Day 344 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 10 December 2023 reflections - 15th Day of Advent part 2
2) Our Daily Bread for 10 December 2023
Entitled "God Won't Forget You"
Isaiah 49:13-18
13 (Isa 44:23; 51:3) Sing, O heavens!
And be joyful, O earth!
And break forth into singing, Omountains!
For the Lord has comforted His people
and will have mercy on His afflicted.
14 (Isa 40:27) But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me,
and the Lord has forgotten me."
15 (Isa 44:21) Can a woman forget her nursing child,
and have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget.
16 (SS 8:6; Hag 2:23) See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
your walls are continually before Me;
17 your builders hurry;
your destroyers and those who devastated you shall depart from you.
18 (Isa 49:12; 54:9) Lift up your eyes and look all around;
all these gather themselves together and come to you.
As I live, says the Lord,
you shall surely put on all of them as ornaments
and bind them on you as a bride does.
[13] Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing,
O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy
upon his afflicted.
[14] But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
[15] Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have
compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not
forget thee.
[16] Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are
continually before me.
[17] Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee
waste shall go forth of thee.
[18] Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves
together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely
clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a
bride doeth.
As a child, I collected postage stamps. When my angkong (Fukienese for
"grandfather") heard of my hobby, he started saving stamps from his office
mail every day. Whenever I visited my grandparents, Angkong would give me
an envelope filled with a variety of beautiful stamps.
"Even though I'm always busy," he told me once, "I won't forget you."
Angkong wasn't given to overt displays of affection, but I felt his love
deeply. In an infinitely deeper way, God demonstrated His love toward Israel
when He declared, "I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15). Suffering in
Babylon for idolatry and disobedience in days past, His people lamented,
"The Lord has forgotten me" (v. 14). But God's love for His people hadn't
changed. He promised them forgiveness and restoration (vv. 8–13).
"I have engraved you on the palms of my hands," God told Israel, as He also
tells us today (v. 16). As I ponder His words of reassurance, it reminds me
so deeply of Jesus' nail-scarred hands—stretched out in love for us and for
our salvation (John 20:24-27). Like my grandfather's stamps and his tender
words, God holds out His forgiving hand as an eternal token of His love.
Let's thank Him for His love-an unchanging love. He will never forget us.
By: Karen Huang
Reflect & Pray
When were you clearly reminded that God never forgets you? How can His
unchanging love give you hope and security in your present situation?
Father, thank You for Your constant love and presence.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 1 Call to the Lord - 2 Samuel 22:3-4
3 (Ge 15:1; Ps 9:9) the God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my fortress and my sanctuary;
my Savior, You save me from violence.
4 (Ps 48:1; 96:4) I call upon the Lord, who is praiseworthy,
and I am saved from my enemies.
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust:
He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,
My saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:
So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
In the old Days of Television Western, we could always tell who the enemy was.
The bad guys wore black hats; the evil villain had a scar across
his cheek or a patch over one eye. But real life is
not quite so simple . Enemies come in many forms, and often are not easy to
recognise. Sin is an enemy; even those we love can seek
to undermine our faith;
modern materialism and distorted values lead us away from biblical principles.
These enemies may not seek our death in a physical sense,
but their influence results in spiritual death or, at the very least,
immaturity.
Yet God promises to rescue us from our enemies. David describes the Lord as a
"rock", a "shield", a "stronghold", and a "refuge". God provides a stable
foundation for our faith; he products us from the attacks of the enemy;
he offers a place of rest in battle.
Our battles are usually not physical ones, but rather spiritual
and emotional wars.
We struggle with difficult relationships, the burdens of the past,
the subtle accusations of the devil.
But these enemies can be overcome. David says,
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise" .
When we turn to the Lord, trust his Word, acknowledge his
worthiness, we put our own problems and difficulties in perspective.
We see that God is able to rescue us, and has promised to do so.
And as we respond to his grace by focusing
on him, we abandon trust in ourselves and allow him to do what he promised.
Application
a) What kinds of enemies do I face?
b) How have I tried to deal with those enemies by myself?
c) How can today's verses help me turn to the sources of my rescue?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Joshua 1:5
5 (Dt 7:24; 31:6-8) No man will be able to stand against
you all the days of your life.
As I was with Moses, I will be with you.
I will not abandon you. I will not leave you.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before
thee all the days of thy life:
as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee:
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
1 Cor 10:1-13
1 Corinthians 10
Warning Against Idolatry
1 (Ex 14:29; Ps 66:6) I would not want you to be unaware that
all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 (Ex 16:35; Dt 8:3) all ate the same spiritual food;
4 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) and all drank the same spiritual drink,
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,
and that Rock was Christ.
5 (Heb 3:17; Jude 1:5) But with many of them God was not well pleased,
and they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 (Nu 11:4; 1Co 10:11) Now these things were our examples to the intent
that we should not lust after evil things as they lusted.
7 (Ex 32:19; 32:4) Neither be idolaters as were some of them.
As it is written,
"The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel." (Ex 32:6. )
8 (Nu 25:1-9; 1Co 6:18) Neither let us commit sexual immorality as some
of them committed, when 23000 fell in one day.
9 (Nu 21:5-6; Ex 17:2) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them
also tempted and were destroyed by serpents.
10 (Ex 12:23; Nu 16:41) Neither murmur, as some of them also murmured
and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 (Ro 13:11) Now all these things happened to them for examples.
They are written as an admonition to us,
upon whom the end of the ages has come.
12 (Ro 11:20) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed,
lest he fall.
13 (1Co 1:9; 2Pe 2:9) No temptation has taken you except what is common
to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above
what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all
our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 and did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased:
for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written,
The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,
and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,
and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured,
and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:
and they are written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)
The Northern Territories of Canada
Yukon
Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69
In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473
The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
10th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
(
John 3:16
16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1:18)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
)
b) Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Advent Day 15
From C.S.Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
Third Sunday of Advent
"Dear Hida (is that right?) Newman,
Thank you so much for your lovely letter and pictures As to
Asian's other name, well I want you to guess. Has there never
been anyone in this world who (1.) arrived at the same time as
Father Christmas. (2.) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor.
(3.) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at
and killed by wicked people. (4.) Came to life again. (5.)
Is sometimes spoken of as a Lamb....Don't you really know His
name in this world? Think it over and let me know your answer."
- C. S. Lewis
(From "Letter to Hilo Newman," June 3, 1953,
Lewis' Collected Letters, Ill, p. 334.)
Christ's Other Name
C. S. Lewis loved children. Every letter he ever received from a child, he answered. In a collection of them, Letters to Children, Lewis responded to a question about the identity of Aslan, the Christ-figure t of Narnia. Eleven-year-old Hila Newman had sent Lewis some drawings of the characters in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, along with some questions. Apparently she could not identify Aslan with any biblical character.
Lewis wrote back with not-too-subtle hints about a character
on our world who "arrived at the same time as Father Christmas." The hints that followed reveal how clearly Asian represented the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5) whom we know as Jesus, who had given himself up to be killed by wicked people and come to life again, and was sometimes called a Lamb. Lewis didn't give her the answer, because he wanted her to discover the truth for herself.
Instead of saying that Jesus is Asian's other name, we could say
that Aslan is Jesus' other name-at least in Narnia.
Thank you, Jesus, that your name is the name above all other
names. Thank you, Jesus, that your name saves us. Amen.
There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Upside Down
He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
-Luke 1:52
This verse near the end of Mary's reflection seems like an appropriate
theme verse for her whole song. God likes to reverse our expectations!
We have seen this happen many times in history. Those of us who are older
remember well the downfall of the Marcos
regime in the Philippines, and probably the photograph of the
lone protester in front of a tank stands out in our minds.
We might recall various pictures of the Berlin Wall's fall
and the breakdown of Communism in Europe.
Younger readers might be more familiar with the Arab Spring and the bright
hopes it aroused (though the revolutions might not be successfully maintained
later). When tyrants are crushed, the people rejoice.
So Mary sings of God's work to bring down the powerful while elevating the
abject; feeding the hungry while dismissing
with nothing the affluent; and showing vigorous power while scattering the
arrogant in their deliberations. Verily, God acts in the world to inaugurate justice!
prayer
Omnipotent God of fairness and truth, enable us to participate
in your establishment of righteousness. Amen.
Read Luke 1:45-55.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion
to those things which were told her by the Lord."
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded
the low estate of His servant;
surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
50 His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
55 as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
From the AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ASTOUNDING!
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, fear not.
Your God will come
with vengeance,
even God with a recompense;
He will come and save you."ISAIAH 35:4
There is no better word for it God's love is astounding! Check out Isaiah
35: "the blind shall see, the lame shall leap, the tongues of the speechless
shall sing for joy"--that's astounding! It's like the comment an 8-year-old
made when he saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "Wow, something
big must have happened here!"
Isaiah's words are comforting and hopeful for each of us. In a world
where there is so little hope. where there is so much pain. so many
disappointments. this prophecy of God's action in the world is ... well
simply astounding!
It is the Lord who brings us joy that last s a lifetime and beyond. We have
already obtained "Joy and gladness" as "sorrow and sighing shall flee
away." And now e each get a chance to bring this astounding news to
others. That's what Advent is all about. This Advent, why not have this as
your mission: Give fewer gifts but more presence. Like Isaiah, bring your
presence to others by simply doing this: "Say to those who are of a fearful
heart, 'Be strong, do not fear!"
To whom will you proclaim astounding message today?
Lord. you astound us every day--first, by loving us completely and then by
blessing us through our Good Fridays and our Easters -- through our AH-
HAs and our UH-OHs. Fill us with your AH-HAs as we seek to bring hope to
the UH-OHs in our lives . In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 35:1-10
Isaiah 35
The Future Glory of Zion
1 (Isa 51:3; 55:12-13) The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad,
and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
2 (Isa 60:13; 25:9) it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord
and the excellency of our God.
3 (Heb 12:12; Job 4:3-4) Strengthen the weak hands,
and support the feeble knees.
4 Isa 34:8; 28:16 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, fear not.
Your God will come
with vengeance,
even God with a recompense;
He will come and save you."
5 (Isa 29:18; 32:3-4) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 (Lk 11:14; Jn 5:8-9) Then the lame man shall leap as a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For in the wilderness waters shall break out
and streams in the desert.
7 (Isa 13:22; 34:13) The parched ground shall become a pool,
and the thirsty land springs of water;
in the habitation of jackals where each lay,
there shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 (Isa 52:1; 11:16) A highway shall be there, a roadway,
and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass on it,
but it shall be for the wayfaring men,
and fools shall not wander on it.
9 (Isa 62:12) No lion shall be there,
nor any ravenous beast shall go up on it;
these shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there,
10 (Rev 21:4; Isa 25:8) and the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with songs
and everlasting joy upon their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
From On Eagle's wings Day 13
Titled A Still Small Voice by Bishop Chris Williams (Anglican)
Hospitality Volunteer and former On Eagle’s Wings Governing
Board Member Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
After the wind, an earthquake…. And after the earthquake, a
fire…. And after the fire, a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11-13, KJV
During the confusion and stress of evacuation from
Yellowknife due to forest fires I remembered the March 1962
epidemic of Asian flu that hit the small Inuit village of Salluit.
In our community of four hundred, only ten of us were still
healthy and we focused on caring for and feeding the sick in a
local school.
One morning, breakfast over and dishes washed, I slumped on
the steps outside - exhausted and despondent. Then I heard it!
First just a quiet little chirp, then another, and another. The
snowbirds were back! Spring had come! Winter was over and
amidst all our troubles HOPE was renewed!
Elijah, desperate and defeated, heard the same still, small voice
as God spoke to him. He was renewed, refreshed and revived to
continue his ministry.
Often the noise, concern and confusion around us can drown
out God’s still, small voice. That can be the danger in the hustle
and bustle of Christmas preparations. May we take time each
day to be quiet and let him speak of his love and mercy in
Jesus.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord that you are your church will be ceaselessly prayer warriors.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be imitators of the Lord and pray to put on
the full Spiritual armour.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You for Your constant love and presence."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that the Lord has you safe from the
enemies of your soul.
Pray to the Lord and pray to that the Lord is with you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your temptations
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 Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Thank you, Jesus, that your name is the name above all other
names. Thank you, Jesus, that your name saves us. Amen.
Pray: Omnipotent God of fairness and truth, enable us to participate
in your establishment of righteousness. Amen.
Pray: Lord. you astound us every day--first, by loving us completely
and then by blessing us through our Good Fridays and our Easters
-- through our AH-HAs and our UH-OHs. Fill us with your AH-HAs
as we seek to bring hope to the UH-OHs in our lives .
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray: Father, open the ears of our hearts to hear you speaking to
us of your love and peace this Christmas. Amen.
Pray that Bibles in Tunisia will become widely accessible to Christians,
as well as to spiritual seekers.
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.
Entitled "God Won't Forget You"
Isaiah 49:13-18
13 (Isa 44:23; 51:3) Sing, O heavens!
And be joyful, O earth!
And break forth into singing, Omountains!
For the Lord has comforted His people
and will have mercy on His afflicted.
14 (Isa 40:27) But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me,
and the Lord has forgotten me."
15 (Isa 44:21) Can a woman forget her nursing child,
and have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget.
16 (SS 8:6; Hag 2:23) See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
your walls are continually before Me;
17 your builders hurry;
your destroyers and those who devastated you shall depart from you.
18 (Isa 49:12; 54:9) Lift up your eyes and look all around;
all these gather themselves together and come to you.
As I live, says the Lord,
you shall surely put on all of them as ornaments
and bind them on you as a bride does.
[13] Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing,
O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy
upon his afflicted.
[14] But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
[15] Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have
compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not
forget thee.
[16] Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are
continually before me.
[17] Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee
waste shall go forth of thee.
[18] Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves
together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely
clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a
bride doeth.
As a child, I collected postage stamps. When my angkong (Fukienese for
"grandfather") heard of my hobby, he started saving stamps from his office
mail every day. Whenever I visited my grandparents, Angkong would give me
an envelope filled with a variety of beautiful stamps.
"Even though I'm always busy," he told me once, "I won't forget you."
Angkong wasn't given to overt displays of affection, but I felt his love
deeply. In an infinitely deeper way, God demonstrated His love toward Israel
when He declared, "I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15). Suffering in
Babylon for idolatry and disobedience in days past, His people lamented,
"The Lord has forgotten me" (v. 14). But God's love for His people hadn't
changed. He promised them forgiveness and restoration (vv. 8–13).
"I have engraved you on the palms of my hands," God told Israel, as He also
tells us today (v. 16). As I ponder His words of reassurance, it reminds me
so deeply of Jesus' nail-scarred hands—stretched out in love for us and for
our salvation (John 20:24-27). Like my grandfather's stamps and his tender
words, God holds out His forgiving hand as an eternal token of His love.
Let's thank Him for His love-an unchanging love. He will never forget us.
By: Karen Huang
Reflect & Pray
When were you clearly reminded that God never forgets you? How can His
unchanging love give you hope and security in your present situation?
Father, thank You for Your constant love and presence.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 1 Call to the Lord - 2 Samuel 22:3-4
3 (Ge 15:1; Ps 9:9) the God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my fortress and my sanctuary;
my Savior, You save me from violence.
4 (Ps 48:1; 96:4) I call upon the Lord, who is praiseworthy,
and I am saved from my enemies.
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust:
He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,
My saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:
So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
In the old Days of Television Western, we could always tell who the enemy was.
The bad guys wore black hats; the evil villain had a scar across
his cheek or a patch over one eye. But real life is
not quite so simple . Enemies come in many forms, and often are not easy to
recognise. Sin is an enemy; even those we love can seek
to undermine our faith;
modern materialism and distorted values lead us away from biblical principles.
These enemies may not seek our death in a physical sense,
but their influence results in spiritual death or, at the very least,
immaturity.
Yet God promises to rescue us from our enemies. David describes the Lord as a
"rock", a "shield", a "stronghold", and a "refuge". God provides a stable
foundation for our faith; he products us from the attacks of the enemy;
he offers a place of rest in battle.
Our battles are usually not physical ones, but rather spiritual
and emotional wars.
We struggle with difficult relationships, the burdens of the past,
the subtle accusations of the devil.
But these enemies can be overcome. David says,
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise" .
When we turn to the Lord, trust his Word, acknowledge his
worthiness, we put our own problems and difficulties in perspective.
We see that God is able to rescue us, and has promised to do so.
And as we respond to his grace by focusing
on him, we abandon trust in ourselves and allow him to do what he promised.
Application
a) What kinds of enemies do I face?
b) How have I tried to deal with those enemies by myself?
c) How can today's verses help me turn to the sources of my rescue?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Joshua 1:5
5 (Dt 7:24; 31:6-8) No man will be able to stand against
you all the days of your life.
As I was with Moses, I will be with you.
I will not abandon you. I will not leave you.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before
thee all the days of thy life:
as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee:
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
1 Cor 10:1-13
1 Corinthians 10
Warning Against Idolatry
1 (Ex 14:29; Ps 66:6) I would not want you to be unaware that
all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 (Ex 16:35; Dt 8:3) all ate the same spiritual food;
4 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) and all drank the same spiritual drink,
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,
and that Rock was Christ.
5 (Heb 3:17; Jude 1:5) But with many of them God was not well pleased,
and they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 (Nu 11:4; 1Co 10:11) Now these things were our examples to the intent
that we should not lust after evil things as they lusted.
7 (Ex 32:19; 32:4) Neither be idolaters as were some of them.
As it is written,
"The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel." (Ex 32:6. )
8 (Nu 25:1-9; 1Co 6:18) Neither let us commit sexual immorality as some
of them committed, when 23000 fell in one day.
9 (Nu 21:5-6; Ex 17:2) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them
also tempted and were destroyed by serpents.
10 (Ex 12:23; Nu 16:41) Neither murmur, as some of them also murmured
and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 (Ro 13:11) Now all these things happened to them for examples.
They are written as an admonition to us,
upon whom the end of the ages has come.
12 (Ro 11:20) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed,
lest he fall.
13 (1Co 1:9; 2Pe 2:9) No temptation has taken you except what is common
to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above
what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all
our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 and did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased:
for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written,
The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,
and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,
and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured,
and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:
and they are written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)
The Northern Territories of Canada
Yukon
Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69
In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473
The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.
Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Nunavut (NU)
NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86
The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
10th Day of the Month
a) Pray for Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
(
John 3:16
16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1:18)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
)
b) Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Advent Day 15
From C.S.Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
Third Sunday of Advent
"Dear Hida (is that right?) Newman,
Thank you so much for your lovely letter and pictures As to
Asian's other name, well I want you to guess. Has there never
been anyone in this world who (1.) arrived at the same time as
Father Christmas. (2.) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor.
(3.) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at
and killed by wicked people. (4.) Came to life again. (5.)
Is sometimes spoken of as a Lamb....Don't you really know His
name in this world? Think it over and let me know your answer."
- C. S. Lewis
(From "Letter to Hilo Newman," June 3, 1953,
Lewis' Collected Letters, Ill, p. 334.)
Christ's Other Name
C. S. Lewis loved children. Every letter he ever received from a child, he answered. In a collection of them, Letters to Children, Lewis responded to a question about the identity of Aslan, the Christ-figure t of Narnia. Eleven-year-old Hila Newman had sent Lewis some drawings of the characters in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, along with some questions. Apparently she could not identify Aslan with any biblical character.
Lewis wrote back with not-too-subtle hints about a character
on our world who "arrived at the same time as Father Christmas." The hints that followed reveal how clearly Asian represented the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5) whom we know as Jesus, who had given himself up to be killed by wicked people and come to life again, and was sometimes called a Lamb. Lewis didn't give her the answer, because he wanted her to discover the truth for herself.
Instead of saying that Jesus is Asian's other name, we could say
that Aslan is Jesus' other name-at least in Narnia.
Thank you, Jesus, that your name is the name above all other
names. Thank you, Jesus, that your name saves us. Amen.
There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Upside Down
He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
-Luke 1:52
This verse near the end of Mary's reflection seems like an appropriate
theme verse for her whole song. God likes to reverse our expectations!
We have seen this happen many times in history. Those of us who are older
remember well the downfall of the Marcos
regime in the Philippines, and probably the photograph of the
lone protester in front of a tank stands out in our minds.
We might recall various pictures of the Berlin Wall's fall
and the breakdown of Communism in Europe.
Younger readers might be more familiar with the Arab Spring and the bright
hopes it aroused (though the revolutions might not be successfully maintained
later). When tyrants are crushed, the people rejoice.
So Mary sings of God's work to bring down the powerful while elevating the
abject; feeding the hungry while dismissing
with nothing the affluent; and showing vigorous power while scattering the
arrogant in their deliberations. Verily, God acts in the world to inaugurate justice!
prayer
Omnipotent God of fairness and truth, enable us to participate
in your establishment of righteousness. Amen.
Read Luke 1:45-55.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion
to those things which were told her by the Lord."
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded
the low estate of His servant;
surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
50 His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
55 as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
From the AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ASTOUNDING!
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, fear not.
Your God will come
with vengeance,
even God with a recompense;
He will come and save you."ISAIAH 35:4
There is no better word for it God's love is astounding! Check out Isaiah
35: "the blind shall see, the lame shall leap, the tongues of the speechless
shall sing for joy"--that's astounding! It's like the comment an 8-year-old
made when he saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "Wow, something
big must have happened here!"
Isaiah's words are comforting and hopeful for each of us. In a world
where there is so little hope. where there is so much pain. so many
disappointments. this prophecy of God's action in the world is ... well
simply astounding!
It is the Lord who brings us joy that last s a lifetime and beyond. We have
already obtained "Joy and gladness" as "sorrow and sighing shall flee
away." And now e each get a chance to bring this astounding news to
others. That's what Advent is all about. This Advent, why not have this as
your mission: Give fewer gifts but more presence. Like Isaiah, bring your
presence to others by simply doing this: "Say to those who are of a fearful
heart, 'Be strong, do not fear!"
To whom will you proclaim astounding message today?
Lord. you astound us every day--first, by loving us completely and then by
blessing us through our Good Fridays and our Easters -- through our AH-
HAs and our UH-OHs. Fill us with your AH-HAs as we seek to bring hope to
the UH-OHs in our lives . In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 35:1-10
Isaiah 35
The Future Glory of Zion
1 (Isa 51:3; 55:12-13) The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad,
and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
2 (Isa 60:13; 25:9) it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord
and the excellency of our God.
3 (Heb 12:12; Job 4:3-4) Strengthen the weak hands,
and support the feeble knees.
4 Isa 34:8; 28:16 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, fear not.
Your God will come
with vengeance,
even God with a recompense;
He will come and save you."
5 (Isa 29:18; 32:3-4) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 (Lk 11:14; Jn 5:8-9) Then the lame man shall leap as a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For in the wilderness waters shall break out
and streams in the desert.
7 (Isa 13:22; 34:13) The parched ground shall become a pool,
and the thirsty land springs of water;
in the habitation of jackals where each lay,
there shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 (Isa 52:1; 11:16) A highway shall be there, a roadway,
and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass on it,
but it shall be for the wayfaring men,
and fools shall not wander on it.
9 (Isa 62:12) No lion shall be there,
nor any ravenous beast shall go up on it;
these shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there,
10 (Rev 21:4; Isa 25:8) and the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with songs
and everlasting joy upon their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
From On Eagle's wings Day 13
Titled A Still Small Voice by Bishop Chris Williams (Anglican)
Hospitality Volunteer and former On Eagle’s Wings Governing
Board Member Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
After the wind, an earthquake…. And after the earthquake, a
fire…. And after the fire, a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11-13, KJV
During the confusion and stress of evacuation from
Yellowknife due to forest fires I remembered the March 1962
epidemic of Asian flu that hit the small Inuit village of Salluit.
In our community of four hundred, only ten of us were still
healthy and we focused on caring for and feeding the sick in a
local school.
One morning, breakfast over and dishes washed, I slumped on
the steps outside - exhausted and despondent. Then I heard it!
First just a quiet little chirp, then another, and another. The
snowbirds were back! Spring had come! Winter was over and
amidst all our troubles HOPE was renewed!
Elijah, desperate and defeated, heard the same still, small voice
as God spoke to him. He was renewed, refreshed and revived to
continue his ministry.
Often the noise, concern and confusion around us can drown
out God’s still, small voice. That can be the danger in the hustle
and bustle of Christmas preparations. May we take time each
day to be quiet and let him speak of his love and mercy in
Jesus.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord that you are your church will be ceaselessly prayer warriors.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be imitators of the Lord and pray to put on
the full Spiritual armour.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You for Your constant love and presence."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that the Lord has you safe from the
enemies of your soul.
Pray to the Lord and pray to that the Lord is with you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your temptations
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 Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast, that the reality of
Jesus's sacrifice and love will touch them personally.
Pray for students, that the Lord will grant them protection of body,
soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.
Thank you, Jesus, that your name is the name above all other
names. Thank you, Jesus, that your name saves us. Amen.
Pray: Omnipotent God of fairness and truth, enable us to participate
in your establishment of righteousness. Amen.
Pray: Lord. you astound us every day--first, by loving us completely
and then by blessing us through our Good Fridays and our Easters
-- through our AH-HAs and our UH-OHs. Fill us with your AH-HAs
as we seek to bring hope to the UH-OHs in our lives .
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray: Father, open the ears of our hearts to hear you speaking to
us of your love and peace this Christmas. Amen.
Pray that Bibles in Tunisia will become widely accessible to Christians,
as well as to spiritual seekers.
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.