Day 261 of My 5th Bible Study Journey - 18 September 2025 reflections
Day 261, 18 September 2025
1) Zechariah 11, Zechariah 12, Zechariah 13, Zechariah 14
Zechariah 11
1 (Jer 22:6-7) Open your doors, O Lebanon,
so the fire can consume your cedar.
2 Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen;
the majestic trees are destroyed.
Wail, O oaks of Bashan,
because the unassailable forest has been brought down.
3 (Jer 50:44; 25:34-36) There is the sound of wailing shepherds,
because their glory is ruined.
There is the sound of roaring lions,
because the pride of Jordan is ruined.
[1] Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
[2] Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled:
howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
[3] There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is
spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is
spoiled.
Two Kinds of Shepherds
4 (Zec 11:7) Thus says the Lord my God: Shepherd the flock of slaughter.
5 (Jer 50:7; Hos 12:8) The ones who buy them then slaughter them
and have no guilt, and those who sell them say,
"Blessed is the Lord because I am rich." Their own shepherds do not take pity
on them.
6 (Jer 13:14; Isa 9:19-21) For I will no longer have pity on those who dwell
in the land, says the Lord. But I will cause each of them to fall
into the hands of his neighbor, even into the hands of his king.
They will crush the land, and I will not deliver any from their hands.
7 (Zec 11:4; 11:14) So I shepherded the flock that was for slaughter,
even the afflicted of the flock. And I took for myself two staffs.
One I called Favor and the other I gave the name Union.
So I pastured the flock.
8 (Isa 49:7; Hos 5:7) I destroyed the three shepherds in the span
of one month.
For my soul was impatient with them, and their souls detested me.
9 (Jer 43:11) Then I said, "I will not shepherd you. What is to die,
let it die. What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. Let those
who are left devour each other's flesh."
10 (Zec 11:7; Ps 89:39) I took the staff named Favor and cut it into pieces,
to break the covenant that I made with all the peoples.
11 (Zep 3:12) So it was broken that day, and the afflicted of the flock
were watching me and knew that this was the word of the Lord.
12 (Mt 26:15; Ex 21:32; Ge 37:28) Then I said to them,
"If this is good in your eyes, then give my wages to me, but if not,
then keep it." They weighed my wages at thirty pieces of silver.
13 (Ac 1:18-19; Mt 27:3-10) Then the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter,
the splendid price by which I was valued by them."
So I took the thirty silver pieces and threw them
to the house of the Lord to the potter.
14 (Isa 9:21) Then I cut up the second staff, Union, to break the brotherhood
between Judah and Israel.
15 (Isa 6:10-12)Then the Lord said to me: Take for yourself again the vessels
carried by a foolish shepherd.
16 (Jer 23:2; Eze 34:2-6) I am raising up a shepherd in the land who will
not care for those who are perishing, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken,
nor feed those who are standing still. But he will eat the flesh of the fat
and tear their hoofs in pieces.
17 (Jer 23:1; 50:35-37) Woe to this worthless shepherd
who abandons his flock.
May the sword take his arm and right eye;
may his arm surely wither up,
and his right eye become blind.
[4] Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
[5] Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they
that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own
shepherds pity them not.
[6] For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD:
but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and
into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their
hand I will not deliver them.
[7] And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock.
And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I
called Bands; and I fed the flock.
[8] Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them,
and their soul also abhorred me.
[9] Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that
that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the
flesh of another.
[10] And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might
break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
[11] And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited
upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
[12] And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not,
forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
[13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that
I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast
them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
[14] Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the
brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
[15] And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a
foolish shepherd.
[16] For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit
those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that
is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of
the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
[17] Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be
upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and
his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Zechariah 12
The Deliverance of Judah
1 (Isa 42:5; 57:16) The oracle of the word of the Lord against Israel.
Thus says the Lord, the One who stretches out the heavens and establishes
the earth and forms the spirit of man within him:
2 (Zec 14:14; Ps 75:8) I am going to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling
before all the surrounding nations. And when there is a siege against Judah,
it is also against Jerusalem.
3 (Mt 21:44; Da 2:34-35) And it will be on that day that I will set Jerusalem
as a weighty stone to all the peoples. All who carry it will surely gash
themselves, and all the nations of the land will be gathered against it.
4 (Dt 28:28; Zec 12:3) On that day I will strike every horse with confusion
and its rider with madness, but for the house of Judah I will keep My eyes
open although I will strike with blindness every horse of the peoples.
5 Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, "There is strength for us
with those residing in Jerusalem by the Lord of Hosts, their God."
6 (Ob 1:18; Zec 2:4) On that day I will set Judah like a fiery pot among wood
and as a flaming torch among cut grain. And they will devour to the right
and left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem will still reside
in her place, the place of Jerusalem.
7 The Lord will deliver the tents of Judah as before, so that the glory
of the house of David and the glory of those dwelling in Jerusalem will
not eclipse Judah.
8 (Mic 7:8) On that day the Lord will defend those residing in Jerusalem;
and even the one who stumbles among them will be as David on that day.
And the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going
out before them.
9 On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations
who come out against Jerusalem.
[1] The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which
stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and
formeth the spirit of man within him.
[2] Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people
round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against
Jerusalem.
[3] And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people:
all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the
people of the earth be gathered together against it.
[4] In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment,
and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of
Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
[5] And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of
Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
[6] In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire
among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour
all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem
shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
[7] The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the
house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify
themselves against Judah.
[8] In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he
that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of
David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
[9] And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all
the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Mourning for Him Whom They Have Pierced
10 (Rev 1:7; Jer 6:26) And I will pour out on the house of David
and over those dwelling in Jerusalem a spirit of favor and supplication
so that they look to Me, whom they have pierced through. And they will mourn
over him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him
as a firstborn.
11 (2Ki 23:29; 2Ch 35:24) On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be
as great as that of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
12 (2Sa 5:14; Zec 7:3) The land will mourn with each family by itself:
the family of the house of David by themselves, and their wives by themselves;
the family of the house of Nathan by themselves,
and their wives by themselves;
13 the family of the house of Levi by themselves,
and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by themselves,
and their wives also by themselves;
14 and all the families that remain, each by itself and their wives
by themselves.
[10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look
upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one
mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that
is in bitterness for his firstborn.
[11] In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the
mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
[12] And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house
of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan
apart, and their wives apart;
[13] The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the
family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
[14] All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives
apart.
Zechariah 13
The Cleansing of God's People
1 (Ps 51:2; Eze 36:25) On that day there will be a spring opened up
for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin
and impurity.
2 (1Ki 22:22; Jer 23:14-15) And on that day, says the Lord of Hosts, I will
cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will not be remembered
any more. And I will also remove from the land the prophets
and the unclean spirit.
3 (Dt 13:6-11; 18:20) And it will be if a man again prophesies,
then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say,
"You will not live because you speak deception in the name of the Lord."
Then when he prophesies, his father and mother will pierce him through.
4 (2Ki 1:8; Isa 20:2) On that day each prophet will be ashamed of his vision
when he prophesies. He will not put on a robe of coarse hair in order
to deceive.
5 (Am 7:14) But he will say, "I am not a prophet. I am a man who works
the ground, for a man purchased me when I was young."
6 If someone asks, "What are these wounds on your arms?" he will say,
"I was struck in the house of my close friends."
[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
[2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I
will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more
be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to
pass out of the land.
[3] And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his
father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not
live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his
mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
[4] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be
ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they
wear a rough garment to deceive:
[5] But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me
to keep cattle from my youth.
[6] And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then
he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Striking the Shepherd, Scattering the Sheep
7 (Isa 40:11; Zec 11:7) "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd
and the man of My association,"
says the Lord of Hosts.
Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will scatter.
I will turn My hand against the small ones.
8 (Eze 5:2-4; 5:12) And it will happen in all the land, says the Lord,
that two-thirds will be cut off and die,
and one-third will be left in the land.
9 (Ps 50:15; Isa 48:10) And I will bring this one-third left into the fire,
and will refine them as the refinement of silver,
and will test them as the testing of gold.
They will call on My name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, "They are My people";
and they will say, "The Lord is my God."
[7] Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my
fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be
scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
[8] And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two
parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
[9] And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them
as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on
my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall
say, The LORD is my God.
Zechariah 14
The Day of the Lord
1 (Isa 13:9; 13:6) A day of the Lord is coming when your spoil
will be divided in your midst.
2 (Isa 13:16; Joel 3:2) For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem
for battle. The city will be captured and the houses plundered and the women
ravished. Half of the city will go to exile, but the remainder of the people
will not be cut off from the city.
3 (Zec 12:9) Then the Lord will go out and fight those nations
as He fights in the day of war.
4 (Eze 11:23; Isa 64:1-2) On that day His feet will stand on the Mount
of Olives, which is to the east of Jerusalem. And from east to west
the Mount of Olives will be split in two halves by a very great valley
so that one half moves to the north and the other to the south.
5 (Am 1:1; Isa 29:6) And you will flee to my mountain valley,
for the mountain valley will reach to Azal. You will flee just like you
fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Then the Lord my God will come and all His holy ones with you.
6 And on that day there will be no light. The lights will diminish.
7 (Isa 30:26; Rev 22:5) And there will be one day known to the Lord,
neither during the day nor the night, but at the evening time there
will be light.
8 (Eze 47:1-12; Joel 2:20) On that day living water will flow out
from Jerusalem, half to the Dead Sea and the other half to the
Mediterranean Sea. This will happen for the summer as well as the winter.
9 (Eph 4:5-6; Isa 2:2-4) And the Lord will be king over all the earth.
In that day it will be "The Lord is one," and His name is one.
10 (Zec 12:6; Jos 15:32) All the land will be turned into a plain from Geba
to Rimmon to the south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem will rise and dwell
in her place from the Benjamin Gate to the place of the Old Gate,
to the Corner Gate, and then from the Tower of Hananel
to the winepress of the king.
11 (Rev 22:3; Jer 23:5-6) And people will live there,
and she will never again be devoted for destruction.
Jerusalem will reside in security.
12 And this will be the pestilence with which the Lord will strike
all the peoples who go to battle against Jerusalem: Their flesh will
rot as they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets,
and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
13 Then on that day a great tumult from the Lord will come on them
as each person will seize the hand of his neighbor,
and the hand of one will be raised against the hand of another.
14 (Isa 23:18; Zec 12:2) And even Judah will fight with Jerusalem,
and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered,
a great abundance of gold, silver, and garments.
15 (Zec 14:12) So this plague will come to horses, mules, camels, donkeys,
and any other animals that are in the camp. So will this plague be.
16 (Isa 60:6-9; 66:18-21) Then it will be that all the nations
who have come against Jerusalem and survived will go up each year
to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts,
and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
17 (Jer 14:4; 1Ki 17:1) And it will happen that if any of the families
of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts,
then there will not be rain for them.
18 If the family of Egypt does not go up and enter in,
they shall have no rain. This will be the plague with which the Lord strikes
the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations
who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
20 (Isa 23:18; Zec 9:15) On that day "HOLY TO THE Lord" will be engraved
on the bells of the horses. And the pots in the house of the Lord will be
as the basins before the altar.
21 (Ne 8:10; Eze 44:9) And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy
to the Lord of Hosts so that all who come to sacrifice will take from
those pots and boil the meat in them. And on that day there will no longer be
a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts.
[1] Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in
the midst of thee.
[2] For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city
shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of
the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall
not be cut off from the city.
[3] Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when
he fought in the day of battle.
[4] And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is
before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the
midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very
great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and
half of it toward the south.
[5] And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the
mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from
before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my
God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
[6] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be
clear, nor dark:
[7] But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor
night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be
light.
[8] And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from
Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the
hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
[9] And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there
be one LORD, and his name one.
[10] All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of
Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from
Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and
from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.
[11] And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter
destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
[12] And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the
people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away
while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their
holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
[13] And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the
LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of
his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his
neighbour.
[14] And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the
heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and
apparel, in great abundance.
[15] And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and
of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this
plague.
[16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the
nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to
worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[17] And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the
earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them
shall be no rain.
[18] And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain;
there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that
come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[19] This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all
nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[20] In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO
THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowl's before
the altar.
[21] Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the
LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and
seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the
house of the LORD of hosts.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 September 2025 Titled
Of Megalodons and Leviathan by Adam R. Holz
Job 41:1-5, 10-14
Job 41
1 "Can you draw out Leviathan
(sea monster like the legendary Loch Ness Monster)
with a hook
or snare his tongue with a line which you let down?
2 Can you put a cord into his nose,
or pierce his jaw with a hook?
3 Will he make many supplications to you?
Will he speak soft words to you?
4 Will he make a covenant with you?
Will you take him for a servant forever?
5 Will you play with him as with a bird?
Or will you put him on a leash for your maidens?
10 No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.
Who then is able to stand before Me?
11 Who has preceded Me that I should repay him?
Everything under heaven is Mine.
12 "I will not conceal his limbs,
nor his power, nor his graceful proportions.
13 Who can remove his outer garment?
Or who can approach him with a double bridle?
14 Who can open the jaws of his face?
His teeth are terrible all around.
Job 41
1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?
Or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose?
Or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee?
Will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee?
Wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?
Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up:
Who then is able to stand before me?
11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him?
Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12 I will not conceal his parts,
Nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can discover the face of his garment?
Or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face?
His teeth are terrible round about.
Years ago, a lumpy package arrived in my mailbox. I noticed my best friend's
return address on it and smiled. Joe sometimes sends me unexpected things.
This package qualified: Inside was a dark brown shark's tooth - five inches
long.
Joe's letter explained it was a fossilised tooth from a prehistoric shark,
a megalodon, many times bigger than a great white shark. I tried to fathom how
big a fish's jaw would have to be to contain rows of such teeth. Scientists
offer a speculative answer: nine by eleven feet. What a sight these creatures
must have been!
Scripture doesn't mention megalodons. But in the book of Job, God describes a
sea beast called Leviathan. Job 41 details its impressive frame. "I will not
fail to speak of Leviathan's limbs, its strength and its graceful form," God
tells Job (v. 12). "Who dares open the doors of its mouth,
ringed about with fearsome teeth?" (v. 14).
The answer? Only Leviathan's creator. And here, God reminds Job that as great
as this beast might be, it's nothing compared to its Creator:
"Everything under heaven belongs to me" (v. 11).
That meg tooth sits on my desk, a visual token of our Creator's majesty
and creativity. And that unlikely reminder of God's character comforts me when
it feels like the world might eat me up and spit me out.
Reflect & Pray
How do certain aspects of creation remind you of God's powerful,
creative nature? How does His work in creation encourage you?
Dear Father, Your creation speaks of Your
splendour and power. Please help me trust You when life feels overwhelming.
Learn more about what we can learn from nature
by reading What Leviathan Teaches Us About God.
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) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Joshua 1:8
8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all
that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,
and you will be wise.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are discouraged or Depressed
Matthew 11:25-30
25 (Ps 8:2; Jn 11:41) At that time Jesus said, "I thank You, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things
from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.
26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.
27 (Jn 10:15; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:18) "All things are delivered to Me
by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except the Father.
And no one knows the Father, except the Son and he to whom
the Son will reveal Him.
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily
burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.(Jer 6:16).
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
because He has dealt bountifully with me.
The Hidden Revelation
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man
knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father,
save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is 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 2022 edition?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
25 For I have satiated the weary soul,
and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,
And delivereth them.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom and Justice.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, Your creation speaks of Your
splendour and power. Please help me trust You when life feels overwhelming."
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep your ways pure God's Word.
Pray to the Lord and pray His Word will not depart from your mouth.
Pray to the Lord and pray to rest in the Lord.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
Pray for Christian converts in the Palestinian Territories who are facing
violent opposition from their families and local authorities.
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.
1) Zechariah 11, Zechariah 12, Zechariah 13, Zechariah 14
Zechariah 11
1 (Jer 22:6-7) Open your doors, O Lebanon,
so the fire can consume your cedar.
2 Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen;
the majestic trees are destroyed.
Wail, O oaks of Bashan,
because the unassailable forest has been brought down.
3 (Jer 50:44; 25:34-36) There is the sound of wailing shepherds,
because their glory is ruined.
There is the sound of roaring lions,
because the pride of Jordan is ruined.
[1] Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
[2] Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled:
howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
[3] There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is
spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is
spoiled.
Two Kinds of Shepherds
4 (Zec 11:7) Thus says the Lord my God: Shepherd the flock of slaughter.
5 (Jer 50:7; Hos 12:8) The ones who buy them then slaughter them
and have no guilt, and those who sell them say,
"Blessed is the Lord because I am rich." Their own shepherds do not take pity
on them.
6 (Jer 13:14; Isa 9:19-21) For I will no longer have pity on those who dwell
in the land, says the Lord. But I will cause each of them to fall
into the hands of his neighbor, even into the hands of his king.
They will crush the land, and I will not deliver any from their hands.
7 (Zec 11:4; 11:14) So I shepherded the flock that was for slaughter,
even the afflicted of the flock. And I took for myself two staffs.
One I called Favor and the other I gave the name Union.
So I pastured the flock.
8 (Isa 49:7; Hos 5:7) I destroyed the three shepherds in the span
of one month.
For my soul was impatient with them, and their souls detested me.
9 (Jer 43:11) Then I said, "I will not shepherd you. What is to die,
let it die. What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. Let those
who are left devour each other's flesh."
10 (Zec 11:7; Ps 89:39) I took the staff named Favor and cut it into pieces,
to break the covenant that I made with all the peoples.
11 (Zep 3:12) So it was broken that day, and the afflicted of the flock
were watching me and knew that this was the word of the Lord.
12 (Mt 26:15; Ex 21:32; Ge 37:28) Then I said to them,
"If this is good in your eyes, then give my wages to me, but if not,
then keep it." They weighed my wages at thirty pieces of silver.
13 (Ac 1:18-19; Mt 27:3-10) Then the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter,
the splendid price by which I was valued by them."
So I took the thirty silver pieces and threw them
to the house of the Lord to the potter.
14 (Isa 9:21) Then I cut up the second staff, Union, to break the brotherhood
between Judah and Israel.
15 (Isa 6:10-12)Then the Lord said to me: Take for yourself again the vessels
carried by a foolish shepherd.
16 (Jer 23:2; Eze 34:2-6) I am raising up a shepherd in the land who will
not care for those who are perishing, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken,
nor feed those who are standing still. But he will eat the flesh of the fat
and tear their hoofs in pieces.
17 (Jer 23:1; 50:35-37) Woe to this worthless shepherd
who abandons his flock.
May the sword take his arm and right eye;
may his arm surely wither up,
and his right eye become blind.
[4] Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
[5] Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they
that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own
shepherds pity them not.
[6] For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD:
but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and
into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their
hand I will not deliver them.
[7] And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock.
And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I
called Bands; and I fed the flock.
[8] Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them,
and their soul also abhorred me.
[9] Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that
that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the
flesh of another.
[10] And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might
break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
[11] And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited
upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
[12] And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not,
forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
[13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that
I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast
them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
[14] Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the
brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
[15] And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a
foolish shepherd.
[16] For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit
those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that
is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of
the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
[17] Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be
upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and
his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Zechariah 12
The Deliverance of Judah
1 (Isa 42:5; 57:16) The oracle of the word of the Lord against Israel.
Thus says the Lord, the One who stretches out the heavens and establishes
the earth and forms the spirit of man within him:
2 (Zec 14:14; Ps 75:8) I am going to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling
before all the surrounding nations. And when there is a siege against Judah,
it is also against Jerusalem.
3 (Mt 21:44; Da 2:34-35) And it will be on that day that I will set Jerusalem
as a weighty stone to all the peoples. All who carry it will surely gash
themselves, and all the nations of the land will be gathered against it.
4 (Dt 28:28; Zec 12:3) On that day I will strike every horse with confusion
and its rider with madness, but for the house of Judah I will keep My eyes
open although I will strike with blindness every horse of the peoples.
5 Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, "There is strength for us
with those residing in Jerusalem by the Lord of Hosts, their God."
6 (Ob 1:18; Zec 2:4) On that day I will set Judah like a fiery pot among wood
and as a flaming torch among cut grain. And they will devour to the right
and left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem will still reside
in her place, the place of Jerusalem.
7 The Lord will deliver the tents of Judah as before, so that the glory
of the house of David and the glory of those dwelling in Jerusalem will
not eclipse Judah.
8 (Mic 7:8) On that day the Lord will defend those residing in Jerusalem;
and even the one who stumbles among them will be as David on that day.
And the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going
out before them.
9 On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations
who come out against Jerusalem.
[1] The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which
stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and
formeth the spirit of man within him.
[2] Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people
round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against
Jerusalem.
[3] And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people:
all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the
people of the earth be gathered together against it.
[4] In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment,
and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of
Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
[5] And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of
Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
[6] In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire
among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour
all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem
shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
[7] The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the
house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify
themselves against Judah.
[8] In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he
that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of
David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
[9] And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all
the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Mourning for Him Whom They Have Pierced
10 (Rev 1:7; Jer 6:26) And I will pour out on the house of David
and over those dwelling in Jerusalem a spirit of favor and supplication
so that they look to Me, whom they have pierced through. And they will mourn
over him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him
as a firstborn.
11 (2Ki 23:29; 2Ch 35:24) On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be
as great as that of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
12 (2Sa 5:14; Zec 7:3) The land will mourn with each family by itself:
the family of the house of David by themselves, and their wives by themselves;
the family of the house of Nathan by themselves,
and their wives by themselves;
13 the family of the house of Levi by themselves,
and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by themselves,
and their wives also by themselves;
14 and all the families that remain, each by itself and their wives
by themselves.
[10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look
upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one
mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that
is in bitterness for his firstborn.
[11] In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the
mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
[12] And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house
of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan
apart, and their wives apart;
[13] The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the
family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
[14] All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives
apart.
Zechariah 13
The Cleansing of God's People
1 (Ps 51:2; Eze 36:25) On that day there will be a spring opened up
for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin
and impurity.
2 (1Ki 22:22; Jer 23:14-15) And on that day, says the Lord of Hosts, I will
cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will not be remembered
any more. And I will also remove from the land the prophets
and the unclean spirit.
3 (Dt 13:6-11; 18:20) And it will be if a man again prophesies,
then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say,
"You will not live because you speak deception in the name of the Lord."
Then when he prophesies, his father and mother will pierce him through.
4 (2Ki 1:8; Isa 20:2) On that day each prophet will be ashamed of his vision
when he prophesies. He will not put on a robe of coarse hair in order
to deceive.
5 (Am 7:14) But he will say, "I am not a prophet. I am a man who works
the ground, for a man purchased me when I was young."
6 If someone asks, "What are these wounds on your arms?" he will say,
"I was struck in the house of my close friends."
[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
[2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I
will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more
be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to
pass out of the land.
[3] And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his
father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not
live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his
mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
[4] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be
ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they
wear a rough garment to deceive:
[5] But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me
to keep cattle from my youth.
[6] And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then
he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Striking the Shepherd, Scattering the Sheep
7 (Isa 40:11; Zec 11:7) "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd
and the man of My association,"
says the Lord of Hosts.
Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will scatter.
I will turn My hand against the small ones.
8 (Eze 5:2-4; 5:12) And it will happen in all the land, says the Lord,
that two-thirds will be cut off and die,
and one-third will be left in the land.
9 (Ps 50:15; Isa 48:10) And I will bring this one-third left into the fire,
and will refine them as the refinement of silver,
and will test them as the testing of gold.
They will call on My name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, "They are My people";
and they will say, "The Lord is my God."
[7] Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my
fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be
scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
[8] And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two
parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
[9] And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them
as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on
my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall
say, The LORD is my God.
Zechariah 14
The Day of the Lord
1 (Isa 13:9; 13:6) A day of the Lord is coming when your spoil
will be divided in your midst.
2 (Isa 13:16; Joel 3:2) For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem
for battle. The city will be captured and the houses plundered and the women
ravished. Half of the city will go to exile, but the remainder of the people
will not be cut off from the city.
3 (Zec 12:9) Then the Lord will go out and fight those nations
as He fights in the day of war.
4 (Eze 11:23; Isa 64:1-2) On that day His feet will stand on the Mount
of Olives, which is to the east of Jerusalem. And from east to west
the Mount of Olives will be split in two halves by a very great valley
so that one half moves to the north and the other to the south.
5 (Am 1:1; Isa 29:6) And you will flee to my mountain valley,
for the mountain valley will reach to Azal. You will flee just like you
fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Then the Lord my God will come and all His holy ones with you.
6 And on that day there will be no light. The lights will diminish.
7 (Isa 30:26; Rev 22:5) And there will be one day known to the Lord,
neither during the day nor the night, but at the evening time there
will be light.
8 (Eze 47:1-12; Joel 2:20) On that day living water will flow out
from Jerusalem, half to the Dead Sea and the other half to the
Mediterranean Sea. This will happen for the summer as well as the winter.
9 (Eph 4:5-6; Isa 2:2-4) And the Lord will be king over all the earth.
In that day it will be "The Lord is one," and His name is one.
10 (Zec 12:6; Jos 15:32) All the land will be turned into a plain from Geba
to Rimmon to the south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem will rise and dwell
in her place from the Benjamin Gate to the place of the Old Gate,
to the Corner Gate, and then from the Tower of Hananel
to the winepress of the king.
11 (Rev 22:3; Jer 23:5-6) And people will live there,
and she will never again be devoted for destruction.
Jerusalem will reside in security.
12 And this will be the pestilence with which the Lord will strike
all the peoples who go to battle against Jerusalem: Their flesh will
rot as they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets,
and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
13 Then on that day a great tumult from the Lord will come on them
as each person will seize the hand of his neighbor,
and the hand of one will be raised against the hand of another.
14 (Isa 23:18; Zec 12:2) And even Judah will fight with Jerusalem,
and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered,
a great abundance of gold, silver, and garments.
15 (Zec 14:12) So this plague will come to horses, mules, camels, donkeys,
and any other animals that are in the camp. So will this plague be.
16 (Isa 60:6-9; 66:18-21) Then it will be that all the nations
who have come against Jerusalem and survived will go up each year
to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts,
and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
17 (Jer 14:4; 1Ki 17:1) And it will happen that if any of the families
of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts,
then there will not be rain for them.
18 If the family of Egypt does not go up and enter in,
they shall have no rain. This will be the plague with which the Lord strikes
the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations
who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
20 (Isa 23:18; Zec 9:15) On that day "HOLY TO THE Lord" will be engraved
on the bells of the horses. And the pots in the house of the Lord will be
as the basins before the altar.
21 (Ne 8:10; Eze 44:9) And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy
to the Lord of Hosts so that all who come to sacrifice will take from
those pots and boil the meat in them. And on that day there will no longer be
a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts.
[1] Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in
the midst of thee.
[2] For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city
shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of
the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall
not be cut off from the city.
[3] Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when
he fought in the day of battle.
[4] And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is
before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the
midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very
great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and
half of it toward the south.
[5] And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the
mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from
before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my
God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
[6] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be
clear, nor dark:
[7] But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor
night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be
light.
[8] And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from
Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the
hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
[9] And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there
be one LORD, and his name one.
[10] All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of
Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from
Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and
from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.
[11] And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter
destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
[12] And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the
people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away
while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their
holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
[13] And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the
LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of
his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his
neighbour.
[14] And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the
heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and
apparel, in great abundance.
[15] And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and
of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this
plague.
[16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the
nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to
worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[17] And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the
earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them
shall be no rain.
[18] And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain;
there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that
come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[19] This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all
nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[20] In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO
THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowl's before
the altar.
[21] Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the
LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and
seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the
house of the LORD of hosts.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 September 2025 Titled
Of Megalodons and Leviathan by Adam R. Holz
Job 41:1-5, 10-14
Job 41
1 "Can you draw out Leviathan
(sea monster like the legendary Loch Ness Monster)
with a hook
or snare his tongue with a line which you let down?
2 Can you put a cord into his nose,
or pierce his jaw with a hook?
3 Will he make many supplications to you?
Will he speak soft words to you?
4 Will he make a covenant with you?
Will you take him for a servant forever?
5 Will you play with him as with a bird?
Or will you put him on a leash for your maidens?
10 No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.
Who then is able to stand before Me?
11 Who has preceded Me that I should repay him?
Everything under heaven is Mine.
12 "I will not conceal his limbs,
nor his power, nor his graceful proportions.
13 Who can remove his outer garment?
Or who can approach him with a double bridle?
14 Who can open the jaws of his face?
His teeth are terrible all around.
Job 41
1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?
Or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose?
Or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee?
Will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee?
Wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?
Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up:
Who then is able to stand before me?
11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him?
Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12 I will not conceal his parts,
Nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can discover the face of his garment?
Or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face?
His teeth are terrible round about.
Years ago, a lumpy package arrived in my mailbox. I noticed my best friend's
return address on it and smiled. Joe sometimes sends me unexpected things.
This package qualified: Inside was a dark brown shark's tooth - five inches
long.
Joe's letter explained it was a fossilised tooth from a prehistoric shark,
a megalodon, many times bigger than a great white shark. I tried to fathom how
big a fish's jaw would have to be to contain rows of such teeth. Scientists
offer a speculative answer: nine by eleven feet. What a sight these creatures
must have been!
Scripture doesn't mention megalodons. But in the book of Job, God describes a
sea beast called Leviathan. Job 41 details its impressive frame. "I will not
fail to speak of Leviathan's limbs, its strength and its graceful form," God
tells Job (v. 12). "Who dares open the doors of its mouth,
ringed about with fearsome teeth?" (v. 14).
The answer? Only Leviathan's creator. And here, God reminds Job that as great
as this beast might be, it's nothing compared to its Creator:
"Everything under heaven belongs to me" (v. 11).
That meg tooth sits on my desk, a visual token of our Creator's majesty
and creativity. And that unlikely reminder of God's character comforts me when
it feels like the world might eat me up and spit me out.
Reflect & Pray
How do certain aspects of creation remind you of God's powerful,
creative nature? How does His work in creation encourage you?
Dear Father, Your creation speaks of Your
splendour and power. Please help me trust You when life feels overwhelming.
Learn more about what we can learn from nature
by reading What Leviathan Teaches Us About God.
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) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Joshua 1:8
8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all
that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,
and you will be wise.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are discouraged or Depressed
Matthew 11:25-30
25 (Ps 8:2; Jn 11:41) At that time Jesus said, "I thank You, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things
from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.
26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.
27 (Jn 10:15; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:18) "All things are delivered to Me
by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except the Father.
And no one knows the Father, except the Son and he to whom
the Son will reveal Him.
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily
burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.(Jer 6:16).
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
because He has dealt bountifully with me.
The Hidden Revelation
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man
knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father,
save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is 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 2022 edition?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
25 For I have satiated the weary soul,
and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,
And delivereth them.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom and Justice.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, Your creation speaks of Your
splendour and power. Please help me trust You when life feels overwhelming."
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep your ways pure God's Word.
Pray to the Lord and pray His Word will not depart from your mouth.
Pray to the Lord and pray to rest in the Lord.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
Pray for Christian converts in the Palestinian Territories who are facing
violent opposition from their families and local authorities.
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.
.