Dave Yadallee's personal blog

Day 354, 20 December 2023 - 26th Day of Advent



1) 2 John, 3 John



2 John 1



John



The second general epistle of John was probably written in Ephesus

in the AD90s by John the beloved disciple. It is a very personal

and wise exhortation that encourages believers to walk in the light

and warns them about deceivers and how they conduct their lives.

It is not only an encouragement to exhibit agape

(a Greek word for committed or volitional love),

but it is also a sound exhortation to separate from worldliness

and unholiness.



Salutation



The elder,



1 To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth,

and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,

2 for the sake of the truth, which remains in us, and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the

Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.



[1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the

truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

[2] For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for

ever.



Truth and Love



4 I greatly rejoiced that I found some of your children walking in truth

as we were commanded by the Father.

5 And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you,

but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6 And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.

This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning,

you should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come

in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Each one is a deceiver

and an antichrist.

8 Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose those things for which

we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ

does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching of Christ has both

the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,

do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.

11 For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.



[3] Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the

Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

[4] I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we

have received a commandment from the Father.

[5] And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment

unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one

another.

[6] And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the

commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in

it.

[7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that

Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

[8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,

but that we receive a full reward.

[9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath

not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father

and the Son.

[10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him

not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

[11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.



Final Greetings



12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to write

with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face

to face that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.



[12] Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and

ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may

be full.

[13] The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.



3 John 1



John



John the Beloved probably wrote the third general epistle

of John in Ephesus in the AD90s. It addresses the reality

of true and false ministers. Addressed to Gaius, a local

church leader, it commends a disciple named Demetrius

while also warning against the tactics of Diotrephes.

The Holy Spirit provides sound instruction

and sober exhortations for all believers in this epistle.



Salutation

1 The elder,

To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you

and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.

3 For I greatly rejoiced when brothers came and testified

of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.



[1] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

[2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in

health, even as thy soul prospereth.

[3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the

truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

[4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.



Working Together



5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and for strangers,

6 who have testified of your love before the church. You will do well to send

them along on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

7 For His name's sake they went out, receiving no help from the Gentiles.

8 Therefore we ought to receive such men, that we might be fellow workers

for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first

among them, did not accept us.

10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what kinds of works he does:

ranting against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not

accept the brothers, and stops those who want to, and throws them

out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good.

Whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius receives good reports from everyone and from the truth itself.

Yes, and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.



[5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren,

and to strangers;

[6] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou

bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

[7] Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the

Gentiles.

[8] We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to

the truth.

[9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the

preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

[10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating

against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he

himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth

them out of the church.

[11] Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that

doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

[12] Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea,

and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.



Final Greetings



13 I had many things to write, but I would rather not write to you

with pen and ink.

14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.



[13] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto

thee:

[14] But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.



2) Our Daily Bread for 21 December 2023



The Light of Hope



Psalms 42

BOOK TWO

Psalms 42-72

For the Music Director. A Contemplative Maskil of the sons of Korah.

1 As the deer pants after the water brooks,

so my soul pants after You, O God.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When will I come and appear before God?

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) My tears have been my food

day and night,

while they always say to me,

"Where is your God?"

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I would travel with the throng of people;

I proceeded with them to the house of God,

with the voice of joy and thanks,

with a multitude making a pilgrimage.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted in me?

Hope in God,

for I will yet thank Him

for the help of His presence.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) O my God, my soul is cast down within me;

therefore I will remember You

from the land of Jordan,

and of the Hermon, from the hill of Mizar.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Deep calls to deep

at the noise of Your waterfalls;

all Your waves and Your billows

passed over me.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness

in the daytime, and in the night His song will be with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

9 Ps 38:6; 18:2 I will say to God, my rock,

"Why have You forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?"

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) With shattering in my bones,

those harassing me reproach me,

when they say to me every day,

"Where is your God?"

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Why, my soul, are you cast down?

Why do you groan within me?

Wait for God;

I will yet thank Him,

For He is my deliverance and my God.



Psalm 42

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

[1] As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

So panteth my soul after thee, O God.

[2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

When shall I come and appear before God?

[3] My tears have been my meat day and night,

While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

[4] When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me:

For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept holyday.

[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why art thou disquieted in me?

Hope thou in God:

For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.

[6] O my God, my soul is cast down within me:

Therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the

Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

[7] Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts:

All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

[8] Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night his song shall be with me,

and my prayer unto the God of my life.

[9] I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me?

Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

[10] As with a sword in my bones,

Mine enemies reproach me;

While they say daily unto me,

Where is thy God?

[11] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God;

For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.



My mother's shiny red cross should have been hanging next to her bed at the

cancer care center. And I should have been preparing for holiday visits

between her scheduled treatments. All I wanted for Christmas was another day

with my mom. Instead, I was home ... hanging her cross on a fake tree.



When my son Xavier plugged in the lights, I whispered, "Thank You." He said,

"You're welcome." My son didn't know I was thanking God for using the

flickering bulbs to turn my eyes toward the ever-enduring Light of Hope-Jesus.



The writer of Psalm 42 expressed his raw emotions to God (vv. 1-4). He

acknowledged his "downcast" and "disturbed" soul before encouraging readers:

"Hope thou in God:

For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance." (v. 5). Though

he was overcome with waves of sorrow and suffering, the psalmist's hope shone

through the remembrance of God's past faithfulness (vv. 6-10). He ended by

questioning his doubts and affirming the resilience of his refined faith:

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my

countenance, and my God." (v. 11).



For many of us, the Christmas season stirs up both joy and sorrow. Thankfully,

even these mixed emotions can be reconciled and redeemed through the promises

of the true Light of Hope-Jesus.



By: Xochitl Dixon



Reflect & Pray



How has Jesus helped you process grief while celebrating Christmas?

How can you support someone who's grieving this season?



Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times

of grief and joy all year round.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 5 When you pray



Mark 11:25



25 And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone,

so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins.



25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:

that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.



"My prayer don't seem to be very effective," a man told his pastor." I try

to make contact with God, but my prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce

back."

The pastor thought for a moment, then gently suggested,

"Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?"

"What do you mean?" The man's face flushed; the pastor has obviuosly struck

a nerve. "Well, I guess I've had some struggles with my mother ... and then,

my wife, and I ... ." The hidden truth came to light: the man was bound in

unforgiving relationships with five of the closest people to him.

Forgiveness is an essential element in prayer. For a very good reason,

worship services in liturgical churches place the confession of sin and the

absolution near the beginning of the service, before the reading of God's

Word, prayer, and the sermon. Forgiveness - both the Lord's forgiveness

of us and our forgiveness of others - clears the way for unhindered

communication between God and his people.

When we carry anger and bitterness, or even deeply buried, well-subliminated

unforgiveness, into the presence of God, our prayers will be affected. We can,

however, free the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others

through forgiveness. We can choose to forgive in light of God's forgiveness

of us. And when we do, the channels are re-established;

we can pray in power and open ourselves to an awareness of his activity

in our lives.



Application



a) Have my prayers ever been affected by unforgiveness in my life?



b) Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive,

whether or not I can work toward?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Deut 29:9



9 (Dt 4:6; Jos 1:7)Therefore, keep the words of this covenant

and do them, so that you may prosper in all you do.



9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them,

that ye may prosper in all that ye do.



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



When you are ill or injured



Psalm 103:1-5



1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

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

who heals all your diseases,

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

who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

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

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



1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

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



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer





Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.



6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



21st Day of the Month



a) Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would

have wisdom and make God honouring decisions



(



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make

supplications, prayers, intercessions,

and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life

in all godliness and honesty,



)



b) Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources

they need and the vigilance their work requires.



Advent Day 27



FRIDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



Early Offering



to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.



-Luke 2:5



Luke mentions that Mary was "great with child" (KJV) so candidly that we don't pause to ponder how difficult it



must have been for her to travel all the way (about 70 miles!) from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. Even more significant, the Christ Child she carried must have been jostled and jarred by the movement, Loo.





Those of us who use statements of faith in our worship services declare



in the Apostles' Creed that Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified ... " I believe instead we should say, "suffered, under Pontius Pilate was crucified" to be more accurate to the original. Jesus suffered all his life, not just under Pilate. When we reflect on the appalling journey that he endured in the womb, we might imagine that his sufferings on our behalf began even before he was born. What amazing love that Christ sustained such adversity for us!



prayer



Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can

conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.



Read Luke 2:1-7.



1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.

2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.

4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth

in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,

because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.

7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,

and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to walk daily with Him.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times

of grief and joy all year round."



Pray to the Lord and pray to honestly forgive.



Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His covenant .



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who is 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 leaders our educational system, that they would

have wisdom and make God honouring decisions



Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources

they need and the vigilance their work requires.



Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can

conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.



Pray that new believers in Oman will be welcomed into thriving Christian

communities so they can grew in their faith.





Christ is the reason for the season .



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.

Day 354, 20 December 2023 - 25th Day of Advent



1) 1 John 1, 1 John 2, 1 John 3, 1 John 4, 1 John 5



1 John 1



The Word of Life



1 (Jn 20:27; Lk 24:39; Ac 4:20) That which was from the beginning, which

we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,

and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life-

2 (Jn 1:4; 1Jn 5:20; 3:5) the life was revealed, and we have seen it

and testify to it, and announce to you the eternal life, which was with

the Father and was revealed to us-

3 (1Co 1:9; 1Jn 1:1; Php 2:1) we declare to you that which we have seen

and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship

is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

4 (Jn 15:11; 16:24) We are writing these things to you so that our joy may

be complete.



[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have

seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,

of the Word of life;

[2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and

shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was

manifested unto us;)

[3] That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may

have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and

with his Son Jesus Christ.

[4] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.



God Is Light



5 (1Jn 3:11; Jas 1:17) This then is the message which we have heard from Him

and declare to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

6 (1Jn 4:20; 1:10) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, yet walk

in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 (Isa 2:5; Eph 1:7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ

His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 (Jas 3:2; 1Jn 2:4) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful

and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 (1Jn 5:10; 1:8) If we say that we have not sinned,

we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.



[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto

you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we

lie, and do not the truth:

[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship

one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from

all sin.

[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is

not in us.

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is

not in us.



1 John 2



Christ Our Advocate



1 (Ro 8:34; 1Ti 2:5; Jn 13:33) My little children, I am writing these things

to you, so that you do not sin. But if anyone does sin,

we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

2 (1Jn 4:10; Jn 4:42) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,

and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 (Jn 14:15; 15:10) By this we know that we know Him,

if we keep His commandments.

4 (1Jn 1:8; 1:6) Whoever says, "I know Him," and does not keep

His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 (Jn 14:23; 1Jn 3:24) But whoever keeps His word truly has the love of God

perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him.

6 (1Pe 2:21; Mt 11:29) Whoever says he remains in Him ought to walk

as He walked.



[1] My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And

if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the

righteous:

[2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also

for the sins of the whole world.

[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar,

and the truth is not in him.

[5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:

hereby know we that we are in him.

[6] He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as

he walked.



The New Commandment



7 (1Jn 3:11; Lev 19:18; 2Jn 1:5-6) Brothers, I am writing no new commandment

to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.

The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.

8 (Jn 1:9; 13:34) Yet a new commandment I am writing to you, which holds true

in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away,

and the true light is already shining.

9 (1Jn 2:11; 4:20) Whoever says he is in the light but hates his brother

is in darkness even until now.

10 (2Pe 1:10; 1Jn 3:14) Whoever loves his brother lives in the light,

and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

11 (Jn 12:35; 2Co 4:4; 1Jn 2:9) But whoever hates his brother is in darkness,

and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going,

because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 (Ac 13:38; Lk 24:47) I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven for His name's sake.

13 (1Jn 2:14; Jn 14:7; Lk 10:22) I am writing to you, fathers,

because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

I am writing to you, little children,

because you have known the Father.

14 (1Jn 2:13; Jn 5:38; Eph 6:10) I have written to you, fathers,

because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God lives in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

15 (Jas 4:4; Ro 12:2; Mt 6:24) Do not love the world or the things

in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father

is not in him.

16 (Ro 13:14; Eph 2:3) For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 (1Co 7:31; Mk 3:35) The world and its desires are passing away,

but the one who does the will of God lives forever.



[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment

which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye

have heard from the beginning.

[8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him

and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

[9] He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness

even until now.

[10] He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none

occasion of stumbling in him.

[11] But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness,

and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his

eyes.

[12] I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you

for his name's sake.

[13] I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the

beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked

one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

[14] I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is

from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are

strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked

one.

[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any

man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of

the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the

will of God abideth for ever.



The Antichrist



18 (1Jn 4:3; Mt 24:5; 1Jn 2:22) Little children, it is the last hour.

As you have heard that the antichrist will come, even now there are

many antichrists. By this we know that it is the last hour.

19 (Ac 20:30; 1Co 11:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us,

for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us.

But they went out, revealing that none of them were of us.

20 (1Jn 2:27; Mk 1:24; Jn 14:26) But you have an anointing from the Holy One,

and you know all things.

21 (2Pe 1:12) I have written to you, not because you do not know the truth,

but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

22 (2Jn 1:7; 1Jn 4:3; 2:18) Who is a liar

but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Whoever denies the Father

and the Son is the antichrist.

23 (1Jn 4:15; Jn 8:19) No one who denies the Son has the Father;

the one who confesses the Son has the Father.

24 (Jn 14:23; 1Jn 1:3) Let that which you have heard from the beginning

remain in you. If that which you have heard from the beginning remains in you,

you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

25 (1Jn 1:2) And this is the promise that He has promised us-eternal life.

26 (2Jn 1:7; 1Jn 3:7) I have written these things to you concerning those

who deceive you.

27 (Jn 14:26) But the anointing which you have received from Him remains

in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. For as the same anointing

teaches you concerning all things, and is truth, and is no lie,

and just as it has taught you, remain in Him.



[18] Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that

antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know

that it is the last time.

[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of

us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they

might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

[20] But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

[21] I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because

ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

[22] Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is

antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

[23] Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that

acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

[24] Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the

beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in

you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

[25] And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

[26] These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye

need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of

all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye

shall abide in him.



Children of God



28 (1Jn 3:2; 4:17) And now, little children, remain in Him, so that

when He appears, we may have confidence

and not be ashamed before Him when He comes.

29 (1Jn 3:7; 5:1) If you know that He is righteous,

you know that everyone who does righteousness is born of Him.



[28] And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we

may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

[29] If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth

righteousness is born of him.



1 John 3



1 (Jn 1:12; 3:16) Consider how much love the Father has given to us,

that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know

us, because it did not know Him.

2 (Ro 8:18; 8:29) Beloved, now are we children of God, and it has not yet been

revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He appears, we shall be

like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

3 (2Co 7:1; 2Pe 3:14) Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself,

just as He is pure.

4 (1Jn 5:17; Ro 4:15; 3:20) Whoever practices sin breaks the law,

for sin is lawlessness.

5 (2Co 5:21; Heb 9:28) You know that He was revealed to take away our sins,

and in Him there is no sin.

6 (3Jn 1:11; 1Jn 2:4; 3:9) Whoever remains in Him does not sin.

Whoever sins has not seen Him and does not know Him.

7 (1Jn 2:26; 2:29) Little children, let no one deceive you.

The one who does righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.

8 (Jn 8:44; Mt 13:38) Whoever practices sin is of the devil,

for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

For this purpose the Son of God was revealed,

that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 (1Jn 5:18; Jn 1:13; 1Pe 1:23) Whoever has been born of God does not

practice sin, for His seed remains in him. And he cannot keep on sinning,

because he has been born of God.

10 (1Jn 4:8; Mt 13:38) In this the children of God and the children

of the devil are revealed: Whoever does not live in righteousness

is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.



[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we

should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not.

[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we

shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for

we shall see him as he is.

[3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he

is pure.

[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the

transgression of the law.

[5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is

no sin.

[6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen

him, neither known him.

[7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is

righteous, even as he is righteous.

[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the

beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might

destroy the works of the devil.

[9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in

him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

[10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the

devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that

loveth not his brother.



Love One Another



11 (1Jn 1:5; 2Jn 1:5) For this is the message that you heard

from the beginning: We should love one another,

12 (Heb 11:4; Jude 1:11) not like Cain, who was of the wicked one

and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him?

Because his own works were evil, and his brother's works were righteous.

13 (Jn 17:14; 15:18-19) Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you.

14 (Jn 5:24; 1Jn 5:2) We know that we have passed from death to life,

because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love his brother remains

in death.

15 (Mt 5:21-22; Rev 21:8) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,

and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

16 (Php 2:17; Jn 3:16) By this we know the love of God: that He laid down

His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 (1Jn 4:20; Heb 13:16) Whoever has the world's goods and sees

his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him,

how can the love of God remain in him?

18 (1Jn 2:1; Ro 12:9) My little children, let us love not in word

and speech, but in action and truth.



[11] For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we

should love one another.

[12] Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And

wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's

righteous.

[13] Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

[14] We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the

brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

[15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no

murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for

us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

[17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and

shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in

deed and in truth.



Confidence Before God



19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall reassure our hearts

before Him.

20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart

and knows everything.

21 (Job 22:26; 1Co 4:4) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,

then we have confidence before God.

22 (Jn 8:29; 9:31) And whatever we ask, we will receive from Him,

because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing

in His sight.

23 (Jn 6:29; 13:34) And this is His commandment: that we should believe

on the name of His Son ­Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.

24 (Jn 17:21) Now the one who keeps His commandments remains in Him,

and He in him. And by this we know that He remains in us, through

the Spirit whom He has given us.



[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our

hearts before him.

[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth

all things.

[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward

God.

[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his

commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

[23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his

Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

[24] And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.

And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given

us.



1 John 4



Test the Spirits



1 (2Pe 2:1; 1Jn 2:18; 1Th 5:21) Beloved, do not believe every spirit,

but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because

many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 (1Co 12:3; Jn 1:14) This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit

that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

3 (1Jn 2:18; 2:22; 2Jn 1:7) and every spirit that does not confess

that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God.

This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have

heard is coming and is already in the world.

4 (Jn 12:31; 1Jn 4:16) You are of God, little children, and have overcome

them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

5 (Jn 17:14; 3:31) They are of the world, and therefore they speak

from the world, and the world listens to them.

6 (Jn 14:17; 1Co 14:37) We are of God, and whoever knows God listens to us.

Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. This is how we know the spirit

of truth and the spirit of error.



[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are

of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that

Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the

flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have

heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater

is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[5] They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world

heareth them.

[6] We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God

heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.



God Is Love



7 (1Jn 2:29) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God,

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

8 (2Co 13:11; 1Jn 4:16) Anyone who does not love does not know God,

for God is love.

9 (Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:10; 5:11) In this way the love of God was revealed to us,

that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live

through Him.

10 (1Jn 2:2; 1Pe 3:18; 1Jn 3:1) In this is love: not that we loved God, but

that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another.

12 (Jn 1:18; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jn 2:5) No one has seen God at any time. If we love

one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.

13 (1Jn 3:24) We know that we live in Him, and He in us,

because He has given us His Spirit.

14 (Jn 4:42; 1:14) And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son

to be the Saviour of the world.

15 (Ro 10:9; 1Jn 5:5) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,

God lives in him, and he in God.

16 (1Jn 3:24; 3:1) And we have come to know and to believe the love

that God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us, so that we may

have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we

in this world.

18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out

fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect

in love.

19 (1Jn 4:10; Lk 7:47) We love Him because He first loved us.

20 (1Jn 2:4; 3:17) If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother,

he is a liar. For whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen,

how can he love God whom he has not seen?

21 (1Jn 3:11; Lev 19:18) We have this commandment from Him:

Whoever loves God must also love his brother.



[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that

loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent

his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent

his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth

in us, and his love is perfected in us.

[13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath

given us of his Spirit.

[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the

Saviour of the world.

[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in

him, and he in God.

[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is

love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day

of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because

fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

[19] We love him, because he first loved us.

[20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he

that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he

hath not seen?

[21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his

brother also.



1 John 5



Overcoming the World



1 (1Jn 2:29; Jn 1:12-13) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born

of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of the Father.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God

and keep His commandments.

3 (Jn 14:15; 2Jn 1:6) For this is the love of God, that we keep

His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

4 (Jn 16:33; 1Jn 4:4) for whoever is born of God overcomes the world,

and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith.

5 (1Jn 4:15; 5:1) Who is it that overcomes the world,

but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?



[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every

one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and

keep his commandments.

[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his

commandments are not grievous.

[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the

victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is

the Son of God?



The Witness Concerning the Son



6 (Jn 15:26; 14:17) This is He who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ.

He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. It is the Spirit

who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

7 (Mt 28:19; Dt 6:4) There are three who testify in heaven: the Father,

the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and the three are one.

8 There are three that testify on earth: the Spirit, the water,

and the blood, and the three are toward the one.

9 (Mt 3:16-17) If we receive the testimony of men,

the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God

which He has given concerning His Son.

10 (Jn 3:33; Ro 8:16) Whoever believes in the Son of God has this witness

in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar,

because he does not believe the testimony that God gave about His Son.

11 (Jn 1:4; 1Jn 2:25) And this is the testimony: that God has given us

eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

12 (Jn 3:36; 3:15; 5:24) Whoever has the Son has life, and whoever does not

have the Son of God does not have life.



[6] This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water

only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,

because the Spirit is truth.

[7] For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,

and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

[8] And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the

water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for

this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

[10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he

that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the

record that God gave of his Son.

[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and

this life is in his Son.

[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.



Purpose of Writing



13 (Jn 20:31; 1:12) I have written these things to you who believe in the name

of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you

may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 (1Jn 3:21-22; Jn 14:13) This is the confidence that we have in Him, that

if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have

whatever we asked of Him.

16 (Jer 7:16; Heb 6:4-6) If anyone sees his brother commit a sin

which does not lead to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life.

This is for those whose sin does not lead to death.

There is a sin that leads to death. I do not say that he should pray for it.

17 (1Jn 3:4; 5:16; Isa 1:18) All wrongdoing is sin, but there is a sin that

does not lead to death.

18 (1Jn 3:9; Jas 1:27) We know that whoever is born of God does not keep on

sinning. But whoever has been born of God guards himself,

and the wicked one cannot touch him.

19 (Gal 1:4; Jn 12:31) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies

in wickedness.

20 (Jn 17:3; Lk 24:45; Rev 3:7) And we know that the Son of God has come

and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true,

and we are in Him who is true-His Son Jesus Christ.

He is the true God and eternal life.

21 (1Co 10:14; 10:7) Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.



[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the

Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may

believe on the name of the Son of God.

[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any

thing according to his will, he heareth us:

[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have

the petitions that we desired of him.

[16] If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall

ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a

sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

[17] All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

[18] We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is

begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

[19] And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in

wickedness.

[20] And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an

understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is

true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

[21] Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.



2) Our Daily Bread for 20 December 2023 titled



Forgiveness and Forgetting



Isaiah 43:18-25



18 (Isa 65:17) Do not remember the former things

nor consider the things of old.

19 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) See, I will do a new thing,

now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

20 (Isa 48:21; 13:22) The beast of the field shall honor Me,

the jackals and the owls,

because I give waters in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert,

to give drink to My people, My chosen ones.

21 (1Pe 2:9; Ps 102:18) This people I have formed for Myself;

they shall declare My praise.

22 (Mic 6:3; Mal 1:13) But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob;

but you have been weary of Me, O Israel.

23 (Am 5:25; Zec 7:5-6) You have not brought Me the sheep

for your burnt offerings,

nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices.

I have not burdened you with offerings,

nor wearied you with incense.

24 (Isa 1:14; 7:13) You have bought Me no sweet cane with money,

nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices;

but you have made Me burdened with your sins;

you have wearied Me with your iniquities.

25 (Isa 37:35; 44:22) I, even I, am He who blots out

your transgressions for My own sake,

and will not remember your sins.



[18] Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

[19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not

know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

[20] The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls:

because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give

drink to my people, my chosen.

[21] This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

[22] But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of

me, O Israel.

[23] Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings;

neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to

serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

[24] Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled

me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy

sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

[25] I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own

sake, and will not remember thy sins.



Jill Price was born with the condition of hyperthymesia: the ability to

remember in extraordinary detail everything that ever happened to her. She can

replay in her mind the exact occurrence of any event she's experienced in her

lifetime.



The TV show Unforgettable was premised on a female police officer with

hyperthymesia-to her a great advantage in trivia games and in solving crimes.

For Jill Price, however, the condition isn't so much fun. She can't forget the

moments of life when she was criticised, experienced loss, or did something

she deeply regretted. She replays those scenes in her head over and over

again.



Our God is omniscient (perhaps a kind of divine hyperthymesia): the Bible

tells us that His understanding has no limit. And yet we discover in Isaiah a

most reassuring thing: "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions

for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (43:25). The book of

Hebrews reinforces this: "We have been made holy through... Jesus Christ ...

[and our] sins and lawless acts [God] will remember no more"

(Hebrews 10:10, 17).



As we confess our sins to God, we can stop playing them over and over in our

minds. We need to let them go, just as He does: "Remember ye not the former

things, neither consider the things of old." (Isaiah 43:18). In His great

love, God chooses to not remember our sins against us. Let’s remember that.



By: Kenneth Petersen



Reflect & Pray



What regrets do you harbor in your memory and play over and over again?

How can you give them to God and release the past?



Dear God, thank You for forgiving and forgetting my sins.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness



Luke 17:3 - 4



3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."

"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,

forgive him.

4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,

and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,

'I repent,' you must forgive him."



3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;

and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,

and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;

thou shalt forgive him.



The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'

disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through

Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,

21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,

"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?

Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)

The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to

develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be

forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if

he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!

But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,

forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"

And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They

were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the

outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.

We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far

- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're

forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".

He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance

for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.

That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our

checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.

Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God

and been forgiven, we are to forgive.



Application



a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I

have forgiven ? Why?



b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as

Jesus calls me to?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Joshua 1:8



8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.

Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all

that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,

and you will be wise.



8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt

meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according

to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,

and then thou shalt have good success.



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



When you are discouraged or Depressed



Matthew 11:25-30



25 (Ps 8:2; Jn 11:41) At that time Jesus said, "I thank You, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things

from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.

26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.

27 (Jn 10:15; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:18) "All things are delivered to Me

by My Father, and no one knows the Son, except the Father.

And no one knows the Father, except the Son and he to whom

the Son will reveal Him.

28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily

burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.

For I am meek and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.(Jer 6:16).

30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

because He has dealt bountifully with me.



The Hidden Revelation

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man

knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek

and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



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



20th Day of the Month



a) Pray for the children of Canada, that they would come to know

Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.



( Matthew 19:14



14 (Mt 18:3; Lk 18:16-17)

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me,

and do not forbid them. For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."



14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not,

to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.



)



b) Pray that Christians will recognise that our struggle is not

against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces.



(



Eph 6:12



12 (Eph 1:3; 1:21) For our fight is not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers

of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces

of evil in the heavenly places.



12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,

against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against

spiritual wickedness in high places.



)



Advent day 25



From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck



"Enemy-occupied territory-that is what this world is.

Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed...

and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.

When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret

wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious

to prevent us from going." - C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 46.)



A Campaign of Sabotage



C. S. Lewis wrote his most influential book, Mere Christianity,

in the middle of World War Two. The talks that became the basis

for this book were broadcast on the BBC between 1941 and 1944.

Lewis used numerous military allusions in that book,

in one case describing this world as "enemy-occupied territory."



Humanity has been invaded by an enemy: Satan.

He occupies the territory in which we live. "The rightful king"

has arrived and is in the process of taking back the territory,

but not as the Allies did on D-Day, June 6, 1944,

invading the beaches of Normandy in a full-scale assault

on German positions.



Jesus did not use tanks, planes, or artillery.

He arrived almost incognito. Few knew, even though it had been

predicted for centu­ries. Jesus came in disguise-as a baby.

No one would expect much opposition from a baby, but babies

have the power to wrap their parents around their little finger.

This baby had a lot more power than that, in fact, all power

and authority, and one day that au­thority will be visible

for all to see. But not yet.



Until then, we Christians acknowledge the power and authority

of this rightful king. We participate in his campaign of sabotage

against the enemy. We arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit,

the Word of God, and with the shield of faith, the breastplate

of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel

of peace. The message of the gospel is our best sabotage

against the power of Satan. Its power to forgive sins

is our best weapon.



Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,

aware of your power over him, and especially

aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.



10 (Eph 1:19; 1Co 16:13) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord

and in the power of His might.

11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that

you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.



Ephesians 6:10-11



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



Exactly The Right Time



In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.



-Luke 2:1



God's timing is always stunning! When it was exactly the right

moment for the Christ Child to be born, "all the world" cooperated.

The Emperor Augustus issued an order,

and everyone had to go to their ancestral home.



This was the first registration, we are notified in verse 2,

to be commanded when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Whether this means that other enrollments were levied later on we

are not told, but this one made history-not because of its intention

to number the extent of the Roman Empire or to record the names

of Rome's conquerees for taxation purposes, but because the titles

of those rulers are now perpetually associated with the Messiah's birth.



You were born, too, at exactly the right time. God planned all your gifts

and calculated at what point in history your presence would be pivotal.

How we adore the All-Knowing One for his incredible timing!



Prayer



How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,

that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.



Read Luke 2:1-7.



Luke 2



The Birth of Jesus



Mt 1:18-25



1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.

2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.

4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth

in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,

because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.

7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,

and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.



From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



FOURTH WEDNESDAY

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ADORATION!



And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.ISAIAH 9:6



In the days leading up to Christmas we're counting the days. The malls

are full. The carols continue. The Santas are weary. The mail carriers are

burdened. The children are hyper. And we can almost hear the cattle

lowing (whatever lowing is!.

In theses days we're ready to adore the Baby Jesus. as well we should.

Today's lesson spells it out so well: "A child has been born for us, a son

given to us." "Oh, come let us adore him. Christ the Lord!"

But look again in the stable. For too long we've seen the manger as

a "sanitary shed," white and neat and clean and perfect. But it wasn't

that way at all. It was messy and smelly and germy and . .. well ... human.

And that's exactly why we adore him! Because Christ didn't wait for us

to clean up our dirty and messy lives before he came to redeem us.

Not at all:He entered our sin-filled stables "lust as we are." He came as

a God sized man to rid us of our man-sized gods.

Check out the Christmas cards you are receiving. How many of them really

'depict the human stable where Jesus was born? He may look "adorable,"

but that is not why we adore him. We adore him because he has come

to be our Saviour. And we might add: our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!



Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,

Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Isaiah 9:2-7.



2 (Eph 5:8; Mt 4:16) The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,

upon them the light has shined.

3 (1Sa 30:16; Isa 26:15) You have multiplied the nation

and increased the joy;

they rejoice before You

according to the joy of harvest

and as men rejoice

when they divide the spoil.

4 (Isa 14:25; 10:26-27) For You have broken the yoke of his burden

and the bar of his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor

as in the day of Midian's defeat.

5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 (Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lk 2:11) For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7 (Isa 37:32; Da 2:44) Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to order it and to establish it

with justice and with righteousness,

from now until forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts

will perform this.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as love.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for forgiving and forgetting my sins."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a forgiver without the scorecard.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Word so it does not depart from your

mouth .



Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him all your burdens.



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 children of Canada, that they would come to know

Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.



Pray that Christians will recognise that our struggle is not

against the natural world but against invisible spiritual forces.



Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,

aware of your power over him, and especially

aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.



Pray: How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,

that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.



Pray: Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,

Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray for believers in the Nubia Mountains in Sudan who are receiving care

packages and other means of practical aid.



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.

Day 353, 19 December 2022



1) 2 Peter 1, 2 Peter 2, 2 Peter 3, Jude



2 Peter 1



Salutation



1 (Titus 2:13; Ro 3:21-26; 1:1) Simon Peter, a servant and apostle

of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith as precious

as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 (Jn 17:3; 1Pe 1:2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you through

the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.



[1] Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have

obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and

our Saviour Jesus Christ:

[2] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and

of Jesus our Lord,



The Christian's Call and Election



3 (1Th 2:12; 2Th 2:14) His divine power has given to us all things that

pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge

of Him who has called us by His own glory and excellence,

4 (Heb 12:10; 1Jn 3:2) by which He has given to us exceedingly great

and precious promises, so that through these things you might become

partakers of the divine nature

and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 (2Pe 3:18; Php 4:8) For this reason make every effort to add virtue

to your faith; and to your virtue, knowledge;

6 (Ac 24:25; 2Pe 1:3) and to your knowledge, self-control; and to your

self-control, patient endurance; and to your patient endurance, godliness;

7 (Ro 12:10; 1Co 13:1-8) and to your godliness, brotherly kindness;

and to your brotherly kindness, love.

8 (Jn 15:2; Col 3:16) For if these things reside in you and abound,

they ensure that you will neither be useless nor unfruitful

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 (Eph 5:26; Heb 9:14) But the one who lacks these things is blind

and shortsighted because he has forgotten that he was cleansed

from his former sins.

10 (2Pe 3:17) Therefore, brothers, diligently make your calling

and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.

11 For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided for you.

12 (Php 3:1; 1Jn 2:21) Therefore I will not be negligent to always

remind you of these things, though you know them and are established

in the truth that is present with you.

13 (2Pe 3:1; 1:14) I consider it right, as long as I live in this body,

to stir you up by reminding you,

14 (2Ti 4:6; Jn 21:18-19) knowing that soon I will take off this body,

even as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.

15 And I will also be diligent to make sure that after my death you

will always remember these things.



[3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain

unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to

glory and virtue:

[4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by

these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the

corruption that is in the world through lust.

[5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to

virtue knowledge;

[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience

godliness;

[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

[8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall

neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and

hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

[10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and

election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

[11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the

everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

[12] Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of

these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

[13] Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you

up by putting you in remembrance;

[14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our

Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

[15] Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have

these things always in remembrance.



Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word



16 (1Ti 1:4; Lk 9:28-32) For we have not followed cleverly devised myths

when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

17 (Mk 9:7; Mt 3:17; 17:5) For He received honor and glory from God

the Father when a voice came to Him from the majestic glory, saying,

"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

(Mt 17:5; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35.)

18 (Mt 17:6; Ex 3:5) And we ourselves heard this voice, which came

from heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 (Rev 22:16; Ps 119:105; Rev 2:28) And we have a more reliable word

of prophecy, which you would do well to follow, as to a light that shines

in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises

in your hearts.

20 (2Pe 3:3; Ro 12:6) But know this first of all, that no prophecy

of the Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation.

21 (1Pe 1:11; Lk 1:70; 2Sa 23:2) For no prophecy at any time was produced

by the will of man, but holy men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.



[16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known

unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were

eyewitnesses of his majesty.

[17] For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came

such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in

whom I am well pleased.

[18] And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him

in the holy mount.

[19] We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye

take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn,

and the day star arise in your hearts:

[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private

interpretation.

[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men

of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.



2 Peter 2



False Prophets and Teachers



Jude 4-13

1 (2Pe 2:3; Jude 1:4; 1Co 6:20) But there were also false prophets

among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you,

who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,

even denying the Lord who bought them,

bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

2 (Ro 2:24; Ac 16:17) And many will follow their destructive ways,

because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

3 (Dt 32:35; Ro 16:18) And in their greed they will exploit you

with deceptive words. Their judgment, made long ago, does not linger,

and their destruction does not slumber.

4 (Jude 1:6; Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10) For if God did not spare the angels

that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains

of darkness to be kept for judgment;

5 (2Pe 3:6; Heb 11:7) and if He did not spare the ancient world,

but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others,

when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 (Jude 1:7; Nu 26:10; Dt 29:23) and if He condemned the cities of Sodom

and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, making them

an example to those afterward who would live ungodly lives;

7 (Ge 19:16; 19:29; 19:7-8) and if He delivered righteous Lot,

who was distressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked

8 (Ps 119:136; 119:158) (for that righteous man lived among them,

and what he saw and heard of their lawless deeds tormented

his righteous soul day after day);

9 (1Co 10:13; 2Pe 3:7) then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial,

and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the Day of Judgment,

10 (Ex 22:28; Jude 1:10) especially those who walk after the flesh in pursuit

of unclean desires, and despise authority.

They are presumptuous and arrogant, and are not afraid to slander

the angelic beings.

11 (Jude 1:9) Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might,

do not bring slanderous accusations against them before the Lord.

12 (Jude 1:10; Jer 12:3) But these people are like irrational animals,

born to be captured and destroyed. They speak evil of the things that

they do not understand, and in their corruption they will be destroyed.

13 (Ro 13:13) They shall receive the wages of unrighteousness. They count it

a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes

who revel in their own deception while they carouse together with you.

14 (Eph 2:3; 2Pe 2:3) They have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease

from sin. They entice unstable souls. Their hearts are trained in greed.

They are cursed children!

15 (Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14) They have forsaken the right way and have gone

astray. They follow the way of Balaam the son of Beor,

who loved the wages of wickedness,

16 (Nu 22:21-33) but who was rebuked for his iniquity.

The mute donkey speaking with a man's voice constrained

the madness of the prophet.

17 (Jude 1:12-13) These men are wells without water and clouds that are

carried by a storm, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever.

18 (2Pe 1:4; 2:20) For when they speak arrogant words of vanity,

they entice by the lusts of the flesh and by depravity those who barely

escaped from those who live in error.

19 (Jn 8:34; Gal 5:13) Although they promise them freedom, they themselves

are slaves of corruption, for by that which a man is overcome, to this

he is enslaved.

20 (2Pe 1:2; 2:18) For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world

through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again

entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse for them

than the beginning.

21 (Eze 18:24; Lk 12:47) For it would have been better for them not to have

known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turn back

from the holy commandment that was delivered to them.

22 (Pr 26:11) But it has happened to them according to the true proverb,

"The dog returns to his own vomit,"(Pr 26:11.)

and "the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mud."



[1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall

be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift

destruction.

[2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way

of truth shall be evil spoken of.

[3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise

of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation

slumbereth not.

[4] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to

hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto

judgment;

[5] And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a

preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the

ungodly;

[6] And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them

with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live

ungodly;

[7] And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the

wicked:

[8] (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing,

vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

[9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to

reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

[10] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,

and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not

afraid to speak evil of dignities.

[11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing

accusation against them before the Lord.

[12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,

speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish

in their own corruption;

[13] And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it

pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting

themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

[14] Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling

unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed

children:

[15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the

way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

[16] But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's

voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

[17] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest;

to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

[18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through

the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean

escaped from them who live in error.

[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of

corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in

bondage.

[20] For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the

knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled

therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

[21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of

righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy

commandment delivered unto them.

[22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is

turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing

in the mire.



2 Peter 3



The Promise of the Lord's Coming



1 This is now, beloved, the second epistle I am writing to you, in which

I am stirring up your sincere minds by way of reminder,

2 (Lk 1:70; Jude 1:17) that you should remember the words that were spoken

previously by the holy prophets and the commandment of our Lord and Saviour

spoken through us, the apostles.

3 (Jude 1:18; 2Pe 2:10; Isa 28:14) Know this first, that there shall come

scoffers in the last days who walk after their own lusts,

4 (Jer 17:15; Mal 2:17) and say, "Where is the promise of His coming?

For since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they

were since the beginning of the creation."

5 (Ge 1:6; 1:9) For they willingly ignore that, by the word of God

the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed standing

out of the water and in the water,

6 (2Pe 2:5) by which the world that then existed was flooded with water

and perished.

7 (2Pe 3:10; 3:12; Mt 10:15) But by the same word, the heavens and the earth

that now exist are being reserved for fire,

kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 (Ps 90:4) But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with

the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 (1Ti 2:4; Hab 2:3; Heb 10:37) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise,

as some count slowness. But He is patient with us,

because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

10 (Mt 24:35; Rev 21:1; 2Pe 3:7) But the day of the Lord will come like

a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with

a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat.

The earth also and the works that are in it will be burned up.

11 (1Pe 1:15) Seeing then that all these things are to be destroyed,

what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

12 (2Pe 3:10; Ps 50:3; Isa 34:4) while you are waiting for and desiring

the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be destroyed

by fire and the elements will be consumed by intense heat?

13 (Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21:1) But, according to His promise, we are waiting

for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 (1Co 15:58; 1Th 3:13) Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these

things, be diligent that you may be found by Him in peace, spotless

and blameless.

15 (Ac 15:25; 2Pe 3:9) Keep in mind that the patience of our Lord means

salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul has also written to you according

to the wisdom given to him.

16 (Heb 5:11; 2Pe 2:14) As in all his letters, he writes about these things,

in which some things are hard to understand, which the unlearned

and unstable distort, as they also do the other Scriptures,

to their own destruction.

17 (1Co 10:12) You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand,

beware lest you also fall from your own firm footing,

being led away by the deception of the wicked.

18 (Col 1:10; Eph 4:15) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord

and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and forever. Amen.



[1] This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir

up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

[2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy

prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

[3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

[4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers

fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the

creation.

[5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the

heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the

water:

[6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

[7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept

in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of

ungodly men.

[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with

the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count

slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should

perish, but that all should come to repentance.

[10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which

the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt

with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be

burned up.

[11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of

persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

[12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the

heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with

fervent heat?

[13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a

new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

[14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent

that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as

our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath

written unto you;

[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which

are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and

unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own

destruction.

[17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest

ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own

stedfastness.

[18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.



Jude



The general epistle of Jude was written by Jude, a half-brother

of Jesus Christ, in the mid AD 60s. The place of authorship is unknown.

The purpose for this epistle is to exhort believers to stand firm for

the faith. Jude is filled with apocalyptic nuances and imagery.

A reading of the Old Testament is a prerequisite before delving

into this lofty letter. There are some very encouraging exhortations

as well as some sobering ones. Read this epistle with reverence

and a humble heart. Refer back to the Old Testament Scriptures

that are enveloped within its confines.



Salutation



1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

To those who are sanctified and called by God the Father

and preserved in Jesus Christ:



2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.



[1] Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that

are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

[2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.



Judgment on False Teachers



2Pe 2:1-17



3 Beloved, while I diligently tried to write to you of the salvation

we have in common, I found it necessary to write and appeal

to you to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.

4 For there are some men who secretly crept in, who were marked long ago

for this condemnation. They are ungodly men, who pervert the grace of our God

into immorality and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 Now I want to remind you, though you already know, that the Lord saved

the people out of the land of Egypt and afterward destroyed those

who did not believe.

6 Likewise, the angels who did not keep to their first domain, but forsook

their own dwelling, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness

for the judgment of the great day.

7 Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities in like manner,

gave themselves to immorality and went after different flesh, they serve

as an example by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

8 Likewise, these ungodly dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority,

and slander celestial beings.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil in a dispute

about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce upon him

a railing judgment. But he said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

10 But these men slander those things that they do not understand.

But they destroy themselves in those things that, like unreasoning animals,

they know by instinct.

11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily after

the error of Balaam for a reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

12 These are the ones who are stains on your love feasts as they feast with

you irreverently and care only for themselves. They are clouds without water,

carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted;

13 raging waves of the sea, which are foaming up their own shame;

wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been kept forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, also prophesied of these men,

saying, "Look! The Lord is coming with ten thousand of His holy ones,

15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all who are godless

of all their wicked deeds that they have committed, and of all the terrible

words that godless sinners have spoken against Him."

16 These men are grumblers, complainers, who walk after their own lusts.

Their mouths speak arrogant words, and they flatter others to gain profit.



[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common

salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye

should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the

saints.

[4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old

ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God

into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus

Christ.

[5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how

that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward

destroyed them that believed not.

[6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own

habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the

judgment of the great day.

[7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner,

giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are

set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

[8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion,

and speak evil of dignities.

[9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed

about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation,

but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

[10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they

know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

[11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily

after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of

Core.

[12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you,

feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried

about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead,

plucked up by the roots;

[13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars,

to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

[14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,

Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

[15] To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly

among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and

of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

[16] These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and

their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in

admiration because of advantage.



Warnings and Exhortations



17 But, beloved, remember the words that were previously spoken

by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

18 They said to you, "In the last days there will be scoffers

who will walk after their own ungodly desires."

19 These are the men who cause divisions, sensual, devoid of the Spirit.

20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith.

Pray in the Holy Spirit.

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy

of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life.

22 On some have compassion, using discernment.

23 And others save with fear while pulling them out of the fire,

hating even the garment stained by the flesh.



[17] But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the

apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

[18] How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who

should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

[19] These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

[20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,

praying in the Holy Ghost,

[21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord

Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

[22] And of some have compassion, making a difference:

[23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even

the garment spotted by the flesh.



Benediction



24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you

blameless before the presence of His glory with rejoicing,

25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty,

dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.



[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you

faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and

power, both now and ever. Amen.



2) Our Daily Bread for 19 December 2023



Learning from Scars



Genesis 32:22-32



Isaiah Reassures King Ahaz



Jacob Wrestles With God



22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants,

and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them

and sent them across the stream along with all that he had.

24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him there until daybreak.

25 When the man saw that He did not prevail against Jacob,

He touched the socket of his thigh, so the socket of Jacob's thigh

was dislocated, as he wrestled with Him. 26 Then He said,

"Let Me go, for the day breaks."

But Jacob said, "I will not let You go, unless You bless me."

27 So He said to him, "What is your name?"

And he said, "Jacob."

28 Then the man said, "Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel.

For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed."

29 Then Jacob asked Him, "Tell me, I pray You, Your name."

But He said, "Why do you ask Me My name?" Then He blessed him there.

30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying,

"I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved."

31 As he crossed over Peniel, the sun rose over him,

and he was limping on his thigh.

32 Therefore to this day the children

of Israel do not eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the thigh,

because He touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.



[22] And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two

womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

[23] And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he

had.

[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the

breaking of the day.

[25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the

hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he

wrestled with him.

[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not

let thee go, except thou bless me.

[27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

[28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as

a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he

said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him

there.

[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face

to face, and my life is preserved.

[31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon

his thigh.

[32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank,

which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the

hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.



Faye touched the scars on her abdomen. She had endured another surgery to

remove esophageal-stomach cancer. This time doctors had taken part of her

stomach and left a jagged scar that revealed the extent of their work. She

told her husband, "Scars represent either the pain of cancer or the start of

healing. I choose my scars to be symbols of healing."



Jacob faced a similar choice after his all-night wrestling match with God. The

divine assailant wrenched Jacob's hip out of socket, so that Jacob was left

exhausted and with a noticeable limp. Months later, when Jacob massaged his

tender hip, I wonder what he reflected on?



Was he filled with regret for his years of deceit that forced this fateful

match? The divine messenger had wrestled the truth out of him, refusing to

bless him until Jacob owned up to who he was. He confessed he was Jacob, the

"heel grabber" (see Genesis 25:26). He'd played tricks on his brother Esau and

father-in-law Laban, tripping them to gain advantage. The divine wrestler said

Jacob's new name would be "Israel, because you have struggled with God and

with humans and have overcome" (32:28).



Jacob's limp represented the death of his old life of deceit and the beginning

of his new life with God. The end of Jacob and the start of Israel. His limp

led him to lean on God, who now moved powerfully in and through him.



By: Mike Wittmer



Reflect & Pray



What spiritual scars do you have? How might they symbolize the end

of something bad and the start of something new?



Father, my limp is a sign of Your love.



Learn more about finding God in life's hurts





3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness



Eph 4:32



32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.



32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.



Don had lost his job because he stood against his boss and refused to

compromise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had

turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,

and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support

of those who cared.

But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to

recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and

honestly, " I believe my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show

him." The kindness of Don's heart, and the tenderness with which he

extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's

boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of

forgiving.

Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be

overstocked with judgment and crammed full of condemnation, but we have

little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick

to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for

the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,

the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.

Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgiveness when he

looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet

for his cloak, and said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what

are doing."

When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are

doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -

not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,

in the simplicity and purity of God's love.



Application



a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?



b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?



c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Proverbs 22:7



7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.



7 The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.



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



When you are Saddened by Loss



John 14:1 - 7



1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.

2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself,

that where I am, you may be also.

4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."

5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know

where You are going. How can we know the way?"

6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.

From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."



1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,

I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,

and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



19th Day of the Month



a) Pray the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders

as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society



(



1 Tim 2:1-2



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead

a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,



[1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

[2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet

and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.



)



b) Pray for the province of Prince Edward Island



I) Pray for the leaders of Prince Edward Island,

that God's Spirit would influence

then to act justly,

serve with integrity

and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good

and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved

and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet

and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge

of the truth.



)



II) Pray for the churches of the province,

that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use

the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



)



Advent Day 24



From C.S. Lewis A grand miracle by Joel Heck



"Once more, very many thanks to all your great goodness to me and mine:

and with all best wishes for a happy Christmas."



-C. S. Lewis



(From Letter to Dr. Warfield Firor, Nov. 6, 1948, Lewis' Collected Letters,

II, p. 889.)



Christmas Gratitude



During World War Two and for nearly a decade thereafter,

England suffered from a scarcity of certain foods and other consumables.

Rationing was the only solution, and a victory in the war the only consolation.

During those years, many in England benefited from the generosity of American

citizens almost as much as from the heroic courage of American soldiers.

The Lewis household was one of many to receive packages from the States,

which greatly eased the hardship. In the process, God blessed both the giver

and the recipients.



Dr. Warfield Firor, a physician from Baltimore, sent package after package

for many years. Because of the gift of more than one delicious ham,

Lewis once named him "Firor-of-the-Hams." Lewis had to come up with new

and creative ways of expressing his thanks, so frequent and generous

were Firor's gifts. Finally, Dr. Firor insisted that Lewis not thank

him anymore, but simply write to him about what he was reading, thinking,

or doing at the time. But in a letter in 1948, Lewis paired his gratitude

with greetings for the upcoming Christmas season.



The psalmist, thankful for God's strength, salvation, refuge, and

righteousness, thanks God for being his God. He says, "The Lord is

my strength and my song; he has become my salvation" (Ps. 118:14).

In the Advent season, we think of the salvation that God has sent

in his Son, and we are grateful.



We give thanks to you, 0 Lord, because you are good,

and because you gave us Jesus. Give us truly grateful hearts.



Amen.



You are my God, and I will praise You;

You are my God, I will exalt You.



Psalm 118:28



From Follow The Story by Marva J. Dawn



TUESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



John's Qualifications



And the child grew and became strong in spirit, ...



-Luke 1:80a





What do we mean when we assert that certain people have a "strong spirit"?

Usually we are awed by their



passionate convictions or the certainty of their beliefs.

In John the Forerunner's case, we encounter both the culmination of his call

to prepare the way for his Lord and the aftermath of his years of solitude

in the desert when his preeminent teacher was God. Some scholars speculate

that he was associated with the Essenes, who had retreated to the barren

lands to preserve their faith, but we don't know for sure.





Nor do we know how old John was when he withdrew to the wilderness,

but we can surmise that earlier he had benefited from the rigorous

training of Zechariah and Elizabeth.



They had enfolded him entirely in the story of Israel's long­ awaited

Messiah and in his own call to cultivate repentance in preparation for him.

On the bedrock of his parents' proficiencies, God equipped him

in the wastelands to meet the public and testify to them.



prayer



Equip us wholly, Lord, to serve you the best we can. Amen.





Read Luke 1:76-80.



76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

77 to give knowledge of salvation to His people

by the remission of their sins,

78 through the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace."

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit,

and he remained in the wilderness until the day of his appearance to Israel.



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



FOURTH TUESDAY

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ACCLAMATION!



7 so that, being justified by His grace, we might

become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want

you constantly to affirm, so that those who have believed in God might be

careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to

everyone. TITUS 3:7-8



Christmas is the time for acclamation . . . and so is Advent! This AH-HA

is present throughout our lives in the Lord as we shout. cheer, applaud

and say "AH-HA and hooray" to those around us!

Today's lesson is a great summary of the life in the Lord that we acclaim

daily. We are justified by his grace. which means we live "just as if I'd never

sinned." The Babe born in the manger whom we celebrate these days is

the reason for the reason we are free to acclaim his love and forgiveness

to others ... starting with ourselves!

Ruth Graham, wife of Billy Graham. had it right when she said that a "happy

'marriage is the union of two forgivers." We acclaim that this is what the

Church is all about also---a commUNION of forgivers in Christ!

The Church has not survived for over 2000 years because of our optimism,

idealism or realism, but because the Spirit has empowered his people to

acclaim and witness to the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord! Our

job is not to fix the world but to forgive the world through Christ Jesus!



Lord, we applaud, praise and acclaim your name. And even when

we do not acclaim your name, we know that you claim us as your forgiven

people! Help us. Lord, to say. like St. Paul, " This is a faithful saying!"

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Titus 3:4-8



4 (Titus 2:10-11) But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour

toward mankind appeared,

5 (Ro 12:2; 1Pe 3:21) not by works of righteousness which we have done,

but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of rebirth

and the renewal of the Holy Spirit,

6 (Ro 5:5; Joel 2:28) whom He poured out on us abundantly through

Jesus Christ our Saviour,

7 (Ro 8:17; Titus 1:2) so that, being justified by His grace, we might

become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 (1Ti 1:15; Titus 2:14) This is a faithful saying, and these things I want

you constantly to affirm, so that those who have believed in God might be

careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to

everyone.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the warnings of the Lord as evil increases

today.



Pray to the Lord: "Father, my limp is a sign of Your love."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a True Forgiver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be neither borrower or lender.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as the Truth, the Way and the Life.



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 the the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders

as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society



We give thanks to you, 0 Lord, because you are good,

and because you gave us Jesus. Give us truly grateful hearts.



Pray: Equip us wholly, Lord, to serve you the best we can. Amen.



Pray: Lord, we applaud, praise and acclaim your name. And even when

we do not acclaim your name, we know that you claim us as your forgiven

people! Help us. Lord, to say. like St. Paul, " The saying is sure!"

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray that Christians in Uzbekistan will be inspired with creative ways to

gather for worship, so they won't be fined.



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.

Day 352, 18 December 2023 - 23nd Day of Advent



1) 2 Timothy 1, 2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4



2 Timothy 1



Salutation



1 (2Co 1:1; Eph 3:6) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 (1Ti 1:2; Ro 1:7) To Timothy, my beloved son:

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.



[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the

promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

[2] To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the

Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.



Loyalty to the Gospel



3 (Ro 1:8-9; Ac 23:1) I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience as my

forefathers did, as I continually remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 (2Ti 4:9; 4:21) greatly desiring to see you, remembering your tears,

that I may be filled with joy,

5 (Ac 16:1; 1Ti 1:5) remembering the genuine faith that first lived

in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and that I am persuaded

lives in you also.

6 (1Ti 4:14; 1Th 5:19) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God,

which is in you by the laying on of my hands.

7 (Ro 8:15; Ac 1:8) For God has not given us the spirit of fear,

but of power, and love, and self-control.

8 (Mk 8:38; Eph 3:1) So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me, His prisoner. But share in the sufferings of the gospel

by the power of God,

9 (Ro 16:25; Titus 1:2) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,

not by our works, but by His own purpose and grace, which was given us

in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 (Ro 2:7; 16:26) but is now revealed by the appearing of our Saviour,

Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life

and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 (1Ti 2:7) for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 (2Ti 1:8; 1Ti 6:20; 1Pe 4:19) For these things I suffer, but I am not

ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is

able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.

13 (1Ti 1:14; Titus 1:9) Follow the pattern of sound teaching

which you have heard from me in the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.

14 (Ro 8:9; 1Ti 6:20) Guard the treasure that was committed to you through

the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

15 (2Ti 4:16; Ac 19:10) You know that all those who are in Asia have turned

away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 (2Ti 4:19; Ac 28:20) May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus,

for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.

17 But when he arrived in Rome, he searched me out very diligently

and found me.

18 (2Ti 1:12; Heb 6:10) May the Lord grant that he may find mercy

from the Lord on that Day. You know very well how many ways he ministered

to me at Ephesus.



[3] I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that

without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

[4] Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be

filled with joy;

[5] When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which

dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am

persuaded that in thee also.

[6] Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God,

which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,

and of a sound mind.

[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me

his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to

our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in

Christ Jesus before the world began,

[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light

through the gospel:

[11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of

the Gentiles.

[12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not

ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able

to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in

faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

[14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost

which dwelleth in us.

[15] This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from

me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

[16] The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed

me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

[17] But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found

me.

[18] The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day:

and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very

well.



2 Timothy 2



A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus



1 (Eph 6:10; 2Ti 1:2) So you, my son, be strong

in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 (1Ti 1:18; 6:12) Share the things that you have heard from me

in the presence of many witnesses with faithful men who will be able

to teach others also.

3 (1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 1:8) Endure hard times as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 (2Pe 2:20) No soldier on active duty entangles himself

with civilian affairs, that he may please the enlisting officer.

5 Anyone who competes as an athlete is not rewarded without competing legally.

6 The farmer who labors should be first to partake of the crops.

7 Consider what I am saying, and may the Lord grant you understanding

in all things.

8 (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,

descended from David, according to my gospel,

9 (Php 1:7; 2Ti 1:8) in which I suffer trouble like a criminal,

even with chains. But the word of God is not bound.

10 (Col 1:24; 2Co 1:6; 4:17) Therefore I endure all things for the sake

of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ

Jesus with eternal glory.

11 (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10) This is a faithful saying:

If we die with Him,

we shall also live with Him.

12 (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3) If we are faithless, He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.



[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same

commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

[3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

[5] And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he

strive lawfully.

[6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

[7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

[8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead

according to my gospel:

[9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word

of God is not bound.

[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also

obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live

with him:

[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also

will deny us:

[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.



An Approved Workman



14 (1Ti 5:21; 2Ti 2:23) Remind them of these things, commanding them before

the Lord that they not argue about words, which leads to nothing of value

and to the destruction of those who hear them.

15 (Mt 13:52) Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need

not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 (Titus 3:9; 1Ti 6:20) But avoid profane foolish babblings, for they will

increase to more ungodliness,

17 (1Ti 1:20) and their word will spread like gangrene: Among them are

Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 (1Co 15:12; 1Ti 1:19) who have erred concerning the truth,

saying that the resurrection has already occurred,

and who overthrow the faith of some.

19 (Jn 10:14; Isa 28:16) But the firm foundation of God stands,

having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and,

"Let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

20 (1Ti 3:15) In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,

but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonour.

21 (2Ti 3:17; Isa 52:11) One who cleanses himself from these things will be

a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master's use,

and prepared for every good work.

22 (1Ti 6:11; 1:5; 4:12) So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness,

faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 (Titus 3:9; 2Ti 2:14) But avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing

that they create strife.

24 (1Ti 3:2-3; Titus 3:2) The servant of the Lord must not quarrel,

but must be gentle toward all people, able to teach, patient,

25 (1Ti 2:4; Ac 8:22) in gentleness instructing those in opposition.

Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth,

26 (1Ti 3:7) and they may escape from the snare of the devil,

after being captured by him to do his will.





[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord

that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the

hearers.

[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to

be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more

ungodliness.

[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and

Philetus;

[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is

past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

[19] Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The

Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of

Christ depart from iniquity.

[20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver,

but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

[21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto

honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every

good work.

[22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,

peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

[23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender

strifes.

[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all

men, apt to teach, patient,

[25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God

peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

[26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who

are taken captive by him at his will.





2 Timothy 3



The Last Days



1 (Eze 38:16; 2Pe 3:3) Know this: In the last days perilous times will come.

2 (Php 2:21; Jude 1:16) Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,

boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 (Ro 1:31; 1Ti 3:11) without natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers,

unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good,

4 (1Ti 3:6) traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God,

5 (1Ti 5:8; Mt 7:15) having a form of godliness,

but denying its power. Turn away from such people.

6 (Titus 3:3; Jude 1:4) Those of this nature creep into houses

and captivate silly women who are burdened with sins

and led away with various desires,

7 (1Ti 2:4; 2Ti 2:25) always learning, but never able to come

to the knowledge of the truth.

8 (Ex 7:11; 1Ti 6:5) Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses,

so these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds

and worthless concerning the faith.

9 (Ex 7:12; 9:11) But they shall proceed no further,

for their folly will be revealed to everyone, as theirs also was.



[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,

blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,

fierce, despisers of those that are good,

[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of

God;

[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such

turn away.

[6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive

silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

[7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the

truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

[9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest

unto all men, as theirs also was.



Last Charge to Timothy



10 (Php 2:22; 1Ti 4:6) But you have observed my doctrine,

manner of life, purpose,

faith, tolerance, love, patience,

11 (Ps 34:19; Ac 13:45) persecutions, and afflictions, which came to me

at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra-what persecutions I endured!

But the Lord delivered me out of them all.

12 (Ac 14:22; Titus 2:12) Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life

in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving

and being deceived.

14 (2Ti 1:13) But continue in the things that you have learned

and have been assured of, knowing those from whom you have learned them,

15 (2Ti 1:5) and that since childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith that is

in Christ Jesus.

16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

17 (1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:21) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly

equipped for every good work.



[10] But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,

longsuffering, charity, patience,

[11] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium,

at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord

delivered me.

[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer

persecution.

[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and

being deceived.

[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been

assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are

able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ

Jesus.

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good

works.



2 Timothy 4



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

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

and His kingdom:

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

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

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

doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance

with their own desires, having itching ears,

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

and turn to myths.

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

endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,

and prove your ministry.

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

and the time of my departure has come.

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

and I have kept the faith.

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

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

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



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

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

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

exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

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

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

ears;

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

unto fables.

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

evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

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

hand.

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

faith:

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

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

but unto all them also that love his appearing.



Personal Instructions



9 (2Ti 1:4; 4:21) Diligently try to come to me soon.

10 (Ac 16:6; 17:1) Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world,

and has departed to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

11 (Ac 12:12; Col 4:14) Only Luke is with me. Get Mark, and bring him with you,

for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 (Ac 20:4; Eph 6:21) I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 (Ac 16:8) When you come, bring with you the cloak that I left

at Troas with Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 (1Ti 1:20; Ps 28:4) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.

May the Lord reward him according to his works.

15 Beware of him, for he has greatly opposed our words.

16 (Ac 7:60) At my first defense no one stood with me,

but everyone forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

17 (Ac 9:15; Ps 22:21) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,

so that through me the preaching might be fully known, and that

all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 (Ro 11:36; Ps 121:7) The Lord will deliver me from every evil work

and will preserve me for His heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever

and ever. Amen.



[9] Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

[10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is

departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

[11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is

profitable to me for the ministry.

[12] And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

[13] The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring

with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

[14] Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him

according to his works:

[15] Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

[16] At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray

God that it may not be laid to their charge.

[17] Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me

the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:

and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

[18] And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve

me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



Final Greetings



19 (Ac 18:2) Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 (Ac 20:4; 19:22) Erastus remained at Corinth, and I have left Trophimus

ill in Miletus.

21 (2Ti 4:9) Diligently try to come before winter. Eubulus greets you,

and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

22 (Gal 6:18; Col 4:18) The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Grace be with you. Amen.



[19] Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

[20] Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

[21] Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and

Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

[22] The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.





2) Our Daily Bread for 18 December 2022 titled

My God Is Near



Philippians 4:4-7



4 (Php 3:1; Ro 12:12) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 (Jas 5:8-9) Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand.

6 (Eph 6:18; Mt 6:25-33) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer

and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.

7 (Jn 14:27; Col 3:15; Isa 26:3) And the peace of God, which surpasses all

understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



[4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

[5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your

hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



For more than thirty years, Lourdes, a voice teacher in Manila, had taught

students face to face. When she was asked to conduct classes online, she was

anxious. "I'm not good with computers," she recounted. "My laptop is old,

and I'm not familiar with video conferencing platforms."



While it may seem a small thing to some, it was a real stressor for her. "I

live alone, so there is no one to help," she said. "I'm concerned that my

students will quit, and I need the income."



Before each class, Lourdes would pray for her laptop to work properly.

"Philippians 4:5-6 was the wallpaper on my screen," she said.

"How I clung to those words."



Paul exhorts us to not be anxious about anything, because "the Lord is

near" (Philippians 4:5). God's promise of His presence is ours to hold on to.

As we rest in His nearness and commit everything to Him in prayer-both big and

small-His peace guards our "hearts and . . . minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7).



"God led me to websites about fixing computer glitches," Lourdes said. "He

also gave me patient students who understood my technological limitations."

God's presence, help, and peace are ours to enjoy as we seek to follow Him all

the days of our life. We can say with confidence: "Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!" (v. 4).



By: Karen Huang



Reflect & Pray



How can knowing that God is near change your reaction of worry to one

of peace? What specific requests can you present to Him?



Dear God, thank You for being near me.

Because of Your loving presence, help, and peace, I don't have to be anxious.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 2 - The key to the Prison Cell



Matt 6:14-15



14 For if you forgive men for their sins, your heavenly Father will

also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men for their sins,

neither will your Father forgive your sins.



14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will

also forgive you: 15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses,

neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.



Ann had been badly wounded in a relationship that had ended in anger

and accusation. For more than a year, Ann nursed her bitterness, rallying

support for her attitudes from friends and colleagues. Any time she saw

her former friend, Ann put up an icy wall of hostility. She thought she was

"getting over" the hurt, but the very mention of her friend's name brought

back a flood of negative feelings. Ann was trapped, locked in a prison of

unforgiveness , a jail built block by block by her own unwillingness to

forgive. Ann didn't "get over it"; instead, her wounds festered

and her bitterness grew worse.

Then one day - she never knew how - Ann let go of her bitterness. The barriers

of hostility and anger melted away, and when she saw her friend again, she was

able to forgive. And Ann was finally able to turn to the Lord for her own

healing and forgiveness.

"If you do not forgive," Jesus says - and the statement falls hard on

unforgiving hearts, "Neither will you be forgiven." In one sense, God's

forgiveness is unconditional - we do not have to earn or deserve it, and it is

always available to us. But we cannot experience the forgiveness God has

extended to us when we harbour unforgiveness towards others and build walls

of bitterness in our hearts.

When we refuse forgiveness toward those who have hurt or betrayed us, we do

not keep them in bondage, but ourselves. We lock ourselves away for an

awareness of God's loving presence; we imprison ourselves in a cell of

revenge. But when we reach out to forgive, we turn in the lock;

the door is open for our own sins to be forgiven and our own hearts

cleansed and purified.



Application



a) Why is forgiving others a condition for experiencing forgiveness

in my own life?



b) How can these verses have a practical effect upon my willingness

to forgive others?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 28:11



11 (Dt 28:4; 30:9) The Lord will make you overflow in prosperity,

in the offspring of your body, in the offspring of your livestock,

and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore

to your fathers to give you.



11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body,

and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land

which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.



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



When you are lonely



1 John 4:16b-18



God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us,

so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is,

so are we in this world.

18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love,

but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

Whoever fears is not perfect in love.



God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness

in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.



6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



18th Day of the Month



a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical

refreshing for the presence of the Lord



( Jer 31:25



25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.



25 For I have satiated the weary soul,

and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

)



b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from

danger and adversity



( Ps 34:7



7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,

and delivers them.



7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,

And delivereth them.



)



Advent day 23



From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck



Monday,Fourth Week of Advent



"There! They're at it again. 'Ark, the errol hygel sings'....

Boxing Day [December 26] is only two and a half weeks ahead;

then perhaps we shall have a little quiet in which to remember

the birth of Christ." C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in "Delinquents in the Snow," God in the Dock, p. 310.)



A Little Quiet



The day on which the English give their gifts is Boxing Day, a public holiday

that falls on the first weekday after Christmas. In the past, the English

exchanged gifts among equals on Christmas Day, and gave gifts to those

"socially inferior" on the day after,

probably wrapped in boxes; hence, the name "Boxing Day."

It is also known in England as St. Stephen's Day, named after the first Christian martyr.



As a result, Lewis was not expecting the Prince of Peace to bring him peace

until after Boxing Day, a day after Christmas Day itself,

after gifts had been given. While peace in the biblical sense means

far more than the absence of stress, Lewis was here thinking of the

peace and quiet that a busy man, a famous and popular man, too seldom enjoyed.



From the time of his BBC radio broadcasts in 1941, Lewis received many

letters, probably a half-dozen to a dozen each day. As a result, he spent

a lot of time answering those letters, and they seemed to come

in greater numbers during the Christmas holidays. We don't have to be famous

to appreciate Lewis' desire for a little quiet.

In the midst of the busyness of the Advent season, we need to remember that

God sent a child, a son, the Prince of Peace.

He came to announce, "Peace on earth" (Luke 2:14) for everyone who believes.



Prince of Peace, give us peace of heart and mind,

peace in the midst of busyness, and peace

in the midst of quiet. Amen.



For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...

And he will be called...Prince of Peace.



Isaiah 9:6



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



MONDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



Tender Mercy



through the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;



-Luke 1:78



What an attractive image, the "dawn from on high"!



It is an expression for the morning's light, but in its ambiguity

the figure could also refer to the Christ whose coming we anticipate.





This is one benefit that comes from God's "tender mercy." Another is John,

the Most High's Prophet and the Lord's Forerunner, who dispersed

to people knowledge of God's salvation

by the pardoning of their transgressions.



Those upon whom the dawn from on high burst were able

to move out of both their darkness and death's shadow

and into the way of peace. That is still true today. As we prepare

to hail the coming of the Christ Child, we honor him by participating

in his gift of bringing peace to the world. In his name and character,

we become reconcilers and harmonisers, helping people to allay their fears

and eliminate their quarrels. What tranquility might be brought to the nations!



Prayer



Lord Jesus Christ, propel us to communicate your peace. Amen.



Read Luke 1:68-79.



68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for He has visited and redeemed His people,

69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of His servant David,

70 as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago,

71 that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us,

72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember His holy covenant,

73 the oath which He swore to our father Abraham,

74 to grant us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,

might serve Him without fear,

75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.

76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

77 to give knowledge of salvation to His people

by the remission of their sins,

78 through the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace."



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ACCEPTANCE!



the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,"

MATTHEW 1:20



Joseph is often the "odd man out" in the Christmas story. We hear

so much about the Baby Jesus (and rightly so!), and about Mary,

the shepherds, the angels and even those smelly sheep .. - but not

a lot about Joseph



The Ah-Has of acceptance is all about Joseph. Today's lesson shows

good old Joe in a tough situation But, through the Holy Spirit, he accepted

the responsibilities that were given to him. And notice the phrase that

the angel brought to Joseph's dream: "Do not be afraid!" These are the

same Gospel words that we hear from the Lord as we go about accepting

the responsibilities that he gives to us each day.



The beauty and irony of Advent is that as we prepare for his coming.

the Lord has already prepared us for life in him! His acceptance of us

enables us to accept the many tasks and challenges he gives to us ...

with no exceptions! It's like the button that states, "God loves you ...

of course - he loves everyone!" And it's true, because of Emmanuel,

"God with us."



Lord, thanks for accepting us as your children, with no exceptions.

Because of your birth, death and resurrection: we are yours forever!

Forgive us when we do not accept that truth. Forgive us when we fail

to hear and see you in our lives . Keep whispering bands (and shouting) to us,

"Do not be afraid! " In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Matthew 1:18-25



18 (Ge 3:15) Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way:

After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together,

she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 (Dt 22:21-24; 24:1-4 )Then Joseph her husband, being a just man

and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to divorce

her privately.

20 (Mt 1:18; 2:13) But while he thought on these things, the angel

of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,

for He who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 (Lk 1:31; Ac 4:12) She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,

for He will save His people from their sins."

22 (Mt 2:15; 2:23) Now all this occurred to fulfill what the Lord

had spoken through the prophet, saying,

23 (Isa 7:14; 9:6–7; Mt 28:20) "A virgin shall be with child,

and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,"

[Isa 7:14.] which is interpreted, "God with us."

24 Then Joseph, being awakened from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord

had commanded him, and remained with his wife,

25 (Mt 1:21; Lk 2:7) and did not know her until she had given birth

to her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray that you continue in the things which you have

learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom you hast learned them;

And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are

able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ

Jesus for

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for being near me.

Because of Your loving presence, help, and peace, I don't have to be anxious."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be forgiving as the Lord forgives.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who blesses you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as 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 that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical

refreshing for the presence of the Lord



Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from

danger and adversity



Prince of Peace, give us peace of heart and mind,

peace in the midst of busyness, and peace in the midst of quiet. Amen.



Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, propel us to communicate your peace. Amen.



Pray: Lord, thanks for accepting us as your children, with no exceptions.

Because of your birth, death and resurrection: we are yours forever!

Forgive us when we do not accept that truth. Forgive us when we fail

to hear and see you in our lives . Keep whispering bands (and shouting) to us,

"Do not be afraid! " In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray that Christians will reflect Christ's love and forgiveness

to their persecutors in the Central African Republic.



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.

Day 351, 17 December 2023 - 22nd Day of Advent



Today at Calvary Community

Church Today The Children enacted a play called The Mystery of the Manger

It's the Gospel Truth by Celeste and David T. Clydesdale.



Luke 1:3 -4



3 it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things

from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account,

most excellent Theophilus,

4 that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.



[3] It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all

things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent

Theophilus,

[4] That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast

been instructed.



2 Timothy 3:16



16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,



[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:



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.



Genesis 1:26



26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,

and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds

of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."



[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let

them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.



John 14:6



6 (Jn 10:9; 1:14; Ac 4:12) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man

cometh unto the Father, but by me.



Micah 5:2



2 (Zec 9:9; Mt 2:6) But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

although you are small among the tribes of Judah,

from you will come forth for Me

one who will be ruler over Israel.

His origins are from of old,

from ancient days.



[2] But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands

of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in

Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.



Ephesians 1:7-9



7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood

and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,

8 which He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight,

9 (Ro 8:28; Eph 1:11) making known to us the mystery of His will,



[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 toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good

pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:



Luke 2:1-20



The Birth of Jesus



Mt 1:18-25



1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.

2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.

4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth

in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,

because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.

7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,

and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.



The Shepherds and the Angels



8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.

10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.

For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.

11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day

in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:

You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company

of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace, and good will toward men."

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said

to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,

which the Lord has made known to us."

16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,

and the Baby lying in a manger.

17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word

which was told them concerning this Child.

18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.

19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them

in her heart.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things

they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.



[1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from

Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

[3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

[4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into

Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was

of the house and lineage of David:)

[5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished

that she should be delivered.

[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling

clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the

inn.

[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord

shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good

tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is

Christ the Lord.

[12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in

swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying,

[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

[15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into

heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto

Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath

made known unto us.

[16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe

lying in a manger.

[17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was

told them concerning this child.

[18] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told

them by the shepherds.

[19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the

things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.



Colossians 2:13-14



13 (Eph 2:1; Jas 2:26) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision

of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all

sins.

14 (Ac 3:19; Col 2:20) He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was

against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to

the cross.





[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which

was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;



2 Corinthians 5:17



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.



[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new.



Book Recommendation: The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel



1) Hebrews 11 , 12, 13



Hebrews 11

Faith



1 (2Co 4:18; 5:7) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the men of old obtained a good report.

3 (Jn 1:3; Ro 4:17) By faith we understand that the universe was framed

by the word of God, so that things that are seen were not made

out of things which are visible.

4 (Mt 23:35; Heb 12:24) By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent

sacrifice than Cain offered. Through this he was approved as righteous,

with God testifying concerning his gifts. He still speaks through his

faith, though he is dead.

5 (2Ki 2:11; Jude 1:14) By faith Enoch was taken to heaven so that

he would not see death. He was not found, because God took him away.

For before he was taken, he had this commendation, that he pleased God.

6 (1Ch 28:9; Jer 29:13-14) And without faith it is impossible to please God,

for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a

rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 (1Pe 3:20; Eze 14:14) By faith Noah, being divinely warned about things

not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to save his family,

by which he condemned the world

and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 (Ge 12:1-4; 12:7) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out

into a place which he would later receive as an inheritance. He went out

not knowing where he was going.

9 (Ge 12:8; 18:9) By faith he dwelt in the promised land, as in a foreign

land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise,

10 (Heb 12:22; 13:14) for he was looking for a city which has foundations,

whose builder and maker is God.

11 (Ge 18:11-14; Heb 10:23) By faith Sarah herself also received the ability

to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age,

because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

12 (Ge 22:17; 15:5; 32:12) Therefore from one man, who was as good as dead,

sprang so many, a multitude as the stars of the sky and innumerable

as the sand by the seashore.

13 (Ge 23:4; Ps 39:12) These all died in faith not having received

the promises, but having seen them from afar were assured of them,

embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims

on the earth.

14 Those who say such things declare plainly that they are looking

for a homeland.

15 (Ge 24:6-8) And certainly, if they had been thinking of the country

out of which they came, they might have had the opportunity to return.

16 (Ex 3:6; 3:15) But they desired a better country, that is, a heavenly one.

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared

a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac,

and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

18 (Ge 21:12; Ro 9:7) Of him God said,

"Through Isaac shall your seed be named."(Ge 21:12.)

19 (Ro 4:17-21) He reasoned that God was able to raise him up,

even from the dead, from which he indeed received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph

and worshipped while leaning on the top of his staff.

22 (Ex 13:19; Ge 50:24-25) By faith Joseph, when he was dying, mentioned the

exodus of the children of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 (Ex 1:16; 1:22) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden by his

parents for three months, because they saw he was a beautiful child,

and they were not afraid of the king's command.

24 (Ex 2:10-11) By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called

the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

25 (Job 36:21; Ps 84:10) choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people

of God than to enjoy thepleasures of sin for a time.

26 (Heb 2:2; 10:35) He esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater riches than

the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward.

27 (Heb 11:13; Ex 2:14-15) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath

of the king. He endured by looking to Him who is invisible.

28 (Ex 12:21-30) By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood,

lest the one who destroys the firstborn touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land,

which the Egyptians attempted to do, but were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled

for seven days.

31 (Jas 2:25; Jos 6:22-25; Mt 1:5) By faith the prostitute Rahab,

when she received the spies with peace, did not perish with

those who did not believe.

32 (1Sa 1:20; 16:1) And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to

tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

33 (Jdg 14:5-6) who through faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice,

obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 (Jdg 15:8; 1Ki 19:3) quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge

of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fighting,

and turned the armies of foreign enemies to flight.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured

and did not accept deliverance,

so that they might obtain a better resurrection.

36 (Jer 20:2; Ge 39:20; 1Ki 22:27) Still others had trials of mocking

and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.

37 (1Ki 19:10; 2Ch 24:21) They were stoned, they were sawn in two,

were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered around

in sheepskins and goatskins, while destitute, afflicted, and tormented.

38 (1Ki 18:4; 19:9) The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts

and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

39 (Heb 11:13; 11:2; 1Pe 1:12) These all have obtained a good report through

faith, but they did not receive the promise.

40 (Rev 6:11) For God provided something better for us, so that with us they

would be made perfect.



[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things

not seen.

[2] For by it the elders obtained a good report.

[3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of

God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

[4] By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by

which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his

gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

[5] By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not

found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had

this testimony, that he pleased God.

[6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to

God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that

diligently seek him.

[7] By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with

fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned

the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

[8] By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he

should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not

knowing whither he went.

[9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,

dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same

promise:

[10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and

maker is God.

[11] Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and

was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him

faithful who had promised.

[12] Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as

the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore

innumerable.

[13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having

seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and

confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

[14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

[15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they

came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

[16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore

God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a

city.

[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had

received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

[18] Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

[19] Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from

whence also he received him in a figure.

[20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

[21] By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph;

and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

[22] By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the

children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,

because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the

king's commandment.

[24] By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son

of Pharaoh's daughter;

[25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to

enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

[26] Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in

Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

[27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he

endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

[28] Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest

he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

[29] By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the

Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

[30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed

about seven days.

[31] By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,

when she had received the spies with peace.

[32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of

Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and

Samuel, and of the prophets:

[33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained

promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

[34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of

weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the

armies of the aliens.

[35] Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were

tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better

resurrection:

[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of

bonds and imprisonment:

[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with

the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,

afflicted, tormented;

[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in

mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received

not the promise:

[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us

should not be made perfect.



Hebrews 12



The Discipline of the Lord



1 Therefore, since we are encompassed with such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

2 (Heb 1:3; Lk 24:26) Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our

faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising

the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 (Gal 6:9; Heb 12:5) For consider Him who endured such hostility

from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and your hearts give up.

4 (Heb 10:32-34) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed while striving

against sin.

5 (Pr 3:11-12) And you have forgotten the exhortation addressed

to you as sons:

"My son, do not despise the discipline from the Lord,

nor grow weary when you are rebuked by Him;

6 (Rev 3:19; Ps 119:75; Pr 3:12) for whom the Lord loves He disciplines,

and scourges every son whom He receives."

7 (Pr 13:24; 19:18) Endure discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons.

For what son is there whom a father does not discipline?

8 If you are without discipline, of which everyone has partaken,

then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

9 (Nu 16:22; 27:16) Furthermore, we have had human fathers,

and they corrected us, and we gave them reverence.

Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

10 (2Pe 1:4) For they indeed disciplined us for a short time according

to their own judgment, but He does so for our profit, that we may partake

of His holiness.

11 (Isa 32:17; Jas 3:17-18) Now no discipline seems to be joyful at the time,

but grievous. Yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness

in those who have been trained by it.

12 (Isa 35:3; Job 4:3-4) Therefore lift up your tired hands,

and strengthen your weak knees.

13 (Gal 6:1; Pr 4:26-27) Make straight paths for your feet,

lest that which is lame go out of joint, but rather be healed.



[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily

beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy

that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set

down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against

himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

[4] Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

[5] And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto

children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

[6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he

receiveth.

[7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son

is he whom the father chasteneth not?

[8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are

ye bastards, and not sons.

[9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we

gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the

Father of spirits, and live?

[10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:

nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto

them which are exercised thereby.

[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be

turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.



Warning Against Rejecting God's Grace



14 (Ro 14:19; 2Co 7:1) Pursue peace with all men, and the holiness

without which no one will see the Lord,

15 (Gal 5:4; Heb 3:12; Dt 29:18) watching diligently so that no one falls

short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up

to cause trouble, and many become defiled by it,

16 (Heb 13:4; Ge 25:31-34) lest there be any sexually immoral

or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing,

he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, though he sought

it diligently with tears.

18 (Dt 4:11; Ex 20:18) You have not come to a mountain that can be touched

and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and storm,

19 (Dt 18:16; 4:12) and to the sound of a trumpet and to a voice speaking

words, such that those who heard them begged that the word not be spoken

to them anymore.

20 (Ex 19:12-13) For they could not endure that which was commanded:

"If so much as a beast touches the mountain, it must be stoned

or thrust through with a spear."(Ex 19:12-13.)

21 (Ex 19:16) So terrible was the sight that Moses said,

"I am terrified and trembling."(Dt 9:19.)

22 (Gal 4:26; Ps 48:2) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city

of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable

company of angels;

23 (Lk 10:20; Ge 18:25) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn,

who are enrolled in heaven; to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits

of the righteous ones made perfect;

24 (Ge 4:10; Heb 11:4; 8:6) and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant;

and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than that of Abel.

25 (Heb 8:5; 11:7) See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they

did not escape when they refused Him who spoke on earth,

much less shall we escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.

26 (Ex 19:18) At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has given us

a promise, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth

but also heaven." (Hag 2:6.)

27 And this statement, "Yet once more," signifies the removal of those things

that can be shaken, things that are created, so that only those things

that cannot be shaken will remain.

28 (Da 2:44; Heb 13:15) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom

that cannot be moved, let us be gracious, by which we may serve God

acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

29 (Dt 4:24; 9:3) For our God is a consuming fire.



[14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see

the Lord:

[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root

of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

[16] Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one

morsel of meat sold his birthright.

[17] For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the

blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he

sought it carefully with tears.

[18] For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that

burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

[19] And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they

that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

[20] (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as

a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a

dart:

[21] And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and

quake:)

[22] But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God,

the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

[23] To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written

in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made

perfect,

[24] And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of

sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

[25] See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who

refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn

away from him that speaketh from heaven:

[26] Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet

once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

[27] And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things

that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot

be shaken may remain.

[28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have

grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

[29] For our God is a consuming fire.



Hebrews 13



Service That Pleases God



1 (1Pe 1:22; 2:17) Let brotherly love continue.

2 (Mt 25:35; 1Pe 4:9) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some

have entertained angels unknowingly.

3 (Mt 25:36; Col 4:18) Remember those who are in chains, as if imprisoned

with them, and those who are ill treated, since you are also in the body.

4 (1Co 6:9; Gal 5:19) Marriage is to be honored among everyone,

and the bed undefiled. But God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

5 (Jos 1:5; Dt 31:6) Let your lives be without love of money,

and be content with the things you have. For He has said:

"I will never leave you,

nor forsake you."(Dt 31:6, 8; Jos 1:5.)

6 (Ps 56:4) So we may boldly say:

"The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?"(Ps 118:6.)

7 (Heb 13:17; 6:12; 13:24) Remember those who rule over you, who have

proclaimed to you the word of God. Follow their faith, considering

the results it has produced in their lives.

8 (Heb 1:12; Mal 3:6) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today,

and forever.

9 (Eph 4:14; 2Co 1:21) Do not be carried away

with diverse and strange doctrines. It is a good thing that the heart

be strengthened with grace, not with foods, which have not profited

those who have been occupied with them.

10 (1Co 9:13) We have an altar from which those who serve in the tabernacle

have no right to eat.

11 (Ex 29:14; Lev 16:27) For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood

is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest on account of sin,

are burned outside the camp.

12 (Ac 7:58; Eph 5:26) Therefore Jesus also, so that He might sanctify

the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 (Heb 11:26) Therefore let us go forth to Him outside the camp,

bearing the reproach that He bore.

14 (Heb 12:22; Mic 2:10) For here we have no continuing city,

but we seek one to come.

15 (Hos 14:2; Lev 7:12) Through Him, then, let us continually offer

to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips,

giving thanks to His name.

16 (Ro 12:13; Php 4:18) But do not forget to do good and to share.

For with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 (Ac 20:28; Heb 13:7) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch

over your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do this with joy

and not complaining, for that would not be profitable to you.

18 (1Th 5:25; Ac 23:1) Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good

conscience and in all things are willing to live honestly.

19 (Phm 1:22) But I implore you to pray,

that I may be restored to you very soon.



[1] Let brotherly love continue.

[2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have

entertained angels unawares.

[3] Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which

suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

[4] Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers

and adulterers God will judge.

[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such

things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake

thee.

[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.

[7] Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the

word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

[9] Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good

thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have

not profited them that have been occupied therein.

[10] We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the

tabernacle.

[11] For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the

sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

[12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own

blood, suffered without the gate.

[13] Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his

reproach.

[14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

[15] By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God

continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

[16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices

God is well pleased.

[17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they

watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it

with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

[18] Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things

willing to live honestly.

[19] But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you

the sooner.



Benediction and Final Greetings



20 (Zec 9:11; Jn 10:11) Now may the God of peace, who through the blood

of the eternal covenant brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the Great Shepherd of the sheep,

21 (Php 2:13; 2Th 2:17) make you perfect in every good work to do His will,

working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 (1Pe 5:12; Heb 3:1) I implore you, brothers, to heed this word

of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

23 (1Th 3:2) Know that our brother Timothy has been set free,

with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.

24 (Heb 13:7; 13:17) Greet all those who rule over you and all the saints.

Those from Italy greet you.

25 (Col 4:18) Grace be with you all. Amen.



[20] Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting

covenant,

[21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that

which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory

for ever and ever. Amen.

[22] And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have

written a letter unto you in few words.

[23] Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he

come shortly, I will see you.

[24] Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They

of Italy salute you.

[25] Grace be with you all. Amen.



2) Our Daily Bread for 17 December 2023 titled



Christmas Dilemma



Proverbs 3:5-18,32





5 (Ps 37:3; 37:5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 (1Ch 28:9; Pr 16:3; Jer 10:23) in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your paths.

7 (Job 1:1; Ro 12:16) Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8 (Job 21:24; Pr 4:22) It will be health to your body,

and strength to your bones.

9 (Ex 23:19; 22:29) Honor the Lord with your substance,

and with the first fruits of all your increase;

10 (Dt 28:8) so your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your presses will burst out with new wine.

11 (Job 5:17) My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

nor be weary of His correction;

12 (Dt 8:5) for whom the Lord loves He corrects,

even as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

and the man who gets understanding;

14 (Pr 8:19; 16:16) for her benefit is more profitable than silver,

and her gain than fine gold.

15 (Pr 8:11; Job 28:18) She is more precious than rubies,

and all the things you may desire are not to be compared with her.

16 (Pr 3:2) Length of days is in her right hand,

and in her left hand riches and honor.

17 (Ps 119:165; Mt 11:28-30) Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

18 (Ge 2:9; Pr 11:30) She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

and happy is everyone who retains her.



32 (Ps 25:14; Pr 11:20) for the perverse is an abomination to the Lord,

but His secret counsel is with the righteous.



5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

And lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

And he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes:

Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

And marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance,

And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,

And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;

Neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;

Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,

And the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,

And the gain thereof than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies:

And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand;

And in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:

And happy is every one that retaineth her.



32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD:

But his secret is with the righteous.



David and Angie had felt called to move overseas, and the fruitful ministry

that followed seemed to confirm it. But there was one downside to their move.

David's elderly parents would now spend Christmases alone.



David and Angie tried to mitigate his parents' Christmas Day loneliness by

posting gifts early and calling on Christmas morning. But what his parents

really wanted was them. With David's income only permitting an occasional

trip home, what else could they do? David needed wisdom.



Proverbs 3 is a crash course in wisdom-seeking, showing us how to receive it

by taking our situations to God (vv. 5-6), describing its various qualities

such as love and faithfulness (vv. 3-4, 7-12), and its benefits as peace and

longevity (vv. 13-18). In a touching note, it adds that God gives such wisdom

by taking us "into his confidence" (v. 32). He whispers His solutions to those who are close to Him.



Praying about his problem one night, David had an idea. Next Christmas Day, he

and Angie put on their best clothes, decorated the table with tinsel, and

brought in the roast dinner. David's parents did the same. Then, placing a

laptop on each table, they ate together via video link. It almost felt like

they were in the same room. It's become a family tradition ever since.



God took David into His confidence and gave him wisdom.

He loves to whisper creative solutions to our problems.



By: Sheridan Voysey



Reflect & Pray



What dilemma are you facing? What loving solution might God have for you?



Father God, please whisper to my heart Your creative solution to my problem.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 1 - Forgiving as God Forgave



Col 3:13



13 Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone

has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.



13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man

have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.



"No!" Brett slammed his hand against the desk to punctuate his point.

"My wife's infidelity is completely unforgivable. She just wants to make things

look good, to have me condone her new relationship.

I won't do it. I won't forgive her."

Brett was a man in pain, and his perspective on forgiving

his wife is understandable. But unfortunately, many of us are

the victims of "unforgivable" offenses; many of us, as well,

are the perpetrators of such offenses, and we desperately need

to be forgiven.

Brett ultimately came to understand that forgiving and "unforgivable"

hurt is not based on the worthiness of the recipient of forgiveness,

but on the worthiness of Christ himself. The Bible teaches that we are bound

to forgiveness for one simple reason:

because God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ.

"Forgive as the Lord forgave", Paul commands in Col 3:13 . How did Christ

forgive? Freely, completely, without basing his forgiveness on our merit. He

forgave us unilaterally, offering forgiveness before we asked,

before we were aware of our sin and the pain it caused him,

before we came to him in repentance.

Forgiveness does more that release the perpetrator for the bondage of

his wrongdoing. It releases the victim as well. Forgiveness frees

the forgiver from the bondage of anger and bitterness that keeps him distant

from the love of God. We can forgive the most "unforgivable" of offenses

against us when we focus our attention not on the offender, but on Christ,

who forgave us.



Application



a) Have I ever harboured unforgiveness toward another person?

What was the result in my spiritual/emotional life?



b) Is there someone in my life who has hurt me, who I need to forgive?

How can this verse help me extend the forgiveness to that person?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 8:18



18 But you must remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you

the ability to get wealth, so that He may establish His covenant which

He swore to your fathers, as it is today.



18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee

power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto

thy fathers, as it is this day.



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



When you are lonely



PSALMS 25:15-21



15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for He will lead my feet from the net.

16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,

for I am isolated and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

18 Look on my pain and misery,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,

and they hate me with violent hatred.

20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!

Let me not suffer shame,

for I seek refuge in You.

21 Truth and integrity will preserve me

while I wait for You.



15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;

For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;

For I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:

O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

And forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:

Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;

For I wait on thee.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



17th Day of the Month



a) Pray for the safety of those

who live in your community -

safety from conflict an crimes



( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls

and security within your towers!



7 Peace be within thy walls,

And prosperity within thy palaces.)



b) Pray for the province of Ontario



I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,

that God's Spirit would influence

then to act justly,

serve with integrity

and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4



1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,

2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,

3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good

and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved

and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province,

that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use

the Finding the Hope Campaign

and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus



)



Advent day 22



From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck



"Most of my books are evangelistic, addressed to [those outside the faith]. It would have been inept to preach forgiveness and a Savior to those who did not know they were in need of either." - C. S. Lewis



(From "Rejoinder to Dr. Pittenger," God in the Dock, p. 181.)



The Saviour



The name Jesus means "Yahweh saves." His name is his mission. He has come to save us. To say that he is Jesus is to say that he is the Savior, the Evangel, the Good News. Other characters in sacred history carried this name before Jesus of Nazareth, although in a different form, like Joshua, Hosea and Hoshea.



Lewis was very much concerned about the Good News. He once wrote, "Most of my books are evangelistic." The word "evangelistic" contains within it the word "evangel," which means, literally, "good news." In another place, Lewis stated that the best work he could do was to explain the Christian faith to those on the outside. He compared his work to that of a translator, a person who takes words in one language and translates them into another language. Lewis tried to translate biblical ideas into the language of the ordinary person. Some of his books translated the good news, others smuggled that news under the cover of fantasy. Still other writings of his spoke very directly. That you are reading these words is a testimony to his success.



More important than Lewis' success and fame, however, is the success of his evangelistic purpose. When we trust in this Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, we have what he came to give-eternal life.



Jesus, Saviour, pilot me. And give me your Spirit to speak that same word to others. Amen.



"She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,

for He will save His people from their sins."



Matt. 1:21





From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT



The Covenant Promise



to perform the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember His holy covenant,



-Luke 1:72





How pertinent it is that on this last Sunday of Advent we read the beautiful song of Zechariah, in which he



proclaims the marvelous news about God raising up a Savior



and predicts that his son John will be a prophet of the Most High. We will highlight the first component today and the second tomorrow.





How grateful we are that God fulfilled his promises to Abraham and to others that he would save them from their enemies!



Not only does Zechariah review those covenant pledges, but he proceeds to encourage all of us who note this completion that now we can serve our God "without fear" and "in holiness and righteousness" for the rest of our lives.





What a freedom God's mercy and holy covenant bestow upon us! No matter what "enemies" hate us, our Mighty Savior liberates us in his celestial purity to advance what God is doing.



Prayer



Thank you, God, that the coming of the Promised One enables

us to serve you in holiness. Amen.



Read Luke 1:67-79.



67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit

and prophesied, saying,

68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for He has visited and redeemed His people,

69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of His servant David,

70 as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago,

71 that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us,

72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember His holy covenant,

73 the oath which He swore to our father Abraham,

74 to grant us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,

might serve Him without fear,

75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.

76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

77 to give knowledge of salvation to His people

by the remission of their sins,

78 through the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace."



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANXIETIES!



Lift up your heads, O you gates;

and be lifted up, you everlasting doors,

that the King of glory may enter. PSALM 24:7



Today's Scripture reminds me again that Advent is an ongoing journey

of UH-OHs and AH-HAs in our lives. Someone once quipped that

'If you like bungee-jumping, you'll love Advent!" How true. how true!



Psalm 24 brings out the anxieties of life. but only if we read it as

something that we got to do rather than something that we get to do.

We are asked, 'Who will the Lord come to lift up, to save ?" And we are told.

"Those who have clear hands and pure hearts." Well, that leaves me out.

Wow. what an UH-OH moment!

But there's more ... lots more. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said. 'A prison

cell, in which one waits, hopes and is completely depended on the fact

that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad

picture of Advent!" And that's what the psalmist is talking about!



Lift up our heads, we are told, because the King of Glory. Jesus Christ

himself, is coming! The door to life has been opened . .. from the outside

And so we do lift up our heads, as we also lift up other people.

Once again, today. the UH-OH anxieties of life have been overcome

by the AH-HAs of Advent! The prison door is open . . . come and see

the Empty Tomb!

Lord, continue to lift us up in the midst of our own anxieties

Send your Spirit to calm us, cleanse us and cuddle us in your Word.

And as you do, empower us to lift others up as well.

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Psalm 24



Psalms 24

A Psalm of David.

1 The earth belongs to the Lord, and its fullness,

the world, and those who dwell in it.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For He has founded it on the seas,

and established it on the floods.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?

Who may stand in His holy place?

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) He who has clean hands and a pure heart;

who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity,

nor sworn deceitfully.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) He will receive the blessing from the Lord,

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,

who seek Your face. Selah

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Lift up your heads, O you gates;

and be lifted up, you everlasting doors,

that the King of glory may enter.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

the Lord mighty in battle.

9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Lift up your heads, O you gates;

lift up, you everlasting doors,

that the King of glory may enter.

10) Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Who is He-this King of glory?

The Lord of Hosts,

He is the King of glory. Selah



Conclusion:



Pray to know Him for his Birth to save mankind.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who can save your soul.



Pray to the Lord: "Father God, please whisper to my heart Your creative

solution to my problem.."



Pray to the Lord and pray be forgiving in the name of the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray to honour His covenant.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know that Truth and Integrity will preserve you.



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 safety of those

who live in your community -

safety from conflict an crimes



Jesus, Saviour, pilot me. And give me your Spirit to speak that same word to others. Amen.



Pray: Thank you, God, that the coming of the Promised One enables

us to serve you in holiness. Amen.



Pray: Lord, continue to lift us up in the midst of our own anxieties

Send your Spirit to calm us, cleanse us and cuddle us in your Word.

And as you do, empower us to lift others up as well.

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray that the many young people of Somalia who are currently disillusioned

with Islam will turn to faith in Christ.





Christ is the reason for the season



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.