Day 337 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey 7th Day of Advent - 3 December 2022 reflections
Day 337, 3 December 2022
1) Acts 27
Acts 27
Paul Sails for Rome
1 (Ac 25:25; 10:1; 25:12) When it was decided that we should sail into Italy,
they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan
Regiment, named Julius.
2 (Ac 19:29) Boarding a ship from Adramyttium, we put out to sea, meaning
to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica,
was with us.
3 (Ac 24:23; 28:16) The next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul
kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be given care.
4 (Ac 4:36) From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus,
because the winds were against us.
5 (Ac 6:9; 13:13) Sailing across the sea off of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came
to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 (Ac 28:11) There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy,
and he put us on board.
7 (Ac 27:21; 2:11) We sailed slowly for many days, and arrived with difficulty
off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to proceed, we sailed under the
lee of Crete off Salmone.
8 Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens,
near the city of Lasea.
9 (Lev 23:27-29; Nu 29:7) As much time had been lost and as the voyage was now
dangerous, because the Day of Atonement was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much
loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives."
11 But the centurion was persuaded more by the captain and the owner of the
ship than by what Paul said.
12 Since the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority decided to
sail on from there, if somehow we might reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete,
facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.
[1] And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they
delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a
centurion of Augustus' band.
[2] And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by
the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being
with us.
[3] And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated
Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
[4] And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because
the winds were contrary.
[5] And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to
Myra, a city of Lycia.
[6] And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy;
and he put us therein.
[7] And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over
against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over
against Salmone;
[8] And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair
havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
[9] Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous,
because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
[10] And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt
and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
[11] Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the
ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
[12] And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part
advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice,
and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south
west and north west.
The Storm at Sea
13 When a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained the
necessary conditions, they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14 (Mk 4:37) But soon afterward a tempestuous wind swept through, called the
Euroclydon.(Or Northeaster.)
15 When the ship was overpowered and could not head into the wind, we let her
drift.
16 Drifting under the lee of an island called Cauda, we could scarcely secure
the rowboat.
17 (Ac 27:29; 27:26) When they had hoisted it aboard, they used ropes to
undergird the ship. And fearing that they might run aground on the sand of
Syrtis, they let down the mast, and so were driven.
18 (Jnh 1:5; Ac 27:38) We were violently tossed by the storm. The next day
they threw cargo overboard.
19 On the third day we threw the tackle of the ship overboard with our own
hands.
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was
upon us, all hope that we should be saved was lost.
21 After they had long abstained from food, Paul stood in their midst and
said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete,
incurring this injury and loss.
22 (Ac 27:25; 27:36) But now I advise you to take courage, for there will be
no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 (Ac 5:19; 23:11) For there stood by me this night the angel of God to whom
I belong and whom I serve,
24 (Ac 23:11; Ge 19:29) saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before
Caesar. And, look! God has given you all those who sail with you.'
25 (Ro 4:20-21) Therefore, men, take courage, for I believe God that it will
be exactly as it was told to me.
26 (Ac 28:1; 27:17) Nevertheless, we must be shipwrecked on a certain island."
27 When the fourteenth night came, while we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea,
about midnight the sailors supposed that they were approaching land.
28 They took soundings and found the water to be one hundred and twenty
feet deep.(Gk. 20 orguias, about 37 meters.) When they had gone a little
farther, they took soundings again and found it to be ninety feet deep.
(Gk. 15 orguias, about 27 meters.)
29 (Ac 27:17) Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped
four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
30 (Ac 27:16) When the sailors strove to abandon ship and lowered the rowboat
into the sea, under the pretext of lowering anchors out of the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these sailors
remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the rowboat and let her fall off.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul asked them all to eat, saying, "Today is
the fourteenth day that you have waited and continued without food, having
eaten nothing.
34 (Mt 10:30; 1Ki 1:52) So I urge you to eat. This is for your preservation,
for not a hair shall fall from your head."
35 (Mt 15:36) When he had said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God
in the presence of them all. And when he had broken it he began to eat.
36 (Ac 27:22) Then they were all encouraged, and they also ate food
themselves.
37 (Ac 2:41; 7:14) In all we were 276 persons on the ship.
38 (Jnh 1:5) When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship
and threw the wheat into the sea.
[13] And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained
their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
[14] But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called
Euroclydon.
[15] And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we
let her drive.
[16] And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much
work to come by the boat:
[17] Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship;
and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so
were driven.
[18] And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they
lightened the ship;
[19] And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the
ship.
[20] And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small
tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
[21] But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and
said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
[22] And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of
any man's life among you, but of the ship.
[23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom
I serve,
[24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo,
God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
[25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be
even as it was told me.
[26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
[27] But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down
in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some
country;
[28] And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a
little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
[29] Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four
anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
[30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had
let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast
anchors out of the foreship,
[31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in
the ship, ye cannot be saved.
[32] Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
[33] And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat,
saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued
fasting, having taken nothing.
[34] Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health:
for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
[35] And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in
presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
[36] Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
[37] And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen
souls.
[38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out
the wheat into the sea.
The Shipwreck
39 (Ac 28:1) When it was day, they did not recognize the land. But they
noticed a bay with a shore, into which they were determined to run the ship if
possible.
40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while loosening the
ropes that secured the rudders. Then they hoisted the mainsail to the wind
and made for shore.
41 But striking a sandbar where two seas met, they ran the ship aground.
The bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was broken up by the
violent surf.
42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim
away and escape.
43 (Ac 27:3) But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, prevented them from
their intent and ordered those who could swim to abandon ship first
and get to land,
44 (Ac 27:22) and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship.
And in this way they all escaped safely to land.
[39] And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a
certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were
possible, to thrust in the ship.
[40] And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto
the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the
wind, and made toward shore.
[41] And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground;
and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part
was broken with the violence of the waves.
[42] And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them
should swim out, and escape.
[43] But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose;
and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into
the sea, and get to land:
[44] And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.
And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
2) Our Daily Bread for 3 December 2022
Entitled "Christmas Light"
Exodus 3:4-10
4 (Dt 33:16) When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see,
God called to him from out of the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses."
And he said, "Here am I.'
5 (Jos 5:15; Ac 7:33) He said, "Do not approach here. Remove your sandals
from off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
6 (Ex 4:5; Mt 22:32) Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."
And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25) The Lord said, "I have surely seen the affliction
of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry on account
of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down to deliver
them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that
land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey,
to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 (Ex 2:23; 3:7) Now therefore,
the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me. Moreover,
I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.
10 (Mic 6:4; Ps 105:26) Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh
so that you may bring forth My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
[4] And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him
out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am
I.
[5] And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet,
for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
[6] Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was
afraid to look upon God.
[7] And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which
are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I
know their sorrows;
[8] And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and
to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land
flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the
Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the
Jebusites.
[9] Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto
me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress
them.
[10] Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest
bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
To my eyes, the Christmas tree looked to be ablaze in fire! Not because of
artificial strings of lights but from real fire. Our family was invited to a
friend's altdeutsche Tradition, or the "old German way," a celebration
featuring delicious traditional desserts and a tree with real, lit candles.
(For safety, the freshly cut tree was lit one night only.)
As I watched the tree appear to burn, I thought of Moses' encounter with God
in the burning bush. While tending sheep in the wilderness, Moses was
surprised by a flaming bush that was somehow not consumed by the flames. As
he approached the bush to investigate, God called to him. The message from
the burning bush was not one of judgment but of rescue for the people of
Israel. God had seen the plight and misery of His people who were enslaved
in Egypt and had "come down to rescue them" (Exodus 3:8).
While God rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians, all of humanity still
needed rescue-not just from physical suffering but also from the effects that
evil and death brought into our world. Hundreds of years later, God responded
by sending down the Light, His Son, Jesus (John 1:9-10), sent not "to condemn
the world, but to save the world through him" (3:17).
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
How can you celebrate God's provision of rescue through Jesus?
What other traditions point you to Him?
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Light of the world.
For further study, read
Mystery of the Manger: Exploring the Whole Story of Christmas.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 7 Support System
Deut 33:27
27 (Ge 49:24; Ps 90:1-2) The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath you are the everlasting arms;
He will drive out the enemy before you,
and will say, "Destroy them."
27 The eternal God is thy refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms:
And he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;
And shall say, Destroy them.
Misty was only 4 when her parents divorced. Her dad moved away,
and the following summer she went with her grandparents to visit him
in his new apartment. In the swimming pool one afternoon, Grandpa stood
Misty on the side of the pool, held out his arm, and called, "Jump!"
But Misty, normally a little fish, suddenly seemed afraid of the water,
and stood trembling on the sidewalk shaking her head.
"Jump, Misty - I'll catch you!"
"Are you sure, Grandpa?"
"Of course I'm sure! Jump!"
But Misty wouldn't jump. Finally Grandpa, a bit irritated, said, "Misty, do
you think I Won't catch you? Do you think I'll just walk away?"
The tears spilled over, and Misty sobbed. "Daddy did!"
Human support systems often fail us. We disappoint those we love, and
are disappointed by them. People simply aren't there for us
when we need them most.
But God promises that with him things are different. He's always there,
always listening, always caring, always ready to support us.
"Underneath his everlasting arms".
Sometimes those arms reach out clothed in flesh, in the warm embrace
of a loved one. Sometimes they support us through the Word, sometimes through
the quiet peace that comes in prayer. Sometimes we are not aware of them
at all, but they still hold us up, supporting, surrounding, loving.
Underneath us are the everlasting arms.
Application
a) Have I ever felt abandoned by someone I loved and depended upon?
b) How have I experienced the faithfulness of God's "Everlasting arms"?
c) Now can this verse help me in times when I feel my supports have given way?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich,
And he addeth no sorrow with it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
1 Cor 15:35-38,51-57
35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?
With what body do they come?"
36 You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,
perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,
for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For tis corruptible will put on incorruption,
and this mortal will put on immortality.
54 When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,
and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then the saying that is written shall come to pass:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
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."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 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 facity, 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 notherern 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
3nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the province of Alberta as follows:
I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to
act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. (
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in
the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
b) Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin
and Canadian to faith in Christ.
( John 16:8 - When He comes, He will convict the world of sin
and of righteousness and of judgment:
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment:
)
Advent Day 7
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"No woman ever conceived a child, no mare a foal, without
Him. But once, and for a special purpose, He dispensed with
that long line which is His instrument: once His life-giving
finger touched a woman without passing through the ages of
interlocked events." C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles,p . 182.)
Every Birth a Miracle
I have never met parents who did not think that the birth of each
of their children was one of the most amazing things they had ever
experienced. And rightly so. We talk about the miracle of birth, and
so we should. The obstetrician might tell us how normal child birth
is, but we who have become parents know better. We might forget
as the years pass and the trials of raising teenagers take their toll.
But when we sit back and remember, we know better once again.
The birth of a child is a miracle. The "birth-days" of our children
remind us
No childbirth in history has received more attention in art, music,
literature, stained glass, and even on the postage stamp, than
the birth of Jesus. That was a one-of-a-kind birth, but Lewis points
out that God is at work in every pregnancy and in every birth. The
same God who brought about the pregnancy of Mary by the power
of the Holy Spirit is also at work to bring about every pregnancy.
We might stand back at the thought that even a mare conceiving
a foal, as Lewis writes, is done by the power of God, but could it be
otherwise? He is the creator of all things, and he upholds all things
by his powerful word(Heb- 1:3)- He must be involved in every birth,
your birth, my birth, even our rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit,
but especially in the birth of Jesus
This is not to say that the birth of Jesus was ordinary. Far from
it. But Jesus' birth and my birth both had the blessing of God. That
gives me assurance that new birth is available in him also.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Luke 1:35
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
From Follow The Story - Marva J. Dawn
SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Baffling Salutations
When she saw him, she was troubled by his words,...
-Luke 1:29a
To greet another person with the phrase "The LORD be with you"
was a common custom in those days. Compare how Boaz greets
the reapers in his barley field and how they answer back (Ruth 2:4).
Even today many churches use the expression
in their liturgies to underscore that we are a community together
as worshipers and leaders in God's presence.
Consequently, this part of Gabriel's address must not have been too confusing,
unless the angel notably accentuated the present tense, "The LORD is with you,"
in anticipation of how the Trinity would be operative in Mary.
Probably Mary was stunned by Gabriel's calling her a "favoured one"
since she was merely a small-town youth, and the
angel was the magnificent messenger of God. She was totally unprepared
for the extraordinary disclosure Gabriel would reveal to her, though some
Jewish mothers gingerly harbored the hope that they might be mother
to the promised Messiah. Ponder with Mary what being "favoured"
by God could mean.
prayer
Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-38.
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.
And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible."
38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according
to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ATTENTION!
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
JEREMIAH 29:11
Advent comes to us just when we need it. Not only is it the time to begin
a new Church Year, but it also allows us to stop and ponder anew what
"the Almighty can do" and what he has already done! In other words,
Advent gets our attention to ponder what life is all about!
What is it that is getting your attention these days?
There's plenty of options, aren't there ?
Is it working or shopping, or preparing, or Juggling,
or decorating, or baking or all of the above?
Me too! How good are you at multi-tasking?
We live in a CPA society ... which means Continuous Partial Attention.
Check it out: Have you encountered folks who are texting, listening talking,
studying, thinking, eating .. all at the same time? Me, too! And it drives me
crazy! You too?
Advent sneaks up on our CPA society and simply, gently calms us. Advent
coos to us what today's Scripture says: The Lord has plans to give us
a hope and future. That is a promise that
really gets our attention as ambassadors
of health and hope!
God in Christ attends us with his love
and forgiveness to empower us to turn our attention
outward. We can turn from our own CPA existence to sharing
his hope for all people. NO partial attention from the Lord. God's
CPA is his Continuous Promise Attention ... for all of us!
And that's good enough for me! You too?
Prayer
Lord, calm us, settle us and point us to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
12 (Jer 33:3; Ps 50:15) Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come
and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 (Jer 24:7; 2Ch 22:9) You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search
for Me with all your heart.
14 (Jer 30:3; Ps 32:6) I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will turn
away your captivity and gather you from all the nations
and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord,
and I will bring you back into the place from
where I caused you to be carried away captive.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him in every decision you make.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus,
the Light of the world."
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that He is your support system.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Thank Him for His Blessing.
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank Him for the upcoming Rapture of the Church!
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find 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 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!
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin
and Canadian to faith in Christ.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Pray: Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us
to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray for the courage, wisdom and protection of believers in Pakistan
who faithfully share the Good News of the Gospel.
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) Acts 27
Acts 27
Paul Sails for Rome
1 (Ac 25:25; 10:1; 25:12) When it was decided that we should sail into Italy,
they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan
Regiment, named Julius.
2 (Ac 19:29) Boarding a ship from Adramyttium, we put out to sea, meaning
to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica,
was with us.
3 (Ac 24:23; 28:16) The next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul
kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be given care.
4 (Ac 4:36) From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus,
because the winds were against us.
5 (Ac 6:9; 13:13) Sailing across the sea off of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came
to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 (Ac 28:11) There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy,
and he put us on board.
7 (Ac 27:21; 2:11) We sailed slowly for many days, and arrived with difficulty
off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to proceed, we sailed under the
lee of Crete off Salmone.
8 Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens,
near the city of Lasea.
9 (Lev 23:27-29; Nu 29:7) As much time had been lost and as the voyage was now
dangerous, because the Day of Atonement was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much
loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives."
11 But the centurion was persuaded more by the captain and the owner of the
ship than by what Paul said.
12 Since the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority decided to
sail on from there, if somehow we might reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete,
facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.
[1] And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they
delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a
centurion of Augustus' band.
[2] And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by
the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being
with us.
[3] And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated
Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
[4] And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because
the winds were contrary.
[5] And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to
Myra, a city of Lycia.
[6] And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy;
and he put us therein.
[7] And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over
against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over
against Salmone;
[8] And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair
havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
[9] Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous,
because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
[10] And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt
and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
[11] Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the
ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
[12] And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part
advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice,
and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south
west and north west.
The Storm at Sea
13 When a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained the
necessary conditions, they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14 (Mk 4:37) But soon afterward a tempestuous wind swept through, called the
Euroclydon.(Or Northeaster.)
15 When the ship was overpowered and could not head into the wind, we let her
drift.
16 Drifting under the lee of an island called Cauda, we could scarcely secure
the rowboat.
17 (Ac 27:29; 27:26) When they had hoisted it aboard, they used ropes to
undergird the ship. And fearing that they might run aground on the sand of
Syrtis, they let down the mast, and so were driven.
18 (Jnh 1:5; Ac 27:38) We were violently tossed by the storm. The next day
they threw cargo overboard.
19 On the third day we threw the tackle of the ship overboard with our own
hands.
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was
upon us, all hope that we should be saved was lost.
21 After they had long abstained from food, Paul stood in their midst and
said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete,
incurring this injury and loss.
22 (Ac 27:25; 27:36) But now I advise you to take courage, for there will be
no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 (Ac 5:19; 23:11) For there stood by me this night the angel of God to whom
I belong and whom I serve,
24 (Ac 23:11; Ge 19:29) saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before
Caesar. And, look! God has given you all those who sail with you.'
25 (Ro 4:20-21) Therefore, men, take courage, for I believe God that it will
be exactly as it was told to me.
26 (Ac 28:1; 27:17) Nevertheless, we must be shipwrecked on a certain island."
27 When the fourteenth night came, while we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea,
about midnight the sailors supposed that they were approaching land.
28 They took soundings and found the water to be one hundred and twenty
feet deep.(Gk. 20 orguias, about 37 meters.) When they had gone a little
farther, they took soundings again and found it to be ninety feet deep.
(Gk. 15 orguias, about 27 meters.)
29 (Ac 27:17) Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped
four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
30 (Ac 27:16) When the sailors strove to abandon ship and lowered the rowboat
into the sea, under the pretext of lowering anchors out of the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these sailors
remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the rowboat and let her fall off.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul asked them all to eat, saying, "Today is
the fourteenth day that you have waited and continued without food, having
eaten nothing.
34 (Mt 10:30; 1Ki 1:52) So I urge you to eat. This is for your preservation,
for not a hair shall fall from your head."
35 (Mt 15:36) When he had said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God
in the presence of them all. And when he had broken it he began to eat.
36 (Ac 27:22) Then they were all encouraged, and they also ate food
themselves.
37 (Ac 2:41; 7:14) In all we were 276 persons on the ship.
38 (Jnh 1:5) When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship
and threw the wheat into the sea.
[13] And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained
their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
[14] But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called
Euroclydon.
[15] And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we
let her drive.
[16] And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much
work to come by the boat:
[17] Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship;
and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so
were driven.
[18] And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they
lightened the ship;
[19] And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the
ship.
[20] And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small
tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
[21] But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and
said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
[22] And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of
any man's life among you, but of the ship.
[23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom
I serve,
[24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo,
God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
[25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be
even as it was told me.
[26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
[27] But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down
in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some
country;
[28] And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a
little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
[29] Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four
anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
[30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had
let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast
anchors out of the foreship,
[31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in
the ship, ye cannot be saved.
[32] Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
[33] And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat,
saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued
fasting, having taken nothing.
[34] Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health:
for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
[35] And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in
presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
[36] Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
[37] And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen
souls.
[38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out
the wheat into the sea.
The Shipwreck
39 (Ac 28:1) When it was day, they did not recognize the land. But they
noticed a bay with a shore, into which they were determined to run the ship if
possible.
40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while loosening the
ropes that secured the rudders. Then they hoisted the mainsail to the wind
and made for shore.
41 But striking a sandbar where two seas met, they ran the ship aground.
The bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was broken up by the
violent surf.
42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim
away and escape.
43 (Ac 27:3) But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, prevented them from
their intent and ordered those who could swim to abandon ship first
and get to land,
44 (Ac 27:22) and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship.
And in this way they all escaped safely to land.
[39] And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a
certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were
possible, to thrust in the ship.
[40] And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto
the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the
wind, and made toward shore.
[41] And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground;
and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part
was broken with the violence of the waves.
[42] And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them
should swim out, and escape.
[43] But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose;
and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into
the sea, and get to land:
[44] And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.
And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
2) Our Daily Bread for 3 December 2022
Entitled "Christmas Light"
Exodus 3:4-10
4 (Dt 33:16) When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see,
God called to him from out of the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses."
And he said, "Here am I.'
5 (Jos 5:15; Ac 7:33) He said, "Do not approach here. Remove your sandals
from off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
6 (Ex 4:5; Mt 22:32) Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."
And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25) The Lord said, "I have surely seen the affliction
of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry on account
of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down to deliver
them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that
land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey,
to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 (Ex 2:23; 3:7) Now therefore,
the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me. Moreover,
I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.
10 (Mic 6:4; Ps 105:26) Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh
so that you may bring forth My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
[4] And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him
out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am
I.
[5] And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet,
for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
[6] Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was
afraid to look upon God.
[7] And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which
are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I
know their sorrows;
[8] And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and
to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land
flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the
Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the
Jebusites.
[9] Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto
me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress
them.
[10] Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest
bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
To my eyes, the Christmas tree looked to be ablaze in fire! Not because of
artificial strings of lights but from real fire. Our family was invited to a
friend's altdeutsche Tradition, or the "old German way," a celebration
featuring delicious traditional desserts and a tree with real, lit candles.
(For safety, the freshly cut tree was lit one night only.)
As I watched the tree appear to burn, I thought of Moses' encounter with God
in the burning bush. While tending sheep in the wilderness, Moses was
surprised by a flaming bush that was somehow not consumed by the flames. As
he approached the bush to investigate, God called to him. The message from
the burning bush was not one of judgment but of rescue for the people of
Israel. God had seen the plight and misery of His people who were enslaved
in Egypt and had "come down to rescue them" (Exodus 3:8).
While God rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians, all of humanity still
needed rescue-not just from physical suffering but also from the effects that
evil and death brought into our world. Hundreds of years later, God responded
by sending down the Light, His Son, Jesus (John 1:9-10), sent not "to condemn
the world, but to save the world through him" (3:17).
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
How can you celebrate God's provision of rescue through Jesus?
What other traditions point you to Him?
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Light of the world.
For further study, read
Mystery of the Manger: Exploring the Whole Story of Christmas.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 7 Support System
Deut 33:27
27 (Ge 49:24; Ps 90:1-2) The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath you are the everlasting arms;
He will drive out the enemy before you,
and will say, "Destroy them."
27 The eternal God is thy refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms:
And he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;
And shall say, Destroy them.
Misty was only 4 when her parents divorced. Her dad moved away,
and the following summer she went with her grandparents to visit him
in his new apartment. In the swimming pool one afternoon, Grandpa stood
Misty on the side of the pool, held out his arm, and called, "Jump!"
But Misty, normally a little fish, suddenly seemed afraid of the water,
and stood trembling on the sidewalk shaking her head.
"Jump, Misty - I'll catch you!"
"Are you sure, Grandpa?"
"Of course I'm sure! Jump!"
But Misty wouldn't jump. Finally Grandpa, a bit irritated, said, "Misty, do
you think I Won't catch you? Do you think I'll just walk away?"
The tears spilled over, and Misty sobbed. "Daddy did!"
Human support systems often fail us. We disappoint those we love, and
are disappointed by them. People simply aren't there for us
when we need them most.
But God promises that with him things are different. He's always there,
always listening, always caring, always ready to support us.
"Underneath his everlasting arms".
Sometimes those arms reach out clothed in flesh, in the warm embrace
of a loved one. Sometimes they support us through the Word, sometimes through
the quiet peace that comes in prayer. Sometimes we are not aware of them
at all, but they still hold us up, supporting, surrounding, loving.
Underneath us are the everlasting arms.
Application
a) Have I ever felt abandoned by someone I loved and depended upon?
b) How have I experienced the faithfulness of God's "Everlasting arms"?
c) Now can this verse help me in times when I feel my supports have given way?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich,
And he addeth no sorrow with it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
1 Cor 15:35-38,51-57
35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?
With what body do they come?"
36 You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,
perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,
for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For tis corruptible will put on incorruption,
and this mortal will put on immortality.
54 When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,
and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then the saying that is written shall come to pass:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
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."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 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 facity, 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 notherern 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
3nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the province of Alberta as follows:
I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to
act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. (
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in
the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
b) Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin
and Canadian to faith in Christ.
( John 16:8 - When He comes, He will convict the world of sin
and of righteousness and of judgment:
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment:
)
Advent Day 7
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"No woman ever conceived a child, no mare a foal, without
Him. But once, and for a special purpose, He dispensed with
that long line which is His instrument: once His life-giving
finger touched a woman without passing through the ages of
interlocked events." C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles,p . 182.)
Every Birth a Miracle
I have never met parents who did not think that the birth of each
of their children was one of the most amazing things they had ever
experienced. And rightly so. We talk about the miracle of birth, and
so we should. The obstetrician might tell us how normal child birth
is, but we who have become parents know better. We might forget
as the years pass and the trials of raising teenagers take their toll.
But when we sit back and remember, we know better once again.
The birth of a child is a miracle. The "birth-days" of our children
remind us
No childbirth in history has received more attention in art, music,
literature, stained glass, and even on the postage stamp, than
the birth of Jesus. That was a one-of-a-kind birth, but Lewis points
out that God is at work in every pregnancy and in every birth. The
same God who brought about the pregnancy of Mary by the power
of the Holy Spirit is also at work to bring about every pregnancy.
We might stand back at the thought that even a mare conceiving
a foal, as Lewis writes, is done by the power of God, but could it be
otherwise? He is the creator of all things, and he upholds all things
by his powerful word(Heb- 1:3)- He must be involved in every birth,
your birth, my birth, even our rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit,
but especially in the birth of Jesus
This is not to say that the birth of Jesus was ordinary. Far from
it. But Jesus' birth and my birth both had the blessing of God. That
gives me assurance that new birth is available in him also.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Luke 1:35
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
From Follow The Story - Marva J. Dawn
SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Baffling Salutations
When she saw him, she was troubled by his words,...
-Luke 1:29a
To greet another person with the phrase "The LORD be with you"
was a common custom in those days. Compare how Boaz greets
the reapers in his barley field and how they answer back (Ruth 2:4).
Even today many churches use the expression
in their liturgies to underscore that we are a community together
as worshipers and leaders in God's presence.
Consequently, this part of Gabriel's address must not have been too confusing,
unless the angel notably accentuated the present tense, "The LORD is with you,"
in anticipation of how the Trinity would be operative in Mary.
Probably Mary was stunned by Gabriel's calling her a "favoured one"
since she was merely a small-town youth, and the
angel was the magnificent messenger of God. She was totally unprepared
for the extraordinary disclosure Gabriel would reveal to her, though some
Jewish mothers gingerly harbored the hope that they might be mother
to the promised Messiah. Ponder with Mary what being "favoured"
by God could mean.
prayer
Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-38.
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.
And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible."
38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according
to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ATTENTION!
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
JEREMIAH 29:11
Advent comes to us just when we need it. Not only is it the time to begin
a new Church Year, but it also allows us to stop and ponder anew what
"the Almighty can do" and what he has already done! In other words,
Advent gets our attention to ponder what life is all about!
What is it that is getting your attention these days?
There's plenty of options, aren't there ?
Is it working or shopping, or preparing, or Juggling,
or decorating, or baking or all of the above?
Me too! How good are you at multi-tasking?
We live in a CPA society ... which means Continuous Partial Attention.
Check it out: Have you encountered folks who are texting, listening talking,
studying, thinking, eating .. all at the same time? Me, too! And it drives me
crazy! You too?
Advent sneaks up on our CPA society and simply, gently calms us. Advent
coos to us what today's Scripture says: The Lord has plans to give us
a hope and future. That is a promise that
really gets our attention as ambassadors
of health and hope!
God in Christ attends us with his love
and forgiveness to empower us to turn our attention
outward. We can turn from our own CPA existence to sharing
his hope for all people. NO partial attention from the Lord. God's
CPA is his Continuous Promise Attention ... for all of us!
And that's good enough for me! You too?
Prayer
Lord, calm us, settle us and point us to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.
11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope.
12 (Jer 33:3; Ps 50:15) Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come
and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 (Jer 24:7; 2Ch 22:9) You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search
for Me with all your heart.
14 (Jer 30:3; Ps 32:6) I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will turn
away your captivity and gather you from all the nations
and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord,
and I will bring you back into the place from
where I caused you to be carried away captive.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek Him in every decision you make.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus,
the Light of the world."
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that He is your support system.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Thank Him for His Blessing.
Pray to the Lord and pray to thank Him for the upcoming Rapture of the Church!
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find 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 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!
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin
and Canadian to faith in Christ.
Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,
giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.
Pray: Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.
Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us
to the hope and the future that you have
provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.
You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray for the courage, wisdom and protection of believers in Pakistan
who faithfully share the Good News of the Gospel.
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.