Day 355 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 21 December 2023 reflections - 26th Day of Advent
Day 354, 20 December 2023 - 26th Day of Advent
1) 2 John, 3 John
2 John 1
John
The second general epistle of John was probably written in Ephesus
in the AD90s by John the beloved disciple. It is a very personal
and wise exhortation that encourages believers to walk in the light
and warns them about deceivers and how they conduct their lives.
It is not only an encouragement to exhibit agape
(a Greek word for committed or volitional love),
but it is also a sound exhortation to separate from worldliness
and unholiness.
Salutation
The elder,
1 To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth,
and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth, which remains in us, and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
[1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the
truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
[2] For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for
ever.
Truth and Love
4 I greatly rejoiced that I found some of your children walking in truth
as we were commanded by the Father.
5 And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you,
but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.
This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning,
you should walk in it.
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.
8 Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose those things for which
we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ
does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching of Christ has both
the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.
11 For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.
[3] Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
[4] I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we
have received a commandment from the Father.
[5] And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment
unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one
another.
[6] And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the
commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in
it.
[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.
[8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,
but that we receive a full reward.
[9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath
not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father
and the Son.
[10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
[11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Final Greetings
12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to write
with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face
to face that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
[12] Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and
ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may
be full.
[13] The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
3 John 1
John
John the Beloved probably wrote the third general epistle
of John in Ephesus in the AD90s. It addresses the reality
of true and false ministers. Addressed to Gaius, a local
church leader, it commends a disciple named Demetrius
while also warning against the tactics of Diotrephes.
The Holy Spirit provides sound instruction
and sober exhortations for all believers in this epistle.
Salutation
1 The elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you
and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.
3 For I greatly rejoiced when brothers came and testified
of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
[1] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
[2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in
health, even as thy soul prospereth.
[3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the
truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
[4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Working Together
5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and for strangers,
6 who have testified of your love before the church. You will do well to send
them along on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For His name's sake they went out, receiving no help from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to receive such men, that we might be fellow workers
for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first
among them, did not accept us.
10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what kinds of works he does:
ranting against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not
accept the brothers, and stops those who want to, and throws them
out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good.
Whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius receives good reports from everyone and from the truth itself.
Yes, and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
[5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren,
and to strangers;
[6] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou
bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
[7] Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the
Gentiles.
[8] We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to
the truth.
[9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the
preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
[10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating
against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he
himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth
them out of the church.
[11] Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that
doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
[12] Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea,
and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had many things to write, but I would rather not write to you
with pen and ink.
14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
[13] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto
thee:
[14] But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
2) Our Daily Bread for 21 December 2023
The Light of Hope
Psalms 42
BOOK TWO
Psalms 42-72
For the Music Director. A Contemplative Maskil of the sons of Korah.
1 As the deer pants after the water brooks,
so my soul pants after You, O God.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When will I come and appear before God?
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they always say to me,
"Where is your God?"
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I would travel with the throng of people;
I proceeded with them to the house of God,
with the voice of joy and thanks,
with a multitude making a pilgrimage.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted in me?
Hope in God,
for I will yet thank Him
for the help of His presence.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
therefore I will remember You
from the land of Jordan,
and of the Hermon, from the hill of Mizar.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Deep calls to deep
at the noise of Your waterfalls;
all Your waves and Your billows
passed over me.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness
in the daytime, and in the night His song will be with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 Ps 38:6; 18:2 I will say to God, my rock,
"Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?"
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) With shattering in my bones,
those harassing me reproach me,
when they say to me every day,
"Where is your God?"
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Why, my soul, are you cast down?
Why do you groan within me?
Wait for God;
I will yet thank Him,
For He is my deliverance and my God.
Psalm 42
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
[1] As the hart panteth after the water brooks,
So panteth my soul after thee, O God.
[2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
When shall I come and appear before God?
[3] My tears have been my meat day and night,
While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
[4] When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me:
For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept holyday.
[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God:
For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.
[6] O my God, my soul is cast down within me:
Therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the
Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
[7] Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts:
All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
[8] Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the God of my life.
[9] I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
[10] As with a sword in my bones,
Mine enemies reproach me;
While they say daily unto me,
Where is thy God?
[11] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God;
For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
My mother's shiny red cross should have been hanging next to her bed at the
cancer care center. And I should have been preparing for holiday visits
between her scheduled treatments. All I wanted for Christmas was another day
with my mom. Instead, I was home ... hanging her cross on a fake tree.
When my son Xavier plugged in the lights, I whispered, "Thank You." He said,
"You're welcome." My son didn't know I was thanking God for using the
flickering bulbs to turn my eyes toward the ever-enduring Light of Hope-Jesus.
The writer of Psalm 42 expressed his raw emotions to God (vv. 1-4). He
acknowledged his "downcast" and "disturbed" soul before encouraging readers:
"Hope thou in God:
For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance." (v. 5). Though
he was overcome with waves of sorrow and suffering, the psalmist's hope shone
through the remembrance of God's past faithfulness (vv. 6-10). He ended by
questioning his doubts and affirming the resilience of his refined faith:
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my
countenance, and my God." (v. 11).
For many of us, the Christmas season stirs up both joy and sorrow. Thankfully,
even these mixed emotions can be reconciled and redeemed through the promises
of the true Light of Hope-Jesus.
By: Xochitl Dixon
Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus helped you process grief while celebrating Christmas?
How can you support someone who's grieving this season?
Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times
of grief and joy all year round.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 5 When you pray
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone,
so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
"My prayer don't seem to be very effective," a man told his pastor." I try
to make contact with God, but my prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce
back."
The pastor thought for a moment, then gently suggested,
"Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?"
"What do you mean?" The man's face flushed; the pastor has obviuosly struck
a nerve. "Well, I guess I've had some struggles with my mother ... and then,
my wife, and I ... ." The hidden truth came to light: the man was bound in
unforgiving relationships with five of the closest people to him.
Forgiveness is an essential element in prayer. For a very good reason,
worship services in liturgical churches place the confession of sin and the
absolution near the beginning of the service, before the reading of God's
Word, prayer, and the sermon. Forgiveness - both the Lord's forgiveness
of us and our forgiveness of others - clears the way for unhindered
communication between God and his people.
When we carry anger and bitterness, or even deeply buried, well-subliminated
unforgiveness, into the presence of God, our prayers will be affected. We can,
however, free the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others
through forgiveness. We can choose to forgive in light of God's forgiveness
of us. And when we do, the channels are re-established;
we can pray in power and open ourselves to an awareness of his activity
in our lives.
Application
a) Have my prayers ever been affected by unforgiveness in my life?
b) Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive,
whether or not I can work toward?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 29:9
9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant
and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,
that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)
The Northern Territories of Canada
Yukon
Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69
In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473
The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
21st Day of the Month
a) Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
(
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,
)
b) Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
Advent Day 27
FRIDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
Early Offering
to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
-Luke 2:5
Luke mentions that Mary was "great with child" (KJV) so candidly that we don't pause to ponder how difficult it
must have been for her to travel all the way (about 70 miles!) from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. Even more significant, the Christ Child she carried must have been jostled and jarred by the movement, Loo.
Those of us who use statements of faith in our worship services declare
in the Apostles' Creed that Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified ... " I believe instead we should say, "suffered, under Pontius Pilate was crucified" to be more accurate to the original. Jesus suffered all his life, not just under Pilate. When we reflect on the appalling journey that he endured in the womb, we might imagine that his sufferings on our behalf began even before he was born. What amazing love that Christ sustained such adversity for us!
prayer
Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can
conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.
Read Luke 2:1-7.
1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth
in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.
7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,
and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to walk daily with Him.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times
of grief and joy all year round."
Pray to the Lord and pray to honestly forgive.
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His covenant .
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who is Love.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can
conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.
Pray that new believers in Oman will be welcomed into thriving Christian
communities so they can grew in their faith.
Christ is the reason for the season .
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.
1) 2 John, 3 John
2 John 1
John
The second general epistle of John was probably written in Ephesus
in the AD90s by John the beloved disciple. It is a very personal
and wise exhortation that encourages believers to walk in the light
and warns them about deceivers and how they conduct their lives.
It is not only an encouragement to exhibit agape
(a Greek word for committed or volitional love),
but it is also a sound exhortation to separate from worldliness
and unholiness.
Salutation
The elder,
1 To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth,
and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth, which remains in us, and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
[1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the
truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
[2] For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for
ever.
Truth and Love
4 I greatly rejoiced that I found some of your children walking in truth
as we were commanded by the Father.
5 And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you,
but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.
This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning,
you should walk in it.
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.
8 Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose those things for which
we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ
does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching of Christ has both
the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.
11 For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.
[3] Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
[4] I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we
have received a commandment from the Father.
[5] And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment
unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one
another.
[6] And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the
commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in
it.
[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.
[8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,
but that we receive a full reward.
[9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath
not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father
and the Son.
[10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
[11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Final Greetings
12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to write
with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face
to face that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
[12] Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and
ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may
be full.
[13] The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
3 John 1
John
John the Beloved probably wrote the third general epistle
of John in Ephesus in the AD90s. It addresses the reality
of true and false ministers. Addressed to Gaius, a local
church leader, it commends a disciple named Demetrius
while also warning against the tactics of Diotrephes.
The Holy Spirit provides sound instruction
and sober exhortations for all believers in this epistle.
Salutation
1 The elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you
and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.
3 For I greatly rejoiced when brothers came and testified
of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
[1] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
[2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in
health, even as thy soul prospereth.
[3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the
truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
[4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Working Together
5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and for strangers,
6 who have testified of your love before the church. You will do well to send
them along on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For His name's sake they went out, receiving no help from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to receive such men, that we might be fellow workers
for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first
among them, did not accept us.
10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what kinds of works he does:
ranting against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not
accept the brothers, and stops those who want to, and throws them
out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good.
Whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius receives good reports from everyone and from the truth itself.
Yes, and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
[5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren,
and to strangers;
[6] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou
bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
[7] Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the
Gentiles.
[8] We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to
the truth.
[9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the
preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
[10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating
against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he
himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth
them out of the church.
[11] Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that
doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
[12] Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea,
and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had many things to write, but I would rather not write to you
with pen and ink.
14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
[13] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto
thee:
[14] But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
2) Our Daily Bread for 21 December 2023
The Light of Hope
Psalms 42
BOOK TWO
Psalms 42-72
For the Music Director. A Contemplative Maskil of the sons of Korah.
1 As the deer pants after the water brooks,
so my soul pants after You, O God.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When will I come and appear before God?
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they always say to me,
"Where is your God?"
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I would travel with the throng of people;
I proceeded with them to the house of God,
with the voice of joy and thanks,
with a multitude making a pilgrimage.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted in me?
Hope in God,
for I will yet thank Him
for the help of His presence.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
therefore I will remember You
from the land of Jordan,
and of the Hermon, from the hill of Mizar.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Deep calls to deep
at the noise of Your waterfalls;
all Your waves and Your billows
passed over me.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness
in the daytime, and in the night His song will be with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 Ps 38:6; 18:2 I will say to God, my rock,
"Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?"
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) With shattering in my bones,
those harassing me reproach me,
when they say to me every day,
"Where is your God?"
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Why, my soul, are you cast down?
Why do you groan within me?
Wait for God;
I will yet thank Him,
For He is my deliverance and my God.
Psalm 42
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
[1] As the hart panteth after the water brooks,
So panteth my soul after thee, O God.
[2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
When shall I come and appear before God?
[3] My tears have been my meat day and night,
While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
[4] When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me:
For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept holyday.
[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God:
For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.
[6] O my God, my soul is cast down within me:
Therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the
Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
[7] Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts:
All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
[8] Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the God of my life.
[9] I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me?
Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
[10] As with a sword in my bones,
Mine enemies reproach me;
While they say daily unto me,
Where is thy God?
[11] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God;
For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
My mother's shiny red cross should have been hanging next to her bed at the
cancer care center. And I should have been preparing for holiday visits
between her scheduled treatments. All I wanted for Christmas was another day
with my mom. Instead, I was home ... hanging her cross on a fake tree.
When my son Xavier plugged in the lights, I whispered, "Thank You." He said,
"You're welcome." My son didn't know I was thanking God for using the
flickering bulbs to turn my eyes toward the ever-enduring Light of Hope-Jesus.
The writer of Psalm 42 expressed his raw emotions to God (vv. 1-4). He
acknowledged his "downcast" and "disturbed" soul before encouraging readers:
"Hope thou in God:
For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance." (v. 5). Though
he was overcome with waves of sorrow and suffering, the psalmist's hope shone
through the remembrance of God's past faithfulness (vv. 6-10). He ended by
questioning his doubts and affirming the resilience of his refined faith:
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my
countenance, and my God." (v. 11).
For many of us, the Christmas season stirs up both joy and sorrow. Thankfully,
even these mixed emotions can be reconciled and redeemed through the promises
of the true Light of Hope-Jesus.
By: Xochitl Dixon
Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus helped you process grief while celebrating Christmas?
How can you support someone who's grieving this season?
Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times
of grief and joy all year round.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 5 When you pray
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone,
so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
"My prayer don't seem to be very effective," a man told his pastor." I try
to make contact with God, but my prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce
back."
The pastor thought for a moment, then gently suggested,
"Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?"
"What do you mean?" The man's face flushed; the pastor has obviuosly struck
a nerve. "Well, I guess I've had some struggles with my mother ... and then,
my wife, and I ... ." The hidden truth came to light: the man was bound in
unforgiving relationships with five of the closest people to him.
Forgiveness is an essential element in prayer. For a very good reason,
worship services in liturgical churches place the confession of sin and the
absolution near the beginning of the service, before the reading of God's
Word, prayer, and the sermon. Forgiveness - both the Lord's forgiveness
of us and our forgiveness of others - clears the way for unhindered
communication between God and his people.
When we carry anger and bitterness, or even deeply buried, well-subliminated
unforgiveness, into the presence of God, our prayers will be affected. We can,
however, free the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others
through forgiveness. We can choose to forgive in light of God's forgiveness
of us. And when we do, the channels are re-established;
we can pray in power and open ourselves to an awareness of his activity
in our lives.
Application
a) Have my prayers ever been affected by unforgiveness in my life?
b) Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive,
whether or not I can work toward?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 29:9
9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant
and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,
that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)
The Northern Territories of Canada
Yukon
Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69
In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473
The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
21st Day of the Month
a) Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
(
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,
)
b) Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
Advent Day 27
FRIDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
Early Offering
to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
-Luke 2:5
Luke mentions that Mary was "great with child" (KJV) so candidly that we don't pause to ponder how difficult it
must have been for her to travel all the way (about 70 miles!) from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. Even more significant, the Christ Child she carried must have been jostled and jarred by the movement, Loo.
Those of us who use statements of faith in our worship services declare
in the Apostles' Creed that Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified ... " I believe instead we should say, "suffered, under Pontius Pilate was crucified" to be more accurate to the original. Jesus suffered all his life, not just under Pilate. When we reflect on the appalling journey that he endured in the womb, we might imagine that his sufferings on our behalf began even before he was born. What amazing love that Christ sustained such adversity for us!
prayer
Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can
conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.
Read Luke 2:1-7.
1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth
in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.
7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,
and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to walk daily with Him.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times
of grief and joy all year round."
Pray to the Lord and pray to honestly forgive.
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His covenant .
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who is Love.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions
Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.
Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can
conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.
Pray that new believers in Oman will be welcomed into thriving Christian
communities so they can grew in their faith.
Christ is the reason for the season .
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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