Day 3 of My 5th Bible Study Journey

Day 3, 3 January 2025

1) Job 3-6 

Job 3 
Job Laments His Birth

1 After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed the day of his birth. 
2 Job said:
3  "Let the day perish in which I was born
and the night in which it was said, `A male child is conceived.'
4 As for that day, let it be darkness;
let God above not regard it;
and let not light shine upon it.
5 Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it;
let a cloud settle on it;
let the blackness of the day terrify it.
6 As for that night, let darkness capture it;
let it not rejoice among the days of the year;
let it not come into the number of the months.
7 Yes, as for that night, let it be barren!
Let no joyful cry come into it!
8  Let them curse it who curse any day,
those who are prepared to rouse Leviathan. (Leviathan, a sea dinosaur?)
9  Let its morning stars be dark;
let it look for light, but have none;
let it not see the rays of dawn,
10 because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb,
nor hide trouble from my eyes.
11" Why did I not die at birth?
Why did I not expire when I came out of the womb?
12  Why did her knees receive me?
And why her breasts that I should nurse?
13 For now I would be lying down and would be at peace;
I would have slept; then there would be rest for me,
14   with kings and counselors of the earth,
who built ruins for themselves,
15 or with princes who had gold,
who filled their houses with silver.
16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child,
like infants who never saw light?
17 There the wicked will have stopped causing trouble,
and there the exhausted will rest.
18  Captives will relax together;
they do not hear the voice of the oppressor.
19 The small and great, they are there,
and the servant is free from his master.
20 "Why is light given to the miserable,
and life unto the bitter in soul,
21  who look for death, but it is not there;
and they search for it more than for hidden treasures;
22 who rejoice exceedingly,
and they are glad when they find the grave?
23  And why is light given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?
24 For my sighing comes before I eat,
and my groaning pours forth like the waters.
25 For the thing which I greatly feared has happened to me,
and that which I dreaded has come to me.
26 I am not at peace; I have no quiet,
I cannot rest, and turmoil has come."

[1] After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
[2] And Job spake, and said,
[3] Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was
said, There is a man child conceived.
[4] Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let
the light shine upon it.
[5] Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon
it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
[6] As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto
the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
[7] Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
[8] Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their
mourning.
[9] Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light,
but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
[10] Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow
from mine eyes.
[11] Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I
came out of the belly?
[12] Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
[13] For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept:
then had I been at rest,
[14] With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places
for themselves;
[15] Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
[16] Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never
saw light.
[17] There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
[18] There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the
oppressor.
[19] The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
[20] Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the
bitter in soul;
[21] Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for
hid treasures;
[22] Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
[23] Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged
in?
[24] For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like
the waters.
[25] For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I
was afraid of is come unto me.
[26] I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet
trouble came. 

Job 4
Eliphaz Speaks: Job Has Sinned
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2(Job 32:18-20) "If one attempts a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking?
3(Isa 35:3) Surely you have instructed many,
and you have strengthened the weak hands.
4(Heb 12:12) Your words have raised up him who was falling,
and you have fortified the feeble knees.
5(Job 19:21) But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
it reaches even you, and you are terrified.
6(Job 1:1; Pr 3:26) Is not your reverence your confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?
7(Ps 37:25) "Remember now, who being innocent ever perished?
Or where were the upright ever wiped out?
8(Pr 22:8; Gal 6:7-8) Just like I have seen, those who plow iniquity
and sow trouble, reap the same.
9(Job 15:30; Isa 30:33 ) By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of His anger they are destroyed.
10(Ps 58:6; Job 29:17) The roaring of the lion,
and the voice of the fierce lion,
and the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11(Ps 34:10) The old lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.
12(Job 26:14) "Now a word was brought to me secretly,
and my ear received a whisper of it.
13(Ge 2:21; 15:12) Amid disquieting thoughts from night visions,
when deep sleep falls on mortals,
14(Hab 3:16) terror and trembling came to me,
which made all my bones shake.
15 A breath of wind was passing before my face,
and the hair on my body was standingup.
16(1Ki 19:12) It stood still,
but I could not recognize its appearance;
a form was in front of my eyes,
there was stillness, then I heard a voice saying:
17(Job 9:2; 25:4) 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 He does not trust in His servants,
and He charges His angels with error;
19(Ge 2:7; Job 10:9) Even more, those who dwell in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed before the moth.
20(Job 20:7) They are broken in pieces from morning to evening;
they perish forever without anyone regarding it.
21(Job 36:12) Are not their tent ropes plucked up,
so they die, even without wisdom?'

[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
[2] If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can
withhold himself from speaking?
[3] Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak
hands.
[4] Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened
the feeble knees.
[5] But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and
thou art troubled.
[6] Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of
thy ways?
[7] Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were
the righteous cut off?
[8] Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap
the same.
[9] By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are
they consumed.
[10] The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the
teeth of the young lions, are broken.
[11] The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps
are scattered abroad.
[12] Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little
thereof.
[13] In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on
men,
[14] Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
[15] Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
[16] It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was
before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
[17] Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than
his maker?
[18] Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with
folly:
[19] How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is
in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
[20] They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever
without any regarding it.
[21] Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even
without wisdom. 

 Job 5
Eliphaz: Job Is Chastised by God
1(Job 15:15) "Call out now; is anyone answering you?
And to whom among the holy ones will you turn?
2 For anger slays the foolish man,
and jealousy kills the gullible.
3(Ps 37:35-36; 73:18-20) Yes, I saw the foolish taking root,
and quickly I cursed his dwelling.
4 (Ps 119:155; 127:5) May his children be far from safety,
and may they be crushed in the gate without a deliverer;
5 whose harvest the hungry eats up,
and takes it even out of the thorns,
and the thirsty captures his wealth.
6 For affliction does not come out of the dust,
nor does trouble sprout up out of the ground;
7 (Job 14:1; Ge 3:17-19) but man is born to trouble,
as the sparks fly upward.
8 (Ps 50:15) "Indeed, I would appeal to God,
and before God I would set forth my case,
9 (Ps 40:5; Job 9:10; 37:5) who does the great and the inscrutable,
wonders without number.
10(Ps 147:8; Jer 5:24) He gives rain on the surface of the earth
and sends water on the outdoor places.
11 He sets on high those who are lowly,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 (Ne 4:15; Isa 8:10) He frustrates the schemes of the crafty,
so that their hands cannot perform their plans.
13 (Ps 9:15-16; 1Co 3:19) He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the scheme of the shrewd is swiftly stopped.
14 (Job 12:25; Dt 28:29) In the daytime they encounter darkness,
and at noontime they grope as in the night.
15 (Ps 35:10) But the needy He saves from the sword,
from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
16 (Ps 107:42; 63:11) So the helpless has hope,
and injustice shuts her mouth.
17 (Ps 94:12; Jas 1:12) "How happy is the man whom God corrects!
Therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty,
18 (Isa 30:26; Dt 32:39) for He wounds, but He applies the bandage;
He injures, but His hands also heal.
19 (Ps 34:19; 1Co 10:13) In six crises He will deliver you;
even in seven, disaster will not touch you.
20 (Ps 33:19) In famine He will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 (Ps 31:20) You will be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and you will not fear violence when it comes.
22 (Eze 34:25; Isa 35:9) You will laugh at devastation and famine,
and you will not fear wild animals.
23 For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field,
and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 You will know that your tent is peaceful,
and you will inspect your property and find nothing missing.
25(Ps 112:2; 72:16) You will know that your offspring will be many
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26(Ge 15:15; 25:8) You go to the grave in a full age,
as stalks of grain are gathered up in season.
27(Ps 111:2) "Look! We have investigated all this, and it is so;
hear it, and know for yourself."

[1] Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the
saints wilt thou turn?
[2] For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
[3] I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his
habitation.
[4] His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate,
neither is there any to deliver them.
[5] Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the
thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
[6] Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble
spring out of the ground;
[7] Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
[8] I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
[9] Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without
number:
[10] Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
[11] To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be
exalted to safety.
[12] He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot
perform their enterprise.
[13] He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the
froward is carried headlong.
[14] They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in
the night.
[15] But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the
hand of the mighty.
[16] So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
[17] Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not
thou the chastening of the Almighty:
[18] For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make
whole.
[19] He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no
evil touch thee.
[20] In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of
the sword.
[21] Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be
afraid of destruction when it cometh.
[22] At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be
afraid of the beasts of the earth.
[23] For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the
beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
[24] And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou
shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
[25] Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring
as the grass of the earth.
[26] Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn
cometh in in his season.
[27] Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for
thy good. 

Job 6

Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
1 But Job answered:
2 "Oh, that my grief were fully weighed,
and my calamity laid with it on the scales!
3 (Pr 27:3) For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea;
therefore my words are stuck in my throat.
4 (Ps 38:2; Job 30:15) For the arrows of the Almighty are within me;
my spirit drinks in their poison; 
the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?
Or the ox bellow over his fodder?
6 (Lev 2:13; Col 4:6 ) Is tasteless food eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them;
they are like loathsome food to me.
8 "Oh, that I might have my request,
and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 (1Ki 19:4) That it would please God to crush me,
that He would let loose His hand and cut me off!
10 (Lev 19:2; Job 23:12) Then I would still have comfort;
I would revel in pain; it will not subside,
for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11 "What strength do I have, that I should hope?
And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones?
Or is my flesh made of brass?
13 Is there no help within me?
And is success banished from me?
14 (Pr 17:17) "A despairing man should be shown kindness from his friend,
or he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 (Jer 15:18; Ps 38:11) My brothers have acted deceitfully like a riverbed,
like the streams of the riverbeds that run dry;
16 which are dark because of the ice,
and into which the snow disappears.
17 In time they are scorched; they vanish!
When it is hot, they disappear from their place.
18 The caravans of their way turn aside;
they go nowhere, and they perish.
19 (Ge 25:15; Isa 21:14) The caravans of Tema looked,
the travelers of Sheba hoped for them.
20 They were disappointed because they were confident;
they arrived there and were dismayed.
21 (Ps 38:11) For now you are nothing;
you see terror and are afraid.
22 Did I say, 'Give to me'?
Or, 'Out of your wealth, bribe me'?
23 Or, 'Deliver me from the power of the enemy'?
Or, 'From the power of the oppressors, liberate me'?
24 "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue,
and make me understand how I have erred.
25 How forceful are right words!
But what does your arguing prove?
26(Job 8:2) Do you mean to correct my words,
and treat my desperate words as wind?
27(Job 22:9; 24:3) Yes, you cast lots for the fatherless,
and you bargain over your friend.
28 "And now, please give me your attention,
for surely I will not lie to you.
29(Job 17:10) Turn, I pray, let there be no injustice!
Yes, turn again, my righteousness still stands!
30(Job 12:11) Is there injustice on my tongue?
Cannot my taste discern pernicious things?


[1] But Job answered and said,
[2] Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the
balances together!
[3] For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words
are swallowed up.
[4] For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof
drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against
me.
[5] Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his
fodder?
[6] Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste
in the white of an egg?
[7] The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
[8] Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing
that I long for!
[9] Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his
hand, and cut me off!
[10] Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow:
let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
[11] What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I
should prolong my life?
[12] Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
[13] Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
[14] To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he
forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
[15] My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of
brooks they pass away;
[16] Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
[17] What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed
out of their place.
[18] The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and
perish.
[19] The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
[20] They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and
were ashamed.
[21] For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
[22] Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
[23] Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of
the mighty?
[24] Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein
I have erred.
[25] How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
[26] Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is
desperate, which are as wind?
[27] Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
[28] Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I
lie.
[29] Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my
righteousness is in it.
[30] Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse
things? 

Note who your friends are

2) Our Daily Bread for 3 January 2025 titled  
<a href="https://odb.org/2025/01/03/fear-of-the-unknown-2">
Fear of the Unknown</a>

John 16:31-33

31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?
32 (Mt 26:31; Jn 8:29) Listen, the hour is coming. Yes, it has now come that
you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone.
Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me.
33 (Jn 14:27; 1Jn 4:4; Jn 14:1) "I have told you these things so that in Me
you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good
cheer. I have overcome the world."

[31] Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
[32] Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered,
every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world. 

Fear woke me at 3 a.m. on the first day of the new year. The year ahead 
weighed heavily on me, overwhelming me with dread. Illness in the family had 
long wearied me, and now, thoughts of the future made me afraid. 
Will more bad things happen? I wondered.

Jesus' disciples understood the fear of bad things happening. Even though 
their Master had prepared and reassured them the day before He died, they were
still afraid. They fled when He was arrested (Matthew 26:56); Peter denied Him
(John 18:15-17, 25-27), and they went into hiding (20:19). Their fear during 
the upheaval of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, as well as of persecution, led 
them to act contrary to His command to "take heart" 
and His promise, "I have overcome the world" (16:33).

But Christ's death and resurrection proved His authority and power over life 
and death. He has the ultimate victory. Even though the sinful state of our 
world makes suffering a certainty, we can rest in the truth that all things 
are subject to the authority of our wise and loving God. Jesus' presence is 
with us (16:32-33), just as it was with His disciples, who later confidently 
went on to share the gospel to the world. May God's promise that He's in 
control strengthen our hearts to trust Him in this new year and be courageous
even when we don't know what the future will bring.

By:  Karen Huang

Reflect & Pray

What's your response to difficulty, suffering, and trials? 
What would "taking heart" look like for you?

Thank You, Jesus, for helping me with my fears 
and for showing me how to live courageously.

<a href="https://odbu.org/topic/ot315-01-lecture/">
Visit ODBU.org/OT315 for further study on suffering 
and trials from the book of Job.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative

Isaiah 1:18

18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "
says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life
that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them
of some order in the world."
Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations
have been asking themselves the same question.
God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue
head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.
Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,
faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.
God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".
"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it. You are not even able to be
true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power
or effort. But I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"
We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.
Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect
supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.
In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing
or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.
The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes
clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,
or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.

Application

a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a
'Rational choice'?

b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?

c) What other aspects of God's word
and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me? 


4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland

Deut 28:11

11 (Dt 28:4; 30:9) The Lord will make you overflow in prosperity,
in the offspring of your body, in the offspring of your livestock,
and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore
to your fathers to give you.

11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body,
and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land
which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

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

When you are lonely

1 John 4:16b-18

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us,
so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is,
so are we in this world.
18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
Whoever fears is not perfect in love.

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness
in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

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?)

2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493

British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.
Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver 
and surrounding areas.  There are also significant Muslim student populations
in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are
between 4000  and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all
other nationalities.

Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant 
and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this
region is about 200000.
Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,
more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small
numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc. 
We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.
A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,
for which we also rejoice.  Let us agree in that

- the church will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
- the church will press in to participate in effective 
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.

Adding further

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

Under the Keep Praying page

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ideas for prayer

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

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

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

http://www.ehc.ca

3nd Day of the Month

a) Pray for the province of Alberta as follows:
I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to
act justly,  serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. ( 
1 Tim 2:1-4  
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, 
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, 
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, 
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty, 
3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in 
the sight of God our Savior, 
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come 
to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign 
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus

b)   Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin 
and Canadian to faith in Christ.
 ( John 16:8 - When He comes, He will convict the world of sin 
and of righteousness and of judgment:   
Matthew 9:36 - But when He saw the crowds, He was moved with 
compassion for them, because they fainted and were scattered, 
like sheep without a shepherd  )

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and Pray TO UNDERSTAND A SITUATION before speaking;
empty yourselves of assumptions.

Pray to the Lord : "Thank You, Jesus, for helping me with my fears 
and for showing me how to live courageously."

Pray to the Lord and pray to Give over all your sins and temptations. 

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the blessings of the Lord.

Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord God / Yahweh as Love.

Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,
and a burden to train outreach to Muslims
Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective 
discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin 
and all on Earth to faith in Christ.

Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
-- 
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 ;
Merry Christmas 2024 and Happy New Year 2025