Day 143 of My 5th Bible Study Journey

Day 143, 23 May 2025

1)1 Chronicles 23 , 1 Chronicles 24 , 1 Chronicles 25

1 Chronicles 23
The Levites
1 (1Ch 29:28; 1Ki 1:33-39; 1Ch 28:5) Now David was old and full of days
when he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2 So he gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the priests
and the Levites.
3 (1Ch 23:24) The Levites from thirty years old and up were counted,
and their head count of men was 38000.
4 (2Ch 19:8; Dt 16:18) 24000 of these, David said, "shall have charge
of the work in the house of the Lord; six thousand shall be officers
and judges,
5 (2Ch 29:25-26; Am 6:5) four thousand shall be gatekeepers,
and four thousand shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments
that I have made for praise."
6 (1Ch 6:1; 2Ch 8:14) David assigned them to divisions according to the sons
of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Gershonites

7 (1 Ch 26:21) From the Gershonites:
Ladan and Shimei.
8 The sons of Ladan were
first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel, three in all.
9 The sons of Shimei were
Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran, three.
These were the heads of the fathers' houses of Ladan.
10 The sons of Shimei were
Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah.
These four were the sons of Shimei.
11 Now Jahath was the first and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah
did not have many sons, so they were counted as one unit
for their father's house.

Kohathites

12 (Ex 6:18) The sons of Kohath were
Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four in all.
13 (Ex 6:20; Dt 21:5) The sons of Amram were
Aaron and Moses,
but Aaron was set apart to consecrate the most holy things,
he and his sons forever, to offer sacrifices before the Lord,
to minister to Him, and to bless in His name forever.
14 (Dt 33:1; 1Ch 26:23-25) As for Moses, the man of God,
his sons were named among the tribe of Levi.
15(Ex 2:22; 18:3-4)The sons of Moses were
Gershom and Eliezer.
16 (1Ch 26:24) The son of Gershom was
Shubael the chief.
17The son of Eliezer was
Rehabiah the chief.
Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18The son of Izhar was
Shelomith the chief.
19 (1Ch 24:23) The sons of Hebron were
Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third,
and Jekameam the fourth.
20 The sons of Uzziel were
Micah the first and Ishiah the second.
Merarites
21 (Ex 6:19) The sons of Merari were
Mahli and Mushi.
The sons of Mahli were
Eleazar and Kish.
22 (1Ch 24:28) Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters, so the sons
of Kish, their brothers, took them as wives.
23 (1Ch 24:30)The sons of Mushi were
Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth, three.
24 (Nu 10:17; 10:21) These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers'
houses, the heads of the fathers' houses as they were registered
by the number of their names according to their head count,
those doing the work for the service of the house of the Lord,
from twenty years old and up.
25 (1Ch 22:18) For David said, "The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest
to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever.
26 (Nu 4:5; 7:9) And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle
and all its implements for its service."
27 (1Ch 23:24) For by the last words of David, the sons of Levi were numbered
from twenty years old and up;
28 (Ne 13:9) because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service
of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers,
with the purifying of all holy things, even the work of service
of the house of God,
29 (Lev 19:35-36; Ex 25:30) and with the showbread, the fine flour for
a grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering,
the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity and size,
30 (1Ch 9:33) to stand morning by morning to thank and praise the Lord,
and likewise in the evening,
31 (Isa 1:13-14) and to offer up all burnt offerings to the Lord,
for Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, by number
as the judgment concerning them, continually before the Lord,
32 (Nu 1:53; 3:6-9) and that they should keep charge of the tent
of meeting and the sanctuary and attend to the sons of Aaron,
their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 23
Temple Appointments
1 So when David was old and full of days,
he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

Priests and Levites

2 And he gathered together all the princes of Israel,
with the priests and the Levites.
3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward:
and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work
of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:
5 moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD
with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
6 And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi,
namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7 Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.
8 The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
9 The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were,
the chief of the fathers of Laadan.
10 And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah.
These four were the sons of Shimei.
11 And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah
had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning,
according to their father's house.
12 The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated,
that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever,
to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him,
and to bless in his name for ever.
14 Now concerning Moses the man of God,
his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
15 The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.
16 Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.
17 And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief.
And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18 Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.
19 Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,
Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20 Of the sons of Uzziel; Micah the first, and Jesiah the second.
21 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren
the sons of Kish took them.
23 The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers;
even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names
by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD,
from the age of twenty years and upward.
25 For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people,
that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:
26 and also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle,
nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.
27 For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered
from twenty years old and above:
28 because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service
of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers,
and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service
of the house of God;
29 both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering,
and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan,
and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
30 and to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD,
and likewise at even;
31 and to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths,
in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according
to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
32 and that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of
the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of
the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 24
Priestly Divisions Assigned
1 (Ex 6:23; Nu 3:2) Now the divisions of the sons of Aaron were these.
The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2 (Lev 10:2; Nu 3:4) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father,
and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3 (2Sa 8:17; 1Ch 24:31) Then David, along with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar
and Ahimelek of the sons of Ithamar, divided them to their offices
by their service.
4 Since the sons of Eleazar were found to have more chief men than the sons
of Ithamar, they divided them into sixteen heads of the fathers' houses
for the sons of Eleazar, and eight for the sons of Ithamar, according
to their fathers' houses.
5 (1Ch 24:31) So they divided them by lots, the one as the other, for there
were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among
both the sons of Eleazar and Ithamar.
6 (1Ch 18:16) Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, the Levite scribe, wrote them
down in the presence of the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelek
the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests
and the Levites, one father's house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
7 (Ezr 2:36) The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8 (Ezr 2:39) the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9 the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10 (Lk 1:5; Ne 12:4) the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shekaniah,
12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17 the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 (1Ch 9:25) These were their appointments for their service to come
into the house of the Lord according to the schedule prescribed for them
by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
Remaining Levite Assignments
20 Now for the remaining sons of Levi:
from the sons of Amram, Shubael;
from the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21 (1Ch 23:17) For Rehabiah: from the sons of Rehabiah,
the first was Ishiah.
22 (1Ch 23:18) From the Izharites, Shelomoth;
from the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23 (1Ch 23:19) The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,
Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24 (1Ch 23:20) The sons of Uzziel, Micah;
from the sons of Micah, Shamir.
25 The brother of Micah, Ishiah;
from the sons of Ishiah, Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari, Mahli and Mushi;
the son of Jaaziah, Beno.
27 The sons of Merari:
by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zakkur, and Ibri.
28 (1Ch 23:22) For Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 For Kish: the son of Kish,
Jerahmeel.
30 (1Ch 23:23) The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
31 (1Ch 24:5-6; 25:8) These also cast lots just as their brothers,
the sons of Aaron, in the presence of David the king, Zadok,
Ahimelek, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests
and of the Levites, the head of the fathers' houses as well
as his younger brother.

1 Chronicles 24

1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron;
Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children:
therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar,
and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices
in their service.
4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar
than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided.
Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house
of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according
to the house of their fathers.
5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors
of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons
of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites,
wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest,
and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers
of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar,
and one taken for Ithamar.
7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11 the ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
17 the one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
18 the three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
19 These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house
of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD
God of Israel had commanded him.
20 And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael:
of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.
21 Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22 Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,
Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24 Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
28 Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.
30 The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons
of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
31 These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron
in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech,
and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal
fathers over against their younger brethren.

1 Chronicles 25

The Musicians
1 (2Ki 3:15; 1Ch 6:33) Then David and the officers of the army also
set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman,
and of Jeduthun, those who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals.
The number of those who did the work according to their service was:
2 (1Ch 25:6; 25:1) From the sons of Asaph:
Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph
under the guidance of Asaph, who prophesied
according to the decree of the king.
3 (1Ch 16:41-42) For Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun:
Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the guidance
of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in giving thanks
and praise to the Lord.
4 For Heman, the sons of Heman:
Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah,
Giddalti, and Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.
5 (1Ch 21:9) All these were the sons of Heman, the king's seer, according
to the words of God, to exalt him, for God gave fourteen sons
and three daughters to Heman.
6 (1Ch 25:1-3) All these were under the direction of their father
for the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres,
for the service of the house of God by decree of the king:
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
7 So the number of them, with their brothers, who were trained in singing
to the Lord, all of whom were skillful, was 288.
8 (1Ch 26:13) They cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher
and student alike.
9 The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph;
the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve;
10 the third to Zakkur, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
14 the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
20 for the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
21 for the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
22 for the fifteenth to Jerimoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
25 for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi,his sons and his brothers, twelve;
27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
28 for the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
29 for the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
30 for the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
31 for the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

1 Chronicles 25
Musicians and Singers

1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service
of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy
with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen
according to their service was:
2 of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah,
the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according
to the order of the king. 
3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah,
and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands
of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp,
to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel,
and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer,
Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
5 all these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God,
to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house
of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service
of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun,
and Heman.
7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed
in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning,
was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small
as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph:
the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
10 the third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
11 the fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
14 the seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
17 the tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
18 the eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve:
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
27 the twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
28 the one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
29 the two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
30 the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve:
31 the four and twentieth to Romamti-ezer, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve.

2) Our Daily Bread for 23 May 2026 <a href="
https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/freedom-in-christ">
Freedom in Christ </a> by Winn Collier

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

7 (Ex 24:12; 31:18) If the ministry that brought death, written
and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel
could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory
of his countenance, the glory which was to fade away,
8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
9 (Heb 12:18-21; Ro 3:21-22) For if the ministry of condemnation
is glorious, the ministry of righteousness much more exceeds
it in glory.
10 Even that which was made glorious had no glory in comparison
to the glory that excels.
11 For if that which fades was glorious, that which remains
is much more glorious.
12 (2Co 7:4; Ac 4:13) Seeing then that we have such hope,
we speak with great boldness,
13 (Ex 34:33-35; 2Co 3:7) not as Moses, who put a veil over his face,
so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end
of what was fading away.
14 (Ac 13:15; Ro 11:25) Instead, their minds were blinded.
For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the
reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away
with in Christ.
15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts.
16 (Ex 34:34; Isa 25:7) Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord,
the veil is removed.
17 (Gal 4:6; Jn 8:32) Now the Lord is the Spirit.
And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 (Ro 8:29; 1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:4) But we all, seeing the glory
of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror,
are being transformed into the same image from glory
to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.

[7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was
glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the
face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done
away:
[8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
[9] For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
[10] For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by
reason of the glory that excelleth.
[11] For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which
remaineth is glorious.
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of
Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same
vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done
away in Christ.
[15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their
heart.
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken
away.
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is liberty.
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the
Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the
Spirit of the Lord. 

In 1849, Henry "Box" Brown (a US enslaved man from Virginia) folded himself 
into a wooden crate marked “dry goods,” and two friends shipped him from 
Richmond to Philadelphia. Brown was inside the box (3 x 2.5 x 2 feet) for the 
26-hour trip, with three small holes cut for air. As abolitionists pulled 
Brown from the box, he sang a paraphrase of Psalm 40, expressing his hope in 
the God who promises freedom. "If you have never been deprived of your 
liberty, as I was," Brown later wrote, "you cannot realise the power of that 
hope of freedom, which was to me indeed, an anchor to the soul, both sure
 and steadfast."

Freedom is central to how God operates in our hearts and in our world. His 
wisdom leads to spiritual freedom, but false wisdom leads to oppression. 
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is," Paul says, "there is freedom" from sin, 
death, and condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:17). When we listen to God 
and follow His ways, freedom results. Unfortunately the opposite is also true:
When we ignore Him and resist His invitations, we become ensnared 
and confined. God liberates and transforms us by His Spirit (v. 18), 
but sin and rebellion traps us.

We sometimes believe that God limits and obstructs our possibilities 
and pleasure. But in truth, He's the only one who can lead us into
an expansive future, the only one who can guide us into genuine freedom.

Reflect & Pray

Where have you felt trapped in life? 
How do you sense God's desire to guide you into freedom?

Dear God, please help me to be transformed and free in You.
<a href="https://odbm.org/personal-relationship-with-god">
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 7 God's Bulldozer - Luke 3:5-6

5 (Isa 40:4; 42:16) Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;
and the crooked shall be made straight
and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 (Isa 40:5; 52:10) and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

5 Every valley shall be filled,
And every mountain and hill shall be brought low;
And the crooked shall be made straight,
And the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

When a new highway is being constructed, the roads crew work hard
in preparing for the new surface to be laid. Giant bulldozers cut through
the hillsides, moving earth, leveling, filling, evening the path out where
the roadway will run. When the work is first begun, if often looks like chaos:
and even after the highway begins to take shape, the land is still ugly,
scarred by the unsightly gashes cut through the landscape. Yet after
the work is completed and the grass and trees are replanted, we forget
the temporary upheaval and see only the
beauty of the land and the convenience of the new roadway.
In Luke 3:5-6, John the Baptist presents a prophecy of the coming of Christ,
a prophecy quoted from Isaiah 40:3-5 . The prophecy speaks of the preparation
of the world for the coming Messiah, but is also applies to the preparation
of the individual heart to receive him.
Sometimes, the Holy Spirit must do major work in our hearts to prepare us for
the coming of Christ into our live. Like a bulldozer, he brings down the
mountains of pride in our lives. He fill the empty places , corrects
the crooked, grades down the rough edges of our hearts.
Often this is not pleasant work. We prefer to maintain the rugged landscape
of Self, and we do not like the ugly scars that are left after the bulldozer
has done its job.
But if we submit to the Spirit's "Construction work" in us, the way will be
paved for the Lord to enter into our lives, and others will see in us,
the way be paved for the Lord to enter into our lives, and other will see
in us the glory and salvation of our God.

Application

a) What "construction work" has to Holy Spirit done in me?

b) What restoration has taken place because of that work?

c) How do today's verses help me put in perspective the work
God still want to do in me?  


4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Proverbs 10:22

22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.

22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich,
And he addeth no sorrow with it.

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

When you are Saddened by Loss

1 Cor 15:35-38,51-57

35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?
With what body do they come?"
36 You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,
perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,
for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For tis corruptible will put on incorruption,
and this mortal will put on immortality.
54 When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,
and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then the saying that is written shall come to pass:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.

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?)

Ontario

Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario

Ontario 2015 population  13 687 7000

est Muslim Population     1 001 542

CNMM Networks:  Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
                                   Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor

Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that 
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly 
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques 
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools 
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour 
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of 
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community.  Another town 
reports  Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:

- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals 
  whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising 
   believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
  towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020 

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid  celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that 
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you 
know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 :  17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; 
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants 
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below: 
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.  20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]

Footnotes
	Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15  : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under 
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the 
house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people - 
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims 
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days! 

And 

Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.

"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager, 
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.

Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians 
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before. 
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.

As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution 
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.

Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction. 
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.

I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through 
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom 
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."

13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy 
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, 
through the power of the Holy Spirit.

[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

ROMANS 15:13

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

Day 23 of the Month

a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.

b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.

(

John 13:34-35

34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; 
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 
if ye have love one to another.

Rom 12:10

10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; 
in honour preferring one another; 

Heb 10:24

24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.

24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

1 Peter 3:8

8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, 
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 John 3:23

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son ­Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name 
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 

)

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord whom to appoint.

Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to be transformed 
and free in You."

Pray to the Lord and pray for Jesus Christ to complete the 
construction work in your life . 

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the richness of the Blessings of the Lord.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the upcoing rapture of the Church .

Agree in prayer for Ontario:

- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals 
  whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising 
   believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
  towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.

- 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 continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.

Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada

Pray that Christian media will be effective in reaching <a href="https://
www.vomcanada.com/yemen.htm">Yemen</a>is with the "Good News" of the Gospel.

Use that Testimony from 22 May 2025 with one person: text, coffee, or DM voice
note.

Romans 1:16

16 (Ro 2:9; Mk 8:38) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also
to the Greek.

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
-- 
Member - Liberal International This is [email protected] Ici [email protected]
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
Go for the Double Arsenal and Vote LDem 7 May 2026 !