nu 21:24-26) The Ammonite king said to the messengers

of Jephthah, "Because when Israel came up from Egypt, they took my land,

from the Arnon to the Jabbok and as far as the Jordan.

Now return it peacefully."

14 Again Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king,

15 (Dt 2:9; 2:19) and said to him,

"Jephthah says this: Israel did not take the land of Moab,

nor the Ammonite land;

16 (Nu 14:25; Dt 1:40_ for when Israel came up from Egypt,

they went into the desert as far as the Red Sea and came to Kadesh.

17 (Nu 20:1; 20:14-21) Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom,

saying, 'Please let us pass through your land.' Yet the king of Edom would

not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab,

but he was unwilling. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.

18 (Nu 22:36; Dt 2:1-8) "They went into the wilderness, around the lands

of Edom and Moab. They went east of the land of Moab and set up camp

on the other side of the River Arnon. They did not cross the boundary

of Moab, for the River Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

19 "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites,

who ruled in Heshbon. Israel said to him,

"Please let us pass through your land to our home."

20 Yet Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory,

so Sihon gathered all his people and set up camp in Jahaz

to fight with Israel.

21 "The Lord God of Israel gave Sihon and all his people

into the hands of Israel, and they struck them down. So Israel took possession

of all the land of the Amorites who lived in that land.

22 (Dt 2:36) They took possession of all of the territory of the Amorites,

from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.

23 "Now that the Lord God of Israel has driven out the Amorites

from before His people Israel, should you take it?

24 (Nu 21:29; 1Ki 11:7) Will you not take possession of whatever Chemosh

your god gives you? So everything that the Lord our God possesses before us,

we will take possession of it.

25 (Mic 6:5) Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor,

the king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or wage war with them?

26 (Dt 2:36) Israel has lived in Heshbon and its nearby towns, in Aroer

and its nearby towns, and in all the cities along the banks of the River Arnon

for three hundred years. Why did you not take them back during that time?

27 (Ge 16:5; 18:25) So I have not sinned against you, but it is you who are

doing evil to me by waging war against me. May the Lord, the Judge,

judge today between the children of Israel and the Ammonites."

28 Yet the Ammonite king would not listen to the message

that Jephthah had sent him.



Judges 11

[1] Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the

son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

[2] And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they

thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our

father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.

[3] Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and

there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.

[4] And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made

war against Israel.

[5] And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel,

the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:

[6] And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight

with the children of Ammon.

[7] And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and

expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye

are in distress?

[8] And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to

thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of

Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

[9] And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again

to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me,

shall I be your head?

[10] And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness

between us, if we do not so according to thy words.

[11] Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him

head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the

LORD in Mizpeh.

[12] And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon,

saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight

in my land?

[13] And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of

Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt,

from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those

lands again peaceably.

[14] And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of

Ammon:

[15] And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land

of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:

[16] But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness

unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;

[17] Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I

pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken

thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would

not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

[18] Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of

Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab,

and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of

Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

[19] And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of

Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy

land into my place.

[20] But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon

gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against

Israel.

[21] And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the

hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the

Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.

[22] And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto

Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.

[23] So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from

before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?

[24] Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to

possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them

will we possess.

[25] And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of

Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,

[26] While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her

towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three

hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?

[27] Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to

war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of

Israel and the children of Ammon.

[28] Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words

of Jephthah which he sent him.



Judges 11:29 - 40



29 (Jdg 3:10; Nu 11:25) Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah

and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through

Mizpah of Gilead, and went on to the Ammonites.

30 (Ge 28:20; 1Sa 1:11) Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, "If You will indeed

give the Ammonites into my hands,

31 (1Sa 1:28) then whatever comes out from the door of my house

to meet me, when I return safely from the Ammonites, will surely

be the Lord's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."

32 So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammon­ites to wage war

against them, and the Lord gave them into his hands.

33 (Eze 27:17) He struck them down from Aroer to Minnith, twenty cities,

and as far as Abel Keramim. The defeat was very severe, and the Ammonites

were humbled before the children of Israel.

34 (Ex 15:20; Jer 31:4) When Jephthah went to his house at Mizpah, there was

his daughter coming out to meet him, dancing with a tambourine.

She was his only child. Other than her, he had neither son nor daughter.

35 When he saw her, he ripped up his clothes and said, "Alas, my daughter!

You have brought utter disaster to me. You are my undoing,

for I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot take it back."

36 (2Sa 18:19) She said to him, "My father, you have opened

your mouth to the Lord. Do to me what has come out of your mouth,

because the Lord worked vengeance upon your enemies, the Ammonites."

37 (Lk 1:25) Then she said to her father, "Let this be done for me:

Give me two months, and I and my friends will wander the hill country

and mourn over my virginity."

38 He said, "Go," and he sent her away for two months.

She and her friends went and mourned over her virginity in the hill country.

39 (Jdg 11:31) At the end of two months she returned to her father,

and he did to her according to the vow that he had made.

She had not ever slept with a man.

So it became a custom in Israel

40 that the women of Israel would commemorate the daughter

of Jephthah the Gileadite for four days each year.



[29] Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over

Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of

Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

[30] And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without

fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

[31] Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house

to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely

be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

[32] So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against

them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.

[33] And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even

twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great

slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of

Israel.

[34] And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter

came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only

child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

[35] And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and

said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of

them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot

go back.

[36] And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto

the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth;

forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even

of the children of Ammon.

[37] And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me

alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail

my virginity, I and my fellows.

[38] And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with

her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

[39] And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto

her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and

she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,

[40] That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of

Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.



JUDGES 12



Jephthah and Ephraim



1 (Jdg 8:1) The men of Ephraim gathered together and crossed over to Zaphon.

They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to wage war with the Ammonites

and not call us to go with you? We will burn down your house right on top

of you."

2 Jephthah said to them, "My people and I were in a very great conflict

with the Ammonites. I called you, but you did not save me from their hands.

3 (1Sa 19:5; 28:21) When I saw that you were not going to save me, I took my

life in my own hands and crossed over to the Ammonites.

Then the Lord gave them into my hands. Now why have you come

up to me today to wage war against me?"

4 (1Sa 25:10) Then Jephthah assembled all the men of Gilead and fought

with Ephraim. The men of Gilead struck Ephraim down, for they had said,

"You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim, living in Ephraim and Manasseh."

5 (Jdg 3:28; Jos 22:11) Gilead captured the fords of the Jordan River leading

to Ephraim. Whenever an Ephraimite fugitive would say, "Let me cross,"

the Gileadite men would say to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No,"

6 then they would say to him, "Say, 'Shibboleth'!" Yet he would say,

"Sibboleth," for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they would

grab him and kill him at the Jordan fords.

During that time 42000 from Ephraim fell.

7 Jephthah judged Israel for six years. When Jephthah the Gileadite died,

he was buried among the cities of Gilead.



[1] And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward,

and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the

children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine

house upon thee with fire.

[2] And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with

the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of

their hands.

[3] And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and

passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into

my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against

me?

[4] Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with

Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye

Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the

Manassites.

[5] And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites:

and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me

go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he

said, Nay;

[6] Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for

he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him

at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites

forty and two thousand.

[7] And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite,

and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.



Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon



8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

9 He had thirty sons, and he gave thirty daughters in marriage outside his clan;

and he brought thirty daughters from outside for his sons.

He judged Israel for seven years.

10 Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

11 After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel.

He judged Israel for ten years.

12 Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.

14 (Jdg 5:10; 10:4) He had forty sons and thirty grandsons

who rode seventy donkeys. He judged Israel for eight years.

15 (Jdg 5:14) Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon

in the land of Ephraim, in the Amalekite hill country.



[8] And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

[9] And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and

took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel

seven years.

[10] Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.

[11] And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel

ten years.

[12] And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country

of Zebulun.

[13] And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.

[14] And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and

ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

[15] And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in

Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.



2) Our Daily Bread for 2 April 2024 titled



Psalm 72 Leaders




Psalm 72:1-7



A Psalm of Solomon.

1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,

and Your righteousness to the king's son.

2 May he judge Your people with righteousness,

and Your poor with justice.

3 May the mountains bring well-being to the people,

and the hills, in righteousness.

4 May he judge the poor of the people,

may he save the children of the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

5 May they fear You as long as the sun endures,

and the moon, throughout all generations.

6 May he descend like rain on the mown grass,

as showers dripping on the earth.

7 In his days may the righteous flourish,

and abundance of peace until the moon is no more.



[1] Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the

king's son.

[2] He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with

judgment.

[3] The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by

righteousness.

[4] He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the

needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

[5] They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all

generations.

[6] He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water

the earth.

[7] In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long

as the moon endureth.



In July 2022, Britain’s prime minister was forced to step down after what many

felt were lapses in integrity (the newly appointed prime minister stepped down

just months later!). The event was triggered when the country's health

minister attended an annual parliamentary prayer breakfast, felt convicted

about the need for integrity in public life, and resigned. When other

ministers resigned too, the prime minister realised he had to leave.

It was a remarkable moment, originating from a peaceful prayer meeting.



Believers in Jesus are called to pray for their political leaders

(1 Timothy 2:1-2), and Psalm 72 is a good guide for doing so,

being both a ruler's job description and a prayer to help them achieve it.

It describes the ideal leader as a person of justice and integrity

(vv. 1-2), who defends the vulnerable (v. 4), serves the needy (vv. 12-13),

and stands against oppression (v. 14). Their time in office is so refreshing,

it’s like "showers watering the earth" (v. 6), bringing prosperity to the land

(vv. 3, 7, 16). While only the Messiah can perfectly fulfill such

a role (v. 11), what better standard of leadership could be aimed for?



The health of a country is governed by the integrity of its office-bearers.

Let's seek "Psalm 72 leaders" for our nations and help them to embody

the qualities found in this psalm by praying it for them.



By: Sheridan Voysey



Reflect & Pray



What qualities do you look for in a leader?

How can you pray more often for your local and national leaders?



Father, please empower our leaders

to be people of justice, integrity, and goodness.





Learn more about Psalm 72.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 3 The song of Exaltation



Exodus 15:2



2 The Lord is my strength and song,

and He has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise Him;

my father's God, and I will exalt Him.



2 The LORD is my strength and song,

And he is become my salvation:

He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation;

My father's God, and I will exalt him.



The world is full of music that communicates human emotion:

love, joy, sadness, separation.

A love song makes us misty-eyed; a song of protest arouses anger; a song

describing loss stimulates feelings of hurt and abandonment.

Music is a powerful force to sway the human spirit.

Exodus 15:2 indicates that God should be the source of the songs in our hearts.

Human emotions vacillate; human relationships disappoint,

but God is our "strength" and our "song".

To exalt the Lord includes many different type of "songs".

"I can't carry a tune in a bucket," one woman complained.

"How can I sing to the Lord anything that will be pleasing to him?"

But the Lord does not delight in the professionalism of our songs,

but in the motivation of our hearts. We can "sing to the Lord"

when we enjoy a Bach organ piece played for his glory.

We can exalt him in the words of Scripture - either remembered or sung.

We can worship him by enjoying the songs of others.

The key to making the Lord our song is exaltation. When our thoughts

lift him up in praise, we are singing a song of exaltation to the Lord.

When God is exalted in our songs, in our hearts, and in our thoughts,

that focus gives strength to our lives. We can face the difficulties

that are an inevitable part of experience,

because God is our "strength and our song".



Application



a) What is the difference between a song that is professionally performed

and one that exalts the Lord?



b) What practical steps can I take to make

my daily life a "song of praise" to God?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 6:38



38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,

shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.

For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."



38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,

and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For

with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.



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



When you are Burdened by Doubt



Proverbs 30:5



5 Every word of God is pure;

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.



5 Every word of God is pure:

He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





Pray for the Fulani of Ghana




John 6:37



37 All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me

I will never cast out.



[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to

me I will in no wise cast out.



The Fulani are nomadic herder people who originate from the area that

stretches from Senegal to Niger. With rapid population growth and increasing

conflict in many West African countries, the Fulanis have been forced to move

south to find refuge and green pastures for their herds.

Over 1 million Fulanis are found in Ghana.



Many Fulanis in Ghana are second or third-generation residents, having built

tents or mud houses and settled in nearby villages. Born in Ghana but

not Ghanaian, the tribal Fulanis face a wide range of harassment,

and they do not easily get access to public services.



This prejudice creates further challenges for the Fulani. Women and children

miss out on public health services and children are not sent to school.

Fulanis are therefore isolated and younger Fulanis are vulnerable

to being persuaded to join Islamic terror groups.



Suleyman, a devoted Fulani Muslim, grew up in Ghana. He attended the

local Koranic school and was offered the opportunity to study Islam in Libya.

In Libya, he was recruited to join an Islamic terror group to fight

Western Christians who he heard were killing Muslims in the Middle East.



One night, Jesus appeared to Suleyman in a dream to warn him not to join

this war, or he would lose his life. Suleyman was scared and told the group

who recruited him that he was sick and could not go.

The angry extremists threatened him until he left the country.



Suleyman traveled through many nations in search of answers and acceptance.

In one of these countries, Suleyman came across Christians who helped him

to understand his dreams. Soon, he accepted Jesus and began to attend

a discipleship program for Fulani believers.



How to Pray



Pray for the Church in Ghana to focus ministry

towards the Fulani in their nation.



Pray for the Fulani people to find acceptance and love in Jesus.



Pray for the few Fulani Christians to grow strong and be bold,

and to be encouraged even when rejected by their families for their faith.



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



2nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all Canadians (

Rom 10:14-15 -

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not

believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 I And how shall they preach

unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of

those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good

things!"



[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how

shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they

hear without a preacher?

[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How

beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring

glad tidings of good things!



)



b) Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God's heart for vision,wisdom

and direction. (

Jer 33:3

- Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you

great and mighty things which you do not know.



3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee

great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.



)



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for Godly leaders and honourable

people.



Pray to the Lord: "Father, please empower our leaders

to be people of justice, integrity, and goodness."



Pray to the Lord and pray to exalt Him .



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a generous giver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Word.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray for the Church in Ghana to focus ministry

towards the Fulani in their nation.



Pray for the Fulani people to find acceptance and love in Jesus.



Pray for the few Fulani Christians to grow strong and be bold,

and to be encouraged even when rejected by their families for their faith.



Pray for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all



Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God's heart for vision, wisdom

and direction.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Day 92 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 1 April 2024 reflections

Day 92, 1 April 2024



1) Judges 8, Judges 9



JUDGES 8



Zebah and Zalmunna



1 (2Sa 19:41) Then the men of Ephraim said to him,

"What have you done to us by not calling us to go

and wage war against Midian?" They argued heatedly with him.

2 He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you?

Are not the gleanings of the grapes of Ephraim better

than the harvest of Abiezer?

3 (Pr 15:1; Jdg 7:24-25) It was into your hands that God gave t

he Midianite commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. What was I able to do compared

to you?" When Gideon said this, their anger against him cooled down.

4 Then Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over,

he and the three hundred men who were with him, exhausted but still pursuing.

5 (Ge 33:17; Ps 60:6) He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Please give some

loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are exhausted,

and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian."

6 (1Ki 20:11) The officials of Sukkoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah

and Zalmunna already in your hands that we should give bread to your army?"

7 So Gideon said, "Because of this, when the Lord gives Zebah and Zalmunna

into my hands, I will tear your bodies with desert thorns and briers."

8 (Ge 32:30-31; 1Ki 12:25) He went up from there to Peniel

and spoke to them in the same way. The men of Peniel answered him

just as the men of Sukkoth had.

9 (Jdg 8:17; 1Ki 22:27-28) So he also said to the men of Peniel,

"When I return safely, I will tear down this tower."

10 (Jdg 7:12; 20:2) Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their armies,

about 15000 survivors; they were all who were left of all the army

of the Kedemites, for 120000 arms-bearing men had fallen.

11 (Nu 32:35; 32:42) Gideon went up on the route of the tent dwellers

east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the camp while the army

was off guard.

12 (Ps 83:11) Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and Gideon chased after them.

He captured Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian,

and the entire army was terrified.

13 Gideon son of Joash returned from battle by the Pass of Heres.

14 He captured a young man from among the men of Sukkoth

and asked him to write the names of the leaders and elders of Sukkoth, 77 men.

15 Then he came to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna,

about whom you taunted me. You said, 'Have you subjugated

Zebah and Zalmunna that we should give bread to your weary army?' "

16 (Jdg 8:7) He took the city elders and disciplined the men of Sukkoth

with thorns and briers of the wilderness.

17 (Jdg 8:9; 1Ki 12:25) He tore down the tower of Peniel

and killed the men of the city.

18 (Jdg 4:6) Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna,

"What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?"

They said, "They were like you. Each one looked like the son of a king."

19 He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother.

As the Lord lives, if you had allowed them to live, I would not kill you."

20 Gideon said to his firstborn Jether, "Rise and kill them!"

Yet the young man did not draw his sword because he was afraid,

for he was still a young man.

21 (Jdg 8:26; Ps 83:11) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said,

"You get up and attack us, for a man is judged by his strength."

So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna

and took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.



Judges 8

[1] And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that

thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And

they did chide with him sharply.

[2] And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not

the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?

[3] God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb:

and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated

toward him, when he had said that.

[4] And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred

men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.

[5] And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread

unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after

Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

[6] And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now

in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

[7] And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and

Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the

wilderness and with briers.

[8] And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the

men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

[9] And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in

peace, I will break down this tower.

[10] Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about

fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of

the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

[11] And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east

of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

[12] And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the

two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.

[13] And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

[14] And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and

he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even

threescore and seventeen men.

[15] And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and

Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and

Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are

weary?

[16] And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and

briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

[17] And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

[18] Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom

ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one

resembled the children of a king.

[19] And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the

LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

[20] And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth

drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

[21] Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the

man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna,

and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.



Gideon's Ephod



22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, you, and your son,

and your grandson, for you have saved us from the hands of Midian."

23 (1Sa 10:19; 12:12) Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you,

and my son will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you."

24 (Ge 25:13; 37:25) Gideon continued, "I have a request to make of you,

that each man would give me an earring from his spoils."

(Their enemy had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)

25 They said, "We will certainly give them."

So they spread out a cloak, and each man threw a ring of his spoils there.

26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1700 gold shekels.

[About 43 pounds, or 20 kilograms.]

This was in addition to the crescent-shaped ornaments, jewelry,

and purple clothing worn by the kings of Midian, as well as the chains

hanging on the necks of their camels.

27 (Jdg 17:5; 18:14) Gideon used these things to make an ephod.

He put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves

to it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.

28 (Jdg 5:31; 3:11) The Midianites were humbled before the children of Israel

and did not lift their heads high again. The land had peace

for 40 years in the days of Gideon.



[22] Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou,

and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the

hand of Midian.

[23] And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my

son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

[24] And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye

would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden

earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

[25] And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a

garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

[26] And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand

and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple

raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were

about their camels' necks.

[27] And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in

Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a

snare unto Gideon, and to his house.

[28] Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they

lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years

in the days of Gideon.



The Death of Gideon



29 (Jdg 6:32; 7:1) Jerub-Baal son of Joash went to his house and lived there.

30 (Jdg 9:2; 9:5) Gideon had seventy sons, for he had many wives.

31 His concubine who lived in Shechem also bore him a son,

and he named him Abimelek.

32 (Ge 25:8; 15:15) Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age,

and he was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

33 (Jdg 9:4; 9:46) After Gideon died, the children of Israel turned again

to prostitute themselves with the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god.

34 (Ps 78:11; 78:42) The children of Israel did not remember the Lord

their God, who had delivered them from the hands of their enemies around them,

35 and they did not keep faith with the family of Jerub-Baal

(that is, Gideon), for all the good he had done for Israel.



[29] And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.

[30] And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had

many wives.

[31] And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose

name he called Abimelech.

[32] And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in

the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.

[33] And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of

Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith

their god.

[34] And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had

delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

[35] Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon,

according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.



JUDGES 9



Abimelek



1 (Jdg 8:31) Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem,

to his mother's brothers. He spoke to them and to the house

of his mother's father saying,

2 (Ge 29:14; Jdg 8:30) "Please say in the hearing of all of the leaders of Shechem,

'Which is better for you, to have all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule

over you, or for one man to rule over you?

Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.' "

3 (Ge 29:15) So his mother's brothers spoke all these things about him

in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined

toward Abimelek, for they said, "He is our brother."

4 (Jdg 8:33; 11:3) They gave him seventy silver coins

[About 1 3/4 pounds, or 800 grams.]

from the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelek hired unprincipled

and undisciplined men, and they followed him.

5 (2Ki 11:1-2; Jdg 6:24) He went to his father's house at Ophrah

and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal, on a single stone.

Yet Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, survived because he hid himself.

6 (2Sa 5:9) All the leaders of Shechem and everyone from Beth Millo

gathered together by the oak near the pillar in Shechem to make Abimelek king.

7 (Dt 11:29; 27:12) When Jotham heard this, he went

and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim.

He raised his voice and called out, saying to them,

"Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!

8 (Jdg 8:22-23; 2Ki 14:9) The trees once went out to anoint a king over them.

They said to the olive tree, 'Rule over us!'

9 "Yet the olive tree said to them, 'Should I stop making oil,

by which God and men are honored, to go and sway over the trees?'

10 "So the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and rule over us.'

11 "Yet the fig tree said to them, 'Should I stop making my sweet aroma

and my fruit, to go and sway over the trees?'

12 "So the trees said to the grapevine, 'You come and rule over us.'

13 (Ps 104:15) "Yet the grapevine said to them, 'Should I stop making

my fresh wine, which cheers God and men, to go and sway over the trees?'

14 "So the trees said to the thorn bush, 'You come and rule over us.'

15 (Jdg 9:20; Isa 2:13) "The thorn bush said to the trees,

'If you really want to anoint me king over you,

then come and take refuge in my shade. If not, let fire come out

from the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

16 (Jdg 8:35) "Now then, did you show good faith and integrity

when you made Abimelek king? Did you deal well with Jerub-Baal

and his family? Did you do to him as his actions deserved,

17 considering that my father waged war for you, risked his life for you,

and delivered you from the hands of Midian?

18 (Jdg 9:5-6) Yet you have taken a stand against my father's family today.

You killed his seventy sons, each on a single stone.

You made Abimelek, son of his slave woman, king over the leaders of Shechem

because he is your brother.

19 (Isa 8:6) So if you did show good faith and integrity in what you did with

Jerub-Baal and his family today, then rejoice in Abimelek,

and may he also rejoice in you.

20 (Jdg 9:15; 9:56-57) If not, let fire come out from Abimelek

and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo,

and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem

and from Beth Millo and consume Abimelek!"

21 (Nu 21:16) Then Jotham ran away and fled. He went to Beer

and lived there because of Abimelek his brother.



Judges 9

[1] And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's

brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of

his mother's father, saying,

[2] Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is

better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore

and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also

that I am your bone and your flesh.

[3] And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of

Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for

they said, He is our brother.

[4] And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house

of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which

followed him.

[5] And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the

sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone:

notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he

hid himself.

[6] And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of

Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that

was in Shechem.

[7] And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount

Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken

unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

[8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said

unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

[9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith

by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

[10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

[11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my

good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

[12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

[13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God

and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

[14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

[15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over

you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come

out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

[16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have

made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house,

and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

[17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and

delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

[18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain

his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made

Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because

he is your brother;)

[19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his

house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in

you:

[20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of

Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of

Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

[21] And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for

fear of Abimelech his brother.



The Downfall of Abimelek



22 After Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years,

23 (Isa 33:1; 19:14) God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek

and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem

dealt treacherously with Abimelek,

24 (1Ki 2:32; Est 9:25) so that the violence done to the seventy

sons of Jerub-Baal and their blood might come back upon

Abimelek their brother, who killed them, and upon the leaders of Shechem,

who empowered him to kill his brothers.

25 The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against him on the hilltops

and robbed all who passed by them on the road. This was told to Abimelek.

26 Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his brothers came to Shechem,

and the leaders of Shechem trusted him.

27 (Jdg 9:4) They went out to the field, gathered

and trod their grapes, and had a celebration.

They went to the temple of their god and ate, drank,

and cursed Abimelek.

28 (Ge 34:2; 34:6) Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelek,

and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?

Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul his officer?

Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

Why should we serve Abimelek?

29 (2Sa 15:4) If only this people were under my command,

I would get rid of Abimelek." So he said to Abimelek, "Muster your army

and come out!"

30 Then Zebul the city ruler heard the words of Gaal

son of Ebed and he burned with anger.

31 He secretly sent messengers to Abim­elek, saying, "Gaal, the son of Ebed,

and his brothers have come to Shechem and are fortifying the city against you.

32 So now, get up at night, you and the people with you,

and lie in wait in the field.

33 (1Sa 10:7; Ecc 9:10) In the morning at sunrise, get up early and attack

the city. He and the people with him will come out to you,

then you can do to them as you find opportunity."

34 So Abimelek and all the people who were with him got up at night

and lay in wait by Shechem in four companies.

35 When Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate

then Abimelek and the people who were with him

got up from their hiding places.

36 Gaal saw these people and said to Zebul,

"Look, people are coming down from the hilltops."

Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the hills look like men to you."

37 Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, people are coming down the middle

of the land, and a company is coming by way of the Diviner's Oak."

38 (Jdg 9:28-29) Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now,

which said, 'Who is Abimelek, that we should serve him?'

Are not these the people you dismissed out of hand?

Go now, I pray, and fight against them."

39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelek.

40 Abimelek chased him, and Gaal fled from him. Many fell wounded

at the entrance of the gate.

41 Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal

and his brothers from living in Shechem.

42 The next day the people went out into

the field, and this was told to Abimelek.

43 So he took the people and divided them into three companies,

and they laid in wait in the field. When the people came out from the city,

he rose up against them and struck them down.

44 Abimelek and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood

at the entrance of the city gate. The two other combat units attacked everyone

in the field and struck them down.

45 (2Ki 3:25; Dt 29:23) Abimelek fought against the city all that day.

He captured the city and killed the people inside it;

he tore down the city and spread salt over it.

46 (Jdg 8:33; 9:4) When the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard this,

they entered the fortified temple of El-Berith.

47 Abimelek was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem

had gathered together.

48 (Ps 68:14) So Abimelek and all the people who were with him went

up Mount Zalmon. He took an axe in his hand and cut off a tree branch,

lifted it, and carried it on his shoulder. Then he said to the men

who were with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do the same."

49 So everyone likewise cut off a branch and followed Abimelek.

They placed them on the fortification and set the fortification

on fire over them. So all the people of the Tower of Shechem died,

about 1000 men and women.

50 Then Abimelek went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it.

51 But there was a fortified tower within the city,

so all of the men and women and the leaders of the city fled there.

They shut themselves in and went up to the top of the tower.

52 Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it. But as he drew near

to the tower entrance to burn it with fire,

53 (2Sa 11:21) a certain woman dropped an upper millstone

on the head of Abimelek, and it crushed his skull.

54 Urgently he called to the young man who carried his gear and said to him,

"Draw your sword and kill me, so that people may not say about me,

'A woman killed him.' "

So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

55 Then the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, so everyone went home.

56 (Ps 94:23; Jdg 9:24) Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelek,

which he committed against his father by killing his seventy brothers.

57 (Jdg 9:20) God also repaid the evil deeds of the men of Shechem,

and the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came upon them.



[22] When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,

[23] Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem;

and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

[24] That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might

come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them;

and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

[25] And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the

mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was

told Abimelech.

[26] And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to

Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

[27] And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and

trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and

did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

[28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem,

that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his

officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we

serve him?

[29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove

Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

[30] And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of

Ebed, his anger was kindled.

[31] And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the

son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify

the city against thee.

[32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and

lie in wait in the field:

[33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou

shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people

that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou

shalt find occasion.

[34] And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night,

and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

[35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the

gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him,

from lying in wait.

[36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come

people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou

seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

[37] And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle

of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

[38] Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou

saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people

that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

[39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

[40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were

overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

[41] And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his

brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

[42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the

field; and they told Abimelech.

[43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid

wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out

of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

[44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and

stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies

ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

[45] And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the

city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and

sowed it with salt.

[46] And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered

into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

[47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem

were gathered together.

[48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that

were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough

from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the

people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I

have done.

[49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed

Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so

that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and

women.

[50] Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took

it.

[51] But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the

men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them

up to the top of the tower.

[52] And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard

unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

[53] And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head,

and all to brake his skull.

[54] Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said

unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew

him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

[55] And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed

every man unto his place.

[56] Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his

father, in slaying his seventy brethren:

[57] And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads:

and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.



2) Our Daily Bread for 1 April 2024 titled



Meeting Together in Jesus




Exhortation and Warning



19 (Eph 2:18; Heb 4:16) Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter

the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

20 (Heb 9:3; Jn 10:9) by a new and living way that He has opened for us

through the veil, that is to say, His flesh,

21 (Heb 2:17; 1Ti 3:15) and since we have a High Priest over the house

of God,

22 (Eze 36:25; 1Co 6:11; Heb 7:19) let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them

from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 (1Co 1:9; Heb 3:6) Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith

without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

24 (Titus 3:8; Heb 13:1) And let us consider how to spur one another

to love and to good works.

25 (Ac 2:42; Heb 3:13) Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves

together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another,

especially as you see the Day approaching.



[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the

blood of Jesus,

[20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the

veil, that is to say, his flesh;

[21] And having an high priest over the house of God;

[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having

our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with

pure water.

[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he

is faithful that promised;)

[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of

some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day

approaching.



When I went through an extended period of emotional and spiritual pain

and struggle due to difficult circumstances in my life, it would have been

easy for me to withdraw from church. (And sometimes I did wonder,

Why bother?) But I felt compelled to keep attending each Sunday.



Although my situation remained the same for many long years, worshiping

and gathering with other believers in services, prayer meetings, and Bible

study supplied the encouragement I needed to persevere and remain hopeful.

And often I'd not only hear an uplifting message or teaching, but I'd

receive comfort, a listening ear, or a hug I needed from others.



The author of Hebrews wrote, "[Don't give] up meeting together, as some are

in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another" (Hebrews 10:25).

This author knew that when we face hardships and difficulties, we'll need

the reassurance of others-and that others would need ours. So this Scripture

writer reminded readers to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" and

to consider how to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds"

(vv. 23-24). That's a big part of what encouragement is.

That's why God leads us to keep meeting together. Someone may need your

loving encouragement, and you may be surprised by what you receive in return.



By: Alyson Kieda



Reflect & Pray



When have you felt encouraged after leaving a worship service?

Why? Who needs your support and reassurance?



Loving God, please help me not to give up

meeting together with other believers,

but to experience together Your peace and love.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 2 The Wardrobe of Joy Isaiah 61:10



10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.



10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me

with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself

with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.



On her wedding day, the bride dresses carefully for the ceremony

that is about to take place. Never before has she spent so much

time in preparation for one relatively brief event. When she

looks in the mirror and rejoices in her happiness, she responds not

out of vanity, but for sheer joy as she anticipates the coming ceremony.

God wants his people, lie that bride to be joyful, to rejoice in the Lord,

the Bridegroom. And he gives, through his grace,

the garments of joy to his beloved ones.

He clothes us, Isaiah says, with salvation, and covers us with

the robe of righteousness. The wardrobe that God provides is not merely

a utility garment, a coverall that hides our sin from his eyes.

It is his own righteousness in Christ, given to us as a free gift, so that

we might be united with him. And God himself, Isaiah says,

is filled with joy, adorning himself like a bridegroom.

When we truly see God's immeasurable gift in accepting us as him own,

we also will "greatly rejoice" in the Lord. He, the eternal god,

Creator of the universe, desires to be united with us, as a husband

desires his wife! God does not simply accept us grudgingly,

reminding us of our unworthiness to be with him. Rather, he celebrates

with unrestrained joy his oneness in Spirit with those he calls his own.

And we, having been fully forgiven

and set free from sin, can rejoice unashamedly as well.



Application



a) Have I ever felt ashamed to draw close to God? Why?



b) What does this verse tell me about God's attitude towards me?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Mark 4:19



19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,

and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,

and it proves unfruitful.



19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,

and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word,

and it becometh unfruitful.



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



When you are Burdened by Doubt



James 1:2 to 8



Faith and Wisdom



2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,

3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.

4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men

liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers

is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.

7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.

8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.



2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect

and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men

liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.



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?)



Manitoba



Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba



Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000



est Muslim Population 21 349



CNMM Networks: Winnipeg



The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very

diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.

Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting

it might be twice that size.

Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size

of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.

Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth

of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.

We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers

among Muslims in Winnipeg.



Let us intercede in unity for:



- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Adding further





Pray for Amman, Jordan




Ephesian 2:8-9



8 (Eph 2:5; Mk 16:16) For by grace you have been saved through faith,

and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,

9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.



[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it

is the gift of God:

[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.



Church bells ring while the muezzin calls people to pray over the mosque's

loudspeaker. A 22-year-old with his stylishly torn jeans lounges at a cafe

on Rainbow Street, smoking an e-cigarette. A shepherd guides 25 sheep down

the avenue, dodging cars as they pass by. A tiny, yellow taxi, races

alongside a Land Cruiser as white mansions contrast with grey apartment

buildings. Filipino maids pass by Sudanese refugees. University students

browse in bookstores while toddlers run from the nursery school to the arms

of waiting fathers.



Like Nasser the landlord, or Yahya the Egyptian building attendant, many make

enough money to provide for their families and to educate their children.

They struggle with rising costs of food but are thankful for a home to sleep

in. However, their neighbors may include Syrian or Afghan refugees, who are

in Amman temporarily waiting to leave for a better life.



Over 97% of Jordanians are Muslim. Some are strong in their faith and pray

at the mosque 5 times a day. Others are religious in name only. Meanwhile,

some are atheists. Yet very few of them have heard about the story of Jesus.

Thank God that there are many Christians in Amman who can tell others about

the way of salvation.



How to Pray



Pray for the people of Amman, especially those who are searching

for answers, to meet believers and hear the Good News about Jesus.



Pray that those who are hurting will hear God’s voice speaking through

His Word which is readily available in Amman.



Pray for the use of media tools, and that when Jordanians see videos

or read articles about the truth, they might respond in faith.



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



1st Day of the month



1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



(

Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,

I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream

dreams, and your young men will see visions.



28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon

all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men

shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:



Acts 2:17 "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.



17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

And your young men shall see visions,

And your old men shall dream dreams:



)



2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,

as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.



1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,

As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.



)



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for leadership and wisdom.



Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, please help me not to give up

meeting together with other believers,

but to experience together Your peace and love."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know that He frgives all your sins.



Pray to the Lord and pray not to be deceived by earthly riches.



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population

- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim

communities around them, as well as training new workers

- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim

background believers and for effectiveness in outreach

- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground

in the face of opposition to her new faith.

- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged

with great support



Pray for the people of Amman, especially those who are searching

for answers, to meet believers and hear the Good News about Jesus.



Pray that those who are hurting will hear God’s voice speaking through

His Word which is readily available in Amman.



Pray for the use of media tools, and that when Jordanians see videos

or read articles about the truth, they might respond in faith.



Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Day 91 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 31 March 2024 - Resurrection Sunday reflections

Day 91, 31 March 2024 - Happy Resurrection Sunday



Today at

Calvary Community Church
, Pastor Barry REgier spoke on

Something (Someone) Greater Than The Grave.



There is some ONE greater who ...



A) Lives today!!



Acts 2:22-25



22 (Jn 3:2; Mt 12:28) "Men of Israel, hear these words:

Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with powerful works

and wonders and signs, which God did through Him in your midst,

as you yourselves know.

23 (Lk 22:22; Ac 3:18) You have taken Him, who was handed over to you

by the ordained counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by lawless hands

have crucified and killed Him,

24 (Ac 2:32; 1Co 6:14) whom God raised up by loosening the pull of death,

because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

25 (Ps 16:8-11) For David says concerning Him:

'I foresaw the Lord always before me,

for He is at my right hand,

that I may not be shaken.



Acts 2:31-33



31 (Ac 2:27; Ps 16:10) he foresaw this and spoke concerning

the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not abandoned

to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

32 (Ac 2:24; 1:8) God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses.

33 (Ac 1:4; Mk 16:19) Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,

and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit,

He has poured out this which you now see and hear.



[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his

soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received

of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which

ye now see and hear.



Matthew 28:1-10



Matthew 28:1-7



The Resurrection



Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10



1 (Mt 27:56; 27:61) At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn

on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene

and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

2 And then there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door

and sat on it.

3 (Mk 9:3; Ac 1:10) His countenance was like lightning, and his garments

white as snow.

4 (Rev 1:17) The soldiers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 (Heb 1:14) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid.

For I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

6 (Mt 16:21; 27:63) He is not here. For He has risen, as He said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 (Mt 26:32; 28:10) Then go quickly and tell His disciples

that He has risen from the dead, and indeed, He is going before you

to Galilee. There you will see Him. Listen, I have told you."



[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of

the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and

sat upon it.

[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know

that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

[6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where

the Lord lay.

[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;

and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I

have told you.



8 (Ps 2:11) So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear

and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

9 (Mt 14:33; 28:17) As they went to tell His disciples,

suddenly Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" They came

and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.

10 (Jn 20:17; Ro 8:29) Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.

Go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."



[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;

and did run to bring his disciples word.

[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,

All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

[10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they

go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.



B) Enables us to live today.



John 10:10



10 (Jn 6:33; Heb 7:25) The thief does not come, except to steal and kill

and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it

more abundantly.



[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I

am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more

abundantly.



John 11:25



25 (Jn 1:4; 1Th 4:14) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live.



[25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that

believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:



1 John 4:4



4 (Jn 12:31; 1Jn 4:16) You are of God, little children, and have overcome

them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.



[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater

is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.



1 John 3:20



20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart

and knows everything.



[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth

all things.



1 Corinthians 2:12



12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world,

but the Spirit which is of God, so that we might know the things

that are freely given to us by God.



[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which

is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.



Hebrews 13:5-6



5 (Jos 1:5; Dt 31:6) Let your lives be without love of money,

and be content with the things you have. For He has said:

"I will never leave you,

nor forsake you."(Dt 31:6, 8; Jos 1:5.)

6 (Ps 56:4) So we may boldly say:

"The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?"(Ps 118:6.)



[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such

things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake

thee.

[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.



Romans 6:3-5



3 (Mt 28:19; Gal 3:27; 1Co 12:13) Do you not know that we who were

baptised into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

4 (Ro 7:6; 2Co 5:17) Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death,

that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,

even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 (Php 3:10-11; 2Co 4:10) For if we have been united with Him

in the likeness of His death, so shall we also be united with Him

in the likeness of His resurrection,



[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were

baptized into his death?

[4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as

Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we

also should walk in newness of life.

[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we

shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:



1) Judges 6-7



Judges 6



Gideon



1 The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord,

so the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian for seven years.

2 The hands of Midian dominated Israel, and because of Midian

the children of Israel made hiding places for themselves in the mountains,

caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever Israel would plant crops, the Midianites,

Amalekites, and the people from the east would come up against them.

4 Then they would make camp by them and ruin crops of the land all the way

to Gaza. They did not leave any provisions behind in Israel-neither sheep,

nor cattle, nor donkeys.

5 For they came with their livestock and tents like a swarm of locusts.

They and their camels were too numerous to count, and they came into

the land to destroy it.

6 Israel was made weak before Midian and cried out to the Lord.



7 When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of Midian,

8 the Lord sent them a prophet who said, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel:

I brought you up from Egypt and out of that place of slavery.

9 I delivered you from the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors.

I drove them out from before you and gave you their land.

10 I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God. Do not worship the gods of

the Amorites in whose land you are living.' But you have disobeyed Me."



11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak tree in Ophrah

belonging to Joash the Abiezrite. Gideon his son was threshing wheat

in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

12 The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him,

"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor."



13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us,

then why has all this happened to us? Where are all His miracles

that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Did not the Lord bring

us out of Egypt?' Yet now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered

us into the hands of the Midianites."



14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours.

Save Israel from the control of Midian. Have I not sent you?"



15 And he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?

Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest

in my father's house."



16 Then the Lord said to him, "But I will be with you, and you will strike

the Midianites as one man."



17 And he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight,

give me a sign that it is You who are speaking with me.

18 Please do not depart from here until I come to You

and bring out my gift and set it before You."



And He said, "I will stay until you return."



19 So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread

from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket, and he put

the broth in a pot, and brought them out and offered them to Him

under the oak.



20 And the angel of God said to him,"Take the meat and the unleavened bread,

lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And so he did.

21 The angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was

in His hand and touched the meat and unleavened flatbread.

Fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread.

Then the angel of the Lord departed from his sight.

22 Then Gideon perceived that it was indeed the angel of the Lord.

So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord God! I have seen

the angel of the Lord face to face."



23 Then the Lord said to him, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.

You will not die."



24 Then Gideon built an altar for the Lord there and called it

The Lord Is Peace.

Even to this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.



25 That night the Lord said to him, "Take a bull from your father's herd

and a second bull seven years old. Tear down your father's Baal altar

and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.

26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this stronghold

in an orderly way. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering

with the wood of the Asherah pole that you will cut down."



27 So Gideon took ten men from among his slaves

and did as the Lord had told him, but because he was too afraid of the rest

of his father's household and the men of the city to do it by day,

he did it at night.



28 When the men of the city got up early in the morning,

the altar of Baal was torn down, the Asherah pole beside it was cut down,

and the second bull had been offered on the new altar that had been built.



29 They said to each other, "Who has done this?"



When they had inquired and asked, they responded,

"Gideon son of Joash has done this."



30 Then the men of the city said to Joash,

"Bring out your son so that he may die, for he tore down the altar of Baal

and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."



31 Joash then said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal?

Would you save him? Whoever fights for him will be killed by morning.

If Baal is a god, let him fight for himself,

for someone has torn down his altar."

32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerub-Baal, saying,

"Let Baal fight him, for he tore down the altar of Baal."



33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east gathered

together, and they crossed over, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.

34 The Spirit of the Lord enveloped Gideon. He blew a ram's horn trumpet,

and the Abiezrites assembled behind him.

35 He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh and they assembled

behind him as well. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali,

so these tribes came up to meet them.



36 Gideon said to God, "If You will use my hands to save Israel,

as You have said-

37 I am placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.

If there is dew on the fleece only and all of the ground remains dry,

then I will know that You will save Israel with my hands, as You have said."

38 So it happened. He got up early the next morning and squeezed the fleece.

Enough dew poured out of the fleece to fill a bowlful of water.



39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let Your anger burn against me

as I speak only one more time. Please let me perform a test with the fleece

one more time. Please, let the fleece be the only thing dry,

and let there be dew on all of the ground."

40 So God did this during that night. Only the fleece was dry,

and the dew was on all the ground.



Judges 6

[1] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the

LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

[2] And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the

Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the

mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

[3] And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and

the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against

them;

[4] And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth,

till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep,

nor ox, nor ass.

[5] For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as

grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without

number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

[6] And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the

children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

[7] And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD

because of the Midianites,

[8] That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said

unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt,

and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

[9] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the

hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave

you their land;

[10] And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the

Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

[11] And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in

Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon

threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

[12] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The

LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

[13] And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then

is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers

told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the

LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

[14] And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou

shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

[15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel?

behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's

house.

[16] And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt

smite the Midianites as one man.

[17] And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew

me a sign that thou talkest with me.

[18] Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth

my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou

come again.

[19] And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an

ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot,

and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.

[20] And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened

cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

[21] Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in

his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up

fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then

the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

[22] And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon

said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to

face.

[23] And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt

not die.

[24] Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it

Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.

[25] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take

thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and

throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove

that is by it:

[26] And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in

the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice

with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

[27] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said

unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the

men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

[28] And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the

altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and

the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

[29] And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they

inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

[30] Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he

may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath

cut down the grove that was by it.

[31] And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal?

will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst

it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one

hath cast down his altar.

[32] Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead

against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

[33] Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east

were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

[34] But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and

Abi-ezer was gathered after him.

[35] And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered

after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto

Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

[36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as

thou hast said,

[37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on

the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know

that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

[38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the

fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of

water.

[39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I

will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the

fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let

there be dew.

[40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and

there was dew on all the ground.



Judges 7



Gideon Defeats the Midianites



1 Then Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with

him got up early and set up camp at Harod Spring.

There was a camp of Midianites to the north of them in the valley

near the hill of Moreh.

2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people with you for Me

to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves

over Me, saying, 'Our own power saved us.'

3 So now, call out so the people can hear, 'Whoever is afraid or anxious

may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' "

So 20000 from among the people turned back, and 10000 were left.



4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many people.

Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.

When I say to you, "This one will go with you,' he will go with you.

Everyone about whom I will say,' 'This one will not go with you,'

will not go."



5 So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon,

"You shall set apart by himself everyone who laps the water with his tongue

like dogs; likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink."

6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths,

was three hundred. The rest of the people had knelt to drink water.



7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With three hundred men who lapped to drink,

I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.

All the rest of the people should go home."

8 So the three hundred men took provisions and ram's horn trumpets

in their hands. Gideon sent all the other Israelite men to their tents,

but he kept the three hundred men.



Now the Midianite camp was below him in the valley.

9 That night the Lord said to him, "Get up and go down into the camp,

for I have given it into your hands.

10 Yet if you are afraid to go down, then go down to the camp with Purah

your servant.

11 Listen to what they say, and afterward you will be emboldened to go down

to the camp.." So he and Purah his servant went down near the edge

of the camp.

12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Kedemites covered the valley

like locusts; and their camels could not be counted, for they were

as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore.



13 Gideon came and overheard one man who was telling his dream to another.

The man said, "Listen to a dream I had. I saw a dry cake of barley bread

rolling into the Midianite camp. It rolled up to a tent and struck it.

It fell, turned upside down, and collapsed."



14 The other man responded, "This is none other than the sword of Gideon

son of Joash the Israelite. God has given Midian and the whole camp into

his hands."



15 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation,

he worshipped, returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Get up, for the Lord

has given the Midianite camp into your hands."

16 He divided the three hundred men into three combat units.

He gave all of them ram's horn trumpets, empty jars,

and torches within the jars.



17 He said to them, "Look at me and do likewise. Watch, and when I come

to the perimeter of the camp, do as I do.

18 When I and all who are with me blow the horn, then you will blow the horns

all around the camp and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon!' "



19 So Gideon and a hundred men with him went to the edge of the camp

at the start of the middle night watch, just as they were setting the watch.

Then they blew the horns and smashed the jars in their hands.

20 The three combat units blew the horns and broke the jars.

They held the torches in their left hands and the horns for

blowing in their right hands. They called out,

"A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"

21 Every man stood in his place all around the camp,

but the men in the camp ran, shouted, and fled.



22 When they blew the three hundred horns, the Lord turned every man's

sword against his fellow man throughout the camp. The Midianite camp

fled to Beth Shittah in the direction of Zererah, up to the border

of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath.

23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all of Manasseh

were summoned, and they chased after the Midianites.

24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying,

"Come down to engage Midian in battle.

Take control of the water ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan."



All the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they took control of the water

ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.

25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders.

They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb.

They chased after the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb

and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.



Judges 7



[1] Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him,

rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the

Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the

valley.

[2] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too

many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt

themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

[3] Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying,

Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount

Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there

remained ten thousand.

[4] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them

down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be,

that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go

with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee,

the same shall not go.

[5] So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto

Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog

lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down

upon his knees to drink.

[6] And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth,

were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their

knees to drink water.

[7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will

I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the

other people go every man unto his place.

[8] So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he

sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those

three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

[9] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise,

get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.

[10] But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to

the host:

[11] And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be

strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his

servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.

[12] And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east

lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels

were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

[13] And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream

unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of

barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and

smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

[14] And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword

of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God

delivered Midian, and all the host.

[15] And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the

interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of

Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host

of Midian.

[16] And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a

trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the

pitchers.

[17] And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I

come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.

[18] When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye

the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the

LORD, and of Gideon.

[19] So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the

outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but

newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that

were in their hands.

[20] And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and

held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to

blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

[21] And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the

host ran, and cried, and fled.

[22] And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's

sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to

Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.

[23] And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and

out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

[24] And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come

down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah

and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and

took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.

[25] And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they

slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb,

and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the

other side Jordan.



2) Our Daily Bread for 31 March 2023 Titled



Jesus Christ Is Risen Today!




Matthew 28:1-10



Matthew 28:1-7



The Resurrection



Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10



1 (Mt 27:56; 27:61) At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn

on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene

and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

2 And then there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door

and sat on it.

3 (Mk 9:3; Ac 1:10) His countenance was like lightning, and his garments

white as snow.

4 (Rev 1:17) The soldiers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 (Heb 1:14) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid.

For I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

6 (Mt 16:21; 27:63) He is not here. For He has risen, as He said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 (Mt 26:32; 28:10) Then go quickly and tell His disciples

that He has risen from the dead, and indeed, He is going before you

to Galilee. There you will see Him. Listen, I have told you."



[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of

the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and

sat upon it.

[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know

that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

[6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where

the Lord lay.

[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;

and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I

have told you.



8 (Ps 2:11) So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear

and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

9 (Mt 14:33; 28:17) As they went to tell His disciples,

suddenly Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" They came

and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.

10 (Jn 20:17; Ro 8:29) Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.

Go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."



[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;

and did run to bring his disciples word.

[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,

All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

[10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they

go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.



Before Charles Simeon attended university in Cambridge, England, he loved

horses and clothes, spending a huge sum on his attire yearly. But because

his college required him to attend regular Communion services, he started

to explore what he believed. After reading books written by believers in

Jesus, he experienced a dramatic conversion on Easter Sunday. Awaking early

on April 4, 1779, he cried out, "Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!" As he grew in his faith in God, he devoted himself

to Bible study, prayer, and attending chapel services.



On the first Easter, life changed for the two women who arrived at Jesus'

tomb. There they witnessed a violent earthquake as an angel rolled back

the stone. He said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are

looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen,

just as he said" (Matthew 28:5–6). Overjoyed, the women worshiped

Jesus and ran back to tell their friends the good news.



Encountering the risen Christ isn’t something reserved for ancient

times-He promises to meet us here and now. We might experience a

dramatic encounter, such as the women at the tomb or as Charles

Simeon did, but we might not. In whatever way Jesus reveals Himself

to us, we can trust that He loves us.



By: Amy Boucher Pye



Reflect & Pray



How has God shown Himself to you?

How have you changed because of your encounter with Him?



Risen Jesus, thank You for coming and dying

on the cross that I might have life eternal. I worship You.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 1 Call to the Lord - 2 Samuel 22:3-4



3 (Ge 15:1; Ps 9:9) the God of my strength, in whom I will trust;

my shield and the horn of my salvation,

my fortress and my sanctuary;

my Savior, You save me from violence.

4 (Ps 48:1; 96:4) I call upon the Lord, who is praiseworthy,

and I am saved from my enemies.



3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust:

He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,

My saviour; thou savest me from violence.

4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:

So shall I be saved from mine enemies.



In the old Days of Television Western, we could always tell who the enemy was.

The bad guys wore black hats; the evil villain had a scar across

his cheek or a patch over one eye. But real life is

not quite so simple . Enemies come in many forms, and often are not easy to

recognise. Sin is an enemy; even those we love can seek

to undermine our faith;

modern materialism and distorted values lead us away from biblical principles.

These enemies may not seek our death in a physical sense,

but their influence results in spiritual death or, at the very least,

immaturity.

Yet God promises to rescue us from our enemies. David describes the Lord as a

"rock", a "shield", a "stronghold", and a "refuge". God provides a stable

foundation for our faith; he products us from the attacks of the enemy;

he offers a place of rest in battle.

Our battles are usually not physical ones, but rather spiritual

and emotional wars.

We struggle with difficult relationships, the burdens of the past,

the subtle accusations of the devil.

But these enemies can be overcome. David says,

"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise" .

When we turn to the Lord, trust his Word, acknowledge his

worthiness, we put our own problems and difficulties in perspective.

We see that God is able to rescue us, and has promised to do so.

And as we respond to his grace by focusing

on him, we abandon trust in ourselves and allow him to do what he promised.



Application



a) What kinds of enemies do I face?



b) How have I tried to deal with those enemies by myself?



c) How can today's verses help me turn to the sources of my rescue?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Hebr 11:6



6 (1Ch 28:9; Jer 29:13-14) And without faith it is impossible to please God,

for he who comes to God must believe that He exists

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.



6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh

to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them

that diligently seek him.



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



When you are Burdened by Doubt



Matt 7:7-11



Ask, Seek, Knock



Lk 11:9-13



7(Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and it will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

9 "What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread,

will give him a stone?

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake?

11 (Ge 6:5; 8:21) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts

to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give

good things to those who ask Him!



7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,

and it shall be opened unto you:

8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread,

will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,

how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things

to them that ask him?



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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





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



Saskatchewan



Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan



Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400



est Muslim Population 17279



CNMM Networks: Saskatoon



Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past

5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have

focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts

of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres

of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a

Christian school.

Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up

in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young

women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.

Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart

and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing

Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.

- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the

spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into

converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.

- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more

to be raised up into effective witness.

- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon

to spread and grow to other cities.



Adding further





Pray for Egyptians




Jeremiah 29:13



13 (Jer 24:7; 2Ch 22:9) You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search

for Me with all your heart.





[13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with

all your heart.



Six-year-old Mohamed attended a Christian event that was held for homeless

kids and, after learning about Jesus, he proclaimed that he belonged to Him.

Everyone could see that Mohamed had changed for the better. His mother was

happy, but others threatened to call national security – putting Mohamed

and his mother, and the ministry, in big trouble. Mohamed and his mother

were forced to move away with their family and hide.



Egypt has around 112 million inhabitants. Officially 90% are Muslims a

nd 10% are Coptic Christians, but there are even more protestant Christians

who live their faith boldy, and many who practice their faith secretly.



In Egypt, churches are officially allowed and even protected by the police

during services. But it is forbidden for Muslims to convert or even to search

for the truth. The price of a new faith in Christ is quite high. Converts

could lose their job, their children, their whole family and their

inheritance. The Sharia demands persecution or even death for apostacy.

Yet nothing can stop those who seek Jesus with all their hearts.



Abdallah, a Muslim doctor wanted to convert, but he could not openly

confess his new faith. His wife grew up in a very devout Muslim family

and his children are students in the Al Azhar University, which trains

Muslim missionaries. Abdallah was moved to faith by a Christian neighbour

who was treated very badly but never lost his temper and even helped

those who were in need. That made Abdallah ask questions about how his

neighbour could be so different.



How to Pray



Pray for Muslim seekers of Jesus in Egypt to have faithful

Christian examples around them who would boldly share their faith.



Pray for the discipleship of new believers,

and that they grow strong in their faith.



Pray that Christians will show practical examples of love

and help to their Muslim neighbors who need jobs or other help.



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .



Conclusion:



Lord Jesus, l know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I

believe that You died for my sins and l trust in You alone for my salvation. I

choose to turn away from the things in my life of which You don't approve

and now surrender my life to You. I invite You to come and reign and rule in

my heart and fife and open my spirit Establish Your presence within me

and please bring me Your peace. I want to know the power of the Holy Spirit

working in me and live forever with You in the Kingdom of God. I choose to

trust and follow You as my Lord and saviour. Amen



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for godly people to rise in all nations.



Pray to the Lord: "Risen Jesus, thank You for coming and dying

on the cross that I might have life eternal. I worship You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord as Salvation and protection.



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him diligently.



Pray to the Lord and pray to ask with faith.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart

and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing

Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.

- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the

spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into

converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.

- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more

to be raised up into effective witness.

- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon

to spread and grow to other cities.



- Pray for multiplying house churches to launch Gospel movements among the

Iraqi Arabs, North Iraqi Arabs, and Northern Kurds.



- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to sweep over the house churches.



- Pray for the historic church to be filled with God's Grace and boldness as

its members share their faith with others



- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through prayer and evangelism.



Pray for Muslim seekers of Jesus in Egypt to have faithful

Christian examples around them who would boldly share their faith.



Pray for the discipleship of new believers,

and that they grow strong in their faith.



Pray that Christians will show practical examples of love

and help to their Muslim neighbors who need jobs or other help.



Pray for the salvation of young people in Somalia who are becoming

disenchanted with Islam and ongoing Al-Shabab attacks.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

The Story of Resurrection Sunday

Mark 16:1-8 Matthew 28:1-7 Luke 24:1-12 Mark 16:9-13 John 20:1-18

Matthew 28:8-15 Luke 24:13-43 Mark 16:12-13 John 20:19-23 Mark 16:14

John 20:24-31 John 21 Matthew 28:16-20 Mark 16:15-18 Luke 24:44-49

Mark 16:19-20 Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:1-11



Mark 16:1-8





The Resurrection of Jesus

Mt 28:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10



1 (Mk 15:40; 15:47) When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,

and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices,

so that they might go and anoint Him.

2 (Mt 28:1; Lk 24:1) Very early in the morning, on the first day

of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun.

3 They said among themselves, "Who will roll the stone away

from the door of the tomb for us?"

4 (Lk 24:2; Jn 20:1) But when they looked, they saw that the stone

had been rolled away. For it was very large.

5 (Jn 20:11-12; Mt 28:3) And entering the tomb, they saw a young man

sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white robe.

And they were frightened.

6 He said to them, "Do not be frightened. You are looking for Jesus

of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here.

See the place where they laid Him.

7 (Mk 14:28; Mt 26:32) But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter

that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him,

as He told you."

8 They went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled

and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.



[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of

James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint

him.

[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto

the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from

the door of the sepulchre?

[4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it

was very great.

[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the

right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

[6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth,

which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where

they laid him.

[7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you

into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

[8] And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they

trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they

were afraid.



Matthew 28:1-7



The Resurrection



Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10



1 (Mt 27:56; 27:61) At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn

on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene

and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

2 And then there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door

and sat on it.

3 (Mk 9:3; Ac 1:10) His countenance was like lightning, and his garments

white as snow.

4 (Rev 1:17) The soldiers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 (Heb 1:14) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid.

For I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

6 (Mt 16:21; 27:63) He is not here. For He has risen, as He said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 (Mt 26:32; 28:10) Then go quickly and tell His disciples

that He has risen from the dead, and indeed, He is going before you

to Galilee. There you will see Him. Listen, I have told you."



[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of

the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and

sat upon it.

[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know

that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

[6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where

the Lord lay.

[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;

and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I

have told you.



Luke 24:1-12



The Resurrection of Jesus

Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Jn 20:1-10



1 (Lk 24:10; Jn 20:1-2) Now on the first day of the week,

very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them,

came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared.

2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

3 (Lk 24:23) But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord

Jesus.

4 (Mk 16:5; Ac 1:10) While they were greatly perplexed concerning this,

suddenly two men stood by them in shining garments.

5 As they were afraid and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them,

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?

6 (Mt 17:22-23; Lk 9:22) He is not here, but has risen! Remember how

He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,

7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,

and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.' "

8 Then they remembered His words.

9 And they returned from the tomb and reported all these things

to the eleven and to all the rest.

10 (Mk 15:40-41; Lk 8:2-3) It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna,

Mary the mother of James, and other women with them, who told these things

to the apostles.

11 (Mk 16:11) But their words seemed like fables to them, and they did not

believe them.

12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb. Stooping down, he saw the linen

clothes lying by themselves. He departed, wondering in himself what

had happened.



[1] Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came

unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain

others with them.

[2] And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

[3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

[4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two

men stood by them in shining garments:

[5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they

said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

[6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was

yet in Galilee,

[7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,

and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

[8] And they remembered his words,

[9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the

eleven, and to all the rest.

[10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and

other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

[11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them

not.

[12] Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he

beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in

himself at that which was come to pass.



Mark 16:9-13



The Appearance to Mary Magdalene

Mt 28:9-10; Jn 20:11-18

9 (Mk 15:40; Lk 8:2) Now when Jesus rose early on the first day

of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom

He had cast seven demons.

10 She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned

and wept.

11 (Lk 24:11; Mk 16:13-14) When they heard that He was alive

and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.



[9] Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared

first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

[10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and

wept.

[11] And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of

her, believed not.



The Appearance to Two Disciples

Lk 24:13-35



12 (Lk 24:13-32) After that He appeared in another form to two of them

as they walked and went into the country.

13 (Lk 24:33-35; Jn 20:25) And they went and told it to the rest,

but they did not believe them either.



[12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they

walked, and went into the country.

[13] And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.



John 20:1-18



John 20

The Resurrection of Jesus

Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12



1 (Mt 27:60; Mk 15:46) Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene

went to the tomb while it was still dark

and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

2 (Jn 13:23; 20:13; 19:26) So she came running to Simon Peter

and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them,

"They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,

and we do not know where they have put Him."

3 (Lk 24:12) So Peter came out with the other disciple

and they went toward the tomb.

4 They both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter

and came to the tomb first.

5 (Jn 19:40) Stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying.

Yet he did not enter.

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went inside the tomb.

He saw the linen cloths lying there,

7 (Jn 11:44) and the cloth that was around His head, not lying

with the linen cloths, but wrapped in a place by itself.

8 (Jn 20:4) Then the other disciple, who came first to the tomb,

went in also. He saw and believed.

9 (Lk 24:26; Ps 16:10) For as yet they did not know the Scripture,

that He must rise from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.



[1] The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet

dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

[2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,

whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of

the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

[3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the

sepulchre.

[4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and

came first to the sepulchre.

[5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet

went he not in.

[6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and

seeth the linen clothes lie,

[7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen

clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

[8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the

sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

[9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the

dead.

[10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.



The Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene

Mk 16:9-11



11 But Mary stood outside at the tomb weeping. As she wept,

she stooped down and looked into the tomb,

12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus

had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

13 (Jn 20:15; 2:4) They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"

She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord,

and I do not know where they have put Him."

14 (Mt 28:9; Mk 16:9) When she had said this, she turned around

and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

15 (Jn 1:38; 18:4) Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?

Whom are you seeking?"

Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him,

"Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have put Him,

and I will take Him away."

16 (Jn 1:38) Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to Me, for I have not

yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and tell them,

'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.' "

18 (Lk 24:10; Mt 28:10) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples

that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.



[11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she

stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

[12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the

other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

[13] And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them,

Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid

him.

[14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus

standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

[15] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She,

supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne

him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

[16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him,

Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

[17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my

Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father,

and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord,

and that he had spoken these things unto her.



Matthew 28:8-15



8 (Ps 2:11) So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear

and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

9 (Mt 14:33; 28:17) As they went to tell His disciples,

suddenly Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" They came

and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.

10 (Jn 20:17; Ro 8:29) Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.

Go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."



[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;

and did run to bring his disciples word.

[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,

All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

[10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they

go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.



The Report of the Guard



11 (Mt 27:65-66) While they were going, indeed, some of the soldiers

went into the city and described to the chief priests everything

that had happened.

12 When the chief priests were assembled with the elders

and had taken counsel, they gave much money to the soldiers,

13 saying, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night

and stole Him away while we were sleeping.'

14 (Mt 27:2) If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him

and keep you secure."

15 (Mt 27:8) So they took the money and did as they were instructed.

And this saying has been commonly reported among the Jews to this day.



[11] Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city,

and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

[12] And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel,

they gave large money unto the soldiers,

[13] Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while

we slept.

[14] And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and

secure you.

[15] So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is

commonly reported among the Jews until this day.



Luke 24:13-43



The Walk to Emmaus

Mk 16:12-13



13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,

about seven miles (Gk. 60 stadia, or 11 kilometers.) from Jerusalem.

14 They were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

15 (Lk 24:36) While they communed and reasoned together,

Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.

16 (Jn 20:14; 21:4) But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

17 He said to them, "What kind of communication are you sharing

with one another while you are walking and are sad?”

18 (Jn 19:25) One of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are You

the only foreigner in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened

there in these days?"

19 (Mt 21:11; Ac 2:22) He said to them, "What things?"

They said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet,

powerful in deed and word before God and all the people,

20 (Lk 23:13) and how our chief priests and rulers handed Him over

to be sentenced to death and crucified Him.

21 (Lk 1:68; 2:38) But we were hoping that it was He who was to redeem

Israel. Moreover, today is the third day since these things happened.

22 Even some women from among us, who arrived early at the tomb, surprised us.

23 When they did not find His body, they returned saying that they had

even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive.

24 (Lk 24:12) Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb

and found it just as the women had said. But they did not see Him."

25 He said to them, "O fools! And slow of heart to believe what

the prophets have spoken!

26 (1Pe 1:11; Lk 24:46) Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer

these things and to enter His glory?"

27 (Ge 3:15; Isa 7:14) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,

He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

28 (Mk 6:48) They drew near the village where they were traveling,

and He seemed to be going farther.

29 But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us. For it is nearly evening

and the day is far spent." So He went in to stay with them.

30 (Mt 14:19; Lk 24:35) As He sat at supper with them, He took the bread,

blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them.

31 (Lk 24:16; 4:30) Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.

And He vanished out of their sight.

32 (Lk 24:45; Ps 39:3) They said to each other, :Did not our hearts burn

within us while He talked to us on the way and while He opened

the Scriptures to us?"

33 They rose up and returned to Jerusalem at once. And they found

the eleven and those who were with them assembled together,

34 (1Co 15:5) saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

35 Then they reported what had happened on the way, and how He was recognised

by them in the breaking of the bread.



[13] And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus,

which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

[14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

[15] And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned,

Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

[16] But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

[17] And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye

have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

[18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him,

Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which

are come to pass therein these days?

[19] And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning

Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God

and all the people:

[20] And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned

to death, and have crucified him.

[21] But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:

and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

[22] Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which

were early at the sepulchre;

[23] And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also

seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

[24] And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found

it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

[25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that

the prophets have spoken:

[26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his

glory?

[27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in

all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

[28] And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as

though he would have gone further.

[29] But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward

evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

[30] And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and

blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

[31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of

their sight.

[32] And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while

he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

[33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found

the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

[34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

[35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of

them in breaking of bread.



The Appearance to the Disciples

Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:14-18; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8



36 (Mk 16:14; Jn 14:27) As they were saying this, Jesus Himself stood among

them and said to them, "Peace be unto you."

37 They were terrified and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit.

38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise

in your hearts?

39 (Jn 20:27; 1Jn 1:1; Jn 20:20) See My hands and My feet, that it is

I Myself. Feel Me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh

and bones as you see that I have."

40 When He said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

41 (Jn 21:5) And while they yet disbelieved for joy and wondered,

He said to them, "Do you have any food here?"

42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb.

43 (Ac 10:41) And He took it and ate it before them.



[36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and

saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

[37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen

a spirit.

[38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise

in your hearts?

[39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see;

for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

[40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

[41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto

them, Have ye here any meat?

[42] And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

[43] And he took it, and did eat before them.



Mark 16:12-13



The Appearance to Two Disciples

Lk 24:13-35



12 (Lk 24:13-32) After that He appeared in another form to two of them

as they walked and went into the country.

13 (Lk 24:33-35; Jn 20:25) And they went and told it to the rest,

but they did not believe them either.



[12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they

walked, and went into the country.

[13] And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.



John 20:19-23



The Appearance of Jesus to His Disciples

Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:14-18; Lk 24:36-49



19 (Jn 20:26; 14:27; 20:21) On the evening of that first day of the week,

the doors being locked where the disciples were assembled,

for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them,

"Peace be with you."

20 (Jn 16:22; 20:27) When He had said this, He showed them His hands

and His side. The disciples were then glad when they saw the Lord.

21 (Jn 13:20; 14:27) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.

As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you."

22 (Ge 2:7; Jn 15:26) When He had said this, He breathed on them

and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

23 (Mt 16:19; 18:18) If you forgive the sins of anyone,

they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of anyone,

they are retained."



[19] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the

doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,

came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

[20] And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.

Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

[21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath

sent me, even so send I you.

[22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them,

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

[23] Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose

soever sins ye retain, they are retained.



Mark 16:14



The Commissioning of the Disciples

Mt 28:16-20; Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8



14 (1Co 15:5; Lk 24:36-43) Afterward He appeared to the eleven

as they sat at supper, and He reprimanded them for their unbelief

and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had

seen Him after He had risen.



[14] Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and

upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they

believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.



John 20:24-31



Jesus and Thomas



24 (Jn 11:16) But Thomas, one of the twelve, called The Twin,

was not with them when Jesus came.

25 (Mk 16:11) So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail prints in His hands,

and put my finger in the nail prints, and put my hand in His side,

I will not believe."

26 (Jn 20:19) After eight days His disciples were again

inside with the doors shut, and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you."

27 (Jn 20:25) Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here,

and look at My hands. Put your hand here and place it in My side.

Do not be faithless, but believing."

28 (Isa 7:14; 9:6) Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 (1Pe 1:8; 2Co 5:7) Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have

seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen,

and have yet believed."



[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when

Jesus came.

[25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But

he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails,

and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his

side, I will not believe.

[26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with

them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and

said, Peace be unto you.

[27] Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands;

and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless,

but believing.

[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast

believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.



The Purpose of the Book



30 (Jn 21:25) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence

of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

31 (Jn 3:15-16; 10:10) But these are written that you might believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing

you may have life in His name.



[30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciple

which are not written in this book:

[31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.



John 21



The Appearance of Jesus to the Seven Disciples



1 (Jn 6:1) After this, Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples

at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself this way:

2 (Jn 1:45-2:1; 4:46) Simon Peter; Thomas, called The Twin;

Nathanael of Cana in Galilee; the sons of Zebedee;

and two more of His disciples were together.

3 (Lk 5:5) Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."

Then they said to him, "We will go with you."

They went out and immediately entered the boat.

But that night they caught nothing.

4 (Jn 20:14) When the morning came, Jesus stood on the shore.

But the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?"

They answered Him, "No."

6 (Lk 5:4-7) He said to them, "Throw the net on the right side of the boat,

and you will find some." So they threw it, and now they were not able

to draw it in because of the abundance of fish.

7 (Jn 13:23; 19:26; 20:2) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter,

"It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea.

8 The other disciples came in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish.

For they were not far from land, but about three hundred feet away.

(About 200 cubits, or 90 meters.)

9 When they came to land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying

on it, and bread.

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net, full of 153 large fish, to land.

Although there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 (Ac 10:41; Jn 4:27) Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast."

None of the disciples dared ask, "Who are You?" They knew it was the Lord.

13 (Jn 21:9) Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them,

and likewise the fish.

14 (Jn 20:19; 20:26) This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed

to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.



[1] After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the

sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

[2] There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and

Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his

disciples.

[3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also

go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that

night they caught nothing.

[4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the

disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

[5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered

him, No.

[6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and

ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it

for the multitude of fishes.

[7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the

Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's

coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

[8] And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far

from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

[9] As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there,

and fish laid thereon, and bread.

[10] Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

[11] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and

hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the

net broken.

[12] Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst

ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

[13] Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish

likewise.

[14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples,

after that he was risen from the dead.



Jesus and Peter



15 (Mt 26:33; Mk 14:29) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said

to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love You."

He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

16 (Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:2) He said to him again a second time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love You."

He said to him, "Tend My sheep."

17 (Jn 13:38; 16:30) He said to him the third time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"

Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, "Do you love Me?"

He said to Him, "Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You."

Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

18 (Jn 13:36) Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young,

you dressed yourself and walked where you desired.

But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,

and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

19 (2Pe 1:14; Jn 21:22) He said this, signifying by what kind of death

he would glorify God. When He had said this, He said to him, "Follow Me."



[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of

Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou

knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

[16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou

me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith

unto him, Feed my sheep.

[17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I

love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

[18] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst

thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old,

thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry

thee whither thou wouldest not.

[19] This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when

he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.



Jesus and the Beloved Disciple



20 (Jn 21:7; 20:2) Peter turned and saw following them the disciple

whom Jesus loved, who also leaned against His bosom at the supper

and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?"

21 (Ac 1:6-7) When Peter saw him, he said to ­Jesus,

"Lord, what about this man?"

22 (1Co 4:5; Rev 2:25) Jesus said to him, "If it is My will that

he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!"

23 The saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die.

Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but,

"If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

24 (Jn 19:35; 3Jn 1:12) This is the disciple who testifies about

these things, and wrote these things. We know that his testimony is true.

25 (Am 7:10; Jn 20:30-31) There are also many other things which Jesus did.

Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that not even the world

itself could contain the books that would be written. Amen.



[20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved

following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which

is he that betrayeth thee?

[21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

[22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that

to thee? follow thou me.

[23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple

should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I

will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

[24] This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these

things: and we know that his testimony is true.

[25] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if

they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could

not contain the books that should be written. Amen.



Matthew 28:16-20



The Commissioning of the Disciples

Mk 16:14-18; Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8



16 (Mt 28:7; 26:32) Then the eleven disciples went away to Galilee,

to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

17 (Mt 28:9) When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. But some doubted.

18 (Mt 11:27; Ro 14:9) Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 1:8) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 (Mt 18:20; Ac 2:42) teaching them to observe all things I have commanded

you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.



[16] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where

Jesus had appointed them.

[17] And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me

in heaven and in earth.

[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.



Mark 16:15-18



15 (Mt 28:19; Ac 1:8) He said to them, "Go into all the world,

and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 (Jn 3:36; 1Pe 3:21; Mt 28:19) He who believes and is baptized

will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 (Ac 5:16; 8:7) These signs will accompany those who believe:

In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18 (Lk 10:19; Ac 3:16) they will take up serpents; if they drink

any deadly thing, it will not hurt them;

they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."



[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel

to every creature.

[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth

not shall be damned.

[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they

cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it

shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall

recover.



Luke 24:44-49



44 (Ps 72:1-20; 118:22) He said to them, "These are the words

which I spoke to you while I was still with you,

that all things must be fulfilled which were written

in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Me."

45 (Ac 16:14; Job 33:16) Then He opened their minds to understand

the Scriptures.

46 (Lk 24:44) He said to them, "Thus it is written, and accordingly

it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead

the third day,

47 (Ac 5:31; Mt 28:19; Ac 2:38) and that repentance and remission

of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,

beginning at Jerusalem.

48 (Ac 1:8; 2:32) You are witnesses of these things.

49 (Ac 1:4; Jn 14:26) And look, I am sending the promise of My Father

upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed

with power from on high."



[44] And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you,

while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were

written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,

concerning me.

[45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the

scriptures,

[46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to

suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his

name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

[48] And ye are witnesses of these things.

[49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in

the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.



Mark 16:19-20



The Ascension

Lk 24:50-53; Ac 1:9-11

19 (1Pe 3:22; Heb 1:3; 12:2) After the Lord had spoken to them,

He was received up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.

20 (Ac 5:12; Heb 2:4) Then they went forth and preached everywhere,

the Lord working with them and confirming the word through

the accompanying signs. Amen.



[19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into

heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

[20] And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with

them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.



Luke 24:50-53



The Ascension

Mk 16:19-20; Ac 1:9-11



50 (Ac 1:12; Mt 21:17) Then He led them out as far as Bethany,

and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

51 (2Ki 2:11; Mk 16:19) While He blessed them, He parted from them

and was carried up into heaven.

52 (Mt 28:9; Jn 16:22) Then they worshipped Him,

and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.



[50] And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands,

and blessed them.

[51] And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them,

and carried up into heaven.

[52] And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

[53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.



Acts 1

The Promise of the Holy Spirit



1 (Lk 1:3; 24:19) The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,

concerning all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 (Jn 13:18; 20:21) until the day when He was taken up,

after He had given commandments through the Holy Spirit

to the apostles whom He had chosen,

3 (1Co 15:5-7; Jn 20:26) to whom He presented Himself alive

after His passion by many infallible proofs,

appearing to them for forty days,

and speaking concerning the kingdom of God.

4 (Lk 24:49; Jn 14:16) Being assembled with them, He commanded them,

"Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,

of which you have heard from Me. (Lk 24:49. 5Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16)

For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized

with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."



[1] The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus

began both to do and teach,

[2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the

Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

[3] To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many

infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the

things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

[4] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they

should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the

Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

The Ascension



6 (Mt 17:11) So when they had come together, they asked Him,

"Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 (Mt 24:36; Da 2:21; Mk 13:32) He said to them, "It is not for you

to know the times or the dates, which the Father has fixed

by His own authority.

8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

9 (Ac 1:2; Lk 24:50-51) When He had spoken these things,

while they looked, He was taken up.

And a cloud received Him from their sight.

10 (Lk 24:4; Jn 20:12) While they looked intently toward heaven as

He ascended, suddenly two men stood by them in white garments.

11 (Ac 2:7; 13:31) They said, "Men of Galilee, why stand looking

toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven,

will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."



[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the

seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon

you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all

Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken

up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into

heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall

so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Day 90 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 30 March 2024 - Good Friday reflections

Day 90, 30 March 2024



1) Judges 3 -5

JUDGES 3



1 (Jdg 2:21-22) Now these are the nations that the Lord left to test

those in Israel who had not experienced war in Canaan

2 (so that later generations of the children of Israel who did not

know war before might know it, to teach them how to fight):

3 (Jos 13:3; 13:5) the five Philistine lords, all the Canaanites,

the Sidonians, and the Hivites living on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal

Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

4 (Jdg 2:22; 3:1) They were to test Israel, in order to know if they would

obey the commandments of the Lord, which He commanded their fathers

by the hand of Moses.

5 (Ex 3:8) The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites,

Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

6 (Ex 34:16; Dt 7:3-4) They took their daughters for themselves as wives,

and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.





Judges 3

[1] Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them,

even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

[2] Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach

them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

[3] Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the

Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount

Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

[4] And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would

hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers

by the hand of Moses.

[5] And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and

Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:

[6] And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their

daughters to their sons, and served their gods.



Othniel



7 (Ex 34:13; Jdg 2:11-13) The children of Israel did what was evil

in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served

the Baals and the Asherahs.

8 (Jdg 2:14; Hab 3:7) The anger of the Lord burned against Israel,

and He sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia.

The children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years.

9 (Jdg 1:13; 3:15) Then the children of Israel cried out to the Lord,

and the Lord raised up a deliverer in order to save the children of Israel

-Othniel son of Kenaz, the younger brother of Caleb.

10 (Jdg 6:34; 11:29) The Spirit of the Lord came on him,

and he judged Israel. He went out to battle,

and the Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, into his hands,

so that Othniel overpowered Cushan-Rishathaim.

11 (Jos 11:23; Jdg 3:30) The land rested forty years, then Othniel

son of Kenaz died.



[7] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat

the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

[8] Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them

into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of

Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years.

[9] And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up

a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the

son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

[10] And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and

went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of

Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against

Chushan-rishathaim.

[11] And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.



Ehud



12 (1Sa 12:9; Jdg 2:19) Then the children of Israel once more did

what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord strengthened

King Eglon of Moab against Israel because they had done

what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

13 (Jdg 1:16; Dt 34:3) Eglon joined forces with the Ammonites and Amalekites;

then he went and attacked Israel and took possession of the City of Palms.

14 The children of Israel served King Eglon of Moab for eighteen years.

15 (Jdg 3:9; Ps 78:34) Then the children of Israel cried out to the Lord,

and the Lord raised up a deliverer-Ehud son of Gera the Benjamite,

a left-handed man. The children of Israel sent a tribute payment by him

to King Eglon of Moab.

16 Ehud made a cubit-long (About 18 inches, or 45 centimeters.)

two-edged sword for himself and strapped it onto his right thigh

under his cloak.

17 He brought the tribute payment to King Eglon of Moab.

Now Eglon was a very fat man.

18 When Ehud finished offering the tribute payment,

he sent away the people who carried it.

19 (Jos 4:20) But he himself turned back from the stone idols that

were at Gilgal, and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king."

And he said, "Keep silence!" And all who attended him departed from him.

20 (Am 3:15) Ehud approached him as he was sitting alone in his cool

upper chamber. Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you."

And Eglon rose from his seat.

21 Then Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh,

and plunged it into the belly of Eglon.

22 The hilt went in after the blade and the fat closed over the blade

and his entrails came out, for he did not pull the sword

out of the belly of Eglon.

23 Then Ehud went out to the entrance hall and closed the doors of

the upper chamber on him and locked them.

24 (1Sa 24:3) When he went out, the servants of Eglon came.

They looked and noticed the doors of the upper chamber were locked.

They thought, "Surely he is attending to his needs in the cool chamber."

25 They waited until they were embarrassed, but he still did not open

the doors of the upper chamber. So they took a key and opened it.

There, fallen dead on the floor, was their lord.

26 Yet Ehud escaped while they were waiting. He passed the sacred stones

and escaped to Seirah.

27 (Jdg 6:34; 1Sa 13:3) Upon his arrival, he blew a ram's horn trumpet

in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the children of Israel went down

with him from the hill country, and he led them.

28 (Jdg 12:5; Jos 2:7) He said to them, "Follow me, for the Lord has given

your enemies the Moabites into your hands." They followed him,

and they captured the Jordan fords leading to Moab.

They did not let anyone cross.

29 They struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all strong and valorous men,

and not a single man escaped.

30 (Jdg 3:11) So Moab was humbled under the hand of Israel that day,

and the land had peace for eighty years.



[12] And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and

the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they

had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

[13] And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and

smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.

[14] So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

[15] But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised

them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded:

and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of

Moab.

[16] But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and

he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

[17] And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a

very fat man.

[18] And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the

people that bare the present.

[19] But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and

said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And

all that stood by him went out from him.

[20] And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which

he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto

thee. And he arose out of his seat.

[21] And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right

thigh, and thrust it into his belly:

[22] And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the

blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt

came out.

[23] Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the

parlour upon him, and locked them.

[24] When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that,

behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth

his feet in his summer chamber.

[25] And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the

doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and,

behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.

[26] And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries,

and escaped unto Seirath.

[27] And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the

mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the

mount, and he before them.

[28] And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered

your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and

took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

[29] And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty,

and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.

[30] So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had

rest fourscore years.



Shamgar



31 (Jdg 5:6; 2:16) After Ehud was Shamgar son of Anath.

He struck down six hundred Philistine men with an ox goad.

He also saved Israel.



[31] And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the

Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.



JUDGES 4



Deborah

1 When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel once more

did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

2 (Jos 11:1; Jdg 4:13) The Lord sold them into the hands

of King Jabin of Canaan, who ruled in Hazor.

The commander of his army was Sisera. He lived in Harosheth Haggoyim.

3 (Jdg 1:19; 3:9) The children of Israel cried out to the Lord,

for Sisera had 900 iron chariots and had forcefully oppressed

the children of Israel for twenty years.

4 Now Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophetess.

She judged Israel at that time.

5 (Ge 35:8) She would sit under the palm tree of Deborah

between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim.

The children of Israel would go up to her for her to render judgment.

6 (Heb 11:32; Jos 19:37) She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh

in Naphtali and said to him, "The Lord God of Israel commands you,

'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor, and take 10000 from the tribes

of Naphtali and Zebulun with you.

7 (Jdg 5:21; 1Ki 18:40) I will draw Sisera, the commander of the army

of Jabin, with his chariots and large army to you at the River Kishon

and give him into your hands.' "

8 Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go,

but if you will not go with me, then I will not go."

9 (Jdg 2:14) She said, "I will indeed go with you. However, the way

you are going will gain you no glory, for the Lord will deliver Sisera

into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.

10 (Jdg 5:18; 5:15) Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh.

10000 men went up on foot with him, and Deborah went up with him also.

11 (Nu 10:29; Jos 19:33) Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites,

who were descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law.

He pitched his tent at the oak in Zaanannim, near Kedesh.

12 Then they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.

13 (Jdg 4:2-3) So Sisera summoned all his 900 iron chariots

and all the people with him, from Harosheth Haggoyim to the River Kishon.

14 (Dt 9:3; 2Sa 5:24) Then Deborah said to Barak,"Get up, for this is the day

that the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone

out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10000 men

behind him.

15 (Jos 10:10; Ps 83:9-10) The Lord routed Sisera and all of his chariots

and all of his army with the edge of the sword in front of Barak.

Sisera dismounted his chariot and fled on foot.

16 Barak chased after the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Haggoyim.

The whole army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. Not a single man survived.

17 Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite,

for there was peace between King Jabin of Hazor

and the family of Heber the Kenite.

18 Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him,

"Turn aside, my lord. Turn aside to me. Do not be afraid."

So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.

19 (Jdg 5:25-26) He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink,

for I am thirsty." So she opened a leather milk container, gave it to him to drink,

and covered him.

20 He said to her, "Stand in the entrance to the tent,

and if anyone comes and asks you, 'Is there a man here?' then you say, 'No.' "

21 Then Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand

and went quietly to him, for he was fast asleep and tired.

She drove the tent peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground,

so he died.

22 Now as Barak had been chasing Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said,

"Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek."

When he came in, there was Sisera fallen dead with a tent peg in his temple.

23 (Ne 9:24; Ps 18:47) So God humbled King Jabin of Canaan

before the children of Israel that day.

24 The children of Israel grew more and more powerful

over King Jabin of Canaan until he was no more.



Judges 4

[1] And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when

Ehud was dead.

[2] And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that

reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in

Harosheth of the Gentiles.

[3] And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred

chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of

Israel.

[4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at

that time.

[5] And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in

mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

[6] And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali,

and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and

draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children

of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

[7] And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of

Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him

into thine hand.

[8] And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if

thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

[9] And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey

that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell

Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to

Kedesh.

[10] And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with

ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

[11] Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in

law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent

unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

[12] And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to

mount Tabor.

[13] And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred

chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of

the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.

[14] And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD

hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee?

So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

[15] And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his

host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down

off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

[16] But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto

Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of

the sword; and there was not a man left.

[17] Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of

Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and

the house of Heber the Kenite.

[18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord,

turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent,

she covered him with a mantle.

[19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink;

for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and

covered him.

[20] Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be,

when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here?

that thou shalt say, No.

[21] Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in

her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and

fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

[22] And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and

said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And

when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his

temples.

[23] So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children

of Israel.

[24] And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against

Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.



JUDGES 5



The Song of Deborah



1 (Ex 15:1)On that day, Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang:

2 (Jdg 5:9; 2Ch 17:16) "When the leaders in Israel lead,

when the people freely volunteer,

bless the Lord!

3 "Hear, O kings! Listen, O rulers!

I will sing to the Lord;

I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

4 (Dt 33:2; Ps 68:7-8) "Lord, when You went out from Seir,

when You marched from the land of Edom,

the ground shook and the skies poured,

indeed, the dense clouds poured water.

5 (Ex 19:18; Ps 97:5) The mountains quaked before the Lord,

this very Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel.

6 (Jdg 3:31; Isa 33:8) "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

in the days of Jael, main roads were abandoned

and travelers used roundabout paths.

7 Village life ceased. It ceased

until I, Deborah, arose;

I arose like a mother in Israel.

8 (Dt 32:16-17; Jdg 2:12) They were choosing new gods,

and warfare was at the city gates,

but not a shield or spear was to be seen

among forty thousand in Israel.

9 (Jdg 5:2) My heart is with the rulers of Israel

who offered themselves willingly among the people.

Bless the Lord!

10 (Jdg 10:4; 12:14) "You who ride on white donkeys,

you who sit in judges' attire,

you who walk on the road,

11 (1Sa 12:7; Mic 6:5) consider the voice of those who distribute water

among the watering places.

There they tell of the righteous deeds of the Lord,

the righteous deeds of villagers in Israel.

"Then the people of the Lord

go down to the gates.

12 (Ps 57:8; 68:18) Awake, awake, Deborah!

Awake, awake, sing a song!

Stand up, Barak,

and capture your prisoners, son of Abinoam!

13 "The survivors

came down to the nobles;

the people of the Lord

came down for me against the mighty.

14 (Nu 32:39-40; Jdg 3:13) Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek,

following you, Benjamin, with your people.

From Makir rulers came down,

and from Zebulun those who carry the staff of a scribe.

15 (Jdg 4:14) The princes of Issachar were with Deborah,

and Issachar was with Barak;

they were sent into the valley on foot.

Among the clans of Reuben

there was great resolve of heart.

16 (Nu 32:24) Why do you sit among the sheepfolds

to hear playing of pipes for the flocks?

In the clans of Reuben

there was much searching of heart.

17 (Jos 13:25) Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan.

As for Dan, why did he stay with the ships?

Asher stayed by the seacoast

and settled by its bays.

18 (Jdg 4:10; 4:6) Zebulun is a people who risked their lives

to the point of death,

Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

19 (Jdg 1:27; 5:30) "Kings came to wage war.

The kings of Canaan waged war

in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo;

they took no money as profit.

20 (Jos 10:11) From the heavens the stars fought,

from their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 (Jdg 4:7; Ps 44:5) The torrent of Kishon swept them away,

that ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon.

My soul, march on in strength!

22 Then horses' hooves pounded,

the galloping, galloping of his steeds.

23 (Jdg 21:9-10) Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord,

curse its inhabitants,

for they did not come to the aid of the Lord,

to the aid of the Lord against the mighty warriors.

24 (Jdg 4:17) "Most blessed of women is Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite,

most blessed of tent-dwelling women.

25 He asked for water, she gave him milk.

In a magnificent bowl she brought cream.

26 Her hand on a tent peg,

her right hand on a workman’s hammer;

she struck Sisera, she crushed his skull,

she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 Between her feet he sank, he fell, he lay;

between her feet he sank, he fell;

where he sank, there he fell, overpowered.

28 "The mother of Sisera looked through the window,

and cried out through the lattice,

'Why is his chariot so late?

Why is the sound of his war chariots so delayed?'

29 Her wise attendants answered her,

indeed, she replied to herself,

30 (Ex 15:9) 'Are they not finding and dividing the spoils:

a girl or two for each man;

dyed garments as plunder for Sisera,

dyed and embroidered garments,

two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?"

31 (Jdg 3:11; 2Sa 23:4) "May all Your enemies perish like this, OLord!

But may those who love Him rise like the sun

when it rises in full strength."

Then the land was at peace for fourty years.



Judges 5

[1] Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,

[2] Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly

offered themselves.

[3] Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the

LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

[4] LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the

field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also

dropped water.

[5] The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before

the LORD God of Israel.

[6] In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the

highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.

[7] The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until

that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.

[8] They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or

spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

[9] My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves

willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.

[10] Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk

by the way.

[11] They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of

drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD,

even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel:

then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.

[12] Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and

lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

[13] Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the

people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.

[14] Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee,

Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of

Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

[15] And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also

Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben

there were great thoughts of heart.

[16] Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the

flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

[17] Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher

continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.

[18] Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the

death in the high places of the field.

[19] The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach

by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

[20] They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against

Sisera.

[21] The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river

Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.

[22] Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the

pransings of their mighty ones.

[23] Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the

inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the

help of the LORD against the mighty.

[24] Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed

shall she be above women in the tent.

[25] He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a

lordly dish.

[26] She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's

hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when

she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

[27] At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he

fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

[28] The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the

lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his

chariots?

[29] Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,

[30] Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a

damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours

of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the

necks of them that take the spoil?

[31] So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be

as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty

years.



2) Our Daily Bread for 30 March 2024 titled



The Passion of Christ




Isaiah 53:4-7,10-12



4 (Mt 8:17; Jn 19:7) Surely he has borne our grief

and carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 (Ro 4:25; 1Co 15:3) But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities;

the chastisement of our peace was upon him,

and by his stripes we are healed.

6 (Ps 69:4; 1Pe 2:25) All of us like sheep have gone astray;

each of us has turned to his own way,

but the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 (Mk 14:61; Mt 26:63) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

10 (Ps 22:30; 69:26) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him;

He has put him to grief.

If he made himself as an offering for sin,

he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days,

and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 (Ro 5:18-19; Isa 42:1) He shall see of the anguish of his soul

and be satisfied.

By his knowledge My righteous servant shall justify the many,

for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 (Mk 15:27; Lk 22:37) Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the great,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death,

and he was numbered with the transgressors,

thus he bore the sin of many

and made intercession for the transgressors.



Isaiah 53



[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did

esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our

iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his

stripes

we are healed.

[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own

way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

[7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he

is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her

shearers is

dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

[10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when

thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he

shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his

hand.

[11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by

his

knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their

iniquities.

[12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall

divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto

death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of

many, and made intercession for the transgressors.



Before Jim Caviezel played Jesus in the film The Passion of the Christ,

director Mel Gibson warned that the role would be extremely difficult

and could negatively impact his career in Hollywood. Caviezel took

on the role anyway, saying, "I think we have to make it,

even if it is difficult."



During the filming, Caviezel was struck by lightning, lost forty-five pounds,

and was accidentally whipped during the flogging scene. Afterwards, he stated,

"I didn't want people to see me. I just wanted them to see Jesus.

Conversions will happen through that." The film deeply affected Caviezel

and others on the set, and only God knows how many of the millions

who watched it experienced changed lives.



The passion of Christ refers to the time of Jesus' greatest suffering,

from His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and including His betrayal,

mocking, flogging, and crucifixion. Accounts are found in all four gospels.



In Isaiah 53, His suffering and its outcome are foretold: "He was pierced

for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment

that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (v. 5).

All of us, "like sheep, have gone astray" (v. 6). But because of Jesus'

crucifixion and resurrection, we can have peace with God. His suffering

opened the way for us to be with Him.



By: Alyson Kieda



Reflect & Pray



What aspect of Christ's life most impacts you?

How does His suffering affect you?



Precious Savior, it's hard to express how grateful

I am that You suffered, died, and rose again for me. Thank You.



For further study, read I Am the Way: The Amazing Claims of Jesus.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 7 God's Bulldozer - Luke 3:5-6



5 (Isa 40:4; 42:16) Every valley shall be filled

and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;

and the crooked shall be made straight

and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 (Isa 40:5; 52:10) and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.



5 Every valley shall be filled,

And every mountain and hill shall be brought low;

And the crooked shall be made straight,

And the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.



When a new highway is being constructed, the roads crew work hard

in preparing for the new surface to be laid. Giant bulldozers cut through

the hillsides, moving earth, leveling, filling, evening the path out where

the roadway will run. When the work is first begun, if often looks like chaos:

and even after the highway begins to take shape, the land is still ugly,

scarred by the unsightly gashes cut through the landscape. Yet after

the work is completed and the grass and trees are replanted, we forget

the temporary upheaval and see only the

beauty of the land and the convenience of the new roadway.

In Luke 3:5-6, John the Baptist presents a prophecy of the coming of Christ,

a prophecy quoted from Isaiah 40:3-5 . The prophecy speaks of the preparation

of the world for the coming Messiah, but is also applies to the preparation

of the individual heart to receive him.

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit must do major work in our hearts to prepare us for

the coming of Christ into our live. Like a bulldozer, he brings down the

mountains of pride in our lives. He fill the empty places , corrects

the crooked, grades down the rough edges of our hearts.

Often this is not pleasant work. We prefer to maintain the rugged landscape

of Self, and we do not like the ugly scars that are left after the bulldozer

has done its job.

But if we submit to the Spirit's "Construction work" in us, the way will be

paved for the Lord to enter into our lives, and others will see in us,

the way be paved for the Lord to enter into our lives, and other will see

in us the glory and salvation of our God.



Application



a) What "construction work" has to Holy Spirit done in me?



b) What restoration has taken place because of that work?



c) How do today's verses help me put in perspective the work

God still want to do in me?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Ps 1:3



He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that brings forth its fruit in its season;

its leaf will not wither,

and whatever he does will prosper.



3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

His leaf also shall not wither;

And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.



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



When you are Angry of Vengeful



James 1:19-25



Hearing and Doing the Word



19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak, and slow to anger,

20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and remaining

wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able

to save your souls.

22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man

viewing his natural face in a mirror.

24 He views himself, and goes his way,

and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But whoever looks into

the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it,

and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,

this man will be blessed in his deeds.



19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway

forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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



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



Saskatchewan



Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan



Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400



est Muslim Population 17279



CNMM Networks: Saskatoon



Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past

5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have

focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts

of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres

of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a

Christian school.

Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up

in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young

women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.

Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart

and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing

Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.

- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the

spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into

converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.

- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more

to be raised up into effective witness.

- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon

to spread and grow to other cities.



Adding further





Pray for Migrants at Sea




Psalm 139:9-10



9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell at the end of the sea,

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) even there Your hand shall guide me,

and Your right hand shall take hold of me.



9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

And thy right hand shall hold me.



Over 500 men, women and children drowned in June 2023

while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in an overcrowded boat

destined for Greece. The boat was filled with migrants from Egypt, Syria,

Pakistan, and Palestine who were seeking asylum in Europe. They had made

arrangements with smugglers in Libya to take them to Greece, but the boat

was unsafe and vastly overcrowded. Survivors have reported that the boat

ran out of food and water on the second day at sea and people began to die

on board before it sank on the fifth day, drowning hundreds.



Exactly how many people attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea each year is

not known. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates

that over 80000 people crossed last year – more than ever before. The IOM

counts about 2000 who have died in the attempt but it is not known how many

die without ever being found.



The majority of migrants making this crossing are Muslim – fleeing war,

political violence, poverty and hopelessness. They believe that Europe will

give them the chance to work and raise a family in peace. But many have no

idea of the risks they take in stepping aboard a smuggler's boat.



Many organizations are doing their best to help migrants who arrive on the

shores of Greece or Italy, but there are few resources and increasing numbers

of desperate migrants. Governments in Europe negotiate how many refugees they

can accept, but many are also lost to human traffickers or end up in refugee

camps for years on the other side of the Mediterranean.



How to Pray



Pray for Muslim refugees who cross the Mediterranean clinging to the hope

of a better life, that they will find it, and that God will meet them in

Europe.



Pray for the protection of refugees on their dangerous journeys.



Pray for organizations helping Muslim refugees in Europe to have

the resources they need to minister in practical and spiritual ways.



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



Day 30 of the Month



a) Pray for God's will to be done where you live and throughout

Canadian society, as it is in Heaven



( Matt 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.



)



b) Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city

or community, and across our nation. (



Rom 2:4



4 (Ex 34:6; Isa 30:18) Do you despise the riches of His goodness,

tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God

leads you to repentance?



4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance

and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth

thee to repentance?



)

Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray a prayer of Thank you for the abilities

He gives us.



Pray to the Lord: "Precious Savior, it's hard to express how grateful

I am that You suffered, died, and rose again for me. Thank You."



Pray to the Lord and pray tfor Him to the work He needs to make you better.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be rooted in righteousness.



Pray to the Lord and pray to practice His Word with His Help.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart

and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing

Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.

- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the

spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into

converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.

- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more

to be raised up into effective witness.

- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon

to spread and grow to other cities.



Pray for Muslim refugees who cross the Mediterranean clinging to the hope

of a better life, that they will find it, and that God will meet them in

Europe.



Pray for the protection of refugees on their dangerous journeys.



Pray for organizations helping Muslim refugees in Europe to have

the resources they need to minister in practical and spiritual ways.



Pray for God's will to be done where you live and throughout

Canadian society, as it is in Heaven



Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city

or community, and across our nation.



Pray for Christians in Laos like Phan and Yun who have been rejected

or evicted for their faith.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God

Day 89 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 29 March 2024 - Good Friday reflections

Day 89, 29 March 2024 Good Friday



Today at

Calvary Community Church
, Pastor Doug Zieber

spoke Something Greater - God's Just Injustice



Acts 13:27-28





27 (Ac 3:17; Lk 24:20) Because those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers,

did not know Him, in condemning Him they have fulfilled the voices

of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath.

28 (Mt 27:22-25) Though they found in Him no cause worthy of death,

yet they asked Pilate to have Him killed.



[27] For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew

him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath

day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

[28] And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate

that he should be slain.



1) Judges 1 - 2



JUDGES 1



Israel Fights Remaining Canaanites



1 (Nu 27:21; Jdg 20:18) After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel

inquired of the Lord, "Who should go up against the Canaanites first,

in order to wage war against them?"

2 The Lord said, "Judah shall go up.

Indeed, I have given the land into their hands."

3 (Jdg 1:17) Then the men of Judah said to Simeon,

their brothers, "Come up with us into our allotted territory.

We will wage war against the Canaanites. Likewise we will go

with you into your allotted territory." So Simeon went with them.

4 (1 Sa 11:8) Then Judah went up, and the Lord gave the Canaanites

and Perizzites into their hands. They struck down ten thousand men in Bezek.

5 They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek and fought against him.

They struck down the Canaanites and Perizzites.

6 Yet Adoni-Bezek fled, and they chased after him, seized him,

and cut off his thumbs and big toes.

7 (1Sa 15:33) Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings whose thumbs

and big toes were cut off once collected scraps of food

under my table. Just as I have done, so God has repaid me."

They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

8 (Jos 15:63; Jdg 1:21) Then Judah waged war against Jerusalem.

They captured it, struck it with the edge of the sword,

and sent the city up in flames.

9 Afterwards, Judah went down to wage war against the Canaanites

living in the hill country, the Negev, and the lowlands.

10 (Nu 13:22; Jos 14:15) Judah went against the Canaanites living

in Hebron (previously the name of Hebron was Kiriath Arba)

and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

11 (Jos 15:15) From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir

(previously the name of Debir was Kiriath Sepher).

12 Caleb said, "He who attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it,

I will give him my daughter Aksah as wife."

13 (Jdg 3:9) Othniel son of Kenaz, the younger brother of Caleb,

captured it. So Caleb gave him Aksah his daughter in marriage.

14 When she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father

for a field. As she dismounted from her donkey, Caleb said to her,

"What can I do for you?"

15 She answered, "Please give me a special gift.

Since you have given me land in the Negev, now give me springs of water."

So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

16 (Nu 10:29-32; 21:1; Dt 34:3) The descendants of Moses' father-in-law,

the Kenite, went up with the descendants of Judah from the City of Palms

to the Negev near Arad. Then they went and lived with the people.

17 (Nu 21:3) But Judah went with his brother Simeon

and struck down the Canaanites living in Zephath and utterly destroyed it.

So now they call the city Hormah.

18 (Jos 11:22; Jdg 3:3) Then Judah captured Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron,

and the territory belonging to each of these cities.

19 (Jdg 1:2) The Lord was with Judah, and they took the hill country

but could not drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain,

for they had iron chariots.

20 (Jdg 1:10; Jos 15:13-14) They gave Hebron to Caleb,

as Moses had said, and he drove out the three sons of Anak.

21 (Jos 15:63) However, the tribe of Benjamin did not drive out

the Jebusites living in Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live

with the tribe of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

22 (Jdg 1:19) The descendants of Joseph went up against Bethel,

and the Lord was with them.

23 (Ge 28:19; 35:6) The descendants of Joseph sent spies into Bethel

(the former name of the city was Luz).

24 The spies saw a man coming out of the city and said to him,

"Please show us the entrance to the city, and we will deal kindly with you."

25 So he showed them an entrance to the city. They struck the city with the

edge of the sword, but they let the man and his extended family go.

26 The man went to the land of the Hittites. He built a city

and named it Luz, and that is its name to this day.

27 (Jos 17:11-13) Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants

of Beth Shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, or their daughter villages,

for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.

28 When the children of Israel became strong, they put the Canaanites

to hard labor as slaves, but they did not actually drive them out.

29 (Jos 16:10; 1Ki 9:16) Ephraim did not drive out the inhabitants

of Gezer, so the Canaanites lived among them in Gezer.

30 (Jos 19:15) Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron

and Nahalol, so the Canaanites lived among them and became

slave laborers.

31 (Jos 19:24-30) Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Akko,

Sidon, Ahlab, Akzib, Helbah, Aphek, or Rehob.

32 Asher lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land,

for they did not drive them out.

33 (Jos 19:32-38) Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh

or Beth Anath, so they live among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land.

The Canaanites of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath became slave laborers for them.

34 (Jos 19:47) The Amorites pushed the tribe of Dan into the hill country,

for they would not let them come down to the coastal plain.

35 (Jos 19:42) The Amorites were determined to live in Mount Heres, Aijalon,

and Shaalbim, but the hand of the descendants of Joseph was heavy on them,

and they became slave laborers.

36 (Nu 34:4) The border of the Amorites was from the Ascent of Akrabbim

to Sela and beyond.



Judges 1

[1] Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of

Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites

first, to fight against them?

[2] And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land

into his hand.

[3] And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot,

that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee

into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

[4] And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the

Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

[5] And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and

they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

[6] But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and

cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

[7] And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and

their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have

done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there

he died.

[8] Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken

it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

[9] And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the

Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.

[10] And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the

name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman,

and Talmai.

[11] And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name

of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher:

[12] And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him

will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

[13] And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he

gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

[14] And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of

her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto

her, What wilt thou?

[15] And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a

south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper

springs and the nether springs.

[16] And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of

the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of

Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the

people.

[17] And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites

that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city

was called Hormah.

[18] Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast

thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.

[19] And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the

mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because

they had chariots of iron.

[20] And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence

the three sons of Anak.

[21] And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that

inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin

in Jerusalem unto this day.

[22] And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD

was with them.

[23] And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the

city before was Luz.)

[24] And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto

him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew

thee mercy.

[25] And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city

with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

[26] And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and

called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.

[27] Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and her

towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns,

nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo

and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

[28] And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the

Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.

[29] Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but

the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

[30] Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the

inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became

tributaries.

[31] Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the

inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of

Aphik, nor of Rehob:

[32] But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the

land: for they did not drive them out.

[33] Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the

inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the

inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of

Beth-anath became tributaries unto them.

[34] And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they

would not suffer them to come down to the valley:

[35] But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in

Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became

tributaries.

[36] And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from

the rock, and upward.



JUDGES 2



The Angel of the Lord at Bokim



1 (Ge 17:7-8; Ex 20:2) The angelAt times the Lord speaks directly through

an angel (cf. the story of the burning bush in Ex 3:2-4). of the Lord went up

from Gilgal to Bokim and said, "I brought you up from Egypt and brought

you into the land that I promised your fathers. I said, 'I will never break

My covenant with you,

2 (Dt 7:2-4) but you must not make a pact with the inhabitants of this land,

and you must tear down their altars.' Yet you have not obeyed Me.

What is this you have done?

3 (Nu 33:55; Jos 23:13; Dt 7:16) So now I say, 'I will not drive them out

before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will

be a snare to you.' "

4 When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the children of Israel,

the people raised their voices and wept aloud.

5 They named that place Bokim and sacrificed to the Lord there.



[1] And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made

you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware

unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

[2] And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall

throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done

this?

[3] Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but

they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto

you.

[4] And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto

all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

[5] And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there

unto the LORD.



The Death of Joshua



6 (Jos 24:28-31) When Joshua dismissed the people,

each Israelite went to his inheritance to possess the land.

7 (Jos 24:31) So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua,

and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen

all the great works that the Lord had done for Israel.

8 Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 .

9 (Jos 19:50) They buried him in the territory of his inheritance

in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

10 (Ex 5:2; 1Sa 2:12) That entire generation passed away,

and after them grew up a generation who did not know the Lord

or the deeds that He had done for Israel.



[6] And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every

man unto his inheritance to possess the land.

[7] And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days

of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the

LORD, that he did for Israel.

[8] And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an

hundred and ten years old.

[9] And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres,

in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.

[10] And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and

there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet

the works which he had done for Israel.



Israel's Unfaithfulness



11 (Jdg 3:7; 4:1) The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord

and served the Baals.

12 (Ex 20:5) They abandoned the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them

out of the land of Egypt. They followed after other gods,

the gods of the peoples around them. They worshipped them

and provoked the Lord to anger.

13 (Jdg 10:6; 3:7) They abandoned the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.

14 (Dt 32:30; Lev 26:37) The anger of the Lord burned against Israel,

and He gave them into the hands of those who plundered them;

and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them,

so that they were no longer able to stand against their enemies.

15 (Dt 28:15-68) Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord

was against them to bring disaster, as the Lord had said

and as He had sworn to them. They were in great distress.

16 (Ac 13:20; Jdg 3:15) Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered

them from the hand of those who plundered them.

17 (Jdg 2:7; Dt 9:12) Yet they would not listen to their judges,

for they prostituted themselves to other gods and worshipped them.

They quickly turned aside from the path their fathers had walked,

who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord.

They did not do as their fathers had done.

18 (Dt 32:36; Jos 1:5) When the Lord raised up judges for them,

the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies

all the days of the judge; for their groaning before their oppressors

and tormentors grieved the Lord.

19 (Jdg 4:1; 8:33) When the judge died, the people turned back

and acted more wickedly than their fathers, pursuing other gods

to serve and worship them. They would not give up their practices

and obstinate ways.

20 (Jdg 2:14; Jos 23:16) The anger of the Lord burned against Israel,

and He said, "Because this nation has violated My covenant that

I commanded their fathers and has not heeded My voice,

21 (Jos 23:13; Jdg 2:3) I will no longer drive out from before them any

of the nations that Joshua left when he died,

22 (Dt 8:2; 8:16; 13:3) so that through them I may test Israel

and see whether or not they will keep the ways of the Lord,

to walk in them as their fathers did."

23 So the Lord left those nations, not hurrying to drive them out;

and He did not deliver them into the hand of Joshua.



[11] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and

served Baalim:

[12] And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out

of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people

that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the

LORD to anger.

[13] And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

[14] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them

into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the

hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand

before their enemies.

[15] Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for

evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they

were greatly distressed.

[16] Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the

hand of those that spoiled them.

[17] And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a

whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned

quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the

commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

[18] And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the

judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of

the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of

them that oppressed them and vexed them.

[19] And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and

corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to

serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own

doings, nor from their stubborn way.

[20] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because

that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their

fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

[21] I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the

nations which Joshua left when he died:

[22] That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of

the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

[23] Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out

hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.



2) Our Daily Bread for 29 March 2024 titled

>

Jesus, Our Substitute




1 Peter 3:13-18



13 (Pr 16:7) Who is he who will harm you if you follow that which is good?

14 (1Pe 2:19-20; Isa 8:12-13) But even if you suffer for the sake

of righteousness, you are blessed. "Do not be afraid of their terror,

do not be troubled."(Isa 8:12.)

15 (Col 4:6; Isa 29:23) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.

Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for

a reason for the hope that is in you, with

gentleness and fear.

16 (Heb 13:18; 1Pe 2:12) Have a good conscience so that evildoers who speak

evil of you and falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

17 (1Pe 2:20; 4:19) For it is better, if it is the will of God, that you

suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18 (1Pe 4:1; Heb 9:26; Ro 4:25) For Christ also has once suffered for sins,

the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, being put to death

in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit,



[13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is

good?

[14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not

afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give

an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

[16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of

evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in

Christ.

[17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well

doing, than for evil doing.

[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,

that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but

quickened by the Spirit:



A wealthy twenty-year-old was drag-racing with his friends when he struck

and killed a pedestrian. Although the young man received a three-year

prison sentence, some believe that the man who appeared in court

(and who subsequently served a prison sentence) was a hired surrogate

for the driver who committed the crime. This type of thing has been known

to occur in some countries where people hire body doubles to avoid paying

for their crimes.



This may sound scandalous and outrageous, but more than two thousand years

ago, Jesus became our substitute and "suffered once for [our] sins,

the righteous for the unrighteous" (1 Peter 3:18). As God's sinless sacrifice,

Christ suffered and died once and for all (Hebrews 10:10), for all who believe

in Him. He took the penalty for all our sins in His own body on the cross.

Unlike a person today who chooses to be a substitute for a criminal to get

some cash, Christ's substitutionary death on the cross provided "hope" for us

as He freely, willingly gave His life for us (1 Peter 3:15, 18; John 10:15).

He did so to bridge the chasm between us and God.



May we rejoice and find comfort and confidence in this profound truth:

Only by the substitutionary death of Jesus can we-sinners in need-have

a relationship with and complete spiritual access to our loving God.



By: Marvin Williams



Reflect & Pray



How has Christ's substitutionary death changed your life?

What does it mean for you to have access to God and eternal

life because of Jesus' death on the cross?



Dear Jesus, thank You for dying in my place

so that I might have access to God.



Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.




3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative



Isaiah 1:18



18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "

says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.



18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.



"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life

that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them

of some order in the world."

Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations

have been asking themselves the same question.

God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue

head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.

Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,

faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.

God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".

"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it. You are not even able to be

true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power

or effort. But I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"

We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.

Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect

supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.

In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing

or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.

The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes

clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,

or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.



Application



a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a

'Rational choice'?



b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?



c) What other aspects of God's word

and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me?





4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 8:18



18 But you must remember the Lord your God,

for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,

so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,

as it is today.



18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth

thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant

which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.



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



When you are lonely



PSALMS 25:15-21



15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for He will lead my feet from the net.

16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,

for I am isolated and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

18 Look on my pain and misery,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,

and they hate me with violent hatred.

20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!

Let me not suffer shame,

for I seek refuge in You.

21 Truth and integrity will preserve me

while I wait for You.



Ain

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;

For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Pe

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;

For I am desolate and afflicted.

Zade

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:

O bring thou me out of my distresses.

(Qoph)

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

And forgive all my sins.

Resh

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

Shin

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:

Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Taw

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;

For I wait on 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 2021 edition?)



Saskatchewan



Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan



Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400



est Muslim Population 17279



CNMM Networks: Saskatoon



Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past

5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have

focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts

of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres

of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a

Christian school.

Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up

in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young

women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.

Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart

and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing

Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.

- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the

spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into

converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.

- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more

to be raised up into effective witness.

- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon

to spread and grow to other cities.



Adding further





Pray for Iranians in Europe




Ephesians 2:9



9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.



[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.



Mahmoud, an Iranian refugee in Europe, regularly visited a local church,

with the hope that they would support him in his refugee status. While

he was there, he learned about Christian ways of worship, including

the different ways that Christians fast. As a heavy drinker, Mahmoud

was inspired to abstain from alcohol for 40 days. On day 39, he was

overcome by temptation and bought a bottle of alcohol. As Mahmoud

took the first sip, he cried out to the Lord:

"Jesus, if you are real, help me stop drinking!"



Mahmoud's friends and family witnessed his astounding transformation

through Christ, who set him free from his addiction. Mahmoud's profound

testimony and transformed life became an inspiration to others.



In recent years, a significant number of Iranians, like Mahmoud, have

sought refuge in Europe, driven by factors like social injustice, political

issues, and persecution based on their faith and beliefs. Many embark on the

journey to Europe with the hopes of attaining safety, security, a place to

call home, freedom, and a promising future. But as well as this, many Iranians

are searching for truth, hope and spiritual refuge.



Jesus can be the answer to their search. Throughout history, he has shown

compassion and met people at the point of their deepest needs and struggles.

Similarly, in Europe today, Jesus continues to manifest His presence among

Iranians and others who are seeking refuge. He reaches out to them in their

moments of greatest suffering, offering comfort, healing, freedom, salvation,

and hope.



Pray More: Learn more about Iranians at PersianWorld.org



How to Pray



Pray that God will use the needs and challenges faced

by Iranians in Europe to draw them closer to Himself.



Ask God that Iranian Muslims will encounter the person

of Jesus Christ as they seek assistance and find true

refuge and solace in Him.



Pray that Christian churches will be open to Iranians,

offering care, fellowship and security.



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



Day 29 of the Month



a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care

to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true

integrity and compassion (



Ps 139:13-16



13 You brought my inner parts into being;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;

marvelous are Your works,

and You know me completely.

15 My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in secret,

and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw me unformed,

yet in Your book

all my days were written,

before any of them came into being.



13 For thou hast possessed my reins:

Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;

And in thy book all my members were written,

Which in continuance were fashioned,

When as yet there was none of them.



)



b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor

and compassionately respond to their plight (



Gal 2:10



10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,

which I also was eager to do.



10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;

the same which I also was forward to do.



)



Conclusion:



Pray for True Justice in the World.



Pray to the Lord and pray that the Lord will let Godly people rise and rule.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You for dying in my place

so that I might have access to God."



Pray to the Lord and Pray to hand over all your sins to Jesus.



Pray to the Lord and pray to honour his covenant.



Pray to the Lord and pray for integrity and uprightness to uphold you.



Agree in prayer with us for:

- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart

and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing

Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.

- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the

spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into

converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.

- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more

to be raised up into effective witness.

- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon

to spread and grow to other cities.



Pray that God will use the needs and challenges faced

by Iranians in Europe to draw them closer to Himself.



Ask God that Iranian Muslims will encounter the person

of Jesus Christ as they seek assistance and find true

refuge and solace in Him.



Pray that Christian churches will be open to Iranians,

offering care, fellowship and security.



Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care

to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true

integrity and compassion.



Pray that the Church will remember the poor

and compassionately respond to their plight.



Pray for Christian converts in Iraq Christian converts from Islam dealing with

opposition from Family members, the govrnment and extremist groups.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God