One Year Pray for the Persecuted Bible - Flipbook - Page 77
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January 19
to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you
refuse to listen.
43 “When an evil* spirit leaves a person, it
goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding
none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the person
I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former
home empty, swept, and in order. 45 Then the
spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than
itself, and they all enter the person and live
there. And so that person is worse off than
before. That will be the experience of this evil
generation.”
7
8
9
10
11
12:24 Greek Beelzeboul; also in 12:27. Other manuscripts read
12:42 Greek The
Beezeboul; Latin version reads Beelzebub.
12:43 Greek unclean.
queen of the south.
PSALM 16:1‑11
A psalm* of David.
1
Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
2
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from
you.”
The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
Troubles multiply for those who chase
after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices
of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
3
4
5
6
Lord, you alone are my inheritance,
my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant
land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right
beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.*
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among
the dead*
or allow your holy one* to rot in the
grave.
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you
forever.*
16:title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical
16:9 Greek version reads and my tongue shouts his
term.
16:10b Or
praises. Compare Acts 2:26. 16:10a Hebrew in Sheol.
16:11 Greek version reads You have shown me
your Holy One.
the way of life, / and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
Compare Acts 2:28.
PROVERBS 3:27‑32
27
28
29
30
31
32
Do not withhold good from those who
deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
If you can help your neighbor now,
don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll
help you.”
Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
Such wicked people are detestable
to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER on India’s Zee News stunned viewers
with a report that pastors were paying Hindus to convert to Christianity. The accusation wasn’t true, but Hindu radicals were incensed by
the claim, especially since the activity was allegedly happening in Uttar
Pradesh state, considered the sacred home of Lord Shiva. • LORD,
LIKE JOSEPH, some persecuted Christians are falsely accused and
imprisoned. May your truth shine brightly through these members of
my faith family, righting the wrongs that lead to their suffering. Amen.
GENESIS 39:1–41:16
When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishma
elite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an
Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the
guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
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2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded
in everything he did as he served in the home of
his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and
realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving
him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased
