Day 332 - 28 November 2021 reflections
Day 332, 28 November 2021
Today at Https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ We addressed
Mary as a Character of Christmas
Gen 3:11-13
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from
the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"
12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of
the tree, and I ate."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?"
And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
(Blame game - IT is not my fault, it is someone else)
Isaiah 7:14
14 (Isa 8:8; Mt 1:23; Isa 9:6) Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you
a sign: The virgin [Heb. young woman.] shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.Or God with us.
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favuored.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.
And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible."
38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according
to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
The Lord work in all impossible situations
1)
1 Corinthians 5 - 8
1 Corinthians 5
Judgment Against Immorality
1 (Lev 18:8; Dt 22:30) It is actually reported
that there is sexual immorality among you,
and such immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles,
that a man has his father's wife.
2 (1Co 5:13; 2Co 7:7-11) But you are arrogant. Instead you should
have mourned, so that he who has done this deed might be removed
from among you.
3 (Col 2:5; 1Th 2:17) For indeed, though absent in body
but present in spirit, I have already, as if I were present,
judged him who has done this deed,
4 (Jn 20:23; 2Co 13:3) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When you are assembled, along with my spirit,
in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 (1Ti 1:20; 1Co 1:8) deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
so that the spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 (Gal 5:9; Jas 4:16) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that
a little yeast leavens the whole batch?
7 (Ex 12:15; Mk 14:12) Therefore purge out the old yeast,
that you may be a new batch, since you are unleavened.
For even Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us.
8 (Ex 12:15; Dt 16:3) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast,
nor with the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:14) I wrote to you in my letter not to keep company
with sexually immoral people.
10 (1Co 10:27) Yet I did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world,
or the covetous and extortioners, or the idolaters,
since you would then need to go out of the world.
11 (2Th 3:6; Mt 18:17; Ro 16:17) But I have written to you not to keep
company with any man who is called a brother, who is sexually immoral,
or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard,
or an extortioner. Do not even eat with such a person.
12 (Mk 4:11) For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?
Do you not judge those who are inside?
13 (Dt 13:5; 17:7) But God judges those who are outside. Therefore
"put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
(Dt 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7.)
1 Corinthians 6
Going to Law Before Unbelievers
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to the law
before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 (Mt 19:28; Da 7:22) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest
matters?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things
that pertain to this life?
4 (1Co 5:12) If then you have judgments dealing with matters of this life,
do you appoint as judges those who are least esteemed in the church?
5 (1Co 4:14; 15:34) I speak to your shame. Is it true that there
is not even one wise man among you who shall be able to judge
between his brothers?
6 But brother goes to the law against brother, and before unbelievers,
at that.
7 (Pr 20:22; 1Pe 3:9) Now therefore it is already an utter failure
for you that you go to law against one another. Why not rather be wronged?
Why not rather be defrauded?
8 (1Th 4:6) But you yourselves do wrong and defraud,
and do this to your brothers.
9 (1Co 15:50; 1Ti 1:9-10) Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
10 (1Co 5:11) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 (1Co 1:2; Ac 22:16; Ro 8:30) Such were some of you. But you were washed,
you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
by the Spirit of our God.
Glorify God in Your Body
12 "All things are lawful to me," but not all things are helpful.
"All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought
under the power of anything.
13 (Mt 15:17; 1Co 6:15) "Food is for the belly, and the belly is for food,"
but God will destroy both of them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality,
but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
14 (Ac 2:24; Eph 1:19-20) God has raised up the Lord and will also raise us
up by His own power.
15 (Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:27) Do you not know that your bodies are the parts
of Christ? Shall I then take the parts of Christ and make them the parts
of a harlot? God forbid!
16 (Ge 2:24; Eph 5:31) What? Do you not know that he who is joined
to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says,
"shall become one flesh."(Ge 2:24.)
17 (Jn 17:21-23) But he who is joined to the Lord becomes
one spirit with Him.
18 (Heb 13:4; 2Co 12:21) Escape from sexual immorality.
Every sin that a man commits is outside the body.
But he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19 (1Co 3:16; Jn 2:21) What? Do you not know that your body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God,
and that you are not your own?
20 (1Co 7:23; Ac 20:28; Ro 12:1) You were bought with a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7
Questions About Marriage
1 (1Co 7:8) Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me:
"It is good for a man not to touch a woman."
2 (1Co 7:9) Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality,
let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 (Ex 21:10; 1Pe 3:7) Let the husband render to the wife due affection,
and likewise the wife to the husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.
Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body,
but the wife does.
5 (Ex 19:15; 1Sa 21:4-5) Do not deprive one another except
with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer.
Then come together again, so that Satan does not tempt you
for lack of self-control.
6 (2Co 8:8; 1Co 7:12) I speak this as a concession and not as a command.
7 (Mt 19:11-12; 1Co 9:5) For I would that all men were even as I myself.
But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner
and another after that.
8 (1Co 7:1) I say to the unmarried and widows that it is good for them
if they live even as I am.
9 (1Ti 5:14; 1Co 7:2) But if they cannot restrain themselves, let them marry.
For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 (Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18; Mal 2:14-16) Now to the married I command, not I,
but the Lord, do not let the wife depart from her husband.
11 But if she departs, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled
to her husband. And do not let the husband divorce his wife.
12 (1Co 7:6; 2Co 11:17) To the rest I speak, not the Lord:
If any brother has an unbelieving wife who consents to live with him,
he should not divorce her.
13 And if the woman has an unbelieving husband who consents to live with her,
she should not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.
Otherwise, your children would be unclean. But now they are holy.
15 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:33) But if the unbeliever departs, let that one depart.
A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called us to peace.
16 (Ro 11:14) For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save
your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
Living as God Called You
17 (1Co 4:17; 2Co 11:28) But as God has given to every man
and as the Lord has called every man, so let him walk.
This I command in all churches.
18 (Ac 15:5; 15:19) Is any man called while circumcised?
Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any man called while uncircumcised?
Let him not be circumcised.
19 (Gal 5:6; 6:15) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything.
20 Let each man remain in the same condition in which he was called.
21 Were you called while a servant? Do not worry about it.
But if you may become free, do so.
22 (1Pe 2:16; Phm 1:16) For he who is called in the Lord
while a servant is the Lord's freeman. Likewise, he who is called
while free is Christ's servant.
23 (1Co 6:20; Lev 25:42) You were bought at a price.
Do not be the servants of men.
24 (1Co 7:20) Brothers, let every man, in whatever condition he is called,
remain there with God.
The Unmarried and Widows
25 (1Co 7:6; 4:2) Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the Lord.
Yet I will give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord
to be faithful.
26 (1Co 7:1; 7:8) I suppose therefore that this is good
because of the present distress,
that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be uncommitted.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries,
she has not sinned. Nevertheless they will have trouble in this life,
but I would spare you that.
29 (Ro 13:11-12) But this I say, brothers, the time is short.
It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none;
30 those who weep, as though they did not weep; those who rejoice,
as though they did not rejoice; those who buy,
as though they possessed nothing;
31 (1Jn 2:17; Ps 39:6; 1Co 9:18) and those who use this world,
as though they did not make full use of it.
For the form of this world is passing away.
32 (1Ti 5:5) But I prefer that you have no concern. He who is unmarried cares
for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33 But he who is married cares for the things of the world,
how he may please his wife.
34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares
for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 (1Co 7:36) I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint
upon you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord
without distraction.
36 If any man thinks that he is behaving improperly toward his virgin,
(Some versions translate this word as "virgin daughters,"
others translate it as "fiancée." Since the Greek text itself remains unclear,
the editors have chosen to keep the literal translation.)
and if she is past the flower of her youth, and passions so require,
let him do what he will. He does not sin. Let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart without necessity,
and has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart
that he will keep his virgin, does well.
38 (Heb 13:4) So then he who gives her in marriage does well,
but he who gives her not in marriage does better.
39 (Ro 7:2-3; 1Co 7:15) The wife is bound by the law as long
as her husband lives. But if her husband dies, she is at liberty
to be married to whom she will, but only in the Lord.
40 But in my judgment she is happier if she so remains as she is.
And I think that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
1 (1Co 8:7; 8:4) Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that
"we all have knowledge." Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies.
2 (1Co 3:18; 13:8-9) So if anyone thinks that he knows anything,
he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 (Gal 4:9; Ex 33:12) But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 (Dt 6:4; 4:39) So concerning the eating of foods that are offered
in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is no other God but one.
5 (2Th 2:4) For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven
or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords.
6 (Jn 1:3; Mal 2:10; Ro 11:36) But for us there is but one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things
and through whom we exist.
7 (Ro 14:14; 1Co 8:9-10) However, not everyone has this knowledge.
Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing
offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled.
8 (Ro 14:17) But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are
we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 (Gal 5:13; Ro 14:20-21; 14:1-2) But take heed, lest by any means
this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol's temple,
shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols,
11 (Ro 14:15; 1Co 8:13) and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish,
for whom Christ died?
12 (Mt 25:45; 18:6) When you thus sin against the brothers,
wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 (Ro 14:21; 2Co 11:29) Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble,
I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.
2) Our Daily Bread for 28 November 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/11/28/insult-to-injury
entitled Insult to Injury
Job 5:7,17-27
7 (Job 14:1; Ge 3:17-19) but man is born to trouble,
as the sparks fly upward.
17 (Ps 94:12; Jas 1:12) "How happy is the man whom God corrects!
Therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty,
18 (Isa 30:26; Dt 32:39) for He wounds, but He applies the bandage;
He injures, but His hands also heal.
19 (Ps 34:19; 1Co 10:13) In six crises He will deliver you;
even in seven, disaster will not touch you.
20 (Ps 33:19) In famine He will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 (Ps 31:20) You will be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and you will not fear violence when it comes.
22 (Eze 34:25; Isa 35:9) You will laugh at devastation and famine,
and you will not fear wild animals.
23 For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field,
and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24Y ou will know that your tent is peaceful,
and you will inspect your property and find nothing missing.
25 (Ps 112:2; 72:16) You will know that your offspring will be many
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26 (Ge 15:15; 25:8) You go to the grave in a full age,
as stalks of grain are gathered up in season.
27 (Ps 111:2) "Look! We have investigated all this, and it is so;
hear it, and know for yourself."
During the Golden Age of radio, Fred Allen (1894-1956) used comedic
pessimism to bring smiles to a generation living in the shadows
of economic depression and a world at war. His sense of humor
was born out of personal pain. Having lost his mother before
he was three, he was later estranged from his father who struggled
with addictions. He once rescued a young boy from the traffic
of a busy New York City street with a memorable,
"What's the matter with you, kid?
Don't you want to grow up and have troubles?"
The life of Job unfolds in such troubled realism. When his early expressions
of faith eventually gave way to despair, his friends multiplied his pain
by adding insult to injury. With good sounding arguments they insisted
that if he could admit his wrongs (Job 4:7-8) and learn from God's correction,
he would find strength to laugh in the face of his problems (5:22).
Job's "comforters" meant well while being so wrong (1:6-12).
Never could they have imagined that they would one day be invoked as examples
of "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" Never could they have imagined
the relief of Job praying for them,
or why they would need prayer at all (42:7-9).
Never could they have imagined how they foreshadowed the accusers of the One
who suffered so much misunderstanding to become the source of our greatest joys.
By: Mart DeHaan
Reflect & Pray
How have others misjudged you, and how did you feel?
When have you been critical of others whose pain you didn't understand?
Father, like Job's friends, I'm inclined to assume that the troubles
of others are somehow deserved. Please help me live this day
in the Spirit of Your Son rather than
in the words and thoughts of the accuser.
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
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) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 8:18
18 But you must remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,
so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,
as it is today.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 25:15-21
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for He will lead my feet from the net.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,
for I am isolated and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Look on my pain and misery,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,
and they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!
Let me not suffer shame,
for I seek refuge in You.
21 Truth and integrity will preserve me
while I wait for You.
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."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 28 of the Month
a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
(
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever
hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,
but has passed from death into life."
)
b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today . (
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 “Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
)
Advent Day 1
From C.S. Lewis a Grand Miracle
The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand
miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all
space and time, what is uncreated, eternal, came into nature,
into human nature, descended into His own universe, and rose
again, bringing nature up with Him. It is precisely one great
miracle. If you take that away there is nothing specifically
Christian left." C. S. Lewis
(Read this arid more in "The Grand Miracle", God in the Dock, p. 80.)
One Grand Miracle
C. S. Lewis loved the story of the birth of Christ. In fact, he argued
that the one Grand Miracle of Christianity is not the Crucifixion
or the Resurrection, but Christ's birth. He saw every other miracle
of Scripture as preparing for, demonstrating, or resulting from, the
Incarnation
What exactly is a miracle? Lewis calls it "an interference with
Nature by supernatural power." Thank God, he does interfere in our
world I Left to our own instincts, we go our own way. God became
one of us because he yearns to make us one with him. That's why
God has been miraculously interfering for millennia. Just for starters,
think of Abraham and Sarah becoming parents late in life,
the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, or the rescue of Daniel from the
lions. Perhaps you have experienced a miracle in your own life.
But none of these, remarkable though they were, is as important
as the Incarnation
We Christians believe that God is real--Christ is in us, the Holy
Spirit has been poured out on us. But God remains hidden in these
miracles. With the birth of Jesus, God became visible in a tiny body
for a mother to hold, for shepherds to admire, for magi to worship.
He himself was the miracles Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me
has seen the Father"(John ] 4:9). The Word became flesh. He became
one of us his Grand Miracles
Let us--who recognize the Miracle--bow the knee.
Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your
coming [o Earth, this Advent season. .Amen.
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
John 1:14
From C.S. Lewis a Grand Miracle
The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand
miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all
space and time, what is uncreated, eternal, came into nature,
into human nature, descended into His own universe, and rose
again, bringing nature up with Him. It is precisely one great
miracle. If you take that away there is nothing specifically
Christian left." C. S. Lewis
(Read this arid more in "The Grand Miracle", God in the Dock, p. 80.)
One Grand Miracle
C. S. Lewis loved the story of the birth of Christ. In fact, he argued
that the one Grand Miracle of Christianity is not the Crucifixion
or the Resurrection, but Christ's birth. He saw every other miracle
of Scripture as preparing for, demonstrating, or resulting from, the
Incarnation
What exactly is a miracle? Lewis calls it "an interference with
Nature by supernatural power." Thank God, he does interfere in our
world I Left to our own instincts, we go our own way. God became
one of us because he yearns to make us one with him. That's why
God has been miraculously interfering for millennia. Just for starters,
think of Abraham and Sarah becoming parents late in life,
the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, or the rescue of Daniel from the
lions. Perhaps you have experienced a miracle in your own life.
But none of these, remarkable though they were, is as important
as the Incarnation
We Christians believe that God is real--Christ is in us, the Holy
Spirit has been poured out on us. But God remains hidden in these
miracles. With the birth of Jesus, God became visible in a tiny body
for a mother to hold, for shepherds to admire, for magi to worship.
He himself was the miracles Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me
has seen the Father"(John ] 4:9). The Word became flesh. He became
one of us his Grand Miracles
Let us--who recognize the Miracle--bow the knee.
Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your
coming to Earth, this Advent season. .Amen.
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
John 1:14
14 (Gal 4:4; 1Ti 3:16) 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.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Being Lovers of Christ
Luke 1:1-4
1 Whereas many have undertaken to write a narrative of those things
which are most surely believed among us,
2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning
were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
3 it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things
from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account,
most excellent Theophilus,
4 that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.
Advent has begun! We suddenly realize we are not ready for
Christmas, and we fret about decorations, cards, presents
or food. However, this year let's approach Christmas spiritually,
in order to prepare our hearts, minds and wills for the Christ
Child's coming.
In our lead text Luke declares that he has done all the research
and that he wants Theophilus to know the truth about all he
has learned concerning Jesus, so he has decided to write an
"orderly account. " We will meditate on this narrative during
Advent this year for one major purpose: that we might all
become more richly like Theophilus(Theophila) or "God
Lover".
Was Theophilus a real man, or did Luke use that name to
signify everyone reading his report? Unquestionably, the name
indicates our goal this Advent: That each of us might love God
more because of all he did for us in sending his Son, Jesus.
Prayer
God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.
Mark 13:35-37
The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors pf Health, Hope and Anticipation
We begin another Advent season very appropriately-we me waiting,
waiting, waiting! We are waiting to see when gas prices will drop again
... waiting to see the economy turn around .. waiting to see what kind
of weather December will bring .. waiting to see who sends us the first
Christmas Card (alreadyI?)... waiting ... waiting... waiting ...
Advent is about anticipation. It is like waiting for the ketchup to ooze out
of its bottle's long neck We wait ... and wait ... and wait.
And finally It comes.
The Gospel for this week reminds us that no one knows when the Lord
will return to earth And so we can anticipate his Second Coming with
great Joy, not fear because he has already prepared us for life as well as
for death. Isn't it ironic that as we anticipate-as we prepare for his coming
In Bethlehem during this season-the Lord has already prepared us for
his Second Coming through his own death and resurrection?
So. ready or not, here he comes! Anticipate a joy-filled Advent season,
as ambassadors of health. hope and anticipation! And anticipate the
Lord at work In you today!
Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you
for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day
We celebrate your presence with great anticipation
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Matthew 24:36-44.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Being Lovers of Christ
Luke 1:1-4
Advent has begun! We suddenly realize we are not ready for
Christmas, and we fret about decorations, cards, presents
or food. However, this year let's approach Christmas spiritually,
in order to prepare our hearts, minds and wills for the Christ
Child's coming.
A
In our lead text Luke declares that he has done all the research
and that he wants Theophilus to know the truth about all he
has learned concerning Jesus, so he has decided to write an
"orderly account. " We will meditate on this narrative during
Advent this year for one major purpose: that we might all
become more richly like Theophilus(Theophila) or "God
Lover".
Was Theophilus a real man, or did Luke use that name to
signify everyone reading his report? Unquestionably, the name
indicates our goal this Advent: That each of us might love God
more because of all he did for us in sending his Son, Jesus.
Prayer
God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.
Mark 13:35-37
35 (Mt 24:42) "Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master
of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight,
or at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-
36 (Mk 14:40) lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping.
37 (Mk 13:35) What I say to you I say to all: Watch!"
The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors pf Health, Hope and Anticipation
We begin another Advent season very appropriately-we me waiting,
waiting, waiting! We are waiting to see when gas prices will drop again
... waiting to see the economy turn around .. waiting to see what kind
of weather December will bring .. waiting to see who sends us the first
Christmas Card (already!?)... waiting ... waiting... waiting ...
Advent is about anticipation. It is like waiting for the ketchup to ooze out
of its bottle's long neck We wait ... and wait ... and wait.
And finally It comes.
The Gospel for this week reminds us that no one knows when the Lord
will return to earth And so we can anticipate his Second Coming with
great Joy, not fear because he has already prepared us for life as well as
for death. Isn't it ironic that as we anticipate-as we prepare for his coming
In Bethlehem during this season-the Lord has already prepared us for
his Second Coming through his own death and resurrection?
So. ready or not, here he comes! Anticipate a joy-filled Advent season,
as ambassadors of health. hope and anticipation! And anticipate the
Lord at work In you today!
Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you
for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day
We celebrate your presence with great anticipation
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Matthew 24:36-44.
The Unknown Day and Hour
Mk 13:32-37; Lk 17:26-30, 34-36
36 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:32) "Concerning that day and hour no one knows,
not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 (Lk 17:26-27) As were the days of Noah, so will be
the coming of the Son of Man.
38 (Mt 22:30) For as in the days before the flood, they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah
entered the ark,
39 (Mt 24:37) and did not know until the flood came
and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.
41 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and the other left.
42 (Mt 25:13; 24:44) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour
your Lord will come.
43 (Lk 12:39) But know this, that if the owner of the house had known
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched
and not have let his house be broken into.
44 (Mt 25:10; 25:13) Therefore you also must be ready, for in an hour
when you least expect, the Son of Man is coming.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for being the Lord of the Impossible
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be a stumbling block witness in Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord "Father, like Job's friends, I'm inclined to assume
that the troubles of others are somehow deserved. Please help me live
this day in the Spirit of Your Son rather than
in the words and thoughts of the accuser."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that in His salvation is completed
for he is Redeemer.
Pray to the Lord and pray to uphold His covenant with you.
Pray to the Lord and pray for Him to bring you out of distress.
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today .
Pry Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your
coming to Earth, this Advent season. Amen.
Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you
for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day
We celebrate your presence with great anticipation
In Jesus' name.
God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.
Pray for staff safety as they travel to check on families,
get updates and distribute relief aid in Nigeria
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.calvarycommunity.ca/ We addressed
Mary as a Character of Christmas
Gen 3:11-13
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from
the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"
12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of
the tree, and I ate."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?"
And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
(Blame game - IT is not my fault, it is someone else)
Isaiah 7:14
14 (Isa 8:8; Mt 1:23; Isa 9:6) Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you
a sign: The virgin [Heb. young woman.] shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.Or God with us.
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favuored.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.
And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible."
38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according
to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
The Lord work in all impossible situations
1)
1 Corinthians 5 - 8
1 Corinthians 5
Judgment Against Immorality
1 (Lev 18:8; Dt 22:30) It is actually reported
that there is sexual immorality among you,
and such immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles,
that a man has his father's wife.
2 (1Co 5:13; 2Co 7:7-11) But you are arrogant. Instead you should
have mourned, so that he who has done this deed might be removed
from among you.
3 (Col 2:5; 1Th 2:17) For indeed, though absent in body
but present in spirit, I have already, as if I were present,
judged him who has done this deed,
4 (Jn 20:23; 2Co 13:3) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When you are assembled, along with my spirit,
in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 (1Ti 1:20; 1Co 1:8) deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
so that the spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 (Gal 5:9; Jas 4:16) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that
a little yeast leavens the whole batch?
7 (Ex 12:15; Mk 14:12) Therefore purge out the old yeast,
that you may be a new batch, since you are unleavened.
For even Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us.
8 (Ex 12:15; Dt 16:3) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast,
nor with the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:14) I wrote to you in my letter not to keep company
with sexually immoral people.
10 (1Co 10:27) Yet I did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world,
or the covetous and extortioners, or the idolaters,
since you would then need to go out of the world.
11 (2Th 3:6; Mt 18:17; Ro 16:17) But I have written to you not to keep
company with any man who is called a brother, who is sexually immoral,
or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard,
or an extortioner. Do not even eat with such a person.
12 (Mk 4:11) For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?
Do you not judge those who are inside?
13 (Dt 13:5; 17:7) But God judges those who are outside. Therefore
"put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
(Dt 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7.)
1 Corinthians 6
Going to Law Before Unbelievers
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to the law
before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 (Mt 19:28; Da 7:22) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest
matters?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things
that pertain to this life?
4 (1Co 5:12) If then you have judgments dealing with matters of this life,
do you appoint as judges those who are least esteemed in the church?
5 (1Co 4:14; 15:34) I speak to your shame. Is it true that there
is not even one wise man among you who shall be able to judge
between his brothers?
6 But brother goes to the law against brother, and before unbelievers,
at that.
7 (Pr 20:22; 1Pe 3:9) Now therefore it is already an utter failure
for you that you go to law against one another. Why not rather be wronged?
Why not rather be defrauded?
8 (1Th 4:6) But you yourselves do wrong and defraud,
and do this to your brothers.
9 (1Co 15:50; 1Ti 1:9-10) Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
10 (1Co 5:11) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 (1Co 1:2; Ac 22:16; Ro 8:30) Such were some of you. But you were washed,
you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
by the Spirit of our God.
Glorify God in Your Body
12 "All things are lawful to me," but not all things are helpful.
"All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought
under the power of anything.
13 (Mt 15:17; 1Co 6:15) "Food is for the belly, and the belly is for food,"
but God will destroy both of them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality,
but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
14 (Ac 2:24; Eph 1:19-20) God has raised up the Lord and will also raise us
up by His own power.
15 (Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:27) Do you not know that your bodies are the parts
of Christ? Shall I then take the parts of Christ and make them the parts
of a harlot? God forbid!
16 (Ge 2:24; Eph 5:31) What? Do you not know that he who is joined
to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says,
"shall become one flesh."(Ge 2:24.)
17 (Jn 17:21-23) But he who is joined to the Lord becomes
one spirit with Him.
18 (Heb 13:4; 2Co 12:21) Escape from sexual immorality.
Every sin that a man commits is outside the body.
But he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19 (1Co 3:16; Jn 2:21) What? Do you not know that your body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God,
and that you are not your own?
20 (1Co 7:23; Ac 20:28; Ro 12:1) You were bought with a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7
Questions About Marriage
1 (1Co 7:8) Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me:
"It is good for a man not to touch a woman."
2 (1Co 7:9) Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality,
let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 (Ex 21:10; 1Pe 3:7) Let the husband render to the wife due affection,
and likewise the wife to the husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.
Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body,
but the wife does.
5 (Ex 19:15; 1Sa 21:4-5) Do not deprive one another except
with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer.
Then come together again, so that Satan does not tempt you
for lack of self-control.
6 (2Co 8:8; 1Co 7:12) I speak this as a concession and not as a command.
7 (Mt 19:11-12; 1Co 9:5) For I would that all men were even as I myself.
But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner
and another after that.
8 (1Co 7:1) I say to the unmarried and widows that it is good for them
if they live even as I am.
9 (1Ti 5:14; 1Co 7:2) But if they cannot restrain themselves, let them marry.
For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 (Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18; Mal 2:14-16) Now to the married I command, not I,
but the Lord, do not let the wife depart from her husband.
11 But if she departs, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled
to her husband. And do not let the husband divorce his wife.
12 (1Co 7:6; 2Co 11:17) To the rest I speak, not the Lord:
If any brother has an unbelieving wife who consents to live with him,
he should not divorce her.
13 And if the woman has an unbelieving husband who consents to live with her,
she should not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.
Otherwise, your children would be unclean. But now they are holy.
15 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:33) But if the unbeliever departs, let that one depart.
A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called us to peace.
16 (Ro 11:14) For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save
your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
Living as God Called You
17 (1Co 4:17; 2Co 11:28) But as God has given to every man
and as the Lord has called every man, so let him walk.
This I command in all churches.
18 (Ac 15:5; 15:19) Is any man called while circumcised?
Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any man called while uncircumcised?
Let him not be circumcised.
19 (Gal 5:6; 6:15) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything.
20 Let each man remain in the same condition in which he was called.
21 Were you called while a servant? Do not worry about it.
But if you may become free, do so.
22 (1Pe 2:16; Phm 1:16) For he who is called in the Lord
while a servant is the Lord's freeman. Likewise, he who is called
while free is Christ's servant.
23 (1Co 6:20; Lev 25:42) You were bought at a price.
Do not be the servants of men.
24 (1Co 7:20) Brothers, let every man, in whatever condition he is called,
remain there with God.
The Unmarried and Widows
25 (1Co 7:6; 4:2) Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the Lord.
Yet I will give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord
to be faithful.
26 (1Co 7:1; 7:8) I suppose therefore that this is good
because of the present distress,
that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be uncommitted.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries,
she has not sinned. Nevertheless they will have trouble in this life,
but I would spare you that.
29 (Ro 13:11-12) But this I say, brothers, the time is short.
It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none;
30 those who weep, as though they did not weep; those who rejoice,
as though they did not rejoice; those who buy,
as though they possessed nothing;
31 (1Jn 2:17; Ps 39:6; 1Co 9:18) and those who use this world,
as though they did not make full use of it.
For the form of this world is passing away.
32 (1Ti 5:5) But I prefer that you have no concern. He who is unmarried cares
for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33 But he who is married cares for the things of the world,
how he may please his wife.
34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares
for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 (1Co 7:36) I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint
upon you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord
without distraction.
36 If any man thinks that he is behaving improperly toward his virgin,
(Some versions translate this word as "virgin daughters,"
others translate it as "fiancée." Since the Greek text itself remains unclear,
the editors have chosen to keep the literal translation.)
and if she is past the flower of her youth, and passions so require,
let him do what he will. He does not sin. Let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart without necessity,
and has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart
that he will keep his virgin, does well.
38 (Heb 13:4) So then he who gives her in marriage does well,
but he who gives her not in marriage does better.
39 (Ro 7:2-3; 1Co 7:15) The wife is bound by the law as long
as her husband lives. But if her husband dies, she is at liberty
to be married to whom she will, but only in the Lord.
40 But in my judgment she is happier if she so remains as she is.
And I think that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
1 (1Co 8:7; 8:4) Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that
"we all have knowledge." Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies.
2 (1Co 3:18; 13:8-9) So if anyone thinks that he knows anything,
he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 (Gal 4:9; Ex 33:12) But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 (Dt 6:4; 4:39) So concerning the eating of foods that are offered
in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is no other God but one.
5 (2Th 2:4) For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven
or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords.
6 (Jn 1:3; Mal 2:10; Ro 11:36) But for us there is but one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things
and through whom we exist.
7 (Ro 14:14; 1Co 8:9-10) However, not everyone has this knowledge.
Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing
offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled.
8 (Ro 14:17) But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are
we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 (Gal 5:13; Ro 14:20-21; 14:1-2) But take heed, lest by any means
this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol's temple,
shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols,
11 (Ro 14:15; 1Co 8:13) and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish,
for whom Christ died?
12 (Mt 25:45; 18:6) When you thus sin against the brothers,
wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 (Ro 14:21; 2Co 11:29) Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble,
I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.
2) Our Daily Bread for 28 November 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/11/28/insult-to-injury
entitled Insult to Injury
Job 5:7,17-27
7 (Job 14:1; Ge 3:17-19) but man is born to trouble,
as the sparks fly upward.
17 (Ps 94:12; Jas 1:12) "How happy is the man whom God corrects!
Therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty,
18 (Isa 30:26; Dt 32:39) for He wounds, but He applies the bandage;
He injures, but His hands also heal.
19 (Ps 34:19; 1Co 10:13) In six crises He will deliver you;
even in seven, disaster will not touch you.
20 (Ps 33:19) In famine He will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 (Ps 31:20) You will be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and you will not fear violence when it comes.
22 (Eze 34:25; Isa 35:9) You will laugh at devastation and famine,
and you will not fear wild animals.
23 For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field,
and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24Y ou will know that your tent is peaceful,
and you will inspect your property and find nothing missing.
25 (Ps 112:2; 72:16) You will know that your offspring will be many
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26 (Ge 15:15; 25:8) You go to the grave in a full age,
as stalks of grain are gathered up in season.
27 (Ps 111:2) "Look! We have investigated all this, and it is so;
hear it, and know for yourself."
During the Golden Age of radio, Fred Allen (1894-1956) used comedic
pessimism to bring smiles to a generation living in the shadows
of economic depression and a world at war. His sense of humor
was born out of personal pain. Having lost his mother before
he was three, he was later estranged from his father who struggled
with addictions. He once rescued a young boy from the traffic
of a busy New York City street with a memorable,
"What's the matter with you, kid?
Don't you want to grow up and have troubles?"
The life of Job unfolds in such troubled realism. When his early expressions
of faith eventually gave way to despair, his friends multiplied his pain
by adding insult to injury. With good sounding arguments they insisted
that if he could admit his wrongs (Job 4:7-8) and learn from God's correction,
he would find strength to laugh in the face of his problems (5:22).
Job's "comforters" meant well while being so wrong (1:6-12).
Never could they have imagined that they would one day be invoked as examples
of "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" Never could they have imagined
the relief of Job praying for them,
or why they would need prayer at all (42:7-9).
Never could they have imagined how they foreshadowed the accusers of the One
who suffered so much misunderstanding to become the source of our greatest joys.
By: Mart DeHaan
Reflect & Pray
How have others misjudged you, and how did you feel?
When have you been critical of others whose pain you didn't understand?
Father, like Job's friends, I'm inclined to assume that the troubles
of others are somehow deserved. Please help me live this day
in the Spirit of Your Son rather than
in the words and thoughts of the accuser.
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
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) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 8:18
18 But you must remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth,
so that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers,
as it is today.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 25:15-21
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for He will lead my feet from the net.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,
for I am isolated and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Look on my pain and misery,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,
and they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!
Let me not suffer shame,
for I seek refuge in You.
21 Truth and integrity will preserve me
while I wait for You.
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."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 28 of the Month
a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
(
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever
hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,
but has passed from death into life."
)
b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today . (
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 “Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
)
Advent Day 1
From C.S. Lewis a Grand Miracle
The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand
miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all
space and time, what is uncreated, eternal, came into nature,
into human nature, descended into His own universe, and rose
again, bringing nature up with Him. It is precisely one great
miracle. If you take that away there is nothing specifically
Christian left." C. S. Lewis
(Read this arid more in "The Grand Miracle", God in the Dock, p. 80.)
One Grand Miracle
C. S. Lewis loved the story of the birth of Christ. In fact, he argued
that the one Grand Miracle of Christianity is not the Crucifixion
or the Resurrection, but Christ's birth. He saw every other miracle
of Scripture as preparing for, demonstrating, or resulting from, the
Incarnation
What exactly is a miracle? Lewis calls it "an interference with
Nature by supernatural power." Thank God, he does interfere in our
world I Left to our own instincts, we go our own way. God became
one of us because he yearns to make us one with him. That's why
God has been miraculously interfering for millennia. Just for starters,
think of Abraham and Sarah becoming parents late in life,
the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, or the rescue of Daniel from the
lions. Perhaps you have experienced a miracle in your own life.
But none of these, remarkable though they were, is as important
as the Incarnation
We Christians believe that God is real--Christ is in us, the Holy
Spirit has been poured out on us. But God remains hidden in these
miracles. With the birth of Jesus, God became visible in a tiny body
for a mother to hold, for shepherds to admire, for magi to worship.
He himself was the miracles Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me
has seen the Father"(John ] 4:9). The Word became flesh. He became
one of us his Grand Miracles
Let us--who recognize the Miracle--bow the knee.
Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your
coming [o Earth, this Advent season. .Amen.
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
John 1:14
From C.S. Lewis a Grand Miracle
The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand
miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all
space and time, what is uncreated, eternal, came into nature,
into human nature, descended into His own universe, and rose
again, bringing nature up with Him. It is precisely one great
miracle. If you take that away there is nothing specifically
Christian left." C. S. Lewis
(Read this arid more in "The Grand Miracle", God in the Dock, p. 80.)
One Grand Miracle
C. S. Lewis loved the story of the birth of Christ. In fact, he argued
that the one Grand Miracle of Christianity is not the Crucifixion
or the Resurrection, but Christ's birth. He saw every other miracle
of Scripture as preparing for, demonstrating, or resulting from, the
Incarnation
What exactly is a miracle? Lewis calls it "an interference with
Nature by supernatural power." Thank God, he does interfere in our
world I Left to our own instincts, we go our own way. God became
one of us because he yearns to make us one with him. That's why
God has been miraculously interfering for millennia. Just for starters,
think of Abraham and Sarah becoming parents late in life,
the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, or the rescue of Daniel from the
lions. Perhaps you have experienced a miracle in your own life.
But none of these, remarkable though they were, is as important
as the Incarnation
We Christians believe that God is real--Christ is in us, the Holy
Spirit has been poured out on us. But God remains hidden in these
miracles. With the birth of Jesus, God became visible in a tiny body
for a mother to hold, for shepherds to admire, for magi to worship.
He himself was the miracles Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me
has seen the Father"(John ] 4:9). The Word became flesh. He became
one of us his Grand Miracles
Let us--who recognize the Miracle--bow the knee.
Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your
coming to Earth, this Advent season. .Amen.
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
John 1:14
14 (Gal 4:4; 1Ti 3:16) 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.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Being Lovers of Christ
Luke 1:1-4
1 Whereas many have undertaken to write a narrative of those things
which are most surely believed among us,
2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning
were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
3 it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things
from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account,
most excellent Theophilus,
4 that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.
Advent has begun! We suddenly realize we are not ready for
Christmas, and we fret about decorations, cards, presents
or food. However, this year let's approach Christmas spiritually,
in order to prepare our hearts, minds and wills for the Christ
Child's coming.
In our lead text Luke declares that he has done all the research
and that he wants Theophilus to know the truth about all he
has learned concerning Jesus, so he has decided to write an
"orderly account. " We will meditate on this narrative during
Advent this year for one major purpose: that we might all
become more richly like Theophilus(Theophila) or "God
Lover".
Was Theophilus a real man, or did Luke use that name to
signify everyone reading his report? Unquestionably, the name
indicates our goal this Advent: That each of us might love God
more because of all he did for us in sending his Son, Jesus.
Prayer
God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.
Mark 13:35-37
The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors pf Health, Hope and Anticipation
We begin another Advent season very appropriately-we me waiting,
waiting, waiting! We are waiting to see when gas prices will drop again
... waiting to see the economy turn around .. waiting to see what kind
of weather December will bring .. waiting to see who sends us the first
Christmas Card (alreadyI?)... waiting ... waiting... waiting ...
Advent is about anticipation. It is like waiting for the ketchup to ooze out
of its bottle's long neck We wait ... and wait ... and wait.
And finally It comes.
The Gospel for this week reminds us that no one knows when the Lord
will return to earth And so we can anticipate his Second Coming with
great Joy, not fear because he has already prepared us for life as well as
for death. Isn't it ironic that as we anticipate-as we prepare for his coming
In Bethlehem during this season-the Lord has already prepared us for
his Second Coming through his own death and resurrection?
So. ready or not, here he comes! Anticipate a joy-filled Advent season,
as ambassadors of health. hope and anticipation! And anticipate the
Lord at work In you today!
Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you
for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day
We celebrate your presence with great anticipation
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Matthew 24:36-44.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Being Lovers of Christ
Luke 1:1-4
Advent has begun! We suddenly realize we are not ready for
Christmas, and we fret about decorations, cards, presents
or food. However, this year let's approach Christmas spiritually,
in order to prepare our hearts, minds and wills for the Christ
Child's coming.
A
In our lead text Luke declares that he has done all the research
and that he wants Theophilus to know the truth about all he
has learned concerning Jesus, so he has decided to write an
"orderly account. " We will meditate on this narrative during
Advent this year for one major purpose: that we might all
become more richly like Theophilus(Theophila) or "God
Lover".
Was Theophilus a real man, or did Luke use that name to
signify everyone reading his report? Unquestionably, the name
indicates our goal this Advent: That each of us might love God
more because of all he did for us in sending his Son, Jesus.
Prayer
God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.
Mark 13:35-37
35 (Mt 24:42) "Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master
of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight,
or at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-
36 (Mk 14:40) lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping.
37 (Mk 13:35) What I say to you I say to all: Watch!"
The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors pf Health, Hope and Anticipation
We begin another Advent season very appropriately-we me waiting,
waiting, waiting! We are waiting to see when gas prices will drop again
... waiting to see the economy turn around .. waiting to see what kind
of weather December will bring .. waiting to see who sends us the first
Christmas Card (already!?)... waiting ... waiting... waiting ...
Advent is about anticipation. It is like waiting for the ketchup to ooze out
of its bottle's long neck We wait ... and wait ... and wait.
And finally It comes.
The Gospel for this week reminds us that no one knows when the Lord
will return to earth And so we can anticipate his Second Coming with
great Joy, not fear because he has already prepared us for life as well as
for death. Isn't it ironic that as we anticipate-as we prepare for his coming
In Bethlehem during this season-the Lord has already prepared us for
his Second Coming through his own death and resurrection?
So. ready or not, here he comes! Anticipate a joy-filled Advent season,
as ambassadors of health. hope and anticipation! And anticipate the
Lord at work In you today!
Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you
for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day
We celebrate your presence with great anticipation
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Matthew 24:36-44.
The Unknown Day and Hour
Mk 13:32-37; Lk 17:26-30, 34-36
36 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:32) "Concerning that day and hour no one knows,
not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 (Lk 17:26-27) As were the days of Noah, so will be
the coming of the Son of Man.
38 (Mt 22:30) For as in the days before the flood, they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah
entered the ark,
39 (Mt 24:37) and did not know until the flood came
and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.
41 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and the other left.
42 (Mt 25:13; 24:44) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour
your Lord will come.
43 (Lk 12:39) But know this, that if the owner of the house had known
what hour the thief would come, he would have watched
and not have let his house be broken into.
44 (Mt 25:10; 25:13) Therefore you also must be ready, for in an hour
when you least expect, the Son of Man is coming.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for being the Lord of the Impossible
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be a stumbling block witness in Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord "Father, like Job's friends, I'm inclined to assume
that the troubles of others are somehow deserved. Please help me live
this day in the Spirit of Your Son rather than
in the words and thoughts of the accuser."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that in His salvation is completed
for he is Redeemer.
Pray to the Lord and pray to uphold His covenant with you.
Pray to the Lord and pray for Him to bring you out of distress.
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today .
Pry Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your
coming to Earth, this Advent season. Amen.
Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you
for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day
We celebrate your presence with great anticipation
In Jesus' name.
God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.
Pray for staff safety as they travel to check on families,
get updates and distribute relief aid in Nigeria
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.