Day 27 of My 4th Bible Study Journey

Day 27, 27 January 2025

Genesis 43,44,45

GENESIS 43 

Joseph's Brothers Return With Benjamin

1 Now the famine was severe in the land. 
2 When they had eaten up the grain which 
they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, 
"Go back and buy us a little food."
3 Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 
'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.' 
4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 
5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down. 
For the man said to us, 'You will not see my face 
unless your brother is with you.' "
6 Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly as 
to tell the man that you had another brother?"
7 And they said, "The man asked us directly about ourselves and our family,
 saying, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?'
 So we answered his questions. How could we even know that he would say, 
'Bring your brother down'?"
8 And Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy with me, 
and we will arise and go, so that we may live and not die, 
both we and you, and also our little ones. 
9 I will be a surety for him. You may hold me personally 
responsible for him. If I fail to bring him back to you and set him before you,
 then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not delayed, 
we could have returned twice."
11 Their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, do this. 
Take some of the best fruits in the land in your bags, 
and carry down a present for the man: a little balm 
and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 
12 Take double the money with you, along with the money 
that was brought back in the mouths of your sacks. 
Carry it with you again. Perhaps it was a mistake. 
13 Also, take your brother and arise, return to the man. 
14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, 
so that he may send away your other brother, along with Benjamin.
 As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
15 The men took the gift, and they took double the money with them, 
along with Benjamin. Then they went on their way down to Egypt 
and stood before Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, 
he said to the house steward, 
"Bring these men home, slaughter an animal and prepare it, 
for these men will dine with me at noon."
17 The man did as Joseph ordered,
so the man brought the men into Joseph's house. 
18 The men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house. 
They said, "We have been brought in because of the money
 that was returned in our sacks the first time, 
so that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us 
and take us for slaves with our donkeys."

The Feast With Joseph

19 They approached the steward of Joseph's house, 
and they spoke with him at the entrance of the house. 
20 They said, "My lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. 
21 When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks and realized 
every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. 
So we have brought it again with us. 
22 We have also brought additional money with us to buy food. 
We cannot tell who put our money in our sacks."
23 He said, "Be at peace; do not be afraid. 
Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. 
I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24 The man brought the men into Joseph's house 
and gave them water to wash their feet and gave feed to their donkeys. 
25 Then they made ready the gift for Joseph's coming at noon,
 for they heard that they would be eating a meal there.
26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house
 to him the present that they had with them 
and bowed themselves to him to the ground. 
27 He asked them about their well-being and said, 
"Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"
28 And they answered, "Your servant our father is in good health. 
He is still alive." And they bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves.
29 He lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son,
 and said, "Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?" 
And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son." 
30 Joseph hurried out, for he was deeply moved over his brother 
and sought a place to weep. So he entered into his chamber and wept there.
31 Then he washed his face and came out. Controlling himself, 
he said, "Serve the food."
32 They served him by himself and them by themselves and the Egyptians
 who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat a meal 
with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 
33 They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright
 and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked
 at one another in astonishment. 
34 He gave them portions from his own table, but Benjamin's serving
 was five times more than any of theirs. So they drank and feasted with him.

Genesis 43
[1] And the famine was sore in the land.
[2] And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had
brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little
food.
[3] And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us,
saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
[4] If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee
food:
[5] But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said
unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
[6] And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man
whether ye had yet a brother?
[7] And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our
kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we
told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that
he would say, Bring your brother down?
[8] And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will
arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our
little ones.
[9] I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring
him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for
ever:
[10] For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second
time.
[11] And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this;
take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man
a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and
almonds:
[12] And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought
again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure
it was an oversight:
[13] Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
[14] And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away
your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am
bereaved.
[15] And the men took that present, and they took double money in their
hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before
Joseph.
[16] And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his
house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall
dine with me at noon.
[17] And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into
Joseph's house.
[18] And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house;
and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the
first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall
upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
[19] And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed
with him at the door of the house,
[20] And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
[21] And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks,
and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in
full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
[22] And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we
cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
[23] And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your
father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he
brought Simeon out unto them.
[24] And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water,
and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
[25] And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they
heard that they should eat bread there.
[26] And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in
their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
[27] And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the
old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
[28] And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet
alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
[29] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's
son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And
he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
[30] And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and
he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
[31] And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said,
Set on bread.
[32] And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for
the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians
might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the
Egyptians.
[33] And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and
the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
[34] And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's
mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry
with him.

GENESIS 44

Joseph Detains Benjamin

1 Then he commanded the steward of his house, saying, 
"Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, 
and put every man's money in the mouth of his sack. 
2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, 
along with his grain money." And he did according to what Joseph had spoken.
3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away,
 they and their donkeys. 4 When they were gone out of the city, 
but not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, 
"Get up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, say to them, 
'Why have you rewarded evil for good? 
5 Is this not the one from which my lord drinks 
and uses as he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.'"
6 So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. 
7 They said to him, "Why does my lord say these words? 
Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing. 
8 Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan 
the money that we found in the top of our sacks. 
Why then would we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? 
9 Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, 
and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."
10 He said, "Now let it also be according to your words. 
He with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you will be blameless."
11 Then every man hurriedly took down his sack to the ground, 
and every man opened his sack. 
12 He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. 
The cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 
13 Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey 
and returned to the city.
14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, 
he was still there; and they fell to the ground before him. 
15 Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done?
 Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?"
16 And Judah said, "What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak?
 Or how shall we clear ourselves? 
God has found out the iniquity of your servants. 
Here we are, my lord's servants,
 both we and he also in whose possession the cup was found."
17 But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so.
 The man in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; 
but as for you, go up in peace to your father."

[1] And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks
with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his
sack's mouth.
[2] And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and
his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
[3] As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their
asses.
[4] And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph
said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake
them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
[5] Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he
divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
[6] And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
[7] And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid
that thy servants should do according to this thing:
[8] Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again
unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy
lord's house silver or gold?
[9] With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we
also will be my lord's bondmen.
[10] And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words; he with whom
it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
[11] Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and
opened every man his sack.
[12] And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and
the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
[13] Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned
to the city.
[14] And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet
there: and they fell before him on the ground.
[15] And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye
not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
[16] And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or
how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy
servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom
the cup is found.
[17] And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand
the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in
peace unto your father.

Judah's Plea for Benjamin

18 Then Judah approached him and said, "O my lord, please let your servant 
speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant,
 for you are equal to Pharaoh. 
19 My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father or a brother?' 
20 And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, 
and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, 
and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.'
21 "You said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, 
so that I may set my eyes on him.' 
22 We said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father,
 for if he should leave his father, his father would die.' 
23Y ou said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down
 with you, you will not see my face again.'
 24 When we went back to your servant, my father, 
we told him the words of my lord.
25 "Our father said, 'Go again and buy us a little food.' 
26 We said, 'We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, 
then we will go down, for we may not see the man's face, 
unless our youngest brother is with us'
27 "Your servant, my father, said to us,
'You know that my wife bore me two sons. 
28 And the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he was torn in pieces,"
 and I have not seen him since. 
29 And if you take this one also from me and he is harmed, 
you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave'
30 "Now therefore when I come to your servant, my father, 
and the boy is not with us, as his life is bound up in the boy's life, 
31 when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants 
will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, 
our father, with sorrow to the grave. 
32 For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, 
'If I fail to bring him to you, 
then I shall bear the blame to my father forever.'
33 "Now therefore, please let your servant stay as a slave to my lord 
instead of the boy, and let the boy go up with his brothers. 
34 For how can I go up to my father if the boy is not with me, 
lest perhaps I see the evil that would find my father?"

[18] Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I
pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn
against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
[19] My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
[20] And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of
his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of
his mother, and his father loveth him.
[21] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may
set mine eyes upon him.
[22] And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he
should leave his father, his father would die.
[23] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come
down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
[24] And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told
him the words of my lord.
[25] And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
[26] And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us,
then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest
brother be with us.
[27] And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me
two sons:
[28] And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces;
and I saw him not since:
[29] And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall
bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
[30] Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not
with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
[31] It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that
he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant
our father with sorrow to the grave.
[32] For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I
bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
[33] Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a
bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
[34] For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest
peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. 

GENESIS 45

Joseph Reveals His Identity

1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all who stood by him, 
and he cried out, "Make every man go out from me." So no man stood 
with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 
2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians 
and the house of Pharaoh heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?"
 But his brothers could not answer him, 
for they were dismayed in his presence.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me,"
 and they came near. Then he said, 
"I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 
5 Now do not be upset or angry with yourselves b
ecause you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 
6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, 
and there are still five years in which there will be 
neither plowing nor harvesting. 
7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth
 and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 "So now it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me
 a father to Pharaoh and lord of his entire household and a ruler 
throughout all the land of Egypt. 
9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 
'This is what your son Joseph says, 
"God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay. 
10 And you will dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me, 
you and your children and your children's children, along with your flocks, 
your herds, and all that you have. 
11 I will provide for you there, for there are still five years 
of famine to come, lest you and your household, 
and all that you have, come to poverty." '
12 "Your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that 
it is my mouth that is speaking to you. 
13 You must tell my father of all my glory in Egypt 
and of all that you have seen, and you must hurry 
and bring my father down here."
14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, 
and Benjamin wept on his neck. 
15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept on them. 
After that his brothers talked with him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come,
 it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. 
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 
'Do this. Load your animals and go to the land of Canaan. 
18 Get your father and your households and come to me, 
and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, 
and you shall eat the fat of the land.'
19 "You are also commanded to say,
'Do this: Take your wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones
 and for your wives, and get your father and come.
 20 Also do not concern yourself with your goods, 
for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.' "
21 So the sons of Israel did so, and Joseph gave them wagons, 
according to the commandment of Pharaoh, 
and gave them provisions for the journey. 
22 To each of them he gave a change of clothes, 
but he gave to Benjamin three hundred shekels of silver 
and five changes of clothes. 
23 To his father he sent the following: 
ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt
 and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread
 and provisions for his father on the journey. 
24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. 
He said to them, "Do not quarrel on the way."
25 They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan
 to Jacob their father. 
26 They told him, "Joseph is still alive, 
and he is governor over all the land of Egypt." 
And Jacob's heart stood still because he could not believe them. 
27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them,
 and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, 
the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 
28 Then Israel said, "Enough! Joseph my son is still alive. 
I will go and see him before I die."

Genesis 45
[1] Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him;
and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with
him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
[2] And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
[3] And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?
And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his
presence.
[4] And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they
came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
[5] Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me
hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
[6] For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are
five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
[7] And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and
to save your lives by a great deliverance.
[8] So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me
a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all
the land of Egypt.
[9] Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son
Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:
[10] And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto
me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and
thy herds, and all that thou hast:
[11] And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine;
lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
[12] And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that
it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
[13] And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that
ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
[14] And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin
wept upon his neck.
[15] Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that
his brethren talked with him.
[16] And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's
brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
[17] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade
your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
[18] And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will
give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the
land.
[19] Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of
Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and
come.
[20] Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is
yours.
[21] And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons,
according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the
way.
[22] To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he
gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
[23] And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the
good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat
for his father by the way.
[24] So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them,
See that ye fall not out by the way.
[25] And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto
Jacob their father,
[26] And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all
the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
[27] And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them:
and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of
Jacob their father revived:
[28] And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go
and see him before I die. 

2) Our Daily Bread for 27 January 2025 entitled
<a href="https://www.odbm.org/devotionals/devotional-category/blessed-to-be-a-blessing">
Blessed to Be a Blessing </a>

2 Kings 4:1-7

The Widow's Olive Oil

1 (2Ki 2:3; Lev 25:39-41) Now one of the wives of the sons of the prophets
cried to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that
your servant feared the Lord, but a creditor has come to take
my two sons as slaves."
2 (1Ki 17:12) Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you?
Tell me, what do you have in the house?"
She said, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil."
3 Then he said, "Go, ask for vessels from all your neighbors,
empty vessels and not just a few.
4 Then go in, shut the door behind you and your sons,
and pour the oil into all these vessels. When each is full, set it aside."
5 So she left him and shut the door behind her and her sons,
and they kept bringing vessels to her, and she kept pouring.
6 (Mt 14:20) When the vessels were full, she said to her son,
"Bring me another vessel."
But he said to her, "There is not another vessel." And the oil ceased.
7 Then she went and told the man of God. And he said,
"Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and you and your children can live
on the rest."

[1] Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets
unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that
thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my
two sons to be bondmen.
[2] And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast
thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the
house, save a pot of oil.
[3] Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours,
even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
[4] And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon
thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set
aside that which is full.
[5] So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who
brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
[6] And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her
son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel
more. And the oil stayed.
[7] Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil,
and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

Today's Insights

Elisha was the disciple of the great prophet Elijah during the ninth century
B.C. (853-798). He was plowing when Elijah "threw his cloak around him" 
(1 Kings 19:19)-a sign that God was calling him to continue Elijah's ministry. 
Before Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2), Elisha asked, 
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit" (v. 9), a request to be his 
successor or heir. God granted Elisha’s request (vv. 10-12), likely because He
knew his motive and that he longed to be used by Him. Like Elijah, Elisha 
prophesied in Israel against the idolatry and injustice of the nation. 
And like his predecessor, Elisha performed many miracles, including 
multiplying a widow's oil (2 Kings 4:1-7), raising a woman's son from the dead
(vv. 8-37), and healing Naaman of leprosy (5:1-14). Elisha faithfully served 
as a prophet 
for more than fifty years.

Today's Devotional

During my years as a journalist, I enjoyed telling other people's stories, but
I was trained to not share my own opinions. So years after I had felt God call
me out of my journalism career, when I increasingly felt God directing me to 
write a blog and speak about Him, I was a little nervous about sharing my 
thoughts, especially about my faith. As I started blogging, I was afraid I'd 
run out of things to say. But week after week, I found encouraging words 
and insights to share. The more I wrote, the more ideas flowed. 
The same is still true now.

I have witnessed in my own life how God has filled me with more joy and 
inspiration when I've poured out my gifts and talents to serve others.

In 2 Kings, we read about a poor widow who went to the prophet Elisha for 
help. Her late husband's creditor wanted to seize her two sons. All she had at
home was a small jar of olive oil. The prophet instructed her to collect empty
jars from her neighbours and to keep pouring oil into the containers. "They 
brought the jars to her and she kept pouring" (4:5). She kept pouring until 
all the jars were miraculously filled. She could pay her family's debts 
with the extra oil.

God is faithful and always provides. He's blessed us with gifts and talents 
and resources to be a blessing to others. Let's not hide or dismiss 
our gifts but use them for His glory.

Reflect & Pray

What gifts and talents has God given you? 
How are you using your gifts to serve others?

Dear God, thank You for blessing me and making me a blessing.

<A href="https://discoverodb.org/articles/what-are-gifts-of-the-spirit/">
God has blessed all with unique gifts. 
Learn more about the gifts of the Spirit here.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 2 - God's purpose: The Image of Christ

Romans 8:28-29

28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for
good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew,
He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

A baby dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and the parents are
devastated, plagued with guilt, and Asking "Why?" A 17-year-old plunges
headfirst into a pond and to the surface a quadriplegic. A single mother
of 3, struck down by leukemia, has to release he children to foster homes.
And in all these cases, well-meaning Christians stand by and attempt to
comfort: "All things work together for good, you know," they say blithely,
"just trust God, and praise him for everything."
Such pat answers are often repeated because they do contain an element
of truth; they become "pat", meaningless, and superficial, when they are
used as a panacea for all ills, whether the cure fits or not.
The truth is, God does use everything for the benefit of his people -
even disaster and tragedy. Romans 8:28 says, "In all things God works ...."
God foes not cause human suffering. He is not the author of pain
and misery. But what the Enemy of our souls intends for
destruction, God can use for growth.
The key to understanding Romans 8:28 is Romans 8:29 . The Lord makes
clear what "his purpose" is: that we be "conformed to the
likeness of his Son." Everything that happens is not good,
but nothing is wasted in the economy of God. Even the sorrow,
misfortune, and calamity that strike all of us cam be used by the Spirit
to transform us into the image of Christ.

Application

a) Have I ever had experiences that made me doubt the
"all things work together for good"?

b) How does Romans 8:29 clarify Romans 8:28?

c) How can these verses help me deal with the struggles I have in my
own life? 

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 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

Day 27 of the Month

a) Pray that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to
hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.

(

2 Cor 10:4-5

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
5 casting down imaginations and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 
 5casting down imaginations, and every high thing 
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, 
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

)

b) Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who
are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.


8 ) 21 days of prayer and fasting

DAY ONE:

GOD WILL COMPLETE THE GOOD WORK HE STARTED

VERSE OF THE DAY:

A heart of Assurance

6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing, that He who began
a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work
in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: - Philippians 1:6

You have prayed for your loved one daily for their entire life. You've prayed
repeatedly for God to change their heart, but nothing has happened. You still
pray, but now it feels like just words.

"I've stopped expecting an answer."

Many of us can identify with this sentiment. We believe in God, have witnessed
many answers to prayer, and trust in the Lord, yet we struggle to understand
why God does not answer our prayers for the prodigal in our lives.

Family members and friends of prodigals often experience this frustration.
They pray for years, trusting God, but may start to question whether He will
work in their loved ones' hearts.

If you feel this way, I encourage you to be honest about your struggles with
unbelief but then encourage yourself with God's promises. 

REFLECTION:

Have I allowed despair to set in? Have my prayers become mere words,
lacking sincerity? Have I lost faith that God can-and will-move in the life of
my loved one?

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your work in my life. Please help me draw strength
and encouragement from Your Word. I pray for confidence in Your promise
to complete the good work You've begun in my loved one. God, call them
into a relationship with You, whether it's a first step or a return home. In
Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 (Ps 37:3; 37:5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 (1Ch 28:9; Pr 16:3; Jer 10:23) in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your paths.

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
And lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he shall direct thy paths.

1 Samuel 30:6

6 (Ex 17:4; Nu 14:10) David was greatly distressed, for the people talked
of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit, each over
his sons and daughters. But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

[6] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him,
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and
for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Conclusion:

Pray to seek the Lord's will for reconciliation in your family.

Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for blessing me 
and making me a blessing."

Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your struggles. 

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord's sacrifice.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know His forgiveness.

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 that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to
hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.

Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who
are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.

Pray for Christains in Mozambique who have lsot family members in attacks
by militant Islamists in northern Mozambique.

Pray for KAli and His Family who were attacked because of their faith in 
Chriats by community members.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your work in my life. Please help me draw strength
and encouragement from Your Word. I pray for confidence in Your promise
to complete the good work You've begun in my loved one. God, call them
into a relationship with You, whether it's a first step or a return home. In
Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

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 ;
Birthdate - 29 January 1969 Redhill, Surrey, England, Uk