Day 348 - 14 December 2021 reflections
Day 348, 14 December 2021
1)
Ephesians
Ephesians 1
Salutation
1 (2Co 1:1; Col 1:2) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 (Ro 1:7) Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly
places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation
of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself
through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace which
He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight,
9 (Ro 8:28; Eph 1:11) making known to us the mystery of His will,
according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself,
10 (Col 1:20; Eph 3:15) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite
all things in Christ, which are in heaven and on earth.
11 (Eph 1:14; Heb 6:17) In Him also we have received an inheritance,
being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things
according to the counsel of His own will,
12 (Eph 1:6) that we, who were the first to hope in Christ,
should live for the praise of His glory.
13 (Eph 4:30; Ac 1:4; 2:33) In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22) who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Paul's Prayer
15 (Phm 1:5) Therefore I also, after hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and your love toward all the saints,
16 (Ro 1:8-9; Col 1:9) do not cease giving thanks for you, mentioning you
in my prayers,
17 (Jn 20:17; Ac 7:2) so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of Him,
18 (Ac 26:18; 2Co 4:6) that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches
of the glory of His inheritance among the saints,
19 (Col 1:29; Eph 3:7) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power
toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
20 (Mk 16:19; Ps 110:1) which He performed in Christ when He raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 (Col 2:10; Heb 1:4) far above all principalities, and power, and might,
and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age
but also in that which is to come.
22 (1Co 11:3; Mt 16:18) And He put all things in subjection under His feet
and made Him the head over all things for the church,
23 (Jn 1:16; Eph 3:19) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills
all things in all ways.
Ephesians 2
From Death to Life
1 (Col 2:13; Lk 15:24) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 (Jn 12:31; Eph 6:12; 2:3) in which you formerly walked according
to the age of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 (Gal 2:15-16; Ps 51:5) among them we all also once lived in the lusts
of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind,
and we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 (Ro 2:4; Eph 1:7) But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love
with which He loved us,
5 (Eph 2:1; Ac 15:11; Eph 2:8) even when we were dead in sins, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 (Eph 1:3) and He raised us up and seated us together in the heavenly places
in Christ Jesus,
7 (Titus 3:4; Eph 2:4) so that in the coming ages He might show
the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 (Eph 2:5; Mk 16:16) For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,
9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.
10 (Eph 4:24; 2Co 5:17; Eph 1:4) For we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,
so that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
11 (Col 2:11; 1Co 12:2; Eph 5:8) Therefore remember that formerly you,
the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called the "uncircumcision"
by the so-called "circumcision" in the flesh by human hands,
12 (1Th 4:13; Gal 4:8) were at that time apart from Christ,
alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants
of promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 (Ac 2:39; Isa 57:19) But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly
far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 (Gal 3:28; Mic 5:5) For He is our peace, who has made both groups one
and has broken down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 (Col 2:14; 2:20) by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, that is,
the law of the Âcommandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself
He might make the two into one new man, thus making peace,
16 (Eph 2:15; Col 1:20-22) and that He might reconcile both to God
into one body through the cross, thereby slaying the enmity.
17 (Ps 148:14; Dt 4:7) And He came and preached peace to you who were
far away and peace to those who were near.
18 (1Co 12:13; Eph 3:12) For through Him we both have access by one
Spirit to the Father.
19 (Gal 6:10; Php 3:20) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers
and foreigners, but are fellow citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God,
20 (Mt 16:18; Isa 28:16; Rev 21:14) having been built upon
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself
being the chief cornerstone,
21 (1Co 3:16-17) in whom the entire building, tightly framed together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 (1Co 3:16) in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling
place of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 3
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
1 (Eph 4:1; Col 1:24) For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner
of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
2 (2Ti 1:11; Ro 1:5) You may have heard of the administration of the grace
of God which was given me for you,
3 (Ro 16:25; Ac 22:17) how by revelation He made known to me the mystery,
as I have written briefly already,
4 (2Co 11:6; Col 4:3) by which, when you read it, you may understand
my knowledge of the mystery of Christ,
5 (Ac 10:28; Jn 14:26) which in other generations was not made known
to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to His holy apostles
and prophets by the Spirit,
6 how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members,
and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.
7 (Eph 1:19; 3:2) Of this I was made a minister, according to the gift
of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 (1Co 15:9; Ro 11:33) To me, the very least of all saints, this grace
was given, to preach to the Gentiles the incomprehensible riches of Christ,
9 (Col 1:26; 3:3) and to reveal for all people what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden
in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,
10 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 1:12) so that now the manifold wisdom of God might
be made known by the church to the principalities
and powers in the heavenly places,
11 (Eph 1:11) according to the eternal purpose which He completed
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 (Eph 2:18) in whom we have boldness and confident access through
faith in Him.
13 (Eph 3:1; 2Co 1:6) Therefore I ask you not to lose heart
at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
To Know the Love of Christ
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 (Eph 1:10; 1:21) from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 (Ro 7:22; Col 1:11) that He would give you, according to the riches of His
glory, power to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man,
17 (Col 1:23; Jn 14:23) and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 (Eph 1:15) may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth
and length and depth and height,
19 (Eph 1:23) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 (Ro 16:25; Eph 3:7) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us,
21 (Ro 11:36; 1Pe 5:11_ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4
Unity of the Body
1 (Eph 3:1; Col 1:10) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to
walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called.
2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love,
3 be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 (Eph 1:18; 2:16) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called
in one hope of your calling,
5 (1Co 8:6; Mt 28:19) one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 (Ro 11:36; 1Co 12:6) one God and Father of all, who is above all,
and through all, and in you all.
7 (Ro 12:3; Eph 3:2) But grace was given to each one of us according
to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 (Ps 68:18; Col 2:15) Therefore He says:
"When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
and gave gifts to men." (Ps 68:18).
9 (Jn 3:13; 6:33) (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean
but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 (Heb 4:14; 7:26) He who descended is also He who ascended far above
all the heavens that He might fill all things.)
11 (Ac 21:8; 13:1) He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors, and teachers,
12 (1Co 12:27; Eph 1:23) for the equipping of the saints, for the work
of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ,
13 (Eph 4:5; 1:23) until we all come into the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
14 (Jas 1:6; 1Co 14:20) so we may no longer be children, tossed here
and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine
by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming.
15 (Eph 1:22; 2:21) But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up
in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself,
16 (Col 2:19; Eph 1:4) from whom the whole body is joined together
and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively
does its work and grows, building itself up in love.
The Old Life and New Life
17 (Ro 1:21; Eph 2:1-3) Therefore this I say and testify in the Lord,
that from now on you walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity
of their minds,
18 (Eph 2:12; Gal 4:8) having their understanding darkened, excluded
from the life of God through the ignorance that is within them,
due to the hardness of their hearts.
19 (1Ti 4:2) Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality
for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn about Christ in this manner,
21 (Eph 1:13) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him,
as the truth is in Jesus:
22 (Ro 6:6; Heb 3:13) that you put off the former way of life in the old
nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 (Ro 12:2; Col 3:10) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 (Ro 6:4; Eph 2:10) and that you put on the new nature,
which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.
Rules for the New Life
25 (Col 3:9; Zec 8:16; Ro 12:5) Therefore, putting away lying, let every man
speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26 (Ps 37:8; 4:4) Be angry but do not sin.
Do not let the sun go down on your anger.
27 (Jas 4:7) Do not give place to the devil.
28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more. Instead,
let him labour, working with his hands things which are good,
that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
29 (Col 4:6) Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth,
but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace
to the listeners.
30 (1Th 5:19; Isa 63:10; Ro 8:23) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.
31 (Col 3:8; Ecc 7:9; Col 3:19) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts,
and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you.
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ
also forgave you.
Ephesians 5
1 (Eph 4:32; Mt 5:48) Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.
2 (Jn 13:34; Col 3:14) Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself
for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
3 (Col 3:5; 1Co 6:18; Eph 5:5) And do not let sexual immorality, or any
impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints.
4 (Eph 4:29; Ro 1:28) Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks.
5 (Col 3:5; Gal 5:21) For this you know, that no sexually immoral
or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Walk as Children of Light
6 (Ro 1:18; Col 2:8) Let no one deceive you with empty words,
for because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 (Lk 16:8; Jn 12:36) For you were formerly darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light-
9 (Ro 15:14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness
and righteousness and truth-
10 (1Th 5:21) proving what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 (Ro 13:12; 1Ti 5:20) And do not have fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them.
12 (Eph 5:3) For it is shameful even to speak of those things
which are done by them in secret.
13 (Jn 3:20-21) But all things are exposed when they are revealed
by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 (Isa 60:1; 26:19) Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."
15 (Col 4:5) See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men,
16 (Eph 6:13; Col 4:5) making the most of the time because the days are evil.
17 (Ro 12:2; Col 1:9) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand
what the will of the Lord is.
18 (Pr 20:1; 1Co 5:11; Lk 1:15) Do not be drunk with wine, for that is
reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit.
19 (Col 3:16; Ac 16:25; 1Co 14:26) Speak to one another in psalms, hymns,
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
20 (Col 3:17; Ps 34:1; Eph 5:4) Give thanks always for all things to God
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 (Php 2:3; Eph 5:22) being submissive to one another in the fear of God.
Wives and Husbands
22 (Ge 3:16; 1Co 14:34) Wives, be submissive to your own husbands
as unto the Lord.
23 (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18) For the husband is the head of the wife,
just as Christ is the head and Savior of the church, which is His body.
24 (Col 3:20; 3:22) But as the church submits to Christ,
so also let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 (Eph 5:28; Col 3:19) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself for it,
26 (Ac 22:16; 1Co 6:11) that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing
of water by the word,
27 (2Co 11:2; Col 1:22; Eph 1:4) and that He might present to Himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing,
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 (Eph 5:25; 5:33) In this way men ought to love their wives as their
own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
just as the Lord cares for the church.
30 (1Co 6:15; Ge 2:23) For we are members of His body, of His flesh
and of His bones.
31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh."(Ge 2:24. )
32 This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.
33 (Eph 5:25) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 6
Children and Parents
1 (Pr 6:20; 23:22) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 (Ex 20:12) "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment
with a promise,
3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
4 (Ge 18:19; Dt 6:7) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Servants and Masters
5 (1Co 2:3; Eph 5:22) Servants, obey those who are your masters according
to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart,
as to Christ,
6 not serving when eyes are on you, but as pleasing men as the servants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 (Col 3:24; 3:11) knowing that whatever good thing any man does,
he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is enslaved or free.
9 (Job 31:13-15; Jn 13:13) And masters, do the same things for them,
no longer threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven,
and there is no partiality with Him.
The Battle Against Evil
10 (Eph 1:19; 1Co 16:13) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.
11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that
you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 (Eph 1:3; 1:2) 1For our fight is not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly places.
13 (Eph 5:16) Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 (Isa 11:5; 59:17) Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 (Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15) having your feet fitted with the readiness
of the gospel of peace, 16and above all, taking the shield of faith,
with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows
of the evil one.
17 (Heb 4:12; Isa 49:2; 59:17) Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 (Col 4:2; 1Ti 2:1; Eph 1:16) Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds
of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints.
19 (1Th 5:25; Ac 4:29) Pray for me, that the power to speak may be given
to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery
of the gospel,
20 (2Co 5:20; Ac 28:20) for which I am an ambassador in chains,
that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.
Final Greetings
21 (Ac 20:4; 2Ti 4:12) Now that you also may know my activities
and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother
and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
22 (Col 4:7-8) I have sent him to you for this very purpose,
that you might know our activities and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 (Gal 6:16; 1Pe 5:14) Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith,
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 (Mt 22:37) Grace be with all those who love
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/14/what-should-i-say
entitled What shoukld I say?
Nehemiah 2:1-6
Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem
1 (Ezr 7:1; Ne 1:1) In the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year
of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took the wine
and gave it to the king. Never had I been upset in his presence.
2 (Pr 15:13) So the king said to me, "Why is your face troubled though
you do not seem sick? This is nothing but a troubled heart."
Then I became very much afraid
3 (Ne 1:3; Da 2:4) and said to the king, "May the king live forever!
Why should not my face be troubled when the city, the place
of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
4 (Ne 1:4) So the king said to me,
"What are you requesting about this matter?"
Immediately, I prayed to the God of heaven
5 and then said to the king, "If this pleases the king
and if this might be good for your servant who is before you,
then would you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs
so that I may rebuild it?"
6 (Ne 13:6; 5:14) The king, with the queen sitting beside him, said to me,
"How long would your journey be? And when will you return?"
Because it pleased the king to send me, I established a timetable for him.
When I stopped to browse through a box of books marked "C. S. Lewis"
at a used bookshop, the store owner appeared. As we chatted about
the available titles, I wondered if he might be interested in the faith
that inspired much of Lewis' writing. I prayed silently for guidance.
Information from a biography came to mind, and we began to discuss
how C. S. Lewis' character pointed to God. In the end,
I was thankful that a quick prayer had reoriented
our conversation to spiritual matters.
Nehemiah paused to pray before a pivotal moment in a conversation
with King Artaxerxes in Persia. The king had asked how he could
help Nehemiah, who was distraught over Jerusalem's destruction.
Nehemiah was the king's servant and therefore in no position
to ask for favours, but he needed one-a big one. He wanted to restore
Jerusalem. So, he "prayed to the God of heaven" before asking to leave
his job so he could reestablish the city (Nehemiah 2:4-5).
The king consented and even agreed to help Nehemiah make travel
arrangements and procure timber for the project.
The Bible encourages us "Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds
of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). This includes moments
when we need courage, self-control, or sensitivity. Praying before
we speak helps us give God control of our attitude and our words.
How might He want to direct your words today? Ask Him and find out!
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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Reflect & Pray
What patterns of speech do you need God's help to change?
What types of situations in your life could benefit most from prayer?
Dear God, I surrender my words to You.
Use them for Your glory. Help them to inspire and encourage others.
To learn more about the act of prayer.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 3 The song of Exaltation
Exodus 15:2
2 The Lord is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
The world is full of music that communicates human emotion:
love, joy, sadness, separation.
A love song makes us misty-eyed; a song of protest arouses anger; a song
describing loss stimulates feelings of hurt and abandonment.
Music is a powerful force to sway the human spirit.
Exodus 15:2 indicates that God should be the source of the songs in our hearts.
Human emotions vacillate; human relationships disappoint,
but God is our "strength" and our "song".
To exalt the Lord includes many different type of "songs".
"I can't carry a tune in a bucket," one woman complained.
"How can I sing to the Lord anything that will be pleasing to him?"
But the Lord does not delight in the professionalism of our songs,
but in the motivation of our hearts. We can "sing to the Lord"
when we enjoy a Bach organ piece played for his glory.
We can exalt him in the words of Scripture - either remembered or sung.
We can worship him by enjoying the songs of others.
The key to making the Lord our song is exaltation. When our thoughts
lift him up in praise, we are singing a song of exaltation to the Lord.
When God is exalted in our songs, in our hearts, and in our thoughts,
that focus gives strength to our lives. We can face the difficulties
that are an inevitable part of experience,
because God is our "strength and our song".
Application
a) What is the difference between a song that is professionally performed
and one that exalts the Lord?
b) What practical steps can I take to make
my daily life a "song of praise" to God?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:19
19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,
and it proves unfruitful.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
James 1:2 to 8
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.
4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men
liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers
is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
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 in the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far Northern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10)
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
b) Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Advent Day 17
From C.S. Lewis A grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"'It seems, then," said Tirian... "that the Stable
seen from within and the Stable seen from without are two different places."
'Yes,' said the Lord Digory. 'Its inside is bigger than its
outside.'
"Yes,' said Queen Lucy. 'In our world too, a Stable once
had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.'"
- C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in The Last Battle, p. 141.)
Bigger than the Whole World
Lucy and some of her friends had come into Narnia, thinking that they were
going to rescue Narnia from its enemies. But when the battle turned against
them, they thought they were about to die. Narnia had been overrun
by Calormenes, and during the battle Lucy and her friends were forced
into a stable. They soon discovered that they had actually entered
the Narnian heaven. An apparent defeat turned out to be the ultimate victory.
During that moment Queen Lucy recalls, "In our world too, a
Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."
The stable to which Lucy referred was, of course, the stable of Bethlehem.
It once had something inside it that was bigger than the whole world,
the baby Jesus. We will one day experience the same firsthand,
we who humble ourselves to receive this Christ child.
We know that big things come in small packages. Small towns.
Short people. Diamond rings. Babies especially. But also heart, courage,
determination, and faith. Faith can move mountains, but it doesn't need
to be big to do so. Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'
and it will move" (Matt. 17:20).
Lord Jesus, your greatness comes in smallness.
Give us a small faith in a great Savior. Amen.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small
among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for
me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins
are from of old, from ancient times.
Micah 5:2
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dean
TUESDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
Did Mary Stay?
Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.
-Luke 1:56
The question of our title today lingers with me because the Gospel text is
ambiguous. We have been told by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth was already
six months along in her pregnancy when Mary received the news of hers.
If we add the months that Mary remained with her, Elizabeth must have given
birth before Mary left-but we aren't specifically told that.
Because Mary had traveled so far, one doubts if she would have gone home
before the big event of the baby's birth. Besides, she surely would want
to assist her relative through her last days of pregnancy and first days
of motherhood.
Why does the question matter? Mary was getting to the time when she would
be scorned for being pregnant before marrying Joseph. Imagine that God
furnished Mary with extra courage
by granting her the privilege of witnessing the birth of her promised child's
Forerunner and by sharing in the ardent faith of Elizabeth and Zechariah.
prayer
Thank you again, Gracious Father, that these two women had
each other. Amen.
Read Luke 1:45-56.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion
to those things which were told her by the Lord."
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded
the low estate of His servant;
surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
50 His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
55 as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.â€
56 Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.
From The AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
THIRD TUESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANCESTORS!
2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?" MATTHEW 11:2-3
Who has prepared you to receive God's love and t)ope in Jesus Christ?
Who has been telling his story to you in both word and action? I hope
there have been many people in your history. as well as in your present.
who continue to be like John the Baptist to you as they "prepare the way of
the Lord" in and for you!
And to whom are you John the Baptist? This question does not refer of
course, to the taste and style of your clothes or what weird diets you may
be on. I'm simply asking how you are preparing people to hear and see
God's presence in Christ Jesus in their lives as well as in yours.
The AH-HA of ancestors is not talking about our old relatives and the
"good old days" of the Bible or even of our lives. Instead, it is centering
us on the people around us, now and in the past, who have brought the
message of Jesus to us.
Thank the Lord today for your ancestors who have prepared you to know
and love the Lord. If they are still here on earth, tell them you love them. If
not, thank the Lord for giving them to you as a Christmas gift!
Lord, you have prepared us through Word and sacrament (and though
special people) to be your child. Thank you for the legion of ancestors
with whom you've surrounded us. And empower us to be like John
the Baptist as we help other people to "prepare the way" for you
to come into their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Matthew 11:2-11
2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 (Lk 4:18; Isa 35:4-6; Mt 5:3) The blind receive their sight
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
[Taken from Isa 35:5-6; 61:1.]
6 (Isa 8:14-15; Mt 24:10) Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me."
7 (Eph 4:14; Jas 1:6) As they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds
concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
A reed shaken by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see?
A man dressed in soft clothing? Indeed,
those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 (Lk 1:76; Mt 14:5) Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 (Mal 3:1; Mk 1:2) For this is he of whom it is written:
'Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face,
who will prepare Your way before You.'[Mal 3:1.]
11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women,
there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.
But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that imitators of God as beloved children
and put on the armour of God.
Pray to the Lord "Dear God, I surrender my words to You.
Use them for Your glory. Help them to inspire and encourage others."
Pray to the Lord and Pray to Him to be a daily Song of Praise.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be choked by the world around you.
Pray to the Lord and pray for wisdom from the Lord.
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 God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation
Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Lord Jesus, your greatness comes in smallness.
Give us a small faith in a great Savior. Amen.
Pray: Thank you again, Gracious Father, that these two women had
each other. Amen.
Pray: Lord, you have prepared us through Word and sacrament (and though
special people) to be your child. Thank you for the legion of ancestors
with whom you've surrounded us. And empower us to be like John
the Baptist as we help other people to "prepare the way" for you
to come into their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray for victims of recent church bombings in Pakistan who are still
suffering from injuries and trauma.
Pray for those sharing the Gospel with Somalis living in Kenya.
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)
Ephesians
Ephesians 1
Salutation
1 (2Co 1:1; Col 1:2) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 (Ro 1:7) Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly
places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation
of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself
through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace which
He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight,
9 (Ro 8:28; Eph 1:11) making known to us the mystery of His will,
according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself,
10 (Col 1:20; Eph 3:15) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite
all things in Christ, which are in heaven and on earth.
11 (Eph 1:14; Heb 6:17) In Him also we have received an inheritance,
being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things
according to the counsel of His own will,
12 (Eph 1:6) that we, who were the first to hope in Christ,
should live for the praise of His glory.
13 (Eph 4:30; Ac 1:4; 2:33) In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22) who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Paul's Prayer
15 (Phm 1:5) Therefore I also, after hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and your love toward all the saints,
16 (Ro 1:8-9; Col 1:9) do not cease giving thanks for you, mentioning you
in my prayers,
17 (Jn 20:17; Ac 7:2) so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of Him,
18 (Ac 26:18; 2Co 4:6) that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches
of the glory of His inheritance among the saints,
19 (Col 1:29; Eph 3:7) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power
toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
20 (Mk 16:19; Ps 110:1) which He performed in Christ when He raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 (Col 2:10; Heb 1:4) far above all principalities, and power, and might,
and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age
but also in that which is to come.
22 (1Co 11:3; Mt 16:18) And He put all things in subjection under His feet
and made Him the head over all things for the church,
23 (Jn 1:16; Eph 3:19) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills
all things in all ways.
Ephesians 2
From Death to Life
1 (Col 2:13; Lk 15:24) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 (Jn 12:31; Eph 6:12; 2:3) in which you formerly walked according
to the age of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 (Gal 2:15-16; Ps 51:5) among them we all also once lived in the lusts
of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind,
and we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 (Ro 2:4; Eph 1:7) But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love
with which He loved us,
5 (Eph 2:1; Ac 15:11; Eph 2:8) even when we were dead in sins, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 (Eph 1:3) and He raised us up and seated us together in the heavenly places
in Christ Jesus,
7 (Titus 3:4; Eph 2:4) so that in the coming ages He might show
the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 (Eph 2:5; Mk 16:16) For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,
9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.
10 (Eph 4:24; 2Co 5:17; Eph 1:4) For we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,
so that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
11 (Col 2:11; 1Co 12:2; Eph 5:8) Therefore remember that formerly you,
the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called the "uncircumcision"
by the so-called "circumcision" in the flesh by human hands,
12 (1Th 4:13; Gal 4:8) were at that time apart from Christ,
alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants
of promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 (Ac 2:39; Isa 57:19) But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly
far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 (Gal 3:28; Mic 5:5) For He is our peace, who has made both groups one
and has broken down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 (Col 2:14; 2:20) by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, that is,
the law of the Âcommandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself
He might make the two into one new man, thus making peace,
16 (Eph 2:15; Col 1:20-22) and that He might reconcile both to God
into one body through the cross, thereby slaying the enmity.
17 (Ps 148:14; Dt 4:7) And He came and preached peace to you who were
far away and peace to those who were near.
18 (1Co 12:13; Eph 3:12) For through Him we both have access by one
Spirit to the Father.
19 (Gal 6:10; Php 3:20) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers
and foreigners, but are fellow citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God,
20 (Mt 16:18; Isa 28:16; Rev 21:14) having been built upon
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself
being the chief cornerstone,
21 (1Co 3:16-17) in whom the entire building, tightly framed together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 (1Co 3:16) in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling
place of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 3
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
1 (Eph 4:1; Col 1:24) For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner
of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
2 (2Ti 1:11; Ro 1:5) You may have heard of the administration of the grace
of God which was given me for you,
3 (Ro 16:25; Ac 22:17) how by revelation He made known to me the mystery,
as I have written briefly already,
4 (2Co 11:6; Col 4:3) by which, when you read it, you may understand
my knowledge of the mystery of Christ,
5 (Ac 10:28; Jn 14:26) which in other generations was not made known
to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to His holy apostles
and prophets by the Spirit,
6 how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members,
and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.
7 (Eph 1:19; 3:2) Of this I was made a minister, according to the gift
of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 (1Co 15:9; Ro 11:33) To me, the very least of all saints, this grace
was given, to preach to the Gentiles the incomprehensible riches of Christ,
9 (Col 1:26; 3:3) and to reveal for all people what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden
in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,
10 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 1:12) so that now the manifold wisdom of God might
be made known by the church to the principalities
and powers in the heavenly places,
11 (Eph 1:11) according to the eternal purpose which He completed
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 (Eph 2:18) in whom we have boldness and confident access through
faith in Him.
13 (Eph 3:1; 2Co 1:6) Therefore I ask you not to lose heart
at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
To Know the Love of Christ
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 (Eph 1:10; 1:21) from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 (Ro 7:22; Col 1:11) that He would give you, according to the riches of His
glory, power to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man,
17 (Col 1:23; Jn 14:23) and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 (Eph 1:15) may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth
and length and depth and height,
19 (Eph 1:23) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 (Ro 16:25; Eph 3:7) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us,
21 (Ro 11:36; 1Pe 5:11_ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4
Unity of the Body
1 (Eph 3:1; Col 1:10) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to
walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called.
2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love,
3 be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 (Eph 1:18; 2:16) There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called
in one hope of your calling,
5 (1Co 8:6; Mt 28:19) one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 (Ro 11:36; 1Co 12:6) one God and Father of all, who is above all,
and through all, and in you all.
7 (Ro 12:3; Eph 3:2) But grace was given to each one of us according
to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 (Ps 68:18; Col 2:15) Therefore He says:
"When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
and gave gifts to men." (Ps 68:18).
9 (Jn 3:13; 6:33) (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean
but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 (Heb 4:14; 7:26) He who descended is also He who ascended far above
all the heavens that He might fill all things.)
11 (Ac 21:8; 13:1) He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors, and teachers,
12 (1Co 12:27; Eph 1:23) for the equipping of the saints, for the work
of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ,
13 (Eph 4:5; 1:23) until we all come into the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
14 (Jas 1:6; 1Co 14:20) so we may no longer be children, tossed here
and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine
by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming.
15 (Eph 1:22; 2:21) But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up
in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself,
16 (Col 2:19; Eph 1:4) from whom the whole body is joined together
and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively
does its work and grows, building itself up in love.
The Old Life and New Life
17 (Ro 1:21; Eph 2:1-3) Therefore this I say and testify in the Lord,
that from now on you walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity
of their minds,
18 (Eph 2:12; Gal 4:8) having their understanding darkened, excluded
from the life of God through the ignorance that is within them,
due to the hardness of their hearts.
19 (1Ti 4:2) Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality
for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn about Christ in this manner,
21 (Eph 1:13) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him,
as the truth is in Jesus:
22 (Ro 6:6; Heb 3:13) that you put off the former way of life in the old
nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 (Ro 12:2; Col 3:10) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 (Ro 6:4; Eph 2:10) and that you put on the new nature,
which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.
Rules for the New Life
25 (Col 3:9; Zec 8:16; Ro 12:5) Therefore, putting away lying, let every man
speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26 (Ps 37:8; 4:4) Be angry but do not sin.
Do not let the sun go down on your anger.
27 (Jas 4:7) Do not give place to the devil.
28 (Ex 20:15; 1Th 4:11-12) Let him who steals steal no more. Instead,
let him labour, working with his hands things which are good,
that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
29 (Col 4:6) Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth,
but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace
to the listeners.
30 (1Th 5:19; Isa 63:10; Ro 8:23) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.
31 (Col 3:8; Ecc 7:9; Col 3:19) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts,
and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you.
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ
also forgave you.
Ephesians 5
1 (Eph 4:32; Mt 5:48) Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.
2 (Jn 13:34; Col 3:14) Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself
for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
3 (Col 3:5; 1Co 6:18; Eph 5:5) And do not let sexual immorality, or any
impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints.
4 (Eph 4:29; Ro 1:28) Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks.
5 (Col 3:5; Gal 5:21) For this you know, that no sexually immoral
or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Walk as Children of Light
6 (Ro 1:18; Col 2:8) Let no one deceive you with empty words,
for because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 (Lk 16:8; Jn 12:36) For you were formerly darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light-
9 (Ro 15:14) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness
and righteousness and truth-
10 (1Th 5:21) proving what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 (Ro 13:12; 1Ti 5:20) And do not have fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them.
12 (Eph 5:3) For it is shameful even to speak of those things
which are done by them in secret.
13 (Jn 3:20-21) But all things are exposed when they are revealed
by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 (Isa 60:1; 26:19) Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."
15 (Col 4:5) See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men,
16 (Eph 6:13; Col 4:5) making the most of the time because the days are evil.
17 (Ro 12:2; Col 1:9) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand
what the will of the Lord is.
18 (Pr 20:1; 1Co 5:11; Lk 1:15) Do not be drunk with wine, for that is
reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit.
19 (Col 3:16; Ac 16:25; 1Co 14:26) Speak to one another in psalms, hymns,
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
20 (Col 3:17; Ps 34:1; Eph 5:4) Give thanks always for all things to God
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 (Php 2:3; Eph 5:22) being submissive to one another in the fear of God.
Wives and Husbands
22 (Ge 3:16; 1Co 14:34) Wives, be submissive to your own husbands
as unto the Lord.
23 (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18) For the husband is the head of the wife,
just as Christ is the head and Savior of the church, which is His body.
24 (Col 3:20; 3:22) But as the church submits to Christ,
so also let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 (Eph 5:28; Col 3:19) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself for it,
26 (Ac 22:16; 1Co 6:11) that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing
of water by the word,
27 (2Co 11:2; Col 1:22; Eph 1:4) and that He might present to Himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing,
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 (Eph 5:25; 5:33) In this way men ought to love their wives as their
own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
just as the Lord cares for the church.
30 (1Co 6:15; Ge 2:23) For we are members of His body, of His flesh
and of His bones.
31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh."(Ge 2:24. )
32 This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.
33 (Eph 5:25) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 6
Children and Parents
1 (Pr 6:20; 23:22) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 (Ex 20:12) "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment
with a promise,
3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
4 (Ge 18:19; Dt 6:7) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Servants and Masters
5 (1Co 2:3; Eph 5:22) Servants, obey those who are your masters according
to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart,
as to Christ,
6 not serving when eyes are on you, but as pleasing men as the servants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 (Col 3:24; 3:11) knowing that whatever good thing any man does,
he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is enslaved or free.
9 (Job 31:13-15; Jn 13:13) And masters, do the same things for them,
no longer threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven,
and there is no partiality with Him.
The Battle Against Evil
10 (Eph 1:19; 1Co 16:13) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.
11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that
you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 (Eph 1:3; 1:2) 1For our fight is not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly places.
13 (Eph 5:16) Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 (Isa 11:5; 59:17) Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 (Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15) having your feet fitted with the readiness
of the gospel of peace, 16and above all, taking the shield of faith,
with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows
of the evil one.
17 (Heb 4:12; Isa 49:2; 59:17) Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 (Col 4:2; 1Ti 2:1; Eph 1:16) Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds
of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints.
19 (1Th 5:25; Ac 4:29) Pray for me, that the power to speak may be given
to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery
of the gospel,
20 (2Co 5:20; Ac 28:20) for which I am an ambassador in chains,
that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.
Final Greetings
21 (Ac 20:4; 2Ti 4:12) Now that you also may know my activities
and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother
and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
22 (Col 4:7-8) I have sent him to you for this very purpose,
that you might know our activities and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 (Gal 6:16; 1Pe 5:14) Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith,
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 (Mt 22:37) Grace be with all those who love
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/14/what-should-i-say
entitled What shoukld I say?
Nehemiah 2:1-6
Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem
1 (Ezr 7:1; Ne 1:1) In the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year
of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took the wine
and gave it to the king. Never had I been upset in his presence.
2 (Pr 15:13) So the king said to me, "Why is your face troubled though
you do not seem sick? This is nothing but a troubled heart."
Then I became very much afraid
3 (Ne 1:3; Da 2:4) and said to the king, "May the king live forever!
Why should not my face be troubled when the city, the place
of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
4 (Ne 1:4) So the king said to me,
"What are you requesting about this matter?"
Immediately, I prayed to the God of heaven
5 and then said to the king, "If this pleases the king
and if this might be good for your servant who is before you,
then would you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs
so that I may rebuild it?"
6 (Ne 13:6; 5:14) The king, with the queen sitting beside him, said to me,
"How long would your journey be? And when will you return?"
Because it pleased the king to send me, I established a timetable for him.
When I stopped to browse through a box of books marked "C. S. Lewis"
at a used bookshop, the store owner appeared. As we chatted about
the available titles, I wondered if he might be interested in the faith
that inspired much of Lewis' writing. I prayed silently for guidance.
Information from a biography came to mind, and we began to discuss
how C. S. Lewis' character pointed to God. In the end,
I was thankful that a quick prayer had reoriented
our conversation to spiritual matters.
Nehemiah paused to pray before a pivotal moment in a conversation
with King Artaxerxes in Persia. The king had asked how he could
help Nehemiah, who was distraught over Jerusalem's destruction.
Nehemiah was the king's servant and therefore in no position
to ask for favours, but he needed one-a big one. He wanted to restore
Jerusalem. So, he "prayed to the God of heaven" before asking to leave
his job so he could reestablish the city (Nehemiah 2:4-5).
The king consented and even agreed to help Nehemiah make travel
arrangements and procure timber for the project.
The Bible encourages us "Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds
of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). This includes moments
when we need courage, self-control, or sensitivity. Praying before
we speak helps us give God control of our attitude and our words.
How might He want to direct your words today? Ask Him and find out!
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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Reflect & Pray
What patterns of speech do you need God's help to change?
What types of situations in your life could benefit most from prayer?
Dear God, I surrender my words to You.
Use them for Your glory. Help them to inspire and encourage others.
To learn more about the act of prayer.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 3 The song of Exaltation
Exodus 15:2
2 The Lord is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
The world is full of music that communicates human emotion:
love, joy, sadness, separation.
A love song makes us misty-eyed; a song of protest arouses anger; a song
describing loss stimulates feelings of hurt and abandonment.
Music is a powerful force to sway the human spirit.
Exodus 15:2 indicates that God should be the source of the songs in our hearts.
Human emotions vacillate; human relationships disappoint,
but God is our "strength" and our "song".
To exalt the Lord includes many different type of "songs".
"I can't carry a tune in a bucket," one woman complained.
"How can I sing to the Lord anything that will be pleasing to him?"
But the Lord does not delight in the professionalism of our songs,
but in the motivation of our hearts. We can "sing to the Lord"
when we enjoy a Bach organ piece played for his glory.
We can exalt him in the words of Scripture - either remembered or sung.
We can worship him by enjoying the songs of others.
The key to making the Lord our song is exaltation. When our thoughts
lift him up in praise, we are singing a song of exaltation to the Lord.
When God is exalted in our songs, in our hearts, and in our thoughts,
that focus gives strength to our lives. We can face the difficulties
that are an inevitable part of experience,
because God is our "strength and our song".
Application
a) What is the difference between a song that is professionally performed
and one that exalts the Lord?
b) What practical steps can I take to make
my daily life a "song of praise" to God?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:19
19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,
and it proves unfruitful.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
James 1:2 to 8
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.
4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men
liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers
is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
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 in the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far Northern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10)
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
b) Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Advent Day 17
From C.S. Lewis A grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"'It seems, then," said Tirian... "that the Stable
seen from within and the Stable seen from without are two different places."
'Yes,' said the Lord Digory. 'Its inside is bigger than its
outside.'
"Yes,' said Queen Lucy. 'In our world too, a Stable once
had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.'"
- C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in The Last Battle, p. 141.)
Bigger than the Whole World
Lucy and some of her friends had come into Narnia, thinking that they were
going to rescue Narnia from its enemies. But when the battle turned against
them, they thought they were about to die. Narnia had been overrun
by Calormenes, and during the battle Lucy and her friends were forced
into a stable. They soon discovered that they had actually entered
the Narnian heaven. An apparent defeat turned out to be the ultimate victory.
During that moment Queen Lucy recalls, "In our world too, a
Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."
The stable to which Lucy referred was, of course, the stable of Bethlehem.
It once had something inside it that was bigger than the whole world,
the baby Jesus. We will one day experience the same firsthand,
we who humble ourselves to receive this Christ child.
We know that big things come in small packages. Small towns.
Short people. Diamond rings. Babies especially. But also heart, courage,
determination, and faith. Faith can move mountains, but it doesn't need
to be big to do so. Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'
and it will move" (Matt. 17:20).
Lord Jesus, your greatness comes in smallness.
Give us a small faith in a great Savior. Amen.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small
among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for
me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins
are from of old, from ancient times.
Micah 5:2
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dean
TUESDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
Did Mary Stay?
Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.
-Luke 1:56
The question of our title today lingers with me because the Gospel text is
ambiguous. We have been told by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth was already
six months along in her pregnancy when Mary received the news of hers.
If we add the months that Mary remained with her, Elizabeth must have given
birth before Mary left-but we aren't specifically told that.
Because Mary had traveled so far, one doubts if she would have gone home
before the big event of the baby's birth. Besides, she surely would want
to assist her relative through her last days of pregnancy and first days
of motherhood.
Why does the question matter? Mary was getting to the time when she would
be scorned for being pregnant before marrying Joseph. Imagine that God
furnished Mary with extra courage
by granting her the privilege of witnessing the birth of her promised child's
Forerunner and by sharing in the ardent faith of Elizabeth and Zechariah.
prayer
Thank you again, Gracious Father, that these two women had
each other. Amen.
Read Luke 1:45-56.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion
to those things which were told her by the Lord."
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded
the low estate of His servant;
surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
50 His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
55 as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.â€
56 Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.
From The AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
THIRD TUESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANCESTORS!
2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?" MATTHEW 11:2-3
Who has prepared you to receive God's love and t)ope in Jesus Christ?
Who has been telling his story to you in both word and action? I hope
there have been many people in your history. as well as in your present.
who continue to be like John the Baptist to you as they "prepare the way of
the Lord" in and for you!
And to whom are you John the Baptist? This question does not refer of
course, to the taste and style of your clothes or what weird diets you may
be on. I'm simply asking how you are preparing people to hear and see
God's presence in Christ Jesus in their lives as well as in yours.
The AH-HA of ancestors is not talking about our old relatives and the
"good old days" of the Bible or even of our lives. Instead, it is centering
us on the people around us, now and in the past, who have brought the
message of Jesus to us.
Thank the Lord today for your ancestors who have prepared you to know
and love the Lord. If they are still here on earth, tell them you love them. If
not, thank the Lord for giving them to you as a Christmas gift!
Lord, you have prepared us through Word and sacrament (and though
special people) to be your child. Thank you for the legion of ancestors
with whom you've surrounded us. And empower us to be like John
the Baptist as we help other people to "prepare the way" for you
to come into their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Matthew 11:2-11
2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 (Lk 4:18; Isa 35:4-6; Mt 5:3) The blind receive their sight
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
[Taken from Isa 35:5-6; 61:1.]
6 (Isa 8:14-15; Mt 24:10) Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me."
7 (Eph 4:14; Jas 1:6) As they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds
concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
A reed shaken by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see?
A man dressed in soft clothing? Indeed,
those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 (Lk 1:76; Mt 14:5) Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 (Mal 3:1; Mk 1:2) For this is he of whom it is written:
'Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face,
who will prepare Your way before You.'[Mal 3:1.]
11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women,
there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.
But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that imitators of God as beloved children
and put on the armour of God.
Pray to the Lord "Dear God, I surrender my words to You.
Use them for Your glory. Help them to inspire and encourage others."
Pray to the Lord and Pray to Him to be a daily Song of Praise.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be choked by the world around you.
Pray to the Lord and pray for wisdom from the Lord.
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 God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation
Pray for those who server with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Lord Jesus, your greatness comes in smallness.
Give us a small faith in a great Savior. Amen.
Pray: Thank you again, Gracious Father, that these two women had
each other. Amen.
Pray: Lord, you have prepared us through Word and sacrament (and though
special people) to be your child. Thank you for the legion of ancestors
with whom you've surrounded us. And empower us to be like John
the Baptist as we help other people to "prepare the way" for you
to come into their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray for victims of recent church bombings in Pakistan who are still
suffering from injuries and trauma.
Pray for those sharing the Gospel with Somalis living in Kenya.
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.