Day 119 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 28 April 2024 reflections
Day 119, 28 April 2024
Today at
Calvary Community Church Pastor Barry Regier spoke on Beyond Normal
- Visions
For some of us Dreams and Visions maybe Beyond normal
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.
A new Fmaily that would include Jews and Gentiles
Acts 10:3-4
3 (Ac 3:1; 5:19) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision
an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius."
4 (Heb 6:10; Ps 141:2) When he looked at him he was afraid, and said,
"What is it, Lord?"
He said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial
before God.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an
angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
[4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it,
Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.
Acts 2:17
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
[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:
God uses viosions to communicate with people to ...
A) Reveal His Glory
Matthew 17:1-3,5-9
The Transfiguration
Mk 9:2-13; Lk 9:28-36
1 (Mt 26:37; Mk 5:37) After six days Jesus took Peter, James,
and John his brother and brought them up to a high mountain alone,
2 (Ps 104:2; Mt 28:3) and was transfigured before them. His face shone
as the sun, and His garments became white as the light.
3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
5 (Mt 3:17; Isa 42:1) While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud
overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."
6 (2Pe 1:18) When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces
and were filled with awe.
7 (Da 8:18; 10:10) But Jesus came and touched them and said,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
8 When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 (Mk 8:30) As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and
his raiment was white as the light.
[3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
[5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold
a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased; hear ye him.
[6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore
afraid.
[7] And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
[8] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus
only.
[9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying,
Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the
dead.
B) Describe the future
Look at Revelation 1 - 5
C) Give Direction
Acts 9:10-19
10 (Ac 10:3; 22:12) A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus.
The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias."
He said, "Here I am, Lord."
11 (Ac 21:39; 22:3) The Lord said to him, "Rise and go to Straight Street,
and inquire at Judas' house for someone named Saul of Tarsus,
for he is praying,
12 (Mk 5:23) and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in
and putting his hand on him, so that he may see again."
13 (Ac 8:3; 9:1) Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about
this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem.
14 (Ac 9:21; 7:59) And here he has authority from the chief priests
to bind all who call on Your name."
15 (Ac 13:2; Eph 3:7-8) But the Lord said to him, "Go your way.
For this man is a chosen vessel of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles
and their kings, and before the sons of Israel.
16 (Ac 21:11; 2Co 11:23-27) For I will show him how much he must suffer
for My name's sake."
17 (Ac 2:4; 6:6) Then Ananias went his way and entered the house.
Putting his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,
who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that
you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 (Ac 22:16) Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes,
and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized.
19 (Ac 26:20) When he had eaten, he was strengthened.
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him
said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of
Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting
his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much
evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
[14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call
on thy name.
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto
me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his
hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto
thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy
sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he
received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
[19] And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.
Acts 10:1-8
Acts 10
Peter and Cornelius
1 (Ac 27:1; 8:40) In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, the centurion
[Commander with the rank of captain over 100 soldiers.] of a band of soldiers
called the Italian Detachment,
2 (Ac 10:22; 13:16; 13:26) a devout man and one who feared God with
all his household, who gave many alms to the people and continually
prayed to God.
3 (Ac 3:1; 5:19) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision
an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius."
4 (Heb 6:10; Ps 141:2) When he looked at him he was afraid, and said,
"What is it, Lord?"
He said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial
before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa, and bring back Simon whose surname is Peter.
6 (Ac 9:43) He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.
He will tell you what you must do."
7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed,
Cornelius called two of his household servants
and a devout soldier from among those who continually waited on him.
8 When he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of
the band called the Italian band,
[2] A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave
much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an
angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
[4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it,
Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.
[5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is
Peter:
[6] He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea
side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
[7] And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he
called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that
waited on him continually;
[8] And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to
Joppa.
D) Strengthen with courage
Acts 18:9-10
9 (Ac 23:11; 2Co 12:1-3) The Lord spoke to Paul in the night through
a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent.
10 (Mt 28:20; Lk 21:18) For I am with you, and no one shall attack you
and hurt you, for I have many people in this city."
[9] Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but
speak, and hold not thy peace:
[10] For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I
have much people in this city.
E) Confront Sinful attitudes
Acts 10:9-17a
9 (Ps 55:17; Zep 1:5) The next day as they went on their journey a
nd drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray
about the sixth hour.
10 (Ac 22:17) He became very hungry and desired to eat.
But while they prepared a meal, he fell into a trance
11 (Jn 1:51) and saw heaven opened, and a vessel like a great sheet,
tied at the four corners, descending to him, and let down to the earth.
12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth and wild beasts
and reptiles and birds of the air.
13 Then a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
14 (Eze 4:14; Lev 20:25) Peter said, "Not at all, Lord.
For I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."
15 (Mt 15:11; 1Co 10:25) The voice spoke to him a second time:
"What God has cleansed, do not call common."
16 This happened three times. And again the vessel was taken up into heaven.
[9] On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the
city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
[10] And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they
made ready, he fell into a trance,
[11] And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as
it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth:
[12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild
beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
[14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is
common or unclean.
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
[16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
[ his vision is about Peter accepting Gentiles as Christ followers and
not about unclean foods being clean]
17a Now while Peter wondered what this vision which he had seen might mean,
[17a] Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen
should mean,
Let the Lord work through you
F) Prepare us for what's coming
Acts 10:17b-23a
17b the men who were sent by Cornelius had inquired for Simon's house
and stood at the gate,
18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter,
was lodging there.
19 (Ac 8:29) While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him,
"Three men are looking for you.
20 (Ac 15:7-9) So rise and go down, and go with them, doubting nothing.
For I have sent them."
21 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him by Cornelius
and said, "Here I am, the one you are seeking. Why have you come?"
22 (Ac 11:14; 10:2) They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a man who
is righteous and fears God and is of good report throughout the nation
of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house
to hear your words."
23a (Ac 10:45; 11:12) Then he invited them in and gave them lodging.
[17b] behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry
for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
[18] And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were
lodged there.
[19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold,
three men seek thee.
[20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing:
for I have sent them.
[21] Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause
wherefore ye are come?
[22] And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that
feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned
from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words
of thee.
[23] Then called he them in, and lodged them.
Peter confronts his resistance to change.
1) Psalms 102,103,104
PSALMS 102
A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is overwhelmed
and pours out his complaint before the Lord.
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and let my cry come unto You.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Do not hide Your face from me
in the day when I am in trouble;
incline Your ear to me;
in the day when I call answer me quickly.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For my days are consumed like smoke,
and my bones are burned as a furnace.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) My heart is struck down and withered like grass,
so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Because of the sound of my groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a screech owl of the desert.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) I stay awake and am
as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) My enemies reproach me all the day,
and those who taunt me curse my name.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) For I have eaten ashes like bread
and mixed my drink with weeping,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) because of Your indignation and Your wrath,
for You have lifted me up, and cast me down.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) My days are like an evening shadow that vanishes,
and I wither away like grass.
12 But You, O Lord, shall endure forever enthroned
and Your reputation to all generations.
13 You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion,
for the time to favor her,
indeed, the appointed time has come.
14 For Your servants take pleasure in her stones,
and have pity on her dust.
15 So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth Your glory.
16 For the Lord shall build up Zion;
He shall appear in His glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute
and will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be written for the generation to come,
that a people who shall be created shall praise the Lord.
19 For He has looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
from heaven the Lord looked down on the earth,
20 to hear the groaning of the prisoners
and to set free those who are appointed to death,
21 that they may declare the name of the Lord in Zion
and His praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the peoples are gathered together,
and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
23 He has weakened my strength in my midlife;
He has shortened my days.
24 I said,
"O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days-
Your years endure throughout all generations."
25 From before You have laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They shall perish, but You shall endure;
indeed, all of them shall wear out like a garment;
like a robe You shall change them,
and they shall pass away,
27 but You are the same,
and Your years shall have no end.
28 The children of Your servants shall be secure,
and their offspring shall be established before You.
Psalm 102
[1] Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
[2] Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine
ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
[3] For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
[4] My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my
bread.
[5] By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
[6] I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
[7] I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
[8] Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me
are sworn against me.
[9] For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
[10] Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up,
and cast me down.
[11] My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
[12] But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all
generations.
[13] Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her,
yea, the set time, is come.
[14] For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust
thereof.
[15] So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of
the earth thy glory.
[16] When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
[17] He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their
prayer.
[18] This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which
shall be created shall praise the LORD.
[19] For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven
did the LORD behold the earth;
[20] To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed
to death;
[21] To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
[22] When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the
LORD.
[23] He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
[24] I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years
are throughout all generations.
[25] Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are
the work of thy hands.
[26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax
old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be
changed:
[27] But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
[28] The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be
established before thee.
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass;
as a flower of the field he flourishes.
16 For the hot wind passes over it, and it is gone;
the place where it was is not known.
17 But the mercy of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting
upon those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep His covenant,
and to those who remember to do His commandments.
19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
and His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
who are mighty, and do His commands,
and obey the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts;
you servants who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
in all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Psalm 103
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy
name.
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
[4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with
lovingkindness and tender mercies;
[5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed
like the eagle's.
[6] The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are
oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in
mercy.
[9] He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
[10] He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to
our iniquities.
[11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward
them that fear him.
[12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our
transgressions from us.
[13] Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that
fear him.
[14] For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
[15] As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he
flourisheth.
[16] For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof
shall know it no more.
[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them
that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
[18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his
commandments to do them.
[19] The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom
ruleth over all.
[20] Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his
commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
[21] Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his
pleasure.
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the
LORD, O my soul.
PSALMS 104
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great!
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) covering Yourself with light as a garment,
who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who lays the upper beams
of His chambers on the waters above,
who makes the clouds His chariot,
who rides upon the wings of the wind,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who makes His angels as winds,
His ministers a flaming fire.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You laid the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) You covered it with the deep as a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) At Your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of Your thunder they departed away.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6 ) The mountains rose up;
the valleys went down
to the place that You appointed them.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) You set a boundary that they may not pass over,
that they may not again cover the earth.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) You send the springs to gush forth in the valleys,
which flow between the hills.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) They give drink to every animal of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.
13 You water the mountains from Your lofty chamber;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the cattle
and plants for the cultivation of man,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine that makes glad the heart of man,
and oil that makes shine his face,
and bread that strengthens his heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that He has planted,
17 where the birds make their nests,
where the stork has its home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats,
and the rocks a refuge for the badgers.
19 He set the moon to mark the appointed seasons;
the sun knows its time for going down.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the animals of the forest go forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 When the sun arises, they gather themselves together
and lay down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work
and to his labor until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
With wisdom You have made them all;
the earth is full of Your creatures-
25 so is this great and wide sea,
which is full of innumerable creatures,
living animals both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and there is Leviathan, which You have made to play in it.
27 These all wait upon You,
that You may give them their food in due season.
28 When You give it to them,
they gather it;
when You open Your hand,
they are filled with good food.
29 When You hide Your face,
they are troubled;
You take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
30 When You send forth Your Spirit,
they are created,
and You renew the surface of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in His works.
32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 May my meditation be sweet to Him,
for I will be glad in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 104
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art
clothed with honour and majesty.
[2] Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out
the heavens like a curtain:
[3] Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the
clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
[4] Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
[5] Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for
ever.
[6] Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood
above the mountains.
[7] At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
[8] They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place
which thou hast founded for them.
[9] Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not
again to cover the earth.
[10] He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
[11] They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench
their thirst.
[12] By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing
among the branches.
[13] He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with
the fruit of thy works.
[14] He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service
of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
[15] And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to
shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
[16] The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he
hath planted;
[17] Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are
her house.
[18] The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the
conies.
[19] He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
[20] Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the
forest do creep forth.
[21] The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
[22] The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in
their dens.
[23] Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
[24] O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all:
the earth is full of thy riches.
[25] So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable,
both small and great beasts.
[26] There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to
play therein.
[27] These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due
season.
[28] That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are
filled with good.
[29] Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath,
they die, and return to their dust.
[30] Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the
face of the earth.
[31] The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in
his works.
[32] He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and
they smoke.
[33] I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my
God while I have my being.
[34] My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
[35] Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no
more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 28 April 2024 titled
Angel Companions
Exodus 23:20-26
The Angel Prepares the Way
20 (Ex 14:19; 32:34) Indeed, I am going to send an angel before you to guard
you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
21 (Ps 78:40; 78:56) Be on guard before him and obey his voice.
Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions,
for My name is in him.
22 (Ge 12:3; Dt 30:7) But if you diligently obey his voice
and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies
and an adversary to your adversaries.
23 (Ex 23:20) For My angel will go before you and bring you to
the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites,
and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites,
and I will completely destroy them.
24 (Ex 20:5; Nu 33:52) You must not bow down to their gods,
or serve them, or do according to their practices,
but you shall utterly overthrow them
and break down their images in pieces.
25 (Ex 15:26; Dt 6:13) You shall serve the Lord your God,
and He shall bless your bread and your water,
and I will remove sickness from your midst.
26 (Dt 7:14; Job 5:26) No one shall be miscarrying
or be barren in your land.
[20] Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to
bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
[21] Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not
pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
[22] But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then
I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine
adversaries.
[23] For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the
Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the
Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
[24] Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after
their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down
their images.
[25] And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and
thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
[26] There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the
number of thy days I will fulfil.
As medical test after medical test filled up Bev's schedule, she grew
overwhelmed and weary. Doctors alarmed her when they told her they were
looking for cancer somewhere in her body. Each day God faithfully encouraged
her with the promises of His presence and an abiding peace when she turned
to Him or read the Bible. She battled with the uncertainties and frequently
learned to roll the "what ifs" onto God's shoulders. One morning, Bev came
across a verse in Exodus 23 that popped out from the page to her heart
before a serious surgery: "I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard
you along the way" (v. 20).
Those words were spoken by God through Moses to His people, the Israelites.
He was giving His laws for His people to follow and leading them to a new
land (vv. 14-26). But in the middle of those instructions, He told them
He would send an angel ahead of them "to guard [them] along the way" (v. 20).
Even though this wasn't Bev’s life's situation, she remembered that the care
of angels is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture too. Psalm 91:11 says,
"He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
And Hebrews 1:14 tells us God sends angels as "ministering spirits" to serve
believers in Jesus.
If we know Christ, He's got an angel or angels near us to minister
to us as well.
By: Anne Cetas
Reflect & Pray
What might God be doing for you through His angels?
How does this encourage you?
I'm grateful, dear God, that You're always near,
and You also have Your angels watching over Your children.
For further study, read What Can We Learn from Angels?
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 1 - God's Perspective
Philip 4:13
13 (2Co 12:9-10; Eph 3:16) I can do all things because
of Christ who strengthens me.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Many of us live out self-fulfilling prophecies. We believe
what we tell ourselves - or what we have been told by others:
"You're stupid", "You're ugly", "You'll never amount to anything,"
"You can't do anything right."
We programme ourselves for spiritual failure as well.
"I just can't memorise Scripture," we say. "It comes and goes,
and I can't seem to get it to stay." Yet daily we memorise
volumes of information that is less significant than the
Scriptures - telephone numbers, identification codes,
songs lyrics, advertising jingles.
The answer to the dilemma of negativism is not positive
thinking, but right thinking - biblical thinking, according
to what the Bible reveals of God's perspective. God says,
"You are worthwhile. You are valued. You are loved. I created you
just as you are, and whatever I call you to do,
I will give you the strength to do it.
The context of Phillipians 4:13 shows that Paul had learned
this important secret of spiritual strength. Paul had known
poverty and plenty, trouble and victory. But he also knew
he did not have to let circumstances determine his response to God's will.
We need not be controlled by the negative messages life throws in our paths
- even those self-defeating pronouncements we make to ourselves.
Rather, we can respond according to God's perspective, with the
conviction that God has given us strength we need to meet the
challenges we face.
Application
a) What challenges do I face that make me realise my own insufficiencies?
IS memorising Scripture one of those challenges for me?
b) How does today's memory verse help me face those challenges?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 35:27
27 May those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad;
may they say continually, "The Lord be magnified,
who delights in the peace of His servant."
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:
Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified,
which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Generous Provision
Matthew 6:24-34
God and Money
24 (Lk 16:13; 16:11; 16:9) "No one can serve two masters.
For either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and money."
Care and Anxiety
Lk 12:22-34
25 (Mt 6:31; 6:34; Php 4:6) "Therefore, I say to you,
take no thought about your life, what you will eat,
or what you will drink, nor about your body,
what you will put on. Is not life more than
and the body than clothing?
26 (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9) Look at the birds of the air,
for they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns.
Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?
27 Who among you by taking thought can add a cubit
(A cubit is about half a meter.) to his stature?
28 (Mt 6:25; 6:31) "Why take thought about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:
They neither work, nor do they spin.
29 (1Ki 10:4-7; 2Ch 9:4-6) Yet I say to you that even Solomon
in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
30 (Mt 8:26; 14:31) Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is here and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 (1Pe 5:7) Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?'
or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 (Mt 6:8; Lk 12:30) (For the Gentiles seek after all these things.)
For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
33 (1Ti 4:8; 1Ki 3:11-13) But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.
34 (Mt 6:25) Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself.
Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof.
True Wisdom
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not
the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is,
and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you,
O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
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 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 28 of the Month
a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
(
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever
hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,
but has passed from death into life."
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
)
b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today . (
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.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord for discernment and interpretatin of visions.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He will hear you in times of trouble.
Pray to the Lord: "I'm grateful, dear God, that You're always near,
and You also have Your angels watching over Your children."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who will strengthen you in everything.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Righteous cause.
Pray to the Lord and pray to His Kingdom first.
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 opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today .
Pastors in Cuba ask for prayer that will
continue to stand firm in 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
Today at
Calvary Community Church Pastor Barry Regier spoke on Beyond Normal
- Visions
For some of us Dreams and Visions maybe Beyond normal
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.
A new Fmaily that would include Jews and Gentiles
Acts 10:3-4
3 (Ac 3:1; 5:19) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision
an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius."
4 (Heb 6:10; Ps 141:2) When he looked at him he was afraid, and said,
"What is it, Lord?"
He said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial
before God.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an
angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
[4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it,
Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.
Acts 2:17
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
[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:
God uses viosions to communicate with people to ...
A) Reveal His Glory
Matthew 17:1-3,5-9
The Transfiguration
Mk 9:2-13; Lk 9:28-36
1 (Mt 26:37; Mk 5:37) After six days Jesus took Peter, James,
and John his brother and brought them up to a high mountain alone,
2 (Ps 104:2; Mt 28:3) and was transfigured before them. His face shone
as the sun, and His garments became white as the light.
3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
5 (Mt 3:17; Isa 42:1) While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud
overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."
6 (2Pe 1:18) When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces
and were filled with awe.
7 (Da 8:18; 10:10) But Jesus came and touched them and said,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
8 When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 (Mk 8:30) As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
[2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and
his raiment was white as the light.
[3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
[5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold
a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased; hear ye him.
[6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore
afraid.
[7] And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
[8] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus
only.
[9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying,
Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the
dead.
B) Describe the future
Look at Revelation 1 - 5
C) Give Direction
Acts 9:10-19
10 (Ac 10:3; 22:12) A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus.
The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias."
He said, "Here I am, Lord."
11 (Ac 21:39; 22:3) The Lord said to him, "Rise and go to Straight Street,
and inquire at Judas' house for someone named Saul of Tarsus,
for he is praying,
12 (Mk 5:23) and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in
and putting his hand on him, so that he may see again."
13 (Ac 8:3; 9:1) Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about
this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem.
14 (Ac 9:21; 7:59) And here he has authority from the chief priests
to bind all who call on Your name."
15 (Ac 13:2; Eph 3:7-8) But the Lord said to him, "Go your way.
For this man is a chosen vessel of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles
and their kings, and before the sons of Israel.
16 (Ac 21:11; 2Co 11:23-27) For I will show him how much he must suffer
for My name's sake."
17 (Ac 2:4; 6:6) Then Ananias went his way and entered the house.
Putting his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,
who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that
you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 (Ac 22:16) Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes,
and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized.
19 (Ac 26:20) When he had eaten, he was strengthened.
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him
said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of
Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting
his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much
evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
[14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call
on thy name.
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto
me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his
hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto
thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy
sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he
received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
[19] And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.
Acts 10:1-8
Acts 10
Peter and Cornelius
1 (Ac 27:1; 8:40) In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, the centurion
[Commander with the rank of captain over 100 soldiers.] of a band of soldiers
called the Italian Detachment,
2 (Ac 10:22; 13:16; 13:26) a devout man and one who feared God with
all his household, who gave many alms to the people and continually
prayed to God.
3 (Ac 3:1; 5:19) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision
an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius."
4 (Heb 6:10; Ps 141:2) When he looked at him he was afraid, and said,
"What is it, Lord?"
He said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial
before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa, and bring back Simon whose surname is Peter.
6 (Ac 9:43) He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.
He will tell you what you must do."
7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed,
Cornelius called two of his household servants
and a devout soldier from among those who continually waited on him.
8 When he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of
the band called the Italian band,
[2] A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave
much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an
angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
[4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it,
Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.
[5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is
Peter:
[6] He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea
side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
[7] And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he
called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that
waited on him continually;
[8] And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to
Joppa.
D) Strengthen with courage
Acts 18:9-10
9 (Ac 23:11; 2Co 12:1-3) The Lord spoke to Paul in the night through
a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent.
10 (Mt 28:20; Lk 21:18) For I am with you, and no one shall attack you
and hurt you, for I have many people in this city."
[9] Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but
speak, and hold not thy peace:
[10] For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I
have much people in this city.
E) Confront Sinful attitudes
Acts 10:9-17a
9 (Ps 55:17; Zep 1:5) The next day as they went on their journey a
nd drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray
about the sixth hour.
10 (Ac 22:17) He became very hungry and desired to eat.
But while they prepared a meal, he fell into a trance
11 (Jn 1:51) and saw heaven opened, and a vessel like a great sheet,
tied at the four corners, descending to him, and let down to the earth.
12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth and wild beasts
and reptiles and birds of the air.
13 Then a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
14 (Eze 4:14; Lev 20:25) Peter said, "Not at all, Lord.
For I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."
15 (Mt 15:11; 1Co 10:25) The voice spoke to him a second time:
"What God has cleansed, do not call common."
16 This happened three times. And again the vessel was taken up into heaven.
[9] On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the
city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
[10] And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they
made ready, he fell into a trance,
[11] And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as
it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth:
[12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild
beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
[14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is
common or unclean.
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
[16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
[ his vision is about Peter accepting Gentiles as Christ followers and
not about unclean foods being clean]
17a Now while Peter wondered what this vision which he had seen might mean,
[17a] Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen
should mean,
Let the Lord work through you
F) Prepare us for what's coming
Acts 10:17b-23a
17b the men who were sent by Cornelius had inquired for Simon's house
and stood at the gate,
18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter,
was lodging there.
19 (Ac 8:29) While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him,
"Three men are looking for you.
20 (Ac 15:7-9) So rise and go down, and go with them, doubting nothing.
For I have sent them."
21 Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him by Cornelius
and said, "Here I am, the one you are seeking. Why have you come?"
22 (Ac 11:14; 10:2) They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a man who
is righteous and fears God and is of good report throughout the nation
of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house
to hear your words."
23a (Ac 10:45; 11:12) Then he invited them in and gave them lodging.
[17b] behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry
for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
[18] And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were
lodged there.
[19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold,
three men seek thee.
[20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing:
for I have sent them.
[21] Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause
wherefore ye are come?
[22] And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that
feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned
from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words
of thee.
[23] Then called he them in, and lodged them.
Peter confronts his resistance to change.
1) Psalms 102,103,104
PSALMS 102
A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is overwhelmed
and pours out his complaint before the Lord.
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and let my cry come unto You.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Do not hide Your face from me
in the day when I am in trouble;
incline Your ear to me;
in the day when I call answer me quickly.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For my days are consumed like smoke,
and my bones are burned as a furnace.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) My heart is struck down and withered like grass,
so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Because of the sound of my groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a screech owl of the desert.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) I stay awake and am
as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) My enemies reproach me all the day,
and those who taunt me curse my name.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) For I have eaten ashes like bread
and mixed my drink with weeping,
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) because of Your indignation and Your wrath,
for You have lifted me up, and cast me down.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) My days are like an evening shadow that vanishes,
and I wither away like grass.
12 But You, O Lord, shall endure forever enthroned
and Your reputation to all generations.
13 You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion,
for the time to favor her,
indeed, the appointed time has come.
14 For Your servants take pleasure in her stones,
and have pity on her dust.
15 So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth Your glory.
16 For the Lord shall build up Zion;
He shall appear in His glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute
and will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be written for the generation to come,
that a people who shall be created shall praise the Lord.
19 For He has looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
from heaven the Lord looked down on the earth,
20 to hear the groaning of the prisoners
and to set free those who are appointed to death,
21 that they may declare the name of the Lord in Zion
and His praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the peoples are gathered together,
and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
23 He has weakened my strength in my midlife;
He has shortened my days.
24 I said,
"O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days-
Your years endure throughout all generations."
25 From before You have laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They shall perish, but You shall endure;
indeed, all of them shall wear out like a garment;
like a robe You shall change them,
and they shall pass away,
27 but You are the same,
and Your years shall have no end.
28 The children of Your servants shall be secure,
and their offspring shall be established before You.
Psalm 102
[1] Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
[2] Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine
ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
[3] For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
[4] My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my
bread.
[5] By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
[6] I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
[7] I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
[8] Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me
are sworn against me.
[9] For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
[10] Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up,
and cast me down.
[11] My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
[12] But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all
generations.
[13] Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her,
yea, the set time, is come.
[14] For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust
thereof.
[15] So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of
the earth thy glory.
[16] When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
[17] He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their
prayer.
[18] This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which
shall be created shall praise the LORD.
[19] For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven
did the LORD behold the earth;
[20] To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed
to death;
[21] To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
[22] When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the
LORD.
[23] He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
[24] I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years
are throughout all generations.
[25] Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are
the work of thy hands.
[26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax
old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be
changed:
[27] But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
[28] The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be
established before thee.
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass;
as a flower of the field he flourishes.
16 For the hot wind passes over it, and it is gone;
the place where it was is not known.
17 But the mercy of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting
upon those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep His covenant,
and to those who remember to do His commandments.
19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
and His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
who are mighty, and do His commands,
and obey the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts;
you servants who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
in all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Psalm 103
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy
name.
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
[4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with
lovingkindness and tender mercies;
[5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed
like the eagle's.
[6] The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are
oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in
mercy.
[9] He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
[10] He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to
our iniquities.
[11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward
them that fear him.
[12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our
transgressions from us.
[13] Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that
fear him.
[14] For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
[15] As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he
flourisheth.
[16] For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof
shall know it no more.
[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them
that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
[18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his
commandments to do them.
[19] The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom
ruleth over all.
[20] Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his
commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
[21] Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his
pleasure.
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the
LORD, O my soul.
PSALMS 104
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great!
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) covering Yourself with light as a garment,
who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who lays the upper beams
of His chambers on the waters above,
who makes the clouds His chariot,
who rides upon the wings of the wind,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who makes His angels as winds,
His ministers a flaming fire.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You laid the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) You covered it with the deep as a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) At Your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of Your thunder they departed away.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6 ) The mountains rose up;
the valleys went down
to the place that You appointed them.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) You set a boundary that they may not pass over,
that they may not again cover the earth.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) You send the springs to gush forth in the valleys,
which flow between the hills.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) They give drink to every animal of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation;
they sing among the branches.
13 You water the mountains from Your lofty chamber;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the cattle
and plants for the cultivation of man,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine that makes glad the heart of man,
and oil that makes shine his face,
and bread that strengthens his heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that He has planted,
17 where the birds make their nests,
where the stork has its home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats,
and the rocks a refuge for the badgers.
19 He set the moon to mark the appointed seasons;
the sun knows its time for going down.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the animals of the forest go forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 When the sun arises, they gather themselves together
and lay down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work
and to his labor until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
With wisdom You have made them all;
the earth is full of Your creatures-
25 so is this great and wide sea,
which is full of innumerable creatures,
living animals both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and there is Leviathan, which You have made to play in it.
27 These all wait upon You,
that You may give them their food in due season.
28 When You give it to them,
they gather it;
when You open Your hand,
they are filled with good food.
29 When You hide Your face,
they are troubled;
You take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
30 When You send forth Your Spirit,
they are created,
and You renew the surface of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in His works.
32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 May my meditation be sweet to Him,
for I will be glad in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 104
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art
clothed with honour and majesty.
[2] Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out
the heavens like a curtain:
[3] Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the
clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
[4] Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
[5] Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for
ever.
[6] Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood
above the mountains.
[7] At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
[8] They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place
which thou hast founded for them.
[9] Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not
again to cover the earth.
[10] He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
[11] They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench
their thirst.
[12] By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing
among the branches.
[13] He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with
the fruit of thy works.
[14] He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service
of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
[15] And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to
shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
[16] The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he
hath planted;
[17] Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are
her house.
[18] The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the
conies.
[19] He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
[20] Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the
forest do creep forth.
[21] The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
[22] The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in
their dens.
[23] Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
[24] O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all:
the earth is full of thy riches.
[25] So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable,
both small and great beasts.
[26] There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to
play therein.
[27] These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due
season.
[28] That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are
filled with good.
[29] Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath,
they die, and return to their dust.
[30] Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the
face of the earth.
[31] The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in
his works.
[32] He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and
they smoke.
[33] I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my
God while I have my being.
[34] My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
[35] Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no
more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 28 April 2024 titled
Angel Companions
Exodus 23:20-26
The Angel Prepares the Way
20 (Ex 14:19; 32:34) Indeed, I am going to send an angel before you to guard
you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
21 (Ps 78:40; 78:56) Be on guard before him and obey his voice.
Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions,
for My name is in him.
22 (Ge 12:3; Dt 30:7) But if you diligently obey his voice
and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies
and an adversary to your adversaries.
23 (Ex 23:20) For My angel will go before you and bring you to
the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites,
and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites,
and I will completely destroy them.
24 (Ex 20:5; Nu 33:52) You must not bow down to their gods,
or serve them, or do according to their practices,
but you shall utterly overthrow them
and break down their images in pieces.
25 (Ex 15:26; Dt 6:13) You shall serve the Lord your God,
and He shall bless your bread and your water,
and I will remove sickness from your midst.
26 (Dt 7:14; Job 5:26) No one shall be miscarrying
or be barren in your land.
[20] Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to
bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
[21] Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not
pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
[22] But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then
I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine
adversaries.
[23] For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the
Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the
Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
[24] Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after
their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down
their images.
[25] And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and
thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
[26] There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the
number of thy days I will fulfil.
As medical test after medical test filled up Bev's schedule, she grew
overwhelmed and weary. Doctors alarmed her when they told her they were
looking for cancer somewhere in her body. Each day God faithfully encouraged
her with the promises of His presence and an abiding peace when she turned
to Him or read the Bible. She battled with the uncertainties and frequently
learned to roll the "what ifs" onto God's shoulders. One morning, Bev came
across a verse in Exodus 23 that popped out from the page to her heart
before a serious surgery: "I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard
you along the way" (v. 20).
Those words were spoken by God through Moses to His people, the Israelites.
He was giving His laws for His people to follow and leading them to a new
land (vv. 14-26). But in the middle of those instructions, He told them
He would send an angel ahead of them "to guard [them] along the way" (v. 20).
Even though this wasn't Bev’s life's situation, she remembered that the care
of angels is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture too. Psalm 91:11 says,
"He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
And Hebrews 1:14 tells us God sends angels as "ministering spirits" to serve
believers in Jesus.
If we know Christ, He's got an angel or angels near us to minister
to us as well.
By: Anne Cetas
Reflect & Pray
What might God be doing for you through His angels?
How does this encourage you?
I'm grateful, dear God, that You're always near,
and You also have Your angels watching over Your children.
For further study, read What Can We Learn from Angels?
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 1 - God's Perspective
Philip 4:13
13 (2Co 12:9-10; Eph 3:16) I can do all things because
of Christ who strengthens me.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Many of us live out self-fulfilling prophecies. We believe
what we tell ourselves - or what we have been told by others:
"You're stupid", "You're ugly", "You'll never amount to anything,"
"You can't do anything right."
We programme ourselves for spiritual failure as well.
"I just can't memorise Scripture," we say. "It comes and goes,
and I can't seem to get it to stay." Yet daily we memorise
volumes of information that is less significant than the
Scriptures - telephone numbers, identification codes,
songs lyrics, advertising jingles.
The answer to the dilemma of negativism is not positive
thinking, but right thinking - biblical thinking, according
to what the Bible reveals of God's perspective. God says,
"You are worthwhile. You are valued. You are loved. I created you
just as you are, and whatever I call you to do,
I will give you the strength to do it.
The context of Phillipians 4:13 shows that Paul had learned
this important secret of spiritual strength. Paul had known
poverty and plenty, trouble and victory. But he also knew
he did not have to let circumstances determine his response to God's will.
We need not be controlled by the negative messages life throws in our paths
- even those self-defeating pronouncements we make to ourselves.
Rather, we can respond according to God's perspective, with the
conviction that God has given us strength we need to meet the
challenges we face.
Application
a) What challenges do I face that make me realise my own insufficiencies?
IS memorising Scripture one of those challenges for me?
b) How does today's memory verse help me face those challenges?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 35:27
27 May those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad;
may they say continually, "The Lord be magnified,
who delights in the peace of His servant."
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:
Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified,
which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Generous Provision
Matthew 6:24-34
God and Money
24 (Lk 16:13; 16:11; 16:9) "No one can serve two masters.
For either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and money."
Care and Anxiety
Lk 12:22-34
25 (Mt 6:31; 6:34; Php 4:6) "Therefore, I say to you,
take no thought about your life, what you will eat,
or what you will drink, nor about your body,
what you will put on. Is not life more than
and the body than clothing?
26 (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9) Look at the birds of the air,
for they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns.
Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?
27 Who among you by taking thought can add a cubit
(A cubit is about half a meter.) to his stature?
28 (Mt 6:25; 6:31) "Why take thought about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:
They neither work, nor do they spin.
29 (1Ki 10:4-7; 2Ch 9:4-6) Yet I say to you that even Solomon
in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
30 (Mt 8:26; 14:31) Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is here and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 (1Pe 5:7) Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?'
or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 (Mt 6:8; Lk 12:30) (For the Gentiles seek after all these things.)
For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
33 (1Ti 4:8; 1Ki 3:11-13) But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.
34 (Mt 6:25) Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself.
Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof.
True Wisdom
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not
the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is,
and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you,
O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
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 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 28 of the Month
a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
(
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever
hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,
but has passed from death into life."
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
)
b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today . (
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.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord for discernment and interpretatin of visions.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He will hear you in times of trouble.
Pray to the Lord: "I'm grateful, dear God, that You're always near,
and You also have Your angels watching over Your children."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who will strengthen you in everything.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Righteous cause.
Pray to the Lord and pray to His Kingdom first.
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 opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today .
Pastors in Cuba ask for prayer that will
continue to stand firm in 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
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