Day 340 - 6 December 2021 reflections
Day 340, 6 December 2021
1)
Romans 4-7
Romans 4
The Example of Abraham
1 (Ro 4:16) What then shall we say that Abraham,
our father according to the flesh, has found?
2 (1Co 1:31) If Abraham was justified by works,
he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 (Ge 15:6; Ro 4:9) What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness."(Ge 15:6.)
4 (Ro 11:6) Now to him who works, wages are not given as a gift,
but as a debt.
5 (Ro 3:22) But to him who does not work, but believes in Him
who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.
6 Even David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness without works:
7 (Ps 32:1-2) "Blessed are those
whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man
to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."
9 (Ro 4:3) Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only,
or upon the uncircumcised also? We are saying that faith was credited
to Abraham as righteousness.
10 How then was it credited? When he was in circumcision?
Or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 (Ro 3:22; Lk 19:9) And he received the sign of circumcision,
a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while being
uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all those who believe,
though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be credited
to them also,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who are not of the
circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith
of our father Abraham, which he had while still being uncircumcised.
The Promise Received Through Faith
13 (Gal 3:29; Ge 17:4-6) It was not through the law that Abraham
and his descendants received the promise that he would be the heir
of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if those who are of the law become heirs, faith would be made void
and the promise nullified,
15 (Gal 3:10; Ro 5:13) because the law produces wrath, for where there is
no law, there is no sin.
16 (Ro 9:8; 15:8) Therefore the promise comes through faith, so that
it might be by grace, that the promise would be certain to all
the descendants, not only to those who are of the law,
but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us
all
17 (Jn 5:21; 1Co 1:28) (as it is written, "I have made you a father
of many nations" Ge 17:5.) before God whom he believed, and who raises
the dead, and calls those things that do not exist as though they did.
18 Against all hope, he believed in hope, that he might become
the father of many nations according to what was spoken,
"So shall your descendants be."(Ge 15:5.)
19 (Ge 17:17) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider
his own body to be dead (when he was about a hundred years old),
nor yet the deadness of Sarah's womb.
20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief,
but was strong in faith, giving glory to God,
21 (Ge 18:14; Heb 11:19) and being fully persuaded that what God
had promised, He was able to perform.
22 (Ro 4:3) Therefore "it was credited to him as righteousness."(Ge 15:6.)
23 (Ro 15:4; 1Co 10:11) Now the words, "it was credited to him," were not
written for his sake only,
24 (Ac 2:24; 1Pe 1:21) but also for us, to whom it shall be credited
if we believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 (Isa 53:5-6; Mt 20:28) who was delivered for our transgressions,
and was raised for our justification.
Romans 5
Results of Justification
1 (Jn 14:27; Ro 4:5) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 (1Co 15:1; Eph 2:18) through whom we also have access by faith
into this grace in which we stand, and so we rejoice in hope of the glory
of God.
3 (Jas 1:2-3; 1:12) Not only so, but we also boast in tribulation,
knowing that tribulation produces patience,
4 (Jas 1:12) patience produces character, and character produces hope.
5 (Gal 4:6; Php 1:20) And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 (Ro 4:25; 5:8_ While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly.
7 Rarely for a righteous man will one die. Yet perhaps for a good man
some would even dare to die.
8 (Jn 15:13; 1Pe 3:18) But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 (Ro 1:18; 1Th 1:10) How much more then, being now justified by His blood,
shall we be saved from wrath through Him.
10 (2Co 5:18-19; Col 1:20-21) For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be
saved by His life.
11 (Ro 5:10; 2Co 5:18-19) Furthermore, we also rejoice in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Adam and Christ
12 (Ge 2:17; Ro 6:23; 1Co 15:21-22) Therefore as sin came into the world
through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men,
because all have sinned.
13 (Ro 4:15) For until the law, sin was in the world. But sin is not
counted when there is no law.
14 (1Co 15:45) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's sin,
who was a type of Him who was to come.
15 (Ro 5:12; Isa 53:11) But the free gift is not like the trespass.
For if through the trespass of one man many died, then how much more has
the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of the one Man,
Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
16 The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned.
For the judgment from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift,
which came after many trespasses, leads to justification.
17 (Ro 5:12; Rev 22:5) For if by one man's trespass death reigned
through him, then how much more will those who receive abundance
of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One,
Jesus Christ.
18 (Ro 5:12; Jn 12:32) Therefore just as through the trespass of one man
came condemnation for all men, so through the righteous act of One came
justification of life for all men.
19 (Php 2:8) For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made
sinners, so by the obedience of One the many will be made righteous.
20 (Ro 6:1) But the law entered, so that sin might increase,
but where sin increased, grace abounded much more,
21 (Ro 5:14; 5:12) so that just as sin reigned in death, grace might
reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Romans 6
Dead to Sin but Alive in Christ
1 (Ro 6:15) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin
that grace may increase?
2 (Col 3:3; 1Pe 2:24) God forbid! How shall we who died to sin live
any longer in it?
3 (Mt 28:19; Gal 3:27; 1Co 12:13) Do you not know that we who were
baptised into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4 (Ro 7:6; 2Co 5:17) Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 (Php 3:10-11; 2Co 4:10) For if we have been united with Him
in the likeness of His death, so shall we also be united with Him
in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 (Gal 2:20; Eph 4:22) knowing this, that our old man has been crucified
with Him, so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we should
no longer be slaves to sin.
7 (1Pe 4:1) For the one who has died is freed from sin.
8 (2Co 13:4) Now if we died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 (Rev 1:18; Ro 5:14) knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead,
will never die again; death has no further dominion over Him.
10 For the death He died, He died to sin once for all,
but the life He lives, He lives to God.
11 (Ro 6:2; 6:13) Likewise, you also consider yourselves to be dead to sin,
but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 (Ro 6:16; Ps 19:13) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,
that you should obey it in its lusts.
13 (Ro 7:5; 12:1) Do not yield your members to sin as instruments
of unrighteousness, but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive
from the dead, and your bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.
14 (Ro 6:12; 8:2) For sin shall not have dominion over you,
for you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves of Righteousness
15 (Ro 6:1-2) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law
but under grace? God forbid!
16 (Jn 8:34; 2Pe 2:19) Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves
as slaves to obey, you are slaves of the one whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
17 (Ro 1:8; 2Ti 1:13) But thanks be to God, for you were slaves of sin,
but you have obeyed from the heart that form of teaching
to which you were entrusted,
18 (Ro 6:22; Jn 8:32; Ro 8:2) and having been freed from sin, you became
the slaves of righteousness.
19 (Ro 3:5; 6:13) I speak in human terms because of the weakness
of your flesh, for just as you have yielded your members as slaves
to impurity and iniquity leading to more iniquity, even so now yield
your members as slaves to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
21 (Ro 1:32; 6:23) What fruit did you have then from the things of which
you are now ashamed? The result of those things is death.
22 (Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:16) But now, having been freed from sin
and having become slaves of God, you have fruit unto holiness,
and the end is eternal life.
23 (Ro 5:12; Ge 2:17; Ro 2:7) For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7
An Analogy From Marriage
1 Do you not know, brothers (for I speak to those who know the law),
that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
2 (1Co 7:39) For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her
husband so long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released
from the law regarding her husband.
3 (Mt 5:32) So then, she will be called an adulteress if she marries
another man while her husband lives. But if her husband dies,
she is free from that law, so that she would not be an adulteress
if she marries another man.
4 (Ro 8:2; 7:6) So, my brothers, you also have died to the law through
the body of Christ, so that you may be married to another,
to Him who has been raised from the dead, so that we may bear fruit for God.
5 (Ro 6:13; 6:21) When we were in the flesh, the passions of sin,
through the law, worked in our members to bear fruit leading to death.
6 (Ro 6:4; 7:4) But now we are delivered from the law, having died
to things in which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness
of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter of the law.
The Problem of Indwelling Sin
7 (Ro 3:20; Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21) What shall we say then? Is the law sin?
God forbid! But I did not know sin, except through the law.
I would not have known coveting if the law had not said,
"You shall not covet." (Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21. )
8 (Ro 7:11; 4:15; 1Co 15:56) But sin, taking opportunity through
the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting.
For apart from the law sin is dead.
9 I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came,
sin revived, and I died.
10 (Ro 10:5; Lev 18:5) And the commandment, which was intended for life,
proved to be death in me.
11 (Ro 7:8; Ge 3:13) For sin, taking opportunity through the commandment,
deceived me and killed me through it.
12 (1Ti 1:8; Ps 119:137) So then, the law is holy and the commandment
is holy and just and good.
13 Therefore has that which is good become death unto me? God forbid!
Rather, sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was working death in me
through that which is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
14 (1Ki 21:20; 21:25) We know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal,
sold under sin.
15 (Gal 5:17) For what I am doing, I do not understand, for I do not practice
what I will to do, but I do the very thing I hate.
16 (Ro 7:12) But if I practice what I do not will to do,
I agree with the law that it is good.
17 (Ro 7:20) So now it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 (Ro 7:25; Ge 6:5; 8:21) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh)
dwells no good thing, for the will to do what is right is present with me,
but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 (Ro 7:15) For the good I desire to do, I do not do, but the evil
I do not want is what I do.
20 (Ro 7:17) Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who does it,
but sin that lives in me.
21 (Ro 7:23; 8:2) I find then a law that when I desire to do good,
evil is present with me.
22 (Eph 3:16; Ps 1:2) For I delight in the law of God according to the inner
man,
23 (Gal 5:17; Jas 4:1) but I see another law in my members, warring against
the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which
is in my members.
24 (Ro 6:6; Col 2:11) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me
from the body of this death?
25 (1Co 15:57) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then, with my mind, I serve the law of God, but with my flesh,
the law of sin.
2) Our Daily Bread for 6 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/06/cheerful-giver
entitled Cheerful Giver
2 Cor 9:6-15
6 (Pr 22:9; Lk 6:38) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 (Ex 25:2; 2Co 8:12) Let every man give according to the purposes
in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful
giver.
8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you,
always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work.
9 (Ps 112:9) As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever."(Ps 112:9.)
10 (Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12) Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies
bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits
of your righteousness.
11 (2Co 1:11; 1Co 1:5) So you will be enriched in everything to all
bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need
of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God.
13 (Mt 5:16) Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry,
they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ
and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others.
14 And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing
grace of God in you.
15 (2Co 2:14; Jn 3:16) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Nicholas, who was born in the third century, had no idea that centuries
after his death he would be known as Santa Claus. He was just a man who
loved God and genuinely cared for people and who was known for giving
cheerfully of his own possessions and doing kind deeds. The story is told
that after learning of a family who was in great financial distress,
Nicholas came to their home at night and threw a bag of gold through
an open window, which landed in a shoe or stocking warming by the fireplace.
Long before Nicholas, the apostle Paul urged the believers in Corinth to be
cheerful givers. He wrote to them about the great financial needs of their
brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and encouraged them to give generously.
Paul explained to them the benefits and blessings that come to those who give
of their possessions. He reminded them that "whoever sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously"
(2 Corinthians 9:6). As a result of their cheerful generosity,
they would be "enriched in every way" (v. 11), and God would be honoured.
Father, would You help us to be cheerful givers not only during
this Christmas season but all year long? Thank You for Your incredible
generosity in giving us Your "indescribable gift," Your Son, Jesus (v. 15).
By: Estera Pirosca Escobar
Reflect & Pray
Where do you see a need you could help with this week?
How could you give generously of your time or resources?
Thank You, giving God, for encouraging me
to be generous because in Your economy,
generosity will bring the giver
and the receiver abundant blessings.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation
Col 1:21-22
21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.
Application
a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?
b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?
c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 22:7
7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
John 14:1 - 7
1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.
2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.
If it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself,
that where I am, you may be also.
4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know
where You are going. How can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.
From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."
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
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
(
Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7) Therefore, keep and do them,
for this is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the
nations which shall hear all these statutes,
and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great,
who has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is
in all things whenever we call on Him?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty?
It is from then on good for nothing but to be thrown out
and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18)"You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16)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.
16(1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8)Let your light so shine before
men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15)"But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall
be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of BC, that God's Spirit would
influence then to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses beaming
forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding
the Hope Campaign and booklet
to turn many hearts to Jesus
Advent Day 9
FRom C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
"'When this rich thing goeth about the Round Table shall be
destroyed'--but also redeemed. Judgment is at hand, promise
of judgment and threat of judgment. . ..It is the same sort of
ambivalence which Christians have been taught to recognize in
the season of Advent."
(From The Arthurian Torso, by C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, p. 157.)
The Day of the Lord
The last devotion spoke about the quest for the Holy Grail beginning
in Advent. In this devotion, we remember both the Good News
and the Bad News of the coming of the Christ. He came that we
might have life; that's the Good News. But he had to come because
we had chosen sin and death; that's the Bad News. Lewis, too. writes
of redemption and judgment. The "rich thing" that goes about the
Round Table of King Arthur is the much-sought Holy Grail. But its
presence will destroy the Round Table.
Our Scripture quotation also speaks of the redemption and
judgment in the coming day of the Lord . That day is near, the
prophet Joel writes. But that day will have a different message for
different people. For the people of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of deliverance. For the enemies of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of judgment. That's both good news and bad news, both law and
gospel. The truth is that we need to hear both messages. It's not that
good news is for good people and bad news for bad people. There
are no truly good people.
Actually, the day of the LoRD is any day when God's plan of salvation
takes a significant step forward. The final day of the Lord will
be the great Day of Judgment. Days of the Lord long-past include
the Babylonian Exile of Israel, the Day of Pentecost, and especially
the birth of Jesus. On those days, God's plan of salvation took an
important step forward. The coming of the Messiah was hastened,
and we are the beneficiaries.
Prayer: Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
14 (Isa 34:2-8; Joel 1:15) Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of the decision.
Joel 3:14
From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn
MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
The Question of Virginity
34 Then Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
-Luke 1:34
For Mary it was a question of procedure: should she marry Joseph,
her fiance so they could have this child? But for
most people today, the question is of biblical truth: children aren't born of virgins!
Gabriel's answer leaves us with mystery: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you ... " (Luke 1:35). In other words, this is utterly the work of God.
Consequently, the child will be perfect, unmarred by human sin,
and will be called not the son of human beings, but the Son of God.
My redaction criticism teacher in graduate school considered this text in wonder.
The Hebrew word in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 can be translated "young maiden"
(either married or not) or "virgin," but Matthew 1:23 renders it "virgin."
Thus, he said, the texts are all consistent; we must accept that Mary was a virgin.
Hallelujah! It was a miracle!
prayer
0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-35.
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.
From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ALLELUIA!
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
ISAIAH 11:1
Alleluia is another word for AH-HA! And how about other alleluia words
like hooray arid wow and even you betcha?
Today's Scripture focuses on the AH-HAs and alleluias that we celebrate
daily, even in the midst of our UH-OHs and ouches. Life is certainly not a
bowl of cherries. But the message of Advent. Christmas, Lent and Easter is
that the Lord has removed the power of the "pits" of sin in our lives so that
we can live as alleluia people!
Check out Isaiah 11:"As hoot will come from the stump of Jesse; a branch
shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." That's
Jesus! That's the reason for the alleluias and the AH-HAs, even in the
midst of our UH-OHs. Verse 6 says the wolf shall live with the lamb. Can
you imagine that? A professor explained once why pictures of a wolf and
lamb lying down together always appeared to be morning photos. He said
it was because every morning the photographers would have to bring in
a new lamb! Not so. at least to us alleluia people! ln a world where even
carpenters are resurrected. everything is possible!
Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 11:1-10
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 (Isa 61:1; Mt 3:16; Isa 42:1) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
3 (Jn 7:24) He shall delight in the fear of the Lord,
and he shall not judge by what his eyes see,
nor reprove by what his ears hear;
4 (Mal 4:6; Job 4:9; Ps 2:9) but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and reprove with fairness for the meek of the earth.
He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
5 (Eph 6:14; Isa 25:1) Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins,
and faithfulness the belt about his waist.
6 (Isa 65:25; Hos 2:18) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young ones shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.
9 (Hab 2:14; Job 5:23) They shall not hurt or destroy
in all My holy mountain,
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.
10 (Isa 11:1; Lk 2:32) In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
who shall stand as a banner to the peoples. For him shall the nations seek.
And his rest shall be glorious.
Conclusion:
Pray to The Lord and thank Him for his sacrifice
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pray to the Lord "Thank You, giving God, for encouraging me
to be generous because in Your economy,
generosity will bring the giver
and the receiver abundant blessings."
Pray to the Lord and remember that you were alien to the Lord
because of sin but that The Lord for His plan of Salvation.
Pray to the Lord and pray for guidance in financial affairs.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for preparing a Place for you in Heaven
for those who accept His gift of Salvation.
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 a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
Pray Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
Pray: 0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen..
Pray: Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... 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)
Romans 4-7
Romans 4
The Example of Abraham
1 (Ro 4:16) What then shall we say that Abraham,
our father according to the flesh, has found?
2 (1Co 1:31) If Abraham was justified by works,
he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 (Ge 15:6; Ro 4:9) What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness."(Ge 15:6.)
4 (Ro 11:6) Now to him who works, wages are not given as a gift,
but as a debt.
5 (Ro 3:22) But to him who does not work, but believes in Him
who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.
6 Even David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness without works:
7 (Ps 32:1-2) "Blessed are those
whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man
to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."
9 (Ro 4:3) Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only,
or upon the uncircumcised also? We are saying that faith was credited
to Abraham as righteousness.
10 How then was it credited? When he was in circumcision?
Or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 (Ro 3:22; Lk 19:9) And he received the sign of circumcision,
a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while being
uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all those who believe,
though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be credited
to them also,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who are not of the
circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith
of our father Abraham, which he had while still being uncircumcised.
The Promise Received Through Faith
13 (Gal 3:29; Ge 17:4-6) It was not through the law that Abraham
and his descendants received the promise that he would be the heir
of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if those who are of the law become heirs, faith would be made void
and the promise nullified,
15 (Gal 3:10; Ro 5:13) because the law produces wrath, for where there is
no law, there is no sin.
16 (Ro 9:8; 15:8) Therefore the promise comes through faith, so that
it might be by grace, that the promise would be certain to all
the descendants, not only to those who are of the law,
but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us
all
17 (Jn 5:21; 1Co 1:28) (as it is written, "I have made you a father
of many nations" Ge 17:5.) before God whom he believed, and who raises
the dead, and calls those things that do not exist as though they did.
18 Against all hope, he believed in hope, that he might become
the father of many nations according to what was spoken,
"So shall your descendants be."(Ge 15:5.)
19 (Ge 17:17) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider
his own body to be dead (when he was about a hundred years old),
nor yet the deadness of Sarah's womb.
20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief,
but was strong in faith, giving glory to God,
21 (Ge 18:14; Heb 11:19) and being fully persuaded that what God
had promised, He was able to perform.
22 (Ro 4:3) Therefore "it was credited to him as righteousness."(Ge 15:6.)
23 (Ro 15:4; 1Co 10:11) Now the words, "it was credited to him," were not
written for his sake only,
24 (Ac 2:24; 1Pe 1:21) but also for us, to whom it shall be credited
if we believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 (Isa 53:5-6; Mt 20:28) who was delivered for our transgressions,
and was raised for our justification.
Romans 5
Results of Justification
1 (Jn 14:27; Ro 4:5) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 (1Co 15:1; Eph 2:18) through whom we also have access by faith
into this grace in which we stand, and so we rejoice in hope of the glory
of God.
3 (Jas 1:2-3; 1:12) Not only so, but we also boast in tribulation,
knowing that tribulation produces patience,
4 (Jas 1:12) patience produces character, and character produces hope.
5 (Gal 4:6; Php 1:20) And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 (Ro 4:25; 5:8_ While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly.
7 Rarely for a righteous man will one die. Yet perhaps for a good man
some would even dare to die.
8 (Jn 15:13; 1Pe 3:18) But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 (Ro 1:18; 1Th 1:10) How much more then, being now justified by His blood,
shall we be saved from wrath through Him.
10 (2Co 5:18-19; Col 1:20-21) For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be
saved by His life.
11 (Ro 5:10; 2Co 5:18-19) Furthermore, we also rejoice in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Adam and Christ
12 (Ge 2:17; Ro 6:23; 1Co 15:21-22) Therefore as sin came into the world
through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men,
because all have sinned.
13 (Ro 4:15) For until the law, sin was in the world. But sin is not
counted when there is no law.
14 (1Co 15:45) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's sin,
who was a type of Him who was to come.
15 (Ro 5:12; Isa 53:11) But the free gift is not like the trespass.
For if through the trespass of one man many died, then how much more has
the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of the one Man,
Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
16 The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned.
For the judgment from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift,
which came after many trespasses, leads to justification.
17 (Ro 5:12; Rev 22:5) For if by one man's trespass death reigned
through him, then how much more will those who receive abundance
of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One,
Jesus Christ.
18 (Ro 5:12; Jn 12:32) Therefore just as through the trespass of one man
came condemnation for all men, so through the righteous act of One came
justification of life for all men.
19 (Php 2:8) For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made
sinners, so by the obedience of One the many will be made righteous.
20 (Ro 6:1) But the law entered, so that sin might increase,
but where sin increased, grace abounded much more,
21 (Ro 5:14; 5:12) so that just as sin reigned in death, grace might
reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Romans 6
Dead to Sin but Alive in Christ
1 (Ro 6:15) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin
that grace may increase?
2 (Col 3:3; 1Pe 2:24) God forbid! How shall we who died to sin live
any longer in it?
3 (Mt 28:19; Gal 3:27; 1Co 12:13) Do you not know that we who were
baptised into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4 (Ro 7:6; 2Co 5:17) Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 (Php 3:10-11; 2Co 4:10) For if we have been united with Him
in the likeness of His death, so shall we also be united with Him
in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 (Gal 2:20; Eph 4:22) knowing this, that our old man has been crucified
with Him, so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we should
no longer be slaves to sin.
7 (1Pe 4:1) For the one who has died is freed from sin.
8 (2Co 13:4) Now if we died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 (Rev 1:18; Ro 5:14) knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead,
will never die again; death has no further dominion over Him.
10 For the death He died, He died to sin once for all,
but the life He lives, He lives to God.
11 (Ro 6:2; 6:13) Likewise, you also consider yourselves to be dead to sin,
but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 (Ro 6:16; Ps 19:13) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,
that you should obey it in its lusts.
13 (Ro 7:5; 12:1) Do not yield your members to sin as instruments
of unrighteousness, but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive
from the dead, and your bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.
14 (Ro 6:12; 8:2) For sin shall not have dominion over you,
for you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves of Righteousness
15 (Ro 6:1-2) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law
but under grace? God forbid!
16 (Jn 8:34; 2Pe 2:19) Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves
as slaves to obey, you are slaves of the one whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
17 (Ro 1:8; 2Ti 1:13) But thanks be to God, for you were slaves of sin,
but you have obeyed from the heart that form of teaching
to which you were entrusted,
18 (Ro 6:22; Jn 8:32; Ro 8:2) and having been freed from sin, you became
the slaves of righteousness.
19 (Ro 3:5; 6:13) I speak in human terms because of the weakness
of your flesh, for just as you have yielded your members as slaves
to impurity and iniquity leading to more iniquity, even so now yield
your members as slaves to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
21 (Ro 1:32; 6:23) What fruit did you have then from the things of which
you are now ashamed? The result of those things is death.
22 (Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:16) But now, having been freed from sin
and having become slaves of God, you have fruit unto holiness,
and the end is eternal life.
23 (Ro 5:12; Ge 2:17; Ro 2:7) For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7
An Analogy From Marriage
1 Do you not know, brothers (for I speak to those who know the law),
that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
2 (1Co 7:39) For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her
husband so long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released
from the law regarding her husband.
3 (Mt 5:32) So then, she will be called an adulteress if she marries
another man while her husband lives. But if her husband dies,
she is free from that law, so that she would not be an adulteress
if she marries another man.
4 (Ro 8:2; 7:6) So, my brothers, you also have died to the law through
the body of Christ, so that you may be married to another,
to Him who has been raised from the dead, so that we may bear fruit for God.
5 (Ro 6:13; 6:21) When we were in the flesh, the passions of sin,
through the law, worked in our members to bear fruit leading to death.
6 (Ro 6:4; 7:4) But now we are delivered from the law, having died
to things in which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness
of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter of the law.
The Problem of Indwelling Sin
7 (Ro 3:20; Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21) What shall we say then? Is the law sin?
God forbid! But I did not know sin, except through the law.
I would not have known coveting if the law had not said,
"You shall not covet." (Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21. )
8 (Ro 7:11; 4:15; 1Co 15:56) But sin, taking opportunity through
the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting.
For apart from the law sin is dead.
9 I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came,
sin revived, and I died.
10 (Ro 10:5; Lev 18:5) And the commandment, which was intended for life,
proved to be death in me.
11 (Ro 7:8; Ge 3:13) For sin, taking opportunity through the commandment,
deceived me and killed me through it.
12 (1Ti 1:8; Ps 119:137) So then, the law is holy and the commandment
is holy and just and good.
13 Therefore has that which is good become death unto me? God forbid!
Rather, sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was working death in me
through that which is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
14 (1Ki 21:20; 21:25) We know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal,
sold under sin.
15 (Gal 5:17) For what I am doing, I do not understand, for I do not practice
what I will to do, but I do the very thing I hate.
16 (Ro 7:12) But if I practice what I do not will to do,
I agree with the law that it is good.
17 (Ro 7:20) So now it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 (Ro 7:25; Ge 6:5; 8:21) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh)
dwells no good thing, for the will to do what is right is present with me,
but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 (Ro 7:15) For the good I desire to do, I do not do, but the evil
I do not want is what I do.
20 (Ro 7:17) Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who does it,
but sin that lives in me.
21 (Ro 7:23; 8:2) I find then a law that when I desire to do good,
evil is present with me.
22 (Eph 3:16; Ps 1:2) For I delight in the law of God according to the inner
man,
23 (Gal 5:17; Jas 4:1) but I see another law in my members, warring against
the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which
is in my members.
24 (Ro 6:6; Col 2:11) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me
from the body of this death?
25 (1Co 15:57) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then, with my mind, I serve the law of God, but with my flesh,
the law of sin.
2) Our Daily Bread for 6 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/06/cheerful-giver
entitled Cheerful Giver
2 Cor 9:6-15
6 (Pr 22:9; Lk 6:38) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 (Ex 25:2; 2Co 8:12) Let every man give according to the purposes
in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful
giver.
8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you,
always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work.
9 (Ps 112:9) As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever."(Ps 112:9.)
10 (Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12) Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies
bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits
of your righteousness.
11 (2Co 1:11; 1Co 1:5) So you will be enriched in everything to all
bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need
of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God.
13 (Mt 5:16) Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry,
they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ
and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others.
14 And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing
grace of God in you.
15 (2Co 2:14; Jn 3:16) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Nicholas, who was born in the third century, had no idea that centuries
after his death he would be known as Santa Claus. He was just a man who
loved God and genuinely cared for people and who was known for giving
cheerfully of his own possessions and doing kind deeds. The story is told
that after learning of a family who was in great financial distress,
Nicholas came to their home at night and threw a bag of gold through
an open window, which landed in a shoe or stocking warming by the fireplace.
Long before Nicholas, the apostle Paul urged the believers in Corinth to be
cheerful givers. He wrote to them about the great financial needs of their
brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and encouraged them to give generously.
Paul explained to them the benefits and blessings that come to those who give
of their possessions. He reminded them that "whoever sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously"
(2 Corinthians 9:6). As a result of their cheerful generosity,
they would be "enriched in every way" (v. 11), and God would be honoured.
Father, would You help us to be cheerful givers not only during
this Christmas season but all year long? Thank You for Your incredible
generosity in giving us Your "indescribable gift," Your Son, Jesus (v. 15).
By: Estera Pirosca Escobar
Reflect & Pray
Where do you see a need you could help with this week?
How could you give generously of your time or resources?
Thank You, giving God, for encouraging me
to be generous because in Your economy,
generosity will bring the giver
and the receiver abundant blessings.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation
Col 1:21-22
21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.
Application
a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?
b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?
c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 22:7
7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
John 14:1 - 7
1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.
2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.
If it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself,
that where I am, you may be also.
4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know
where You are going. How can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.
From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."
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
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
(
Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7) Therefore, keep and do them,
for this is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the
nations which shall hear all these statutes,
and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great,
who has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is
in all things whenever we call on Him?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty?
It is from then on good for nothing but to be thrown out
and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18)"You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16)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.
16(1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8)Let your light so shine before
men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15)"But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall
be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of BC, that God's Spirit would
influence then to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses beaming
forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding
the Hope Campaign and booklet
to turn many hearts to Jesus
Advent Day 9
FRom C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
"'When this rich thing goeth about the Round Table shall be
destroyed'--but also redeemed. Judgment is at hand, promise
of judgment and threat of judgment. . ..It is the same sort of
ambivalence which Christians have been taught to recognize in
the season of Advent."
(From The Arthurian Torso, by C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, p. 157.)
The Day of the Lord
The last devotion spoke about the quest for the Holy Grail beginning
in Advent. In this devotion, we remember both the Good News
and the Bad News of the coming of the Christ. He came that we
might have life; that's the Good News. But he had to come because
we had chosen sin and death; that's the Bad News. Lewis, too. writes
of redemption and judgment. The "rich thing" that goes about the
Round Table of King Arthur is the much-sought Holy Grail. But its
presence will destroy the Round Table.
Our Scripture quotation also speaks of the redemption and
judgment in the coming day of the Lord . That day is near, the
prophet Joel writes. But that day will have a different message for
different people. For the people of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of deliverance. For the enemies of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of judgment. That's both good news and bad news, both law and
gospel. The truth is that we need to hear both messages. It's not that
good news is for good people and bad news for bad people. There
are no truly good people.
Actually, the day of the LoRD is any day when God's plan of salvation
takes a significant step forward. The final day of the Lord will
be the great Day of Judgment. Days of the Lord long-past include
the Babylonian Exile of Israel, the Day of Pentecost, and especially
the birth of Jesus. On those days, God's plan of salvation took an
important step forward. The coming of the Messiah was hastened,
and we are the beneficiaries.
Prayer: Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
14 (Isa 34:2-8; Joel 1:15) Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of the decision.
Joel 3:14
From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn
MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
The Question of Virginity
34 Then Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
-Luke 1:34
For Mary it was a question of procedure: should she marry Joseph,
her fiance so they could have this child? But for
most people today, the question is of biblical truth: children aren't born of virgins!
Gabriel's answer leaves us with mystery: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you ... " (Luke 1:35). In other words, this is utterly the work of God.
Consequently, the child will be perfect, unmarred by human sin,
and will be called not the son of human beings, but the Son of God.
My redaction criticism teacher in graduate school considered this text in wonder.
The Hebrew word in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 can be translated "young maiden"
(either married or not) or "virgin," but Matthew 1:23 renders it "virgin."
Thus, he said, the texts are all consistent; we must accept that Mary was a virgin.
Hallelujah! It was a miracle!
prayer
0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-35.
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.
From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ALLELUIA!
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
ISAIAH 11:1
Alleluia is another word for AH-HA! And how about other alleluia words
like hooray arid wow and even you betcha?
Today's Scripture focuses on the AH-HAs and alleluias that we celebrate
daily, even in the midst of our UH-OHs and ouches. Life is certainly not a
bowl of cherries. But the message of Advent. Christmas, Lent and Easter is
that the Lord has removed the power of the "pits" of sin in our lives so that
we can live as alleluia people!
Check out Isaiah 11:"As hoot will come from the stump of Jesse; a branch
shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." That's
Jesus! That's the reason for the alleluias and the AH-HAs, even in the
midst of our UH-OHs. Verse 6 says the wolf shall live with the lamb. Can
you imagine that? A professor explained once why pictures of a wolf and
lamb lying down together always appeared to be morning photos. He said
it was because every morning the photographers would have to bring in
a new lamb! Not so. at least to us alleluia people! ln a world where even
carpenters are resurrected. everything is possible!
Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 11:1-10
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 (Isa 61:1; Mt 3:16; Isa 42:1) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
3 (Jn 7:24) He shall delight in the fear of the Lord,
and he shall not judge by what his eyes see,
nor reprove by what his ears hear;
4 (Mal 4:6; Job 4:9; Ps 2:9) but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and reprove with fairness for the meek of the earth.
He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
5 (Eph 6:14; Isa 25:1) Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins,
and faithfulness the belt about his waist.
6 (Isa 65:25; Hos 2:18) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young ones shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.
9 (Hab 2:14; Job 5:23) They shall not hurt or destroy
in all My holy mountain,
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.
10 (Isa 11:1; Lk 2:32) In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
who shall stand as a banner to the peoples. For him shall the nations seek.
And his rest shall be glorious.
Conclusion:
Pray to The Lord and thank Him for his sacrifice
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pray to the Lord "Thank You, giving God, for encouraging me
to be generous because in Your economy,
generosity will bring the giver
and the receiver abundant blessings."
Pray to the Lord and remember that you were alien to the Lord
because of sin but that The Lord for His plan of Salvation.
Pray to the Lord and pray for guidance in financial affairs.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for preparing a Place for you in Heaven
for those who accept His gift of Salvation.
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 a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
Pray Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
Pray: 0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen..
Pray: Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... 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.