Monday, 13 Tevet 5784 / December 25, 2023
Day 359 Readings
Torah: Parshat Vayechi, 2nd Portion (Bereshit (Genesis) 48:10-48:16)
Genesis 48:10-16
New American Standard Bible 1995
10 Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see. Then [a]Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never [b]expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your [c]children as well.” 12 Then Joseph [d]took them from his knees, and bowed with his face to the ground. 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, [e]crossing his hands, [f]although Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 He blessed Joseph, and said,
“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,The God who has been my shepherd [g]all my life to this day,16 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil,Bless the lads;And may my name [h]live on in them,And the [i]names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
Bible Study Together
1 Chronicles 17:18-27
New American Standard Bible 1995
18 What more can David still say to You concerning the honor bestowed on Your servant? For You know Your servant. 19 O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have wrought all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20 O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And what one nation in the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make You a name by great and terrible things, in driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt? 22 For Your people Israel You made Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, became their God.
23 “Now, O Lord, let the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as You have spoken. 24 Let Your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel; and the house of David Your servant is established before You.’ 25 For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build for him a house; therefore Your servant has found courage to pray before You. 26 Now, O Lord, You are God, and have [a]promised this good thing to Your servant. 27 And now it has pleased You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may [b]continue forever before You; for You, O Lord, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”
2 Samuel 8:1-14
New American Standard Bible 1995
David’s Triumphs
8 Now after this it came about that David [a]defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took [b]control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.
2 He [c]defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.
3 Then David [d]defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his [e]rule at the [f]River. 4 David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David [g]killed 22,000 Arameans. 6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold which were [h]carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From [i]Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.
9 Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had [j]defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent [k]Joram his son to King David to [l]greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and [m]defeated him; for Hadadezer [n]had been at war with Toi. And [o]Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued: 12 from [p]Aram and Moab and the sons of Ammon and the Philistines and Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 So David made a name for himself when he returned from [q]killing 18,000 [r]Arameans in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.
Christmas Blessings!
In God alone we find protection and provision. On this Christmas day, if there is no peace in your heart and calmness is missing in your life – do come and sit at Jesus’ feet for a while. And mediate on this Scripture that speaks to us all.
Prayer: Lord, what a beautiful picture it is to have peace on earth as it is in Heaven. I thank you for such blessing on this Christmas day. Where there are hurts, pains and brokenness Lord, I give them to You. As I live in Your shelter may Your good will and glad tidings come into my life. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Scripture
Zechariah 8
New American Standard Bible 1995
The Coming Peace and Prosperity of Zion
1 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ 3 Thus says the Lord, ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’ 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the [a]streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of [b]age. 5 And the [c]streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its [d]streets.’ 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If it is [e]too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be [f]too difficult in My sight?’ declares the Lord of hosts. 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the [g]east and from the land of the [h]west; 8 and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in [i]truth and righteousness.’
9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no [j]peace because of [k]his enemies, and I set all men one against another. 11 But now I will not [l]treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the Lord of hosts. 12 ‘For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. 13 It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’
14 “For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Just as I purposed to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and I have not relented, 15 so I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear! 16 These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your [m]gates. 17 Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love [n]perjury; for all these are what I hate,’ declares the Lord.”
18 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and [o]cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’
20 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; [p]I will also go.” 22 So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.’ 23 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the [q]nations will [r]grasp the [s]garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”
Dear ABBA ELOHIM My GOD and KING of the Universe! YOU are GREAT and MIGHTY O HOLY ONE of Israel!!! Toda for answering my query about working for Gaily and Jr with Stephen. I was doubting this morning that work or business could endager my friendship and special bond with them, I do not want money to put anything that I treasure in my life at risk. I do not want that... but it is the only way for me to protect my bestfriend from leaving the country is to secure righteosness in her business and the affairs of her household. Thank YOU addressing my doubts and fears in Zechariah 8:11 But now I will not [l]treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the Lord of hosts. 12 ‘For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. 13 It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’ 14 “For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Just as I purposed to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and I have not relented, 15 so I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear! 16 These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your [m]gates. 17 Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love [n]perjury; for all these are what I hate,’ declares the Lord.”
O LORD GOD, so help me as I speak the truth to the elders of YOUR City in the Uy Household. I pray that YOU will heal everyone who has been damaged by the enemy's attacks of this family, especially Aunty Bebe whom I am praying to go to church and grow in her faith and walk in YOU. I pray for the impossible to happen, that Uncle James will return to her - his first love back from the dead. I pray for the impossible for this family and that YOU would minister to Aunt Bebe and let YOUR WORD sink deep in her heart, in the name of YESHUA I pray, and bring healing to her entire family O GOD Almighty!
Thank YOU JESUS, that as I seek YOUR Kingdom first, everything else I need and want, YOU will add to my life because YOU are the GREAT I AM, ABBA ELOHIM, My Savior YESHUA HaMashiach, Amen!
Revelation 16
New American Standard Bible 1995
Six Bowls of Wrath
16 Then I heard a loud voice from the [a]temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out [b]on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”
2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl [c]on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the [d]people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living [e]thing in the sea died.
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; 6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They [f]deserve it.” 7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. 9 Men were scorched with [g]fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, 11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the [h]east.
Armageddon
13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole [i]world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) 16 And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called [j]Har-Magedon.
Seventh Bowl of Wrath
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the [k]temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.” 18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the [l]nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of [m]His fierce wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And huge [n]hailstones, about [o]one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely [p]severe.
Psalm 144
New American Standard Bible 1995
Prayer for Rescue and Prosperity.
A Psalm of David.
1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock,Who trains my hands for war,And my fingers for battle; 2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge,Who subdues [a]my people under me. 3 O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?Or the son of man, that You think of him?4 Man is like a mere breath;His days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;Touch the mountains, that they may smoke. 6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them;Send out Your arrows and confuse them. 7 Stretch forth Your hand from on high;Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, Out of the hand of aliens 8 Whose mouths speak deceit,And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 I will sing a new song to You, O God; Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, 10 Who gives salvation to kings, Who rescues David His servant from the evil sword. 11 Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, Whose mouth speaks deceit And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12 Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, And our daughters as corner pillars [b]fashioned as for a palace; 13 Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our [c]fields; 14 Let our cattle [d]bear Without [e]mishap and without [f]loss,Let there be no outcry in our streets! 15 How blessed are the people who are so situated; How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
Proverbs 30:24-28
New American Standard Bible 1995
24 Four things are small on the earth,But they are exceedingly wise: 25 The ants are not a strong people, But they prepare their food in the summer; 26 The [a]shephanim are not mighty people, Yet they make their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king,Yet all of them go out in ranks; 28 The lizard you may grasp with the hands,Yet it is in kings’ palaces.