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Day 365 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 31 December 2022 reflections

Day 365, 31 December 2022



1)



2) Our Daily Bread for 31 December 2022



Entitled "Finishing Strong"




2 Timothy 4:1-8



1 (Ac 10:42; 1Ti 5:21) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing

and His kingdom:

2 (Titus 1:13; 2:15) Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season,

reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

3 (1Ti 1:10) For the time will come when people will not endure sound

doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance

with their own desires, having itching ears,

4 (1Ti 1:4; 4:7) and they will turn their ears away from the truth

and turn to myths.

5 (Ac 21:8; 2Ti 1:8) But be self-controlled in all things,

endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,

and prove your ministry.

6 (Php 1:23; 2:17) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,

and the time of my departure has come.

7 (Ac 20:24; 1Ti 6:12) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

and I have kept the faith.

8 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 1:12) From now on a crown of righteousness is laid up for me,

which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not only

to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.



[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall

judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,

exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but

after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching

ears;

[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned

unto fables.

[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an

evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at

hand.

[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the

faith:

[8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the

Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,

but unto all them also that love his appearing.



At the age of 103, a woman named Man Kaur competed as India's oldest female

athlete during the 2019 World Masters Athletic Championship in Poland.

Remarkably, Kaur won gold in four events (javelin throw, shot put, 60-meter

dash, and 200-meter run). But most astounding was that she ran faster than she

ran in the 2017 championship. A great-grandmother running into her second

century, Kaur showed how to finish strong.



The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a younger disciple, of how he'd entered his

concluding years. "The time for my departure is near," Paul wrote (2 Timothy

4:6). Reflecting on his life, he confidently believed he was finishing strong. "I have fought the good fight," Paul said. "I have finished the race" (v. 7).

He wasn't confident because he'd calculated his impressive accomplishments or

surveyed his vast impact (though they were immense). Rather, he knew he'd

"kept the faith" (v. 7). The apostle had remained loyal to Jesus. Through

sorrows and joys, he'd followed the One who'd rescued him from ruin. And he

knew that Jesus stood ready with a "crown of righteousness,"

the joyful finale to his faithful life (v. 8-).



Paul insists that this crown isn't for an elite few but for "all who have

longed for [Christ's] appearing" (v. 8-). As we head into a new year, let's

remember that Jesus stands eager to crown all who've loved Him,

and may we live to finish strong.



By: Winn Collier



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Reflect & Pray



What would it look like for you to finish strong?

Who has been an example of finishing well?



God, I want to finish well.

Help me to love You more than anything or anyone else.





For further study, read Finishing Well: Gracefully Living with Life's Changes.





3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 7 - The Great Exchange



2 Cor 5:21 - God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,

that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.



21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.



People were talking ; the gossip lines were busy day and night.

Andrea, a Bible study leader and pillar of the church, had been

accused of indiscretion with a married man, another member

of the congregation. The rumours were proven untrue,

but that hardly mattered anymore. The damage was done.

"It's just not far," Andrea said. " It was all so unnecessary.

And now, even though I've done nothing wrong, my relationship

with that church will never be the same again."

We all know what pain is caused by undeserved accusation,

rejection, and misunderstanding. Sometimes, when the smoke clears,

irreparable damage has been done, even when no sin has occurred.

We can understand the torment that comes when we've sinned,

but when we've done nothing wrong, the injustice seem unbearable.

Jesus knew what it was to suffer unjustly. He had never sinned at all,

yet he 'became sin' for us. He gave himself in an outrageous exchange:

he took our sin and gave us his righteousness.

Living in this exchange does not mean, of course, that we will be exempt

from pain, that we will never again suffer unjustly or be subject

to rejection. But in Christ, we are declared righteous before God,

just as Jesus himself is righteous. And as we submit

to the Holy Spirit's work in us, we become righteous ,

obeying him and growing in grace. Christ endured rejection

for us so that we might live in him.



Application



1. Have I ever suffered unjustly or been rejected by someone without cause?



2. How can this verse, coupled with my own experience give me a greater

depth of appreciation of what Christ suffered for me?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Deut 30:19-20



19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,

that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.

Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that you may love the Lord your God,

that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him,

for He is your life and the length of your days;

and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord

swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.



19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,

that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:

therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 that thou mayest love the LORD thy God,

and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:

for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:

that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD

sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



God's Freeing Forgiveness



Ps 103:1-14



PSALMS 103



A Psalm of David.



1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits,

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,

who heals all your diseases,

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The Lord does righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the people of Israel.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,

neither will He keep his anger forever.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.

14 For He knows how we are formed;

He remembers that we are dust.



Psalm 103



A Psalm of David.



1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment

For all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses,

His acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide:

Neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,

So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children,

So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame;

He remembereth that we are dust.







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 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









Conclusion:





Pray to the Lord: "God, I want to finish well.

Help me to love You more than anything or anyone else."



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to thank Him for his Sacrifice.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to know how to honour Him.



Pray to the Lord and pray to him to know Him as your Strength.



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 strengthening of believers' faith and integrity

amid widespread corruption in Kyrgyzstan.



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.

Does the Bible really say that Jesus is God? Creator

Does the Bible really say that Jesus is God?



Shepherd



Creator



God



Genesis 1:1



1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.



[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.





Job 33:4



4 The Spirit of God has made me,

and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.



4 The Spirit of God hath made me,

And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.



Psalm 95:5-6



5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The sea is His, for He made it,

and His hands formed the dry land.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) O come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.



[5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

[6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our

maker.



Psalm 102:25-26



25 From before You have laid the foundation of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

26 They shall perish, but You shall endure;

indeed, all of them shall wear out like a garment;

like a robe You shall change them,

and they shall pass away,



[25] Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are

the work of thy hands.

[26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax

old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be

changed:





Jesus



John 1:2,3,10



2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing

was created that was created.

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him,

yet the world did not know Him.



[2] The same was in the beginning with God.

[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world

knew him not.



Colossians 1:15-18



15 (2Co 4:4; Jn 1:18) He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn

of every creature.

16 (Jn 1:3; Ro 11:36) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven

and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones,

or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him

and for Him.

17 (Jn 8:58; Heb 1:3) He is before all things,

and in Him all things hold together.

18 (Ac 26:23; Eph 1:22-23) He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things

He may have the preeminence.



[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

[16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in

earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or

principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

[17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the

firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.





Hebrews 1:1-3,10



1 (Joel 2:28; Ge 3:15) God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke

long ago to the fathers through the prophets,

2 (Mt 28:18; Jn 1:3) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom

He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world.

3 (Mk 16:19; 2Co 4:4) He is the brightness of His glory, the express image

of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had

by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty

on high.

10 (Ps 102:25-27) And,

"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

and the heavens are the works of Your hands.





[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto

the fathers by the prophets,

[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath

appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his

person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by

himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

[10] And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the

earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: