Day 353 - 19 December 2021 reflections
Day 353, 19 December 2021
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ We
Address the Characters of Christmas: Elizabeth and Zechariah
6 They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were now well advanced in years.
8 Now while he served as priest before God, when his division was on duty,
9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn
incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer
has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall call his name John.
14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready
a people prepared for the Lord."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this?
For I am an old man and my wife well advanced in years."
(Luke 1:6-10, 13-18)
2 Tim 2:13
13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3) If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2 Cor 12:9
9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me, "My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
Titus 3:5
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,
a) God can use us in our everyday lives
b) God is faithful even when we doubt
c) God uses unlikely people
1)
Hebrews 1 - 6
Hebrews 1
God Has Spoken by His Son
1 (Joel 2:28; Ge 3:15) God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke
long ago to the fathers through the prophets,
2 (Mt 28:18; Jn 1:3) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom
He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world.
3 (Mk 16:19; 2Co 4:4) He is the brightness of His glory, the express image
of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had
by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty
on high.
4 (Eph 1:21) He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited
a more excellent name than they.
The Son Superior to Angels
5 (2Sa 7:14; Ps 2:7) For to which of the angels did He at any time say:
"You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father"(-6 Pr 3:11–12.)?
Or again,
"I will be a Father to Him,
and He shall be a Son to Me"(-7 Ps 40:6–8.)?
6 (Ps 97:7; Dt 32:43) And again, when He brings the firstborn
into the world, He says:
"Let all the angels of God worship Him."(Ps 110:4.)
7 (Ps 104:4) Of the angels He says:
"He makes His angels spirits,
and His servants a flame of fire."(–11 Ps 95:7–11.)
8 (Ps 45:6-7; Isa 7:14) But to the Son He says:
"Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever;
a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.(Ps 45:6.)
9 (Isa 61:1; 61:3) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
with the oil of gladness more than Your companions."(Ps 45:7; Isa 61:1, 3.)
10 (Ps 102:25-27) And,
"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the works of Your hands.
11 (Isa 34:4; 51:6) They will perish, but You remain;
and they all will wear out like a garment;
12 (Heb 13:8) as a cloak You will fold them up,
and they will be changed.
But You are the same,
and Your years will not end."
13 (Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44) But to which of the angels did He at any time say:
"Sit at My right hand,
until I make Your enemies
Your footstool"(Ps 110:1.)?
14 (Ps 34:7; Mt 18:10) Are they not all ministering spirits sent out
to minister to those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 2
The Great Salvation
1 (Pr 3:21) Therefore we should be more attentive to what we have heard,
lest we drift away.
2 (Ac 7:53; Heb 10:28; 10:35) For if the word spoken by angels was true,
and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense,
3 (Lk 1:2; Heb 1:2) how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation,
which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who
heard Him?
4 (Eph 1:5) God also bore them witness with signs and wonders and diverse
miracles and with gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own
will.
The Pioneer of Salvation
5 (Heb 6:5) For it was not to the angels that He has subjected
the world to come, of which we are speaking.
6 (Heb 4:4) But someone in a certain place testified, saying:
"What is man that You are mindful of him,
or the son of man that You care for him?
7 You made him a little lower than the angels;
You crowned him with glory and honor,
and set him over the works of Your hands.
8 (1Co 15:27) You have put all things in subjection under his feet."
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not
subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.
9 (Jn 3:16; Ac 2:33) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than
the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He,
by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.
10 (Lk 24:26; Ro 11:36; Lk 24:46) For it was fitting for Him, for whom
and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make
the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11 (Heb 10:10; Mt 25:40) For both He who sanctifies and those who are
sanctified are all of One. For this reason He is not ashamed to call
them brothers,
12 (Ps 22:22) saying:
"I will declare Your name to My brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You."(Ps 22:22.)
13 (Ps 18:2; Isa 8:17–18) And again:
"I will put My trust in Him." (Isa 12:2.)
And again:
"Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."(Isa 8:18.)
14 (Jn 1:14; 2Ti 1:10; Ge 3:15) So then, as the children share in flesh
and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might
destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) and deliver those who through fear of death were
throughout their lives subject to bondage.
16 For surely He does not help the angels, but He helps the seed of Abraham.
17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him
to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 3
Jesus Superior to Moses
1 (Php 3:14; 2Ti 1:9) Therefore, holy brothers, partakers in a heavenly
calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Jesus Christ,
2 (Nu 12:7) who was faithful to Him who appointed Him,
as Moses was faithful in all His house.
3 For the One was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
in that He who builds the house has more honor than the house itself.
4 For every house is built by someone, but the One who builds all things
is God.
5 (Nu 12:7; Ex 14:31; Heb 3:2) Moses was faithful in all God's house
as a servant, testifying about those things that were to be spoken later.
6 (1Co 3:16; Heb 1:2) But Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son,
whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing
of our hope firm to the end.
A Rest for God's People
7 (Heb 3:15; 4:7) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear His voice,
8 do not harden your hearts
as in the rebellion,
on the day of temptation in the wilderness,
9 (Ac 7:36) where your fathers tested Me and tried Me
and saw My works for forty years.
10 (Ps 95:10) Therefore I was angry with that generation,
and said, 'They always go astray in their heart,
and they have not known My ways.'
11 (Heb 4:3; 4:5) So I swore in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest.' "
12 (Heb 12:25) Be attentive, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil,
unbelieving heart, and you depart from the living God.
13 (Eph 4:22; Heb 10:24-25) But exhort one another daily, while it is called
"Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 (Heb 3:6) For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning
of our confidence firmly to the end,
15 (Heb 3:7-8) while it is said:
"Today, if you will hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts
as in the rebellion."(Ps 95:7-8.)
16 (Nu 14:2; 14:30) For who were they who heard and rebelled? Was it not
all of those who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
17 (Nu 14:29; Jude 1:5) And with whom was He grieved for forty years?
Was it not with those who had sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 (Dt 1:34-35) And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest,
but to those who disobeyed?
19 (Jn 3:36; 3:18) So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4
1 (Heb 12:15) Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest remains,
let us fear lest any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 (1Th 2:13) For the gospel was preached to us as well as to them.
But the word preached did not benefit them, because it was not mixed
with faith in those who heard it.
3 (Ps 95:11; Heb 3:11) For we who have believed have entered this rest,
as He has said,
"As I have sworn in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest.' "(Ps 95:11.)
However, His works have been finished since the creation of the world.
4 (Ex 20:11; 31:17) For He spoke somewhere about the seventh day like this:
"And God rested on the seventh day from all His works."(Ge 2:2.)
5 (Heb 3:11; 4:3) And again in the present passage He said,
"They shall not enter My rest."(Ps 95:11.)
6 (Heb 3:18-19) Since therefore it remains for some to enter it,
and they to whom it was first preached did not enter due to unbelief,
7 (Ps 95:7; Heb 3:7-8) again He establishes a certain day,
"Today," saying through David, after so long a time, as it has been said:
"Today, if you will hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts."(Ps 95:7-8.)
8 (Jos 22:4) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have later
spoken of another day.
9 Therefore a rest remains for the people of God.
10 (Rev 14:13) For whoever enters His rest will also cease from his own works,
as God did from His.
11 (Heb 3:12) Let us labor therefore to enter that rest, lest anyone fall
by the same pattern of unbelief.
12 (Eph 6:17; Isa 49:2; Jer 23:29) For the word of God is alive, and active,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul
and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents
of the heart.
13 (Ps 33:13-15; Job 26:6) There is no creature that is not revealed
in His sight, for all things are bare and exposed to the eyes of Him
to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise
with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,
yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 5
1 (Heb 8:3; 10:11; 2:17) For every high priest chosen from among men
is appointed to represent men in things pertaining to God,
that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 (Heb 2:18; 7:28) He is able to have compassion on the ignorant
and on those who are wayward, for he himself is also subject to weakness.
3 (Heb 7:27; 9:7; Lev 9:7) Because of this he must offer sacrifices
for his own sins, just as he does for the people.
4 (Ex 28:1; Nu 16:40) No man takes this honor for himself,
but he who is called by God receives it, just as Aaron did.
5 (Jn 8:54; Ps 2:7) So also Christ did not glorify Himself to be made
a High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
"You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father."–7 (Ps 40:6–8.)
6 (Heb 7:17; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:21) As He also says in another place:
"You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek."(Ps 110:4.)
7 (Mt 27:46; 27:50) In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers
and supplications with loud cries and tears to Him who was able to save
Him from death. He was heard because of His godly fear.
8 (Php 2:8) Though He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things
that He suffered,
9 (Heb 2:10) and being made perfect, He became the source of eternal
salvation for all those who obey Him,
10 (Heb 5:5-6; 6:20) being designated by God a High Priest according
to the order of Melchizedek.
Warning Against Apostasy
11 (2Pe 3:16) Concerning this we have much to say that is hard to explain,
since you have become hard of hearing.
12 (Heb 6:1; Ac 7:38) For though by now you should be teachers, you need
someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God
and have come to need milk rather than solid food.
13 (1Co 14:20; 1Pe 2:2) Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word
of righteousness, for he is a baby.
14 (Isa 7:15; 1Co 2:6) But solid food belongs to those who are mature,
for those who through practice have powers of discernment that are trained
to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 6
1 (Heb 9:14) Therefore, leaving the elementary principles of the doctrine
of Christ, let us go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation
of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 (Ac 6:6; 17:31-32) of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands,
the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 (Ac 18:21; 1Co 16:7)This we will do if God permits.
4 (Gal 3:2; Eph 2:8) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
who have tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 (Heb 2:5; 1Pe 2:3) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers
of the age to come,
6 (Heb 10:29; 1Jn 5:16) if they fall away, to be renewed once more to repentance,
since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God
and subject Him to public shame.
7 For land that drinks in the rain that often falls upon it
and bears a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives
a blessing from God.
8 (Ge 3:17-18; Dt 29:28) But land that bears thorns and thistles
is rejected and near to being cursed. Its destiny is to be burned.
9 But though we speak in this manner, we are persuaded of better things
for you, things that accompany salvation,
10 (Mt 10:42; 1Th 1:3; Pr 14:31) for God is not unjust so as to forget
your work and labor of love that you have shown for His name, in that
you have ministered to the saints and continue ministering.
11 (Heb 3:6; 3:14; Ro 5:2-5) We desire that every one of you show
the same diligence for the full assurance of hope to the end,
12 (Heb 10:36; 13:7; Rev 13:10) so that you may not be lazy, but imitators
of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Sure Promise of God
13 (Lk 1:73) For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could vow
by no one greater, He vowed by Himself,
14 (Ge 22:17) saying, "Surely I will bless you, and surely I will
multiply you."(Ge 22:17.)
15 (Heb 6:12) So after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 (Ex 22:11) For men indeed swear by a greater authority than themselves,
and for them an oath of confirmation ends all dispute.
17 (Heb 11:9; Pr 19:21) So God, wanting to show more abundantly
the immutability of His counsel to the heirs of promise, confirmed it
by an oath.
18 (Titus 1:2; Nu 23:19; Heb 12:1-2) So that by two immutable things,
in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge
might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
19 (Heb 9:7; Lev 16:2) We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor
of the soul, which enters the Inner Place behind the veil.
20 (Heb 4:14; 5:6; 1:3) This is where Jesus has entered for us as
a forerunner, since He has become the everlasting High Priest in
the order of Melchizedek.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/19/remembered-in-prayer
entitled Remembered in Prayer
Genesis 30:1-2,22-24
1 When Rachel saw that she could not give Jacob children, she became jealous
of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die."
2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said,
" Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb? "
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
23 She conceived and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my
reproach."
24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, "The Lord will add to me another
son."
In the large African church, the pastor fell to his knees, praying to God.
"Remember us!" As the pastor pleaded, the crowd responded, crying, "Remember
us, Lord!" Watching this moment on YouTube, I was surprised that I shed tears
too. The prayer was recorded months earlier. Yet it recalled childhood times
when I heard our family’s pastor make the same plea to God. "Remember us,
Lord!"
Hearing that prayer as a child, I'd wrongly assumed that God sometimes forgets
about us. But God is all-knowing (Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20), He always sees us
(Psalm 33:13-15), and He loves us beyond measure (Ephesians 3:17-19).
Even more, as we see in the Hebrew word zakar, meaning "remember," when God
"remembers" us, He acts for us. Zakar also means to act on a person's behalf.
Thus, when God "remembered" Noah and "all the wild animals and the livestock
that were with him in the ark," He then "sent a wind over the earth, and the
waters receded" (Genesis 8:1). When God "remembered" barren Rachel, He
"listened to her and enabled her to conceive. She became pregnant and gave
birth to a son" (30:22-23).
What a great plea of trust to ask God in prayer to remember us! He'll decide
how He answers. We can pray knowing, however, that our humble request asks
God to move.
By: Patricia Raybon
Reflect & Pray
In what area of your life do you need God to
remember you? How willing are you to pray with
such intent and purpose?
Dear heavenly Father, grow my understanding of
Your remembrance of me. Then, where I need You to act,
please remember me.
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.
"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) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Hebrews 7:8
8 In the one case mortal men receive tithes,
but in the other he of whom it is witnessed
that he is alive receives them.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Facing Pain and Suffering
2 Cor 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance
of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan,
to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.
9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships,
in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 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 in 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 that 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,
)
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.
)
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, Savior, 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 the Lord How he can Use you.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that He is the High Priest who empathises
with us.
Pray to the Lord "Dear heavenly Father, grow my understanding of
Your remembrance of me. Then, where I need You to act,
please remember me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be forgiving just like Jesus forgave
all on the cross.
Pray to the Lord and pray for that the Gift you give Him
will be used according to His will.
Pray to the Lord and pray for His strength during hardship.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
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.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society.
Jesus, Savior, 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 culture and tradition in Qatar will not hinder
people from coming to Christ.
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.
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca/ We
Address the Characters of Christmas: Elizabeth and Zechariah
6 They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were now well advanced in years.
8 Now while he served as priest before God, when his division was on duty,
9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn
incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer
has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall call his name John.
14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready
a people prepared for the Lord."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this?
For I am an old man and my wife well advanced in years."
(Luke 1:6-10, 13-18)
2 Tim 2:13
13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3) If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2 Cor 12:9
9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me, "My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
Titus 3:5
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,
a) God can use us in our everyday lives
b) God is faithful even when we doubt
c) God uses unlikely people
1)
Hebrews 1 - 6
Hebrews 1
God Has Spoken by His Son
1 (Joel 2:28; Ge 3:15) God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke
long ago to the fathers through the prophets,
2 (Mt 28:18; Jn 1:3) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom
He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world.
3 (Mk 16:19; 2Co 4:4) He is the brightness of His glory, the express image
of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had
by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty
on high.
4 (Eph 1:21) He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited
a more excellent name than they.
The Son Superior to Angels
5 (2Sa 7:14; Ps 2:7) For to which of the angels did He at any time say:
"You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father"(-6 Pr 3:11–12.)?
Or again,
"I will be a Father to Him,
and He shall be a Son to Me"(-7 Ps 40:6–8.)?
6 (Ps 97:7; Dt 32:43) And again, when He brings the firstborn
into the world, He says:
"Let all the angels of God worship Him."(Ps 110:4.)
7 (Ps 104:4) Of the angels He says:
"He makes His angels spirits,
and His servants a flame of fire."(–11 Ps 95:7–11.)
8 (Ps 45:6-7; Isa 7:14) But to the Son He says:
"Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever;
a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.(Ps 45:6.)
9 (Isa 61:1; 61:3) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
with the oil of gladness more than Your companions."(Ps 45:7; Isa 61:1, 3.)
10 (Ps 102:25-27) And,
"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the works of Your hands.
11 (Isa 34:4; 51:6) They will perish, but You remain;
and they all will wear out like a garment;
12 (Heb 13:8) as a cloak You will fold them up,
and they will be changed.
But You are the same,
and Your years will not end."
13 (Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44) But to which of the angels did He at any time say:
"Sit at My right hand,
until I make Your enemies
Your footstool"(Ps 110:1.)?
14 (Ps 34:7; Mt 18:10) Are they not all ministering spirits sent out
to minister to those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 2
The Great Salvation
1 (Pr 3:21) Therefore we should be more attentive to what we have heard,
lest we drift away.
2 (Ac 7:53; Heb 10:28; 10:35) For if the word spoken by angels was true,
and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense,
3 (Lk 1:2; Heb 1:2) how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation,
which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who
heard Him?
4 (Eph 1:5) God also bore them witness with signs and wonders and diverse
miracles and with gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own
will.
The Pioneer of Salvation
5 (Heb 6:5) For it was not to the angels that He has subjected
the world to come, of which we are speaking.
6 (Heb 4:4) But someone in a certain place testified, saying:
"What is man that You are mindful of him,
or the son of man that You care for him?
7 You made him a little lower than the angels;
You crowned him with glory and honor,
and set him over the works of Your hands.
8 (1Co 15:27) You have put all things in subjection under his feet."
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not
subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.
9 (Jn 3:16; Ac 2:33) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than
the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He,
by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.
10 (Lk 24:26; Ro 11:36; Lk 24:46) For it was fitting for Him, for whom
and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make
the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11 (Heb 10:10; Mt 25:40) For both He who sanctifies and those who are
sanctified are all of One. For this reason He is not ashamed to call
them brothers,
12 (Ps 22:22) saying:
"I will declare Your name to My brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You."(Ps 22:22.)
13 (Ps 18:2; Isa 8:17–18) And again:
"I will put My trust in Him." (Isa 12:2.)
And again:
"Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."(Isa 8:18.)
14 (Jn 1:14; 2Ti 1:10; Ge 3:15) So then, as the children share in flesh
and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might
destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) and deliver those who through fear of death were
throughout their lives subject to bondage.
16 For surely He does not help the angels, but He helps the seed of Abraham.
17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him
to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,
to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 3
Jesus Superior to Moses
1 (Php 3:14; 2Ti 1:9) Therefore, holy brothers, partakers in a heavenly
calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Jesus Christ,
2 (Nu 12:7) who was faithful to Him who appointed Him,
as Moses was faithful in all His house.
3 For the One was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
in that He who builds the house has more honor than the house itself.
4 For every house is built by someone, but the One who builds all things
is God.
5 (Nu 12:7; Ex 14:31; Heb 3:2) Moses was faithful in all God's house
as a servant, testifying about those things that were to be spoken later.
6 (1Co 3:16; Heb 1:2) But Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son,
whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing
of our hope firm to the end.
A Rest for God's People
7 (Heb 3:15; 4:7) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear His voice,
8 do not harden your hearts
as in the rebellion,
on the day of temptation in the wilderness,
9 (Ac 7:36) where your fathers tested Me and tried Me
and saw My works for forty years.
10 (Ps 95:10) Therefore I was angry with that generation,
and said, 'They always go astray in their heart,
and they have not known My ways.'
11 (Heb 4:3; 4:5) So I swore in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest.' "
12 (Heb 12:25) Be attentive, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil,
unbelieving heart, and you depart from the living God.
13 (Eph 4:22; Heb 10:24-25) But exhort one another daily, while it is called
"Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 (Heb 3:6) For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning
of our confidence firmly to the end,
15 (Heb 3:7-8) while it is said:
"Today, if you will hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts
as in the rebellion."(Ps 95:7-8.)
16 (Nu 14:2; 14:30) For who were they who heard and rebelled? Was it not
all of those who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
17 (Nu 14:29; Jude 1:5) And with whom was He grieved for forty years?
Was it not with those who had sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 (Dt 1:34-35) And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest,
but to those who disobeyed?
19 (Jn 3:36; 3:18) So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4
1 (Heb 12:15) Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest remains,
let us fear lest any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 (1Th 2:13) For the gospel was preached to us as well as to them.
But the word preached did not benefit them, because it was not mixed
with faith in those who heard it.
3 (Ps 95:11; Heb 3:11) For we who have believed have entered this rest,
as He has said,
"As I have sworn in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest.' "(Ps 95:11.)
However, His works have been finished since the creation of the world.
4 (Ex 20:11; 31:17) For He spoke somewhere about the seventh day like this:
"And God rested on the seventh day from all His works."(Ge 2:2.)
5 (Heb 3:11; 4:3) And again in the present passage He said,
"They shall not enter My rest."(Ps 95:11.)
6 (Heb 3:18-19) Since therefore it remains for some to enter it,
and they to whom it was first preached did not enter due to unbelief,
7 (Ps 95:7; Heb 3:7-8) again He establishes a certain day,
"Today," saying through David, after so long a time, as it has been said:
"Today, if you will hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts."(Ps 95:7-8.)
8 (Jos 22:4) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have later
spoken of another day.
9 Therefore a rest remains for the people of God.
10 (Rev 14:13) For whoever enters His rest will also cease from his own works,
as God did from His.
11 (Heb 3:12) Let us labor therefore to enter that rest, lest anyone fall
by the same pattern of unbelief.
12 (Eph 6:17; Isa 49:2; Jer 23:29) For the word of God is alive, and active,
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul
and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents
of the heart.
13 (Ps 33:13-15; Job 26:6) There is no creature that is not revealed
in His sight, for all things are bare and exposed to the eyes of Him
to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise
with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,
yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 5
1 (Heb 8:3; 10:11; 2:17) For every high priest chosen from among men
is appointed to represent men in things pertaining to God,
that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 (Heb 2:18; 7:28) He is able to have compassion on the ignorant
and on those who are wayward, for he himself is also subject to weakness.
3 (Heb 7:27; 9:7; Lev 9:7) Because of this he must offer sacrifices
for his own sins, just as he does for the people.
4 (Ex 28:1; Nu 16:40) No man takes this honor for himself,
but he who is called by God receives it, just as Aaron did.
5 (Jn 8:54; Ps 2:7) So also Christ did not glorify Himself to be made
a High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
"You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father."–7 (Ps 40:6–8.)
6 (Heb 7:17; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:21) As He also says in another place:
"You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek."(Ps 110:4.)
7 (Mt 27:46; 27:50) In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers
and supplications with loud cries and tears to Him who was able to save
Him from death. He was heard because of His godly fear.
8 (Php 2:8) Though He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things
that He suffered,
9 (Heb 2:10) and being made perfect, He became the source of eternal
salvation for all those who obey Him,
10 (Heb 5:5-6; 6:20) being designated by God a High Priest according
to the order of Melchizedek.
Warning Against Apostasy
11 (2Pe 3:16) Concerning this we have much to say that is hard to explain,
since you have become hard of hearing.
12 (Heb 6:1; Ac 7:38) For though by now you should be teachers, you need
someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God
and have come to need milk rather than solid food.
13 (1Co 14:20; 1Pe 2:2) Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word
of righteousness, for he is a baby.
14 (Isa 7:15; 1Co 2:6) But solid food belongs to those who are mature,
for those who through practice have powers of discernment that are trained
to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 6
1 (Heb 9:14) Therefore, leaving the elementary principles of the doctrine
of Christ, let us go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation
of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 (Ac 6:6; 17:31-32) of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands,
the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 (Ac 18:21; 1Co 16:7)This we will do if God permits.
4 (Gal 3:2; Eph 2:8) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
who have tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 (Heb 2:5; 1Pe 2:3) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers
of the age to come,
6 (Heb 10:29; 1Jn 5:16) if they fall away, to be renewed once more to repentance,
since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God
and subject Him to public shame.
7 For land that drinks in the rain that often falls upon it
and bears a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives
a blessing from God.
8 (Ge 3:17-18; Dt 29:28) But land that bears thorns and thistles
is rejected and near to being cursed. Its destiny is to be burned.
9 But though we speak in this manner, we are persuaded of better things
for you, things that accompany salvation,
10 (Mt 10:42; 1Th 1:3; Pr 14:31) for God is not unjust so as to forget
your work and labor of love that you have shown for His name, in that
you have ministered to the saints and continue ministering.
11 (Heb 3:6; 3:14; Ro 5:2-5) We desire that every one of you show
the same diligence for the full assurance of hope to the end,
12 (Heb 10:36; 13:7; Rev 13:10) so that you may not be lazy, but imitators
of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Sure Promise of God
13 (Lk 1:73) For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could vow
by no one greater, He vowed by Himself,
14 (Ge 22:17) saying, "Surely I will bless you, and surely I will
multiply you."(Ge 22:17.)
15 (Heb 6:12) So after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 (Ex 22:11) For men indeed swear by a greater authority than themselves,
and for them an oath of confirmation ends all dispute.
17 (Heb 11:9; Pr 19:21) So God, wanting to show more abundantly
the immutability of His counsel to the heirs of promise, confirmed it
by an oath.
18 (Titus 1:2; Nu 23:19; Heb 12:1-2) So that by two immutable things,
in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge
might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
19 (Heb 9:7; Lev 16:2) We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor
of the soul, which enters the Inner Place behind the veil.
20 (Heb 4:14; 5:6; 1:3) This is where Jesus has entered for us as
a forerunner, since He has become the everlasting High Priest in
the order of Melchizedek.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/19/remembered-in-prayer
entitled Remembered in Prayer
Genesis 30:1-2,22-24
1 When Rachel saw that she could not give Jacob children, she became jealous
of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die."
2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said,
" Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb? "
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
23 She conceived and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my
reproach."
24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, "The Lord will add to me another
son."
In the large African church, the pastor fell to his knees, praying to God.
"Remember us!" As the pastor pleaded, the crowd responded, crying, "Remember
us, Lord!" Watching this moment on YouTube, I was surprised that I shed tears
too. The prayer was recorded months earlier. Yet it recalled childhood times
when I heard our family’s pastor make the same plea to God. "Remember us,
Lord!"
Hearing that prayer as a child, I'd wrongly assumed that God sometimes forgets
about us. But God is all-knowing (Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20), He always sees us
(Psalm 33:13-15), and He loves us beyond measure (Ephesians 3:17-19).
Even more, as we see in the Hebrew word zakar, meaning "remember," when God
"remembers" us, He acts for us. Zakar also means to act on a person's behalf.
Thus, when God "remembered" Noah and "all the wild animals and the livestock
that were with him in the ark," He then "sent a wind over the earth, and the
waters receded" (Genesis 8:1). When God "remembered" barren Rachel, He
"listened to her and enabled her to conceive. She became pregnant and gave
birth to a son" (30:22-23).
What a great plea of trust to ask God in prayer to remember us! He'll decide
how He answers. We can pray knowing, however, that our humble request asks
God to move.
By: Patricia Raybon
Reflect & Pray
In what area of your life do you need God to
remember you? How willing are you to pray with
such intent and purpose?
Dear heavenly Father, grow my understanding of
Your remembrance of me. Then, where I need You to act,
please remember me.
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.
"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) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Hebrews 7:8
8 In the one case mortal men receive tithes,
but in the other he of whom it is witnessed
that he is alive receives them.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Facing Pain and Suffering
2 Cor 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance
of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan,
to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me.
9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships,
in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 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 in 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 that 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,
)
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.
)
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, Savior, 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 the Lord How he can Use you.
Pray to the Lord and thank Him that He is the High Priest who empathises
with us.
Pray to the Lord "Dear heavenly Father, grow my understanding of
Your remembrance of me. Then, where I need You to act,
please remember me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be forgiving just like Jesus forgave
all on the cross.
Pray to the Lord and pray for that the Gift you give Him
will be used according to His will.
Pray to the Lord and pray for His strength during hardship.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
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.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders
as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian Society.
Jesus, Savior, 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 culture and tradition in Qatar will not hinder
people from coming to Christ.
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.
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