Day 338 - 4 December 2021 reflections
Day 338, 4 December 2021
1)
2 Corinthians 10 - 13
2 Corinthians 10
Paul Defends His Ministry
1 (Mt 11:29; 2Co 10:10) Now I, Paul, who am lowly in presence among you but
bold toward you while absent, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness
of Christ.
2 (2Co 13:2; 13:10) I beg you that when I am present, I might not have to be
bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who
think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 (Jer 1:10; 2Co 6:7) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
5 (Isa 2:11-12; 1Co 1:19) casting down imaginations and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 (2Co 2:9; 7:15) and being ready to punish all disobedience
when your obedience is complete.
7 (2Co 5:12; Jn 7:24; 1Co 14:37) Do you look at things from the outward
appearance? If any man trusts that he is Christ's, let him consider again
that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 (2Co 13:10) For even if I should boast somewhat more of our authority,
which the Lord has given us for edification and not for your destruction,
I shall not be ashamed,
9 lest I appear to frighten you by my letters.
10 (1Co 1:17; 2Co 11:6) "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and
powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."
11 Let such a person consider this: that as we are in word by letters
when we are absent, we will also be in deed when we are present.
12 (2Co 3:1; Pr 26:12) For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those
who commend themselves. They who measure themselves by one another
and compare themselves with one another are not wise.
13 (Ro 15:20) But we will not boast beyond measure, but within the boundaries
which God has appointed us, which reach even you.
14 (1Co 4:15) For we are not overextending ourselves as though we did not
reach you, since we have come to you, preaching the gospel of Christ.
15 (Ro 15:20; 2Co 10:13) We are not boasting of things beyond our measure
in other men's labors. But we have hope that when your faith is increased,
our region shall be greatly enlarged by you,
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another
man's accomplishments.
17 (1Co 1:31; Jer 9:23-24) But, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
(Jer 9:24.)
18 (Ro 2:29; 1Co 4:5) For it is not he who commends himself who is approved,
but he whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 11
Paul and the False Apostles
1 (2Co 5:13; 11:4) I would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly.
Indeed, bear with me.
2 (Isa 54:5; Hos 2:19-20) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For
I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin
to Christ.
3 (Rev 12:9; Ge 3:4; Jn 8:44) But I fear that somehow, as the serpent
deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray
from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 (1Co 3:11; Gal 1:6-8) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus,
whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which
you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted,
you might submit to it readily enough.
5 For I think I am not in any way inferior to the most eminent
of the apostles.
6 (1Co 1:17; Eph 3:4) Even though I am unpolished in speech, yet I am not
in knowledge. All things about us have been thoroughly revealed to you.
7 (2Co 12:13) Did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted,
because I preached to you the gospel of God free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches by accepting wages from them to serve you.
9 (1Th 2:6) Furthermore, when I was present with you and was lacking,
I was a burden to no one. For the brothers who came from Macedonia
supplied what I lacked. In all things I have kept myself from being
burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself.
10 (Ro 9:1; Ac 18:12) As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop
me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 (2Co 12:15; 12:2-3) Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.
12 (1Co 9:12) And I will continue doing what I am doing, that I may cut off
the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be found equal to us
in what they boast about.
13 (Rev 2:2; Gal 1:7) For such are false apostles and deceitful workers,
disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 (Gal 1:8) And no wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel
of light.
15 (Php 3:19; 2Co 3:9) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also
disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be
according to their works.
Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle
16 (2Co 11:1; 12:6) I say again, let no one think that I am a fool.
Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, so that I also may boast a little.
17 (1Co 7:12; 2Co 9:4) What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but
as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
19 (1Co 4:10) For you tolerate fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise.
20 (Gal 2:4; 4:3) For you permit it if a man brings you into bondage, if a
man devours you, if a man takes from you, if a man exalts himself, or if a
man strikes you on the face.
21 (2Co 10:10; 10:1-2) I say to my reproach that we were too weak for that.
But whenever anyone is bold (I speak foolishly), I am bold also.
22 (Php 3:5; Ro 11:1) Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites?
So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 (1Co 15:10; 2Co 6:4-5) Are they servants of Christ? I speak as a fool.
I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.
25 (Ac 14:19) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned;
three times I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 (Ac 14:5; 13:50; 17:5) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils
of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the Gentiles, in
perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in
perils among false brothers;
27 (2Co 6:5; Php 4:12; 1Th 2:9) in weariness and painfulness, in
sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold
and nakedness.
28 Beside the external things, the care of all the churches pressures
me daily.
29 (1Co 8:13; 9:22) Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin,
and I am not distressed?
30 (1Co 2:3) If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern
my weakness.
31 (Ro 9:5; Jn 10:30) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is blessed forevermore, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas secured
the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me.
33 (Ac 9:25) But I was let down by the wall through a window in a basket
and escaped his hands.
2 Corinthians 12
Visions and Revelations
1 (Gal 1:12; 2:2) Doubtless it is not profitable for me to boast.
So I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 (2Co 11:11; Ac 22:17) I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ag
-whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows-such
a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew that such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I cannot
tell, God knows-
4 (Lk 23:43; Rev 2:7) was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible
words not permitted for a man to say.
5 Of such a person, I will boast. Yet of myself I will not boast, except in
my weaknesses.
6 (2Co 11:16) For if I desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be
speaking the truth. But now I resist, lest anyone should think of me above
that which he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 (Nu 33:55; Eze 28:24) And lest I should be exalted above measure
by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh,
a messenger of Satan, to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.
9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me, "My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
10 (Ro 5:3; 2Co 13:4) So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in
hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. For when
I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul's Concern for the Corinthian Church
11 (2Co 11:5; 11:1) I have become a fool in boasting. You have compelled me,
for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior
to the leading apostles, though I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were performed among you in all patience,
in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 (1Co 9:12; 2Co 12:14) For in what respect were you inferior to other
churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?
Forgive me this wrong!
14 (Pr 19:14; 1Co 4:14-15) I am ready to come to you this third time.
And I will not be burdensome to you, for I do not seek what is yours,
but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but
the parents for the children.
15 (Php 2:17; 1Th 2:8) And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.
If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may. I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty,
I caught you with deceit.
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 (2Co 8:6; Ro 4:12) I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent a brother.
Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit?
Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 (Ro 9:1; 2Co 10:8) Again, do you think that we are defending ourselves
to you? We speak before God in Christ. We do all things, beloved, for your
edifying.
20 (Ro 1:29; 1Co 1:11) For I fear that when I come, I shall not find you
such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish.
I fear there are debates, envying, wrath, strife, backbiting, whispering,
arrogance, and disorder.
21 (2Co 13:2; 1Co 5:1) And I fear that when I come again, my God will
humble me among you, and that I shall mourn for many who have sinned already,
who have not repented of uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lasciviousness
which they have committed.
2 Corinthians 13
Final Warnings and Greetings
1 (Dt 19:15; 2Co 12:14) This is the third time I am coming to you. "In the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (Dt 19:15.)
2 (2Co 1:23) I told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second
time. And being absent now, I write to those who have sinned before, and to
all the others, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,
3 (Mt 10:20) since you seek proof of Christ speaking through me, who toward
you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
4 (1Pe 3:18; Ro 6:4; 1:4) For though He was crucified through weakness, yet
He lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in Him, but we shall live
with Him by the power of God serving you.
5 (1Co 11:28; Ro 8:10) Examine yourselves, seeing whether you are in the
faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless
indeed you are disqualified.
6 I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved,
but that you should do that which is honorable, whether or not we may seem
disqualified.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 (2Co 13:11; 1Th 3:10) For we are glad when we are weak, and you are strong.
We wish even your perfection.
10 (2Co 10:8; 2:3) Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being
present I should be sharp, according to the authority which the Lord has
given me for edification and not for destruction.
11 (Ro 15:33; Mk 9:50; Ro 12:16) Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect,
be of good comfort, be of one mind, and live in peace, and the God of love
and peace will be with you.
12 (Ro 16:16) Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 (Ro 16:20; Php 2:1; Jude 1:21) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/04/generation-now
entitled Generation Now
2 Kings 20:1-19
2 Kings 20
Hezekiah's Life Extended
2Ch 32:24-26; Isa 38:1-8
1(2Sa 17:23) In those days Hezekiah became ill and was near death.
The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him, and said to him,
"Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live."
2 Then he turned his face toward the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying,
3 (Ne 13:22; 2Ki 18:3-6) "Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before
You faithfully and with an undivided heart and have done what is good
in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Now before Isaiah had come out of the middle courtyard,
the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
5 (1Sa 9:16; 2Ki 19:20) "Turn back and say to Hezekiah the leader of My
people: Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father:
I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will heal you.
On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
6 (2Ki 19:34) I will add to your days fifteen years, and I will deliver you
and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria.
I will defend this city for My own sake and for the sake of David My servant."
7 (Isa 38:21) Then Isaiah said, "Take a cake of figs."
So they took it and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me,
and that I should go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?"
9 Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will
do the thing that He has spoken: Should the shadow walk forward ten steps
or go back ten steps?"
10 And Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to stretch
ten steps, so let it go back ten steps."
11 (Jos 10:12–14; Isa 38:8) Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord,
and He made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairs of Ahaz.
Envoys From Babylon
Isa 39:1-8; 2Ch 32:32-33
12 (2Ch 32:31; Isa 39:1-8) At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan,
king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah,
for he had heard that Hezekiah had been ill.
13 Hezekiah welcomed them and showed them all the treasure house,
the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, all the armory,
and all that was found in his storehouses.
There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion
that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him,
"What did these men say? From where did they come to you?"
Hezekiah said, "They came from a distant land, from Babylon."
15 He said, "What have they seen in your house?"
Hezekiah said, "They have seen everything in my house.
There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them."
16 Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord:
17 (2Ki 24:13; 2Ch 36:10) The days are coming when everything that is
in your house and that your fathers have stored up until this day
will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.
18 (2Ch 33:11; 2Ki 24:12) Some of your sons who go out from you,
who will be born to you, will be taken away.
They will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."
19 (1Sa 3:18) Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah,
"The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good."
And he said, "Why not, if there is peace and security in my days?"
"Never trust anyone over thirty," said young environmentalist Jack Weinberg
in 1964. His comment stereotyped an entire generation-something Weinberg
later regretted. Looking back, he said, "Something I said off the top
of my head ... became completely distorted and misunderstood."
Have you heard disparaging comments aimed at millennials? Or vice versa?
Ill thoughts directed from one generation toward another can cut both ways.
Surely there's a better way.
Although he was an excellent king, Hezekiah showed a lack of concern for
another generation. When, as a young man, Hezekiah was struck with a terminal
illness (2 Kings 20:1), he cried out to God for his life (vv. 2-3). God gave
him fifteen more years (v. 6).
But when Hezekiah received the terrible news that his children would one day
be taken captive, the royal tears were conspicuously absent (vv. 16-18). He
thought, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?" (v. 19). It
may have been that Hezekiah didn't apply the passion he had for his own
well-being to the next generation.
God calls us to a love that dares to cross the lines dividing us. The older
generation needs the fresh idealism and creativity of the younger, who in
turn can benefit from the wisdom and experience of their predecessors. This
is no time for snarky memes and slogans but for thoughtful exchange of ideas.
We're in this together.
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you think you may have ignored or disrespected
others from a different age group? How might you use the gifts
God has given you to serve them?
Forgive me, Father, for not appreciating others
in a stage of life different from mine.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 7 - The Great Exchange
2 Cor 5:21 - God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
People were talking ; the gossip lines were busy day and night.
Andrea, a Bible study leader and pillar of the church, had been
accused of indiscretion with a married man, another member
of the congregation. The rumours were proven untrue,
but that hardly mattered anymore. The damage was done.
"It's just not far," Andrea said. " It was all so unnecessary.
And now, even though I've done nothing wrong, my relationship
with that church will never be the same again."
We all know what pain is caused by undeserved accusation,
rejection, and misunderstanding. Sometimes, when the smoke clears,
irreparable damage has been done, even when no sin has occurred.
We can understand the torment that comes when we've sinned,
but when we've done nothing wrong, the injustice seem unbearable.
Jesus knew what it was to suffer unjustly. He had never sinned at all,
yet he 'became sin' for us. He gave himself in an outrageous exchange:
he took our sin and gave us his righteousness.
Living in this exchange does not mean, of course, that we will be exempt
from pain, that we will never again suffer unjustly or be subject
to rejection. But in Christ, we are declared righteous before God,
just as Jesus himself is righteous. And as we submit
to the Holy Spirit's work in us, we become righteous ,
obeying him and growing in grace. Christ endured rejection
for us so that we might live in him.
Application
1. Have I ever suffered unjustly or been rejected by someone without cause?
2. How can this verse, coupled with my own experience give me a greater
depth of appreciation of what Christ suffered for me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
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?)
The Northern Territories of Canada
Yukon
Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69
In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for MUslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473
The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far nothern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 -
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray that political leaders will be awakened by God to the right use
of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Advent Day 7
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"No woman ever conceived a child, no mare a foal, without
Him. But once, and for a special purpose, He dispensed with
that long line which is His instrument: once His life-giving
finger touched a woman without passing through the ages of
interlocked events." C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles,p . 182.)
Every Birth a Miracle
I have never met parents who did not think that the birth of each
of their children was one of the most amazing things they had ever
experienced. And rightly so. We talk about the miracle of birth, and
so we should. The obstetrician might tell us how normal child birth
is, but we who have become parents know better. We might forget
as the years pass and the trials of raising teenagers take their toll.
But when we sit back and remember, we know better once again.
The birth of a child is a miracle. The "birth-days" of our children
remind us
No childbirth in history has received more attention in art, music,
literature, stained glass, and even on the postage stamp, than
the birth of Jesus. That was a one-of-a-kind birth, but Lewis points
out that God is at work in every pregnancy and in every birth. The
same God who brought about the pregnancy of Mary by the power
of the Holy Spirit is also at work to bring about every pregnancy.
We might stand back at the thought that even a mare conceiving
a foal, as Lewis writes, is done by the power of God, but could it be
otherwise? He is the creator of all things, and he upholds all things
by his powerful word(Heb- 1:3)- He must be involved in every birth,
your birth, my birth, even our rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit,
but especially in the birth of Jesus
This is not to say that the birth of Jesus was ordinary. Far from
it. But Jesus' birth and my birth both had the blessing of God. That
gives me assurance that new birth is available in him also.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Luke 1:35
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
From Follow The Story - Marva J. Dawn
SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Baffling Salutations
When she saw him, she was troubled by his words,...
-Luke 1:29a
To greet another person with the phrase "The LORD be with you"
was a common custom in those days. Compare how Boaz greets
the reapers in his barley field and how they answer back (Ruth 2:4).
Even today many churches use the expression
in their liturgies to underscore that we are a community together
as worshipers and leaders in God's presence.
Consequently, this part of Gabriel's address must not have been too confusing,
unless the angel notably accentuated the present tense, "The LORD is with you,"
in anticipation of how the Trinity would be operative in Mary.
Probably Mary was stunned by Gabriel's calling her a "favoured one"
since she was merely a small-town youth, and the
angel was the magnificent messenger of God. She was totally unprepared
for the extraordinary disclosure Gabriel would reveal to her, though some
Jewish mothers gingerly harbored the hope that they might be mother
to the promised Messiah. Ponder with Mary what being "favoured"
by God could mean.
prayer
Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-38.
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a 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.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ATTENTION!
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
JEREMIAH 29:11
Advent comes to us just when we need it. Not only is it the time to begin
a new Church Year, but it also allows us to stop and ponder anew what
"the Almighty can do" and what he has already done! In other words,
Advent gets our attention to ponder what life is all about!
What is it that is getting your attention these days?
There's plenty of options, aren't there ?
Is it working or shopping, or preparing, or Juggling,
or decorating, or baking or all of the above?
Me too! How good are you at multi-tasking?
We live in a CPA society ... which means Continuous Partial Attention.
Check it out: Have you encountered folks who are texting, listening talking,
studying, thinking, eating .. all at the same time? Me, too! And it drives me
crazy! You too?
Advent sneaks up on our CPA society and simply, gently calms us. Advent
coos to us what today's Scripture says: The Lord has plans to give us
a hope and future. That is a promise that
really gets our attention as ambassadors
of health and hope!
God in Christ attends us with his love
and forgiveness to empower us to turn our attention
outward. We can turn from our own CPA existence to sharing
his hope for all people. NO partial attention from the Lord. God's
CPA is his Continuous Promise Attention ... for all of us!
And that's good enough for me! You too?
Prayer
Lord, calm us, settle us and point us to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
12 (Jer 33:3; Ps 50:15) Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come
and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 (Jer 24:7; 2Ch 22:9) You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search
for Me with all your heart.
14 (Jer 30:3; Ps 32:6) I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will turn
away your captivity and gather you from all the nations
and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord,
and I will bring you back into the place from
where I caused you to be carried away captive.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him how you can be use for Kingdom purposes
humbly.
Pray to the Lord "Forgive me, Father, for not appreciating others
in a stage of life different from mine."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for suffering for your injustices.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for a heritage of righteousness.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that HE is healer.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
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.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
Pray that political leaders will be awakened by God to the right use
of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Pray: Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us
to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
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 Corinthians 10 - 13
2 Corinthians 10
Paul Defends His Ministry
1 (Mt 11:29; 2Co 10:10) Now I, Paul, who am lowly in presence among you but
bold toward you while absent, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness
of Christ.
2 (2Co 13:2; 13:10) I beg you that when I am present, I might not have to be
bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who
think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 (Jer 1:10; 2Co 6:7) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
5 (Isa 2:11-12; 1Co 1:19) casting down imaginations and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 (2Co 2:9; 7:15) and being ready to punish all disobedience
when your obedience is complete.
7 (2Co 5:12; Jn 7:24; 1Co 14:37) Do you look at things from the outward
appearance? If any man trusts that he is Christ's, let him consider again
that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 (2Co 13:10) For even if I should boast somewhat more of our authority,
which the Lord has given us for edification and not for your destruction,
I shall not be ashamed,
9 lest I appear to frighten you by my letters.
10 (1Co 1:17; 2Co 11:6) "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and
powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."
11 Let such a person consider this: that as we are in word by letters
when we are absent, we will also be in deed when we are present.
12 (2Co 3:1; Pr 26:12) For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those
who commend themselves. They who measure themselves by one another
and compare themselves with one another are not wise.
13 (Ro 15:20) But we will not boast beyond measure, but within the boundaries
which God has appointed us, which reach even you.
14 (1Co 4:15) For we are not overextending ourselves as though we did not
reach you, since we have come to you, preaching the gospel of Christ.
15 (Ro 15:20; 2Co 10:13) We are not boasting of things beyond our measure
in other men's labors. But we have hope that when your faith is increased,
our region shall be greatly enlarged by you,
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another
man's accomplishments.
17 (1Co 1:31; Jer 9:23-24) But, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
(Jer 9:24.)
18 (Ro 2:29; 1Co 4:5) For it is not he who commends himself who is approved,
but he whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 11
Paul and the False Apostles
1 (2Co 5:13; 11:4) I would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly.
Indeed, bear with me.
2 (Isa 54:5; Hos 2:19-20) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For
I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin
to Christ.
3 (Rev 12:9; Ge 3:4; Jn 8:44) But I fear that somehow, as the serpent
deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray
from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 (1Co 3:11; Gal 1:6-8) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus,
whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which
you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted,
you might submit to it readily enough.
5 For I think I am not in any way inferior to the most eminent
of the apostles.
6 (1Co 1:17; Eph 3:4) Even though I am unpolished in speech, yet I am not
in knowledge. All things about us have been thoroughly revealed to you.
7 (2Co 12:13) Did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted,
because I preached to you the gospel of God free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches by accepting wages from them to serve you.
9 (1Th 2:6) Furthermore, when I was present with you and was lacking,
I was a burden to no one. For the brothers who came from Macedonia
supplied what I lacked. In all things I have kept myself from being
burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself.
10 (Ro 9:1; Ac 18:12) As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop
me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 (2Co 12:15; 12:2-3) Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.
12 (1Co 9:12) And I will continue doing what I am doing, that I may cut off
the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be found equal to us
in what they boast about.
13 (Rev 2:2; Gal 1:7) For such are false apostles and deceitful workers,
disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 (Gal 1:8) And no wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel
of light.
15 (Php 3:19; 2Co 3:9) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also
disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be
according to their works.
Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle
16 (2Co 11:1; 12:6) I say again, let no one think that I am a fool.
Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, so that I also may boast a little.
17 (1Co 7:12; 2Co 9:4) What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but
as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
19 (1Co 4:10) For you tolerate fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise.
20 (Gal 2:4; 4:3) For you permit it if a man brings you into bondage, if a
man devours you, if a man takes from you, if a man exalts himself, or if a
man strikes you on the face.
21 (2Co 10:10; 10:1-2) I say to my reproach that we were too weak for that.
But whenever anyone is bold (I speak foolishly), I am bold also.
22 (Php 3:5; Ro 11:1) Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites?
So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 (1Co 15:10; 2Co 6:4-5) Are they servants of Christ? I speak as a fool.
I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.
25 (Ac 14:19) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned;
three times I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 (Ac 14:5; 13:50; 17:5) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils
of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the Gentiles, in
perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in
perils among false brothers;
27 (2Co 6:5; Php 4:12; 1Th 2:9) in weariness and painfulness, in
sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold
and nakedness.
28 Beside the external things, the care of all the churches pressures
me daily.
29 (1Co 8:13; 9:22) Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin,
and I am not distressed?
30 (1Co 2:3) If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern
my weakness.
31 (Ro 9:5; Jn 10:30) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is blessed forevermore, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas secured
the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me.
33 (Ac 9:25) But I was let down by the wall through a window in a basket
and escaped his hands.
2 Corinthians 12
Visions and Revelations
1 (Gal 1:12; 2:2) Doubtless it is not profitable for me to boast.
So I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 (2Co 11:11; Ac 22:17) I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ag
-whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows-such
a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew that such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I cannot
tell, God knows-
4 (Lk 23:43; Rev 2:7) was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible
words not permitted for a man to say.
5 Of such a person, I will boast. Yet of myself I will not boast, except in
my weaknesses.
6 (2Co 11:16) For if I desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be
speaking the truth. But now I resist, lest anyone should think of me above
that which he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 (Nu 33:55; Eze 28:24) And lest I should be exalted above measure
by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh,
a messenger of Satan, to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.
9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me, "My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
10 (Ro 5:3; 2Co 13:4) So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in
hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. For when
I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul's Concern for the Corinthian Church
11 (2Co 11:5; 11:1) I have become a fool in boasting. You have compelled me,
for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior
to the leading apostles, though I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were performed among you in all patience,
in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 (1Co 9:12; 2Co 12:14) For in what respect were you inferior to other
churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?
Forgive me this wrong!
14 (Pr 19:14; 1Co 4:14-15) I am ready to come to you this third time.
And I will not be burdensome to you, for I do not seek what is yours,
but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but
the parents for the children.
15 (Php 2:17; 1Th 2:8) And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.
If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may. I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty,
I caught you with deceit.
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 (2Co 8:6; Ro 4:12) I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent a brother.
Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit?
Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 (Ro 9:1; 2Co 10:8) Again, do you think that we are defending ourselves
to you? We speak before God in Christ. We do all things, beloved, for your
edifying.
20 (Ro 1:29; 1Co 1:11) For I fear that when I come, I shall not find you
such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish.
I fear there are debates, envying, wrath, strife, backbiting, whispering,
arrogance, and disorder.
21 (2Co 13:2; 1Co 5:1) And I fear that when I come again, my God will
humble me among you, and that I shall mourn for many who have sinned already,
who have not repented of uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lasciviousness
which they have committed.
2 Corinthians 13
Final Warnings and Greetings
1 (Dt 19:15; 2Co 12:14) This is the third time I am coming to you. "In the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (Dt 19:15.)
2 (2Co 1:23) I told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second
time. And being absent now, I write to those who have sinned before, and to
all the others, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,
3 (Mt 10:20) since you seek proof of Christ speaking through me, who toward
you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
4 (1Pe 3:18; Ro 6:4; 1:4) For though He was crucified through weakness, yet
He lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in Him, but we shall live
with Him by the power of God serving you.
5 (1Co 11:28; Ro 8:10) Examine yourselves, seeing whether you are in the
faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless
indeed you are disqualified.
6 I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved,
but that you should do that which is honorable, whether or not we may seem
disqualified.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 (2Co 13:11; 1Th 3:10) For we are glad when we are weak, and you are strong.
We wish even your perfection.
10 (2Co 10:8; 2:3) Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being
present I should be sharp, according to the authority which the Lord has
given me for edification and not for destruction.
11 (Ro 15:33; Mk 9:50; Ro 12:16) Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect,
be of good comfort, be of one mind, and live in peace, and the God of love
and peace will be with you.
12 (Ro 16:16) Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 (Ro 16:20; Php 2:1; Jude 1:21) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/04/generation-now
entitled Generation Now
2 Kings 20:1-19
2 Kings 20
Hezekiah's Life Extended
2Ch 32:24-26; Isa 38:1-8
1(2Sa 17:23) In those days Hezekiah became ill and was near death.
The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him, and said to him,
"Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live."
2 Then he turned his face toward the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying,
3 (Ne 13:22; 2Ki 18:3-6) "Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before
You faithfully and with an undivided heart and have done what is good
in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Now before Isaiah had come out of the middle courtyard,
the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
5 (1Sa 9:16; 2Ki 19:20) "Turn back and say to Hezekiah the leader of My
people: Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father:
I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will heal you.
On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
6 (2Ki 19:34) I will add to your days fifteen years, and I will deliver you
and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria.
I will defend this city for My own sake and for the sake of David My servant."
7 (Isa 38:21) Then Isaiah said, "Take a cake of figs."
So they took it and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me,
and that I should go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?"
9 Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will
do the thing that He has spoken: Should the shadow walk forward ten steps
or go back ten steps?"
10 And Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to stretch
ten steps, so let it go back ten steps."
11 (Jos 10:12–14; Isa 38:8) Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord,
and He made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairs of Ahaz.
Envoys From Babylon
Isa 39:1-8; 2Ch 32:32-33
12 (2Ch 32:31; Isa 39:1-8) At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan,
king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah,
for he had heard that Hezekiah had been ill.
13 Hezekiah welcomed them and showed them all the treasure house,
the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, all the armory,
and all that was found in his storehouses.
There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion
that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him,
"What did these men say? From where did they come to you?"
Hezekiah said, "They came from a distant land, from Babylon."
15 He said, "What have they seen in your house?"
Hezekiah said, "They have seen everything in my house.
There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them."
16 Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord:
17 (2Ki 24:13; 2Ch 36:10) The days are coming when everything that is
in your house and that your fathers have stored up until this day
will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.
18 (2Ch 33:11; 2Ki 24:12) Some of your sons who go out from you,
who will be born to you, will be taken away.
They will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."
19 (1Sa 3:18) Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah,
"The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good."
And he said, "Why not, if there is peace and security in my days?"
"Never trust anyone over thirty," said young environmentalist Jack Weinberg
in 1964. His comment stereotyped an entire generation-something Weinberg
later regretted. Looking back, he said, "Something I said off the top
of my head ... became completely distorted and misunderstood."
Have you heard disparaging comments aimed at millennials? Or vice versa?
Ill thoughts directed from one generation toward another can cut both ways.
Surely there's a better way.
Although he was an excellent king, Hezekiah showed a lack of concern for
another generation. When, as a young man, Hezekiah was struck with a terminal
illness (2 Kings 20:1), he cried out to God for his life (vv. 2-3). God gave
him fifteen more years (v. 6).
But when Hezekiah received the terrible news that his children would one day
be taken captive, the royal tears were conspicuously absent (vv. 16-18). He
thought, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?" (v. 19). It
may have been that Hezekiah didn't apply the passion he had for his own
well-being to the next generation.
God calls us to a love that dares to cross the lines dividing us. The older
generation needs the fresh idealism and creativity of the younger, who in
turn can benefit from the wisdom and experience of their predecessors. This
is no time for snarky memes and slogans but for thoughtful exchange of ideas.
We're in this together.
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you think you may have ignored or disrespected
others from a different age group? How might you use the gifts
God has given you to serve them?
Forgive me, Father, for not appreciating others
in a stage of life different from mine.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 7 - The Great Exchange
2 Cor 5:21 - God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
People were talking ; the gossip lines were busy day and night.
Andrea, a Bible study leader and pillar of the church, had been
accused of indiscretion with a married man, another member
of the congregation. The rumours were proven untrue,
but that hardly mattered anymore. The damage was done.
"It's just not far," Andrea said. " It was all so unnecessary.
And now, even though I've done nothing wrong, my relationship
with that church will never be the same again."
We all know what pain is caused by undeserved accusation,
rejection, and misunderstanding. Sometimes, when the smoke clears,
irreparable damage has been done, even when no sin has occurred.
We can understand the torment that comes when we've sinned,
but when we've done nothing wrong, the injustice seem unbearable.
Jesus knew what it was to suffer unjustly. He had never sinned at all,
yet he 'became sin' for us. He gave himself in an outrageous exchange:
he took our sin and gave us his righteousness.
Living in this exchange does not mean, of course, that we will be exempt
from pain, that we will never again suffer unjustly or be subject
to rejection. But in Christ, we are declared righteous before God,
just as Jesus himself is righteous. And as we submit
to the Holy Spirit's work in us, we become righteous ,
obeying him and growing in grace. Christ endured rejection
for us so that we might live in him.
Application
1. Have I ever suffered unjustly or been rejected by someone without cause?
2. How can this verse, coupled with my own experience give me a greater
depth of appreciation of what Christ suffered for me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
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?)
The Northern Territories of Canada
Yukon
Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69
In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for MUslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473
The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far nothern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 -
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray that political leaders will be awakened by God to the right use
of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Advent Day 7
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"No woman ever conceived a child, no mare a foal, without
Him. But once, and for a special purpose, He dispensed with
that long line which is His instrument: once His life-giving
finger touched a woman without passing through the ages of
interlocked events." C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles,p . 182.)
Every Birth a Miracle
I have never met parents who did not think that the birth of each
of their children was one of the most amazing things they had ever
experienced. And rightly so. We talk about the miracle of birth, and
so we should. The obstetrician might tell us how normal child birth
is, but we who have become parents know better. We might forget
as the years pass and the trials of raising teenagers take their toll.
But when we sit back and remember, we know better once again.
The birth of a child is a miracle. The "birth-days" of our children
remind us
No childbirth in history has received more attention in art, music,
literature, stained glass, and even on the postage stamp, than
the birth of Jesus. That was a one-of-a-kind birth, but Lewis points
out that God is at work in every pregnancy and in every birth. The
same God who brought about the pregnancy of Mary by the power
of the Holy Spirit is also at work to bring about every pregnancy.
We might stand back at the thought that even a mare conceiving
a foal, as Lewis writes, is done by the power of God, but could it be
otherwise? He is the creator of all things, and he upholds all things
by his powerful word(Heb- 1:3)- He must be involved in every birth,
your birth, my birth, even our rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit,
but especially in the birth of Jesus
This is not to say that the birth of Jesus was ordinary. Far from
it. But Jesus' birth and my birth both had the blessing of God. That
gives me assurance that new birth is available in him also.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Luke 1:35
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
From Follow The Story - Marva J. Dawn
SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Baffling Salutations
When she saw him, she was troubled by his words,...
-Luke 1:29a
To greet another person with the phrase "The LORD be with you"
was a common custom in those days. Compare how Boaz greets
the reapers in his barley field and how they answer back (Ruth 2:4).
Even today many churches use the expression
in their liturgies to underscore that we are a community together
as worshipers and leaders in God's presence.
Consequently, this part of Gabriel's address must not have been too confusing,
unless the angel notably accentuated the present tense, "The LORD is with you,"
in anticipation of how the Trinity would be operative in Mary.
Probably Mary was stunned by Gabriel's calling her a "favoured one"
since she was merely a small-town youth, and the
angel was the magnificent messenger of God. She was totally unprepared
for the extraordinary disclosure Gabriel would reveal to her, though some
Jewish mothers gingerly harbored the hope that they might be mother
to the promised Messiah. Ponder with Mary what being "favoured"
by God could mean.
prayer
Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-38.
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a 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.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ATTENTION!
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
JEREMIAH 29:11
Advent comes to us just when we need it. Not only is it the time to begin
a new Church Year, but it also allows us to stop and ponder anew what
"the Almighty can do" and what he has already done! In other words,
Advent gets our attention to ponder what life is all about!
What is it that is getting your attention these days?
There's plenty of options, aren't there ?
Is it working or shopping, or preparing, or Juggling,
or decorating, or baking or all of the above?
Me too! How good are you at multi-tasking?
We live in a CPA society ... which means Continuous Partial Attention.
Check it out: Have you encountered folks who are texting, listening talking,
studying, thinking, eating .. all at the same time? Me, too! And it drives me
crazy! You too?
Advent sneaks up on our CPA society and simply, gently calms us. Advent
coos to us what today's Scripture says: The Lord has plans to give us
a hope and future. That is a promise that
really gets our attention as ambassadors
of health and hope!
God in Christ attends us with his love
and forgiveness to empower us to turn our attention
outward. We can turn from our own CPA existence to sharing
his hope for all people. NO partial attention from the Lord. God's
CPA is his Continuous Promise Attention ... for all of us!
And that's good enough for me! You too?
Prayer
Lord, calm us, settle us and point us to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
12 (Jer 33:3; Ps 50:15) Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come
and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 (Jer 24:7; 2Ch 22:9) You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search
for Me with all your heart.
14 (Jer 30:3; Ps 32:6) I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will turn
away your captivity and gather you from all the nations
and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord,
and I will bring you back into the place from
where I caused you to be carried away captive.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him how you can be use for Kingdom purposes
humbly.
Pray to the Lord "Forgive me, Father, for not appreciating others
in a stage of life different from mine."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for suffering for your injustices.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for a heritage of righteousness.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that HE is healer.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
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.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
Pray that political leaders will be awakened by God to the right use
of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Pray: Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us
to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
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.