Day 253 of My 4th Bible Study Journey

Day 253, 9 September 2024

1) Joel 1,2,3

Joel 1

1 (Jer 1:2; Ac 2:16) The word of the Lord, which came to Joel, son of Pethuel.

[1] The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.

A Land Laid Waste

2 (Hos 5:1; Joel 2:2) Hear this, elders,
and give ear, all inhabitants of the land!
Has anything like this happened in your days,
or in the days of your fathers?
3 Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell their children,
and let their children tell another generation.
4 (Joel 2:25; Am 4:9; Ex 10:4) What the fledging locust left,
the adult locust has eaten;
what the adult locust left,
the larval locust has eaten;
what the larval locust left,
the hopper locust has eaten.
5 Awaken, drunkards, and weep!
Wail, all wine-drinkers,
because the sweet wine
has been cut off from your lips.
6 (Joel 2:25) For a nation powerful and innumerable
has invaded my land;
its teeth are like the teeth of a lion,
like the fangs of a lioness.
7 (Isa 5:6; Joel 1:12) It has despoiled my vine,
and splintered my fig tree;
it has stripped off its bark
and cast it away,
leaving its branches white.
8 (Isa 22:12) Lament like a virgin wearing sackcloth
for the husband of her youth.
9 (Joel 2:14; 2:17) The grain offering and the drink offering
are cut off from the house of the Lord;
the priests mourn, who are
ministers to the Lord.
10 (Jer 12:11; Hos 4:3) The field is ravaged,
the ground mourns;
for the grain is ruined,
the new wine is dried up,
and the oil dwindles.
11 (Isa 17:11; Jer 9:12) Despair, fieldworkers;
wail, vinedressers,
for the wheat and the barley,
because the harvest of the field has perished.
12 (Isa 24:11; SS 2:3) The vine is dried up,
and the fig tree is withered;
pomegranate, palm, and apple-
all the trees of the field are dry;
surely joy has withered away
from the sons of men.

[2] Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land.
Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
[3] Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children,
and their children another generation.
[4] That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that
which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the
cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
[5] Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine,
because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
[6] For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose
teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
[7] He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it
clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
[8] Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
[9] The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of
the LORD; the priests, the LORD's ministers, mourn.
[10] The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new
wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.
[11] Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat
and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.
[12] The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate
tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the
field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

A Call to Repentance

13 (Jer 4:8; Joel 1:8-9) Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;
wail, ministers of the altar.
Come, spend the night in sackcloth,
ministers of my God,
because the grain offering and the drink offering
are withheld from the house of your God.
14 (Joel 2:15–16; Jnh 3:8) Consecrate a fast,
call a sacred assembly,
assemble the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.
15 (Jer 30:7; Eze 7:2-12) Alas, for the day!
For the day of the Lord is near,
and like devastation from the Almighty it comes.
16 (Dt 12:6-7; Ps 43:4) Has not the food been cut off
before our eyes,
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?
17 The seeds have shriveled
under their shovels,
the storehouses have been deserted;
the granaries have been torn down,
because the grain has dried up.
18 (Jer 12:4; Hos 4:3) How the beasts groan!
The herds of cattle are confused,
because they have no pasture;
even the flocks of sheep suffer.
19 (Ps 50:15; Jer 9:10) To You, O Lord, I call,
because fire has devoured the wild pastures,
and flame has burned all the trees of the field.
20 (Ps 104:21; 1Ki 17:7) Even the beasts of the field long for You,
because the streams of water have dried up,
and fire has devoured the wild pastures.

[13] Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the
altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the
meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your
God.
[14] Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all
the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry
unto the LORD,
[15] Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a
destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
[16] Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the
house of our God?
[17] The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate,
the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.
[18] How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because
they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
[19] O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of
the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
[20] The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters
are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Joel 2

The Day of the Lord

1 (Joel 1:15; 2:15) Blow the ram's horn in Zion,
sound the alarm on My holy mountain!
All the inhabitants of the earth will tremble,
because the day of the Lord has come,
because it is near-
2 (Joel 1:6; 2:25) a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Like blackness spreading over the mountain,
a great and mighty army comes,
such as was never before,
and will never be again,
even through the years of all generations.
3 (Ge 2:8; Isa 51:3) Before them fire devours,
and behind them a flame blazes;
the land is like the garden of Eden before them,
but behind them a desolate wasteland,
and nothing escapes them.
4 (Rev 9:7) They have the appearance of horses,
and like cavalry they run.
5 (Isa 5:24; Rev 9:9) As with the sound of chariots,
they leap on the mountaintops,
as with the sound of a flame of fire consuming stubble,
as a mighty army arrayed for war.
6 (Na 2:10; Isa 13:8) Before them, peoples are tormented;
every face turns pale.
7 (Pr 30:27) Like mighty men they run,
like men of war they scale a wall;
each marches on his way,
they do not swerve from their paths.
8 They do not jostle one another;
each marches in his track.
Through the weapons they plunge;
they do not break rank.
9 (Jer 9:21; Jn 10:1) They rush on the city,
they run on the wall;
they climb up into the houses,
they enter through the windows like thieves.
10 (Ps 18:7; Isa 13:10) Before them the earth quakes,
the heavens shake;
the sun and moon darken,
and the stars withdraw their radiance.
11 (Rev 18:8; Joel 3:16) The Lord has sounded His voice
before His army,
for His camp is exceedingly great;
mighty is the one who accomplishes His word.
For great is the day of the Lord,
and very awe-inspiring.
Who can endure it?

[1] Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let
all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for
it is nigh at hand;
[2] A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick
darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a
strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after
it, even to the years of many generations.
[3] A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land
is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness;
yea, and nothing shall escape them.
[4] The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen,
so shall they run.
[5] Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap,
like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong
people set in battle array.
[6] Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall
gather blackness.
[7] They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of
war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break
their ranks:
[8] Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path:
and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
[9] They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall,
they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like
a thief.
[10] The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun
and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
[11] And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is
very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the
LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Return to the Lord

12 (Jer 4:1; Hos 12:6) Yet even now, declares the Lord,
return to Me with all your heart,
and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning.
13 (Ps 34:18; Jnh 4:2) Rend your heart,
and not your garments;
return to the Lord your God,
for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and He relents from punishing.
14 (Joel 1:13; Hag 2:19) Who knows? He might turn aside and relent,
and He might leave behind a blessing—
a grain offering and a food offering
for the Lord your God.
15 (Joel 1:14; Nu 10:3) Blow the ram's horn in Zion,
consecrate a fast,
call a sacred assembly.
16 (Ex 19:10; 19:22) Gather the people,
consecrate the congregation,
assemble the elders,
gather the children
and those nursing at the breast;
let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.
17( Eze 8:16; Ps 79:10) Between the temple porch and the altar,
let the priests, ministers of the Lord, weep and say,
"Have pity upon Your people,
and do not make Your heritage a disgrace,
a mockery among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?' "

[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your
heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your
God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness,
and repenteth him of the evil.
[14] Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind
him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
[15] Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
[16] Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders,
gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go
forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
[17] Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and
the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine
heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore
should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Rescue and Restitution

18 (Zec 1:14; 8:2) Then the Lord became jealous for His land
and took pity upon His people.
19 (Eze 34:29; Joel 1:10) So the Lord answered and said to His people,
Here! I am sending you grain, new wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied,
and I will never again make you
a disgrace among the nations.
20 (Zec 14:8; Dt 11:24; Isa 34:3) I will remove the northerner far from you,
and I will banish him to a dry and desolate land,
those in front to the eastern sea,
and those in back to the western sea,
and his stink will rise,
and his stench will rise,
for he has done great things.
21 (Isa 54:4; Zep 3:16-17) Do not be afraid, land;
exult and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
22 (Ps 65:12; Joel 1:18-20) Do not be afraid, beasts of the field,
because the wild pastures flourish,
because the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their abundance.
23 (Zec 10:7; Lev 26:4) And children of Zion, exult
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
because He has given to you
the early rain for vindication.
He showers down rains for you,
the early rain and the latter rain, as before.
24 (Lev 26:10; Am 9:13) Then the threshing floors will be filled with grain,
and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 (Joel 1:4-7; 2:2-11) And I will compensate you for the years the locusts
have eaten-the larval locust, the hopper locust,
and the fledging locust-
My great army which I sent against you.
26 (Lev 26:5; Isa 25:1) You will eat abundantly and be satisfied,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
and My people will never again be shamed.
27 (Joel 3:17; Lev 26:11-12) Then you will know that I am in the midst
of Israel, that I am the Lord your God,
and that there is no other.
And My people will never again be shamed.

[18] Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
[19] Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send
you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will
no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
[20] But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive
him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and
his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his
ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
[21] Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great
things.
[22] Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the
wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the
vine do yield their strength.
[23] Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God:
for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come
down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first
month.
[24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with
wine and oil.
[25] And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the
cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I
sent among you.
[26] And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of
the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall
never be ashamed.
[27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the
LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

The Outpouring of the Spirit

28 (Eze 39:29; Isa 32:15) And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
29 (1Co 12:13; Gal 3:28) Even on the menservants and maidservants
in those days I will pour out My Spirit.
30 (Lk 21:11; Mt 24:29) Then I will work wonders in the heavens
and the earth-
blood and fire and columns of smoke.
31 (Mal 4:5; Isa 13:9-10) The sun will be turned to darkness,
and the moon to blood,
before the great and awe-inspiring day of the Lord comes.
32 (Isa 46:13; Ob 1:17) And it will be that everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the Lord has said,
and among the survivors
whom the Lord calls.

[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old
men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I
pour out my spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and
fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before
the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall
call.

Joel 3

Judging the Nations

1 (Jer 16:15; 30:3) In those days and at that time,
when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 (Isa 66:16; Eze 35:10) I will gather all the nations,
and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
I will enter into judgment with them there
regarding My people and My heritage Israel,
whom they have scattered among the nations;
they have also divided up My land.
3 (Am 2:6; Ob 1:11) They have cast lots for My people,
and have traded a boy for a prostitute;
they have sold a girl for wine,
that they might drink.
4 (Isa 34:8; 59:18) Also, what are you to Me, Tyre and Sidon
and all the regions of Philistia? Are you repaying Me
for something? If you are repaying Me, I will return your payment
swiftly and speedily on your head.
5 (2Ki 12:18; 2Ch 21:16-17) For you have taken My silver and My gold,
and you have carried off My finest treasures to your temples.
6 (Eze 27:13; Joel 3:3) You have sold the people of Judah
and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their border.
7 (Isa 43:5-6; Jer 23:8) I am about to rouse them from the place
to which you have sold them, and I will return your payment on your head.
8 (Isa 60:14; Job 1:15) I will sell your sons and your daughters
into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them
to the Sabeans-to a distant nation, for the Lord has spoken.
9 (Isa 8:9-10; Jer 46:3-4) Proclaim this among the nations:
Consecrate a war!
Stir up the mighty men!
Let all the men of war draw near and rise.
10 (Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3) Beat your plowshares into swords
and your pruning hooks into spears;
let the weakling say,
"I am a warrior!"
11 (Isa 13:3; Zep 3:8) Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations,
and gather there.
Bring down Your warriors, O Lord.
12 (Isa 2:4; Ps 96:13) Let the nations be roused,
and go up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
for there I will sit
to judge all the surrounding nations.
13 (Hos 6:11; Isa 63:3) Swing the sickle,
for the harvest is ripe.
Come and tread,
for the winepress is full.
The wine vats overflow,
because their evil is great.
14 (Isa 34:2-8; Joel 1:15) Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of the decision.
15 (Joel 2:10; 2:31) The sun and moon darken,
and the stars withdraw their radiance.
16 (Am 1:2; Eze 38:19) The Lord roars from Zion,
and sounds His voice from Jerusalem,
and heaven and earth quake.
But the Lord is a refuge for His people,
and a stronghold for the children of Israel.

Joel 3
[1] For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again
the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
[2] I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley
of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my
heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my
land.
[3] And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an
harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
[4] Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the
coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompence
me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;
[5] Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your
temples my goodly pleasant things:
[6] The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold
unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.
[7] Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them,
and will return your recompence upon your own head:
[8] And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the
children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far
off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
[9] Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty
men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
[10] Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears:
let the weak say, I am strong.
[11] Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves
together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
[12] Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat:
for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
[13] Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for
the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
[14] Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the
LORD is near in the valley of decision.
[15] The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw
their shining.
[16] The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from
Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be
the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

The Lord Dwells in Zion

17 (Joel 2:27; Isa 4:3) Then you will know that I am the Lord your God,
who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain.
And Jerusalem will be holy,
and invaders will never again pass through her.
18 (Isa 30:25; 35:6) And it will be that in that day the mountains will drip
sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk,
and all the streambeds of Judah will flow with water;
a spring will proceed from the house of the Lord
and will water the Valley of Shittim.
19 (Isa 19:1-15) Egypt will become a desolation,
and Edom a desolate wasteland,
because of the violence done to the people of Judah-
they shed innocent blood in their land.
20 (Eze 37:25; Am 9:15) But Judah will be inhabited forever,
and Jerusalem for generations and generations.
21 (Isa 4:4; Eze 36:25) I will avenge their blood,
which I have not yet avenged.
The Lord dwells in Zion!

[17] So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy
mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass
through her any more.
[18] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop
down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of
Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house
of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
[19] Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness,
for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed
innocent blood in their land.
[20] But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to
generation.
[21] For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD
dwelleth in Zion.

2) Our Daily Bread for 9 September 2024 Titled <a href="
hhttps://odb.org/2024/09/09/what-remains">Remaining in Jesus</a>

Matthew 16:13-19

Matthew 16:13-20

Peter's Declaration About Jesus
Mk 8:27-30; Lk 9:18-21

13 (Lk 9:18-20; Mt 8:20) When Jesus came into the region of Caes­area
Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14 (Mt 14:2; Mk 6:15) They said, "Some say that You are John the Baptist,
others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 (Ps 42:2; Jn 11:27) Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God."
17 (Gal 1:16; Jn 1:42; 21:15-17) Jesus answered him,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood
has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 (Jn 1:42; Job 38:17) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 (Mt 18:18; Isa 22:22; Jn 20:23) I will give you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

[13] When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his
disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
[14] And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias;
and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
[15] He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.
[17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is
in heaven.
[18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
[19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

A fire burned Balsora Baptist Church to the ground. As emergency workers and
community members gathered after the blaze subsided, they were surprised to 
see a charred cross standing upright amidst the smoke and ashes in the air. A 
firefighter commented that the fire "took the structure, but not the cross. 
[This is a reminder] that the building was just that, a building. 
The church is the congregation."

The church is not a building, but a community united by the cross 
of Christ-the One who died, was buried, and rose again. When Jesus lived on 
earth, He told Peter He'd build His worldwide church, and nothing would 
destroy it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus would gather believers from all over the 
globe into a group that would continue throughout time. This community would 
face intense difficulty, but they'd ultimately endure. God would dwell within 
them and sustain them (Ephesians 2:22).

When we struggle to establish local churches only to have them stagnate and 
sputter, when buildings are destroyed, or when we're concerned about believers
struggling in other parts of the world, we can remember that Jesus is alive, 
actively enabling God's people to persevere. We're part of the church He's 
building today. He's with us and for us. His cross remains.

By:  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Reflect & Pray

In what ways might you support fellow believers? 
How does sharing the good news relate to God's plan for the church?

Dear God, please strengthen Your people everywhere. 
Fill them with wisdom, protect them, and help them stay faithful to You.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation

Col 1:21-22

21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight

Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.

Application

a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?

b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?

c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
to Jesus? 

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

2 Cor 8:9

9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.

9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.

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

God's Freeing Forgiveness

Eph 1:3-8a

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished

3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will, 
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded

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?)

Nova Scotia

Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629

With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations

- in and around Halifax and other cities

- on university campuses

- for new workers among Muslims

- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.

- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them

- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims

Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.

Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.

while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.

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 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."

Peter's Speech at Pentecost

14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
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.'

- 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, atheists, secular humanists, ...) 

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

http://www.ehc.ca

9th Day of the Month

a) Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.

(
Ps 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;
it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100

A Psalm of praise.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:
It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
And his truth endureth to all generations.

)

b) Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
(
1 Chr 12:32

32 (Est 1:13) From the sons of Issachar,
those having understanding of times
and what Israel should do: two hundred of their captains
with all their brothers at their command.

32 And of the children of Issachar,
which were men that had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred;
and all their brethren were at their commandment

) 

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to Thank Lord Jusus Christ that He will come again.

Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please strengthen Your people everywhere. 
Fill them with wisdom, protect them, and help them stay faithful to You."

Pray to the Lord and pray to thank Him for His reconciliation
while you weree alien to Him.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know to know His Grace as Saviour.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as redemption.

Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations

- in and around Halifax and other cities

- on university campuses

- for new workers among Muslims

- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.

- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them

- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims

Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- 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 a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.

Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
 


Pray 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 ;