Day 338 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 4 December 2023 reflections - 9th Day of Advent
Day 338, 4 December 2023 -9th Day of Advent
1) 2 Corinthians 5 , 2 Corinthians 6 , 2 Corinthians 7 , 2 Corinthians 8,
2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 5
1 (2Co 4:7; 2Pe 1:13-14) We know that if our earthly house, this tent,
were to be destroyed, we have an eternal building of God in the heavens,
a house not made with hands.
2 (Ro 8:23; 1Co 15:53-54) In this one we groan, earnestly desiring to be
sheltered with our house which is from heaven.
3 Thus being sheltered, we shall not be found unsheltered.
4 (1Co 15:53-54) For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened,
not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed,
so that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life.
5 (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22) Now He who has created us for this very thing is God,
who also has given to us the guarantee of the Spirit.
6 (Heb 11:13) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are
at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
7 (1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:18) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 Instead, I say that we are confident and willing to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
9 So whether present or absent, we labor that we may be accepted by Him.
10 (Mt 16:27; Ac 10:42) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, that each one may receive his recompense in the body, according
to what he has done, whether it was good or bad.
[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,
we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our
house which is from heaven:
[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
[4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for
that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be
swallowed up of life.
[5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath
given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home
in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted
of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 (Heb 10:31; Jude 1:23) Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord,
we persuade men. But we are revealed to God, and I trust we are also
revealed in your consciences.
12 (2Co 1:14; 3:1) For we are not commending ourselves again to you.
Instead, we give you occasion to boast on our behalf, that you may
have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
13 (2Co 11:1; 11:16-17) If we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are
in our right mind, it is for you.
14 (Ro 5:15) For the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge:
that if one died for all, then all have died.
15 (Ro 14:7-9) And He died for all, that those who live should not from
now on live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 (Php 3:7-8) So from now on we do not regard anyone according to the flesh.
Yes, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we do not
regard Him as such from now on.
17 (Jn 3:3; Ro 16:7) Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.
18 (Ro 5:10-11; 1Jn 2:2) All this is from God, who has reconciled us to
Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of
reconciliation,
19 (Isa 43:25; Mt 1:23) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world
to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the
message of reconciliation.
20 (2Co 6:1; Eph 6:20) So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us. We implore you in Christ's stead: Be reconciled to
God.
21 (Ro 1:17; 1Co 1:30) God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are
made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences.
[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to
glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in
appearance, and not in heart.
[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be
sober, it is for your cause.
[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if
one died for all, then were all dead:
[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth
live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we
have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus
Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not
imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation.
[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you
by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[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.
2 Corinthians 6
1 (1Co 3:9; Heb 12:15) As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive
the grace of God in vain.
2 (Isa 49:8; Lk 4:19) For He says:
"In an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I have helped you." (Isa 49:8.)
Look, now is the accepted time; look, now is the day of salvation.
3 (1Co 9:12; Ro 14:13) We give no offense in anything, that our service may
not be blamed.
4 (1Co 3:5; 2Co 3:6) But in all things we commend ourselves as servants
of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress,
5 (2Co 11:23-25; Ac 17:5) in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors,
in sleeplessness, and in hunger;
6 (Ro 12:9; 2Co 11:6) by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness,
by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,
7 (2Co 4:2; Eph 1:13) by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour
of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 (Mt 27:63; Ro 3:8) by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report;
as deceivers, and yet true;
9 (Ro 8:36; 1Co 4:9) as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we
live; as punished, but not killed;
10 (Jn 16:22; 2Co 8:9) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making
many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 (Ps 119:32; 2Co 12:15) O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you;
our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own
affections.
13 In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.
[1] We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive
not the grace of God in vain.
[2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of
salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation.)
[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in
fastings;
[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy
Ghost, by love unfeigned,
[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
[8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers,
and yet true;
[9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as
chastened, and not killed;
[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as
having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
[11] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
[12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
[13] Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye
also enlarged.
The Temple of the Living God
14 (1Co 5:9; 7:39) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?
What communion has light with darkness?
15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes
with an unbeliever?
16 (Lev 26:12; Ex 29:45) What agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will live in them
and walk in them.
I will be their God,
and they shall be My people."(Lev 26:12; Jer 32:38; Eze 37:27.)
17 (Isa 52:11; Rev 18:4) Therefore,
"Come out from among them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
and I will receive you." (Jer 9:24.)
18 (Isa 43:6; Jer 31:9) "I will be a Father to you,
and you shall be My sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty." (2Sa 7:14.)
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk
in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 7
1 (Pr 8:13; 2Co 6:17-18) Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God.
Paul's Joy at the Church's Repentance
2 (Ac 20:33) Accept us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one,
and we have defrauded no one.
3 (2Co 6:11-12) I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before
that you are in our hearts, so that we would die or live with you.
4 (2Co 1:4; 3:12) Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is
my boasting of you. I am filled with comfort, and I am exceedingly joyful
in all our tribulation.
5 (Dt 32:25; 2Co 2:13) For when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest,
and we were troubled on every side. On the outside were conflicts; on the
inside were fears.
6 (2Co 1:3-4; 7:13) Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us
through the coming of Titus,
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was
comforted in you, when he told us about your sincere desire, your mourning,
and your zeal toward me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8 Though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it, though
I did regret it. For I perceive that this same letter has caused you sorrow,
though only for a while.
9 (Ac 20:21) Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that your
sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorrowful in a godly way, that
you might not suffer loss in any way through us.
10 (Ac 11:18; 2Sa 12:13) Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads
to salvation and brings no regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 (2Co 7:7) For observe this very thing, which you sorrowed in a godly way:
What carefulness it produced in you, what vindication of yourselves, what
indignation, what fear, what intense desire, what zeal, what avenging
of wrong! In all things you have proven yourselves to be innocent in this
matter.
12 (2Co 2:9) So though I wrote to you, I did it not because of him who had
done the wrong, nor because of him who suffered wrong, but that our care
for you in the sight of God might be evident to you.
13 (2Co 7:6; Ro 15:32) Therefore we were comforted in your comfort.
Yes, and we were exceedingly the more joyful for the sake of Titus,
because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 (2Co 7:4; 8:24) So I am not ashamed if I have boasted of anything to him
regarding you. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even our boasting
in the presence of Titus is found to be true.
15 (Php 2:12; 2Co 2:9) Now his affection abounds all the more toward you, as
he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you
received him.
16 (2Co 2:3) Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
[2] Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have
defrauded no man.
[3] I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in
our hearts to die and live with you.
[4] Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you:
I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
[5] For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we
were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
[6] Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us
by the coming of Titus;
[7] And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was
comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your
fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
[8] For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did
repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it
were but for a season.
[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to
repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might
receive damage by us in nothing.
[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:
but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
[11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,
what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea,
what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal,
yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in
this matter.
[12] Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had
done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for
you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
[13] Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the
more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you
all.
[14] For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as
we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made
before Titus, is found a truth.
[15] And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he
remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye
received him.
[16] I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
2 Corinthians 8
Liberal Giving
1 (Ac 16:9) Moreover, brothers, we want you to experience the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia,
2 how in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their
deep poverty overflowed toward the riches of their generous giving.
3 (1Co 16:2) For I bear record that according to their means,
and beyond their means, they freely gave,
4 (Ac 24:17; 1Co 16:3-4) begging us with much urgency that we would receive
the gift and the fellowship of ministering to the saints.
5 This they did, not as we expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord,
and then to us by the will of God.
6 (2Co 12:18; 8:4) So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also
complete this gracious deed for you.
7 (2Co 9:8; 1Co 1:5; Ro 15:14) But as you abound in everything-in faith, in
utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to
us-see that you abound in this grace also.
8 (1Co 7:6) I say this not as a command, but to prove through the authenticity
of others, the sincerity also of your love.
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that through His
poverty you might be rich.
10 (1Co 7:25; 2Co 9:2) And in this matter I give my advice. It is appropriate
for you, who began last year not only to give, but also to willingly give.
11 Now therefore complete the task, so that, as there was a willingness to do
so, there may be a performance of it according to your means.
12 (2Co 9:7) For if there is a willing mind first, the gift is accepted
according to what a man possesses and not according to what he does not
possess.
13 I do not mean that other men have relief, and you be burdened,
14 (2Co 9:12; Ac 4:34_ but for equality, that your abundance now at this time
may supply their need, and their abundance may supply your need-that there
may be equality.
15 (Ex 16:18) As it is written, "He who gathered much had no excess. And he
who gathered little had no lack."(Ex 16:18.)
16 (Rev 17:17) But thanks be to God, who placed the same sincere care
in the heart of Titus for you.
17 (2Co 8:6) For indeed he accepted the exhortation. But being more zealous,
he went to you of his own accord.
18 (2Co 12:18; 1Co 7:17) And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is
in the gospel throughout all the churches.
19 (1Co 16:3-4; 2Co 4:15) And not only that, but he was also chosen
by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which we administer
to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your willing mind,
20 to prevent any man from blaming us in administering this abundant gift,
21 (Ro 12:17; 14:18) providing for honest things, not only in the sight
of the Lord but also in the sight of men.
22 Furthermore, we have sent with them our brother whom we have frequently
proved diligent in many things, but now is much more diligent,
due to the great confidence which he has in you.
23 (Php 2:25; Phm 1:17; 2Co 8:6) If anyone inquires about Titus,
he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you.
Or if our brothers are inquired about, they are the messengers
of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 (2Co 7:14; 7:4) Therefore show to them, and before the churches,
the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.
[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia;
[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and
their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were
willing of themselves;
[4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take
upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to
the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also
finish in you the same grace also.
[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound
in this grace also.
[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of
others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was
rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be rich.
[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have
begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to
will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that
a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a
supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your
want: that there may be equality:
[15] As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he
that had gathered little had no lack.
[16] But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of
Titus for you.
[17] For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his
own accord he went unto you.
[18] And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel
throughout all the churches;
[19] And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel
with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the
same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
[20] Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is
administered by us:
[21] Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but
also in the sight of men.
[22] And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved
diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great
confidence which I have in you.
[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of
the churches, and the glory of Christ.
[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your
love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 9
The Offering for the Saints
1 It is redundant for me to write to you concerning the ministry
to the saints.
2 (2Co 8:10; 8:8; 8:24) I know your willingness, for which I boast
of you to those in Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago,
and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 (2Co 8:6) Yet I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting of you might
be in vain in this case, that, as I said, you may be ready;
4 and lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared,
we (not to mention you) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
5 (Ge 33:11; 1Sa 25:27) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the
brothers to go ahead to you and arrange beforehand your bountiful gift you
previously promised, that it might be prepared as a gift, not as a matter of
greed.
6 (Pr 22:9; Lk 6:38) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 (Ex 25:2; 2Co 8:12) Let every man give according to the purposes
in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful
giver.
8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you,
always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work.
9 (Ps 112:9) As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever."(Ps 112:9.)
10 (Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12) Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies
bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits
of your righteousness.
11 (2Co 1:11; 1Co 1:5) So you will be enriched in everything to all
bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need
of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God.
13 (Mt 5:16) Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry,
they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ
and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others.
14 And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing
grace of God in you.
15 (2Co 2:14; Jn 3:16) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me
to write to you:
[2] For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to
them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath
provoked very many.
[3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain
in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
[4] Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared,
we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
[5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would
go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had
notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not
as of covetousness.
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and
he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:
his righteousness remaineth for ever.
[10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your
food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness;)
[11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God.
[12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of
the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
[13] Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your
professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
distribution unto them, and unto all men;
[14] And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding
grace of God in you.
[15] Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 December 2023 titled
Shadow and God's Light
Psalms 23, 89:15
Psalms 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the
still waters.
[3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for
his name's sake.
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful shout.
They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your presence.
[15] Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O
LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
When Elaine was diagnosed with advanced cancer, she and her husband, Chuck,
knew it wouldn't be long until she'd be with Jesus. Both of them treasured the
promise of Psalm 23 that God would be with them as they journeyed through the
deepest and most difficult valley of their fifty-four years together. They took
hope in the fact that Elaine was ready to meet Jesus, having placed her faith
in Him decades before.
At his wife's memorial service, Chuck shared that he was still traveling
"though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4 kjv).
His wife's life in heaven had already begun. But the "shadow of death" was
still with him and with others who'd greatly loved Elaine.
As we travel through the valley of shadows, where can we find our source of
light? The apostle John declares that "God is light; in him there is no
darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). And in John 8:12, Jesus proclaimed:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
As believers in Jesus, we "walk in the light of [His] presence" (Psalm 89:15).
Our God has promised to be with us and to be our source of light even when
we travel through the darkest of shadows.
By: Cindy Hess Kasper
Reflect & Pray
What valley have you been walking through?
Which of God's promises provide light for your journey?
Loving God, thank You for Your promise to never leave me.
I trust You to be my strength, my provision, and my joy throughout my life.
For further study, read The Promises of God.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation
Col 1:21-22
21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.
Application
a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?
b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?
c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
to Jesus?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Cor 8:9
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Eph 1:3-8a
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished
3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded
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
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Advent Day 9
From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
"'When this rich thing goeth about the Round Table shall be
destroyed'--but also redeemed. Judgment is at hand, promise
of judgment and threat of judgment. . ..It is the same sort of
ambivalence which Christians have been taught to recognize in
the season of Advent."
(From The Arthurian Torso, by C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, p. 157.)
The Day of the Lord
The last devotion spoke about the quest for the Holy Grail beginning
in Advent. In this devotion, we remember both the Good News
and the Bad News of the coming of the Christ. He came that we
might have life; that's the Good News. But he had to come because
we had chosen sin and death; that's the Bad News. Lewis, too. writes
of redemption and judgment. The "rich thing" that goes about the
Round Table of King Arthur is the much-sought Holy Grail. But its
presence will destroy the Round Table.
Our Scripture quotation also speaks of the redemption and
judgment in the coming day of the Lord . That day is near, the
prophet Joel writes. But that day will have a different message for
different people. For the people of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of deliverance. For the enemies of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of judgment. That's both good news and bad news, both law and
gospel. The truth is that we need to hear both messages. It's not that
good news is for good people and bad news for bad people. There
are no truly good people.
Actually, the day of the LoRD is any day when God's plan of salvation
takes a significant step forward. The final day of the Lord will
be the great Day of Judgment. Days of the Lord long-past include
the Babylonian Exile of Israel, the Day of Pentecost, and especially
the birth of Jesus. On those days, God's plan of salvation took an
important step forward. The coming of the Messiah was hastened,
and we are the beneficiaries.
Prayer: Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
14 (Isa 34:2-8; Joel 1:15) Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of the decision.
Joel 3:14
From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn
MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
The Question of Virginity
34 Then Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
-Luke 1:34
For Mary it was a question of procedure: should she marry Joseph,
her fiance so they could have this child? But for
most people today, the question is of biblical truth:
children aren't born of virgins!
Gabriel's answer leaves us with mystery: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you ... " (Luke 1:35).
In other words, this is utterly the work of God.
Consequently, the child will be perfect, unmarred by human sin,
and will be called not the son of human beings, but the Son of God.
My redaction criticism teacher in graduate school
considered this text in wonder.
The Hebrew word in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14
can be translated "young maiden"
(either married or not) or "virgin," but Matthew 1:23 renders it "virgin."
Thus, he said, the texts are all consistent;
we must accept that Mary was a virgin.
Hallelujah! It was a miracle!
prayer
0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-35.
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favuored.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ALLELUIA!
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
ISAIAH 11:1
Alleluia is another word for AH-HA! And how about other alleluia words
like hooray arid wow and even you betcha?
Today's Scripture focuses on the AH-HAs and alleluias that we celebrate
daily, even in the midst of our UH-OHs and ouches. Life is certainly not a
bowl of cherries. But the message of Advent. Christmas, Lent and Easter is
that the Lord has removed the power of the "pits" of sin in our lives so that
we can live as alleluia people!
Check out Isaiah 11:"As hoot will come from the stump of Jesse; a branch
shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." That's
Jesus! That's the reason for the alleluias and the AH-HAs, even in the
midst of our UH-OHs. Verse 6 says the wolf shall live with the lamb. Can
you imagine that? A professor explained once why pictures of a wolf and
lamb lying down together always appeared to be morning photos. He said
it was because every morning the photographers would have to bring in
a new lamb! Not so. at least to us alleluia people! ln a world where even
carpenters are resurrected. everything is possible!
Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 11:1-10
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 (Isa 61:1; Mt 3:16; Isa 42:1) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
3 (Jn 7:24) He shall delight in the fear of the Lord,
and he shall not judge by what his eyes see,
nor reprove by what his ears hear;
4 (Mal 4:6; Job 4:9; Ps 2:9) but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and reprove with fairness for the meek of the earth.
He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
5 (Eph 6:14; Isa 25:1) Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins,
and faithfulness the belt about his waist.
6 (Isa 65:25; Hos 2:18) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young ones shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.
9 (Hab 2:14; Job 5:23) They shall not hurt or destroy
in all My holy mountain,
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.
10 (Isa 11:1; Lk 2:32) In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
who shall stand as a banner to the peoples. For him shall the nations seek.
And his rest shall be glorious.
From On Eagle's wings Day 9
Titled The Time Came by Robin Abrol Edmonton, Alberta
Titus 3:4
4 (Titus 2:10-11) But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour
toward mankind appeared,
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared,
For many years I had longed to visit Northern Canada. It was
a significant period of waiting. When I accepted a staff
position at On Eagle’s Wings, I knew the time would come. I
would get to experience the Territories. However, pandemic-
era travel restrictions kept quashing my plans. There were
days I wondered if I would ever make it to the Territories!
In June 2022, the waiting ended. The time came. I boarded a
flight and disembarked in Yellowknife. I met many wonderful
people, and began making new friends. At 12:30 a.m. I
walked alongside Trapper’s Lake with no need for a
flashlight. I finally got to experience the land of the midnight
sun for myself.
As we engage in our preparations during Advent, we do so
with the verse above firmly in our minds. There had been
centuries of longing, waiting, of hearts crying out to God.
Then at precisely the right moment in history, the time came.
Jesus arrived among us, revealing the kindness and love of the
Saviour, and he hasn’t stopped since. He is the ever-present
source of light. Maybe we could even say, the Son who never
sets.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a minister of reconciliation and a joyful
giver in His will.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, thank You for Your promise to never leave me.
I trust You to be my strength, my provision, and my joy throughout my life."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His love and reconciliation.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His sacrifice and exchange.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Power of His Love!
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 preservation of godly values in Canada
Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Pray Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
Pray: O Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen..
Pray: Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!
Jesus, light of the world, we thank you for revealing the
kindness and love of God to us. Amen.
Pray for spiritual growth of Christians who have received audio Bible in Kenya.
Pray for continued access to God's Word through the Internet, bookstores
and churches in Bahrain.
Pray that he needs pf Afghan Christians will be met.
Pray for Christian families in India who were attacked by villagers while
pumping water.
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) 2 Corinthians 5 , 2 Corinthians 6 , 2 Corinthians 7 , 2 Corinthians 8,
2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 5
1 (2Co 4:7; 2Pe 1:13-14) We know that if our earthly house, this tent,
were to be destroyed, we have an eternal building of God in the heavens,
a house not made with hands.
2 (Ro 8:23; 1Co 15:53-54) In this one we groan, earnestly desiring to be
sheltered with our house which is from heaven.
3 Thus being sheltered, we shall not be found unsheltered.
4 (1Co 15:53-54) For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened,
not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed,
so that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life.
5 (Ro 8:23; 2Co 1:22) Now He who has created us for this very thing is God,
who also has given to us the guarantee of the Spirit.
6 (Heb 11:13) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are
at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
7 (1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:18) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 Instead, I say that we are confident and willing to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
9 So whether present or absent, we labor that we may be accepted by Him.
10 (Mt 16:27; Ac 10:42) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, that each one may receive his recompense in the body, according
to what he has done, whether it was good or bad.
[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,
we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our
house which is from heaven:
[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
[4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for
that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be
swallowed up of life.
[5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath
given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home
in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted
of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 (Heb 10:31; Jude 1:23) Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord,
we persuade men. But we are revealed to God, and I trust we are also
revealed in your consciences.
12 (2Co 1:14; 3:1) For we are not commending ourselves again to you.
Instead, we give you occasion to boast on our behalf, that you may
have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
13 (2Co 11:1; 11:16-17) If we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are
in our right mind, it is for you.
14 (Ro 5:15) For the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge:
that if one died for all, then all have died.
15 (Ro 14:7-9) And He died for all, that those who live should not from
now on live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 (Php 3:7-8) So from now on we do not regard anyone according to the flesh.
Yes, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we do not
regard Him as such from now on.
17 (Jn 3:3; Ro 16:7) Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.
18 (Ro 5:10-11; 1Jn 2:2) All this is from God, who has reconciled us to
Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of
reconciliation,
19 (Isa 43:25; Mt 1:23) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world
to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the
message of reconciliation.
20 (2Co 6:1; Eph 6:20) So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us. We implore you in Christ's stead: Be reconciled to
God.
21 (Ro 1:17; 1Co 1:30) God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are
made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences.
[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to
glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in
appearance, and not in heart.
[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be
sober, it is for your cause.
[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if
one died for all, then were all dead:
[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth
live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we
have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus
Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not
imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation.
[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you
by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[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.
2 Corinthians 6
1 (1Co 3:9; Heb 12:15) As workers together with God, we ask you not to receive
the grace of God in vain.
2 (Isa 49:8; Lk 4:19) For He says:
"In an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I have helped you." (Isa 49:8.)
Look, now is the accepted time; look, now is the day of salvation.
3 (1Co 9:12; Ro 14:13) We give no offense in anything, that our service may
not be blamed.
4 (1Co 3:5; 2Co 3:6) But in all things we commend ourselves as servants
of God: in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress,
5 (2Co 11:23-25; Ac 17:5) in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors,
in sleeplessness, and in hunger;
6 (Ro 12:9; 2Co 11:6) by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness,
by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,
7 (2Co 4:2; Eph 1:13) by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour
of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 (Mt 27:63; Ro 3:8) by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report;
as deceivers, and yet true;
9 (Ro 8:36; 1Co 4:9) as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and look, we
live; as punished, but not killed;
10 (Jn 16:22; 2Co 8:9) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making
many rich; and as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 (Ps 119:32; 2Co 12:15) O Corinthians, we have spoken frankly to you;
our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own
affections.
13 In return (I speak as to my children) you also be open.
[1] We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive
not the grace of God in vain.
[2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of
salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation.)
[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in
fastings;
[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy
Ghost, by love unfeigned,
[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
[8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers,
and yet true;
[9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as
chastened, and not killed;
[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as
having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
[11] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
[12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
[13] Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye
also enlarged.
The Temple of the Living God
14 (1Co 5:9; 7:39) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?
What communion has light with darkness?
15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes
with an unbeliever?
16 (Lev 26:12; Ex 29:45) What agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will live in them
and walk in them.
I will be their God,
and they shall be My people."(Lev 26:12; Jer 32:38; Eze 37:27.)
17 (Isa 52:11; Rev 18:4) Therefore,
"Come out from among them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
and I will receive you." (Jer 9:24.)
18 (Isa 43:6; Jer 31:9) "I will be a Father to you,
and you shall be My sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty." (2Sa 7:14.)
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk
in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 7
1 (Pr 8:13; 2Co 6:17-18) Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God.
Paul's Joy at the Church's Repentance
2 (Ac 20:33) Accept us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one,
and we have defrauded no one.
3 (2Co 6:11-12) I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before
that you are in our hearts, so that we would die or live with you.
4 (2Co 1:4; 3:12) Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is
my boasting of you. I am filled with comfort, and I am exceedingly joyful
in all our tribulation.
5 (Dt 32:25; 2Co 2:13) For when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest,
and we were troubled on every side. On the outside were conflicts; on the
inside were fears.
6 (2Co 1:3-4; 7:13) Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us
through the coming of Titus,
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was
comforted in you, when he told us about your sincere desire, your mourning,
and your zeal toward me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8 Though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it, though
I did regret it. For I perceive that this same letter has caused you sorrow,
though only for a while.
9 (Ac 20:21) Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that your
sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorrowful in a godly way, that
you might not suffer loss in any way through us.
10 (Ac 11:18; 2Sa 12:13) Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads
to salvation and brings no regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 (2Co 7:7) For observe this very thing, which you sorrowed in a godly way:
What carefulness it produced in you, what vindication of yourselves, what
indignation, what fear, what intense desire, what zeal, what avenging
of wrong! In all things you have proven yourselves to be innocent in this
matter.
12 (2Co 2:9) So though I wrote to you, I did it not because of him who had
done the wrong, nor because of him who suffered wrong, but that our care
for you in the sight of God might be evident to you.
13 (2Co 7:6; Ro 15:32) Therefore we were comforted in your comfort.
Yes, and we were exceedingly the more joyful for the sake of Titus,
because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 (2Co 7:4; 8:24) So I am not ashamed if I have boasted of anything to him
regarding you. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even our boasting
in the presence of Titus is found to be true.
15 (Php 2:12; 2Co 2:9) Now his affection abounds all the more toward you, as
he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you
received him.
16 (2Co 2:3) Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
[2] Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have
defrauded no man.
[3] I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in
our hearts to die and live with you.
[4] Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you:
I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
[5] For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we
were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
[6] Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us
by the coming of Titus;
[7] And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was
comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your
fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
[8] For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did
repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it
were but for a season.
[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to
repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might
receive damage by us in nothing.
[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:
but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
[11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,
what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea,
what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal,
yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in
this matter.
[12] Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had
done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for
you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
[13] Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the
more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you
all.
[14] For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as
we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made
before Titus, is found a truth.
[15] And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he
remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye
received him.
[16] I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
2 Corinthians 8
Liberal Giving
1 (Ac 16:9) Moreover, brothers, we want you to experience the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia,
2 how in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their
deep poverty overflowed toward the riches of their generous giving.
3 (1Co 16:2) For I bear record that according to their means,
and beyond their means, they freely gave,
4 (Ac 24:17; 1Co 16:3-4) begging us with much urgency that we would receive
the gift and the fellowship of ministering to the saints.
5 This they did, not as we expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord,
and then to us by the will of God.
6 (2Co 12:18; 8:4) So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also
complete this gracious deed for you.
7 (2Co 9:8; 1Co 1:5; Ro 15:14) But as you abound in everything-in faith, in
utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to
us-see that you abound in this grace also.
8 (1Co 7:6) I say this not as a command, but to prove through the authenticity
of others, the sincerity also of your love.
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that through His
poverty you might be rich.
10 (1Co 7:25; 2Co 9:2) And in this matter I give my advice. It is appropriate
for you, who began last year not only to give, but also to willingly give.
11 Now therefore complete the task, so that, as there was a willingness to do
so, there may be a performance of it according to your means.
12 (2Co 9:7) For if there is a willing mind first, the gift is accepted
according to what a man possesses and not according to what he does not
possess.
13 I do not mean that other men have relief, and you be burdened,
14 (2Co 9:12; Ac 4:34_ but for equality, that your abundance now at this time
may supply their need, and their abundance may supply your need-that there
may be equality.
15 (Ex 16:18) As it is written, "He who gathered much had no excess. And he
who gathered little had no lack."(Ex 16:18.)
16 (Rev 17:17) But thanks be to God, who placed the same sincere care
in the heart of Titus for you.
17 (2Co 8:6) For indeed he accepted the exhortation. But being more zealous,
he went to you of his own accord.
18 (2Co 12:18; 1Co 7:17) And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is
in the gospel throughout all the churches.
19 (1Co 16:3-4; 2Co 4:15) And not only that, but he was also chosen
by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which we administer
to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your willing mind,
20 to prevent any man from blaming us in administering this abundant gift,
21 (Ro 12:17; 14:18) providing for honest things, not only in the sight
of the Lord but also in the sight of men.
22 Furthermore, we have sent with them our brother whom we have frequently
proved diligent in many things, but now is much more diligent,
due to the great confidence which he has in you.
23 (Php 2:25; Phm 1:17; 2Co 8:6) If anyone inquires about Titus,
he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you.
Or if our brothers are inquired about, they are the messengers
of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 (2Co 7:14; 7:4) Therefore show to them, and before the churches,
the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.
[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia;
[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and
their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were
willing of themselves;
[4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take
upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to
the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also
finish in you the same grace also.
[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound
in this grace also.
[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of
others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was
rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be rich.
[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have
begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to
will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that
a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a
supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your
want: that there may be equality:
[15] As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he
that had gathered little had no lack.
[16] But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of
Titus for you.
[17] For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his
own accord he went unto you.
[18] And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel
throughout all the churches;
[19] And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel
with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the
same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
[20] Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is
administered by us:
[21] Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but
also in the sight of men.
[22] And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved
diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great
confidence which I have in you.
[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of
the churches, and the glory of Christ.
[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your
love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 9
The Offering for the Saints
1 It is redundant for me to write to you concerning the ministry
to the saints.
2 (2Co 8:10; 8:8; 8:24) I know your willingness, for which I boast
of you to those in Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago,
and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 (2Co 8:6) Yet I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting of you might
be in vain in this case, that, as I said, you may be ready;
4 and lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared,
we (not to mention you) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
5 (Ge 33:11; 1Sa 25:27) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the
brothers to go ahead to you and arrange beforehand your bountiful gift you
previously promised, that it might be prepared as a gift, not as a matter of
greed.
6 (Pr 22:9; Lk 6:38) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 (Ex 25:2; 2Co 8:12) Let every man give according to the purposes
in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful
giver.
8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you,
always having enough of everything, may abound to every good work.
9 (Ps 112:9) As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness remains forever."(Ps 112:9.)
10 (Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12) Now He who supplies seed to the sower and supplies
bread for your food will also multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits
of your righteousness.
11 (2Co 1:11; 1Co 1:5) So you will be enriched in everything to all
bountifulness, which makes us give thanks to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need
of the saints, but is abundant also through many thanksgivings to God.
13 (Mt 5:16) Meanwhile, through the performance of this ministry,
they glorify God for the profession of your faith in the gospel of Christ
and for your liberal sharing with them and with all others.
14 And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing
grace of God in you.
15 (2Co 2:14; Jn 3:16) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me
to write to you:
[2] For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to
them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath
provoked very many.
[3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain
in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
[4] Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared,
we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
[5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would
go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had
notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not
as of covetousness.
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and
he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:
his righteousness remaineth for ever.
[10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your
food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness;)
[11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God.
[12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of
the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
[13] Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your
professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
distribution unto them, and unto all men;
[14] And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding
grace of God in you.
[15] Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2) Our Daily Bread for 4 December 2023 titled
Shadow and God's Light
Psalms 23, 89:15
Psalms 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the
still waters.
[3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for
his name's sake.
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful shout.
They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your presence.
[15] Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O
LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
When Elaine was diagnosed with advanced cancer, she and her husband, Chuck,
knew it wouldn't be long until she'd be with Jesus. Both of them treasured the
promise of Psalm 23 that God would be with them as they journeyed through the
deepest and most difficult valley of their fifty-four years together. They took
hope in the fact that Elaine was ready to meet Jesus, having placed her faith
in Him decades before.
At his wife's memorial service, Chuck shared that he was still traveling
"though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4 kjv).
His wife's life in heaven had already begun. But the "shadow of death" was
still with him and with others who'd greatly loved Elaine.
As we travel through the valley of shadows, where can we find our source of
light? The apostle John declares that "God is light; in him there is no
darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). And in John 8:12, Jesus proclaimed:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
As believers in Jesus, we "walk in the light of [His] presence" (Psalm 89:15).
Our God has promised to be with us and to be our source of light even when
we travel through the darkest of shadows.
By: Cindy Hess Kasper
Reflect & Pray
What valley have you been walking through?
Which of God's promises provide light for your journey?
Loving God, thank You for Your promise to never leave me.
I trust You to be my strength, my provision, and my joy throughout my life.
For further study, read The Promises of God.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 2 - Alienation and Reconciliation
Col 1:21-22
21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
Some 50 years ago, Orson Welles's radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds
threw the nation into panic; people on the East Coast ran for their lives,
expecting at any moment to be destroyed by alien invaders from outer space.
Today, of course, we are more sophisticated about such matters.
Television and movies have educated us about alien life forms.
Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us that their appearance can be much
different than ours. Sometimes they are unable to exist in our atmosphere
with artificial life-support systems; their physical makeup is often
incompatible with our environment.
God says that we, apart from Christ, are as incompatible with his kingdom
as the 'aliens' of movies are with Earth's environment.
We are at war with God, a true "war of the worlds" that staggers
the imagination.
Yet God has 'reconciled' us to his world. He has made us fit,
made us able to exist in his kingdom. He has made us part of
his world through Christ's death and resurrection.
Now, through Christ, we are 'holy' and 'without blemish' in God's sight.
And that transformation, ironically, make us 'alien' in the world around us.
No longer do we fit in a world of selfishness and greed, a world where Self
is god and everyone does what is right in his own heart.
We belong, instead, in the kingdom of God's righteousness.
Application
a) In what ways am I an 'alien' in this world?
b) How have I been an 'alien' to God's kingdom?
c) How can today's verses help me deal with my sense of 'not fitting'?
to Jesus?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Cor 8:9
9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.
9 For ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Eph 1:3-8a
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished
3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded
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
4nd Day of the Month
a) Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
)
b) Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Advent Day 9
From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
"'When this rich thing goeth about the Round Table shall be
destroyed'--but also redeemed. Judgment is at hand, promise
of judgment and threat of judgment. . ..It is the same sort of
ambivalence which Christians have been taught to recognize in
the season of Advent."
(From The Arthurian Torso, by C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, p. 157.)
The Day of the Lord
The last devotion spoke about the quest for the Holy Grail beginning
in Advent. In this devotion, we remember both the Good News
and the Bad News of the coming of the Christ. He came that we
might have life; that's the Good News. But he had to come because
we had chosen sin and death; that's the Bad News. Lewis, too. writes
of redemption and judgment. The "rich thing" that goes about the
Round Table of King Arthur is the much-sought Holy Grail. But its
presence will destroy the Round Table.
Our Scripture quotation also speaks of the redemption and
judgment in the coming day of the Lord . That day is near, the
prophet Joel writes. But that day will have a different message for
different people. For the people of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of deliverance. For the enemies of God, the day of the LORD is a day
of judgment. That's both good news and bad news, both law and
gospel. The truth is that we need to hear both messages. It's not that
good news is for good people and bad news for bad people. There
are no truly good people.
Actually, the day of the LoRD is any day when God's plan of salvation
takes a significant step forward. The final day of the Lord will
be the great Day of Judgment. Days of the Lord long-past include
the Babylonian Exile of Israel, the Day of Pentecost, and especially
the birth of Jesus. On those days, God's plan of salvation took an
important step forward. The coming of the Messiah was hastened,
and we are the beneficiaries.
Prayer: Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
14 (Isa 34:2-8; Joel 1:15) Multitudes, multitudes,
in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of the decision.
Joel 3:14
From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn
MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
The Question of Virginity
34 Then Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
-Luke 1:34
For Mary it was a question of procedure: should she marry Joseph,
her fiance so they could have this child? But for
most people today, the question is of biblical truth:
children aren't born of virgins!
Gabriel's answer leaves us with mystery: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you ... " (Luke 1:35).
In other words, this is utterly the work of God.
Consequently, the child will be perfect, unmarred by human sin,
and will be called not the son of human beings, but the Son of God.
My redaction criticism teacher in graduate school
considered this text in wonder.
The Hebrew word in the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14
can be translated "young maiden"
(either married or not) or "virgin," but Matthew 1:23 renders it "virgin."
Thus, he said, the texts are all consistent;
we must accept that Mary was a virgin.
Hallelujah! It was a miracle!
prayer
0 Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-35.
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favuored.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ALLELUIA!
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
ISAIAH 11:1
Alleluia is another word for AH-HA! And how about other alleluia words
like hooray arid wow and even you betcha?
Today's Scripture focuses on the AH-HAs and alleluias that we celebrate
daily, even in the midst of our UH-OHs and ouches. Life is certainly not a
bowl of cherries. But the message of Advent. Christmas, Lent and Easter is
that the Lord has removed the power of the "pits" of sin in our lives so that
we can live as alleluia people!
Check out Isaiah 11:"As hoot will come from the stump of Jesse; a branch
shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." That's
Jesus! That's the reason for the alleluias and the AH-HAs, even in the
midst of our UH-OHs. Verse 6 says the wolf shall live with the lamb. Can
you imagine that? A professor explained once why pictures of a wolf and
lamb lying down together always appeared to be morning photos. He said
it was because every morning the photographers would have to bring in
a new lamb! Not so. at least to us alleluia people! ln a world where even
carpenters are resurrected. everything is possible!
Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 11:1-10
1 (Isa 11:10; 4:2; 53:2) And there shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 (Isa 61:1; Mt 3:16; Isa 42:1) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
3 (Jn 7:24) He shall delight in the fear of the Lord,
and he shall not judge by what his eyes see,
nor reprove by what his ears hear;
4 (Mal 4:6; Job 4:9; Ps 2:9) but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and reprove with fairness for the meek of the earth.
He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
5 (Eph 6:14; Isa 25:1) Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins,
and faithfulness the belt about his waist.
6 (Isa 65:25; Hos 2:18) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young ones shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.
9 (Hab 2:14; Job 5:23) They shall not hurt or destroy
in all My holy mountain,
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.
10 (Isa 11:1; Lk 2:32) In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
who shall stand as a banner to the peoples. For him shall the nations seek.
And his rest shall be glorious.
From On Eagle's wings Day 9
Titled The Time Came by Robin Abrol Edmonton, Alberta
Titus 3:4
4 (Titus 2:10-11) But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour
toward mankind appeared,
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared,
For many years I had longed to visit Northern Canada. It was
a significant period of waiting. When I accepted a staff
position at On Eagle’s Wings, I knew the time would come. I
would get to experience the Territories. However, pandemic-
era travel restrictions kept quashing my plans. There were
days I wondered if I would ever make it to the Territories!
In June 2022, the waiting ended. The time came. I boarded a
flight and disembarked in Yellowknife. I met many wonderful
people, and began making new friends. At 12:30 a.m. I
walked alongside Trapper’s Lake with no need for a
flashlight. I finally got to experience the land of the midnight
sun for myself.
As we engage in our preparations during Advent, we do so
with the verse above firmly in our minds. There had been
centuries of longing, waiting, of hearts crying out to God.
Then at precisely the right moment in history, the time came.
Jesus arrived among us, revealing the kindness and love of the
Saviour, and he hasn’t stopped since. He is the ever-present
source of light. Maybe we could even say, the Son who never
sets.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a minister of reconciliation and a joyful
giver in His will.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, thank You for Your promise to never leave me.
I trust You to be my strength, my provision, and my joy throughout my life."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His love and reconciliation.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His sacrifice and exchange.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Power of His Love!
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 preservation of godly values in Canada
Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.
Pray Lord, you come in judgment and hope. Be for us the hope,
and light, of the world. Amen.
Pray: O Holy Spirit and Most High, thank you for conceiving Jesus
in Mary's womb! Amen..
Pray: Lord, we pray today:" O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe
deliver them that trust your mighty power to save. Bring them it victory
through the grave. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... alleluia ... and AH-HA!
Jesus, light of the world, we thank you for revealing the
kindness and love of God to us. Amen.
Pray for spiritual growth of Christians who have received audio Bible in Kenya.
Pray for continued access to God's Word through the Internet, bookstores
and churches in Bahrain.
Pray that he needs pf Afghan Christians will be met.
Pray for Christian families in India who were attacked by villagers while
pumping water.
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.