2) Our Daily Bread for 4 December 2024 Titled

Saint Nick



1 John 1



The Word of Life



1 (Jn 20:27; Lk 24:39; Ac 4:20) That which was from the beginning, which

we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,

and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life-

2 (Jn 1:4; 1Jn 5:20; 3:5) the life was revealed, and we have seen it

and testify to it, and announce to you the eternal life, which was with

the Father and was revealed to us-

3 (1Co 1:9; 1Jn 1:1; Php 2:1) we declare to you that which we have seen

and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship

is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

4 (Jn 15:11; 16:24) We are writing these things to you so that our joy may

be complete.



[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have

seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,

of the Word of life;

[2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and

shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was

manifested unto us;)

[3] That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may

have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and

with his Son Jesus Christ.

[4] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.



God Is Light



5 (1Jn 3:11; Jas 1:17) This then is the message which we have heard from Him

and declare to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

6 (1Jn 4:20; 1:10) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, yet walk

in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 (Isa 2:5; Eph 1:7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ

His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 (Jas 3:2; 1Jn 2:4) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful

and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 (1Jn 5:10; 1:8) If we say that we have not sinned,

we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.



[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto

you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we

lie, and do not the truth:

[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship

one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from

all sin.

[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is

not in us.

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is

not in us.



In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine dominated the world's

attention. As the magnitude of the catastrophe became apparent, officials

scrambled to the critically essential task of containing the radiation. Lethal

gamma rays from highly radioactive debris kept destroying the robots deployed

to clean up the mess.



So they had to use "bio robots"-human beings! Thousands of heroic individuals

became "Chernobyl liquidators," disposing of the hazardous material in

"shifts" of ninety seconds or less. People did what technology could not, at

great personal risk.



Long ago, our rebellion against God introduced a catastrophe that led to all

other catastrophes (see Genesis 3). Through Adam and Eve, we chose to part

ways with our Creator, and we made our world a toxic mess in the process.

We could never clean it up ourselves.



That's the whole point of Christmas. The apostle John wrote of Jesus,

"(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and

shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was

manifested unto us;) "(1 John 1:2). Then John declared,

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship

one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from

all sin." (v. 7).



Jesus has provided what His creatures could not. As we believe in Him,

He restores us to a right relationship with His Father. He's liquidated

death itself. The life has appeared.



By: Tim Gustafson



Reflect & Pray



How might you be trying to clean up your own mess?

How will you give your struggles to Jesus today?



Loving God, thank You for sending Your Son

into this world to clean up my mess.



Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 4 - Send for Help !



James 1:5



5 (Pr 2:3-6; Jn 15:7) If any of you lacks wisdom,

let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally

and without criticism, and it will be given to him.



5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.



A new employee in an electronics plant had the responsibility

for overseeing one machine. The machine worked fine when the young man

came on duty, but soon it began to run a bit rough. The employee

tinkered with the machine, trying to "fix" it, until finally if stopped

working altogether

In fear and trembling the worker sent for the foreman, and stammered,

"I - I, well, sir, I did my best to fix it."

"Son", the foreman thundered, "you need to know only one thing. Around

here, doing you best means sending for me!"

Wisdom, James 1:5 says, has its source in God alone. And if we are

to attain wisdom, we need to learn doing our best means sending for God.

Often we spend time tinkering with our lives or the the lives of others.

We don't think to as God for his wisdom in the decisions we must take;

instead, we use our human reasoning and take our best guess.

But the path to wisdom does not lie in guesswork. The scriptures

give us clear indication of God's direction for his people, and through Bible

study, application, prayer, and meditation,

we can understand what God wants to reveal to us.

"If any of you lacks wisdom," James says, "he should ask God, who gives

generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

The first step to attaining wisdom is recognising that we are not wise.

The second step is to ask. And God, who is faithful to his Word

and His people, will respond.



Application



a) Under what circumstances have I tinkered with my life,

making it worse rather then fixing it?



b) What practical steps can I take to ask God for wisdom?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Matthew 6:19-21



Treasures in Heaven



Lk 12:33-34



19 (Heb 13:5; Lk 12:21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth

where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

20 (Lk 12:33; Mt 19:21) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust destroy

and where thieves do not break in nor steal,

21 (Lk 12:34) for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."



19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth

corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.



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



God's Eternal Faithfulness



2 Tim 2:8-13



8 (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,

descended from David, according to my gospel,

9 (Php 1:7; 2Ti 1:8) in which I suffer trouble like a criminal,

even with chains. But the word of God is not bound.

10 (Col 1:24; 2Co 1:6; 4:17) Therefore I endure all things

for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain

the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10) This is a faithful saying:

If we die with Him,

we shall also live with Him.

12 (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17 ) If we endure,

we shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3 )If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.



8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead

according to my gospel:

9 wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of

God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also

obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him,

we shall also live with him:

12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him:

if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.



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 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



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



4nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada

(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a reproach to any people.



34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:

But sin is a reproach to any people.



)



b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right

use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.



Advent Day 11



From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck



"We cannot conceive how the Divine Spirit dwelled

within the created and human spirit of Jesus....

What we can understand... is that our own... existence is...

but a faint image of the Divine Incarnation itself

- the same theme in a very minor key."



- C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 147.)



Like Father, Like Son



"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." We've read those words from

John's Gospel earlier in these devotions. Jesus came from the Father. Jesus

came to do the will of the Father. The Father knows him, and he knows the

Father. He and the Father are one. He will return to the Father. Truly, like

Father, like Son.



Have you ever wondered why the image of a newborn baby, lying in a manger,

tugs at our hearts? Some of us love that image because we are parents, and we

recall those early days of parentage. But there is far more to this picture.

Part of God came to us and has been with us since the original creation, when

God made us in his image. And, as Lewis writes, in us and in our children

there is "a faint image of the Divine Incarnation itself." The image may be

faint, "the same theme in a very minor key," but it's there.



And then, Jesus comes to live in us as we believe in him. Paul says it this

way: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). He is there in us, in

the image of God, and he is there in us by faith when we believe, making us

like him.



Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making us in your image, for showing us the

Father, for living in us and for making us like you. Amen.



Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. - John 14:9



From follow the story by Marva J. Dawn



WEDNESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT



Receptivity



Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. ..."



-Luke 1:38a



As was said in yesterday's meditation, Mary's consent was as striking a

wonder as other great works of God. That she was willing to go through

the gossip-causing pregnancy and the cruel agony of being the Christ's

mother was truly phenomenal. How highly we should honor her!



Mary also is a notable model for us. She was thoroughly obedient to

whatever God had in mind for her as she responded, "Let it be with me

according to your word."



Are we as willing to acquiesce in whatever God knows is best for us

(in eternal perspective) and most conducive for his purposes for the world?

I must confess that I don't receive all God's intentions for me with alacrity

or fervor. Some events in our lives probably seem too arduous

for us. I'm not saying that the evil forces don't cause us handicaps,

trials and much unpleasantness, but God has promised that all things

will work together (eventually) for good.

Can we encounter whatever God allows with thanksgiving?



Prayer



God Almighty, may we willingly endorse, as Mary did, your

outline for our lives. Amen.



Read Luke 1:26-38.



26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.

The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."

29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered

in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favour with God.

31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son

and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

And of His kingdom there will be no end."

34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a an?"

35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.

And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.

37 For with God nothing will be impossible."

38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according

to your word." Then the angel departed from her.



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



SECOND WEDNESDAY

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANNOUNCEMENTS!



1 (Mt 11:11; 16:14) In those days John the Baptist came, preaching

in the wilderness of Judea,

2 (Mt 4:17; Da 2:44; Mt 6:10) and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven

is at hand." MATTHEW 3:1-2



Today's Gospel lesson announces to us that John the Baptist was one of

the best "announcers" of all time . . . even better than Ed McMahon or Ryan

Seacrest! He captured people's attention( wouldn't anyone wearing camel's

hair and eating locusts?). he knew his "product,' he was proud to be a

spokesperson, and he articulated his "mission statement" quite well:

"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near... prepare the way of the Lord!"



And so it is with us AH-Ha people of Advent! We are announcers for

the Lord in all that we do, say and think. John's mission was to introduce

Christ and point people to the Lord. So is ours. How are we doing?



A little girl was playing the role of the head angel in the Christmas pageant

She took control, as head angels do, and made sure all the junior angels

stayed in their places. But all the energy arid excitement were too much

for them as they scurried in front of the manger scene. blocking out Mary,

Joseph and even Baby Jesus. It became too much for the head angel to

handle and she shouted to the overly eager angels, "Get out of the ways

Nobody can see Jesus"!



Sometimes l block people from seeing Jesus also. l get caught up in

telling my story, and I fail to tell his story.

Sometimes I do not take the time to

introduce people to the Lord. Sometimes my winging it doesn't help either.



And yet, the Lord continues to woo us all back to being announcers of

his story of love and forgiveness. What an announcement--from the Lord

himself! Enjoy being an AH-HA of Advent as we announce that Christ is

coming, is here now and will come again. But ... maybe drop the locust idea!



Lord, forgive us when we do not allow Jesus to be seen through what

we say and do. Forgive us when our story is not your story. Thanks for

continuing to cal us as your announcers of the best story of all--a baby

called Jesus ... in a manger ... foe us! In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Matthew 3:1-12



Matthew 3



The Preaching of John the Baptist



Mk 1:1-8; Lk 3:1-9, 15-17; Jn 1:19-28



1 (Mt 11:11; 16:14) In those days John the Baptist came, preaching

in the wilderness of Judea,

2 (Mt 4:17; Da 2:44; Mt 6:10) and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven

is at hand."

3 (Isa 40:3; Lk 1:76) For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah,

saying:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

'Prepare the way of the Lord;

make His paths straight.' " [Isa 40:3].

4 (Lev 11:22; 2Ki 1:8) This same John had clothing made of camel's hair,

a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 (Mk 1:5) Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region

around the Jordan went out to him,

6 (Ac 19:18; Mt 3:11) and were baptized by him in the Jordan,

confessing their sins.

7 (Mt 12:34; 23:33) But when he saw many of the Pharisees

and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them,

"O generation of vipers, who has warned you to escape from the wrath to one?

8 (Ac 26:20; Jer 36:3) Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance,

9 (Lk 3:8; 16:24) and do not think to say within yourselves,

'We have Abraham as our father,' for I say to you that God is able

from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

10 (Mt 7:19; Jn 15:2) Even now the axe is put to the tree roots.

Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down

and thrown into the fire.

11 (Ac 1:5; Lk 3:16; Isa 4:4) "I indeed baptize you with water to repentance,

but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy

to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

12 (Mal 4:1; Mt 13:30) His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly

clean His floor and gather His wheat into the granary,

but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."



From On Eagle's wings Day 4



Wednesday, December 4 - Advent Possibilities



23 (Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; Mt 28:20) "A virgin shall be with child,

and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,"



[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and

they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.



Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

The birth of a child can stir up many emotions: joy, happiness, and

the endless potential that only a new birth can bring. My wife and I

celebrate our birthdays on the same day and we are the same age.

Last year, for our birthdays, we invited our congregation, friends,

and family to a celebration. While a PowerPoint showed our

northern activities, we asked guests to donate to On Eagle's Wings

instead of giving gifts - and they did! Most importantly, we wanted

to thank God for his blessings, each other, our lives together, and

for leading us to our Inuit sisters and brothers in the Arctic.

We went North to answer God's call to teach Inuit children about

Jesus' love and forgiveness. We didn’t anticipate how much we

would learn in return. Arriving in the North took us out of our

comfort zones, but the adults warmly welcomed us into their homes

and hearts. I'm certain God led us to these people, who have

experienced so much change and pain, whose traditional way of life

and language have disappeared bit by bit. And yet they are always

so gracious.

Advent celebrates the most important birthday of all, Immanuel,

"God with us." Jesus is with us now and will be when he comes

again. You are invited to celebrate his coming amid life's joys and

sorrows, as he leads us to be his witnesses wherever we are.

O God, we give thanks for how you continue to come to us. As

we await the birth of your Son this Advent season, teach us how

to love one another as you have loved us. Help us to be present

with others to share your gift of love. Amen.



Written by Rev. Maury Arsenault, Bel Air, MD, 2008

Former On Eagle's Wings Board Member





Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a bold witness about your salvation despite

persecution.



Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, thank You for sending Your Son

into this world to clean up my mess."



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him in Wisdom.



Pray to the Lord and pray to lay treause in Heaven.



Pray to the Lord and pray never to deny Jesus Christ!



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



- 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 for the preservation of godly values in Canada



Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right

use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.



Pray Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making us in your image, for showing us

the Father, for living in us and for making us like you. Amen.



Pray: God Almighty, may we willingly endorse, as Mary did, your

outline for our lives. Amen.



Pray: Lord, we pray today:"Lord, forgive us when we do not allow Jesus to be seen through what

we say and do. Forgive us when our story is not your story. Thanks for

continuing to cal us as your announcers of the best story of all--a baby

called Jesus ... in a manger ... foe us! In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!"



Pray: O God, we give thanks for how you continue to come to us. As

we await the birth of your Son this Advent season, teach us how

to love one another as you have loved us. Help us to be present

with others to share your gift of love. Amen.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.

Day 339, 4 December 2024 - 11th Day of Advent



1) Acts 20:7-38, Acts 21, Acts 22, Acts 23



Paul's Farewell Visit to Troas



7 (Ac 20:11; 1Co 16:2; Rev 1:10) On the first day of the week,

when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to leave

the next day, preached to them and continued his message until midnight.

8 (Ac 1:13) There were many lamps in the upper room where they were

assembled.

9 A young man named Eutychus sat in the window, falling into a deep sleep

as Paul spoke for a longer time. Being overcome by sleep, he fell down

from the third floor and was taken up dead.

10 (Mk 5:39; Mt 9:23-24) Paul went down and leaned over him, and embracing

him said, "Do not be troubled, for he is alive."

11 (Ac 20:7) When he had gone up and had broken bread and eaten,

he conversed for a long while until dawn and departed.

12 They took the lad in alive and were greatly comforted.



[7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to

break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and

continued his speech until midnight.

[8] And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were

gathered together.

[9] And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being

fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with

sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

[10] And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble

not yourselves; for his life is in him.

[11] When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten,

and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

[12] And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.



The Voyage From Troas to Miletus



13 We went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, intending to take

Paul on board there. For he had arranged this, intending to go on foot.

14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.

15 (Ac 20:17; 2Ti 4:20) The day after sailing from there we arrived off

Chios. And the next day we crossed over to Samos and stayed at Trogyllium,

and the following day we came to Miletus.

16 (Ac 2:1; 19:21) Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus, to avoid spending

time in Asia. For he was hurrying so he could be in Jerusalem, if

possible, on the day of Pentecost.



[13] And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to

take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

[14] And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

[15] And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the

next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we

came to Miletus.

[16] For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend

the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at

Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.



Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders



17 (Ac 11:30; 14:23) From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders

of the church.

18 (Ac 18:19; 19:1) When they came to him, he said to them,

"You know how I always lived among you from the first day that

I came to Asia,

19 (Ac 20:3; 20:31) serving the Lord with all humility

and with many tears and trials which befell me through

the plots of the Jews.

20 (Ac 20:27; 20:31) I did not keep from declaring what was beneficial

to you, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,

21 (Ac 2:38; 11:18; 20:24) testifying to both Jews and Greeks

of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 "Now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing

what shall befall me there,

23 (Ac 9:16; 21:4) except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every

city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

24 (Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:1) But none of these things deter me. Nor do I count

my life of value to myself, so that I may joyfully finish my course

and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify

to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 (Ac 28:31; Mt 4:23) "Now I know that all you, among whom I went

proclaiming the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

26 (Ac 18:6) Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent

of the blood of all men.

27 (Ac 20:20; Lk 7:30) For I did not keep from declaring to you

the whole counsel of God.

28 (1Co 10:32; Isa 40:11) Therefore take heed to yourselves

and to the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you

overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased

with His own blood.

29 (Mt 7:15; Jn 10:12) For I know that after my departure,

dreadful wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock.

30 (1Ti 1:19-20; 1Jn 2:19) Even from among you men will arise

speaking perverse things, to draw the disciples away after them.

31 (Ac 19:10; 19:8) Therefore watch, remembering that for three years

night and day I did not cease to warn everyone with tears.

32 (Ac 14:23; 26:18) "Now, brothers, I commend you to God and to the word

of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance

among all who are sanctified.

33 (1Co 9:12; 2Co 11:9) I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or

clothing.

34 (Ac 18:3) Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided

for my necessities and for those who were with me.

35 (Pr 19:17; Mt 10:8) In all things I have shown you how, working like

this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus,

how He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

36 (Lk 22:41; Ac 21:5) Having said these things, he knelt down with all

of them and prayed.

37 (Lk 15:20; 2Ti 1:4) They all wept much and embraced Paul's neck

and kissed him,

38 (Ac 15:3; 20:25) grieving most over the words he spoke, that they were

to see his face no more. Then they escorted him to the ship.



[17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the

church.

[18] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the

first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at

all seasons,

[19] Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and

temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

[20] And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have

shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

[21] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward

God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

[22] And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing

the things that shall befall me there:

[23] Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds

and afflictions abide me.

[24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto

myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I

have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

[25] And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching

the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

[26] Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood

of all men.

[27] For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the

which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased with his own blood.

[29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in

among you, not sparing the flock.

[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to

draw away disciples after them.

[31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I

ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

[32] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace,

which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them

which are sanctified.

[33] I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

[34] Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my

necessities, and to them that were with me.

[35] I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support

the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is

more blessed to give than to receive.

[36] And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

[37] And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

[38] Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should

see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.



Acts 21



Paul's Journey to Jerusalem



1 When we had withdrawn from them and set sail, we went on a straight

course to Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went aboard, and set sail.

3 (Mt 4:24; Ac 4:36) Having come in sight of Cyprus, we passed to the

south of it and sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship's

cargo was to be unloaded.

4 When we found the disciples, we remained there

seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.

5 (Ac 20:36; 9:40) But when our days were over, we parted and traveled on.

Everyone, with wives and children, escorted us until we were outside

the city. And we knelt on the shore and prayed.

6 (Jn 19:27) After bidding farewell to one another, we boarded the ship,

and they returned home.

7 We finished the voyage from Tyre when we landed at Ptolemais,

where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.

8 (Ac 6:5; Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5) The next day we who were Paul's companions

departed, and arrived at Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip

the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

9 (Ac 2:17; Lk 2:36) He had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

10 (Ac 11:28) While we stayed there many days, a prophet named Agabus

came down from Judea.

11 (Ac 21:33; Jer 13:1-11; 1Sa 15:27-28) When he had arrived, he took

Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet, saying, "The Holy Spirit

says, 'In this manner the Jews at Jerusalem shall bind the man who owns

this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' "

12 (Mt 16:21-23) When we heard these things, both we and the residents

implored him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 (Ac 20:24; Php 2:17) Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping

and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned, but also

to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

14 (Mt 6:10; Lk 22:42) When he would not be persuaded, we kept silent

and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."

15 After those days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought

with them Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.



[1] And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had

launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following

unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

[2] And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set

forth.

[3] Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and

sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her

burden.

[4] And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul

through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

[5] And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way;

and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were

out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

[6] And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they

returned home again.

[7] And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and

saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

[8] And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto

Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was

one of the seven; and abode with him.

[9] And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

[10] And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a

certain prophet, named Agabus.

[11] And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own

hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at

Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into

the hands of the Gentiles.

[12] And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place,

besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

[13] Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I

am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of

the Lord Jesus.

[14] And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the

Lord be done.

[15] And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to

Jerusalem.

[16] There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and

brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should

lodge.



Paul Visits James



17 (Ac 15:4) When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.

18 (Ac 11:30; 15:13) On the next day Paul went with us to James, and all

the elders were present.

19 (Ac 1:17; 14:27) He greeted them and recounted one by one what God

had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 (Ac 22:3; Ro 10:2) When they heard this, they glorified the Lord.

Then they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews

there are who believe, and they are all zealous for the law.

21 (Ac 21:28) They have been informed concerning you that you teach

all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them

not to circumcise their children nor to observe the customs.

22 What then shall be done? The assembly will certainly meet, for they

will hear that you have come.

23 (Ac 18:18) Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have

taken a vow.

24 (Ac 21:26; 24:18) Take these men and be purified with them, and pay

their expenses so that they may have their heads shaved. Then all will

know that what they were told concerning you is nothing, but that you

yourself live in observance of the law.

25 (Ac 15:29) As for the Gentiles who believe, we have written and

concluded that they should observe no such thing, except that they abstain

from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled

animals, and from blood."

26 (Ac 24:18; Nu 6:13-20) Then on the next day, Paul took the men

and purified himself with them. And he went into the temple, announcing

when the days of purification would be complete and an offering would

be given for each one of them.



[17] And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

[18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the

elders were present.

[19] And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God

had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

[20] And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him,

Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and

they are all zealous of the law:

[21] And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which

are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to

circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

[22] What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they

will hear that thou art come.

[23] Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a

vow on them;

[24] Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them,

that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof

they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also

walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

[25] As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded

that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from

things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from

fornication.

[26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them

entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of

purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.



Paul Arrested in the Temple



27 (Ac 24:18; 26:21) When the seven days were nearly concluded, the Jews

from Asia saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people,

and laid hands on him,

28 (Ac 24:5-6; 21:21) crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man

teaching all men everywhere against the people and the law and this place.

He even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."

29 (Ac 20:4) For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the

city with him, whom they supposed Paul had brought into the temple.

30 (Ac 26:21) Then the whole city was provoked, and the people ran

together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple.

And immediately the doors were shut.

31 While they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commander

(Gk. chiliarch, a battalion commander

with the rank of lieutenant colonel over 1,000 soldiers.)

of the battalion of soldiers that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 (Ac 23:27) He at once took soldiers and centurions, and ran down

to them. When they saw the commander and the soldiers,

they stopped beating Paul.

33 (Ac 12:6; 20:23) Then the commander came and arrested him, and ordered

that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was

and what he had done.

34 (Ac 19:32; 23:10) Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another.

As he could not learn the truth because of the uproar,

he commanded that he be brought into the barracks.

35 When he came onto the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers

because of the violence of the people.

36 (Lk 23:18; Jn 19:15) For the mob of people followed, crying out,

"Away with him!"



[27] And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia,

when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands

on him,

[28] Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men

every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further

brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

[29] (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian,

whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

[30] And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took

Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

[31] And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain

of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

[32] Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them:

and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of

Paul.

[33] Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be

bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

[34] And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when

he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be

carried into the castle.

[35] And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the

soldiers for the violence of the people.

[36] For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

Paul Defends Himself



37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks,

he said to the commander, "May I speak to you?"

He replied, "Do you know how to speak Greek?

38 (Mt 24:26A) Are you not the Egyptian who in past days caused an uproar

and led the four thousand men of the Sicarii (Or men of the Assassins.)

out into the wilderness?"

39 (Ac 9:11; 22:3) Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus of Cilicia, a

citizen of no common city. I beg of you, permit me to speak to the people."

40 (Ac 12:17; Jn 5:2) When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the

stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was great

silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying,



[37] And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief

captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

[38] Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar,

and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

[39] But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia,

a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the

people.

[40] And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and

beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great

silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,



Acts 22



1 (Ac 7:2) "Brothers and fathers, hear my defense which I now make to you."

2 (Ac 21:40) When they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew

language, they became even more quiet.

Then he said,

3 (Ac 9:11; 5:34; 21:20) "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but

brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was trained in the

strict tradition of the law of the fathers, being zealous toward God as

you all are today.

4 (Ac 22:19-20; 26:9-11) I persecuted this Way to the death,

arresting and imprisoning both men and women,

5 (Lk 22:66; Ac 9:1-2) as even the high priest and the council of elders

bear witness of me. From them I received letters to the brothers in

Damascus, where I went to take even those who were there and lead them in

chains to Jerusalem to be punished.



[1] Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto

you.

[2] (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they

kept the more silence: and he saith,)

[3] I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet

brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the

perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye

all are this day.

[4] And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into

prisons both men and women.

[5] As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the

elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to

Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be

punished.



Paul Tells of His Conversion



Ac 9:1-19; 26:12-18



6 "As I journeyed and came near Damascus, about noon suddenly a great

light from heaven shone around me.

7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me,

'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?'

8 "I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?'

"He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'

9 (Ac 9:7; Da 10:7) Those who were with me saw the light and were afraid,

but they did not hear the voice of Him who was speaking to me.

10 (Ac 16:30) "I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?'

"The Lord said to me, 'Rise and go into Damascus. There you will be told

what you have been appointed to do.'

11 Since I was blinded by the glory of that light, those who were with me

led me by the hand into Damascus.

12 (Ac 10:22; 6:3) "Ananias, a devout man according to the law,

who was well spoken of by all the Jews living there,

13 came and stood by me, and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.'

And at that moment I looked up at him.

14 (Ac 26:16; 1Co 9:1; 15:8) "Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has

appointed you to know His will and to see the Just One and to hear His

voice,

15 (Ac 23:11; 4:20) for you will be His witness to all men of what you

have seen and heard.

16 (Ac 2:38; Heb 10:22; 1Co 6:11) And now why do you wait? Rise, be

baptized and wash away your sins, and call on the name of the Lord.'



[6] And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto

Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round

about me.

[7] And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul,

Saul, why persecutest thou me?

[8] And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of

Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

[9] And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but

they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

[10] And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise,

and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which

are appointed for thee to do.

[11] And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the

hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

[12] And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good

report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

[13] Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy

sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

[14] And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou

shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice

of his mouth.

[15] For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and

heard.

[16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy

sins, calling on the name of the Lord.



Paul Sent to the Gentiles



17 (2Co 12:1-4) "When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying

in the temple, I fell into a trance

18 and saw Him saying to me, 'Hurry! Get out of Jerusalem immediately,

for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.'

19 (Mt 10:17; Ac 22:4) "I said, 'Lord, they know that I imprisoned

and beat those who believed in You in every synagogue.

20 (Ac 7:58; 8:1) And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed,

I was standing by consenting to his death, guarding the clothes

of those who killed him.'

21 (Ac 9:15) "Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far away

to the Gentiles.' "



[17] And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even

while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

[18] And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of

Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

[19] And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every

synagogue them that believed on thee:

[20] And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing

by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew

him.

[21] And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the

Gentiles.



Paul and the Roman Commander



22 (Ac 25:24; 21:36) They listened to him up to this word, and then

they lifted up their voices and said, "Away with such a man from

the earth, for he is not fit to live!"

23 As they shouted and threw off their garments and threw dust into the air,

24 (Ac 21:34; 23:10) the commander ordered him to be brought

into the barracks and examined with scourging, so that he might learn

what crime they were alleging against him.

25 (Ac 16:37) As they stretched him forward with straps, Paul said

to the centurion standing by, "Is it legal for you to flog

an uncondemned Roman citizen?"

26 On hearing this, the centurion reported to the commander, saying,

"What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen."

27 The commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?"

He said, "Yes."

28 The commander answered, "I bought my citizenship for a large sum."

So Paul said, "But I was born a citizen."

29 Therefore those who were about to examine Paul immediately backed away

from him. And the commander feared, knowing that he was a Roman citizen

and because he had bound him.



[22] And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their

voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit

that he should live.

[23] And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into

the air,

[24] The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade

that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they

cried so against him.

[25] And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that

stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and

uncondemned?

[26] When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain,

saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

[27] Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a

Roman? He said, Yea.

[28] And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this

freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

[29] Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him:

and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman,

and because he had bound him.



Paul Before the Sanhedrin



30 (Ac 23:28; 21:33) On the next day, desiring to know exactly

why he was accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief

priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble,

and he brought Paul down to stand before them.



[30] On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he

was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the

chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and

set him before them.



Acts 23



1 (Ac 24:16; 2Co 1:12) Paul looked at the Sanhedrin and said,

"Brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

2 (Ac 24:1; Jn 18:22) The high priest Ananias ordered those who stood

by him to strike him on the mouth.

3 (Jn 7:51; Dt 25:1-2) Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you,

you whitewashed wall! Do you sit judging me according to the law,

yet order me to be struck contrary to the law?"

4 Those who stood by said, "Do you criticize God's high priest?"

5 (Ex 22:28) Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was

the high priest. For it is written,

'You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.'(Ex 22:28.)"

6 (Ac 24:15; 24:21) Then Paul, knowing that one sect were Sadducees

and the other Pharisees, cried out among the Sanhedrin,

"Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee. I am being judged

for my hope in the resurrection of the dead."

7 When he had said this, dissension arose between the Pharisees

and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

8 (Mt 22:23; Lk 20:27) For the Sadducees say that there is

no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees acknowledge

them all.

9 (Ac 22:7; 22:17-18) There was a great outcry. The scribes that were

from the sect of Pharisees stood up and argued,

"We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or an angel has spoken

to him, let us not fight against God."

10 (Ac 22:24) When much dissension arose, fearing that Paul would be torn

to pieces by them, the commander ordered the soldiers to go down and take

him from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11 (Ac 18:9; 19:21) The following night the Lord stood by him and said,

"Take courage, Paul. For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem,

so you must also testify at Rome."



1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have

lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him

on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for

sittest thou to judge me after the law,

and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest:

for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other

Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee,

the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called

in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees

and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor

spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees'

part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a

spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest

Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go

down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the

castle.

11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer,

Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear

witness also at Rome.



The Plot Against Paul's Life



12 (Ac 23:21; 23:30) At daybreak some of the Jews conspired under oath,

saying they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

13 There were more than forty who had conspired.

14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said,

"We have bound ourselves under oath not to eat until we have killed Paul.

15 So now, with the Sanhedrin, tell the commander to bring him down to you

tomorrow, pretending to inquire further concerning him. We are ready to

kill him before he arrives."

16 (Ac 23:10) But when the son of Paul's sister heard of the treachery,

he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions over and said,

"Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him."

18 (Eph 3:1) So he took him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner

sent for me and asked me to bring you this young man who has something

to tell you."

19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside privately,

and asked him, "What is it you have to tell me?"

20 (Ac 23:14-15)The boy said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you

to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Sanhedrin, pretending to inquire

further concerning him.

21 (Ac 23:12-14) Do not trust them. More than forty men, who have bound

themselves with an oath to neither eat nor drink until they have killed

him, are waiting for him. And now they are ready, waiting for your

promise."

22 The commander dismissed the young man and ordered him,

"Tell no one that you have reported these things to me."



12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound

themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink

till they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have

bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we

have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he

bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something

more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near,

are ready to kill him.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went a

nd entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this

young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the

prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee,

who hath something to say unto thee.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside

privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring

down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat

of him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them

more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will

neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready,

looking for a promise from thee.

22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him,

See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.



Paul Sent to Felix the Governor



23 Then he summoned two centurions and said,

"Prepare two hundred infantrymen, seventy mounted soldiers,

and two hundred light infantrymen with spears to go to Caes­area

at the third hour of the night.

24 (Ac 23:26; 24:10) And provide mounts so Paul may ride

and take him safely to Felix the governor."

25 He wrote a letter that went like this:

26 (Ac 15:23; Lk 1:3) Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency Governor Felix:

Greetings.

27 (Ac 22:25-29) This man was seized by the Jews

and was about to be killed by them. When I learned that he was

a Roman citizen, I came with soldiers and rescued him.

28 (Ac 22:30) Being minded to learn what crime they alleged,

I took him to their Sanhedrin.

29 (Ac 18:15; 26:31) I found him being accused of controversial matters

about their law, but charged with nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.

30 (Ac 23:20; 23:35) When it was revealed to me that there was a plot

against the man, at once I sent him to you and ordered the accusers

to state before you their charges against him.

Farewell.



23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred

soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two

hundred, at the third hour of the night;

24 and provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe

unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then

came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought

him forth into their council:

29 whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have

nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent

straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say

before thee what they had against him. Farewell.



31 So the soldiers, according to their orders, took Paul by night

to Antipatris.

32 The next day they let the cavalry depart with him

and they returned to the barracks.

33 When they arrived in Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor,

they presented Paul also to him.

34 (Ac 21:39; 25:1) Upon reading the letter, the governor asked what

province he was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia,

35 (Ac 23:30; 25:16) he said, "I will hear you when your accusers

also arrive." And he ordered that he be guarded in Herod's Praetorium.



31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him

by night to Antipatris.

32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him,

and returned to the castle:

33 who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor,

presented Paul also before him.

34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he

was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come.

And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

**Doctor Who: The Doctor's Wife (9/10)**



"The Doctor's Wife" is a mind-bending and emotionally charged episode that

explores the nature of the Doctor and the concept of identity.



**Key Strengths:**



**The Doctor's Wife:** The episode introduces the Doctor's wife,

a mysterious and powerful being who challenges the Doctor's

understanding of himself.



**Time Travel Paradoxes:** The episode delves into complex time travel

paradoxes, creating a thought-provoking and mind-bending narrative.



**Emotional Depth:** The Doctor's vulnerability and the exploration of his

past and future add depth and complexity to his character.



**Potential Weaknesses:**



**Complex Plot:** The episode's intricate plot and time-travel elements

can be challenging to follow for some viewers.



Overall, "The Doctor's Wife" is a brilliant and ambitious episode that

pushes the boundaries of the Doctor Who universe. It's a must-watch for

fans who appreciate complex storytelling and thought-provoking ideas.

In *"Deep Breath"*, the newly regenerated Twelfth Doctor and Clara land in Victorian London, where they are reunited with the Paternoster Gang. Together, they investigate a series of deaths involving spontaneous combustion, leading them to a sinister clockwork droid harvesting human organs to repair itself. The episode explores Clara's struggle to accept the Doctor’s new persona and his moral complexities. With standout performances from Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman, the story blends humor, tension, and introspection, though pacing issues detract slightly.



I’d rate it 85/100 for its strong character focus and atmospheric mystery.

Day 338, 3 December 2024 - 10th Day of Advent



1) 2 Corinthians 10 , 2 Corinthians 11 , 2 Corinthians 12 , 2 Corinthians 13



2 Corinthians 10



Paul Defends His Ministry



1 (Mt 11:29; 2Co 10:10) Now I, Paul, who am lowly in presence among you but

bold toward you while absent, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness

of Christ.

2 (2Co 13:2; 13:10) I beg you that when I am present, I might not have to be

bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who

think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 (Jer 1:10; 2Co 6:7) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but

mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,

5 (Isa 2:11-12; 1Co 1:19) casting down imaginations and every high thing that

exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into

captivity to the obedience of Christ,

6 (2Co 2:9; 7:15) and being ready to punish all disobedience

when your obedience is complete.

7 (2Co 5:12; Jn 7:24; 1Co 14:37) Do you look at things from the outward

appearance? If any man trusts that he is Christ's, let him consider again

that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

8 (2Co 13:10) For even if I should boast somewhat more of our authority,

which the Lord has given us for edification and not for your destruction,

I shall not be ashamed,

9 lest I appear to frighten you by my letters.

10 (1Co 1:17; 2Co 11:6) "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and

powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."

11 Let such a person consider this: that as we are in word by letters

when we are absent, we will also be in deed when we are present.

12 (2Co 3:1; Pr 26:12) For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those

who commend themselves. They who measure themselves by one another

and compare themselves with one another are not wise.

13 (Ro 15:20) But we will not boast beyond measure, but within the boundaries

which God has appointed us, which reach even you.

14 (1Co 4:15) For we are not overextending ourselves as though we did not

reach you, since we have come to you, preaching the gospel of Christ.

15 (Ro 15:20; 2Co 10:13) We are not boasting of things beyond our measure

in other men's labors. But we have hope that when your faith is increased,

our region shall be greatly enlarged by you,

16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another

man's accomplishments.

17 (1Co 1:31; Jer 9:23-24) But, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."

(Jer 9:24.)

18 (Ro 2:29; 1Co 4:5) For it is not he who commends himself who is approved,

but he whom the Lord commends.



[1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,

who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that

confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as

if we walked according to the flesh.

[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to

the obedience of Christ;

[6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your

obedience is fulfilled.

[7] Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to

himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as

he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

[8] For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord

hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be

ashamed:

[9] That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

[10] For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily

presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

[11] Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters

when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

[12] For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with

some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves,

and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

[13] But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to

the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach

even unto you.

[14] For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached

not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel

of Christ:

[15] Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's

labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be

enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

[16] To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in

another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

[17] But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

[18] For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord

commendeth.



2 Corinthians 11



Paul and the False Apostles



1 (2Co 5:13; 11:4) I would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly.

Indeed, bear with me.

2 (Isa 54:5; Hos 2:19-20) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For

I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin

to Christ.

3 (Rev 12:9; Ge 3:4; Jn 8:44) But I fear that somehow, as the serpent

deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray

from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4 (1Co 3:11; Gal 1:6-8) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus,

whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which

you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted,

you might submit to it readily enough.

5 For I think I am not in any way inferior to the most eminent

of the apostles.

6 (1Co 1:17; Eph 3:4) Even though I am unpolished in speech, yet I am not

in knowledge. All things about us have been thoroughly revealed to you.

7 (2Co 12:13) Did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted,

because I preached to you the gospel of God free of charge?

8 I robbed other churches by accepting wages from them to serve you.

9 (1Th 2:6) Furthermore, when I was present with you and was lacking,

I was a burden to no one. For the brothers who came from Macedonia

supplied what I lacked. In all things I have kept myself from being

burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself.

10 (Ro 9:1; Ac 18:12) As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop

me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

11 (2Co 12:15; 12:2-3) Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.

12 (1Co 9:12) And I will continue doing what I am doing, that I may cut off

the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be found equal to us

in what they boast about.

13 (Rev 2:2; Gal 1:7) For such are false apostles and deceitful workers,

disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

14 (Gal 1:8) And no wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel

of light.

15 (Php 3:19; 2Co 3:9) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also

disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be

according to their works.



[1] Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear

with me.

[2] For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you

to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his

subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in

Christ.

[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not

preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or

another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

[5] For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

[6] But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been

throughly made manifest among you in all things.

[7] Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted,

because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

[8] I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

[9] And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man:

for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia

supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto

you, and so will I keep myself.

[10] As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting

in the regions of Achaia.

[11] Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

[12] But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them

which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as

we.

[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as

the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.



Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle



16 (2Co 11:1; 12:6) I say again, let no one think that I am a fool.

Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, so that I also may boast a little.

17 (1Co 7:12; 2Co 9:4) What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but

as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

19 (1Co 4:10) For you tolerate fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise.

20 (Gal 2:4; 4:3) For you permit it if a man brings you into bondage, if a

man devours you, if a man takes from you, if a man exalts himself, or if a

man strikes you on the face.

21 (2Co 10:10; 10:1-2) I say to my reproach that we were too weak for that.

But whenever anyone is bold (I speak foolishly), I am bold also.

22 (Php 3:5; Ro 11:1) Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites?

So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

23 (1Co 15:10; 2Co 6:4-5) Are they servants of Christ? I speak as a fool.

I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure,

in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.

25 (Ac 14:19) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned;

three times I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 (Ac 14:5; 13:50; 17:5) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils

of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the Gentiles, in

perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in

perils among false brothers;

27 (2Co 6:5; Php 4:12; 1Th 2:9) in weariness and painfulness, in

sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold

and nakedness.

28 Beside the external things, the care of all the churches pressures

me daily.

29 (1Co 8:13; 9:22) Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin,

and I am not distressed?

30 (1Co 2:3) If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern

my weakness.

31 (Ro 9:5; Jn 10:30) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who is blessed forevermore, knows that I am not lying.

32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas secured

the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me.

33 (Ac 9:25) But I was let down by the wall through a window in a basket

and escaped his hands.



[16] I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool

receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

[17] That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were

foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

[18] Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

[19] For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

[20] For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if

a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

[21] I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit

whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

[22] Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the

seed of Abraham? so am I.

[23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours

more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths

oft.

[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered

shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in

perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the

city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among

false brethren;

[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst,

in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily,

the care of all the churches.

[29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

[30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine

infirmities.

[31] The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for

evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

[32] In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the

Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

[33] And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and

escaped his hands.



2 Corinthians 12



Visions and Revelations



1 (Gal 1:12; 2:2) Doubtless it is not profitable for me to boast.

So I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 (2Co 11:11; Ac 22:17) I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ag

-whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows-such

a one was caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew that such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I cannot

tell, God knows-

4 (Lk 23:43; Rev 2:7) was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible

words not permitted for a man to say.

5 Of such a person, I will boast. Yet of myself I will not boast, except in

my weaknesses.

6 (2Co 11:16) For if I desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be

speaking the truth. But now I resist, lest anyone should think of me above

that which he sees me to be or hears from me.

7 (Nu 33:55; Eze 28:24) And lest I should be exalted above measure

by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh,

a messenger of Satan, to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.

8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.

9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me, "My grace is

sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 (Ro 5:3; 2Co 13:4) So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in

hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. For when

I am weak, then I am strong.



[1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions

and revelations of the Lord.

[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I

cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such

an one caught up to the third heaven.

[3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I

cannot tell: God knoweth;)

[4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words,

which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

[5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine

infirmities.

[6] For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will

say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that

which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the

revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of

Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

[8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is

made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

[10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in

necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am

weak, then am I strong.



Paul's Concern for the Corinthian Church



11 (2Co 11:5; 11:1) I have become a fool in boasting. You have compelled me,

for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior

to the leading apostles, though I am nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were performed among you in all patience,

in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13 (1Co 9:12; 2Co 12:14) For in what respect were you inferior to other

churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?

Forgive me this wrong!

14 (Pr 19:14; 1Co 4:14-15) I am ready to come to you this third time.

And I will not be burdensome to you, for I do not seek what is yours,

but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but

the parents for the children.

15 (Php 2:17; 1Th 2:8) And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.

If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

16 But be that as it may. I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty,

I caught you with deceit.

17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18 (2Co 8:6; Ro 4:12) I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent a brother.

Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit?

Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 (Ro 9:1; 2Co 10:8) Again, do you think that we are defending ourselves

to you? We speak before God in Christ. We do all things, beloved, for your

edifying.

20 (Ro 1:29; 1Co 1:11) For I fear that when I come, I shall not find you

such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish.

I fear there are debates, envying, wrath, strife, backbiting, whispering,

arrogance, and disorder.

21 (2Co 13:2; 1Co 5:1) And I fear that when I come again, my God will

humble me among you, and that I shall mourn for many who have sinned already,

who have not repented of uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lasciviousness

which they have committed.



[11] I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to

have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest

apostles, though I be nothing.

[12] Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience,

in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

[13] For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be

that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

[14] Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be

burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not

to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

[15] And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more

abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

[16] But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I

caught you with guile.

[17] Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

[18] I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain

of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

[19] Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God

in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

[20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would,

and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be

debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings,

tumults:

[21] And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that

I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the

uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.



2 Corinthians 13



Final Warnings and Greetings



1 (Dt 19:15; 2Co 12:14) This is the third time I am coming to you. "In the

mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (Dt 19:15.)

2 (2Co 1:23) I told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second

time. And being absent now, I write to those who have sinned before, and to

all the others, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,

3 (Mt 10:20) since you seek proof of Christ speaking through me, who toward

you is not weak, but is mighty in you.

4 (1Pe 3:18; Ro 6:4; 1:4) For though He was crucified through weakness, yet

He lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in Him, but we shall live

with Him by the power of God serving you.

5 (1Co 11:28; Ro 8:10) Examine yourselves, seeing whether you are in the

faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless

indeed you are disqualified.

6 I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved,

but that you should do that which is honorable, whether or not we may seem

disqualified.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 (2Co 13:11; 1Th 3:10) For we are glad when we are weak, and you are strong.

We wish even your perfection.

10 (2Co 10:8; 2:3) Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being

present I should be sharp, according to the authority which the Lord has

given me for edification and not for destruction.

11 (Ro 15:33; Mk 9:50; Ro 12:16) Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect,

be of good comfort, be of one mind, and live in peace, and the God of love

and peace will be with you.

12 (Ro 16:16) Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 (Ro 16:20; Php 2:1; Jude 1:21) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Amen.



[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three

witnesses shall every word be established.

[2] I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second

time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and

to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

[3] Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not

weak, but is mighty in you.

[4] For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power

of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power

of God toward you.

[5] Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be

reprobates?

[6] But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

[7] Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear

approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as

reprobates.

[8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

[9] For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we

wish, even your perfection.

[10] Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I

should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to

edification, and not to destruction.

[11] Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one

mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

[12] Greet one another with an holy kiss.

[13] All the saints salute you.

[14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the

communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.



2) Our Daily Bread for 3 December 2024 Titled

God Knows Me



Psalm 139:1-10



1 O Lord, You have searched me

and known me.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) You know when I sit down and when I get up;

You understand my thought from far off.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You search my path and my lying down

and are aware of all my ways.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For there is not a word on my tongue,

but behold, O Lord, You know it fully.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You put Yourself behind and before me,

and keep Your hand on me.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is lofty, and I cannot fathom it.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Where shall I go from Your spirit,

or where shall I flee from Your presence?

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) If I ascend to heaven, You are there;

if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell at the end of the sea,

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) even there Your hand sh



[1] O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

[2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my

thought afar off.

[3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all

my ways.

[4] For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it

altogether.

[5] Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto

it.

[7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy

presence?

[8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

[9] If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of

the sea;

[10] Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.



When my sister found a storybook from our childhood, my mom, now in her

seventies, was delighted. She remembered all the funny details about a bear

who stole honey and got chased by a swarm of angry bees. She also remembered

how my sister and I laughed as we anticipated the bear's escape. "Thank you

for always telling us stories when we were kids," I told my mom. She knows my

whole story including what I was like as a young child. Now that I'm an adult,

she still knows and understands me.



God knows us too-deeper than any human being can, including ourselves. David

says He's "searched" us (Psalm 139:1). In His love, He's examined us and

understands us perfectly. God knows our thoughts, understanding the reasons

behind and meanings of what we say (vv. 2, 4). He's intimately familiar with

every detail that makes us who we are, and He uses this knowledge to help us

(vv. 2-5). He who knows us most doesn't turn away in distaste but reaches

out to us with His love and wisdom.



When we feel lonely, unseen, or forgotten, we can be secure in the truth that

God is always with us, sees us, and knows us (vv. 7-10). He knows all the

sides of us that others don't-and more. Like David, we can say with

confidence, "You know me . . . . Your hand will guide me, your right hand

will hold me fast" (vv. 1, 10).



By: Karen Huang



Reflect & Pray



How are you encouraged by a wise and loving God who knows you so intimately?

How can you share His loving presence with others?



Dear God, You know me best and love me most.

I'm so grateful for Your hand on my life.





3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 3 - The Promise of Completion



Philippians 1:6



6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you will perfect it

until the day of Jesus Christ.



6 being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun

a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:



"Elizabeth is a good student", the note on the side of the report card read,

"but she doesn't finish what she starts. She has a lot of good ideas, but

rarely brings then to completion."

Many of us are like Elizabeth. We start into a new venture with high hopes

and great motivation. But somewhere along the way, we become discouraged.

Someone tells us that our ideas are stupid, or that we are not capable of

doing what we dream. We get a particularly difficult hurdle and give up.

Sometimes we fell the Christian like is like that, too. We start well, and

believe that in Christ we can accomplish anything. But then our prayers

become rote, our Bible reading ritual. We can't seem to regain that sense

of God's presence; we have, we conclude, "Lost our first love." (Rev 2)

But God has a different perspective. He began the work of salvation in us;

he leads and guides us in his will, and he will complete what he has begun.

Often we fail to see God's grace in the ongoing process of walking with him

because his agenda is different from ours. We know what we want to see

happen in our lives; God knows what needs to happen.

"When I first came into a relationship with Christ," one woman explained,

"I knew I had a lot of changing to do. But, strangely enough, the things God

changed weren't on my list at all!"

When God begins his work in our lives, he has a plan for our maturity.

He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. And what God

has begun, he will finish.



Application



a) Have I ever tried to "decide" for God what problems in my life

needed dealing with?



b) Has God ever pointed out issues that were a surprise to me?



c) How can today's verse help me relax in God's will and

have confidence in the direction of my life?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



1 Tim 6:17-19



17 (Ro 11:20; 1Ti 4:10) Command those who are rich in this world that they

not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,

who richly gives us all things to enjoy.

18 (Ro 12:8; 12:13) Command that they do good, that they be rich

in good works, generous, willing to share,

19 (Lk 16:9; 1Ti 6:12) and laying up in store for themselves a good

foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.



17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,

nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly

all things to enjoy;

18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works,

ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time

to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.



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



God's Eternal Faithfulness



Ps 89:1 -8



PSALMS 89



A Contemplative Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.



1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

with my mouth I will make known

Your faithfulness to all generations.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For I have said,

"Mercy shall be built up forever;

Your faithfulness shall be

established in the heavens."

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have said,

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

I have sworn to David my servant:

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) 'Your offspring I will establish forever,

and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord;

Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) For who in the skies can

be compared to the Lord?

Who among the heavenly sons is like the Lord?

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) God is greatly to be feared

in the assembly of the holy ones

and awesome to all those who surround Him.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) O Lord God of Hosts,

who is a mighty Lord like You,

with Your faithfulness all around You?



1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:

With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever:

Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen,

I have sworn unto David my servant,

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever,

And build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD:

Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

6 For who in the heaven

Can be compared unto the LORD?

Who among the sons of the mighty

Can be likened unto the LORD?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,

And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee?

Or to thy faithfulness round about thee?



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 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far nothern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



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



3nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the province of Alberta as follows:

I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to

act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. (

1 Tim 2:1-4

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in

the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come

to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.

III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



b) Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin

and Canadian to faith in Christ.

( John 16:8 - When He comes, He will convict the world of sin

and of righteousness and of judgment:



8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness, and of judgment:



)



Advent Day 10



From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck



"My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered

time after time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast.

Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of

His presence? The incarnation is the supreme example; it leaves

all previous ideas of the Messiah in ruins. And most are 'offended'

by iconoclasm; and blessed are those who are not. But the same

thing happens in our private prayers" - C.S. Lewis

(read this and more in A Grief Observed, p.78)



Immanuel the Iconoclast



When Lewis wrote these words about iconoclasm, he was going through

a very difficult period of his life. His wife Joy Davidman had died recently.

God wasn't acting the way Lewis thought he should under those circumstances.

God didn't seem to be hearing his prayers, even though he was.

Likewise, everyone in 1st Century Judaism had an idea of what the Messiah

would look like when he came. Some thought of the Messiah as a conquering

king, but only few thought of him as a suffering servant. Pilate, too,

had an idea of the kind of leader Jesus was alleged to be when he asked,

"Are you king of the Jews?" (John 18:33) . That's when Jesus, the Iconoclast,

said, "My Kingdom is not of this world"

An iconoclast breaks the mold, ignores tradition, does things very

differently. Lewis calls God "the great iconoclast" because one of the

molds that Jesus broke was the kingdom mold. Pilate thought Jesus

was a political leader. and even some of Jesus' followers thought that

he had come to drive out the Roman occupiers and bring political

freedom to Israel. But Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this

world." Too often we think like Pilate, looking for political solutions

when we should be thinking of spiritual solutions.

What icons, images, or molds is God breaking in your life? What

expectations do you have that God does not seem to meet? Perhaps

that is his plan. It usually is.



God, give us patience to await your blessing and the faith to

believe that it is coming. Amen.



My kingdom is not of this world.

John 18:36



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



TUESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT



The Sign



For nothing will be impossible with God.



-Luke 1:37



Perhaps Mary still had confusions and fears.

Absolutely the angel's message quite overwhelmed her.

Knowingly, Gabriel

gave her a sign to reassure her that his message was trustworthy. Her

relative Elizabeth, in spite of her old age, was also expecting a child

and was six months along. Indeed, this sign was as much a miracle

as Mary would soon sustain.



The motif of this story is true for all of us:

"Nothing will be impossible with God." This statement is true for

so many of the biblical stories; we can read about God doing

all kinds of astounding things in the Scriptures. Martin Luther

said that Mary's acceptance of God's arrangement for her

was as much a miracle as for God to produce a child in a virgin.



How have we seen that nothing is impossible with God?

What miracles have happened in our lives or in the life of someone we know?

Are we bothered by the word miracles? Or shall we name them God's wonders?



prayer



Thank you, God, for your radiant creations! Amen.



Read Luke 1:30-37.



30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favour with God.

31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son

and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

And of His kingdom there will be no end."

34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.



From The AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



SECOND TUESDAY



AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AFFIRMATION!





May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.

so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:13



Did you know that it takes at least nine words of affirmation and

encouragement to overcome one word of criticism and hatred? How often

do you or your family or your congregation share encouraging words with

each other? when was the last time you said "Way to go!" to someone, or

gave a "You Done Good" award? Why is it that the deer and the antelope

seldom hear a discouraging word ... yet we hear them all the time?



Advent is a time for affirmation of other because we know gow life will

turn out- in the Lord! We can praise and thank and hug others because

the Lord is doing that each day to us - through his Word and sacraments,

and through others who hug and care for us. Hope in the Lord Jesus is to

know that even when there is no hope... there is hope in Chirst.



We Advent ambassadors abound in hope and affirmation because, as

St . Paul states, the Lord fills us "with all joy and peace in believing".

What a Christmas gift the Lord gives to us each day! And we do not even have

to wrap it before we give it to others!



Affirmation (aka, hope) means Hooray Opportunities Proclaiming Easter!

And why wait until Easter, or even Christmas for that matter?

Let us see how we can bring hope and affirmation to the people around us, right

now! The AH-HA of affirmation is contagious. Let's pray for an epidemic!



Lord, bring hope to us today so that we can bring hope to others in this

often hopeless world. We are firm in our faith in you. Help us

to be firm as we share love and hope with others, right now.



In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Romans 15:7-13



The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike



7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, for the

glory of God.

8 (Mt 15:24; 2Co 1:20) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to

the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made

to the patriarchs,

9 (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49) and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His

mercy, as it is written:

“For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,

and I will sing praises to Your name."(Ps 18:49.)

10 (Dt 32:43) He also says:

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"(Dt 32:43.)

11 (Ps 117:1) And again:

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;

let all the peoples praise Him." (Ps 117:1.)

12 (Isa 11:10; Mt 12:21) And again Isaiah says:

"There shall be a root of Jesse;

He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,

in Him shall the Gentiles hope." (Isa 11:10.)

13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy

Spirit.



From On Eagle's wings Day 3

Titled Looking to God’s Son

8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.



[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord

shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:8-9



I enjoyed looking out of the cabin window at the Retreat Centre on

Trappers Lake, for it gave me a full panoramic view of Mother

Earth's beauty. But that morning, only half of the lake could be

seen due to the dense fog. After being spellbound by the beauty,

my next thought was, "How are we going to be able to fly from

Yellowknife to Fort Providence with such limited visibility?" We

had hoped to fly in early enough on Sunday morning to be able to

invite the children to come to Bible Camp . A phone call informed

us that we would be delayed due to aviation problems, so Plan B

was put in place, which now meant a four-hour drive.

As we were waiting for our ride, I took the time to walk to the large

wooden cross placed on a rock ledge near the Center. Beautiful

evergreen trees lined the path to the cross. I could see that the

spiders had been busy, spinning many intricate webs between

branches. The beauty of the web, with a new dressing of fresh

morning dew, enhanced the beauty of the area. No Christmas tree

was ever decorated as exquisitely as the glistening spider webs with

their dew-drop prisms. The brilliance of the web could only be seen

when one looked towards the sun. It was symbolic for me of the

importance of being focused on God’s Son, Jesus Christ. May our

Advent season be focused on the Son of God and his gift of life to

each of us.

Dear God, please allow me to be open to the most precious gift

you have to offer. Your presence is in all of your creation and is

alive within me. May we live our lives looking to your Son.

Amen.



Written by June Benton, La Crescent, MN, 2000

On Eagle’s Wings Volunteer



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the spiritual battle around you and

for discernment.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, You know me best and love me most.

I'm so grateful for Your hand on my life."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will complete the work in you.



Pray to the Lord and pray for Him to guide your future.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the mercies of the Lord.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



- 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 for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin

and Canadian to faith in Christ.



Pray God, give us patience to await your blessing and the faith to

believe that it is coming. Amen.



Pray: Thank you, God, for your radiant creations! Amen



Pray: Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe

deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory

through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"

In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!



Dear God, please allow me to be open to the most precious gift

you have to offer. Your presence is in all of your creation and is

alive within me. May we live our lives looking to your Son.

Amen.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.

In *"The Time of the Doctor"*, the Eleventh Doctor faces his final challenge as he defends Trenzalore from a host of enemies, grappling with his mortality and the question of his regeneration limit. The episode delivers emotional resonance, tying up loose threads from Matt Smith's era while setting up a fresh chapter for the series. While ambitious, the pacing can feel uneven, and some plot elements are overly rushed. Smith’s farewell is heartfelt and deeply moving.



Overall, I’d rate it 85/100 for its emotional weight and significant character moments.

**Doctor Who: The Curse of the Black Spot (7/10)**



"The Curse of the Black Spot" is a pirate-themed adventure that takes the Doctor and Amy Pond to the 18th century. While it's a fun and lighthearted episode, it doesn't quite reach the same heights as some of the show's other historical adventures.



**Strengths:**



**Pirate Setting:** The pirate setting is visually appealing and provides opportunities for exciting action sequences.

**Amy Pond's Development:** Amy's character continues to grow and evolve, and her interactions with the Doctor are entertaining.

**A Touch of Humor:** The episode has some humorous moments, especially involving the Doctor's interactions with the pirate crew.



**Weaknesses:**



**Predictable Plot:** The plot is fairly straightforward and predictable, lacking the surprise twists and turns of some other episodes.

* **Underdeveloped Villain:** The villain, the Collector, is not particularly memorable or threatening.



Overall, "The Curse of the Black Spot" is a solid episode that offers a fun and entertaining adventure. While it may not be one of the most groundbreaking episodes of Doctor Who, it's still a worthwhile watch for fans of the show.

Day 337, 2 December 2022 -9th Day of Advent



1) 2 Corinthians 5 , 2 Corinthians 6 , 2 Corinthians 7 , 2 Corinthians 8,

2 Corinthians 9



2 Corinthians 5



1 (2Co 4:7; 2Pe 1:13-14) We know that if our earthly house, this tent,

were to be destroyed, we have an eternal building of God in the heavens,

a house not made with hands.

2 (Ro 8:23; 1Co 15:53-54) In this one we groan, earnestly desiring to be

sheltered with our house which is from heaven.

3 Thus being sheltered, we shall not be found unsheltered.

4 (1Co 15:53-54) For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened,

not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed,

so that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life.

5 (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22) Now He who has created us for this very thing is God,

who also has given to us the guarantee of the Spirit.

6 (Heb 11:13) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are

at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.

7 (1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:18) For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 Instead, I say that we are confident and willing to be absent from the body

and to be present with the Lord.

9 So whether present or absent, we labor that we may be accepted by Him.

10 (Mt 16:27; Ac 10:42) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of

Christ, that each one may receive his recompense in the body, according

to what he has done, whether it was good or bad.



[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,

we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the

heavens.

[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our

house which is from heaven:

[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

[4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for

that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be

swallowed up of life.

[5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath

given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home

in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,

and to be present with the Lord.

[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted

of him.

[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every

one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,

whether it be good or bad.



The Ministry of Reconciliation



11 (Heb 10:31; Jude 1:23) Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord,

we persuade men. But we are revealed to God, and I trust we are also

revealed in your consciences.

12 (2Co 1:14; 3:1) For we are not commending ourselves again to you.

Instead, we give you occasion to boast on our behalf, that you may

have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

13 (2Co 11:1; 11:16-17) If we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are

in our right mind, it is for you.

14 (Ro 5:15) For the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge:

that if one died for all, then all have died.

15 (Ro 14:7-9) And He died for all, that those who live should not from

now on live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 (Php 3:7-8) So from now on we do not regard anyone according to the flesh.

Yes, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we do not

regard Him as such from now on.

17 (Jn 3:3; Ro 16:7) Therefore, if any man is in Christ,

he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have

become new.

18 (Ro 5:10-11; 1Jn 2:2) All this is from God, who has reconciled us to

Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of

reconciliation,

19 (Isa 43:25; Mt 1:23) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world

to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the

message of reconciliation.

20 (2Co 6:1; Eph 6:20) So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God

were pleading through us. We implore you in Christ's stead: Be reconciled to

God.

21 (Ro 1:17; 1Co 1:30) God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we

might become the righteousness of God in Him.



[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are

made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your

consciences.

[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to

glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in

appearance, and not in heart.

[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be

sober, it is for your cause.

[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if

one died for all, then were all dead:

[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth

live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we

have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new.

[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus

Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not

imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of

reconciliation.

[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you

by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

[21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might

be made the righteousness of God in him.



2 Corinthians 6



1 (1Co 3:9; Heb 12:15) As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive

the grace of God in vain.

2 (Isa 49:8; Lk 4:19) For He says:

"In an acceptable time I have listened to you,

and in the day of salvation I have helped you." (Isa 49:8.)

Look, now is the accepted time; look, now is the day of salvation.

3 (1Co 9:12; Ro 14:13) We give no offense in anything, that our service may

not be blamed.

4 (1Co 3:5; 2Co 3:6) But in all things we commend ourselves as servants

of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress,

5 (2Co 11:23-25; Ac 17:5) in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors,

in sleeplessness, and in hunger;

6 (Ro 12:9; 2Co 11:6) by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness,

by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,

7 (2Co 4:2; Eph 1:13) by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour

of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 (Mt 27:63; Ro 3:8) by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report;

as deceivers, and yet true;

9 (Ro 8:36; 1Co 4:9) as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we

live; as punished, but not killed;

10 (Jn 16:22; 2Co 8:9) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making

many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 (Ps 119:32; 2Co 12:15) O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you;

our heart is opened wide.

12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own

affections.

13 In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.



[1] We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive

not the grace of God in vain.

[2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of

salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold,

now is the day of salvation.)

[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much

patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in

fastings;

[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy

Ghost, by love unfeigned,

[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of

righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

[8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers,

and yet true;

[9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as

chastened, and not killed;

[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as

having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

[11] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

[12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

[13] Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye

also enlarged.



The Temple of the Living God



14 (1Co 5:9; 7:39) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.

For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?

What communion has light with darkness?

15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes

with an unbeliever?

16 (Lev 26:12; Ex 29:45) What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

"I will live in them

and walk in them.

I will be their God,

and they shall be My people."(Lev 26:12; Jer 32:38; Eze 37:27.)

17 (Isa 52:11; Rev 18:4) Therefore,

"Come out from among them

and be separate,

says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

and I will receive you." (Jer 9:24.)

18 (Isa 43:6; Jer 31:9) "I will be a Father to you,

and you shall be My sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty." (2Sa 7:14.)



[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what

fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath

light with darkness?

[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that

believeth with an infidel?

[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the

temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk

in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.



2 Corinthians 7



1 (Pr 8:13; 2Co 6:17-18) Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse

ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.



[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse

ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness

in the fear of God.



Paul's Joy at the Church's Repentance



2 (Ac 20:33) Accept us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one,

and we have defrauded no one.

3 (2Co 6:11-12) I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before

that you are in our hearts, so that we would die or live with you.

4 (2Co 1:4; 3:12) Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is

my boasting of you. I am filled with comfort, and I am exceedingly joyful

in all our tribulation.

5 (Dt 32:25; 2Co 2:13) For when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest,

and we were troubled on every side. On the outside were conflicts; on the

inside were fears.

6 (2Co 1:3-4; 7:13) Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us

through the coming of Titus,

7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was

comforted in you, when he told us about your sincere desire, your mourning,

and your zeal toward me, so that I rejoiced even more.

8 Though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it, though

I did regret it. For I perceive that this same letter has caused you sorrow,

though only for a while.

9 (Ac 20:21) Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that your

sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorrowful in a godly way, that

you might not suffer loss in any way through us.

10 (Ac 11:18; 2Sa 12:13) Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads

to salvation and brings no regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

11 (2Co 7:7) For observe this very thing, which you sorrowed in a godly way:

What carefulness it produced in you, what vindication of yourselves, what

indignation, what fear, what intense desire, what zeal, what avenging

of wrong! In all things you have proven yourselves to be innocent in this

matter.

12 (2Co 2:9) So though I wrote to you, I did it not because of him who had

done the wrong, nor because of him who suffered wrong, but that our care

for you in the sight of God might be evident to you.

13 (2Co 7:6; Ro 15:32) Therefore we were comforted in your comfort.

Yes, and we were exceedingly the more joyful for the sake of Titus,

because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 (2Co 7:4; 8:24) So I am not ashamed if I have boasted of anything to him

regarding you. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even our boasting

in the presence of Titus is found to be true.

15 (Php 2:12; 2Co 2:9) Now his affection abounds all the more toward you, as

he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you

received him.

16 (2Co 2:3) Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.



[2] Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have

defrauded no man.

[3] I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in

our hearts to die and live with you.

[4] Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you:

I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

[5] For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we

were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

[6] Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us

by the coming of Titus;

[7] And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was

comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your

fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

[8] For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did

repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it

were but for a season.

[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to

repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might

receive damage by us in nothing.

[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

[11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,

what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea,

what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal,

yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in

this matter.

[12] Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had

done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for

you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

[13] Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the

more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you

all.

[14] For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as

we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made

before Titus, is found a truth.

[15] And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he

remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye

received him.

[16] I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.



2 Corinthians 8



Liberal Giving



1 (Ac 16:9) Moreover, brothers, we want you to experience the grace of God

bestowed on the churches of Macedonia,

2 how in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their

deep poverty overflowed toward the riches of their generous giving.

3 (1Co 16:2) For I bear record that according to their means,

and beyond their means, they freely gave,

4 (Ac 24:17; 1Co 16:3-4) begging us with much urgency that we would receive

the gift and the fellowship of ministering to the saints.

5 This they did, not as we expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord,

and then to us by the will of God.

6 (2Co 12:18; 8:4) So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also

complete this gracious deed for you.

7 (2Co 9:8; 1Co 1:5; Ro 15:14) But as you abound in everything-in faith, in

utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to

us-see that you abound in this grace also.

8 (1Co 7:6) I say this not as a command, but to prove through the authenticity

of others, the sincerity also of your love.

9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that through His

poverty you might be rich.

10 (1Co 7:25; 2Co 9:2) And in this matter I give my advice. It is appropriate

for you, who began last year not only to give, but also to willingly give.

11 Now therefore complete the task, so that, as there was a willingness to do

so, there may be a performance of it according to your means.

12 (2Co 9:7) For if there is a willing mind first, the gift is accepted

according to what a man possesses and not according to what he does not

possess.

13 I do not mean that other men have relief, and you be burdened,

14 (2Co 9:12; Ac 4:34_ but for equality, that your abundance now at this time

may supply their need, and their abundance may supply your need-that there

may be equality.

15 (Ex 16:18) As it is written, "He who gathered much had no excess. And he

who gathered little had no lack."(Ex 16:18.)

16 (Rev 17:17) But thanks be to God, who placed the same sincere care

in the heart of Titus for you.

17 (2Co 8:6) For indeed he accepted the exhortation. But being more zealous,

he went to you of his own accord.

18 (2Co 12:18; 1Co 7:17) And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is

in the gospel throughout all the churches.

19 (1Co 16:3-4; 2Co 4:15) And not only that, but he was also chosen

by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which we administer

to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your willing mind,

20 to prevent any man from blaming us in administering this abundant gift,

21 (Ro 12:17; 14:18) providing for honest things, not only in the sight

of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

22 Furthermore, we have sent with them our brother whom we have frequently

proved diligent in many things, but now is much more diligent,

due to the great confidence which he has in you.

23 (Php 2:25; Phm 1:17; 2Co 8:6) If anyone inquires about Titus,

he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you.

Or if our brothers are inquired about, they are the messengers

of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24 (2Co 7:14; 7:4) Therefore show to them, and before the churches,

the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.



[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the

churches of Macedonia;

[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and

their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were

willing of themselves;

[4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take

upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to

the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also

finish in you the same grace also.

[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and

knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound

in this grace also.

[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of

others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was

rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might

be rich.

[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have

begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to

will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that

a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a

supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your

want: that there may be equality:

[15] As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he

that had gathered little had no lack.

[16] But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of

Titus for you.

[17] For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his

own accord he went unto you.

[18] And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel

throughout all the churches;

[19] And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel

with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the

same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

[20] Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is

administered by us:

[21] Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but

also in the sight of men.

[22] And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved

diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great

confidence which I have in you.

[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper

concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of

the churches, and the glory of Christ.

[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your

love, and of our boasting on your behalf.



2 Corinthians 9



The Offering for the Saints



1 It is redundant for me to write to you concerning the ministry

to the saints.

2 (2Co 8:10; 8:8; 8:24) I know your willingness, for which I boast

of you to those in Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago,

and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

3 (2Co 8:6) Yet I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting of you might

be in vain in this case, that, as I said, you may be ready;

4 and lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared,

we (not to mention you) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

5 (Ge 33:11; 1Sa 25:27) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the

brothers to go ahead to you and arrange beforehand your bountiful gift you

previously promised, that it might be prepared as a gift, not as a matter of

greed.

6 (Pr 22:9; Lk 6:38) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 (Ex 25:2; 2Co 8:12) Let every man give according to the purposes

in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful

giver.

8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you,

always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work.

9 (Ps 112:9) As it is written:

"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;

His righteousness remains forever."(Ps 112:9.)

10 (Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12) Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies

bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits

of your righteousness.

11 (2Co 1:11; 1Co 1:5) So you will be enriched in everything to all

bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need

of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God.

13 (Mt 5:16) Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry,

they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ

and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others.

14 And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing

grace of God in you.

15 (2Co 2:14; Jn 3:16) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.



[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me

to write to you:

[2] For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to

them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath

provoked very many.

[3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain

in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

[4] Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared,

we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

[5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would

go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had

notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not

as of covetousness.

[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and

he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not

grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always

having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.

[10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your

food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your

righteousness;)

[11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth

through us thanksgiving to God.

[12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of

the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

[13] Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your

professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal

distribution unto them, and unto all men;

[14] And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding

grace of God in you.

[15] Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.



2) Our Daily Bread for 2 December 2024 titled



Shadow and God's Light



Acts 11:19-26



The Church in Antioch



19 (Ac 4:36; 15:3) Now those who were scattered by the persecution

that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,

preaching the word to no one except Jews.

20 (Mt 27:32; Ac 13:1) Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene,

who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists,

preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 (Lk 1:66; Ac 2:47) The hand of the Lord was with them,

and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of these things came to the ears of the church which was

in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23 (Ac 13:43; 14:22) When he arrived and saw the grace of God,

he rejoiced and exhorted them all to remain with the Lord with a loyal heart.

24 (Ac 5:14; 11:21) For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit

and of faith. And many people were added to the Lord.

25 (Ac 9:11; 9:30) Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.

26 (Ac 26:28; 1Pe 4:16) When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

For a whole year they met with the church and taught a considerable crowd.

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.



[19] Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose

about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch,

preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

[20] And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were

come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

[21] And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed,

and turned unto the Lord.

[22] Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was

in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as

Antioch.

[23] Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and

exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the

Lord.

[24] For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and

much people was added unto the Lord.

[25] Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

[26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to

pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and

taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.



"Sheer encouragement." That was the phrase J. R. R. Tolkien used to describe

the personal support his friend and colleague C. S. Lewis gave him as he wrote

the epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien's work on the series had been

painstaking and exacting, and he'd personally typed out the lengthy

manuscripts more than twice. When he sent them to Lewis, Lewis responded,

"All the long years you have spent on it are justified."



Perhaps Scripture's best-known encourager was Joseph from Cyprus, better

known as Barnabas (meaning "son of encouragement"), the name the apostles gave

him (Acts 4:36). It was Barnabas who advocated

for Paul to the apostles (9:27). Later, when non-Jewish believers began

to place their faith in Jesus, Luke tells us Barnabas "was glad and encouraged

them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts" (11:23). Luke

describes him as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith," adding that

because of him, "a great number of people were brought to the Lord" (v. 24).



The worth of encouraging words can't be measured. As we offer words of faith

and love to others, God-who gives "eternal encouragement"

(2 Thessalonians 2:16)-may move through what we share to transform someone's l

ife forever. May He help us to offer "sheer encouragement" to someone today!



By: James Banks



Reflect & Pray



Who would you like to encourage?

In what ways might you share God's love with them through a kind deed or word?



Dear God, please help me to be an encouragement to someone today.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



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



Romans 8:28-29



28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for

good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.

29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew,

He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,

so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.



28 And we know that all things work together for good to them

that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed

to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.



A baby dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and the parents are

devastated, plagued with guilt, and Asking "Why?" A 17-year-old plunges

headfirst into a pond and to the surface a quadriplegic. A single mother

of 3, struck down by leukemia, has to release he children to foster homes.

And in all these cases, well-meaning Christians stand by and attempt to

comfort: "All things work together for good, you know," they say blithely,

"just trust God, and praise him for everything."

Such pat answers are often repeated because they do contain an element

of truth; they become "pat", meaningless, and superficial, when they are

used as a panacea for all ills, whether the cure fits or not.

The truth is, God does use everything for the benefit of his people -

even disaster and tragedy. Romans 8:28 says, "In all things God works ...."

God foes not cause human suffering. He is not the author of pain

and misery. But what the Enemy of our souls intends for

destruction, God can use for growth.

The key to understanding Romans 8:28 is Romans 8:29 . The Lord makes

clear what "his purpose" is: that we be "conformed to the

likeness of his Son." Everything that happens is not good,

but nothing is wasted in the economy of God. Even the sorrow,

misfortune, and calamity that strike all of us cam be used by the Spirit

to transform us into the image of Christ.



Application



a) Have I ever had experiences that made me doubt the

"all things work together for good"?



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



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

own life?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



1 Cor 13:3



3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,

and if I give my body to be burned,

and have not love, it profits me nothing.



3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,

and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,

it profiteth me nothing.



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



God's Inexhaustible Strength



Ps 18:30-34



30 As for God, His way has integrity;

the word of the Lord is proven;

He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.

31 For who is God except the Lord?

Or who is a rock besides our God?

32 It is God who clothes me with strength,

and gives my way integrity.

33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

and causes me to stand on my high places.

34 He trains my hands for war,

so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.



30 As for God, his way is perfect:

The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

31 For who is God save the LORD?

Or who is a rock save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength,

And maketh my way perfect.

33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet,

And setteth me upon my high places.

34 He teacheth my hands to war,

So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.



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 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for MUslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facity, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far notherern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



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



2nd Day of the Month



a) Pray for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all Canadians (

Rom 10:14-15 -

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not

believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 I And how shall they preach

unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of

those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good

things!"



[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how

shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they

hear without a preacher?

[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How

beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring

glad tidings of good things!



)



b) Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God's heart for vision,wisdom

and direction. (

Jer 33:3

- Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you

great and mighty things which you do not know.



3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee

great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.



)



Advent Day 9



From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck



"'When this rich thing goeth about the Round Table shall be

destroyed'--but also redeemed. Judgment is at hand, promise

of judgment and threat of judgment. . ..It is the same sort of

ambivalence which Christians have been taught to recognize in

the season of Advent."

(From The Arthurian Torso, by C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, p. 157.)



The Day of the Lord



The last devotion spoke about the quest for the Holy Grail beginning

in Advent. In this devotion, we remember both the Good News

and the Bad News of the coming of the Christ. He came that we

might have life; that's the Good News. But he had to come because

we had chosen sin and death; that's the Bad News. Lewis, too. writes

of redemption and judgment. The "rich thing" that goes about the

Round Table of King Arthur is the much-sought Holy Grail. But its

presence will destroy the Round Table.

Our Scripture quotation also speaks of the redemption and

judgment in the coming day of the Lord . That day is near, the

prophet Joel writes. But that day will have a different message for

different people. For the people of God, the day of the LORD is a day

of deliverance. For the enemies of God, the day of the LORD is a day

of judgment. That's both good news and bad news, both law and

gospel. The truth is that we need to hear both messages. It's not that

good news is for good people and bad news for bad people. There

are no truly good people.

Actually, the day of the LoRD is any day when God's plan of salvation

takes a significant step forward. The final day of the Lord will

be the great Day of Judgment. Days of the Lord long-past include

the Babylonian Exile of Israel, the Day of Pentecost, and especially

the birth of Jesus. On those days, God's plan of salvation took an

important step forward. The coming of the Messiah was hastened,

and we are the beneficiaries.



Prayer: Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,

and light, of the world. Amen.



14 (Isa 34:2-8; Joel 1:15) Multitudes, multitudes,

in the valley of decision!

For the day of the Lord is near

in the valley of the decision.



Joel 3:14



From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn



MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT



The Question of Virginity





34 Then Mary said to the angel,

"How can this be, since I do not know a man?"



-Luke 1:34



For Mary it was a question of procedure: should she marry Joseph,

her fiance so they could have this child? But for

most people today, the question is of biblical truth:

children aren't born of virgins!



Gabriel's answer leaves us with mystery: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will

overshadow you ... " (Luke 1:35).

In other words, this is utterly the work of God.

Consequently, the child will be perfect, unmarred by human sin,

and will be called not the son of human beings, but the Son of God.



My redaction criticism teacher in graduate school

considered this text in wonder.

The Hebrew word in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14

can be translated "young maiden"

(either married or not) or "virgin," but Matthew 1:23 renders it "virgin."

Thus, he said, the texts are all consistent;

we must accept that Mary was a virgin.

Hallelujah! It was a miracle!



prayer



0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus

in Mary's womb! Amen.





Read Luke 1:26-35.



The Birth of Jesus Foretold



26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favuored.

The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."

29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered

in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favour with God.

31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son

and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

And of His kingdom there will be no end."

34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.



From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler



AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ALLELUIA!



1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot

from the stump of Jesse,

and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.



ISAIAH 11:1



Alleluia is another word for AH-HA! And how about other alleluia words

like hooray arid wow and even you betcha?

Today's Scripture focuses on the AH-HAs and alleluias that we celebrate

daily, even in the midst of our UH-OHs and ouches. Life is certainly not a

bowl of cherries. But the message of Advent. Christmas, Lent and Easter is

that the Lord has removed the power of the "pits" of sin in our lives so that

we can live as alleluia people!

Check out Isaiah 11:"As hoot will come from the stump of Jesse; a branch

shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." That's

Jesus! That's the reason for the alleluias and the AH-HAs, even in the

midst of our UH-OHs. Verse 6 says the wolf shall live with the lamb. Can

you imagine that? A professor explained once why pictures of a wolf and

lamb lying down together always appeared to be morning photos. He said

it was because every morning the photographers would have to bring in

a new lamb! Not so. at least to us alleluia people! ln a world where even

carpenters are resurrected. everything is possible!



Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe

deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory

through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"

In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!



Read Isaiah 11:1-10



1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot

from the stump of Jesse,

and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

2 (Isa 61:1; Mt 3:16; Isa 42:1) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

3 (Jn 7:24) He shall delight in the fear of the Lord,

and he shall not judge by what his eyes see,

nor reprove by what his ears hear;

4 (Mal 4:6; Job 4:9; Ps 2:9) but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

and reprove with fairness for the meek of the earth.

He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

5 (Eph 6:14; Isa 25:1) Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins,

and faithfulness the belt about his waist.

6 (Isa 65:25; Hos 2:18) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

and a little child shall lead them.

7 The cow and the bear shall graze;

their young ones shall lie down together;

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 The nursing child shall play by the hole of the asp,

and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.

9 (Hab 2:14; Job 5:23) They shall not hurt or destroy

in all My holy mountain,

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,

as the waters cover the sea.

10 (Isa 11:1; Lk 2:32) In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,

who shall stand as a banner to the peoples. For him shall the nations seek.

And his rest shall be glorious.



From On Eagle's wings Day 2



Monday, December 2

Tidings of Great Joy

7 (Isa 40:9; Na 1:15; Ps 93:1) How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who proclaims peace,

who brings good news of happiness,

who proclaims salvation,

who says to Zion,

"Your God reigns!"



[7] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good

tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that

publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!



Isaiah 52:7



We all saw the great light. We were those walking in darkness, who

encountered the great light that shone upon us. We felt the warmth,

we saw the hope, and we tasted the light in our mouths.

How? By those who brought the Good News through their

relentless trudging of hills and valleys, frozen lakes, snowy prairies,

and rocky tundra. They came with generous hands and tireless feet,

but most importantly, with giant hearts. They came to meet us

where we are. They piqued our interest and invited us to come and

hear good tidings of great joy.



And today they still come. Their hearts filled with the living water

that flows from the rock of Jesus Christ. They give their time and

energy to help others flourish. They share abundantly with others, to

local volunteers and supporters, to the church, the community, and

especially to the children’s beautiful souls. On Eagle's Wings

volunteers make known of the One who reigns forever.



Dear God, thank you for sending people who reflect your love

into our lives. May we be empowered by your Spirit to go and

share the Good News of your coming to earth. May we reflect

your love to others this Christmas, and throughout the year.

Amen.



Written by Grace Park, Toronto, ON, 2023

On Eagle's Wings Volunteer



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a minister of reconciliation and a joyful

giver in His will.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to be an encouragement

to someone today."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know how all things work for His Good.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be loving and charitable in Him.



Pray to the Lord and pray tto ask Him for strength.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



- 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 for the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all



Pray that Christian Leaders would seek God's heart for vision,

wisdom and direction.



Pray Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,

and light, of the world. Amen.



Pray: O Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus

in Mary's womb! Amen..



Pray: Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe

deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory

through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"

In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!



Dear God, thank you for sending people who reflect your love

into our lives. May we be empowered by your Spirit to go and

share the Good News of your coming to earth. May we reflect

your love to others this Christmas, and throughout the year.

Amen.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.

In *"The Day of the Doctor"*, the Eleventh and Tenth Doctors team up with the War Doctor during the Time War to confront the moment that shaped the Doctor’s identity. The episode is a celebration of the series' legacy, filled with humor, emotional depth, and clever nods to its history. Strong performances, particularly by Matt Smith, David Tennant, and John Hurt, drive the narrative. The conclusion offers a hopeful twist, reshaping the Doctor's path.



Overall, I’d rate it 95/100 for its epic scale and heartfelt homage to the series.

**Doctor Who: Day of the Moon (8/10)**



"Day of the Moon" is the second part of a two-part story that continues the exploration of the mysterious figure, River Song. This episode delves deeper into the Doctor's past and the nature of time itself.



**Key Strengths:**



**The Silence:** The Silence, a terrifying alien race with the ability to erase memories, is a truly chilling addition to the Doctor Who universe.

**The Doctor's Past:** The episode reveals more about the Doctor's past and his connection to River Song.

**The Emotional Impact:** The emotional weight of the Doctor's choices and the sacrifices he makes is palpable.



**Potential Weaknesses:**



**Complex Plot:** The time-travel paradoxes and the intricate web of relationships between the characters can be confusing for some viewers.



Overall, "Day of the Moon" is a thrilling and thought-provoking episode that expands the Doctor Who universe. The Silence are a truly terrifying villain, and the episode's exploration of time and memory is both fascinating and frightening.

Day 336, 1 December 2024 - 8th Day of Advent



Today at Calvary Community

Church, Jodran Regier spoke on Freedom to Love



Galatians 5:13-26



Christian Freedom



13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.

Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 (Lev 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:18-19) For the entire law is fulfilled

in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

(Lev 19:18.)

15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that

you are not consumed by one another.



[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love

thy neighbour as thyself.

[15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not

consumed one of another.



Spiritual Fruit and Fleshly Works



16 (Eph 2:3; Ro 8:4-5) I say then, walk in the Spirit,

and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17 (Ro 8:5-8; 8:13) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh. These are in opposition

to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18 (Ro 8:14) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 (Mt 15:18-19; 1Co 3:3) Now the works of the flesh are revealed,

which are these: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy,

rage, selfishness, dissensions, heresies,

21 (Ro 13:13; 1Co 6:9-10) envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing,

and the like. I warn you, as I previously warned you,

that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 (Eph 5:9; Ro 7:4) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 (Ac 24:25; 1Ti 1:9) meekness, and self-control; against

such there is no law.

24 (Ro 6:6; Gal 6:14) Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh

with its passions and lusts.



[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust

of the flesh.

[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the

flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the

things that ye would.

[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,

fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,

seditions, heresies,

[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which

I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do

such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

[24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections

and lusts.



Galatians 5:13



13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.

Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.



[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.



Question : What do we do with this new found freedom?



13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.

Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 (Lev 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:18-19) For the entire law is fulfilled

in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

(Lev 19:18.)



[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love

thy neighbour as thyself.



Answer: Love your neighbour



So What is Love?



Matthew 22:35-40



The Great Commandment

Mk 12:28-34; Lk 10:25-28



35 (Lk 7:30; 14:3) One of them, who was a lawyer, tested Him by asking Him,

36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

37 (Dt 6:5; Lk 10:27) Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'(Dt 6:5.)

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 (Lev 19:18; Mt 19:19; Gal 5:14) And the second is like it:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (Lev 19:18.)

40 (Mt 7:12) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."



[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting

him, and saying,

[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy

heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

[38] This is the first and great commandment.

[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as

thyself.

[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.



Romans 13:8-10



Brotherly Love



8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 (Lev 19:18; Mt 19:18-19; Ex 20:12-17) For the commandments,

"You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal,

You shall not give false testimony, You shall not covet,"

(Ex 20:13-15, 17; Dt 5:17-19, 21.) and if there are any other commandments,

are summed up in this saying,

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."(Ps 18:49.)

10 (Ro 13:8) Love works no evil to a neighbor. Therefore love is

the fulfillment of the law.



[8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth

another hath fulfilled the law.

[9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou

shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;

and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this

saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling

of the law.



1 John 3:16-19



16 (Php 2:17; Jn 3:16) By this we know the love of God: that He laid down

His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 (1Jn 4:20; Heb 13:16) Whoever has the world's goods and sees

his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him,

how can the love of God remain in him?

18 (1Jn 2:1; Ro 12:9) My little children, let us love not in word

and speech, but in action and truth.



[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for

us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

[17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and

shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in

deed and in truth.



Confidence Before God



19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall reassure our hearts

before Him.



[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our

hearts before him.



Galatians 3:15



15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that

you are not consumed by one another.



[15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not

consumed one of another.



Matthew 5:43-48



Love for Enemies

Lk 6:27-28, 32-36



43 (Lev 19:18; Dt 23:6) "You have heard that it was said,

'You shall love your neighbor [Lev 19:18.] and hate your enemy.'

44 (Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60) But I say to you, love your enemies,

bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,

and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45 (Mt 5:9; Lk 6:35) that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good

and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 (Mt 5:20) And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing

more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

48 (Lev 19:2; Col 1:28) Therefore be perfect, even as your Father

who is in heaven is perfect.



[43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

and hate thine enemy.

[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do

good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he

maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the

just and on the unjust.

[46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even

the publicans the same?

[47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do

not even the publicans so?

[48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is

perfect.



How Do we love this way?



1 John 4:16-19



16 (1Jn 3:24; 3:1) And we have come to know and to believe the love

that God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us, so that we may

have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we

in this world.

18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out

fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect

in love.

19 (1Jn 4:10; Lk 7:47) We love Him because He first loved us.



[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is

love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day

of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because

fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

[19] We love him, because he first loved us.



Galatians 5:22-23



22 (Eph 5:9; Ro 7:4) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 (Ac 24:25; 1Ti 1:9) meekness, and self-control; against

such there is no law.



[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.



John 13:34-35



34 (Lev 19:18; Eph 5:2) "A new commandment I give to you,

that you love one another, even as I have loved you,

that you also love one another.

35 (Jn 17:21) By this all men will know that you are My disciples,

if you have love for one another."



[34] The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ

abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who

is this Son of man?

[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that

walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.



Matthew 25:34-40



34 (Jas 2:5; Lk 12:32) "Then the King will say to those at His right hand,

'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you

since the foundation of the world.

35 (Eze 18:7; 18:16) For I was hungry and you gave Me food,

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in.

36 (Jas 1:27; Heb 10:34) I was naked and you clothed Me,

I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry

and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?'

40 (Mt 10:42; Pr 19:17) "The King will answer, 'Truly I say to you,

as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine,

you have done it for Me.'



[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed

of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of

the world:

[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave

me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in

prison, and ye came unto me.

[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an

hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed

thee?

[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye

have done it unto me.



1 John 3:16-19



16 (Php 2:17; Jn 3:16) By this we know the love of God: that He laid down

His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 (1Jn 4:20; Heb 13:16) Whoever has the world's goods and sees

his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him,

how can the love of God remain in him?

18 (1Jn 2:1; Ro 12:9) My little children, let us love not in word

and speech, but in action and truth.



[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for

us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

[17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and

shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in

deed and in truth.



Confidence Before God



19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall reassure our hearts

before Him.



[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our

hearts before him.



1) 2 Corinthians 1 , 2 Corinthians 2 , 2 Corinthians 3 , 2 Corinthians 4



2 Corinthians 1



Salutation



1 (Eph 1:1; 2Ti 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ

by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth,

with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 (Ro 1:7) Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.



[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our

brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints

which are in all Achaia:

[2] Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus

Christ.



Paul's Thanksgiving After Affliction



3 (Eph 1:3; 1Pe 1:3; Ro 15:5-6) Blessed be God, the Father

of our Lord ­Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort,

4 (Isa 51:12; 2Co 7:6-7) who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble

by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 (Col 1:24; Php 3:10) As the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

6 (2Ti 2:10) If we are afflicted, it is for your consolation

and salvation, which is effective in enduring the same

sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted,

it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that as you partake

in the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

8 (1Co 15:32) For we would not, brothers, have you ignorant

of our troubles which came to us in Asia. We were pressured

beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even

of life.

9 (Lk 18:9) We had the sentence of death in ourselves,

so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God

who raises the dead.

10 (Ro 15:31) He delivered us from so great a death

and does deliver us. In Him we trust that He will

still deliver us,

11 (2Co 4:15; Php 1:19) as you help together by praying

for us, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf

for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many persons.



[3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of

mercies, and the God of all comfort;

[4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort

them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are

comforted of God.

[5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also

aboundeth by Christ.

[6] And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation,

which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also

suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and

salvation.

[7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of

the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

[8] For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came

to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch

that we despaired even of life:

[9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust

in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

[10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we

trust that he will yet deliver us;

[11] Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed

upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our

behalf.



Paul's Travel Plans Change



12 (2Co 2:17; 1Co 2:13) For our rejoicing is this:

The testimony of our conscience is that we conducted

ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you,

in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God.

13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read

or understand. And I trust you will understand even to the end,

14 (1Co 1:8; 2Co 2:5) as you have understood us in part,

that we are yours, boasting even as you are ours

on the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 (Ro 1:11; 1Co 4:19) In this confidence I planned

to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit:

16 (1Co 16:5-7) to visit you while going to Macedonia,

and to come again to you from Macedonia, and then be sent by you

on my way to Judea.

17 (2Co 10:2-3) Therefore, when I was planning this,

did I do this lightly? Or the things that I plan,

do I plan according to the flesh, so that I would tell you

"Yes, yes" and "No, no"?

18 (1Co 1:9) But as God is true, we did not tell you "Yes" and "No."

19 (Heb 13:8; Ac 18:5) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,

who was preached among you by us, even by Silas, Timothy,

and me, was not "Yes" and "No." In Him it was "Yes."

20 (Rev 3:14; 1Co 14:16) For all the promises of God

in Him are "Yes," and in Him "Amen," to the glory of God through us.

21 (1Jn 2:20; 2:27) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ

and has anointed us is God,

22 (2Co 5:5; Eph 1:13-14) who also has sealed us

and established the guarantee with the Spirit in our hearts.

23 (Ro 1:9; 1Co 4:21) Moreover I call God as a witness

upon my soul, that it is to spare you that

I have not yet gone to Corinth.

24 (Ro 11:20; 1Co 15:1) Not that we have dominion over your faith,

but we are fellow workers for your joy, for by faith you stand.



[12] For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in

simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of

God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to

you-ward.

[13] For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or

acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

[14] As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing,

even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

[15] And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye

might have a second benefit;

[16] And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia

unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

[17] When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things

that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there

should be yea yea, and nay nay?

[18] But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

[19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us,

even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was

yea.

[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the

glory of God by us.

[21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us,

is God;

[22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our

hearts.

[23] Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came

not as yet unto Corinth.

[24] Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your

joy: for by faith ye stand.



2 Corinthians 2



1 (2Co 1:23; 1Co 4:21) But I determined this for myself,

that I would not come again to you in sorrow.

2 (2Co 7:8) For if I make you sorrowful, who then will there be

to make me rejoice, but the one whom I have made sorrowful?

3 (Gal 5:10; 2Co 8:22) I wrote concerning this matter to you,

so that when I came, I would not be grieved by those in whom

I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all,

that my joy is your joy.

4 (2Co 7:12) For out of much affliction and anguish of heart

I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be grieved,

but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly for you.



[1] But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in

heaviness.

[2] For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the

same which is made sorry by me?

[3] And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow

from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my

joy is the joy of you all.

[4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with

many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love

which I have more abundantly unto you.



Forgiveness for the Offender



5 (Gal 4:12) But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me,

but to some extent all of you, not to put it too severely.

6 (1Co 5:4-5)This punishment which was inflicted by many

on such a man is sufficient.

7 (Eph 4:32) So on the contrary, you ought to forgive him

and comfort him, lest perhaps he might be swallowed up

with excessive sorrow.

8 Therefore I ask you to confirm your love toward him.

9 (2Co 10:6; Php 2:22) For to this end I also wrote,

so that I might know that you are proving yourselves

by whether you are being obedient in all things.

10 (1Co 5:4) Whomever you forgive anything, I also forgive.

For if I forgave someone anything, for your sakes I forgave

it in Christ,

11 (1Pe 5:8; Lk 22:31) lest Satan should take advantage of us.

For we are not ignorant of his devices.



[5] But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that

I may not overcharge you all.

[6] Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of

many.

[7] So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him,

lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

[8] Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

[9] For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you,

whether ye be obedient in all things.

[10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any

thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of

Christ;

[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of

his devices.



Paul's Anxiety in Troas



12 (Ac 14:27; 16:8) Furthermore, when I came to Troas

to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

13 (2Co 7:5-6; 12:18) I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find

Titus my brother. So taking my leave of them, I went from there

into Macedonia.

14 (SS 1:3; 2Co 8:16) Now thanks be to God who always causes

us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance

of His knowledge in every place.

15 (1Co 1:18; Eze 20:41) For we are to God a sweet fragrance

of Christ among those who are saved and among those who perish.

16 (Lk 2:34; Jn 9:39) To the one we are the fragrance of death,

which brings death, and to the other the fragrance of life,

which brings life. Who is sufficient for these things?

17 (2Co 4:2; 1:12) For we are not as many are who peddle

the word of God. Instead, being sent by God, we sincerely speak

in Christ in the sight of God.



[12] Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door

was opened unto me of the Lord,

[13] I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but

taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

[14] Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,

and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

[15] For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved,

and in them that perish:

[16] To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the

savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

[17] For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of

sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.



2 Corinthians 3



Ministers of the New Covenant



1 (Ac 18:27; 2Co 5:12) Do we begin again to commend ourselves?

Or do we need, as some others, letters of commendation to you,

or letters of commendation from you?

2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all men.

3 (Ex 24:12; Jer 31:33) For you are prominently declared to be

the letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink

but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone

but on human tablets of the heart.

4 (Eph 3:12) We have such trust through Christ toward God,

5 (1Co 15:10) not that we are sufficient in ourselves to take credit

for anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

6 (Lk 22:20; Jn 6:63) who has made us able ministers of the new covenant,

not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills,

but the Spirit gives life.

7 (Ex 24:12; 31:18) If the ministry that brought death, written

and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel

could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory

of his countenance, the glory which was to fade away,

8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

9 (Heb 12:18-21; Ro 3:21-22) For if the ministry of condemnation

is glorious, the ministry of righteousness much more exceeds

it in glory.

10 Even that which was made glorious had no glory in comparison

to the glory that excels.

11 For if that which fades was glorious, that which remains

is much more glorious.

12 (2Co 7:4; Ac 4:13) Seeing then that we have such hope,

we speak with great boldness,

13 (Ex 34:33-35; 2Co 3:7) not as Moses, who put a veil over his face,

so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end

of what was fading away.

14 (Ac 13:15; Ro 11:25) Instead, their minds were blinded.

For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the

reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away

with in Christ.

15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts.

16 (Ex 34:34; Isa 25:7) Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord,

the veil is removed.

17 (Gal 4:6; Jn 8:32) Now the Lord is the Spirit.

And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 (Ro 8:29; 1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:4) But we all, seeing the glory

of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror,

are being transformed into the same image from glory

to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.



[1] Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others,

epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

[2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ

ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living

God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

[4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

[5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of

ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

[6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the

letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth

life.

[7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was

glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the

face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done

away:

[8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

[9] For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the

ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

[10] For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by

reason of the glory that excelleth.

[11] For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which

remaineth is glorious.

[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of

Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same

vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done

away in Christ.

[15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their

heart.

[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken

away.

[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there

is liberty.

[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the

Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the

Spirit of the Lord.



2 Corinthians 4



Treasure in Earthen Vessels



1 (1Co 7:25; 2Co 3:6) Therefore, since we have this ministry

through the mercy we have received, we do not lose heart.

2 (2Co 2:17; 5:11) But we have renounced the secret things of shame,

not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully,

but by expressing the truth and commending ourselves to every man's

conscience in the sight of God.

3 (1Co 1:18; 2Co 3:14) But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden

to those who are lost.

4 (2Co 4:6; Jn 12:31; Heb 1:3) The god of this world has blinded

the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious

gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

5 (1Co 1:23; 2Co 1:24) For we do not preach ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants

for Jesus' sake.

6 (Ge 1:3; 2Pe 1:19) For God, who commanded the light to shine

out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light

of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 (2Co 5:1; La 4:2) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

the excellency of the power being from God and not from ourselves.

8 (2Co 7:5) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;

we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 (Heb 13:5) persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 (Ro 6:5; 2Co 1:5) and always carrying around in the body the death

of the Lord Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might be expressed

in our bodies.

11 (Ro 8:36) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake,

that also the life of Jesus might be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12 (2Co 13:9) So then, death works in us, but life in you.

13 (Ps 116:10; 1Co 12:9) We have the same spirit of faith.

As it is written, "I believed, and therefore I have spoken."

(Ps 116:10, LXX (Septuagint).) So we also believe and therefore speak,

14 (1Th 4:14; Eph 5:27) knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus

will also raise us through Jesus and will present us with you.

15 (2Co 1:11; Ro 8:28) All these things are for your sakes,

so that the abundant grace through the thanksgiving

of many might overflow to the glory of God.



[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we

faint not;

[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in

craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation

of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of

God.

[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which

believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the

image of God, should shine unto them.

[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves

your servants for Jesus' sake.

[6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined

in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the

face of Jesus Christ.

[7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the

power may be of God, and not of us.

[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but

not in despair;

[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

[10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the

life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that

the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

[12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

[13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I

believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

[14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also

by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

[15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might

through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.



Living by Faith



16 (Ro 7:22; Isa 40:31) For this reason we do not lose heart:

Even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man

is being renewed day by day.

17 (Ro 8:18; 1Pe 5:10) Our light affliction, which lasts

but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding

and eternal weight of glory,

18 (Heb 11:1; 2Co 5:7) while we do not look at the things

which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

For the things which are seen are temporal,

but the things which are not seen are eternal.



[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet

the inward man is renewed day by day.

[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a

far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which

are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things

which are not seen are eternal.



2) Our Daily Bread for 1 December 2024 titled



Good Reputation for Christ



Titus 2:6-8



6 (1Ti 5:1) Likewise, exhort young men to be self-controlled,

7 (1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 5:3) in all things presenting yourself as an example of good

works: in doctrine showing integrity, gravity, incorruptibility,

8 (1Pe 2:12; Ne 5:9) and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that

the one who opposes you may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.



[6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

[7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine

shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

[8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary

part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.



Matthew 5:16



16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine before men

that they may see your good works and glorify your Father

who is in heaven.



[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.



During his college days at Florida State University, Charlie Ward was a

two-sport student athlete. In 1993, the young quarterback won the Heisman

Trophy as the country's best college American football player,

and he also starred on the basketball team.



During a pregame talk one day, his basketball coach used some foul language as

he talked to his players. He noticed that Charlie "wasn't comfortable," and

said, "Charlie, what's up?" Ward said, "Coach, you know, Coach Bowden

[the football coach] doesn't use that kind of language,

and he gets us to play awfully hard."



Charlie's Christlike character allowed him to gently speak to his basketball

coach about this issue. In fact, the coach told a reporter: "It's almost as if

there was an angel looking at you" when he talked to Charlie.



A good reputation with unbelievers and a faithful witness for Christ are hard

to maintain. But at the same time, believers in Jesus can grow to be more like

Him as He helps and guides us. In Titus 2, younger men, and by extension all

believers, are called to "be self-controlled" (v. 6) and to "show integrity

. . . and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned" (vv. 7-8).



When we live that way in Christ's strength, we'll not only honour Him but

also build a good reputation. Then as God provides the wisdom we need,

people will have reason to hear what we say.



By: Dave Branon



Reflect & Pray



How does a good reputation help you influence others?

What will help you grow in Christlike character?



Dear God, please help me to grow in character

that reflects You and honours You.



For further study, read Evangelism-Reaching Out through Relationships.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 1 A circle of Light



John 8:12



12 (Jn 12:35; Job 33:28; Isa 49:6)Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying,

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me

shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."



12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.



When Judy Garland stepped onstage, she filled the spotlight. Nothing was

illuminated but her face, and as she sang, her listeners had a sense of being

transported beyond themselves into the meaning of her song. The focus of

reality, at that moment, was "Judy", and everything else faded into the dim

recesses of the shadowed room. The spotlight brought her into sharp focus

as the center of attention, and all around her was darkness.

When the scriptures speaks of Jesus as "the light," the image is not

of thousands of blazing bulbs lighting up a football field for a night game.

Rather, he is like a hand-help lamp that throws a circle of light in the

immediate vicinity. such a lamp lights the path that a traveler will walk,

but lights it only one step at a time.

Jesus is the center of that circle of light. As we follow him, we share the

light, but he is always at center. Jesus Christ is the focal point,

and everything else fades into dim gray by comparison.

If we are to keep our lives illuminated, to have his light falling upon the

road we walk, we must stay close to him. Jesus does not hand the lamp

to us and suggest that we go the way he wants; he , the Light, leads,

and if we want to stay in the light, we follow.



Application



a) Have I ever tried to go my own way, apart from the Light?

What was the result?



b) How can this verse help me remember the importance of staying close

to Jesus?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Romans 13:7-8



7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes

are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,

and honor to whom honour is due.

8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.



7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth

another hath fulfilled the law.



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



God's Eternal Faithfulness



Ps 117



1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.



1 O praise the LORD,

All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.

2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:

And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.

Praise ye the LORD.



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 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for MUslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facity, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far notherern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



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



1st Day of the month



1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



(

Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,

I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream

dreams, and your young men will see visions.



28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon

all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men

shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:



Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "

that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall

prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream

dreams.



17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

And your young men shall see visions,

And your old men shall dream dreams:



)



2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,

as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.



1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,

As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.



)



Advent Day 8



From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck



"When the year dies in preparation for the birth/Of other seasons, not the same,

on the same earth,



Then saving and calamity together make/The Advent gospel,

telling how the heart will break....



Therefore it was in Advent that the Quest began; in wail of wind

the flower of the Britons all/Went out, and desolation was

in Arthur's hall." - C. S. Lewis



(From C. S. Lewis' "Launcelot," in Narrative Poems, p. 95.)



The Quest



The quest for the Holy Grail in the King Arthur story has capti­vated millions of people

over the centuries. Launcelot, the Christ­ figure of the Arthurian legend, is the noble

knight who begins a search for the cup that Christ used at the Last Supper.

This cup has appeared in many places in literature, theater, and the movies.

In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, for example, Indiana Jones finds his way

down a passageway and comes into a room full of chalices. He must select one

and drink from it. If he selects the wrong cup, he dies.

An ancient figure in the room tells him, "Choose wisely."



Legend has it that the cup was carried by Joseph of Arimathea to a castle

in Great Britain. The court of King Arthur believed that the Grail would be

rediscovered by a descendant of Joseph. Of the Knights of the Round Table,

only Galahad, Lancelot's son, was able to find and enter the castle with

the Grail. When he finally gazed upon the cup, the story goes, grail

and man were lifted up to heaven together.



What's the point of this story for us? Lancelot's quest began in Advent,

and our quest, our preparation for Christmas, likewise begins in Advent.

And like the Wise Men preparing for their quest, we need to set out to find

our King, the Christ Child. When we begin our Advent season with Scripture

and seek the Holy Christ rather than the Holy Grail, we are choosing wisely.



God, grant us wisdom to choose thoughtfully our preparation

for your coming in Jesus. Amen.



Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?



Matthew 2:2



From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT



He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.



-Luke 1:32a



It is fitting that on this second Sunday of Advent we have before us

the actual words of annunciation for Mary. I was going to entitle this

meditation "The Annunciation to Mary," but was prevented by the actual

content of the angel's message. Conspicuously, Gabriel's words are much

more about Jesus than about practical matters for Mary. She is a servant,

absolutely, but the child that will be born of her is so great that all

consideration should be placed upon him.





Not only will he be great, but he will be called the Son of the Most High.

The LORD God (which uses the two most prominent names in the Hebrew

Scriptures, Yahweh and Elohim) will give him the throne over all of lsrael,

which his ancestor David once ruled, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Unquestionably, this is the child for which all lsrael has been waiting.





prayer



LORD God, how can we ever thank you for sending us, Jesus,

the Son of the Most High? Amen.



Read Luke 1:25-33.



25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me,

to take away my reproach among men."



The Birth of Jesus Foretold



26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.

The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."

29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered

in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favour with God.

31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son

and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

And of His kingdom there will be no end."



From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler



SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT



AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ACTION!



Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous deeds.



PSALM 72:18





The AH-HAs of Advent provides us a time to reflect, refocus

and remember who we are in Jesus Christ So, enjoy refreshing

yourself through his Word and hrs people. And as we find time

to enjoy the "power of pause" we can also recall that the Lord

provide us opportunities to not only be his people but also

the chance to do a his people



Psalm 72 helps us to focus on being both be-ers and do-ers

in the world The good news in Christ is that we are motivated

to be active in serving others, not because we "gotta do it"

but because we ·get to do it"! Today's Psalm is an affirmatiion

of God at work in the world-our world. Right here and now-through us!



Isn't it great that one of the books of the Bible is titled the Acts of the

Apostles instead of the Resolutions of the Apostles'

There must be a message there somewhere!



So, what are you going to do today to show the glory, might and

love of the Lord? For starters pause to remember the promise

of your Baptism. Then look around you at your needs and your

gifts, take a deep breath. and announce your action plan at

least to yourself). Do not worry about getting everything correct

today or doing everything you want to do.



Just "Get ready! Fire!"... and then aim later when

you rethink all of the possibilities for a ministry of action!



Look out world, here I come!



Lord thanks for being active in the world both in little

and big ways. Help me today to be active

in big ways and little ways as well,



not because I "gotta do it" but because I" want to do it."



In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Psalm 72·1-7. 18-19



1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,

and Your righteousness to the king’s son.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) May he judge Your people with righteousness,

and Your poor with justice.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) May the mountains bring well-being to the people,

and the hills, in righteousness.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) May he judge the poor of the people,

may he save the children of the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) May they fear You as long as the sun endures,

and the moon, throughout all generations.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) May he descend like rain on the mown grass,

as showers dripping on the earth.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) In his days may the righteous flourish,

and abundance of peace until the moon is no more.

18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous deeds.

19 Blessed be His glorious name forever;

and may the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen, and Amen.



From On Eagle's wings Day 1 2024



The Navigator

5 (Jn 8:12; 12:46) "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 9:5 (MEV,KJV)

It was a smoky 33-degree day when we boarded our small plane

bound for Ft. Smith, NT. As the plane took off, I peered out the

window at the thick, hazy sky. The smoke was so dense that I could

barely make out the landscape below, which made me wonder,

"How on earth do the pilots know where they are flying?" I turned

to my sister, who was seated beside me. "Do you think this is

safe?" I asked her. She responded by reminding me that the plane is

equipped with special instruments designed to guide it, even in

conditions like this.

In the midst of the Advent season, we remember that when Jesus

came to earth, a star served as an instrument, guiding the wise men

to his birthplace. Despite the uncertainty the wise men faced at that

time, the star offered clear direction. Similarly, Jesus, the Light of

the World, entered our lives to guide us through the uncertainties

we face. Just as the pilots trust the instruments in the plane to

navigate through tough conditions, we can trust the Lord to be our

guide during life's haze.

Lord, thank you for sending your one and only Son to earth in

human form to be the light in our darkness. This season, may

we remember that you are our ultimate guide, illuminating our

path and bringing light to every shadow. Amen



Written by Shauna Huber, Edmonton, AB, 2024

On Eagle's Wings– Ministry Manager



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord How to show Love to your neighbour.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be forgiving and bountiful of joy.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to grow in character

that reflects You and honours You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as the Light of the World.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.



Pray to the Lord and pray to exalt Him always!



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



- 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 for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



Prayer : God, grant us wisdom to choose thoughtfully our preparation for your coming in Jesus. Amen.



Pray: LORD God, how can we ever thank you for sending us, Jesus,

the Son of the Most High? Amen.



Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us

to the hope and the future that you have

provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.

You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Lord, thank you for sending your one and only Son to earth in

human form to be the light in our darkness. This season, may

we remember that you are our ultimate guide, illuminating our

path and bringing light to every shadow. Amen



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.