Day 341 - 7 December 2021 reflections
Day 341, 7 December 2021
1)
Romans 8-10
Romans 8
Life in the Spirit
1 (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:17) There is therefore now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according
to the Spirit.
2 (1Co 15:45; Ro 6:18; Jn 8:32) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.
3 (Ac 13:39; 2Co 5:21) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 (Gal 5:16) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 (1Co 2:14; Gal 5:19-25) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according
to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 (Ro 6:21; 8:13) To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace,
7 (Jas 4:4; 1Co 2:14) for the carnal mind is hostile toward God,
for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be,
8 (Ro 7:5) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 (Gal 4:6; 1Co 6:19; 3:16) You, however, are not in the flesh
but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.
Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong
to Him.
10 (Eph 3:17; Col 1:27) And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead
because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11 (Ac 2:24; Ro 8:2) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus
from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit
that lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh.
13 (Gal 6:8) For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if through the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.
14 (Gal 5:18; Rev 21:7) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are the sons of God.
15 (Mk 14:36; 1Co 2:12) For you have not received the spirit of slavery
again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom
we cry, “Abba, Father.â€
16 (Eph 1:13; 2Co 1:22) The Spirit Himself bears witness
with our spirits that we are the children of God,
17 (Gal 4:7; 3:29) and if children, then heirs: heirs of God
and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,
that we may also be glorified with Him.
The Glory That Is to Be
18 (1Pe 4:13; Col 3:4) For I consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed
to us.
19 (1Jn 3:2; Php 1:20) The eager expectation of the creation waits for
the appearance of the sons of God.
20 (Ge 3:17-19; 5:29) For the creation was subjected to futility,
not willingly, but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope
21 (2Pe 3:13; Ac 3:21) that the creation itself also will be set free
from its slavery to corruption into the glorious freedom of the children
of God.
22 (Jer 12:11; 12:4) We know that the whole creation groans
and travails in pain together until now.
23 (Ro 7:24; 8:19) Not only that, but we also, who have the first fruits
of the Spirit, groan within ourselves while eagerly waiting for adoption,
the redemption of our bodies.
24 (1Th 5:8; Heb 11:1) For we are saved through hope, but hope that is
seen is not hope, for why does a man still hope for what he sees?
25 (1Th 1:3) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it
with patience.
26 (Eph 6:18; Mt 20:22; Zec 12:10) Likewise, the Spirit helps us
in our weaknesses, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 (Ro 8:34; Rev 2:23) He who searches the hearts knows what the mind
of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according
to the will of God.
28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for good
to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew, He
predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 (1Co 6:11; Heb 9:15) And those whom He predestined, He also called;
and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified,
He also glorified.
The Love of God
31 (Ps 118:6; Ro 4:1) What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 (Jn 3:16; Ro 4:25) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered
Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us
all things?
33 (Rev 12:10-11; Isa 50:8-9) Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?
It is God who justifies.
34 (Heb 7:25; Mk 16:19; Ro 8:1) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who
died, yes, who is risen, who is also at the right hand of God,
who also intercedes for us.
35 (1Co 4:11) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 (Ps 44:22; 1Co 15:30) As it is written:
"For Your sake we are killed all day long;
we are counted as sheep for the slaughter."(Ps 44:22.)
37 (1Co 15:57; Gal 2:20) No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come,
39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
Romans 9
God's Election of Israel
1 (Gal 1:20; 1Ti 2:7) I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying;
my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.
3 (Ex 32:32; Gal 1:8) For I could wish that I myself were accursed
from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race,
4 (Eph 2:12; Ge 17:2; Ex 4:22) who are Israelites, to whom belong
the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law,
the service of God, and the promises,
5 (Ro 1:25; 11:28) to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom,
according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.
6 (Gal 6:16; Nu 23:19) It is not as though the word of God has failed.
For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel,
7 (Ge 21:12; Heb 11:18) nor are they all children because they are
descendants of Abraham, but "In Isaac shall your descendants be called."
(Ge 21:12.)
8 So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God,
but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.
9 (Ge 18:10; 18:14) For this is the word of promise,
"At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son."
(Ex 20:13-15, 17; Dt 5:17-19, 21.)
10 (Ro 5:3) Not only that, but Rebekah also had conceived by one man,
our father Isaac.
11 (Ro 4:17) For before the children had been born, having done
neither evil nor good, so that the purpose of God according
to election might stand, not of works, but through Him who calls,
12 it was said to her, "The elder shall serve the younger."(Ge 25:23.)
13 (Mal 1:2-3) As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have
hated."(Mal 1:2.)
14 (2Ch 19:7; Dt 32:4) What shall we say then? Is there
unrighteousness with God? God forbid!
15 (Ex 33:19) For He says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."(Ex 33:19.)
16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs,
but of God who shows mercy.
17 (Ex 9:16) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose
I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you,
and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
(Ex 9:16.)
18 (Ex 4:21; Dt 2:30) Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills,
and He hardens whom He wills.
Wrath and Mercy of God
19 (2Ch 20:6; Da 4:35) You will then say to me,
"Why does He yet find fault? For who can resist His will?"
20 (Isa 29:16; Job 33:13) Rather, O man, who are you to answer back
to God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it,
"Why have you made me like this?"
21 (Isa 64:8) Does the potter not have power over the clay to make
from the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
22 (Pr 16:4; 1Pe 2:8) What if God, willing to show His wrath
and to make His power known, endured with much patience
the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 (Ro 2:4; Eph 3:16) in order to make known the riches of His glory
on the vessels of mercy, which He previously prepared for glory,
24 even us, whom He has called, not from the Jews only,
but also from the Gentiles?
25 (Hos 2:23; 1Pe 2:10) As indeed He says in Hosea:
"I will call those who were not My people, 'My people,'
and her who was not beloved, 'Beloved,' "(Hos 2:23.)
26 and,
"In the place where it was said to them,
'You are not My people,'
there they shall be called 'sons of the living God.'"(Hos 1:10.)
27 (Isa 10:20-23; Hos 1:10) Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
"Though the number of the children of Israel be like the sand of the sea,
a remnant shall be saved.(Isa 10:22.)
28 For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness,
because the Lord will make a quick work upon the earth."(Isa 10:23.)
29 (Isa 1:9; 13:19) And as Isaiah previously said:
"Unless the Lord of Hosts
had left us a seed,
we would have become like Sodom,
and been made like Gomorrah."(Isa 1:9.)
Israel and the Gospel
30 (Php 3:9; Heb 11:7) What shall we say then? The Gentiles,
who did not pursue righteousness, have attained righteousness,
even the righteousness which is by faith,
31 (Ro 11:7) but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness,
did not attain the law of righteousness.
32 (1Pe 2:8) Why not? Because they did not seek it by faith,
but by the works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone.
33 (Isa 28:16; Ro 10:11) As it is written:
"Look! I lay in Zion a stumbling stone
and rock of offense,
and whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 8:14; 28:16.)
Romans 10
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel
is that they may be saved.
2 (Ac 21:20) For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God,
but not according to knowledge.
3 (Ro 1:17) For, being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking
to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit
to the righteousness of God.
4 (Gal 3:24) Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness
for every one who believes.
Salvation for All
5 (Lev 18:5; Ne 9:29) For Moses writes about the righteousness
which is based on the law: "The man who does those things shall live
by them." (Lev 18:5.)
6 But the righteousness which is based on faith says,
"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' "(Dt 30:12.)
(that is, to bring Christ down),
7 (Heb 13:20) or, 'Who will descend into the deep?' " Dt 30:13.
(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 (Dt 30:14) But what does it say? "The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart."(Dt 30:14.)
This is the word of faith that we preach:
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
11 (Ro 9:33; Isa 28:16) For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes
in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 28:16.)
12 (Ro 3:22; 2:4) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,
for the same Lord over all is generous toward all who call upon Him.
13 (Ac 2:21; Joel 2:32) For, "Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord shall be saved."(Joel 2:32.)
14 (Titus 1:3) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not
believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 (Isa 52:7; Na 1:15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach
the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good things!"(Isa 52:7.)
16 (Isa 53:1; Ro 3:3) But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"(Isa 53:1.)
17 (Gal 3:2; 3:5) So then faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.
18 (Ps 19:4; Mt 24:14) But I say, have they not heard?
Yes, indeed: "Their voice went into all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world."(Ps 19:4.)
19 (Dt 32:21; Ro 11:11) But I say, did Israel not know?
First, Moses says:
"I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation,
and by a foolish nation I will anger you."(Dt 32:21.)
20 (Ro 9:30) And Isaiah is very bold and says:
"I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for Me."(Isa 65:1.)
21 But to Israel He says:
"All day long I have stretched out My hands
to a disobedient and contrary people."(Isa 65:2.)
2) Our Daily Bread for 7 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/07/
(Down for today using
https://5dailydevotional.com/december-7-2021-our-daily-bread-devotional-today-the-perfect-name/)
entitled The Perfect Name
Is 7:10-17
The Sign of Immanuel
10 Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying:
11 (Isa 37:30; 38:7-8) Ask for a sign from the Lord your God.
Make it either as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.
12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, nor will I tempt the Lord.
13 (Isa 43:24; 7:2) Then he said, "Hear now, O house of David.
Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?
14 (Isa 8:8; Mt 1:23; Isa 9:6) Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you
a sign: The virgin [Heb. young woman.] shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.Or God with us.
15 (Isa 7:22) Curds and honey he shall eat at the time that he knows
enough to refuse the evil and choose the good.
16 (Isa 8:4) For before the child shall know to refuse the evil
and choose the good, the land that you dread shall be forsaken
of both her kings.
17 (Isa 8:7-8; 10:5-6) The Lord shall bring upon you, and upon your people,
and upon your father's house, days that have not come from the day
that Ephraim departed from Judah, even the king of Assyria."
On a hot and humid day one August, my wife gave birth to our second son.
But he remained nameless as we struggled to settle on a given name.
After spending many hours in ice cream shops and taking long car rides,
we still couldn't decide. He was simply "Baby Williams" for three days
before finally being named Micah.
Choosing the right name can be a little frustrating. Well, unless you're
God, who came up with the perfect name for the One who would change things
forever. Through the prophet Isaiah, God directed King Ahaz to ask Him
"for a sign" to strengthen his faith (Isaiah 7:10-11). Though the king
refused to ask for a sign, God gave him one anyway: "The virgin will
conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (v. 14).
God named the child, and He would be a sign of hope to people going
through despair. The name stuck and Matthew breathed new meaning into
it when he wrote the narrative of Jesus' birth (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus would be "Immanuel." He wouldn't just be a representative of God,
but He would be God in the flesh, coming to rescue His people
from the despair of sin.
God gave us a sign. The sign is a Son. The Son's name is Immanuel-God
with us. It's a name that reflects His presence and love.
Today, He invites us to embrace Immanuel and know that He's with us.
(ODB by Marvin Williams)
Reflect: What keeps you from believing that God can breathe new life
into your dark times and desperate circumstances?
How will you embrace Jesus as Immanuel this week?
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Immanuel-Jesus,
Your Son. May I rejoice in His presence and love today.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 3 - From Darkness to Light
Col 1:13-14
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us
into the kingdom of His dear Son,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Most of us have no real concept of darkness. We live in a world illuminated
not only by sun, moon and start, bit by streetlights and electric lamps and,
when the power goes off, flashlights and candles. We resist the darkness
For the sighted, being in absolute darkness is a frightening experience.
The dark blots out everything; we can see nothing, not even our own bodies,
and we may become disoriented. The dark seems to press in upon us,
with an almost physical weight that oppresses.
Spiritual darkness is like that. Spiritual darkness,
the absence of light in Christ, is oppressive, weighing us down,
distorting our perceptions of realty.
We cannot judge clearly, for we cannot see at all.
Yet God breaks into our darkness, bringing his light - Jesus Christ,
The Light of the World. When the awareness of Christ invades our lives,
our eyes are opened and we can see for the first time. We see our sin,
God's grace, and the Way he has provided for escape from the dark.
And as we continue to walk in his light, we see even more - the need
for changes in our lives, and God's power to work those changes.
Discernment and wisdom come through his light,
and we understand spiritual truths we could never see before.
Paul says that God has 'rescued' us from darkness and brought us
into the light. We cannot, on our own, accomplish this rescue,
but god through Christ's sacrifice brings it about in us.
He is the light who illuminates our darkness.
Application
a) Many different kinds of spiritual darkness invade our lives
and keep us blind to the truth - sin, lack of understanding,
resistance to the Holy Spirit. What kinds of spiritual darkness
have I experienced?
b) What changes took place in me when I first 'came into the light'?
c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see
when I lived in darkness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
and He will repay what he has given.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
Matthew 5:1-10
The Sermon on the Mount
(Mt 5-7)
1 Now seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain.
And when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
The Beatitudes
(Lk 6:20-23)
2 And He began speaking and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
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
7th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted
in our society and be their help
(
Ps 34:18 - The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the contrite of spirit.
Ps 145: 14 - 16
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
)
b) Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service. (
Romans 12:4-8
4 (1Co 12:12 -14)For just as we have many parts in one body,
and not all parts have the same function,
5(1Co 10:17; 12:20)so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and all are parts of one another.
6(Ac 13:1; 1Co 13:2)We have diverse gifts according to the grace
that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;
7 (Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11)if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 (2Co 9:7; 1Co 12:28) he who exhorts, in exhortation;
he who gives, with generosity; he who rules, with diligence;
he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Col 3:17
17(1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20)And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
)
Advent Day 10
From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
"My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered
time after time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast.
Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of
His presence? The incarnation is the supreme example; it leaves
all previous ideas of the Messiah in ruins. And most are 'offended'
by iconoclasm; and blessed are those who are not. But the same
thing happens in our private prayers" - C.S. Lewis
(read this and more in A Grief Observed, p.78)
Immanuel the Iconoclast
When Lewis wrote these words about iconoclasm, he was going through
a very difficult period of his life. His wife Joy Davidman had died recently.
God wasn't acting the way Lewis thought he should under those circumstances.
God didn't seem to be hearing his prayers, even though he was.
Likewise, everyone in 1st Century Judaism had an idea of what the Messiah
would look like when he came. Some thought of the Messiah as a conquering
king, but only few thought of him as a suffering servant. Pilate, too,
had an idea of the kind of leader Jesus was alleged to be when he asked,
"Are you king of the Jews?" (John 18:33) . That's when Jesus, the Iconoclast,
said, "My Kingdom is not of this world"
An iconoclast breaks the mold, ignores tradition, does things very
differently. Lewis calls God "the great iconoclast" because one of the
molds that Jesus broke was the kingdom mold. Pilate thought Jesus
was a political leader. and even some of Jesus' followers thought that
he had come to drive out the Roman occupiers and bring political
freedom to Israel. But Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this
world." Too often we think like Pilate, looking for political solutions
when we should be thinking of spiritual solutions.
What icons, images, or molds is God breaking in your life? What
expectations do you have that God does not seem to meet? Perhaps
that is his plan. It usually is.
God, give us patience to await your blessing and the faith to
believe that it is coming. Amen.
My kingdom is not of this world.
John 18:36
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
TUESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
The Sign
For nothing will be impossible with God.
-Luke 1:37
Perhaps Mary still had confusions and fears.
Absolutely the angel's message quite overwhelmed her.
Knowingly, Gabriel
gave her a sign to reassure her that his message was trustworthy. Her
relative Elizabeth, in spite of her old age, was also expecting a child
and was six months along. Indeed, this sign was as much a miracle
as Mary would soon sustain.
The motif of this story is true for all of us:
"Nothing will be impossible with God." This statement is true for
so many of the biblical stories; we can read about God doing
all kinds of astounding things in the Scriptures. Martin Luther
said that Mary's acceptance of God's arrangement for her was as much a miracle as for God to produce a child in a virgin.
How have we seen that nothing is impossible with God? What miracles have happened in our lives or in the life of someone we know? Are we bothered by the word miracles? Or shall we name them God's wonders?
prayer
Thank you, God, for your radiant creations! Amen.
Read Luke 1:30-37.
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
SECOND TUESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AFFIRMATION!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:13
Did you know that it takes at least nine words of affirmation and
encouragement to overcome one word of criticism and hatred? How often
do you or yoru family or your congregation shrea encouraging words with
each other? when was the last time you said "Way to go!" to someone, or
gave a "You Done Good" award? Why is it that the deer and the antelope
seldom hear a discouraging word ... yet we hear them all the time?
Advent is a time for affirmation of other because we know gow life will
turn out- in the Lord! We can praise and thank and hug others because
the Lord is doing that each day to us - through his Word and sacraments,
and through others who hug and care for us. Hope in the Lord Jesus is to
know that even when there is no hope... there is hope in Chirst.
We Advent ambassadors abound in hope and affirmation because, as
St . Paul states, the Lord fills us "with all joy and peace in believing".
What a Christmas gift the Lord gives to us each day! And we do not even have
to wrap it before we give it to others!
Affirmation (aka, hope) means Hooray Opportunities Proclaiming Easter!
And why wait until Easter, or even Christmas for that matter? Let us see how we can bring hope and affirmation to the people around us, right
now! The AH-HA of affirmation is contagious. Let's pray for an epidemic!
Lord, bring hope to us today so that we can bring hope to others in this often hopeless world. We are firm in our faith in you. Help us
to be firm as we share love and hope with others, right now.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Romans 15:7-13
The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, for the glory of God.
8 (Mt 15:24; 2Co 1:20) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
9 (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49) and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
“For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,
and I will sing praises to Your name."(Ps 18:49.)
10 (Dt 32:43) He also says:
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"(Dt 32:43.)
11 (Ps 117:1) And again:
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise Him." (Ps 117:1.)
12 (Isa 11:10; Mt 12:21) And again Isaiah says:
"There shall be a root of Jesse;
He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
in Him shall the Gentiles hope." (Isa 11:10.)
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Pray to The Lord and pray to be in His Spirit for
"... if Christ is in you, though the body is dead
because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. "
Pray to the Lord "Heavenly Father, thank You for Immanuel-Jesus,
Your Son. May I rejoice in His presence and love today."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him from rescuing us from sin.
Pray to the Lord and pray for to help the poor.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for His Blessings.
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 that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted
in our society and be their help
Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.
Pray God, give us patience to await your blessing and the faith to
believe that it is coming. Amen.
Pray: Thank you, God, for your radiant creations! 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 that God will strengthen the faith and resolve
of ministry worker in Nigeria.
Pray for the release of Christians who are still in prison in Iran.
Pray for ministry workers in Afghanistan involved in evangelism,
discipleship and houee churches.
Pray for Khmu Christians in Loas overseeing outreaches
to people groups like the Hmong, Mien, Bru and Prai.
Pray for the success of numerous ongoing evangelistic efforts in Turkey.
Pray that more Tanzanian Christians will become missionaries.
Pray for God's protection of the few house churches
that are still meeting in China.
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 8-10
Romans 8
Life in the Spirit
1 (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:17) There is therefore now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according
to the Spirit.
2 (1Co 15:45; Ro 6:18; Jn 8:32) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.
3 (Ac 13:39; 2Co 5:21) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 (Gal 5:16) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 (1Co 2:14; Gal 5:19-25) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according
to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 (Ro 6:21; 8:13) To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace,
7 (Jas 4:4; 1Co 2:14) for the carnal mind is hostile toward God,
for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be,
8 (Ro 7:5) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 (Gal 4:6; 1Co 6:19; 3:16) You, however, are not in the flesh
but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.
Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong
to Him.
10 (Eph 3:17; Col 1:27) And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead
because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11 (Ac 2:24; Ro 8:2) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus
from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit
that lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh.
13 (Gal 6:8) For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if through the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.
14 (Gal 5:18; Rev 21:7) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are the sons of God.
15 (Mk 14:36; 1Co 2:12) For you have not received the spirit of slavery
again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom
we cry, “Abba, Father.â€
16 (Eph 1:13; 2Co 1:22) The Spirit Himself bears witness
with our spirits that we are the children of God,
17 (Gal 4:7; 3:29) and if children, then heirs: heirs of God
and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,
that we may also be glorified with Him.
The Glory That Is to Be
18 (1Pe 4:13; Col 3:4) For I consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed
to us.
19 (1Jn 3:2; Php 1:20) The eager expectation of the creation waits for
the appearance of the sons of God.
20 (Ge 3:17-19; 5:29) For the creation was subjected to futility,
not willingly, but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope
21 (2Pe 3:13; Ac 3:21) that the creation itself also will be set free
from its slavery to corruption into the glorious freedom of the children
of God.
22 (Jer 12:11; 12:4) We know that the whole creation groans
and travails in pain together until now.
23 (Ro 7:24; 8:19) Not only that, but we also, who have the first fruits
of the Spirit, groan within ourselves while eagerly waiting for adoption,
the redemption of our bodies.
24 (1Th 5:8; Heb 11:1) For we are saved through hope, but hope that is
seen is not hope, for why does a man still hope for what he sees?
25 (1Th 1:3) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it
with patience.
26 (Eph 6:18; Mt 20:22; Zec 12:10) Likewise, the Spirit helps us
in our weaknesses, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 (Ro 8:34; Rev 2:23) He who searches the hearts knows what the mind
of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according
to the will of God.
28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for good
to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew, He
predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 (1Co 6:11; Heb 9:15) And those whom He predestined, He also called;
and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified,
He also glorified.
The Love of God
31 (Ps 118:6; Ro 4:1) What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 (Jn 3:16; Ro 4:25) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered
Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us
all things?
33 (Rev 12:10-11; Isa 50:8-9) Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?
It is God who justifies.
34 (Heb 7:25; Mk 16:19; Ro 8:1) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who
died, yes, who is risen, who is also at the right hand of God,
who also intercedes for us.
35 (1Co 4:11) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 (Ps 44:22; 1Co 15:30) As it is written:
"For Your sake we are killed all day long;
we are counted as sheep for the slaughter."(Ps 44:22.)
37 (1Co 15:57; Gal 2:20) No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come,
39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
Romans 9
God's Election of Israel
1 (Gal 1:20; 1Ti 2:7) I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying;
my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.
3 (Ex 32:32; Gal 1:8) For I could wish that I myself were accursed
from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race,
4 (Eph 2:12; Ge 17:2; Ex 4:22) who are Israelites, to whom belong
the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law,
the service of God, and the promises,
5 (Ro 1:25; 11:28) to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom,
according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.
6 (Gal 6:16; Nu 23:19) It is not as though the word of God has failed.
For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel,
7 (Ge 21:12; Heb 11:18) nor are they all children because they are
descendants of Abraham, but "In Isaac shall your descendants be called."
(Ge 21:12.)
8 So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God,
but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.
9 (Ge 18:10; 18:14) For this is the word of promise,
"At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son."
(Ex 20:13-15, 17; Dt 5:17-19, 21.)
10 (Ro 5:3) Not only that, but Rebekah also had conceived by one man,
our father Isaac.
11 (Ro 4:17) For before the children had been born, having done
neither evil nor good, so that the purpose of God according
to election might stand, not of works, but through Him who calls,
12 it was said to her, "The elder shall serve the younger."(Ge 25:23.)
13 (Mal 1:2-3) As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have
hated."(Mal 1:2.)
14 (2Ch 19:7; Dt 32:4) What shall we say then? Is there
unrighteousness with God? God forbid!
15 (Ex 33:19) For He says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."(Ex 33:19.)
16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs,
but of God who shows mercy.
17 (Ex 9:16) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose
I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you,
and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
(Ex 9:16.)
18 (Ex 4:21; Dt 2:30) Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills,
and He hardens whom He wills.
Wrath and Mercy of God
19 (2Ch 20:6; Da 4:35) You will then say to me,
"Why does He yet find fault? For who can resist His will?"
20 (Isa 29:16; Job 33:13) Rather, O man, who are you to answer back
to God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it,
"Why have you made me like this?"
21 (Isa 64:8) Does the potter not have power over the clay to make
from the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
22 (Pr 16:4; 1Pe 2:8) What if God, willing to show His wrath
and to make His power known, endured with much patience
the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 (Ro 2:4; Eph 3:16) in order to make known the riches of His glory
on the vessels of mercy, which He previously prepared for glory,
24 even us, whom He has called, not from the Jews only,
but also from the Gentiles?
25 (Hos 2:23; 1Pe 2:10) As indeed He says in Hosea:
"I will call those who were not My people, 'My people,'
and her who was not beloved, 'Beloved,' "(Hos 2:23.)
26 and,
"In the place where it was said to them,
'You are not My people,'
there they shall be called 'sons of the living God.'"(Hos 1:10.)
27 (Isa 10:20-23; Hos 1:10) Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
"Though the number of the children of Israel be like the sand of the sea,
a remnant shall be saved.(Isa 10:22.)
28 For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness,
because the Lord will make a quick work upon the earth."(Isa 10:23.)
29 (Isa 1:9; 13:19) And as Isaiah previously said:
"Unless the Lord of Hosts
had left us a seed,
we would have become like Sodom,
and been made like Gomorrah."(Isa 1:9.)
Israel and the Gospel
30 (Php 3:9; Heb 11:7) What shall we say then? The Gentiles,
who did not pursue righteousness, have attained righteousness,
even the righteousness which is by faith,
31 (Ro 11:7) but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness,
did not attain the law of righteousness.
32 (1Pe 2:8) Why not? Because they did not seek it by faith,
but by the works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone.
33 (Isa 28:16; Ro 10:11) As it is written:
"Look! I lay in Zion a stumbling stone
and rock of offense,
and whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 8:14; 28:16.)
Romans 10
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel
is that they may be saved.
2 (Ac 21:20) For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God,
but not according to knowledge.
3 (Ro 1:17) For, being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking
to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit
to the righteousness of God.
4 (Gal 3:24) Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness
for every one who believes.
Salvation for All
5 (Lev 18:5; Ne 9:29) For Moses writes about the righteousness
which is based on the law: "The man who does those things shall live
by them." (Lev 18:5.)
6 But the righteousness which is based on faith says,
"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' "(Dt 30:12.)
(that is, to bring Christ down),
7 (Heb 13:20) or, 'Who will descend into the deep?' " Dt 30:13.
(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 (Dt 30:14) But what does it say? "The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart."(Dt 30:14.)
This is the word of faith that we preach:
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
11 (Ro 9:33; Isa 28:16) For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes
in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 28:16.)
12 (Ro 3:22; 2:4) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,
for the same Lord over all is generous toward all who call upon Him.
13 (Ac 2:21; Joel 2:32) For, "Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord shall be saved."(Joel 2:32.)
14 (Titus 1:3) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not
believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 (Isa 52:7; Na 1:15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach
the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good things!"(Isa 52:7.)
16 (Isa 53:1; Ro 3:3) But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"(Isa 53:1.)
17 (Gal 3:2; 3:5) So then faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.
18 (Ps 19:4; Mt 24:14) But I say, have they not heard?
Yes, indeed: "Their voice went into all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world."(Ps 19:4.)
19 (Dt 32:21; Ro 11:11) But I say, did Israel not know?
First, Moses says:
"I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation,
and by a foolish nation I will anger you."(Dt 32:21.)
20 (Ro 9:30) And Isaiah is very bold and says:
"I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for Me."(Isa 65:1.)
21 But to Israel He says:
"All day long I have stretched out My hands
to a disobedient and contrary people."(Isa 65:2.)
2) Our Daily Bread for 7 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/07/
(Down for today using
https://5dailydevotional.com/december-7-2021-our-daily-bread-devotional-today-the-perfect-name/)
entitled The Perfect Name
Is 7:10-17
The Sign of Immanuel
10 Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying:
11 (Isa 37:30; 38:7-8) Ask for a sign from the Lord your God.
Make it either as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.
12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, nor will I tempt the Lord.
13 (Isa 43:24; 7:2) Then he said, "Hear now, O house of David.
Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?
14 (Isa 8:8; Mt 1:23; Isa 9:6) Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you
a sign: The virgin [Heb. young woman.] shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.Or God with us.
15 (Isa 7:22) Curds and honey he shall eat at the time that he knows
enough to refuse the evil and choose the good.
16 (Isa 8:4) For before the child shall know to refuse the evil
and choose the good, the land that you dread shall be forsaken
of both her kings.
17 (Isa 8:7-8; 10:5-6) The Lord shall bring upon you, and upon your people,
and upon your father's house, days that have not come from the day
that Ephraim departed from Judah, even the king of Assyria."
On a hot and humid day one August, my wife gave birth to our second son.
But he remained nameless as we struggled to settle on a given name.
After spending many hours in ice cream shops and taking long car rides,
we still couldn't decide. He was simply "Baby Williams" for three days
before finally being named Micah.
Choosing the right name can be a little frustrating. Well, unless you're
God, who came up with the perfect name for the One who would change things
forever. Through the prophet Isaiah, God directed King Ahaz to ask Him
"for a sign" to strengthen his faith (Isaiah 7:10-11). Though the king
refused to ask for a sign, God gave him one anyway: "The virgin will
conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (v. 14).
God named the child, and He would be a sign of hope to people going
through despair. The name stuck and Matthew breathed new meaning into
it when he wrote the narrative of Jesus' birth (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus would be "Immanuel." He wouldn't just be a representative of God,
but He would be God in the flesh, coming to rescue His people
from the despair of sin.
God gave us a sign. The sign is a Son. The Son's name is Immanuel-God
with us. It's a name that reflects His presence and love.
Today, He invites us to embrace Immanuel and know that He's with us.
(ODB by Marvin Williams)
Reflect: What keeps you from believing that God can breathe new life
into your dark times and desperate circumstances?
How will you embrace Jesus as Immanuel this week?
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Immanuel-Jesus,
Your Son. May I rejoice in His presence and love today.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 3 - From Darkness to Light
Col 1:13-14
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us
into the kingdom of His dear Son,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Most of us have no real concept of darkness. We live in a world illuminated
not only by sun, moon and start, bit by streetlights and electric lamps and,
when the power goes off, flashlights and candles. We resist the darkness
For the sighted, being in absolute darkness is a frightening experience.
The dark blots out everything; we can see nothing, not even our own bodies,
and we may become disoriented. The dark seems to press in upon us,
with an almost physical weight that oppresses.
Spiritual darkness is like that. Spiritual darkness,
the absence of light in Christ, is oppressive, weighing us down,
distorting our perceptions of realty.
We cannot judge clearly, for we cannot see at all.
Yet God breaks into our darkness, bringing his light - Jesus Christ,
The Light of the World. When the awareness of Christ invades our lives,
our eyes are opened and we can see for the first time. We see our sin,
God's grace, and the Way he has provided for escape from the dark.
And as we continue to walk in his light, we see even more - the need
for changes in our lives, and God's power to work those changes.
Discernment and wisdom come through his light,
and we understand spiritual truths we could never see before.
Paul says that God has 'rescued' us from darkness and brought us
into the light. We cannot, on our own, accomplish this rescue,
but god through Christ's sacrifice brings it about in us.
He is the light who illuminates our darkness.
Application
a) Many different kinds of spiritual darkness invade our lives
and keep us blind to the truth - sin, lack of understanding,
resistance to the Holy Spirit. What kinds of spiritual darkness
have I experienced?
b) What changes took place in me when I first 'came into the light'?
c) What spiritual truths can I see now that I could not see
when I lived in darkness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
and He will repay what he has given.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
Matthew 5:1-10
The Sermon on the Mount
(Mt 5-7)
1 Now seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain.
And when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
The Beatitudes
(Lk 6:20-23)
2 And He began speaking and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
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
7th Day of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted
in our society and be their help
(
Ps 34:18 - The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the contrite of spirit.
Ps 145: 14 - 16
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
)
b) Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service. (
Romans 12:4-8
4 (1Co 12:12 -14)For just as we have many parts in one body,
and not all parts have the same function,
5(1Co 10:17; 12:20)so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and all are parts of one another.
6(Ac 13:1; 1Co 13:2)We have diverse gifts according to the grace
that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;
7 (Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11)if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 (2Co 9:7; 1Co 12:28) he who exhorts, in exhortation;
he who gives, with generosity; he who rules, with diligence;
he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Col 3:17
17(1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20)And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
)
Advent Day 10
From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
"My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered
time after time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast.
Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of
His presence? The incarnation is the supreme example; it leaves
all previous ideas of the Messiah in ruins. And most are 'offended'
by iconoclasm; and blessed are those who are not. But the same
thing happens in our private prayers" - C.S. Lewis
(read this and more in A Grief Observed, p.78)
Immanuel the Iconoclast
When Lewis wrote these words about iconoclasm, he was going through
a very difficult period of his life. His wife Joy Davidman had died recently.
God wasn't acting the way Lewis thought he should under those circumstances.
God didn't seem to be hearing his prayers, even though he was.
Likewise, everyone in 1st Century Judaism had an idea of what the Messiah
would look like when he came. Some thought of the Messiah as a conquering
king, but only few thought of him as a suffering servant. Pilate, too,
had an idea of the kind of leader Jesus was alleged to be when he asked,
"Are you king of the Jews?" (John 18:33) . That's when Jesus, the Iconoclast,
said, "My Kingdom is not of this world"
An iconoclast breaks the mold, ignores tradition, does things very
differently. Lewis calls God "the great iconoclast" because one of the
molds that Jesus broke was the kingdom mold. Pilate thought Jesus
was a political leader. and even some of Jesus' followers thought that
he had come to drive out the Roman occupiers and bring political
freedom to Israel. But Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this
world." Too often we think like Pilate, looking for political solutions
when we should be thinking of spiritual solutions.
What icons, images, or molds is God breaking in your life? What
expectations do you have that God does not seem to meet? Perhaps
that is his plan. It usually is.
God, give us patience to await your blessing and the faith to
believe that it is coming. Amen.
My kingdom is not of this world.
John 18:36
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
TUESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
The Sign
For nothing will be impossible with God.
-Luke 1:37
Perhaps Mary still had confusions and fears.
Absolutely the angel's message quite overwhelmed her.
Knowingly, Gabriel
gave her a sign to reassure her that his message was trustworthy. Her
relative Elizabeth, in spite of her old age, was also expecting a child
and was six months along. Indeed, this sign was as much a miracle
as Mary would soon sustain.
The motif of this story is true for all of us:
"Nothing will be impossible with God." This statement is true for
so many of the biblical stories; we can read about God doing
all kinds of astounding things in the Scriptures. Martin Luther
said that Mary's acceptance of God's arrangement for her was as much a miracle as for God to produce a child in a virgin.
How have we seen that nothing is impossible with God? What miracles have happened in our lives or in the life of someone we know? Are we bothered by the word miracles? Or shall we name them God's wonders?
prayer
Thank you, God, for your radiant creations! Amen.
Read Luke 1:30-37.
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
SECOND TUESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AFFIRMATION!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 15:13
Did you know that it takes at least nine words of affirmation and
encouragement to overcome one word of criticism and hatred? How often
do you or yoru family or your congregation shrea encouraging words with
each other? when was the last time you said "Way to go!" to someone, or
gave a "You Done Good" award? Why is it that the deer and the antelope
seldom hear a discouraging word ... yet we hear them all the time?
Advent is a time for affirmation of other because we know gow life will
turn out- in the Lord! We can praise and thank and hug others because
the Lord is doing that each day to us - through his Word and sacraments,
and through others who hug and care for us. Hope in the Lord Jesus is to
know that even when there is no hope... there is hope in Chirst.
We Advent ambassadors abound in hope and affirmation because, as
St . Paul states, the Lord fills us "with all joy and peace in believing".
What a Christmas gift the Lord gives to us each day! And we do not even have
to wrap it before we give it to others!
Affirmation (aka, hope) means Hooray Opportunities Proclaiming Easter!
And why wait until Easter, or even Christmas for that matter? Let us see how we can bring hope and affirmation to the people around us, right
now! The AH-HA of affirmation is contagious. Let's pray for an epidemic!
Lord, bring hope to us today so that we can bring hope to others in this often hopeless world. We are firm in our faith in you. Help us
to be firm as we share love and hope with others, right now.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Romans 15:7-13
The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, for the glory of God.
8 (Mt 15:24; 2Co 1:20) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
9 (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49) and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
“For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,
and I will sing praises to Your name."(Ps 18:49.)
10 (Dt 32:43) He also says:
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"(Dt 32:43.)
11 (Ps 117:1) And again:
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise Him." (Ps 117:1.)
12 (Isa 11:10; Mt 12:21) And again Isaiah says:
"There shall be a root of Jesse;
He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
in Him shall the Gentiles hope." (Isa 11:10.)
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Pray to The Lord and pray to be in His Spirit for
"... if Christ is in you, though the body is dead
because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. "
Pray to the Lord "Heavenly Father, thank You for Immanuel-Jesus,
Your Son. May I rejoice in His presence and love today."
Pray to the Lord and thank Him from rescuing us from sin.
Pray to the Lord and pray for to help the poor.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for His Blessings.
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 that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted
in our society and be their help
Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your
city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.
Pray God, give us patience to await your blessing and the faith to
believe that it is coming. Amen.
Pray: Thank you, God, for your radiant creations! 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 that God will strengthen the faith and resolve
of ministry worker in Nigeria.
Pray for the release of Christians who are still in prison in Iran.
Pray for ministry workers in Afghanistan involved in evangelism,
discipleship and houee churches.
Pray for Khmu Christians in Loas overseeing outreaches
to people groups like the Hmong, Mien, Bru and Prai.
Pray for the success of numerous ongoing evangelistic efforts in Turkey.
Pray that more Tanzanian Christians will become missionaries.
Pray for God's protection of the few house churches
that are still meeting in China.
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.