Day 37 of My 5th Bible Study Journey

Day 37, 6 February 2025 

1) Exodus 22 , 23 , 24 

EXODUS 22

Laws About Restitution

1 (2Sa 12:6; Lk 19:8) If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it 
or sells it, then he shall repay five oxen for an ox, 
and four sheep for a sheep.
2 (Mt 24:43; Nu 35:27) If a thief is caught breaking in
 and is struck so that he dies, then there will be no blood guilt for him. 
3 (Ex 21:2) If the sun has risen on him, then there is blood guilt for him.
He must make full restitution. If he has nothing, 
then he will be sold for his theft.
4 (Ex 21:16; 22:1) If the stolen item is in fact found alive 
in his possession, whether it be an ox, or donkey, or sheep, 
then he shall repay double.
5 If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten 
and puts out his beast so that it feeds in another man's field, 
he must make restitution of the best of his own field 
and of the best of his own vineyard.
6 (Ex 22:9) If fire breaks out and catches in thorn bushes,
 so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field are consumed,
 then he who started the fire must surely make restitution.
7 If a man gives his neighbor money or items to be kept for him, 
and it is stolen from the man's house, if the thief is caught, 
he must repay double. 
8 (Ex 21:6; 22:28) If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house 
will be brought before the judges to determine 
if he has laid his hand on his neighbor's goods. 
9 (Dt 25:1; Ex 22:4) For any kind of trespass, whether it be for an ox,
 for a donkey, for a sheep, for clothing, or for any type of lost thing,
where another says it is his, the case of both parties shall come 
before the judges. And whoever the judges find guilty will pay double 
to his neighbor.
10 If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, or an ox, or a sheep, 
or any beast to keep for him, and it dies, or is injured, 
or is driven away while no one sees it, 
11 (Heb 6:16) then there will be an oath before the Lord between 
both of them that he has not laid his hand upon his neighbor's property. 
And its owner must accept this, and he will not have to make restitution. 
12 (Ge 31:39) However, if it was stolen from him, he shall 
make restitution to its owner. 
13 If it is torn in pieces, then let him bring it as evidence,
 and he will not have to repay for that which was torn.
14 If a man borrows anything from his neighbor,
 and it is hurt or dies when the owner was not with it, 
then he shall surely make restitution. 
15 But if the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution. 
If it was a hired thing, it came with his hire.

Exodus 22
[1] If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he
shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
[2] If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall
no blood be shed for him.
[3] If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he
should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for
his theft.
[4] If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or
ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
[5] If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in
his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own
field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
[6] If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or
the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the
fire shall surely make restitution.
[7] If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it
be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
[8] If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought
unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's
goods.
[9] For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep,
for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to
be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the
judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
[10] If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or
any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing
it:
[11] Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not
put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept
thereof, and he shall not make it good.
[12] And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner
thereof.
[13] If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he
shall not make good that which was torn.
[14] And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the
owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
[15] But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it
be an hired thing, it came for his hire.

Moral and Ceremonial Laws

16 (Dt 22:28-29) If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged 
and has relations with her, he must surely endow her to be his wife. 
17 (Ge 34:12; 1Sa 18:25) If her father absolutely refuses to give her
 to him, he must pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18 (Lev 20:27; 1Sa 28:3) You must not allow a sorceress to live.
19 (Lev 18:23; Dt 27:21) Whoever has relations with 
a beast must surely be put to death.
20 (Dt 17:2-5; Nu 25:7-8) He who sacrifices to any god
 other than the Lord alone shall be utterly destroyed.
21 (Dt 10:19; Ex 23:9; Lev 19:33) You must neither wrong a foreigner 
nor oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
22 (Dt 24:17; 27:19) You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. 
23 (Ps 18:6; Lk 18:7) If you afflict them in any way 
and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry. 
24 (Ps 109:9; 69:24) And My anger will burn, 
and I will kill you with the sword, 
and your wives will become widows, 
and your children fatherless.
25 (Ps 15:5; Lev 25:35-37; Dt 23:19-20) If you lend money to any
of My people who is poor among you, do not be a creditor to him, 
and do not charge him interest. 
26 (Dt 24:6; Pr 20:16) If you take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, 
you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 
27 (Ex 34:6; 2Ch 30:9) for that is his only covering;
 it is his garment for his body. In what else will he sleep? 
And when he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
28 (Ecc 10:20; Ac 23:5) You shall not curse 
God or curse the ruler of your people.
29 (Ex 13:2; 23:16) You must not delay to offer the first
 of your harvest and of your vats.
You must give to Me the firstborn of your sons. 
30 (Lev 22:27; Dt 15:19) Likewise you must do the same 
with your oxen and with your sheep. Seven days it shall
 remain with its mother, but on the eighth day you must give it to Me.
31 (Eze 4:14; Lev 19:2) You will be holy men to Me; 
therefore you must not eat any flesh that is torn 
by beasts in the field. You must throw it to the dogs.

[16] And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he
shall surely endow her to be his wife.
[17] If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money
according to the dowry of virgins.
[18] Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
[19] Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
[20] He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be
utterly destroyed.
[21] Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were
strangers in the land of Egypt.
[22] Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
[23] If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will
surely hear their cry;
[24] And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and
your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
[25] If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt
not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
[26] If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt
deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
[27] For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein
shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I
will hear; for I am gracious.
[28] Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
[29] Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy
liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
[30] Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days
it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
[31] And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that
is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs. 

EXODUS 23

Laws of Justice and Mercy

1 (Ps 35:11; 101:5) You must not give a false report. 
Do not join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.
2 (Ex 23:6-7; Lev 19:15) You must not follow the masses to do evil, 
and do not testify in a dispute that agrees 
with the crowd to pervert justice. 
3 You must not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.
4 (Dt 22:1-4; Pr 25:21) If you meet your enemy's ox 
or his donkey going astray, you shall surely return it to him. 
5 (Dt 22:4) If you see the donkey of someone who hates 
you lying under its burden, you must not ignore it; 
you must surely help with him.
6 (Ex 23:2-3; Dt 27:19) You shall not turn justice away 
from your poor in his dispute. 
7 (Ex 34:7; 23:1) Keep far away from a false charge, 
and do not kill the innocent and the righteous, 
for I will not justify the wicked.
8 (Dt 16:19; Pr 15:27) You shall not take a bribe, 
for a bribe blinds those who see and subverts 
the words of the righteous.
9 (Ex 22:21; Dt 27:19) Also you shall not oppress a foreigner,
 for you know the life of a foreigner, seeing you were foreigners
 in the land of Egypt.
 
Exodus 23
[1] Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked
to be an unrighteous witness.
[2] Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak
in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
[3] Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
[4] If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely
bring it back to him again.
[5] If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and
wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
[6] Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
[7] Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay
thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
[8] And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and
perverteth the words of the righteous.
[9] Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a
stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

The Laws of Sabbaths

10 You shall sow your land for six years and shall gather in its produce,
11 but in the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, 
so that the poor of your people may eat, 
and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. 
You shall do likewise with your vineyard and with your olive grove.
12 (Ex 20:8-11) For six days you are to do your work, 
but on the seventh day you must cease, 
so that your ox and your donkey may rest,
 and the son of your female servant 
and the foreigner may refresh themselves.
13 (Dt 4:9; Jos 23:7) In all things that I have said to you, 
watch yourselves, and do not mention the name of other gods, 
nor let them be heard from your mouth.

[10] And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits
thereof:
[11] But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the
poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field
shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy
oliveyard.
[12] Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt
rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and
the stranger, may be refreshed.
[13] And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no
mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

The Three Annual Feasts

14 (Dt 16:16) Three times in the year you must celebrate a feast to Me.
15 (Ex 34:20; Nu 28:16-25) You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, 
in the appointed time of the month Aviv, for in it you came out from Egypt.
No one shall appear before Me empty-handed.
16 (Ex 34:22; Lev 23:9-21; 23:34-44) You shall observe the Feast of Harvest, 
the first fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field.
You shall observe the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year,
 when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.
17 (Dt 16:16; Ex 34:23) Three times in the year all your males 
shall appear before the Lord God.
18 (Ex 34:25; Lev 2:11) You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice 
with leavened bread, nor shall the fat of My sacrifice remain 
until the morning.
19 (Ex 34:26; Dt 14:21; 26:10) The first of the first fruits of your land 
you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.
You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. 

[14] Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
[15] Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat
unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of
the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear
before me empty:)
[16] And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou
hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of
the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
[17] Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
[18] Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread;
neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.
[19] The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the
house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

The Angel Prepares the Way

20 (Ex 14:19; 32:34) Indeed, I am going to send an angel before you to guard
 you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 
21 (Ps 78:40; 78:56) Be on guard before him and obey his voice. 
Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions, 
for My name is in him. 
22 (Ge 12:3; Dt 30:7) But if you diligently obey his voice 
and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies
and an adversary to your adversaries. 
23 (Ex 23:20) For My angel will go before you and bring you to 
the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, 
and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, 
and I will completely destroy them. 
24 (Ex 20:5; Nu 33:52) You must not bow down to their gods, 
or serve them, or do according to their practices, 
but you shall utterly overthrow them 
and break down their images in pieces. 
25 (Ex 15:26; Dt 6:13) You shall serve the Lord your God, 
and He shall bless your bread and your water, 
and I will remove sickness from your midst. 
26 (Dt 7:14; Job 5:26) No one shall be miscarrying 
or be barren in your land. 
I will fulfill the number of your days.
27 (Dt 2:25; 7:23) I will send My fear before you, 
and I will throw into panic all the people to whom you shall come. 
I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 
28 (Dt 7:20) I will send hornets before you which shall 
drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. 
29 (Dt 7:22) I will not drive them out before you in one year, 
lest the land become desolate 
and the beasts of the field multiply against you. 
30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, 
until you become fruitful and inherit the land.
31 (Ge 15:18; Jos 21:44) I will set your boundaries from the Red Sea
to the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River;
Euphrates River. for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land 
into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. 
32 (Ex 34:12; Dt 7:2) You must not make a covenant with them 
or with their gods. 
33 (Dt 7:16; Ps 106:36) They shall not live in your land, 
lest they cause you to sin against Me, 
for if you serve their gods,
 it will surely be a snare to you.

[20] Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to
bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
[21] Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not
pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
[22] But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then
I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine
adversaries.
[23] For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the
Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the
Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
[24] Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after
their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down
their images.
[25] And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and
thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
[26] There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the
number of thy days I will fulfil.
[27] I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to
whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs
unto thee.
[28] And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite,
the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
[29] I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land
become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
[30] By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou
be increased, and inherit the land.
[31] And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the
Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the
inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before
thee.
[32] Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
[33] They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me:
for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

EXODUS 24

The Covenant Confirmed

1 (Ex 6:23; Nu 11:16) Then He said to Moses, "Come up to the Lord, you, 
and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 
and you shall worship from a distance. 
2 (Ex 24:13; 24:15) Moses alone shall come near the Lord,
 but they shall not come near, nor may the people go up with him."
3 (Ex 19:8; 24:7) Moses came and told the people 
all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances. 
Then all the people answered with one voice and said,
"All the words which the Lord has said we will do." 
4 (Dt 31:9; Ge 28:18) Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, 
and rose up early in the morning, 
and built an altar at the foot of the mountain 
with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. 
5 (Ex 18:12) He sent young Israelite men who offered burnt offerings
 and sacrificed peace offerings of young bulls to the Lord. 
6 (Heb 9:18) Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, 
and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 
7 (Ex 24:3-4)He took the Book of the Covenant 
and read in the hearing of the people, 
and they said, "All that the Lord has said we will do, 
and we will be obedient."
8 (Mt 26:28; Heb 13:20) So Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it 
on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant, 
which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words."

Exodus 24
[1] And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab,
and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
[2] And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh;
neither shall the people go up with him.
[3] And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all
the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the
words which the LORD hath said will we do.
[4] And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the
morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according
to the twelve tribes of Israel.
[5] And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt
offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
[6] And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the
blood he sprinkled on the altar.
[7] And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the
people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be
obedient.
[8] And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said,
Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you
concerning all these words.

Moses on Mount Sinai

9 (Ex 24:1) Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, 
and seventy of the elders of Israel, 
10 (Jn 1:18; Eze 10:1) and they saw the God of Israel, 
and under His feet there was something like 
a paved work of sapphire stone as clear as the sky itself. 
11 (Ge 16:13; 31:54) He did not lay His hand upon
 the nobles of the children of Israel. 
Also they saw God, and they ate and they drank.
12 (Ex 31:18; 32:15-16) The Lord said to Moses, 
"Come up to Me to the mountain and stay there, 
and I will give you the stone tablets with law
 and the commandments which I have written,
 so that you may teach them."
13 (Ex 33:11; 3:1) Moses rose up with Joshua his attendant, 
and Moses went up to the mountain of God. 
14 (Ex 17:10; 17:12) He said to the elders,
 "Wait for us in this place until we return to you. 
Aaron and Hur are with you.
 Whoever has any matters of dispute let him come to them."
15 (Ex 19:9; 19:16) Moses went up to the mountain, 
and the cloud covered the mountain. 
16 (Ex 16:10; Nu 14:10) The glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai,
 and the cloud covered it for six days. 
And on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 
17 (Ex 3:2; Heb 12:29) Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord
 was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain to the eyes 
of the children of Israel. 
18 (Ex 34:28; Dt 9:9) Moses went into the midst of the cloud 
and went up to the mountain. 
And Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

[9] Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the
elders of Israel:
[10] And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were
a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his
clearness.
[11] And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand:
also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
[12] And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be
there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments
which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
[13] And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the
mount of God.
[14] And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again
unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any
matters to do, let him come unto them.
[15] And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
[16] And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered
it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of
the cloud.
[17] And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the
top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
[18] And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the
mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. 

2) Our Daily Bread for 6 February 2025 titled
<a href="https://www.odb.org/2025/02/06/"> Christ's Visual Paradox </a>

Matthew 5:1-12

The Sermon on the Mount

(Mt 5-7)

1 (Mt 15:29; Mk 3:13) Now seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain.
And when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

The Beatitudes

Lk 6:20-23

2 (Mt 13:35; Ac 8:35) And He began speaking and taught them, saying:
3 (Isa 61:1; 66:2) "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 (Isa 61:2-3; Rev 21:4) Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5 (Ps 37:11; Ro 4:13) Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
6 (Jn 4:14; 6:48-58) Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7 (2Sa 22:26; Pr 11:17) Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 (Ps 24:4; Heb 12:14) Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
9 (Mt 5:45; Lk 6:35) Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.
10 (Mt 5:3; Lk 6:22) Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 (1Pe 4:14; Lk 6:22) "Blessed are you when men revile you,
and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 (Lk 6:23; Ac 5:41; 1Th 2:15) Rejoice and be very glad, because great is
your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.

Matthew 5
[1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was
set, his disciples came unto him:
[2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for
they shall be filled.
[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God.
[10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for
so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

One of the great hymn writers of all time, Isaac Watts, wrote "When I Survey 
the Wondrous Cross." In penning its lyrics, he used the poetic device of 
paradox to show a contrast in themes: "my richest gain I count but loss"
and "pour contempt on all my pride." Such words are "used in seeming 
contradiction to themselves". In the case of Watts's lyrics, this device is 
especially profound.

Jesus used paradox often. "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3), He 
said, suggesting that those who have no hope will receive more than they could
ever hope for. When you or I mourn the loss of someone dear and are sad, Jesus 
says we "will be comforted" (v. 4). Christ was showing how in God's kingdom 
the common rules of life don't apply.

These paradoxes tell us that life in Christ defies all expectations: we who 
are nobodies are cherished as somebodies. It was on the cross that Jesus bore 
a visual paradox-a crown of thorns. Isaac Watts took this symbol of ridicule 
and, paradoxically, gave it soaring beauty: "Did e’er such love and sorrow 
meet, / or thorns compose so rich a crown?" In this we thrill yet are mindful 
of the final line of the hymn: "Love so amazing, so divine, / demands my soul,
my life, my all."

By:  Kenneth Petersen

Reflect & Pray

Which statement in Matthew 5:1-12 do you most identify with? 
How does it relate to your life experience?

Dear God, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross, 
for making me a somebody in Your kingdom.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 5 - Learning by Heart

Ps 119:9,11

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) How shall a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
That I might not sin against thee.

"His heart is not just in it," a gifted musician commented about the
pianist onstage. "He's here at the Orchestra Hall, playing for
thousands of people, an his technique is flawless, but something
is missing - his heart is just not in it."
The psalmist , in Psalm 119, draws a similar parallel. We "Keep our
way pure" through obedience of his Word, by ordering our lives according
to the commands of the Scriptures. But outward behaviour is not the only
essential factor in purity of life. The changes in our behaviour need to
come from the heart, from the inside out. Our "technique" for living
the Christian life may be flawless, but our obedience is founded
in heart motivation, something is certainly missing.
"I seek you with all my heart," the psalmist declares in verse 10.
Thus he can say in verse 11, "Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You."
Often we refer to memorisation as "learning by heart" - and indeed
"by heart" is the biblical mandate for assimilating God's truth
into our daily lives. "By rote" or "By Mind" leaves us
intellectually overstuffed, yet spiritually starving.
When we try to apply the Word outwardly to our behaviour,
we end up in a tangle of legalism, a log "do list" by which
we hope to please God. But when we set our hearts toward God first,
then changes in our behaviour grow out of love for God and a deep
desire to serve him. Then we are truly loving and obeying God with
our whole hearts.

Application

a) In what ways have I tried to apply God's word to my behaviour
without having the truth firmly in my heart? What was the result?

b) How can I set my heart toward God and give myself more fully
to his Word?

c) What areas of my life need "purifying"? How can these verses
help me to "make my way pure"?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Gen 26:12-14

12 (Ge 26:3; 24:1) Then Isaac sowed in that land
and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; the Lord blessed him.
13 The man became rich and continued to prosper until he became very wealthy.
14 (Ge 37:11; Ecc 4:4) For he had possessions of flocks and herds
and a great number of servants so that the Philistines envied him.

12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year
an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
13 And the man waxed great, and went forward,
and grew until he became very great:
14 for he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds,
and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

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

God's Unfailing Love

Ps 36:5-9

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Your righteousness is like the great mountains,
Your judgments like the great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) How excellent is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore mankind seeks refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) They will drink their fill
from the abundance of Your house,
and You will cause them to drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) For with You is the fountain of life;
in Your light we see light.

5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens;
And thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains;
Thy judgments are a great deep:
O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house;
And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9 For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light.

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?)

Alberta 

Quick facts on Muslims in Alberta

Alberta 2015 population  4121700

est Muslim Population       195240

CNMM Networks: Calgary and Edmonton

It is estimated that Calgary has 82000 Muslims and Edmonton another 50000 .
Alberta may have a total as high as 195240 today.
Calgary is notable as the first Canadian city with a Muslim mayor.  It's
become a prominent place of Islamic fundamentalism.
Edmonton's Muslim population is very diverse, with the largest group
coming from Tanzania, followed by Somalia, and then North African countries 
such as Egypt, Morocco, etc.
Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus! They overcome huge spiritual,
emotional and cultural hurdles to follow Christ. Yet their challenges still 
continue, especially in growing in discipleship. They often fell lost in our
Western congregations, and equally lost trying to find a church body with whom
they can identify. some are even being lured into Christian cult groups.

Please join us in praying for:
- The church to reach out to the growing Muslim populations in Alberta.
- for Canadian churches to start contextualised discipleship ministries to
Muslim-background believers.
- for Muslm-background believers to be well grounded spiritually and socially
  in their faith and the Church.
- and for Muslim-background believers to share their faith with their 
not-yet-believing family and friendship networks.
- for Farsi and Arabic fellowships to grow in spiritual maturity and outreach.
- for current and new workers among Muslims in these growing Muslim
  in these growing Muslim population centres.

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

6th Day of the Month

a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community

(
Deut 4:6-7

6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7 ) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and
your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these 
statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and 
understanding people." 
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near
           to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?

6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and 
your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and 
understanding people. 
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, 
as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Matt 5:13-16

13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt
loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for 
nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) 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. 
16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, 
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set 
on an hill cannot be hid. 
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on
a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Acts 1:8  

8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: 
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, 
and in all Juda, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

b)  Pray for the province of British Columbia

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 Saviour, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 for kings, 
and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable 
life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable 
in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved, 
and to come unto 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

8 ) Fast and Pray

DAY ELEVEN:

FIGHTING THE ENEMY WITH PRAYER, PRAISE, AND THE ARMOUR OF GOD

As parents, friends, or loved ones of prodigals, we are often engaged in a
spiritual battle. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, 
and destroy the lives of those we
love, filling their minds with lies and deception, but we are not left
defenceless. God has given us powerful weapons: prayer, praise, and the
armour of God. Through these, we can stand firm in the truth and combat the
enemy's schemes.

When Satan hurls lies at us or our prodigals-telling us they're too far gone,
that God can't reach them, or that our prayers are ineffective-we must
counter those lies with God's truth. Open the Word and declare the promises
of Scripture over their lives. 
Prayer is another essential weapon that brings our
battles to the throne of grace, trusting that God hears and answers in His
perfect timing. As we fight for our prodigals in prayer, we must believe that
God is working in ways we cannot see.

We can also fight back through praise. Praise shifts our focus from the problem
to the greatness of our God.

REFLECTION:

Am I fighting this spiritual battle with prayer and praise? Have I fully put on
God's armour, and am I living in obedience to His Word as I pray for my
prodigal?

PRAYER:

Lord, I come to You in this battle for my loved one. Help me fight with the
weapons You've given me-prayer, praise, and the truth of Your Word.
Strengthen me with Your armour, and help me trust that You are working in
ways I can't see. I pray for my prodigal, asking that Your truth would pierce
through the enemy's lies. Help me remain faithful in prayer and standing firm
on Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Ephesians 6:11

11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that
you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:

Ephesians 6:11-13, 

11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that
you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 (Eph 1:3; 1:2) 1For our fight is not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly places.
13 (Eph 5:16) Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Psalm 22:3, 

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) But You are holy,
O You who inhabits the praises of Israel.

[3] But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Hebrews 4:12

12 (Eph 6:17; Isa 49:2; Jer 23:29) For the word of God is alive, and active,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul
and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents
of the heart.

[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.

Conclusion:

Pray to seek the Lord's will to be obedient to His will and know His covenant.

Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross, 
for making me a somebody in Your kingdom."

Pray to the Lord and pray to Him for Help to hide His Word in your Heart.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know His rewards for obedience.

Pray to the Lord and pray to Know Him as the source of life.

Please join us in praying for:
- The church to reach out to the growing Muslim populations in Alberta.
- for Canadian churches to start contextualised discipleship ministries to
Muslim-background believers.
- for Muslm-background believers to be well grounded spiritually and socially
  in their faith and the Church.
- and for Muslim-background believers to share their faith with their 
not-yet-believing family and friendship networks.
- for Farsi and Arabic fellowships to grow in spiritual maturity and outreach.
- for current and new workers among Muslims in these growing Muslim
  in these growing Muslim population centres.

Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every community

Pray for Christiuan leaders in Kuwait who are training local believers 
in evangelism and discipleship.

Lord, I come to You in this battle for my loved one. Help me fight with the
weapons You've given me-prayer, praise, and the truth of Your Word.
Strengthen me with Your armour, and help me trust that You are working in
ways I can't see. I pray for my prodigal, asking that Your truth would pierce
through the enemy's lies. Help me remain faithful in prayer and standing firm
on Your promises. In Jesus’ name, 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]
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