Day 328 of My 4th Bible Study Journey

Day 328, 23 November 2024

1) 1 Corinthians 9 , 1 Corinthians 10 , 1 Corinthians 11
1 Corinthians 9

The Rights of an Apostle

1 (1Co 3:6; Ac 9:3) Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen
Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet indeed I am to you.
For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 This is my answer to those who examine me.
4 (1Th 2:6; 2Th 3:8-9) Do we have no right to eat and to drink?
5 (Mt 8:14; Jn 1:42) Do we not have the right to take along a believing
wife as do other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 (Ac 4:36) Or is it only Barnabas
and I who have no right to refrain from working?
7 (Dt 20:6; Pr 27:18) Who goes to war at any time at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard, but does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock,
but does not drink of the flock's milk?
8 Do I say these things as a man? Or does the law not say the same thing also?
9 (Dt 25:4; 1Ti 5:18) For it is written in the Law of Moses,
"You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox
while it treads out the grain." (Dt 25:4.) Is God concerned about oxen?
10 (2Ti 2:6) Or does He say it completely for our sake? For our sake,
no doubt, this is written so that he who plows should plow in hope,
and that he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.
11 (Ro 15:27; Gal 6:6) If we have sown for you spiritual things, is it
a great thing if we shall reap your material things?
12 (1Co 9:18; 2Co 11:12) If others partake of this right over you,
should not we instead?
Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but suffer all things,
lest we might hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 (Lev 6:26; Nu 18:8-20) Do you not know that those who minister
unto holy things live from the things of the temple?
And do you not know that those who wait at the altar partake of the altar?
14 (Mt 10:10; 1Co 9:4) In the same way, the Lord has ordained that those
who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
15 (Ac 18:3; 1Co 9:12) But I have used none of these rights,
nor have I written these things that it should be so done to me.
For it would be better for me to die than allow anyone
to make my boasting void.
16 (Ro 1:14; Ac 9:15) Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of,
for the requirement is laid upon me. Yes, woe unto me
if I do not preach the gospel!
17 (Gal 2:7; 1Co 3:8) So if I do this willingly, I have a reward,
but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a commission.
18 (1Co 7:31) What is my reward then? Truly that when I preach the gospel,
I may present the gospel of Christ without charge,
so that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
19 (Mt 18:15; 1Co 9:1) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself
servant to all, that I might win even more.
20 (Ac 16:3; 21:20-26) To the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might win
the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might
win those who are under the law;
21 (Ro 2:12; 2:14) to those who are outside the law, as outside the law
(being not without God's law, but under Christ's law) that I might win
those who are outside the law.
22 (Ro 11:14; 1Co 10:33) To the weak, I became as weak, that I might win
the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means
save some.
23 (This I do for the gospel's sake, that I might partake of it with you.
24 (Gal 2:2; Heb 12:1) Do you not know that all those who run in a race run,
but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it.
25 (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10; 1Ti 6:12) Everyone who strives for the prize
exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to obtain
a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one.
26 So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty. So I fight, not as one who
beats the air.
27 (Ro 8:13; Jer 6:30) But I bring and keep my body under subjection,
lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

[1] Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our
Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
[2] If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the
seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
[3] Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
[4] Have we not power to eat and to drink?
[5] Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other
apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
[6] Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a
vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and
eateth not of the milk of the flock?
[8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
[9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth
of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
[10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this
is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that
thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
[11] If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we
shall reap your carnal things?
[12] If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we
should hinder the gospel of Christ.
[13] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the
things of the temple? and they which wait at the alter are partakers with
the alter?
[14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel.
[15] But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these
things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die,
than that any man should make my glorying void.
[16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for
necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
[17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my
will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
[18] What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may
make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the
gospel.
[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to
them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that
are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to
God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without
law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof
with you.
[24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
[26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that
beateth the air:
[27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by
any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 10
Warning Against Idolatry

1 (Ex 14:29; Ps 66:6) I would not want you to be unaware that all our fathers
were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 (Ex 16:35; Dt 8:3) all ate the same spiritual food;
4 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) and all drank the same spiritual drink,
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,
and that Rock was Christ.
5 (Heb 3:17; Jude 1:5) But with many of them God was not well pleased,
and they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 (Nu 11:4; 1Co 10:11) Now these things were our examples to the intent
that we should not lust after evil things as they lusted.
7 (Ex 32:19; 32:4) Neither be idolaters as were some of them.
As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel."
(Ex 32:6.)
8 (Nu 25:1-9; 1Co 6:18) Neither let us commit sexual immorality
as some of them committed, when twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9 (Nu 21:5-6; Ex 17:2) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also
tempted and were destroyed by serpents.
10 (Ex 12:23; Nu 16:41) Neither murmur, as some of them also murmured
and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 (Ro 13:11) Now all these things happened to them for examples.
They are written as an admonition to us, upon whom the end of the ages
has come.
12 (Ro 11:20) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall.
13 (1Co 1:9; 2Pe 2:9) No temptation has taken you except what is common
to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted
above what you can endure, but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
14 (1Co 10:7; 1Jn 5:21) So, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 (1Co 8:1; 1Th 5:21) I speak as to wise men.
Judge for yourselves what I say.
16 (Mt 26:26-28; Ac 2:42) The cup of blessing which we bless,
is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break,
is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 (Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:12) For we, being many, are one bread and one body,
for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 (Ro 4:1) Consider Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat
of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 (1Co 8:4) What am I saying then, that the idol is anything
or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything?
20 (Rev 9:20) But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice,
they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not want you to have
fellowship with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.
You cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.
22 (Dt 32:21; 32:16) Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?
Are we stronger than He?

[1] Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all
our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
[2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
[3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
[4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
[5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown
in the wilderness.
[6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
[7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The
people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
[8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell
in one day three and twenty thousand.
[9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were
destroyed of serpents.
[10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of
the destroyer.
[11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
[13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it.
[14] Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
[15] I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
[16] The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the
body of Christ?
[17] For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers
of that one bread.
[18] Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices
partakers of the alter?
[19] What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered
in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
[20] But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice
to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship
with devils.
[21] Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot
be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
[22] Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Do All to the Glory of God

23 (1Co 6:12; 8:9) "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are
helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things edify.
24 (1Co 10:33; 13:5) Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's
well-being.
25 (1Co 8:7) Eat whatever is sold in the meat market,
asking no question for the sake of conscience,
26 (Ps 24:1; 50:12) for "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
(Ps 24:1.)
27 If any of those who do not believe invite you to a feast,
and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you,
asking no question for the sake of conscience.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered in sacrifice to idols,"
do not eat it for the sake of him that mentioned it and for the sake
of conscience, for "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." (Ps 24:1.)
29 (1Co 9:19) Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other.
For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?
30 (Ro 14:6; 1Ti 4:3-4) If I partake with thankfulness,
why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
31 (Col 3:17; 1Pe 4:11) Therefore, whether you eat, or drink,
or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
32 (Ac 20:28; 1Co 8:13; Ro 14:13) Give no offense, neither to the Jews,
nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God,
33 (1Co 10:24) just as I try to please all men in all things,
not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

[23] All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all
things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
[24] Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
[25] Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for
conscience sake:
[26] For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
[27] If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed
to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience
sake.
[28] But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols,
eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth
is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
[29] Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my
liberty judged of another man's conscience?
[30] For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for
which I give thanks?
[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.
[32] Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the
church of God:
[33] Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit,
but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 11

1 (1Co 4:16; Php 3:17) Follow me as I follow Christ.

[1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 

Covering the Head in Worship

2 (2Th 2:15; 1Co 4:17; 11:17) I praise you, brothers, that you remember me
in all things and keep the traditions as I delivered them to you.
3 (Ge 3:16; 1Co 3:23; Eph 4:15) But I would have you know that the head
of the woman is the man, the head of every man is Christ,
and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying having
his head covered dishonors his head,
5 (Dt 21:12; Ac 21:9) but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head
uncovered dishonors her head, for that is the same as if she were shaved.
6 For if the woman is not covered, let her also cut off her hair.
But if it is a shame for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved,
let her be covered.
7 (Jas 3:9; Ge 5:1) For a man indeed ought not to cover his head,
because he is the image and glory of God.
But the woman is the glory of the man.
8 (1Ti 2:13; Ge 2:21-23) The man is not from the woman,
but the woman from the man.
9 (Ge 2:18) The man was not created for the woman,
but the woman for the man.
10 For this reason the woman ought to have a veil of authority over her head,
because of the angels.
11 (Gal 3:28) Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman,
nor the woman without the man in the Lord.
12 (Ro 11:36) For just as the woman came from the man,
so the man comes through the woman, but all things come from God.
13 (Lk 12:57) Judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray
to God uncovered?
14 Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair it is
a shame to him?
15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given
her for a covering.
16 (1Co 7:17; 1Th 2:14) But if anyone seems to be contentious,
we have no such custom, nor have the churches of God.

[2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep
the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
[3] But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the
head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
[4] Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth
his head.
[5] But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered
dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
[6] For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a
shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
[7] For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the
image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
[8] For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
[9] Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
[10] For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the
angels.
[11] Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman
without the man, in the Lord.
[12] For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman;
but all things of god.
[13] Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
[14] Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair,
it is a shame unto him?
[15] But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is
given her for a covering.
[16] But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither
the churches of God.

Abuses at the Lord's Supper

17 (1Co 11:2; 11:22) Now in what I have to say to you, I do not praise you.
You have come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 (1Co 3:3; 1:10-12) First of all, when you come together as the church,
I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
19 (1Jn 2:19; Dt 13:3) For there must also be factions among you so that
those who are genuine may become evident among you.
20 Therefore when you come together into one place,
it is not to eat the Lord's Supper.
21 (Jude 1:12; 2Pe 2:13) For in eating, each one eats his own supper
ahead of others. One goes hungry, and another becomes drunk.
22 (1Co 10:32; Pr 17:5) What? Do you not have houses to eat and to drink in?
Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing?
What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

[17] Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come
together not for the better, but for the worse.
[18] For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that
there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
[19] For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved
may be made manifest among you.
[20] When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the
Lord's supper.
[21] For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is
hungry, and another is drunken.
[22] What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the
church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall
I praise you in this? I praise you not.

The Lord's Supper
Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:14-20

23 (1Co 15:3; Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24) I have received of the Lord that
which I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which
He was betrayed, took bread.
24 When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take and eat.
This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."
(Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19.)
25 (Lk 22:20; 2Co 3:6) In the same manner He took the cup after He had
supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
(Mt 26:27-28; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20.)
26 (Jn 21:22; 1Co 4:5) As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,
That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is
my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink
it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the
Lord's death till he come.

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

27 (Nu 9:10; 9:13) Therefore whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup
of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 (2Co 13:5; Gal 6:4) Let a man examine himself,
and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation
to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this reason many are weak and unhealthy among you, and many die.
31 (1Jn 1:9) If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord,
so that we would not be condemned with the world.
33 So, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
34 (1Co 4:19; 11:21-22) If anyone hungers, let him eat at home,
so that you may not come together into condemnation.
I will set the rest in order when I come.

[27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
[28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and
drink of that cup.
[29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
[30] For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
[32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should
not be condemned with the world.
[33] Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for
another.
[34] And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together
unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. 

2) Our Daily Bread for 25 November 2023 titled
<a href="https://odb.org/2024/11/23/agents-of-shalom"> Agents of Shalom </a>

Jeremiah 29:1-7

Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles

1 (Est 9:20) Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah
the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the captivity,
and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people
whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.
2 (Jer 22:24-28; 2Ki 24:12-16) (This was after Jeconiah the king,
and the queen, and the eunuchs, and the officials of Judah and Jerusalem,
and the carpenters, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.)
3 It was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah
the son of Hilkiah (whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, sent to Babylon
to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), saying:
4 (Jer 24:5) Thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel,
to all who have been carried away captive whom I have caused
to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 (Jer 29:28) Build houses and dwell in them; and plant gardens
and eat their fruit.
6 (Jer 16:2-4) Take wives and beget sons and daughters;
and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands,
so that they may bear sons and daughters; so that you may increase
there and not diminish.
7 (Ezr 6:10; 1Ti 2:1-2) Seek the peace of the city where I have caused
you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it;
for in its peace you will have peace.

[1] Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent
from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away
captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people
whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
[2] (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the
princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were
departed from Jerusalem
[3] By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of
Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon) saying,
[4] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are
carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem
unto Babylon;
[5] Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the
fruit of them;
[6] Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your
sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and
daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
[7] And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried
away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof
shall ye have peace.

In 2015, local ministries in Colorado Springs, Colorado, teamed up to serve 
the city, and COSILoveYou was born. Each fall, in an event called CityServe, 
the group sends believers in Jesus out to serve the community.

Several years ago, my children and I were assigned to a downtown elementary 
school during CityServe. We cleaned. We pulled weeds. And we worked on an art 
project, lacing colored plastic tape through a chain-link fence in a way that 
approximated mountains. Simple, but surprisingly beautiful.

Whenever I drive past the school, our humble art project reminds me 
of Jeremiah 29. There, God instructed His people to settle down and serve the 
city they were in. He commanded this even though they were in exile and didn't
want to be there.  

The prophet said, "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to
be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace 
thereof shall ye have peace." (v. 7). The word peace here is the Hebrew word 
shalom. And it encompasses the idea of the wholeness and flourishing 
that only God's goodness and redemption can bring.   

Amazingly, God invites each of us to be His agents of shalom-right where we 
are. We're invited to create beauty and practice redemption in simple, 
concrete ways in the spaces He's placed us.

By:  Adam Holz

Reflect & Pray

When have you seen shalom restored? How might you use your time, 
talents, and resources to help your community?

Father, thank You for inviting me to be an agent 
of Your blessing. Please help me to see how I can serve my community.  

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 7 Our God reigns!

Is 52:7

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

A messenger has a single duty: to carry information. During World War II, many
parents dreaded the arrival of the Western Union messenger, believing that
delivery of a telegram meant that their son has been wounded or killed.
Isaiah 52:7, however, indicates that a messenger's word is not always
unwelcome. "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring
good news ..." the prophet says. The "Good news"? Peace , salvation,
and the resultant message: "Your God reigns!"
Our God reigns - in forgiveness, in reconciliation, bringing peace and freedom
and joy. Our God reigns, controlling our lives with a loving hand, ordering
our experiences for our good, and his glory. Our God reigns in relationships,
in professional circumstances, in families, in churches. The good news is
proclaimed: Life is not unmanageable. Our God Reigns!
When we know that God reigns in our lives, we can relax, let go of the reins
of control, and live in peace. We can forgive those who have hurt us, knowing
that God will reveal to them what they need to know. We can live
with good times and bad, recognising that God uses every circumstance
of our lives to conform us to the image of his Son. We can rejoice in his
grace, free from the compulsion to earn his love and acceptance, and
we can live in the peace that comes only through his lordship in our lives.
Our God reigns - that is , indeed "Good news".

Application

a) Have I ever felt that life was "out of control"? Why?

b) What does it mean in practical terms to know that "Our God reigns"? 

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Luke 6:38

38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."

38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

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

When you are Burdened by Doubt

Proverbs 30:5

5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

5 Every word of God is pure:
He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9-13


9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)

Newfoundland & Labrador

Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065

As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.

St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.

In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.

Pray for

- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses. 

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

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 live honourably for the Lord. 

Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You for inviting me to be an agent 
of Your blessing. Please help me to see how I can serve my community."

Pray to the Lord and pray to Our God Reigns.

Pray to the Lord and pray to be a generous giver.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the purity of His Word.

Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador

- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses. 

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 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 for wisdom on behalf of Tunisian church leaders as they shepherd 
their small congregations.

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 ;
Nova Scotia Vote Liberal!