Day 359 of My Second bible study Journey - 25 December 2022 Christmas Day reflections
Day 359, 25 December 2022 Merry Christmas!
Today at https://www.calvarycommunty.ca, Pastor Barry Regier spoke on
God with Us ... the humanity of Jesus
Matthew 20:25-28
25 (Lk 22:25-27; Mt 18:3-4) But Jesus called them to Him and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 (Mk 9:35; 10:43) It shall not be so among you.
Whoever would be great among you, let him serve you,
27 and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave,
28 (Heb 9:28; Mt 26:28; 1Ti 2:6) even as the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."
[25] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of
the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.
[26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among
you, let him be your minister;
[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
[28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 13:12-16
12 (Jn 13:7) So when He had washed their feet, and put on His garments,
and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
13 (1Co 12:3; Php 2:11) You call Me Teacher and Lord. You speak accurately,
for so I am.
14 (1Pe 5:5) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 (Mt 11:29) For I have given you an example, that you should do
as I have done to you.
16 (Jn 15:20; Lk 6:40) Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater
than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
[12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was
set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
[13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
[14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another's feet.
[15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to
you.
[16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Philippians 2:5-8
5 (Mt 11:29; Ro 15:3) Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ
Jesus,
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God:
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 (Heb 12:2; Mt 26:39; Jn 10:18) And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Almighty God demonstrates his love by
A) Giving up what He had
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God:
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
B) Becoming one of us
John 1:14
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.
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth.
Jesus became human!
He Got hungry - Matthew 4:1-2
1 (Lk 4:1-13; Heb 2:18) Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness
by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil.
2 (1Ki 19:8; Ex 34:28) And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and then He was hungry.
[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of
the devil.
[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an
hungred.
He Became Thirsty
JOhn 19:28
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."
[28] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that
the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
He Needed Sleep
MAtthew 8:23-24
23 Then He entered the boat, and His disciples followed Him.
24 Suddenly a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered
with the waves. But He was asleep.
[23] And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
[24] And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the
ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
He grew mentally/physically
Luke 2:52
52 (1Sa 2:26; Lk 2:40) And Jesus increased in wisdom
and in stature and in favor with God and men.
[52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and
man.
He had real flesh, bone and blood
Luke 24:39
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."
[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.
Hebrew 2:14
14 (Jn 1:14; 2Ti 1:10; Ge 3:15) So then, as the children share in flesh
and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might
destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
[14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
He became tired
John 4:5-6
5 (Ge 33:19; 48:22) So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar,
near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6 (Mt 4:2; 8:24) Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore, being exhausted
from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
[5] Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
[6] Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his
journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Jesus had real emotions
Wept John 11:35
35 (Lk 19:41; Jn 11:33) Jesus wept.
[35] Jesus wept.
Had compassion MAtthew 9:36
36 (Mk 6:34; Nu 27:17; Mt 14:14) But when He saw the crowds,
He was moved with compassion for them, because they fainted
and were scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
[36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no
shepherd.
Got angry MArk 3:5
5 (Lk 6:10; Ro 11:25) When He had looked around at them with anger,
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man,
"Stretch your hand forward." He stretched it out, and his hand
was restored as whole as the other.
[5] And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for
the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine
hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Jesus suffered and felt pain Hebrews 2:17-18
17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him
to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted.
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
He was thempted Hebrews 4:!5
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise
with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,
yet without sin.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
He was part of David's Blood line - Romans 1:2
2 (Ro 3:21; Titus 1:2) which He promised beforehand through
His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
[2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Jesus had real blood. water gushed from His side - John 19:34
34 (1Jn 5:6; 5:8) However, one of the soldiers pierced His side
with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
[34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith
came there out blood and water.
Jesus died - John 19:33
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was dead already,
they did not break His legs.
[33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they
brake not his legs:
Jesus was buried - Matthew 27:57-61
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.
Jesus is the complete human-deal! This is called the incarnation!
1 John 4:1-3
Test the Spirits
1 (2Pe 2:1; 1Jn 2:18; 1Th 5:21) Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because
many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 (1Co 12:3; Jn 1:14) This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit
that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3 (1Jn 2:18; 2:22; 2Jn 1:7) and every spirit that does not confess
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have
heard is coming and is already in the world.
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have
heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Hebrews 4:15
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise
with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,
yet without sin.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
Hebrews 2:17-18
17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him
to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted.
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
2 John 7
7 For many deceivers, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Each one is a deceiver
and an antichrist.
[7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Colossians 2:9
9 (Col 1:19; Jn 1:14) For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
[9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
the hypo-static union.
c) Humbling himself
Philippians 2:8
8 (Heb 12:2; Mt 26:39; Jn 10:18) And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
All He calls us to libe this same humilty
Philippians 2:5
5 (Mt 11:29; Ro 15:3) Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ
Jesus,
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
1)Revelation 3-6
Revelation 3
The Message to Sardis
1 (Rev 1:4; 1Ti 5:6; Rev 1:16) "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
"He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:
I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive,
but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die,
for I have not found your works perfected before God.
3 (Rev 2:5; 2Pe 3:10; 1Th 5:2) Remember therefore how you have received
and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch,
I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour
I will come upon you.
4 (Jude 1:23; Rev 6:11) "You have a few names even in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments. They shall walk with Me in white,
for they are worthy.
5 (Mt 10:32; Rev 13:8) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.
I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess
his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
[1] And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he
that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works,
that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
[2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to
die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
[3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and
repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief,
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
[4] Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
[5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I
will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his
name before my Father, and before his angels.
[6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
( I ponder if the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church with latent
Catholic practices falls in the category of being Sardisian)
The Message to Philadelphia
7 (Rev 6:10; Isa 22:22; Mt 16:19) "To the angel of the church
in Philadelphia write:
"He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David,
He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 (Rev 2:13; Ac 14:27) I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open
door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength,
and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 (Rev 2:9; Isa 49:23; 60:14) Listen! I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Listen!
I will make them come and worship before your feet
and to know that I have loved you.
10 (2Pe 2:9; Mt 24:14) Because you have kept My word of patience,
I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come
upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 (Rev 2:10; 2:25) "Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly what you have,
so that no one may take your crown.
12 (Rev 22:4; 21:2; Gal 2:9) He who overcomes will I make a pillar
in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him
the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem,
which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My own new name.
13 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith
he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that
openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and
hast not denied my name.
[9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are
Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
[10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try
them that dwell upon the earth.
[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man
take thy crown.
[12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and
he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and
the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down
out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
[13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
( Many of the "Conservatives" Church fit this description from Quakers,
to Pentecostal, to Baptists and strong Evangelicals. Please note verse 9,
that if hold strong, even the synagogue of Satan will acknowledge you.
You have to firmly hold on to what you have. Do not let humanistic
or secularistic adherents deceive you or you can end up
as Thyatiran, or even Laodicean. Laodicean you say?)
The Message to Laodicea
14 (Rev 1:5; 3:7) "To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
"The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation
of God, says these things:
15 (Rev 3:1) I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spit you out of My mouth. ( I feel that way about lukewarm water as well)
17 (Hos 12:8; Zec 11:5) For you say, 'I am rich, and have stored up goods,
and have need of nothing,' yet do not realise that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 (Rev 16:15; Isa 55:1; Mt 13:44) I counsel you to buy from Me gold
refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments,
that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness
may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 (Rev 2:5; Jer 31:18) "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.
Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 (Mt 19:28; Jn 16:33) "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me
on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches."
[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation
of God;
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot.
[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of my mouth.
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need
of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked:
[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of
thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.
[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent.
[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
[21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even
as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
[22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
( Laodicean churches or "Liberal" churches like The united church of Canada ,
The Presbyterians, the Congressationalists, the Methodists in North America.
Very Laodecian. Verse 20 is quoted out context. Why ? You need to understand
vv. 17-19 why the Lord is knocking on your Heart)
Revelation 4
The Heavenly Worship
1 (Rev 1:19; 1:10; 11:12) After this I looked. And there was an open door
in heaven. The first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me,
saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things
*which must take place after this.*"
2 (Isa 6:1; Rev 1:10; Eze 1:26) Immediately I was in the Spirit.
And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne!
3 (Eze 1:28; Rev 10:1; Eze 28:13) And He who sat there appeared like
a jasper and a sardius stone. There was a rainbow around the throne,
appearing like an emerald.
4 (Rev 4:10; 11:16) 24 thrones were around the throne. And I saw 24 elders
sitting on the thrones, clothed in white garments. They had crowns of gold
on their heads.
5 (Rev 1:4; Zec 4:2; Rev 8:5) Lightnings and thunderings and voices proceeded
from the throne. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 (Rev 5:6; 15:2) Before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal.
(A picture of people at peace, beleivers at peace, most like just after
the Rapture)
In the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
7 (Eze 1:10; 10:14) The first living creature was like a lion,
the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature
had a face like a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8 (Rev 1:8; 4:6) The four living creatures had six wings each,
and they were covered with eyes all around. All day and night,
without ceasing, they were saying:
"'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,'(Isa 21:9.)
who was, and is, and is to come."
9 (Rev 15:7; 1:18) When the living creatures give glory and honour
and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 (Rev 4:4; 5:8; 5:14) the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits
on the throne, and worship Him, who lives forever and ever.
Then they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 (Rev 5:12; 10:6) "You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power;
for You have created all things,
and by Your will they exist
and were created."
[1] After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the
first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which
said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
[2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in
heaven, and one sat on the throne.
[3] And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and
there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
[4] And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the
seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and
they had on their heads crowns of gold.
[5] And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:
and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.
[6] And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in
the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full
of eyes before and behind.
[7] And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf,
and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a
flying eagle.
[8] And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were
full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
[9] And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat
on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
[10] The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne,
and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying,
[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for
thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were
created.
( A beautiful scene of Worship!)
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 (Isa 29:11; Eze 2:9-10) Then I saw in the right hand of Him
who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back,
sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?"
3 (Rev 5:13) But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to look in it.
4 I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open
and read the scroll, or to look in it.
5 (Isa 11:1; 11:10) Then one of the elders said to me,
"Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has triumphed.
He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 (Zec 4:10; Jn 1:29) I saw a Lamb in the midst of the throne
and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders,
standing as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,
which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 (Rev 5:1) He came and took the scroll out of the right hand
of Him who sat on the throne.
8 (Ps 141:2; Rev 4:10) When He had taken the scroll, the four living
creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb,
each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of saints.
9 (Rev 14:6; Ps 33:3; 40:3) And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals;
for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood
out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 (Rev 1:6; 20:6) and have made us kings and priests unto our God;
and we shall reign on the earth."
11 (Da 7:10; Heb 12:22) Then I looked, and I heard around the throne
and the living creatures and the elders the voices of many angels,
numbering ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
(That is a huge number of souls/believers!)
12 (Rev 4:11; Zec 13:7) saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 (Php 2:10; Rev 5:3) Then I heard every creature which is in heaven
and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea,
and all that are in them, saying:
"To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and power,
forever and ever!"
14 (Rev 19:4; 5:8) The four living creatures said, "Amen."
And the 24 elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.
[1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written
within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to
open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to
open the book, neither to look thereon.
[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the
book, neither to look thereon.
[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to
loose the seven seals thereof.
[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four
beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,
having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent
forth into all the earth.
[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon
the throne.
[8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden
vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on
the earth.
[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the
throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and
blessing.
[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon
the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell
down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 6
The Seals
1 (Rev 5:1; 5:5-7) I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals. Then I heard
one of the four living creatures saying, with voice like thunder, "Come
and see."
2 (Rev 14:14; Zec 1:8) And I looked, and there before me was a white horse.
He who sat on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him,
and he went forth conquering that he might overcome.
3 (Rev 4:7) When He opened the second seal, I heard the second
living creature say, "Come and see."
4 (Zec 6:2; 1:8) Then another horse that was red went forth.
Power was given to him who sat on it to take peace from the earth,
causing people to kill one another. Then a great sword was given to him.
5 (Zec 6:2; Eze 4:16) When He opened the third seal, I heard the third
living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse,
and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.
6 (Rev 9:4) Then I heard a voice in the midst of the four living
creatures saying, "A quart (Gk. choenix, or a kilogram.) of wheat
for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages,
(Gk. denarius.) and do not harm the oil and the wine."
7 (Rev 4:7; 6:3) When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice
of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"
8 (Hos 13:14; Zec 6:3) So I looked, and there was a pale horse,
and the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed him.
Power over a fourth of the earth was given to them, to kill with sword,
with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
9 (Rev 14:18; 20:4) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God
and for the testimony they had held.
10 (Zec 1:12; Rev 3:7) They cried out with a loud voice,
"How long, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge
and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
11 (Heb 11:40; Rev 7:9) Then a white robe was given to each of them,
and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of their
fellow servants and brothers should be completed, who would be killed
as they were.
12 (Mt 24:29; Rev 16:18) I watched as He opened the sixth seal.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake. The sun became black,
like sackcloth made from goat hair, and the moon became like blood.
13 (Rev 9:1; Isa 34:4) And the stars of heaven fell to the earth,
as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when it is shaken by a strong wind.
14 (Rev 16:20; Isa 34:4) Then the heavens receded like a scroll
when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed
from its place.
15 (Isa 2:19; 2:10) Then the kings of the earth and the great men
and the rich men and the commanding officers and the strong and everyone,
slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and
in the rocks of the mountains.
16 (Hos 10:8; Lk 23:30) They said to the mountains and rocks,
"Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb,
17 (Ps 76:7; Jer 30:7) for the great day of His wrath has come.
Who is able to withstand it?" (144 cubits, or 65 meters.)
[1] And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were
the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
[2] And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow;
and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to
conquer.
[3] And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say,
Come and see.
[4] And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to
him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill
one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
[5] And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come
and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a
pair of balances in his hand.
[6] And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of
wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou
hurt not the oil and the wine.
[7] And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth
beast say, Come and see.
[8] And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was
Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the
fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with
death, and with the beasts of the earth.
[9] And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls
of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which
they held:
[10] And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the
earth?
[11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto
them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their
fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,
should be fulfilled.
[12] And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the
moon became as blood;
[13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth
her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
[14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and
every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and
the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free
man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
[16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the
face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
[17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 December 2022
Entitled "Christmas-Card Perfect"
John 7:1-9
John 7
The Unbelief of Jesus' Brothers
1 (Jn 4:3; 7:19) After these things Jesus walked in Galilee.
He would not walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
2 (Zec 14:16-19) Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
3 (Mt 12:46; Jn 7:5) His brothers therefore said to Him,
"Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see
the works that You do.
4 Jn 18:20For no one does anything in secret, while he himself seeks
to be known openly. If You do these things, reveal Yourself to the world."
5 (Mk 3:21) For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
6 (Jn 2:4; 7:8) Therefore Jesus told them, "My time has not yet come,
but your time is always fitting.
7 (Jn 3:19; 15:18-19) The world cannot hate you. But it hates Me,
because I testify concerning it, that its works are evil.
8 (Jn 7:6) You go up to this feast. I am not going up to this feast yet,
because My time has not yet fully come."
9 Having said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
[1] After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in
Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
[2] Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
[3] His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into
Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
[4] For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself
seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the
world.
[5] For neither did his brethren believe in him.
[6] Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is
alway ready.
[7] The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of
it, that the works thereof are evil.
[8] Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my
time is not yet full come.
[9] When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
The Barker family Christmas video was perfect. Three robe-clad shepherds (the
family's young sons) huddled around a fire in a grassy field. Suddenly an
angel descended from the hilltop-their big sister, looking resplendent, except
for the pink high-top sneakers. As the soundtrack swelled, the shepherds
stared skyward in amazement. A trek across a field led them to a real
baby-their infant brother in a modern barn. Big sister now played the
role of Mary.
Then came the "bonus features," when their dad let us peek behind the scenes.
Whiny kids complained, "I'm cold." "I have to go to the bathroom right now!"
"Can we go home?" "Guys, pay attention," said their mom more than once.
Reality was far from Christmas-card perfect.
It's easy to view the original Christmas story through the lens of
a well-edited final cut. But Jesus' life was anything but smooth. A jealous
Herod tried to kill Him in infancy (Matthew 2:13). Mary and Joseph
misunderstood Him (Luke 2:41-50). The world hated Him (John 7:7). For a time,
"even his own brothers did not believe in him" (v. 5). His mission led to
a grisly death. He did it all to honor His Father and rescue us.
The Barkers' video ended with these words of Jesus:
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me" (14:6). That's a reality we can live with-forever.
By: Tim Gustafson
Sign in to track your progress!
Reflect & Pray
How do you try to appear to be perfect?
How can you better acknowledge your need for Jesus' perfect strength?
Father, thank You for sending Your Son
to provide a way for me to be reconciled to You forever.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back
Eph 1:7
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a
struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters
a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come
to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own
instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably
be back again.
In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through
His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."
We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped
his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the
world's system and the Enemy of our souls.
But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable
currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.
He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth
such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls
of the people he created and loved.
Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious
jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have
to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we
had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no
deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.
We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?
b) What does it mean, in practical terms, that God "redeemed" me from that sin?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 16:10-12
10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful
also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also
in much.
11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who will give you that which is your own?"
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:
and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who shall give you that which is your own?
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Reconciling Peace
Col 3:12-17
12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.
13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another
and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,
even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.
14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,
which is the bond of perfection.
15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,
to which also you are called in one body,
rule in your hearts. And be thankful.
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have
a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by 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 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
)
Christmas Day
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
Saturday, Fourth Week of Advent
"That time He was creating not simply a man but the Man
who was to be Himself: was creating Man anew: was beginning,
at this divine and human point, the New Creation of all things.
The miraculous conception is one more witness that here is Nature's Lord.
He is doing now, small and close, what He does in a different fashion
for every woman who conceives." - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 182.)
The New Creation
Most of us like new things. We like new cars, new houses, new clothes,
a new day. We like the new things we receive at Christmas, a new outlook
on life, a new baby. We like the newness of spring, the freshness
of the morning, and the originality of a new piece of art.
The ultimate purpose of God's Grand Miracle-becoming one of us-was
to make all things new, including us. This is our greatest Christmas gift,
if we can see it. Jesus came for us and became one of us, so that we might
become like him. We mentioned that earlier when Lewis wrote,
"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God."
In today's last quotation for these devotions, Lewis makes it clear
that through the Grand Miracle Jesus became human to show us what we could
be like. He came not only as an example. He also became a man in order
to recreate humankind, to start all over again. That is, he came in power
to reshape us. A miracle! A Grand Miracle!
Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, came to create all things anew,
as John writes, "He who was seated on the throne said,
'I am making everything new!"' (Rev. 21:5).
This Christmas Day, and every day, it starts in us, one by one,
as we sing with the hymn-writer,
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
(Martin Luther, From Heaven Above, stanza 13)
May God grant it for Jesus' sake.
Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature.
Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.
2 Cor 5:17
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
CHRISTMAS DAY
News of Great Joy
But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. "
-Luke 2:10
Composers in this world cannot envision music magisterial enough!
Oh, how I wish we could have joined the shepherds to hear the regal
angel choir sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace ..."!
Oddly, God deigned to present this fabulous concert to the outcasts
of that society and to grant unpretentious shepherds the privilege
of being the first to visit the Christ Child and to carry the news
of his birth to those around them. No wonder everyone was flabbergasted
at what the shepherds told them! No wonder Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart!
That is why I capitalize the word Joy and employ it exclusively
for divine gifts! When we declare the Joy of Christmas (and of Easter),
there is no greater. The euphoria of Christ's birth (and resurrection)
overwhelms all human infatuations and electrifies us with a heavenly
exhilaration that can't be shackled!
prayer
Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Read Luke 2:8-20.
8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.
10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.
11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:
You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men."
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us."
16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger.
17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word
which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH SATURDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AMEN!
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14
Christmas has come to you and all of your AH-HA family and friends!
We are all ambassadors of health, hope and amen because of Christ's
birth, death and resurrection!
We say amen because the "Word became flesh and lived among us!"
Amen, of course. does not mean "the end," but rather it means "Yes,"
and 'Hooray." and "So be it," and even "You betcha!" And so Christmas
is not the end of our AH-HAing. It's only the beginning!
Once I was looking at one of the manger scenes in our home. As I
focused on each character individually, like Mary and Joseph and the
shepherds and even the animals, each one of them seemed lonely and
way too serious. But when l looked more closely at each of them, I noticed
that they all were focused on one main point--God in the Flesh, Jesus!
Once l knew that they all were focused on Jesus, their faces became
not lonely. but lovely. and were not too serious, but reverent.
A little child was asked to finish the Scripture sentence, 'And the Word
became ...' He was puzzled for a while, but then all of a sudden he
shouted out. 'And the Word became FRESH!" And he was right!
The Word, Jesus Christ. became Flesh for us so that his Word would
be FRESH in and through our lives! That's the AH-HA of Christmas!
Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Read John 1:14-18
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.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said,
'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 We have all received from His fullness grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side,
has made Him known.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray a Chirstmas prayer to live humbly in Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to have a Philadelphian Evangelical spirit.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You for sending Your Son
to provide a way for me to be reconciled to You forever."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to remember that he ransomed us from Satan.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to be a good steward of what He has given you.
Pray to the Lord and pray for His Word to embrace you in full.
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 there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
Pray: Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Pray: Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Pray: Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Pray for Abdiwelli's widow and sons in Kenya as they learn to
overcome fear and forgive his killers.
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.
Today at https://www.calvarycommunty.ca, Pastor Barry Regier spoke on
God with Us ... the humanity of Jesus
Matthew 20:25-28
25 (Lk 22:25-27; Mt 18:3-4) But Jesus called them to Him and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 (Mk 9:35; 10:43) It shall not be so among you.
Whoever would be great among you, let him serve you,
27 and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave,
28 (Heb 9:28; Mt 26:28; 1Ti 2:6) even as the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."
[25] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of
the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.
[26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among
you, let him be your minister;
[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
[28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 13:12-16
12 (Jn 13:7) So when He had washed their feet, and put on His garments,
and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
13 (1Co 12:3; Php 2:11) You call Me Teacher and Lord. You speak accurately,
for so I am.
14 (1Pe 5:5) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 (Mt 11:29) For I have given you an example, that you should do
as I have done to you.
16 (Jn 15:20; Lk 6:40) Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater
than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
[12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was
set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
[13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
[14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another's feet.
[15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to
you.
[16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Philippians 2:5-8
5 (Mt 11:29; Ro 15:3) Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ
Jesus,
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God:
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 (Heb 12:2; Mt 26:39; Jn 10:18) And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Almighty God demonstrates his love by
A) Giving up what He had
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God:
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
B) Becoming one of us
John 1:14
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.
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth.
Jesus became human!
He Got hungry - Matthew 4:1-2
1 (Lk 4:1-13; Heb 2:18) Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness
by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil.
2 (1Ki 19:8; Ex 34:28) And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and then He was hungry.
[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of
the devil.
[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an
hungred.
He Became Thirsty
JOhn 19:28
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."
[28] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that
the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
He Needed Sleep
MAtthew 8:23-24
23 Then He entered the boat, and His disciples followed Him.
24 Suddenly a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered
with the waves. But He was asleep.
[23] And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
[24] And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the
ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
He grew mentally/physically
Luke 2:52
52 (1Sa 2:26; Lk 2:40) And Jesus increased in wisdom
and in stature and in favor with God and men.
[52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and
man.
He had real flesh, bone and blood
Luke 24:39
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."
[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.
Hebrew 2:14
14 (Jn 1:14; 2Ti 1:10; Ge 3:15) So then, as the children share in flesh
and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might
destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
[14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
He became tired
John 4:5-6
5 (Ge 33:19; 48:22) So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar,
near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6 (Mt 4:2; 8:24) Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore, being exhausted
from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
[5] Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
[6] Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his
journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Jesus had real emotions
Wept John 11:35
35 (Lk 19:41; Jn 11:33) Jesus wept.
[35] Jesus wept.
Had compassion MAtthew 9:36
36 (Mk 6:34; Nu 27:17; Mt 14:14) But when He saw the crowds,
He was moved with compassion for them, because they fainted
and were scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
[36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no
shepherd.
Got angry MArk 3:5
5 (Lk 6:10; Ro 11:25) When He had looked around at them with anger,
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man,
"Stretch your hand forward." He stretched it out, and his hand
was restored as whole as the other.
[5] And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for
the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine
hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Jesus suffered and felt pain Hebrews 2:17-18
17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him
to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted.
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
He was thempted Hebrews 4:!5
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise
with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,
yet without sin.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
He was part of David's Blood line - Romans 1:2
2 (Ro 3:21; Titus 1:2) which He promised beforehand through
His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
[2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Jesus had real blood. water gushed from His side - John 19:34
34 (1Jn 5:6; 5:8) However, one of the soldiers pierced His side
with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
[34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith
came there out blood and water.
Jesus died - John 19:33
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was dead already,
they did not break His legs.
[33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they
brake not his legs:
Jesus was buried - Matthew 27:57-61
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.
Jesus is the complete human-deal! This is called the incarnation!
1 John 4:1-3
Test the Spirits
1 (2Pe 2:1; 1Jn 2:18; 1Th 5:21) Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because
many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 (1Co 12:3; Jn 1:14) This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit
that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3 (1Jn 2:18; 2:22; 2Jn 1:7) and every spirit that does not confess
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have
heard is coming and is already in the world.
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have
heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Hebrews 4:15
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise
with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,
yet without sin.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
Hebrews 2:17-18
17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him
to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted.
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
2 John 7
7 For many deceivers, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Each one is a deceiver
and an antichrist.
[7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Colossians 2:9
9 (Col 1:19; Jn 1:14) For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
[9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
the hypo-static union.
c) Humbling himself
Philippians 2:8
8 (Heb 12:2; Mt 26:39; Jn 10:18) And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
All He calls us to libe this same humilty
Philippians 2:5
5 (Mt 11:29; Ro 15:3) Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ
Jesus,
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
1)Revelation 3-6
Revelation 3
The Message to Sardis
1 (Rev 1:4; 1Ti 5:6; Rev 1:16) "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
"He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:
I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive,
but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die,
for I have not found your works perfected before God.
3 (Rev 2:5; 2Pe 3:10; 1Th 5:2) Remember therefore how you have received
and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch,
I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour
I will come upon you.
4 (Jude 1:23; Rev 6:11) "You have a few names even in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments. They shall walk with Me in white,
for they are worthy.
5 (Mt 10:32; Rev 13:8) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.
I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess
his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
[1] And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he
that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works,
that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
[2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to
die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
[3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and
repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief,
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
[4] Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
[5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I
will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his
name before my Father, and before his angels.
[6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
( I ponder if the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church with latent
Catholic practices falls in the category of being Sardisian)
The Message to Philadelphia
7 (Rev 6:10; Isa 22:22; Mt 16:19) "To the angel of the church
in Philadelphia write:
"He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David,
He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 (Rev 2:13; Ac 14:27) I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open
door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength,
and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 (Rev 2:9; Isa 49:23; 60:14) Listen! I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Listen!
I will make them come and worship before your feet
and to know that I have loved you.
10 (2Pe 2:9; Mt 24:14) Because you have kept My word of patience,
I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come
upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 (Rev 2:10; 2:25) "Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly what you have,
so that no one may take your crown.
12 (Rev 22:4; 21:2; Gal 2:9) He who overcomes will I make a pillar
in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him
the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem,
which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My own new name.
13 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith
he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that
openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and
hast not denied my name.
[9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are
Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
[10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try
them that dwell upon the earth.
[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man
take thy crown.
[12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and
he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and
the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down
out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
[13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
( Many of the "Conservatives" Church fit this description from Quakers,
to Pentecostal, to Baptists and strong Evangelicals. Please note verse 9,
that if hold strong, even the synagogue of Satan will acknowledge you.
You have to firmly hold on to what you have. Do not let humanistic
or secularistic adherents deceive you or you can end up
as Thyatiran, or even Laodicean. Laodicean you say?)
The Message to Laodicea
14 (Rev 1:5; 3:7) "To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
"The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation
of God, says these things:
15 (Rev 3:1) I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spit you out of My mouth. ( I feel that way about lukewarm water as well)
17 (Hos 12:8; Zec 11:5) For you say, 'I am rich, and have stored up goods,
and have need of nothing,' yet do not realise that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 (Rev 16:15; Isa 55:1; Mt 13:44) I counsel you to buy from Me gold
refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments,
that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness
may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 (Rev 2:5; Jer 31:18) "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.
Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 (Mt 19:28; Jn 16:33) "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me
on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches."
[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation
of God;
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot.
[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of my mouth.
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need
of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked:
[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of
thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.
[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent.
[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
[21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even
as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
[22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
( Laodicean churches or "Liberal" churches like The united church of Canada ,
The Presbyterians, the Congressationalists, the Methodists in North America.
Very Laodecian. Verse 20 is quoted out context. Why ? You need to understand
vv. 17-19 why the Lord is knocking on your Heart)
Revelation 4
The Heavenly Worship
1 (Rev 1:19; 1:10; 11:12) After this I looked. And there was an open door
in heaven. The first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me,
saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things
*which must take place after this.*"
2 (Isa 6:1; Rev 1:10; Eze 1:26) Immediately I was in the Spirit.
And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne!
3 (Eze 1:28; Rev 10:1; Eze 28:13) And He who sat there appeared like
a jasper and a sardius stone. There was a rainbow around the throne,
appearing like an emerald.
4 (Rev 4:10; 11:16) 24 thrones were around the throne. And I saw 24 elders
sitting on the thrones, clothed in white garments. They had crowns of gold
on their heads.
5 (Rev 1:4; Zec 4:2; Rev 8:5) Lightnings and thunderings and voices proceeded
from the throne. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 (Rev 5:6; 15:2) Before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal.
(A picture of people at peace, beleivers at peace, most like just after
the Rapture)
In the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
7 (Eze 1:10; 10:14) The first living creature was like a lion,
the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature
had a face like a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8 (Rev 1:8; 4:6) The four living creatures had six wings each,
and they were covered with eyes all around. All day and night,
without ceasing, they were saying:
"'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,'(Isa 21:9.)
who was, and is, and is to come."
9 (Rev 15:7; 1:18) When the living creatures give glory and honour
and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 (Rev 4:4; 5:8; 5:14) the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits
on the throne, and worship Him, who lives forever and ever.
Then they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 (Rev 5:12; 10:6) "You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power;
for You have created all things,
and by Your will they exist
and were created."
[1] After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the
first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which
said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
[2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in
heaven, and one sat on the throne.
[3] And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and
there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
[4] And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the
seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and
they had on their heads crowns of gold.
[5] And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:
and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.
[6] And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in
the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full
of eyes before and behind.
[7] And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf,
and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a
flying eagle.
[8] And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were
full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
[9] And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat
on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
[10] The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne,
and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying,
[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for
thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were
created.
( A beautiful scene of Worship!)
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 (Isa 29:11; Eze 2:9-10) Then I saw in the right hand of Him
who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back,
sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?"
3 (Rev 5:13) But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to look in it.
4 I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open
and read the scroll, or to look in it.
5 (Isa 11:1; 11:10) Then one of the elders said to me,
"Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has triumphed.
He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 (Zec 4:10; Jn 1:29) I saw a Lamb in the midst of the throne
and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders,
standing as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,
which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 (Rev 5:1) He came and took the scroll out of the right hand
of Him who sat on the throne.
8 (Ps 141:2; Rev 4:10) When He had taken the scroll, the four living
creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb,
each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of saints.
9 (Rev 14:6; Ps 33:3; 40:3) And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals;
for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood
out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 (Rev 1:6; 20:6) and have made us kings and priests unto our God;
and we shall reign on the earth."
11 (Da 7:10; Heb 12:22) Then I looked, and I heard around the throne
and the living creatures and the elders the voices of many angels,
numbering ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
(That is a huge number of souls/believers!)
12 (Rev 4:11; Zec 13:7) saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 (Php 2:10; Rev 5:3) Then I heard every creature which is in heaven
and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea,
and all that are in them, saying:
"To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and power,
forever and ever!"
14 (Rev 19:4; 5:8) The four living creatures said, "Amen."
And the 24 elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.
[1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written
within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to
open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to
open the book, neither to look thereon.
[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the
book, neither to look thereon.
[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to
loose the seven seals thereof.
[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four
beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,
having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent
forth into all the earth.
[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon
the throne.
[8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden
vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on
the earth.
[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the
throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and
blessing.
[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon
the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell
down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 6
The Seals
1 (Rev 5:1; 5:5-7) I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals. Then I heard
one of the four living creatures saying, with voice like thunder, "Come
and see."
2 (Rev 14:14; Zec 1:8) And I looked, and there before me was a white horse.
He who sat on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him,
and he went forth conquering that he might overcome.
3 (Rev 4:7) When He opened the second seal, I heard the second
living creature say, "Come and see."
4 (Zec 6:2; 1:8) Then another horse that was red went forth.
Power was given to him who sat on it to take peace from the earth,
causing people to kill one another. Then a great sword was given to him.
5 (Zec 6:2; Eze 4:16) When He opened the third seal, I heard the third
living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse,
and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.
6 (Rev 9:4) Then I heard a voice in the midst of the four living
creatures saying, "A quart (Gk. choenix, or a kilogram.) of wheat
for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages,
(Gk. denarius.) and do not harm the oil and the wine."
7 (Rev 4:7; 6:3) When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice
of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"
8 (Hos 13:14; Zec 6:3) So I looked, and there was a pale horse,
and the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed him.
Power over a fourth of the earth was given to them, to kill with sword,
with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
9 (Rev 14:18; 20:4) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God
and for the testimony they had held.
10 (Zec 1:12; Rev 3:7) They cried out with a loud voice,
"How long, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge
and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
11 (Heb 11:40; Rev 7:9) Then a white robe was given to each of them,
and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of their
fellow servants and brothers should be completed, who would be killed
as they were.
12 (Mt 24:29; Rev 16:18) I watched as He opened the sixth seal.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake. The sun became black,
like sackcloth made from goat hair, and the moon became like blood.
13 (Rev 9:1; Isa 34:4) And the stars of heaven fell to the earth,
as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when it is shaken by a strong wind.
14 (Rev 16:20; Isa 34:4) Then the heavens receded like a scroll
when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed
from its place.
15 (Isa 2:19; 2:10) Then the kings of the earth and the great men
and the rich men and the commanding officers and the strong and everyone,
slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and
in the rocks of the mountains.
16 (Hos 10:8; Lk 23:30) They said to the mountains and rocks,
"Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb,
17 (Ps 76:7; Jer 30:7) for the great day of His wrath has come.
Who is able to withstand it?" (144 cubits, or 65 meters.)
[1] And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were
the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
[2] And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow;
and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to
conquer.
[3] And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say,
Come and see.
[4] And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to
him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill
one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
[5] And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come
and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a
pair of balances in his hand.
[6] And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of
wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou
hurt not the oil and the wine.
[7] And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth
beast say, Come and see.
[8] And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was
Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the
fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with
death, and with the beasts of the earth.
[9] And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls
of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which
they held:
[10] And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the
earth?
[11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto
them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their
fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,
should be fulfilled.
[12] And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the
moon became as blood;
[13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth
her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
[14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and
every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and
the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free
man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
[16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the
face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
[17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 December 2022
Entitled "Christmas-Card Perfect"
John 7:1-9
John 7
The Unbelief of Jesus' Brothers
1 (Jn 4:3; 7:19) After these things Jesus walked in Galilee.
He would not walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
2 (Zec 14:16-19) Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
3 (Mt 12:46; Jn 7:5) His brothers therefore said to Him,
"Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see
the works that You do.
4 Jn 18:20For no one does anything in secret, while he himself seeks
to be known openly. If You do these things, reveal Yourself to the world."
5 (Mk 3:21) For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
6 (Jn 2:4; 7:8) Therefore Jesus told them, "My time has not yet come,
but your time is always fitting.
7 (Jn 3:19; 15:18-19) The world cannot hate you. But it hates Me,
because I testify concerning it, that its works are evil.
8 (Jn 7:6) You go up to this feast. I am not going up to this feast yet,
because My time has not yet fully come."
9 Having said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
[1] After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in
Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
[2] Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
[3] His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into
Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
[4] For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself
seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the
world.
[5] For neither did his brethren believe in him.
[6] Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is
alway ready.
[7] The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of
it, that the works thereof are evil.
[8] Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my
time is not yet full come.
[9] When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
The Barker family Christmas video was perfect. Three robe-clad shepherds (the
family's young sons) huddled around a fire in a grassy field. Suddenly an
angel descended from the hilltop-their big sister, looking resplendent, except
for the pink high-top sneakers. As the soundtrack swelled, the shepherds
stared skyward in amazement. A trek across a field led them to a real
baby-their infant brother in a modern barn. Big sister now played the
role of Mary.
Then came the "bonus features," when their dad let us peek behind the scenes.
Whiny kids complained, "I'm cold." "I have to go to the bathroom right now!"
"Can we go home?" "Guys, pay attention," said their mom more than once.
Reality was far from Christmas-card perfect.
It's easy to view the original Christmas story through the lens of
a well-edited final cut. But Jesus' life was anything but smooth. A jealous
Herod tried to kill Him in infancy (Matthew 2:13). Mary and Joseph
misunderstood Him (Luke 2:41-50). The world hated Him (John 7:7). For a time,
"even his own brothers did not believe in him" (v. 5). His mission led to
a grisly death. He did it all to honor His Father and rescue us.
The Barkers' video ended with these words of Jesus:
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me" (14:6). That's a reality we can live with-forever.
By: Tim Gustafson
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Reflect & Pray
How do you try to appear to be perfect?
How can you better acknowledge your need for Jesus' perfect strength?
Father, thank You for sending Your Son
to provide a way for me to be reconciled to You forever.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 1 - Bought Back
Eph 1:7
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
In the opening scenes of The Glenn Miller Story, Glenn Miller, then a
struggling musician trying to find an audience for his music, enters
a pawn shop. He has hocked his trombone for rent money, and has come
to redeem it. Paying the pawn broker the money, he buys back his own
instrument and leaves the shop, indicating that he will probably
be back again.
In Eph 1:7. Paul says that in Christ "we have redemption through
His blood and the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace."
We belonged to God from the beginning; he made us and stamped
his image upon us. But through sin we were lost, pawned to the
world's system and the Enemy of our souls.
But God redeemed us; he "bought us back" with the most valuable
currency in the universe - the blood of his own Son, Jesus Christ.
He did not resent the bargain, or question whether we were worth
such a price. He freely gave Jesus in trade to ransom the souls
of the people he created and loved.
Sometimes in Christian circles we get so caught up in religious
jargon that we forget what redemption really means. Gog did not have
to "get us out of hock." He was not compelled to buy us back when we
had sold ourselves to sin. But because of his love, and with no
deserving on our part, he chose to pay an enormous price to set us free.
We are redeemed, bought back, by the One who owned us in the first place.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "in hock" to sin in my life?
b) What does it mean, in practical terms, that God "redeemed" me from that sin?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 16:10-12
10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful
also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also
in much.
11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who will give you that which is your own?"
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:
and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who shall give you that which is your own?
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Reconciling Peace
Col 3:12-17
12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.
13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another
and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,
even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.
14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,
which is the bond of perfection.
15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,
to which also you are called in one body,
rule in your hearts. And be thankful.
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have
a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by 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 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.
)
Christmas Day
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
Saturday, Fourth Week of Advent
"That time He was creating not simply a man but the Man
who was to be Himself: was creating Man anew: was beginning,
at this divine and human point, the New Creation of all things.
The miraculous conception is one more witness that here is Nature's Lord.
He is doing now, small and close, what He does in a different fashion
for every woman who conceives." - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 182.)
The New Creation
Most of us like new things. We like new cars, new houses, new clothes,
a new day. We like the new things we receive at Christmas, a new outlook
on life, a new baby. We like the newness of spring, the freshness
of the morning, and the originality of a new piece of art.
The ultimate purpose of God's Grand Miracle-becoming one of us-was
to make all things new, including us. This is our greatest Christmas gift,
if we can see it. Jesus came for us and became one of us, so that we might
become like him. We mentioned that earlier when Lewis wrote,
"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God."
In today's last quotation for these devotions, Lewis makes it clear
that through the Grand Miracle Jesus became human to show us what we could
be like. He came not only as an example. He also became a man in order
to recreate humankind, to start all over again. That is, he came in power
to reshape us. A miracle! A Grand Miracle!
Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, came to create all things anew,
as John writes, "He who was seated on the throne said,
'I am making everything new!"' (Rev. 21:5).
This Christmas Day, and every day, it starts in us, one by one,
as we sing with the hymn-writer,
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
(Martin Luther, From Heaven Above, stanza 13)
May God grant it for Jesus' sake.
Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature.
Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.
2 Cor 5:17
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
CHRISTMAS DAY
News of Great Joy
But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. "
-Luke 2:10
Composers in this world cannot envision music magisterial enough!
Oh, how I wish we could have joined the shepherds to hear the regal
angel choir sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace ..."!
Oddly, God deigned to present this fabulous concert to the outcasts
of that society and to grant unpretentious shepherds the privilege
of being the first to visit the Christ Child and to carry the news
of his birth to those around them. No wonder everyone was flabbergasted
at what the shepherds told them! No wonder Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart!
That is why I capitalize the word Joy and employ it exclusively
for divine gifts! When we declare the Joy of Christmas (and of Easter),
there is no greater. The euphoria of Christ's birth (and resurrection)
overwhelms all human infatuations and electrifies us with a heavenly
exhilaration that can't be shackled!
prayer
Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Read Luke 2:8-20.
8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.
10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.
11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:
You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men."
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us."
16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger.
17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word
which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH SATURDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AMEN!
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14
Christmas has come to you and all of your AH-HA family and friends!
We are all ambassadors of health, hope and amen because of Christ's
birth, death and resurrection!
We say amen because the "Word became flesh and lived among us!"
Amen, of course. does not mean "the end," but rather it means "Yes,"
and 'Hooray." and "So be it," and even "You betcha!" And so Christmas
is not the end of our AH-HAing. It's only the beginning!
Once I was looking at one of the manger scenes in our home. As I
focused on each character individually, like Mary and Joseph and the
shepherds and even the animals, each one of them seemed lonely and
way too serious. But when l looked more closely at each of them, I noticed
that they all were focused on one main point--God in the Flesh, Jesus!
Once l knew that they all were focused on Jesus, their faces became
not lonely. but lovely. and were not too serious, but reverent.
A little child was asked to finish the Scripture sentence, 'And the Word
became ...' He was puzzled for a while, but then all of a sudden he
shouted out. 'And the Word became FRESH!" And he was right!
The Word, Jesus Christ. became Flesh for us so that his Word would
be FRESH in and through our lives! That's the AH-HA of Christmas!
Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Read John 1:14-18
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.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said,
'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 We have all received from His fullness grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side,
has made Him known.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray a Chirstmas prayer to live humbly in Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to have a Philadelphian Evangelical spirit.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You for sending Your Son
to provide a way for me to be reconciled to You forever."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to remember that he ransomed us from Satan.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to be a good steward of what He has given you.
Pray to the Lord and pray for His Word to embrace you in full.
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 there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
Pray: Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Pray: Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Pray: Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Pray for Abdiwelli's widow and sons in Kenya as they learn to
overcome fear and forgive his killers.
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.
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