Day 1 of My 5th Bible Study Journey - 1 January 2025 reflections

Posted by DSY on Wednesday, January 1. 2025

Day 1, 1 January 2025

1) Genesis 1 , Genesis 2, Genesis 3

The Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was

formless and void,[a] darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the

Spirit of God was moving[b] over the surface of the water.

(God came into being on his own please note)

3 God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

4 God saw that the light was good,

and God separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.

So the evening and the morning were the first day.

6 Then God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters,

and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 So God made the expanse

and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters

which were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse Heaven.

So the evening and the morning were the second day.

9 Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together

into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.

10 God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters

He called Seas. Then God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, "Let the earth produce vegetation:[c] plants yielding seed

and fruit trees on the earth yielding fruit after their kind with seed in them.

" And it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed after

their kind and trees yielding fruit with seed in them after their kind. And God

saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate

the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons, and days,

and years. 15 Let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light

on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights: the greater light

to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.

17 Then God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,

18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the

darkness. Then God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning

were the fourth day.

20 Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures

and let the birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens."

21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves,

with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged

bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22 Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill

the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."

23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to

their kinds: livestock, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth

according to their kinds." And it was so.

25 So God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind,

and the livestock according to their kind, and everything that

creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,

and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds

of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

27 So God created man in His own image;

in the image of God He created him;

male and female He created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish

the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds

of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

29 Then God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is

on the face of all the earth and every tree which has fruit yielding seed.

It shall be food for you. 30 To every beast of the earth and to every bird

of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth which has the breath

of life in it, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.

31 God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 1

[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face

of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

[3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

[4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from

the darkness.

[5] And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the

evening and the morning were the first day.

[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and

let it divide the waters from the waters.

[7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the

firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

[8] And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning

were the second day.

[9] And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto

one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

[10] And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the

waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

[11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed,

and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself,

upon the earth: and it was so.

[12] And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his

kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.

[13] And the evening and the morning were the third day.

[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to

divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons,

and for days, and years:

[15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light

upon the earth: and it was so.

[16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and

the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

[17] And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the

earth,

[18] And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light

from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

[19] And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

[20] And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature

that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament

of heaven.

[21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth,

which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every

winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

[22] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the

waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

[23] And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his

kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and

it was so.

[25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after

their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and

God saw that it was good.

[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let

them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he

him; male and female created he them.

[28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and

multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the

fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing

that moveth upon the earth.

[29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which

is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit

of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

[30] And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to

every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have

given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

[31] And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very

good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Gen 2:1 So the heavens and the earth, and all their hosts, were finished.

2 On the seventh day God completed His work which He had done,

and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,

because on it He had rested from all His work which He had created and made.

(Interesting that God and the Holy Trinity created the Universe

with the help of divine servants created by the Lord himself.

Noted one of the 10 commandments)

Adam and Eve

4 This is the account[d] of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

5 no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field

had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth,

and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist[e] arose from t

he earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God

formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the

breath of life, and man became a living being.

8 The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the

man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every

tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also

in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and

became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it encompasses the

whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good;

bdellium and the onyx stone are there.

13 The name of the second river is Gihon;

it encompasses the whole land of Cush.

14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it goes toward the east of Assyria.

The fourth river is the Euphrates.

( I wonder if the world was one continent at this time)

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and

to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,

"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, 17 but of the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat

from it you will surely die."

(Note what the Lord says to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17)

18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone.

I will make him a helper suitable for him."

19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every

bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them.

Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky,

and to every beast of the field, but for Adam[f] there was not found a helper

suitable for him.

21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept.

Then He took one of his ribs and closed up the place with flesh.

22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man,

He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23 Then Adam said,

"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she will be called Woman,

for she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother

and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

25 They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Genesis 2

[1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

[2] And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he

rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

[3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it

he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

[4] These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were

created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

[5] And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb

of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon

the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

[6] But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of

the ground.

[7] And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into

his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

[8] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the

man whom he had formed.

[9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is

pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst

of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

[10] And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it

was parted, and became into four heads.

[11] The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole

land of Havilah, where there is gold;

[12] And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx

stone.

[13] And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that

compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

[14] And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth

toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

[15] And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to

dress it and to keep it.

[16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden

thou mayest freely eat:

[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat

of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

[18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I

will make him an help meet for him.

[19] And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and

every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call

them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name

thereof.

[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to

every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for

him.

[21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

[22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she

shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave

unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

[25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

(Just before going on I would like to preface the Serpent aka Satan

/ Lucifer;

From Isaiah 14

12 How are you fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer, son of the morning!

(- Please note Son of the Morning NOT Morning Star )

How you are cut down to the ground,

you who weaken the nations!

13 For you have said in your heart,

"I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne

above the stars of God;

I will sit also on the mount of the congregation,

in the recesses of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High."

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Hell,

to the sides of the pit.

Satan created a rebellion in Heaven

and From Jesus himself Luke 10:18 He said to them, "

I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven." And so the spiritual war begins)

The Fall

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field

which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman,

"Has God said, "You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?"

2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit from the trees

of the garden; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the

garden, God has said, 'You will not eat of it, nor will you touch it, or else

you will die.'?"

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!

5 For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened

and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to

the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit

and ate; and she gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.

So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool

of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence

of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 The Lord God called to the

man and said to him, "Where are you?"

10 He said, "I heard Your voice in the garden and was afraid because I

was naked, so I hid myself."

11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from

the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"

12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of

the tree, and I ate."

13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?"

And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

(Blame game - IT is not my fault, it is someone else)

14 The Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this,

You are cursed above all livestock, and above every beast of the field;

you will go on your belly, and you will eat dust

all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring

and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

(This is the foreshadowing of the Crucifixion of

Jesus The Lamb for Sinners Slain)

16 To the woman He said,

"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth,

and in pain you will bring forth children;

your desire will be for your husband,

and he will rule over you."

17 And to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife

and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying,

'You shall not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground on account of you;

in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life.

18 Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat

the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground,

because out of it you were taken;

for you are dust, and to dust you will return."

20 The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother

of all the living.

21 The Lord God made garments of skins for both Adam and his wife and clothed

them. 22 The Lord God said, "The man has become like one of us, knowing good

and evil. And now, he might reach out his hand, and take also from the tree of

life, and eat, and live forever" 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from

the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove the

man out, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a

flaming sword which turned in every direction, to guard the way to the tree

of life.

Genesis 3

[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the

LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall

not eat of every tree of the garden?

[2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the

trees of the garden:

[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God

hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall

be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

[6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was

pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of

the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and

he did eat.

[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were

naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the

cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of

the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

[9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

[10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because

I was naked; and I hid myself.

[11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the

tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

[12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me

of the tree, and I did eat.

[13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?

And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this,

thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon

thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed

and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy

conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall

be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of

thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying,

Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt

thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt

eat the herb of the field;

[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto

the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust

shalt thou return.

[20] And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all

living.

[21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins,

and clothed them.

[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know

good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the

tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till

the ground from whence he was taken.

[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of

Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way

of the tree of life.

And This point I would like to cross reference some verse in John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were

created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light shines

in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

...

9 The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world

did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive

Him. 12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,

to those who believed in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of

the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,

the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Given Genesis 1 to 3 the above portion of John 1

makes an interesting cross reference to the above

Footnotes

Genesis 1:2 Or a waste and emptiness.

Genesis 1:2 Or hovering.

Genesis 1:11 Or grass.

Genesis 2:4 Lit. These are the generations.

Genesis 2:6 Or flow.

Genesis 2:20 MT the man, or the Adam.

2) Our Daily Bread for 1 January 2025

The Jesus Story

1 John 1:1-5

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.

[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.

Most people have never heard of Kate Hankey, but she was a remarkable woman. A

teacher, evangelist, school organiser, missionary, and poet, she faithfully

served Jesus in 1800s England. In 1867, Kate contracted a serious illness.

During her recovery, she penned a lengthy poem in two parts: "The Story

Wanted" and "The Story Told." The poem expresses in a very personal way her

relationship with Jesus and the events of His life.

All Scripture points to Jesus and tells His story. John begins his epistle

reminding readers how they had personally experienced Jesus:

"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;" (1 John 1:1). Because of our experience of Him, the

apostle writes, we're telling the Jesus story: "For the life was manifested,

and we have seen it, and bear witness," (v. 2). Later, John makes the

fascinating comment, "The word of God lives in you" (2:14). In other words,

the Jesus story is our story too. We're called to tell the story of Christ

in light of our own experience with Him.

This is what Kate Hankey did in her poem. Eventually, the two parts of her

poem became these beloved hymns: "I Love to Tell the Story" and "Tell Me

the Old, Old Story." Perhaps we might, like Kate, find our own words and

share our Jesus story with others-the unique way in which He loved us,

came to us, and rescued us.

By: Kenneth Petersen

Reflect & Pray

What is your story with Jesus? How did He come to you and rescue you?

Dear Jesus, thank You for rescuing me

and doing Your loving work in my life.

For further study, read Jesus Is in the Room.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 4 - freedom from Fear

Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom will I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid?

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Marcy was afraid of the dark. As a child she slept with a nightlight on,

and even she matured, she still had a fear of dark places.

When she was at home alone, she kept all the lights on,

and a small lamp at her bedside glowed through the night.

The psalmist David reflects that common fear of darkness when he says

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?"

David does not say, "The Lord brings light," but "The Lord is my light".

God is the source of understanding and security in our lives.

He is the One who can expose and deal with our fears.

When we are afraid - afraid of losing a job or a loved one,

afraid of making mistakes, afraid of being hurt, afraid of what others may

say about us - we can turn to the Lord who can handle our fears.

He is a "stronghold", a fortress of protection around us,

and in him we are safe.

Often we turn to other places for our security - to the bank account,

to a spouse or loved one, to the approval of the world.

We mistakenly think that these sources can provide a foundation of defence

against uncertainty of life. But when we find that people disappoint us, money

loses its value, and the praise of others is fleeting,

we must turn again to the true source of security, God alone.

Application

a) What sources of security have I trusted in besides God?

What was the result of that trust?

b) In what ways have I depended upon God for my security?

c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see

when I lived in darkness?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Ps 37:25-26

25 I have been young, and now am old;

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor their offspring begging bread.

26 The righteous are gracious and lend,

and their offspring are a source of blessing.

25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;

And his seed is blessed.

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

When you are ill or injured

Matthew 8:14-17

The Healing of Many People

Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41

14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,

lying sick with a fever.

15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.

16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many

who were possessed with demons.

And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,

17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,

"He Himself took our infirmities

and bore our sicknesses."

[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother

laid, and sick of a fever.

[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and

ministered unto them.

[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed

with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that

were sick:

[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,

saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

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?)

2015 Population - 4631302 Muslims about 136493

British Columbia - British Columbia's Muslim Population is growing constantly.

Every week there are immigrants ad refugees coming to the Greater Vancouver

and surrounding areas. There are also significant Muslim student populations

in our colleges and universities. Some have even suggested that there are

between 4000 and 5000 Saudi Arabian students alone, without counting all

other nationalities.

Greater Vancouver has an estimated 180000 Muslims, and there are significant

and growing communities in the Fraser Valley such as in Langley, Abbotsford,

Chilliwack, etc. Including these communities the total population for this

region is about 200000.

Of these, there are an estimated 100000 Iranians, 35000 Arabs, 15000 Ismailis,

more than 20000 Afghanis, 10000 South Asian Muslims, 3000 Turks, and small

numbers from other countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Albania, etc.

We are seeing some Muslims coming to Christ and we rejoice in that.

A few people also have some ongoing ministry to Muslims in the area,

for which we also rejoice. Let us agree in that

- the church will catch a vision to pray,

and a burden to train outreach to Muslims

- the church will press in to participate in effective

discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,

"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

18 Even on My menservants and maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]

Footnotes

Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

1st Day of the month

a) 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:

b) 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.

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and Thank Him for being the just Creator.

Pray to the Lord : "Dear Jesus, thank You for rescuing me

and doing Your loving work in my life. "

Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as Light and Salvation.

Pray to the Lord and pray to be rooted in His Righteousness.

Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your illnesses.

Pray the church in BC will catch a vision to pray,

and a burden to train outreach to Muslims

Pray the church in BC will press in to participate in effective

discipleship of these new Muslim background believers.

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.

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.

ChatGPT reviews Doctor Who - The Pilot

Posted by DSY on Wednesday, January 1. 2025

**Review of "The Pilot"**

Steven Moffat's "The Pilot" opens Series 10 with a refreshing mix of

accessibility for newcomers and rich continuity for long-time fans.

The episode introduces Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie), a companion whose curiosity,

warmth, and humour make her an instant standout. Mackie's portrayal of Bill

brings a grounded, relatable charm that contrasts beautifully with Peter

Capaldi's enigmatic Twelfth Doctor.

The plot revolves around Bill's discovery of a mysterious puddle that leads to

a haunting chase across time and space. The puddle, an alien entity seeking to

"pilot" someone, is a minimalist yet effectively eerie antagonist. Its

simplicity works well as a metaphor for loss and longing, particularly when

tied to Heather (Stephanie Hyam), Bill's love interest. The chemistry between

Bill and Heather is tenderly portrayed,

adding emotional weight to the narrative.

Peter Capaldi continues to deliver a masterclass as the Doctor, blending

gravitas, wit, and subtle vulnerability. His role as Bill's tutor provides a

unique dynamic, allowing for thoughtful moments of mentorship and

philosophical musings. Matt Lucas' Nardole adds a touch of comic

relief while maintaining a quiet sense of purpose.

Visually, the episode shines with its atmospheric direction and sharp

cinematography. From the eerie reflections in the puddle to the sweeping

vistas of the TARDIS' time-traveling escapades, the visuals enhance the

story's sense of wonder and unease. Murray Gold's score underscores

key moments with emotional resonance.

The writing balances humour, heart, and sci-fi intrigue. Moffat crafts an

engaging mystery while subtly layering themes of identity, love, and freedom.

Bill's perspective as an outsider allows for fresh takes on the Doctor's

world, making the familiar feel new again. Her questions about the TARDIS

and the Doctor's motives add depth to her character and the show’s mythology.

However, the episode's pacing feels uneven at times. The story meanders

slightly in the middle, and the resolution, while emotionally satisfying, is

somewhat abrupt. The puddle's motivations and mechanics remain vague,

leaving questions about its nature.

For long-time fans, "The Pilot" offers delightful nods to the past, from a

brief glimpse of River Song's photograph to the Daleks' cameo. These moments

enrich the narrative without alienating new viewers.

Ultimately, "The Pilot" is a strong start to Series 10, serving as both

a fresh introduction and a celebration of what makes Doctor Who timeless.

With a compelling new companion, a poignant story, and strong performances,

the episode sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead.

**Rating: 85/100**

An emotionally resonant and visually striking episode, balancing accessibility

and nostalgia while introducing a companion who promises to leave a lasting

impact.

Google gemini reviews Doctor Who - The Time of the Doctor

Posted by DSY on Wednesday, January 1. 2025

"The Time of the Doctor" served as Matt Smith's final outing as the Eleventh

Doctor and aimed to tie up many of the lingering plot threads from his era.

It's a complex episode with a lot to accomplish, and opinions on its success

are varied. Here's a review considering common opinions and my own:

**What people tend to praise:**

**Matt Smith's final performance:** Smith delivers a powerful and

emotional performance as the Doctor, showcasing his range and bringing a sense

of closure to his character's arc.

**Emotional moments:** The episode has several emotionally resonant

moments, particularly the Doctor's farewell speech and his regeneration scene.

**Resolution of long-running plot threads:** The episode addresses many

of the mysteries and questions that had been building up throughout Smith's

era, such as the Silence, the cracks in time, and the Doctor's true name.

**Christmas setting:** The Christmas setting adds a festive

and heartwarming touch to the episode,

despite the serious events taking place.

**What people tend to criticise:**

**Overcrowded plot:** The episode tries to cram in too many plot elements

and resolutions, leading to a somewhat rushed and convoluted narrative.

**Lack of focus:** With so much going on, the episode can feel unfocused

at times, jumping between different storylines and characters.

**Deus ex machina elements:** Some plot resolutions feel contrived or rely

on convenient coincidences, such as the Time Lords granting the Doctor

a new regeneration cycle.

**Underuse of some characters:** Some supporting

characters, like the Paternoster Gang, have relatively

minor roles despite their previous importance.

**My rating and thoughts:**

I'd give "The Time of the Doctor" a **7/10**. It's a decent farewell to Matt

Smith's Doctor with some genuinely emotional moments and a satisfying

resolution to many long-running plot threads. Smith's performance

is a highlight, and the Christmas setting adds a nice touch.

However, the episode is let down by its overcrowded plot and some contrived

elements. It feels like the writers tried to do too much in a single episode,

leading to a somewhat rushed and unfocused narrative. While the resolutions to

the various mysteries are mostly satisfying, some feel a bit too convenient.

Overall, "The Time of the Doctor" is a mixed bag. It's a fitting farewell to

Matt Smith and provides closure to his era, but it's not without its flaws.

The overcrowded plot and some contrived elements prevent it from reaching

its full potential.

Day 366 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 31 December 2024 reflections

Posted by DSY on Tuesday, December 31. 2024

Day 366, 31 December 2024

1) DEUTERONOMY 4

Moses Commands Obedience

1 (Dt 8:1; Eze 20:11) Now therefore, listen, O Israel, to the statutes

and to the judgments which I am teaching you to do, so that you may live;

and go in and possess the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers,

is giving you.

2 (Dt 12:32; Jos 1:7) You shall not add to the word which I am commanding

you, nor shall you take anything from it, so that you may keep

the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

3 (Nu 25:1-9) Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal Peor; for the

Lord your God has destroyed from among you all the men

who followed Baal of Peor.

4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive to this day,

every one of you.

[1] Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the

judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in

and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

[2] Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye

diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your

God which I command you.

[3] Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the

men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among

you.

[4] But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you

this day.

Revelation 22

The Coming of Christ

19 (Rev 22:2; 13:8) And if anyone takes away from the words

of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part

out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City

and out of the things which are written in this book.

20 (Rev 22:7; 1Co 16:22) He who testifies to these things says,

"Surely I am coming soon."

Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

21 (Ro 16:20) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,

Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the

water of life freely.

[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of

this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him

the plagues that are written in this book:

[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this

prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of

the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

2) Our Daily Bread for 31 December 2024 Titled

The Hand of God

Isaiah 48:12-19

The Lord's Call to Israel

12 (Isa 41:4; Rev 22:13) Listen to Me, O Jacob

and Israel, whom I called: I am He;

I am the First, and I am the Last.

13 (Isa 40:26; Ex 20:11) My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth,

and My right hand has spanned the heavens; when I call to them,

they stand up together.

14 (Isa 43:9; 13:4-5) Assemble, all of you, and listen.

Who among them has declared these things? The Lord has loved him;

he will do His pleasure on Babylon,

and His arm shall be against the Chaldeans.

15 I, even I, have spoken, and I have called him;

I have brought him, and his way will prosper.

16 (Isa 45:19) Come near to Me, hear this:

I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;

from the time that it was, there I am.

And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.

17 (Ps 32:8; Isa 43:14) Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of

Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,

who leads you in the way you should go.

18 (Dt 32:29; Isa 66:12) Oh, that you had listened to My commandments!

Then your peace would have been as a river

and your righteousness as the waves of the sea.

19 (Ge 22:17; Isa 10:22) Your descendants also would have been as the sand

and your offspring like grains of sand;

their name would not have been cut off

nor destroyed from before Me.

[12] Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the

first, I also am the last.

[13] Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand

hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

[14] All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared

these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon,

and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.

[15] I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him,

and he shall make his way prosperous.

[16] Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from

the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD,

and his Spirit, hath sent me.

[17] Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the

LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way

that thou shouldest go.

[18] O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace

been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

[19] Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels

like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed

from before me.

In 1939, with the recent outbreak of war for Britain, King George VI sought in

his Christmas Day radio broadcast to encourage citizens of the United Kingdom

and the Commonwealth to put their trust in God. Quoting a poem that his mother

found precious, he said: "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand

into the Hand of God. / That shall be to you better than light, and safer than

a known way." He didn't know what the new year would bring, but he trusted God

to "guide and uphold" them in the anxious days ahead.

The image of God's hand appears in many places in the Bible, including in the

book of Isaiah. Through this prophet, God called His people to trust that He

as their Creator, "I am he; I am the

first, I also am the last." (Isaiah 48:12), would remain involved with them.

As He says, "Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my

right hand hath spanned the heavens:" (v. 13). They should put their trust in

Him and not look to those less powerful. After all, He's their

="Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel" (v. 17).

Whatever we face as we look toward the new year, we can follow the

encouragement of King George and the prophet Isaiah and place our hope

and trust in God. Then, for us too, our peace will be like the river,

our "well-being like the waves of the sea" (v. 18).

By: Amy Boucher Pye

Reflect & Pray

As you consider the new year, what situations or relationships could

you entrust to God? How does the image of His hand speak to you?

All-powerful God, You created the heavens

and the earth and yet You cherish me. I place my trust in You.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 3 - From Darkness to Light

Col 1:13-14

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us

into the kingdom of His dear Son,

14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated

us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of

sins:

Most of us have no real concept of darkness. We live in a world illuminated

not only by sun, moon and start, bit by streetlights and electric lamps and,

when the power goes off, flashlights and candles. We resist the darkness

For the sighted, being in absolute darkness is a frightening experience.

The dark blots out everything; we can see nothing, not even our own bodies,

and we may become disoriented. The dark seems to press in upon us,

with an almost physical weight that oppresses.

Spiritual darkness is like that. Spiritual darkness,

the absence of light in Christ, is oppressive, weighing us down,

distorting our perceptions of realty.

We cannot judge clearly, for we cannot see at all.

Yet God breaks into our darkness, bringing his light - Jesus Christ,

The Light of the World. When the awareness of Christ invades our lives,

our eyes are opened and we can see for the first time. We see our sin,

God's grace, and the Way he has provided for escape from the dark.

And as we continue to walk in his light, we see even more - the need

for changes in our lives, and God's power to work those changes.

Discernment and wisdom come through his light,

and we understand spiritual truths we could never see before.

Paul says that God has 'rescued' us from darkness and brought us

into the light. We cannot, on our own, accomplish this rescue,

but god through Christ's sacrifice brings it about in us.

He is the light who illuminates our darkness.

Application

a) Many different kinds of spiritual darkness invade our lives

and keep us blind to the truth - sin, lack of understanding,

resistance to the Holy Spirit. What kinds of spiritual darkness

have I experienced?

b) What changes took place in me when I first 'came into the light'?

c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see

when I lived in darkness?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Is 55:11

11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

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

When you are ill or injured

James 5:13-16

13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?

Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.

14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?

Let him call for the elders of the church,

and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil

in the name of the Lord.

15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save

the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.

And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another

and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.

Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;

and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise

him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man

availeth much.

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

Conclusion:

Pray to understand His Word In Full.

Pray to the Lord: "All-powerful God, You created the heavens

and the earth and yet You cherish me. I place my trust in You."

Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who can deliver you from darkness.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord's Word will be accomplished.

Pray to the Lord and pray for effective healing.

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 that believers in Jordan receiving Biblical training will be

emboldened in their witness for Christ.

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.

ChatGPT reviews Doctor Who - The Return of Doctor Mysterio

Posted by DSY on Tuesday, December 31. 2024

**Review of "The Return of Doctor Mysterio"**

Steven Moffat’s "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is a delightful blend of superhero homage and classic *Doctor Who*, offering a light-hearted yet emotional Christmas special. With its focus on heart, humor, and heroics, the episode provides a refreshing change of pace, even as it occasionally falters under the weight of its ambitions.

The narrative draws heavily from superhero tropes, introducing Grant Gordon (Justin Chatwin), a nanny with secret powers, as The Ghost. This homage to Superman works both as a loving parody and an exploration of the Doctor's unique role in the universe. Chatwin’s earnest performance imbues Grant with charm, making him an endearing counterpart to the Doctor.

Peter Capaldi delivers a stellar performance as the Doctor, balancing his whimsical eccentricities with moments of deep emotional resonance. The opening sequence, where the Doctor inadvertently grants young Grant superpowers, sets the tone for the episode: a mix of heartfelt sincerity and comedic mishaps. Capaldi’s rapport with Matt Lucas’ Nardole is another highlight, with Nardole providing both comic relief and a grounding presence.

The romantic subplot between Grant and Lucy Fletcher (Charity Wakefield) serves as the emotional core of the story. Their dynamic is reminiscent of classic screwball comedies, with Lucy oblivious to Grant’s dual identity. While the romance is predictable, it is executed with enough warmth and humor to remain engaging.

The episode’s villain, Harmony Shoal, continues the trend of underwhelming antagonists in Doctor Who specials. While the concept of brain-swapping aliens has potential, it is largely overshadowed by the focus on character interactions and superhero antics. The lack of a compelling threat reduces the stakes, making the climax feel less impactful.

Visually, "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is a treat. The superhero sequences are well-executed, with dynamic action scenes and vibrant cinematography. The production design captures the comic book aesthetic, adding to the episode’s playful tone. Murray Gold’s score enhances the emotional beats, particularly in the quieter, character-driven moments.

Despite its strengths, the episode occasionally struggles with pacing. The superhero elements, while entertaining, sometimes overshadow the Doctor’s presence, making the story feel less cohesive. Additionally, the Christmas setting feels tacked on, with little impact on the plot beyond a few decorative visuals.

Ultimately, "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" succeeds as a festive romp, celebrating the joy of heroism and the power of human connection. While it may not reach the emotional heights of other Christmas specials, its humor, heart, and homage to superhero lore make it an enjoyable addition to the Doctor Who canon.

**Rating: 80/100**

A charming and entertaining tribute to superheroes, elevated by strong performances and heartfelt moments, though slightly hindered by a lackluster villain and uneven pacing.

Google Gemini reviews Doctor Who - The Day of the Doctor

Posted by DSY on Tuesday, December 31. 2024

"The Day of the Doctor" is a landmark episode in Doctor Who history, celebrating the show's 50th anniversary. It's a multi-Doctor story that brought together Matt Smith, David Tennant, and John Hurt, and it's widely regarded as one of the best episodes of the modern era. Here's a review considering common opinions and my own:

**What people tend to praise:**

**The interaction between the Doctors:** The dynamic between the Tenth, Eleventh, and War Doctors is a major highlight. Their banter, contrasting personalities, and shared experiences create some genuinely funny and heartwarming moments.

**The resolution of the Time War:** The episode offers a new perspective on the Time War and provides a more hopeful resolution, allowing the Doctor to finally move on from his guilt and trauma.

**The emotional weight:** Despite the lighthearted moments, the episode also carries significant emotional weight, exploring the Doctor's past, his regrets, and his desire for redemption.

**The surprises and cameos:** The episode is full of surprises and cameos, including Billie Piper's return as Rose Tyler (in a different form) and a brief appearance by Tom Baker as a mysterious curator.

**The overall celebration of Doctor Who:** The episode serves as a love letter to the entire history of Doctor Who, referencing past stories and characters while also moving the story forward.

**What people tend to criticize:**

**Pacing in some sections:** With so much to cover, some viewers find certain sections of the episode a bit rushed or unevenly paced.

* **Limited role for some characters:** While the three Doctors are the focus, some supporting characters, like Clara, have a relatively limited role.

**My rating and thoughts:**

I'd give "The Day of the Doctor" a **9.5/10**. It's a fantastic celebration of Doctor Who that delivers on almost every level. The interaction between the Doctors is a joy to watch, the resolution of the Time War is satisfying, and the episode is full of memorable moments and emotional resonance.

It's a testament to Steven Moffat's writing that he managed to balance so many elements effectively, creating a story that is both entertaining and meaningful. The episode is a must-watch for any Doctor Who fan and stands as one of the show's finest achievements.

It's difficult to find significant flaws with this episode. While the pacing might be slightly uneven in places, and some characters have limited roles, these are minor issues in an otherwise exceptional piece of television.

Day 365 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 30 December 2024 reflections

Posted by DSY on Monday, December 30. 2024

Day 365, 30 December 2024

1) 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection of Christ

1 (Ro 5:2; 2Co 1:24) Now, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I

preached to you, which you have received, and in which you stand.

2 (Gal 3:4; Ro 1:16) Through it you are saved, if you keep in memory

what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.

3 (1Pe 2:24; 1Co 11:23; Gal 1:4) For I delivered to you first of all

that which I also received: how Christ died for our sins according

to the Scriptures,

4 (Ps 16:10-11; Hos 6:2) was buried, rose again the third day

according to the Scriptures,

5 (Mk 16:14; Ac 10:41) and was seen by Cephas, and then by the twelve.

6 (Ac 7:60; 1Co 15:18) Then He was seen by over five hundred brothers

at once, of whom the greater part remain to this present time,

though some have passed away.

7 (Lk 24:50) Then He was seen by James and then by all the apostles.

8 (1Co 9:1; Ac 9:17) Last of all, He was seen by me also,

as by one born at the wrong time.

9 (Ac 8:3; 2Co 12:11) For I am the least of the apostles

and am not fit to be called an apostle,

because I persecuted the church of God.

10 (Php 2:13; 2Co 3:5) But by the grace of God I am what I am.

And His grace toward me was not in vain. I labored more abundantly

than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11 Therefore, whether it was I or they,

so we preach and so you believed.

[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto

you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto

you, unless ye have believed in vain.

[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how

that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according

to the scriptures:

[5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

[6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom

the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

[7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

[8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

[9] For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an

apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was

bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they

all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

[11] Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 (Ac 23:8; 2Ti 2:18) Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead,

how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 (1Th 4:14) If there is no resurrection of the dead,

then Christ has not risen.

14 If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain,

and your faith is also vain.

15 (Ac 2:24) Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God,

because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not

raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise.

16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised.

17 (Ro 4:25) If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain;

you are still in your sins.

18 (Rev 14:13; 1Co 15:6) Then they also who have fallen asleep

in Christ have perished.

19 (2Ti 3:12) If in this life only we have hope in Christ,

we are of all men most miserable.

20 (Ac 26:23; 1Co 15:23) But now is Christ risen from the dead

and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 (Jn 11:25; Ro 6:23) For since death came by man, by man came

also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 (1Co 15:20; 15:52) But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits;

afterward, those who are Christ's at His coming.

24 (Da 7:27; 7:14; Isa 9:7) Then comes the end when He will deliver up

the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule

and all authority and power.

25 (Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44) For He will reign until He has put all enemies

under His feet.

26 (2Ti 1:10; Rev 20:14) The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

27 (Ps 8:6; Mt 28:18) For He "has put all things under His feet."(Ps 8:6.)

But when He says, "all things are put under Him," it is revealed that He,

who has put all things under Him, is the exception.

28 (1Co 3:23; Php 3:21) When all things are subjected to Him,

then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put

all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead,

if the dead do not rise at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?

30 And why do we stand in danger every hour?

31 (Ro 8:36; 1Th 2:19) I affirm, by the boasting in you which

I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 (Isa 22:13; Lk 12:19) If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts

at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me if the dead do not rise?

"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."(Isa 22:13.)

33 (1Co 5:6; 6:9) Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

34 (Ro 13:11; 1Co 6:5) Awake to righteousness and do not sin,

for some do not have the knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

[12] Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some

among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith

is also vain.

[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified

of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the

dead rise not.

[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

[17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your

sins.

[18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most

miserable.

[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of

them that slept.

[21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the

dead.

[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

[23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they

that are Christ's at his coming.

[24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to

God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority

and power.

[25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

[26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

[27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all

things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put

all things under him.

[28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also

himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be

all in all.

[29] Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead

rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

[30] And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

[31] I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I

die daily.

[32] If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what

advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow

we die.

[33] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

[34] Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of

God: I speak this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

35 (Eze 37:3) But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?

With what body do they come?”

36 (Jn 12:24) You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.

37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,

perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.

38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh. There is one kind of flesh of men,

another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies.

The glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial

is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon,

and another glory of the stars. One star differs from another star in glory.

42 (Da 12:3; Mt 13:43) So also is the resurrection of the dead.

The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

43 (Col 3:4) It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory.

It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 (Ge 2:7; Ro 8:2; Jn 5:21) So it is written,

"The first man Adam was made a living soul." (Ge 2:7.)

The last Adam was made a life-giving spirit.

46 However, that which is spiritual is not first, but the natural,

and then the spiritual.

47 (Jn 3:31; Ge 2:7; 3:19) The first man was of the earth, made of dust;

the second man was the Lord from heaven.

48 (Php 3:20-21) As was the man of dust, so are those who are of dust;

and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.

49 (Ge 5:3; Ro 8:29) As we have borne the image of the man of dust,

we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

50 (Mt 16:17) Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot

inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 (1Co 13:2; Php 3:21) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep,

but we shall all be changed.

52 (Mt 24:31; Jn 5:25; Isa 27:13) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,

at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound,

the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 (2Co 5:2-4; 1Jn 3:2) For this corruptible will put on incorruption,

and this mortal will put on immortality.

54 (Isa 25:8; Rev 20:14) When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,

and this mortal will have put on immortality, then the saying that is written

shall come to pass: "Death is swallowed up in victory."(Isa 25:8.)

55 (Hos 13:14) "O death, where is your sting?

O grave, where is your victory?"(Hos 13:14.)

56 (Ro 4:15) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 (Ro 8:37; 2Co 2:14) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ!

58 (1Co 16:10; 2Pe 3:14) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast,

unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that

your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

[35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body

do they come?

[36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

[37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,

but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

[38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his

own body.

[39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men,

another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

[40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory

of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

[41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and

another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in

glory.

[42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it

is raised in incorruption:

[43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness;

it is raised in power:

[44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a

natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

[45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the

last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

[46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is

natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from

heaven.

[48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the

heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

[49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the

image of the heavenly.

[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all

be changed,

[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the

trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we

shall be changed.

[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put

on immortality.

[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this

mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the

saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord

Jesus Christ.

[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always

abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is

not in vain in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4

A Life Pleasing to God

1 (Eph 4:1; 2Th 1:3) Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord

Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please

God, you should excel more and more.

2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 (Ac 15:29; Ro 6:22) For this is the will of God, your sanctification:

that you should abstain from sexual immorality,

4 (1Pe 3:7) that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel

in sanctification and honor,

5 (Ro 1:26; Gal 4:8) not in the lust of depravity, even as the Gentiles

who do not know God,

6 (Ro 12:19; Heb 13:4) and that no man take advantage of

and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord

is the avenger in all these things,

as we also have forewarned you and testified.

7 (1Th 2:3; Lev 11:44) For God has not called us to uncleanness,

but to holiness.

8 (1Jn 3:24; Lk 10:16) Therefore he that despises does not despise man,

but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

9 (1Th 5:1; Ro 12:10) As concerning brotherly love, you do not need me

to write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

10 (1Th 1:7; 3:12) And indeed, you do have love for all the brothers

who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, that you increase

more and more.

11 (Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15) Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business,

and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

12 (Mk 4:11; Ro 13:13) so that you may walk honestly toward

those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing.

[1] Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord

Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please

God, so ye would abound more and more.

[2] For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

[3] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should

abstain from fornication:

[4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in

sanctification and honour;

[5] Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not

God:

[6] That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because

that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and

testified.

[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

[8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also

given unto us his holy Spirit.

[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye

yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

[10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia:

but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

[11] And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work

with your own hands, as we commanded you;

[12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may

have lack of nothing.

The Lord's Coming

13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,

concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others

who have no hope.

14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,

so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord

will not precede those who are asleep.

16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend

from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,

and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we

shall be forever with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them

which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also

which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are

alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which

are asleep.

[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ

shall rise first:

[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with

them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be

with the Lord.

[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

2) Our Daily Bread for 30 December 2024 Titled

Why Me, God?

Psalm 13

When you are Discouraged or Depressed

Psalm 13

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me for good?

How long will you hide Your face from me?

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) How long will I harbour cares in my soul

and sorrow in my heart by day?

How long will my enemy loom over me?

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Take note and answer me, O Lord my God!

Brighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) lest my enemy say, 'I have him,'

lest my foes exult when I stumble.

5(Ps 42:11; 43:5) I for my part confide in Your kindness;

may my heart exult in Your salvation!

6(2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9 ) I will sing to the Lord,

because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever?

How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily?

How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God:

Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him;

And those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy;

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Jim has been battling a motor neuron disease for more than a year. The neurons

in his muscles are breaking down, and his muscles are wasting away. He's lost

his fine-motor skills and is losing his ability to control his limbs. He can

no longer button his shirt or tie his shoelaces, and using a pair of

chopsticks has become impossible. Jim struggles with his situation and asks,

Why is God allowing this to happen? Why me?

He's in good company with many other believers in Jesus who have brought

their questions to God. In Psalm 13, David cries out, "How long, Lord?

Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my

heart?" (vv. 1-2).

We too can take our confusion and questions to God. He understands when we cry

out "How long?" and "Why?" His ultimate answer is given to us in Jesus

and His triumph over sin and death.

As we look at the cross and the empty tomb, we gain confidence to trust in

God's "unfailing love" (v. 5) and rejoice in His salvation. Even in the

darkest nights, we can "sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to [us]"

(v. 6). Through our faith in Christ, He's forgiven our sins, adopted us

as His children, and is accomplishing His eternal good purpose in our lives.

By: Poh Fang Chia

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Reflect & Pray

What questions do you need to bring to God?

How has He shown His goodness to you,

even in your darkest night?

Loving Father, thank You that You care for me.

Please help me to trust that You're making something beautiful of my life.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation

Col 1:21-22

21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated

and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,

to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind

by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy

and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight

Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds

threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,

expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.

Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.

Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.

Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much

different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere

with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often

incompatible with our environment.

God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom

as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.

We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers

the imagination.

Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,

made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of

his world through Christ's death and resurrection.

Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.

And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.

No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self

is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.

We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.

Application

a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?

b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?

c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?

to Jesus?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Deut 29:9

9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant

and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.

9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,

that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

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

When you are ill or injured

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,

who heals all your diseases,

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

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

Day 30 of the Month

a) Pray for God's will to be done where you live and throughout

Canadian society, as it is in Heaven

( Matt 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.

)

b) Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city

or community, and across our nation. (

Rom 2:4

4 (Ex 34:6; Isa 30:18) Do you despise the riches of His goodness,

tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God

leads you to repentance?

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance

and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth

thee to repentance?

)

Conclusion:

Pray to understand the Resurrection of the Dead and the Rapture of the Church

Pray to the Lord: "Loving Father, thank You that You care for me.

Please help me to trust that You're making something beautiful of my life."

Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to know that you are no longer alien to Him.

Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to honour His covenant.

Pray to the Lord and pray for the Lord to renew you.

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 God's will to be done where you live and throughout

Canadian society, as it is in Heaven

Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city

or community, and across our nation.

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.

ChatGPT reviews Doctor Who - The Husbands of River Song

Posted by DSY on Monday, December 30. 2024

**Review of "The Husbands of River Song"**

Steven Moffat’s "The Husbands of River Song" is a festive romp that balances humor, heart, and a poignant conclusion to River Song’s storyline. The episode leans heavily into its comedic elements while threading emotional depth, offering a satisfying swan song for one of the show’s most beloved recurring characters.

The story begins with the Doctor’s reluctant involvement in River’s latest heist. Alex Kingston shines as River, embodying her usual charm and mischievous energy, though this time with a refreshing twist: she doesn’t recognize the Doctor. Her obliviousness provides Peter Capaldi ample room to explore the Doctor’s exasperation and amusement, leading to some of the episode’s most comedic moments. Capaldi’s delivery of “Hello, sweetie” is a standout, flipping the iconic line with perfect timing.

The plot is a straightforward caper involving a villainous king, a priceless diamond, and a series of betrayals. While the narrative itself doesn’t break new ground, it serves as a vehicle for the character dynamics. The campy tone, particularly Greg Davies’ portrayal of King Hydroflax, adds to the episode’s festive charm. The supporting cast, including Matt Lucas as Nardole, enhances the humor, though some of the broader comedic beats feel at odds with the story’s more tender moments.

As the episode progresses, the humor gives way to introspection. The reveal of the Doctor’s true identity to River is beautifully handled, culminating in the realization that the episode leads directly to the events of "Silence in the Library." Moffat’s script effectively ties together River’s timeline, providing closure to her arc while deepening her relationship with the Doctor. The final scenes at the Singing Towers of Darillium are a masterclass in bittersweet storytelling. Capaldi and Kingston deliver performances filled with nuance, capturing the weight of their characters’ shared history and inevitable parting.

Visually, the episode is vibrant and festive, with director Douglas Mackinnon leaning into the Christmas aesthetic. The snowy landscapes and over-the-top design of Hydroflax’s mechanical body contribute to the episode’s whimsical tone. Murray Gold’s score complements the shifting moods, from the playful to the poignant.

Despite its strengths, the episode isn’t without flaws. The humor, while enjoyable, occasionally overshadows the emotional stakes. The villain is underdeveloped, serving more as a plot device than a fully realized character. Additionally, the pacing feels uneven, with the quieter moments in the latter half contrasting sharply with the frantic energy of the first.

Overall, "The Husbands of River Song" is a fitting send-off for River, blending comedy and sentiment in a way that feels true to her character. While it may not be the most groundbreaking story, its emotional resonance and focus on the Doctor-River dynamic make it a memorable Christmas special.

**Rating: 85/100**

A heartwarming and humorous farewell to River Song, elevated by stellar performances and a poignant conclusion.

Google Gemini reviews Doctor Who - The Name of the Doctor

Posted by DSY on Monday, December 30. 2024

"The Name of the Doctor" is a series finale that aimed to tie together many of the season's loose ends and deliver some big reveals. It's a complex and ambitious episode that has generated a lot of discussion among fans. Here's a review considering common opinions and my own:

**What people tend to praise:**

**Atmosphere and mystery:** The episode creates a strong sense of mystery and foreboding, with the ominous setting of Trenzalore and the creepy Whispermen.

**Big reveals and twists:** The episode delivers some significant reveals, including the Doctor's tomb and the true nature of Clara's connection to the Doctor.

**Emotional impact:** The episode has some emotionally charged moments, particularly involving the Doctor's past and his relationship with Clara.

**River Song's return:** The return of River Song, albeit in a non-corporeal form, is a welcome addition for many fans.

**What people tend to criticize:**

**Convoluted plot:** The plot is quite complex and relies heavily on time travel and convoluted explanations, which some viewers find confusing or unsatisfying.

**Lack of clear answers:** Despite the big reveals, some questions are left unanswered, and some plot points feel underdeveloped.

**Overreliance on Moffat's tropes:** The episode exhibits some of Steven Moffat's recurring writing tropes, such as complex time travel paradoxes and clever but sometimes convoluted explanations, which can be divisive among viewers.

**The Great Intelligence's role:** The Great Intelligence, despite being set up as a major villain, feels somewhat underutilized in the finale.

**My rating and thoughts:**

I'd give "The Name of the Doctor" a **7.5/10**. It's an ambitious and atmospheric finale with some genuinely exciting and emotional moments. The reveals are impactful, and the mystery surrounding Trenzalore is effectively built.

However, the episode is let down by its overly complex plot and some underdeveloped aspects. While I appreciate the attempt to tie together various plot threads, the execution feels somewhat convoluted, and some questions remain unanswered. The Great Intelligence's role is also a bit disappointing.

Overall, "The Name of the Doctor" is a decent finale that delivers some big moments and emotional impact. It's not a perfect episode, but it's an engaging and atmospheric conclusion to the season that is worth watching for its reveals and emotional core.

Day 364 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 29 December 2024 reflections Part 2

Posted by DSY on Sunday, December 29. 2024

John 20:24-31

Jesus and Thomas

24 (Jn 11:16) But Thomas, one of the twelve, called The Twin,

was not with them when Jesus came.

25 (Mk 16:11) So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail prints in His hands,

and put my finger in the nail prints, and put my hand in His side,

I will not believe."

26 (Jn 20:19) After eight days His disciples were again

inside with the doors shut, and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you."

27 (Jn 20:25) Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here,

and look at My hands. Put your hand here and place it in My side.

Do not be faithless, but believing."

28 (Isa 7:14; 9:6) Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 (1Pe 1:8; 2Co 5:7) Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have

seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen,

and have yet believed."

[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when

Jesus came.

[25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But

he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails,

and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his

side, I will not believe.

[26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with

them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and

said, Peace be unto you.

[27] Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands;

and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless,

but believing.

[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast

believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

The Purpose of the Book

30 (Jn 21:25) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence

of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

31 (Jn 3:15-16; 10:10) But these are written that you might believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing

you may have life in His name.

[30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciple

which are not written in this book:

[31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 21

The Appearance of Jesus to the Seven Disciples

1 (Jn 6:1) After this, Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples

at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself this way:

2 (Jn 1:45-2:1; 4:46) Simon Peter; Thomas, called The Twin;

Nathanael of Cana in Galilee; the sons of Zebedee;

and two more of His disciples were together.

3 (Lk 5:5) Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."

Then they said to him, "We will go with you."

They went out and immediately entered the boat.

But that night they caught nothing.

4 (Jn 20:14) When the morning came, Jesus stood on the shore.

But the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?"

They answered Him, "No."

6 (Lk 5:4-7) He said to them, "Throw the net on the right side of the boat,

and you will find some." So they threw it, and now they were not able

to draw it in because of the abundance of fish.

7 (Jn 13:23; 19:26; 20:2) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter,

"It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea.

8 The other disciples came in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish.

For they were not far from land, but about three hundred feet away.

(About 200 cubits, or 90 meters.)

9 When they came to land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying

on it, and bread.

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net, full of 153 large fish, to land.

Although there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 (Ac 10:41; Jn 4:27) Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast."

None of the disciples dared ask, "Who are You?" They knew it was the Lord.

13 (Jn 21:9) Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them,

and likewise the fish.

14 (Jn 20:19; 20:26) This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed

to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

[1] After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the

sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

[2] There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and

Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his

disciples.

[3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also

go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that

night they caught nothing.

[4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the

disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

[5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered

him, No.

[6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and

ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it

for the multitude of fishes.

[7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the

Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's

coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

[8] And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far

from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

[9] As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there,

and fish laid thereon, and bread.

[10] Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

[11] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and

hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the

net broken.

[12] Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst

ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

[13] Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish

likewise.

[14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples,

after that he was risen from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 (Mt 26:33; Mk 14:29) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said

to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love You."

He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

16 (Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:2) He said to him again a second time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love You."

He said to him, "Tend My sheep."

17 (Jn 13:38; 16:30) He said to him the third time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"

Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, "Do you love Me?"

He said to Him, "Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You."

Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

18 (Jn 13:36) Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young,

you dressed yourself and walked where you desired.

But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,

and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

19 (2Pe 1:14; Jn 21:22) He said this, signifying by what kind of death

he would glorify God. When He had said this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of

Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou

knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

[16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou

me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith

unto him, Feed my sheep.

[17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I

love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

[18] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst

thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old,

thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry

thee whither thou wouldest not.

[19] This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when

he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple

20 (Jn 21:7; 20:2) Peter turned and saw following them the disciple

whom Jesus loved, who also leaned against His bosom at the supper

and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?"

21 (Ac 1:6-7) When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus,

"Lord, what about this man?"

22 (1Co 4:5; Rev 2:25) Jesus said to him, "If it is My will that

he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!"

23 The saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die.

Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but,

"If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

24 (Jn 19:35; 3Jn 1:12) This is the disciple who testifies about

these things, and wrote these things. We know that his testimony is true.

25 (Am 7:10; Jn 20:30-31) There are also many other things which Jesus did.

Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that not even the world

itself could contain the books that would be written. Amen.

[20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved

following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which

is he that betrayeth thee?

[21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

[22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that

to thee? follow thou me.

[23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple

should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I

will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

[24] This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these

things: and we know that his testimony is true.

[25] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if

they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could

not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Matthew 28:16-20

The Commissioning of the Disciples

Mk 16:14-18; Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8

16 (Mt 28:7; 26:32) Then the eleven disciples went away to Galilee,

to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

17 (Mt 28:9) When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. But some doubted.

18 (Mt 11:27; Ro 14:9) Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 1:8) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 (Mt 18:20; Ac 2:42) teaching them to observe all things I have commanded

you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

[16] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where

Jesus had appointed them.

[17] And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me

in heaven and in earth.

[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-18

15 (Mt 28:19; Ac 1:8) He said to them, "Go into all the world,

and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 (Jn 3:36; 1Pe 3:21; Mt 28:19) He who believes and is baptized

will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 (Ac 5:16; 8:7) These signs will accompany those who believe:

In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18 (Lk 10:19; Ac 3:16) they will take up serpents; if they drink

any deadly thing, it will not hurt them;

they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel

to every creature.

[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth

not shall be damned.

[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they

cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it

shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall

recover.

Luke 24:44-49

44 (Ps 72:1-20; 118:22) He said to them, "These are the words

which I spoke to you while I was still with you,

that all things must be fulfilled which were written

in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Me."

45 (Ac 16:14; Job 33:16) Then He opened their minds to understand

the Scriptures.

46 (Lk 24:44) He said to them, "Thus it is written, and accordingly

it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead

the third day,

47 (Ac 5:31; Mt 28:19; Ac 2:38) and that repentance and remission

of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,

beginning at Jerusalem.

48 (Ac 1:8; 2:32) You are witnesses of these things.

49 (Ac 1:4; Jn 14:26) And look, I am sending the promise of My Father

upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed

with power from on high."

[44] And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you,

while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were

written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,

concerning me.

[45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the

scriptures,

[46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to

suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his

name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

[48] And ye are witnesses of these things.

[49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in

the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Mark 16:19-20

The Ascension

Lk 24:50-53; Ac 1:9-11

19 (1Pe 3:22; Heb 1:3; 12:2) After the Lord had spoken to them,

He was received up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.

20 (Ac 5:12; Heb 2:4) Then they went forth and preached everywhere,

the Lord working with them and confirming the word through

the accompanying signs. Amen.

[19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into

heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

[20] And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with

them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Luke 24:50-53

The Ascension

Mk 16:19-20; Ac 1:9-11

50 (Ac 1:12; Mt 21:17) Then He led them out as far as Bethany,

and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

51 (2Ki 2:11; Mk 16:19) While He blessed them, He parted from them

and was carried up into heaven.

52 (Mt 28:9; Jn 16:22) Then they worshipped Him,

and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

[50] And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands,

and blessed them.

[51] And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them,

and carried up into heaven.

[52] And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

[53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Acts 1

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 (Lk 1:3; 24:19) The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,

concerning all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 (Jn 13:18; 20:21) until the day when He was taken up,

after He had given commandments through the Holy Spirit

to the apostles whom He had chosen,

3 (1Co 15:5-7; Jn 20:26) to whom He presented Himself alive

after His passion by many infallible proofs,

appearing to them for forty days,

and speaking concerning the kingdom of God.

4 (Lk 24:49; Jn 14:16) Being assembled with them, He commanded them,

"Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,

of which you have heard from Me. (Lk 24:49. 5Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16)

For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized

with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

[1] The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus

began both to do and teach,

[2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the

Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

[3] To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many

infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the

things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

[4] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they

should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the

Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

The Ascension

6 (Mt 17:11) So when they had come together, they asked Him,

"Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 (Mt 24:36; Da 2:21; Mk 13:32) He said to them, "It is not for you

to know the times or the dates, which the Father has fixed

by His own authority.

8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

9 (Ac 1:2; Lk 24:50-51) When He had spoken these things,

while they looked, He was taken up.

And a cloud received Him from their sight.

10 (Lk 24:4; Jn 20:12) While they looked intently toward heaven as

He ascended, suddenly two men stood by them in white garments.

11 (Ac 2:7; 13:31) They said, "Men of Galilee, why stand looking

toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven,

will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the

seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon

you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all

Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken

up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into

heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall

so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

2) Our Daily Bread for 29 December 2024 Titled

Building What Lasts

Genesis 11:1-8

The Tower of Babel

1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.

2 As the people journeyed from the east,

they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

3 They said to each other,

"Let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly."

And they had brick for stone and tar for mortar.

4 Then they said, "Come, let us build us a city and a tower,

whose top will reach to heaven,

and let us make a name for ourselves;

otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that

the sons of men built.

6 The Lord said, "The people are one and they have one language,

and this is only the beginning of what they will do;

now nothing that they propose to do will be impossible for them.

7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language,

so that they may not understand one another's speech."

8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth,

and they stopped building the city.

[1] And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

[2] And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a

plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

[3] And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them

throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

[4] And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may

reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad

upon the face of the whole earth.

[5] And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children

of men builded.

[6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one

language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from

them, which they have imagined to do.

[7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may

not understand one another's speech.

[8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the

earth: and they left off to build the city.

When I was a young boy in Ohio, we lived near several construction sites.

Inspired by them, my friends and I gathered leftover scraps to build a fort.

Borrowing tools from our parents, we hauled wood and spent days trying to

make our material serve our purposes. It was fun, but our attempts were poor

reflections of the well-constructed buildings around us.

They didn't last long.

In Genesis 11, we encounter a major building construction project. "Let us

build ourselves a city," said the people, "with a tower that reaches

to the heavens" (v. 4). A big problem with this effort was that the people

did it to "make a name for ourselves" (v. 4).

This has been a recurring issue for humans; we build monuments to ourselves

and our achievements. Later in the biblical narrative, this story is

contrasted with Solomon's motivation for building God's temple:

"I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God"

(1 Kings 5:5).

Solomon understood that what he built needed to point to God and not himself.

This was such an important lesson that he even wrote a psalm about it.

Psalm 127 opens with "unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in

vain" (v. 1). Like my childhood fort-building, what we build will not last,

but God's name and what we do for Him has lasting significance.

By: Matt Lucas

Reflect & Pray

What are you building with your life? How is your life bringing honor to God?

Father, please forgive me for the times I've

focused on myself and not on what You're doing in the world.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ

Romans 10:9-10

9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth

Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from

the dead, you will be saved,

10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,

and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt

believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved.

[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,

but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared

on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.

"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"

"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.

"I , uh, well, I did it"

"Did what?"

"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."

"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.

He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision

when Maria walked by.

"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"

Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,

" I - I committed my life to Christ."

Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,

and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,

"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"

Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.

But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,

the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.

Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',

not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection

between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family

and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love

for Christ is confirmed and stabilised

by speaking of that commitment to others.

Application

a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?

b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?

4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland

Joshua 1:8

8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.

Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all

that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,

and you will be wise.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt

meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according

to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,

and then thou shalt have good success.

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

When you are discouraged or Depressed

Matthew 11:25-30

25 (Ps 8:2; Jn 11:41) At that time Jesus said, "I thank You, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things

from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.

26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.

27 (Jn 10:15; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:18) "All things are delivered to Me

by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except the Father.

And no one knows the Father, except the Son and he to whom

the Son will reveal Him.

28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily

burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.

For I am meek and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.(Jer 6:16).

30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

because He has dealt bountifully with me.

The Hidden Revelation

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man

knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek

and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 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

Day 29 of the Month

a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care

to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true

integrity and compassion (

Ps 139:13-16

13 You brought my inner parts into being;

You wove me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;

marvelous are Your works,

and You know me completely.

15 My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in secret,

and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw me unformed,

yet in Your book

all my days were written,

before any of them came into being.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins:

Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;

And in thy book all my members were written,

Which in continuance were fashioned,

When as yet there was none of them.

)

b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor

and compassionately respond to their plight (

Gal 2:10

10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,

which I also was eager to do.

10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;

the same which I also was forward to do.

)

Conclusion:

Pray to know the Lord's Will in your life.

Pray to Have the Risen and Resurrected Lord have a walk with you.

Pray to the Lord: "Father, please forgive me for the times I've

focused on myself and not on what You're doing in the world"

Pray to the Lord and pray to always confess

and declare Jesus as Lord and Master.

Pray to the Lord and pray to Him know His Word

that it would not depart frm you.

Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your burdens.

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 that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care

to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true

integrity and compassion

Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor

and compassionately respond to their plight.

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 364 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 29 December 2024 reflections Part 1

Posted by DSY on Sunday, December 29. 2024

Day 364, 29 December 2024

Today at Calvary Community Church

, Pastor Larry Janzen spoke on Two Disciples, One Wasted Opportunity.

Focus on Judas and Simon Peter.

A) Judas

MAtthew 27:1-10

Jesus Brought Before Pilate

Mk 15:1; Lk 23:1-2; Jn 18:28-32

1 (Mk 15:1; Lk 22:66) When the morning came, all the chief priests

and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.

2 (Mt 20:19; Ac 3:13)When they had bound Him, they led Him away

and handed Him over to Pontius Pilate the governor.

[1] When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the

people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

[2] And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to

Pontius Pilate the governor.

The Death of Judas

Ac 1:18-19

3 When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He was condemned,

he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver

to the chief priests and elders,

4 saying, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood."

They said, "What is that to us? You must see to that."

5 (2Sa 17:23; Job 2:9) So he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple

and departed. And he went and hanged himself.

6 The chief priests took the silver pieces and said, "It is not lawful

to put them into the treasury, because this is the price of blood."

7 So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field

to bury strangers in.

8 (Ac 1:19; Mt 28:15) Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood

to this day.

9 (Zec 11:12-13) Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

"They took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of that the sons of Israel

set on Him,

10 and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me."

[3] Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned,

repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief

priests and elders,

[4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And

they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

[5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and

went and hanged himself.

[6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful

for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury

strangers in.

[8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

[9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued,

whom they of the children of Israel did value;

[10] And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

B) Peter

Matthew 26:69-75

Peter's Denial of Jesus

Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:56-62; Jn 18:15-18, 25-27

69 (Mt 26:71) Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard.

And a girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."

70 But he denied it before them all, saying,

"I do not know what you are saying."

71 Then when he went out onto the porch, another girl saw him

and said to those who were there, "This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth."

72 Again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man."

73 (Jdg 12:6) After a while those who stood by came to Peter and said,

"Surely you also are one of them, for your accent betrays you."

74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and he swore,

"I do not know the Man."

Then immediately a rooster crowed.

75 (Mt 26:34; Jn 13:38) Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken,

"Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."

Then he went out and wept bitterly.

[69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him,

saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

[70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

[71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said

unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

[72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

[73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter,

Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

[74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And

immediately the cock crew.

[75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the

cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

C) Attitudes and actions that lead to wasted opportunity:

i) We don't analyse our thoughhts

Proverbs 23:7

7 (Ps 12:2; Jdg 16:15) for as he thinks in his heart,

so is he.

"Eat and drink!" he says to you,

but his heart is not with you.

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Eat and drink, saith he to thee;

But his heart is not with thee.

John 6:69-70

69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God."

70 Jesus answered them, "Have I not chosen you, the twelve,

and yet one of you is a devil?"

[69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the

living God.

[70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a

devil?

ii) We don't pay attention to our words.

JOhn 12:1-5

The Anointing at Bethany

Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9

1 (Jn 11:55; Mt 21:17) Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany,

where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.

2 (Lk 10:38-42) They prepared a supper for Him there. Martha served,

but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

3 (Jn 11:2; Lk 7:37-38) Then Mary took a pint

(Gk. a litra, or half a liter.) of very costly ointment made

from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet

with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

4 (Mt 10:4) But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son,

who would betray Him, said,

5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii

(About a year's wages.) and given to the poor?"

[1] Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus

was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

[2] There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of

them that sat at the table with him.

[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and

anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house

was filled with the odour of the ointment.

[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which

should betray him,

[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the

poor?

iii) We don't hold our actions to account

John 12:6

6 (Jn 13:29) He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because

he was a thief. And having the money box, he used to steal what was put in it.

[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a

thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

iv) We don't question our emotions.

John 12:6

6 (Jn 13:29) He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because

he was a thief. And having the money box, he used to steal what was put in it.

What did Judas really care about?

D) The resonance of repentance:

MAtthew 26:69-75

Peter's Denial of Jesus

Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:56-62; Jn 18:15-18, 25-27

69 (Mt 26:71) Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard.

And a girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."

70 But he denied it before them all, saying,

"I do not know what you are saying."

71 Then when he went out onto the porch, another girl saw him

and said to those who were there, "This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth."

72 Again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man."

73 (Jdg 12:6) After a while those who stood by came to Peter and said,

"Surely you also are one of them, for your accent betrays you."

74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and he swore,

"I do not know the Man."

Then immediately a rooster crowed.

75 (Mt 26:34; Jn 13:38) Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken,

"Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."

Then he went out and wept bitterly.

[69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him,

saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

[70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

[71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said

unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

[72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

[73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter,

Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

[74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And

immediately the cock crew.

[75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the

cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

a) Judas' response - There is a moment where opportunity is lost forever.

b) Peter's response - There is a moment where opportunity gained and maintained!

Luke 22:62

62 And Peter went outside and wept bitterly.

[62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

John 21:15-20

Jesus and Peter

15 (Mt 26:33; Mk 14:29) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said

to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love You."

He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

16 (Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:2) He said to him again a second time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"

He said to Him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love You."

He said to him, "Tend My sheep."

17 (Jn 13:38; 16:30) He said to him the third time,

"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"

Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, "Do you love Me?"

He said to Him, "Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You."

Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

18 (Jn 13:36) Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young,

you dressed yourself and walked where you desired.

But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,

and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

19 (2Pe 1:14; Jn 21:22) He said this, signifying by what kind of death

he would glorify God. When He had said this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of

Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou

knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

[16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou

me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith

unto him, Feed my sheep.

[17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I

love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

[18] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst

thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old,

thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry

thee whither thou wouldest not.

[19] This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when

he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple

20 (Jn 21:7; 20:2) Peter turned and saw following them the disciple

whom Jesus loved, who also leaned against His bosom at the supper

and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?"

[20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved

following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which

is he that betrayeth thee?

D) Remorse led to reflections, which led to repentance, which led to release,

which led to restoration, which led to renewal, which led to Royal identity.

1 Peter 2:9

9 (Dt 7:6; 10:15) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy

nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the

goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a

peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath

called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a

thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

1) Mark 16:1-8 Matthew 28:1-7 Luke 24:1-12 Mark 16:9-13 John 20:1-18

Matthew 28:8-15 Luke 24:13-43 Mark 16:12-13 John 20:19-23 Mark 16:14

John 20:24-31 John 21 Matthew 28:16-20 Mark 16:15-18 Luke 24:44-49

Mark 16:19-20 Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:1-11

Mark 16:1-8

The Resurrection of Jesus

Mt 28:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10

1 (Mk 15:40; 15:47) When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,

and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices,

so that they might go and anoint Him.

2 (Mt 28:1; Lk 24:1) Very early in the morning, on the first day

of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun.

3 They said among themselves, "Who will roll the stone away

from the door of the tomb for us?"

4 (Lk 24:2; Jn 20:1) But when they looked, they saw that the stone

had been rolled away. For it was very large.

5 (Jn 20:11-12; Mt 28:3) And entering the tomb, they saw a young man

sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white robe.

And they were frightened.

6 He said to them, "Do not be frightened. You are looking for Jesus

of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here.

See the place where they laid Him.

7 (Mk 14:28; Mt 26:32) But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter

that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him,

as He told you."

8 They went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled

and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of

James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint

him.

[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto

the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from

the door of the sepulchre?

[4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it

was very great.

[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the

right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

[6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth,

which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where

they laid him.

[7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you

into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

[8] And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they

trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they

were afraid.

Matthew 28:1-7

The Resurrection

Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-10

1 (Mt 27:56; 27:61) At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn

on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene

and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

2 And then there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door

and sat on it.

3 (Mk 9:3; Ac 1:10) His countenance was like lightning, and his garments

white as snow.

4 (Rev 1:17) The soldiers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 (Heb 1:14) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid.

For I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

6 (Mt 16:21; 27:63) He is not here. For He has risen, as He said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 (Mt 26:32; 28:10) Then go quickly and tell His disciples

that He has risen from the dead, and indeed, He is going before you

to Galilee. There you will see Him. Listen, I have told you."

[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of

the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord

descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and

sat upon it.

[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know

that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

[6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where

the Lord lay.

[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;

and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I

have told you.

Luke 24:1-12

The Resurrection of Jesus

Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Jn 20:1-10

1 (Lk 24:10; Jn 20:1-2) Now on the first day of the week,

very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them,

came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared.

2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

3 (Lk 24:23) But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord

Jesus.

4 (Mk 16:5; Ac 1:10) While they were greatly perplexed concerning this,

suddenly two men stood by them in shining garments.

5 As they were afraid and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them,

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?

6 (Mt 17:22-23; Lk 9:22) He is not here, but has risen! Remember how

He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,

7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,

and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.' "

8 Then they remembered His words.

9 And they returned from the tomb and reported all these things

to the eleven and to all the rest.

10 (Mk 15:40-41; Lk 8:2-3) It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna,

Mary the mother of James, and other women with them, who told these things

to the apostles.

11 (Mk 16:11) But their words seemed like fables to them, and they did not

believe them.

12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb. Stooping down, he saw the linen

clothes lying by themselves. He departed, wondering in himself what

had happened.

[1] Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came

unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain

others with them.

[2] And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

[3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

[4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two

men stood by them in shining garments:

[5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they

said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

[6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was

yet in Galilee,

[7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,

and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

[8] And they remembered his words,

[9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the

eleven, and to all the rest.

[10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and

other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

[11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them

not.

[12] Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he

beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in

himself at that which was come to pass.

Mark 16:9-13

The Appearance to Mary Magdalene

Mt 28:9-10; Jn 20:11-18

9 (Mk 15:40; Lk 8:2) Now when Jesus rose early on the first day

of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom

He had cast seven demons.

10 She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned

and wept.

11 (Lk 24:11; Mk 16:13-14) When they heard that He was alive

and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.

[9] Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared

first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

[10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and

wept.

[11] And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of

her, believed not.

The Appearance to Two Disciples

Lk 24:13-35

12 (Lk 24:13-32) After that He appeared in another form to two of them

as they walked and went into the country.

13 (Lk 24:33-35; Jn 20:25) And they went and told it to the rest,

but they did not believe them either.

[12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they

walked, and went into the country.

[13] And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

John 20:1-18

John 20

The Resurrection of Jesus

Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-12

1 (Mt 27:60; Mk 15:46) Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene

went to the tomb while it was still dark

and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

2 (Jn 13:23; 20:13; 19:26) So she came running to Simon Peter

and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them,

"They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,

and we do not know where they have put Him."

3 (Lk 24:12) So Peter came out with the other disciple

and they went toward the tomb.

4 They both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter

and came to the tomb first.

5 (Jn 19:40) Stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying.

Yet he did not enter.

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went inside the tomb.

He saw the linen cloths lying there,

7 (Jn 11:44) and the cloth that was around His head, not lying

with the linen cloths, but wrapped in a place by itself.

8 (Jn 20:4) Then the other disciple, who came first to the tomb,

went in also. He saw and believed.

9 (Lk 24:26; Ps 16:10) For as yet they did not know the Scripture,

that He must rise from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

[1] The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet

dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

[2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,

whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of

the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

[3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the

sepulchre.

[4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and

came first to the sepulchre.

[5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet

went he not in.

[6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and

seeth the linen clothes lie,

[7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen

clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

[8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the

sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

[9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the

dead.

[10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

The Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene

Mk 16:9-11

11 But Mary stood outside at the tomb weeping. As she wept,

she stooped down and looked into the tomb,

12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus

had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

13 (Jn 20:15; 2:4) They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"

She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord,

and I do not know where they have put Him."

14 (Mt 28:9; Mk 16:9) When she had said this, she turned around

and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

15 (Jn 1:38; 18:4) Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?

Whom are you seeking?"

Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him,

"Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have put Him,

and I will take Him away."

16 (Jn 1:38) Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to Me, for I have not

yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and tell them,

'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.' "

18 (Lk 24:10; Mt 28:10) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples

that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.

[11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she

stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

[12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the

other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

[13] And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them,

Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid

him.

[14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus

standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

[15] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She,

supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne

him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

[16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him,

Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

[17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my

Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father,

and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord,

and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Matthew 28:8-15

8 (Ps 2:11) So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear

and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

9 (Mt 14:33; 28:17) As they went to tell His disciples,

suddenly Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" They came

and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.

10 (Jn 20:17; Ro 8:29) Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.

Go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;

and did run to bring his disciples word.

[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,

All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

[10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they

go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

The Report of the Guard

11 (Mt 27:65-66) While they were going, indeed, some of the soldiers

went into the city and described to the chief priests everything

that had happened.

12 When the chief priests were assembled with the elders

and had taken counsel, they gave much money to the soldiers,

13 saying, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night

and stole Him away while we were sleeping.'

14 (Mt 27:2) If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him

and keep you secure."

15 (Mt 27:8) So they took the money and did as they were instructed.

And this saying has been commonly reported among the Jews to this day.

[11] Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city,

and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

[12] And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel,

they gave large money unto the soldiers,

[13] Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while

we slept.

[14] And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and

secure you.

[15] So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is

commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Luke 24:13-43

The Walk to Emmaus

Mk 16:12-13

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,

about seven miles (Gk. 60 stadia, or 11 kilometers.) from Jerusalem.

14 They were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

15 (Lk 24:36) While they communed and reasoned together,

Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.

16 (Jn 20:14; 21:4) But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

17 He said to them, "What kind of communication are you sharing

with one another while you are walking and are sad?”

18 (Jn 19:25) One of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are You

the only foreigner in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened

there in these days?"

19 (Mt 21:11; Ac 2:22) He said to them, "What things?"

They said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet,

powerful in deed and word before God and all the people,

20 (Lk 23:13) and how our chief priests and rulers handed Him over

to be sentenced to death and crucified Him.

21 (Lk 1:68; 2:38) But we were hoping that it was He who was to redeem

Israel. Moreover, today is the third day since these things happened.

22 Even some women from among us, who arrived early at the tomb, surprised us.

23 When they did not find His body, they returned saying that they had

even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive.

24 (Lk 24:12) Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb

and found it just as the women had said. But they did not see Him."

25 He said to them, "O fools! And slow of heart to believe what

the prophets have spoken!

26 (1Pe 1:11; Lk 24:46) Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer

these things and to enter His glory?"

27 (Ge 3:15; Isa 7:14) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,

He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

28 (Mk 6:48) They drew near the village where they were traveling,

and He seemed to be going farther.

29 But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us. For it is nearly evening

and the day is far spent." So He went in to stay with them.

30 (Mt 14:19; Lk 24:35) As He sat at supper with them, He took the bread,

blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them.

31 (Lk 24:16; 4:30) Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.

And He vanished out of their sight.

32 (Lk 24:45; Ps 39:3) They said to each other, :Did not our hearts burn

within us while He talked to us on the way and while He opened

the Scriptures to us?"

33 They rose up and returned to Jerusalem at once. And they found

the eleven and those who were with them assembled together,

34 (1Co 15:5) saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

35 Then they reported what had happened on the way, and how He was recognised

by them in the breaking of the bread.

[13] And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus,

which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

[14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

[15] And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned,

Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

[16] But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

[17] And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye

have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

[18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him,

Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which

are come to pass therein these days?

[19] And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning

Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God

and all the people:

[20] And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned

to death, and have crucified him.

[21] But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:

and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

[22] Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which

were early at the sepulchre;

[23] And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also

seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

[24] And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found

it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

[25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that

the prophets have spoken:

[26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his

glory?

[27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in

all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

[28] And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as

though he would have gone further.

[29] But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward

evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

[30] And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and

blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

[31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of

their sight.

[32] And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while

he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

[33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found

the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

[34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

[35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of

them in breaking of bread.

The Appearance to the Disciples

Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:14-18; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8

36 (Mk 16:14; Jn 14:27) As they were saying this, Jesus Himself stood among

them and said to them, "Peace be unto you."

37 They were terrified and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit.

38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise

in your hearts?

39 (Jn 20:27; 1Jn 1:1; Jn 20:20) See My hands and My feet, that it is

I Myself. Feel Me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh

and bones as you see that I have."

40 When He said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

41 (Jn 21:5) And while they yet disbelieved for joy and wondered,

He said to them, "Do you have any food here?"

42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb.

43 (Ac 10:41) And He took it and ate it before them.

[36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and

saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

[37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen

a spirit.

[38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise

in your hearts?

[39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see;

for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

[40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

[41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto

them, Have ye here any meat?

[42] And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

[43] And he took it, and did eat before them.

Mark 16:12-13

The Appearance to Two Disciples

Lk 24:13-35

12 (Lk 24:13-32) After that He appeared in another form to two of them

as they walked and went into the country.

13 (Lk 24:33-35; Jn 20:25) And they went and told it to the rest,

but they did not believe them either.

[12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they

walked, and went into the country.

[13] And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

John 20:19-23

The Appearance of Jesus to His Disciples

Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:14-18; Lk 24:36-49

19 (Jn 20:26; 14:27; 20:21) On the evening of that first day of the week,

the doors being locked where the disciples were assembled,

for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them,

"Peace be with you."

20 (Jn 16:22; 20:27) When He had said this, He showed them His hands

and His side. The disciples were then glad when they saw the Lord.

21 (Jn 13:20; 14:27) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.

As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you."

22 (Ge 2:7; Jn 15:26) When He had said this, He breathed on them

and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

23 (Mt 16:19; 18:18) If you forgive the sins of anyone,

they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of anyone,

they are retained."

[19] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the

doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,

came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

[20] And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.

Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

[21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath

sent me, even so send I you.

[22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them,

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

[23] Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose

soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Mark 16:14

The Commissioning of the Disciples

Mt 28:16-20; Lk 24:36-49; Jn 20:19-23; Ac 1:6-8

14 (1Co 15:5; Lk 24:36-43) Afterward He appeared to the eleven

as they sat at supper, and He reprimanded them for their unbelief

and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had

seen Him after He had risen.

[14] Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and

upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they

believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

ChatGPT reviews Doctor Who - Hell Bent

Posted by DSY on Sunday, December 29. 2024

**Review of "Hell Bent"**

Steven Moffat’s "Hell Bent" serves as the finale of Series 9 and attempts to tie together the overarching themes of the season, exploring loss, memory, and the lengths the Doctor will go to for those he loves. However, while the episode contains powerful moments and striking visuals, its narrative choices are polarizing, leaving fans divided.

The episode begins with the Doctor returning to Gallifrey after his harrowing ordeal in "Heaven Sent." The return of the Time Lords and the exploration of their politics, while initially intriguing, feels underdeveloped. The Doctor’s standoff with Rassilon is intense, but the resolution—banishing Rassilon without much conflict—feels anticlimactic. Gallifrey’s presence, long-awaited by fans, serves more as a backdrop than a critical part of the story.

Clara’s resurrection is central to the plot and represents the most controversial aspect of the episode. The Doctor’s decision to extract Clara from her timeline, risking the collapse of reality, highlights his growing recklessness. While their bond has been a cornerstone of Capaldi’s era, this act of defiance undermines the emotional weight of Clara’s death in "Face the Raven." The resurrection feels less like a natural progression and more like a refusal to let go of a beloved character.

The dynamic between the Doctor and Clara is undoubtedly compelling, with Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman delivering strong performances. Their farewell scene in the cloisters is poignant, mirroring their first meeting with a bittersweet reversal. Clara’s final journey, traveling with Ashildr in a TARDIS, is thematically rich, emphasizing her growth into a Doctor-like figure. However, the focus on Clara detracts from the broader implications of the Doctor’s actions on Gallifrey and the universe.

Moffat’s script delves into philosophical territory, particularly in the conversation between the Doctor and Ashildr about hybridization and fear. These moments provide depth but are weighed down by the convoluted narrative. The hybrid prophecy, teased throughout the season, ultimately feels like a red herring, its resolution ambiguous and unsatisfying.

Director Rachel Talalay crafts stunning visuals, from the desolate Gallifreyan desert to the eerie cloisters. The atmosphere is rich and evocative, complementing the story’s introspective tone. Murray Gold’s score, as always, heightens the emotional resonance, particularly during the Doctor and Clara’s farewell.

While "Hell Bent" strives to be a character-driven exploration of loss and defiance, it stumbles under the weight of its ambition. The episode sacrifices coherence and stakes in favor of sentimentality, leaving key plot points unresolved. It’s a finale that will resonate with some for its emotional depth but frustrate others with its narrative choices.

**Rating: 78/100**

"Hell Bent" is an ambitious yet flawed finale, offering emotional closure for the Doctor and Clara but struggling with its narrative focus and the resolution of its themes.

Google Gemini reviews Doctor Who - Niughtmare in Silver

Posted by DSY on Sunday, December 29. 2024

"Nightmare in Silver" is a Neil Gaiman-penned episode that aimed to revitalize the Cybermen, giving them a more menacing and updated feel. Here's a review considering common opinions and my own:

**What people tend to praise:**

**Revamped Cybermen:** The new Cybermen design, with their increased speed and ability to adapt, was generally well-received. They felt like a genuine threat again.

**Matt Smith's performance:** Smith gives a strong performance, particularly when portraying the Doctor partially cyber-converted, showcasing a chilling duality.

**Fast pace and action:** The episode is action-packed and moves along at a brisk pace, keeping the viewer engaged.

**Concept of Cybermites:** The introduction of the Cybermites, small insect-like creatures that convert organic matter, was a creepy and effective addition to the Cybermen's arsenal.

**What people tend to criticize:**

**Underdeveloped supporting characters:** The supporting characters, particularly the soldiers and the children, are often considered underdeveloped and somewhat annoying.

**Inconsistent tone:** The episode struggles to balance the horror elements with more lighthearted moments, leading to some tonal inconsistencies.

**Unfulfilled potential:** While the new Cybermen had potential, some feel that the episode didn't fully explore their capabilities or the implications of their new abilities.

**Chess game resolution:** The resolution involving a chess game between the Doctor and the Cyber Planner is seen by some as a bit contrived and underwhelming.

**My rating and thoughts:**

I'd give "Nightmare in Silver" a **7/10**. It's an enjoyable episode with some genuinely thrilling moments and a successful revamp of the Cybermen. Matt Smith's performance is a highlight, and the Cybermites are a creepy addition.

However, the episode is let down by its underdeveloped supporting characters and some tonal inconsistencies. While the chess game resolution is an interesting idea, it doesn't quite land as effectively as it could have. It feels like the episode had a lot of potential that it didn't fully realize.

Overall, "Nightmare in Silver" is a decent episode that succeeds in making the Cybermen feel threatening again. It's not a perfect episode, but it's an entertaining and action-packed romp that is worth watching for the revamped Cybermen and Smith's performance.

Day 363 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 28 December 2024 reflections Part 2

Posted by DSY on Saturday, December 28. 2024

Matthew 27:35-44

35 (Ps 22:18) When they crucified Him, they divided His garments

by casting lots to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet,

"They divided My garments among themselves

and for My clothing they cast lots."(Ps 22:18.)

36 (Mt 27:54) And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.

37 (Mk 15:26; Lk 23:38) They put His accusation over His head, which read:

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 (Isa 53:12) Then two thieves were crucified with Him, one on the right

and another on the left.

39 (Ps 109:25; La 1:12) Those who passed by insulted Him, wagging their heads,

40 (Mt 26:61; 4:3) saying, "You who would destroy the temple

and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God,

come down from the cross."

41 Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes and elders,

mocked Him, saying,

42 (Jn 1:49; Mt 27:37) "He saved others. He cannot save Himself.

If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross,

and we will believe Him.

43 (Ps 22:8) He trusted in God. Let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him.

For He said, 'I am the Son of God.' "

44 Even the thieves who were crucified with Him insulted Him in the same way.

[35] And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it

might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments

among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

[36] And sitting down they watched him there;

[37] And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING

OF THE JEWS.

[38] Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand,

and another on the left.

[39] And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

[40] And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three

days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

[41] Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and

elders, said,

[42] He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel,

let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

[43] He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he

said, I am the Son of God.

[44] The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his

teeth.

Luke 23:32-43

32 (Mk 15:27; Mt 27:38; Jn 19:18) Two different men, who were criminals,

also were led with Him to be killed.

33 (Mt 27:33-34; Mk 15:22-23) When they came to the place which is called

The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right

and one on the left.

34 (Ps 22:18; Mt 5:44; Mk 15:24) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them,

for they know not what they do." And they divided His clothes

by casting lots.

35 (Ps 22:17; Isa 42:1) The people stood by watching. But the rulers

with them scoffed, saying, "He saved others. Let Him save Himself

if He is the Christ, the Chosen One of God."

36 (Mt 27:48; Ps 69:21) And the soldiers also mocked Him,

coming to Him and offering Him sour wine,

37 saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."

38 (Mt 27:37; Mk 15:26) An inscription was written over Him in letters

of Greek and Latin and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 (Mt 27:44; Mk 15:32) One of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him,

saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us!"

40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God,

seeing you are under the same sentence?

41 And we indeed, justly. For we are receiving the due reward of our deeds.

But this Man has done nothing amiss."

42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

43 (Rev 2:7; Isa 53:11; 2Co 5:8) Jesus said to him,

"Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

[32] And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to

death.

[33] And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there

they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the

other on the left.

[34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

[35] And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided

him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the

chosen of God.

[36] And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him

vinegar,

[37] And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

[38] And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and

Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

[39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If

thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

[40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God,

seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

[41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but

this man hath done nothing amiss.

[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy

kingdom.

[43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be

with me in paradise.

John 19:18-27

18 There they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side,

and Jesus in the middle.

19 (Mt 27:37; Mk 15:26) Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross.

The writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20 (Jn 19:13) Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus

was crucified was near the city. And it was written in Hebrew,

in Greek, and in Latin.

21 (Jn 19:14) The chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate,

"Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but 'He said, I am King of the Jews.' "

22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

23 (Lk 23:34; Mt 27:35) When the soldiers had crucified Jesus,

they took His garments and divided them into four parts,

a part for each soldier; and also His tunic.

Now the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom.

24 (Ps 22:18; Jn 19:28) So they said to one another,

"Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it shall be."

This happened to fulfill the Scripture which says:

"They divided My garments among them,

and for My clothing they cast lots." (Ps 22:18.)

Therefore the soldiers did these things.

25 (Lk 23:49; Mt 27:55-56; Mk 15:40-41) But standing by the cross of Jesus

were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,

and Mary Magdalene.

26 (Jn 13:23; 2:4; 20:2) When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple

whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother,

"Woman, here is your son."

27 (Jn 16:32; 1:11) Then He said to the disciple, "Here is your mother."

From that time, this disciple took her to his own home.

[18] Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one,

and Jesus in the midst.

[19] And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was,

JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

[20] This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was

crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and

Latin.

[21] Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King

of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

[22] Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

[23] Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments,

and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the

coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

[24] They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots

for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which

saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast

lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

[25] Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's

sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

[26] When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom

he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

[27] Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour

that disciple took her unto his own home.

Mark 15:33-41

The Death of Jesus

Mt 27:45-56; Lk 23:44-49; Jn 19:28-30

33 (Mt 27:45; Mk 15:25; Lk 23:44-45) When the sixth hour had come,

there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

34 (Ps 22:1; Mt 27:46; Lk 23:46) And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out

with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means,

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"(Ps 22:1.)

35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said,

"Listen, He is calling Elijah!"

36 (Ps 69:21; Mk 15:23) One man ran and filled a sponge with vinegar,

put it on a stick, and gave it to Him to drink, saying,

"Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."

37 (Jn 19:30; Mt 27:50) But Jesus cried with a loud voice

and gave up the spirit.

38 (Lk 23:45) And the curtain of the temple was torn

in two from top to bottom.

39 (Mt 27:54; 27:43) When the centurion

(Commander with the rank of captain over 100 soldiers.)

who stood facing Him saw that He cried out and gave up the spirit,

he said, "Truly, this Man was the Son of God."

40 (Ps 38:11; Mt 27:55-56) There were also women looking on from

a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother

of James the Less and of Joseph, and Salome.

41 (Lk 8:2-3) They also had followed Him and had ministered

to Him when He was in Galilee. And many other women who came up

with Him to Jerusalem were there.

[33] And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole

land until the ninth hour.

[34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi,

Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why

hast thou forsaken me?

[35] And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he

calleth Elias.

[36] And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed,

and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come

to take him down.

[37] And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

[38] And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the

bottom.

[39] And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so

cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of

God.

[40] There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary

Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the

less and of Joses, and Salome;

[41] (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto

him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Matthew 27:45-56

The Death of Jesus

Mk 15:33-41; Lk 23:44-49; Jn 19:28-30

45 (Am 8:9; Mk 15:33-34) Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour

there was darkness over all the land.

46 (Ps 22:1; Lk 23:46; Heb 5:7) About the ninth hour Jesus cried out

with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means,

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"(Ps 22:1.)

47 Some of those who stood there heard it and said,

"This Man is calling for Elijah."

48 (Ps 69:21; Mt 27:34) Immediately one of them ran, took a sponge,

filled it with wine, and put it on a stick, and gave it to Him to drink.

49 The rest said, "Leave Him alone.

Let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."

50 (Jn 19:30; Mk 15:37) And Jesus, when He had cried out again

with a loud voice, released His spirit.

51 (Mk 15:38; Ex 26:31-37) At that moment the curtain of the temple

was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. And the ground shook,

and the rocks split apart.

52 (1Co 15:20; 1Th 4:14) The graves also were opened, and many bodies

of the saints who had died were raised,

53 (Mt 4:5) and coming out of the graves after His resurrection,

they went into the Holy City and appeared to many.

54 (Mt 27:36; 27:43) When the centurion and those with him,

keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place,

they feared greatly and said, "Truly He was the Son of God!"

55 (Lk 8:2-3) Many women who were there watching from afar followed

Jesus from Galilee, serving Him,

56 (Jn 19:25; Mt 28:1) among whom was Mary Magdalene,

and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

[45] Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the

ninth hour.

[46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli,

Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou

forsaken me?

[47] Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man

calleth for Elias.

[48] And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with

vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

[49] The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

[51] And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to

the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

[52] And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept

arose,

[53] And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the

holy city, and appeared unto many.

[54] Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus,

saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly,

saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

[55] And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from

Galilee, ministering unto him:

[56] Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses,

and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Luke 23:44-49

The Death of Jesus

Mt 27:45-56; Mk 15:33-41; Jn 19:28-30

44 (Am 8:9; Mt 27:45) It was now about the sixth hour,

and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour,

45 (Ex 26:31-33; 2Ch 3:14) while the sun was darkened.

And the veil of the temple was torn in the middle.

46 (Jn 19:30; Ps 31:5; Ac 7:59) And Jesus cried out with a loud voice,

"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit."

Having said this, He gave up the spirit.

47 (Mt 27:54; Mk 15:39) When the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified

God and said, :Certainly, this was a righteous Man."

48 (Lk 18:13) All the crowds who came together to that sight,

witnessing what occurred, struck their chests and returned.

49 (Lk 8:2; Ps 38:11; Mt 27:55-56) But all those who knew Him

and the women accompanying Him from Galilee stood at a distance,

seeing these things.

[44] And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the

earth until the ninth hour.

[45] And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the

midst.

[46] And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy

hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

[47] Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying,

Certainly this was a righteous man.

[48] And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the

things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

[49] And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee,

stood afar off, beholding these things.

John 19:28-37

The Death of Jesus

Mt 27:45-56; Mk 15:33-41; Lk 23:44-49

28 (Ps 69:21; Jn 13:1) After this, Jesus, knowing that everything

was now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said,

"I thirst."

29 (Mt 27:48; Mk 15:36) A bowl full of sour wine was placed there.

So they put a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop and held it to His mouth.

30 (Lk 23:46; Jn 17:4) When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,

"It is finished." And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

[28] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that

the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

[29] Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge

with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

[30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished:

and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The Piercing of Jesus' Side

31 (Jn 19:14; 19:42; Jos 8:29) Since it was the Day of Preparation,

to prevent bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath day

(for that Sabbath day was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate

that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32 (Jn 19:18) Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first

and of the other who was crucified with Him.

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was dead already,

they did not break His legs.

34 (1Jn 5:6; 5:8) However, one of the soldiers pierced His side

with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

35 (Jn 21:24; 15:27) He who saw it has testified, and his testimony is true.

He knows that he is telling the truth, that you may believe.

36 (Ps 34:20; Ex 12:46; Nu 9:12) For these things happened so that

the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken,"

(Ex 12:46; Nu 9:12; Ps 34:20.)

37 (Zec 12:10; Rev 1:7; Ps 22:16-17) and again another Scripture says,

"They shall look on Him whom they have pierced." (Zec 12:10.)

[31] The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies

should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day

was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that

they might be taken away.

[32] Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the

other which was crucified with him.

[33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they

brake not his legs:

[34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith

came there out blood and water.

[35] And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth

that he saith true, that ye might believe.

[36] For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A

bone of him shall not be broken.

[37] And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they

pierced.

Mark 15:42-47

The Burial of Jesus

Mt 27:57-61; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:38-42

42 When the evening had come, because it was the Day of Preparation,

that is, the day before the Sabbath,

43 (Lk 2:25; 2:38) Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable member of the Council,

who also waited for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate,

and requested the body of Jesus.

44 Pilate wondered if He were already dead. And calling for the centurion,

he asked him whether He had been dead for a while.

45 When he learned about it from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

46 (Isa 22:16; 53:9) So he bought fine linen, and taking Him down,

wrapped Him in the linen and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn

out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

47 (Mk 15:40; 16:1) Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw

where He was laid.

[42] And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that

is, the day before the sabbath,

[43] Joseph of Arimathaea, and honourable counseller, which also waited for

the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the

body of Jesus.

[44] And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the

centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

[45] And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

[46] And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the

linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled

a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

[47] And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was

laid.

Matthew 27:57-61

The Burial of Jesus

Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:38-42

57 (Jn 19:38-42) When the evening came, there came a rich man of Arimathea,

named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.

58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 (Mt 27:66; 28:2) and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of

the rock. And he rolled a large stone to the door of the tomb and departed.

61 (Mt 27:56; 28:1) Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there,

sitting opposite the tomb.

[57] When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named

Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

[58] He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded

the body to be delivered.

[59] And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen

cloth,

[60] And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and

he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

[61] And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against

the sepulchre.

Luke 23:50-56

The Burial of Jesus

Mt 27:57-61; Mk 15:42-47; Jn 19:38-42

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council,

who was a good and just man.

51 (Lk 2:25; 2:38) He had not consented to their counsel and deed.

He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews,

and he himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 (Isa 53:9) Then he took Him down, and wrapped Him in linen,

and placed Him in a hewn tomb, where no one had ever been buried.

54 (Mt 27:62; Jn 19:31) It was the Day of Preparation,

and the Sabbath was drawing near.

55 (Lk 23:49) The women who came with Him from Galilee followed,

and saw the tomb and how His body was placed.

56 (Mk 16:1; Lk 24:1) Then they returned and prepared spices

and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

[50] And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a

good man, and a just:

[51] (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of

Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of

God.

[52] This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

[53] And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a

sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

[54] And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

[55] And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after,

and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

[56] And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the

sabbath day according to the commandment.

John 19:38-42

The Burial of Jesus

Mt 27:57-61; Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus,

but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might

take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission.

So he came and took away His body.

39 (SS 4:14) Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night,

also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes,

weighing about seventy-five pounds.

(Gk. a hundred litrai or 34 kilograms.)

40 (Jn 11:44; Lk 24:12) Then they took the body of Jesus

and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices,

as is the burial custom of the Jews.

41 (Lk 23:53; Mt 27:60) Now in the place where He was crucified there was

a garden, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had

ever been buried.

42 (Jn 19:14; 19:31)So because of the Jewish Day of Preparation,

and since the tomb was nearby, they buried Jesus there.

[38] And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but

secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the

body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the

body of Jesus.

[39] And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by

night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound

weight.

[40] Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with

the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

[41] Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the

garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

[42] There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day;

for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Matthew 27:62-66

The Guard at the Tomb

62 (Mk 15:42; Jn 19:14) The next day, following the Day of Preparation,

the chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate,

63 (Mt 16:21; 17:23) saying, "Sir, we remember that deceiver saying

while He was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.'

64 (Mt 28:13) Therefore command that the tomb be made secure

until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away,

and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead.'

The last deception will be worse than the first."

65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go your way.

Make it as secure as you can."

66 (Da 6:17) So they went and made the tomb secure

by sealing the stone and posting the guard.

[62] Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief

priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

[63] Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet

alive, After three days I will rise again.

[64] Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day,

lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the

people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the

first.

[65] Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as

ye can.

[66] So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and

setting a watch.

2) Our Daily Bread for 28 December 2024 titled

Step in Faith

Exodus 2:1-10

The Birth of Moses

1 (Nu 26:59) Now a man of the house of Levi went

and married a daughter of Levi.

2 (Ac 7:20; Heb 11:23) And the woman conceived and bore a son,

and when she saw him, that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.

3 (Isa 18:2) When she could no longer hide him, she took for him a container

made of bulrushes and daubed it with tar and with pitch.

She then put the child in it and set it in the reeds by the river's bank.

4 (Ex 15:20; Nu 26:59) Then his sister stood afar off so that

she might know what would happen to him.

5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river

while her maidens walked along by the river's side,

and when she saw the container among the reeds, she sent her maid,

and she retrieved it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying.

She had compassion on him and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children."

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call for you

a nursing woman of the Hebrew women so that she may nurse the child for you?"

8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the young girl went

and called the child's mother. 9 Pharaoh's daughter said to her,

"Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages."

So the woman took the child and nursed him.

10 (Heb 11:24) Now the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter,

and he became her son. And she called his name Moses and said,

"Because I drew him out of the water."

[1] And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter

of Levi.

[2] And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he

was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

[3] And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of

bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child

therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.

[4] And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

[5] And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and

her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among

the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

[6] And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe

wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews'

children.

[7] Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee

a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

[8] And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the

child's mother.

[9] And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it

for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and

nursed it.

[10] And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he

became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew

him out of the water.

Hebrews 11:23

23 (Ex 1:16; 1:22) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden by his

parents for three months, because they saw he was a beautiful child,

and they were not afraid of the king's command.

[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,

because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the

king's commandment.

John was devastated when he lost his job. Closer to the end of his career than

the beginning, he knew it would be hard to start over somewhere new. He

started praying for the right job. Then John updated his resume, read

interview tips, and made a lot of phone calls. After weeks of applying, he

accepted a new position with a great schedule and an easy commute. His

faithful obedience and God's provision had met at the perfect intersection.

A more dramatic instance of this occurred with Jochebed (Exodus 6:20) and her

family during the time of Israel's enslavement in Egypt. When Pharaoh decreed

that all newborn Hebrew sons must be cast into the Nile (1:22), Jochebed must

have been terrified. She couldn't change the law, but there were some steps

she could take to obey God and try to save her son. In faith, she hid him from

the Egyptians. She made a little, watertight papyrus basket and "put it among

the reeds along the bank of the Nile" "(2:3). God stepped in to miraculously

preserve his life (vv. 5-10) and later used him to deliver all of Israel

from slavery (3:10).

John and Jochebed took very different steps, but both stories are marked by

faith-filled action. Fear can paralyze us. Even if the result isn't what we

expected or hoped for, faith empowers us to keep trusting in God's goodness

regardless of the outcome.

By: Karen Pimpo

Sign in to track your progress!

When do you find yourself frozen in fear or worry?

How can you faithfully take the next God-honouring step?

Dear God, please help me faithfully take

each step on the path You have for me.

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 7 - The Great Exchange

2 Cor 5:21 - God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,

that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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.

People were talking ; the gossip lines were busy day and night.

Andrea, a Bible study leader and pillar of the church, had been

accused of indiscretion with a married man, another member

of the congregation. The rumours were proven untrue,

but that hardly mattered anymore. The damage was done.

"It's just not far," Andrea said. " It was all so unnecessary.

And now, even though I've done nothing wrong, my relationship

with that church will never be the same again."

We all know what pain is caused by undeserved accusation,

rejection, and misunderstanding. Sometimes, when the smoke clears,

irreparable damage has been done, even when no sin has occurred.

We can understand the torment that comes when we've sinned,

but when we've done nothing wrong, the injustice seem unbearable.

Jesus knew what it was to suffer unjustly. He had never sinned at all,

yet he 'became sin' for us. He gave himself in an outrageous exchange:

he took our sin and gave us his righteousness.

Living in this exchange does not mean, of course, that we will be exempt

from pain, that we will never again suffer unjustly or be subject

to rejection. But in Christ, we are declared righteous before God,

just as Jesus himself is righteous. And as we submit

to the Holy Spirit's work in us, we become righteous ,

obeying him and growing in grace. Christ endured rejection

for us so that we might live in him.

Application

a) Have I ever suffered unjustly or been rejected by someone without cause?

b) How can this verse, coupled with my own experience give me a greater

depth of appreciation of what Christ suffered for me?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Proverbs 22:7

7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

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

When you are Saddened by Loss

John 14:1 - 7

1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.

2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself,

that where I am, you may be also.

4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."

5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know

where You are going. How can we know the way?"

6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.

From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,

I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,

and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

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

Day 28 of the Month

a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear

and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.

(

John 5:24

24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever

hears My word and believes in Him who sent

Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,

but has passed from death into life."

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,

and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,

and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

)

b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you

know today . (

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.

)

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to know why He died on the Cross.

Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me faithfully take

each step on the path You have for me."

Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Sacrifice on the Cross.

Pray to the Lord and pray to be neither borrower nor lender.

Pray to the Lord and pray to be know He is

preparing a palce for you in Heaven.

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 God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you

know today.

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.