Day 358 - 24 December 2021 reflections
Day 358, 24 December 2021 Christmas Eve
1)
1 John
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ÂJesus 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/24/the-prince-of-peace-2
entitled The Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:1-7
Isaiah 9
The Coming King
1 (2Ki 15:29; 2Ch 16:4) Nevertheless there shall be no more gloom for her who
was in anguish. In the former time He contemptuously treated the land
of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He shall make
it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
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.
When John’s cold turned into pneumonia, he ended up in the hospital.
At the same time, his mother was being treated for cancer a few floors
above him, and he felt overwhelmed with worries about her and about
his own health. Then on Christmas Eve, when the radio played the carol
"O Holy Night," John was flooded with a deep sense of God's peace.
He listened to the words about it being the night of the dear
Saviour's birth: "A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!"
In that moment, his worries about himself and his mother vanished.
This "dear Saviour" born to us, Jesus, is the "Prince of Peace,"
as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy
when He came to earth as a baby, bringing light and salvation to
"those living in the land of the shadow of death"
(Matthew 4:16; see Isaiah 9:2). He embodies and gives peace to those
He loves, even when they face hardship and death.
There in the hospital, John experienced the peace that passes
all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as he pondered the birth of Jesus.
This encounter with God strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude
as he lay in that sterile room away from his family at Christmas.
May we too receive God's gift of peace and hope.
By: Amy Boucher Pye
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s peace in
the midst of a difficult situation?
Which aspect of God in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need today? Why?
God of peace, when I'm anxious and fretting about many things,
help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 6 Reconciliation
2 Cor 5:18-19
18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ
and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was
in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins
against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
When Paul writes in 2 Cor 5:17 that we become a "new creation" in Christ
Jesus, the story does not end there. The verses following give us direction
for tht new life in Christ. "All This", Paul says, referring to the miracle of
new life in Christ, "is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reconciliation means to bring back together what was once separated. Man was
separated from God by sin, and God took the initiative to reconcile man to
himself. Our "ministry of reconciliation" as Christians is twofold: to draw
others to the Lord and to work for reconciliation between individuals.
Reconciliation is the ultimate goal of forgiveness. God, through his grace ,
extends forgiveness to us when we are still sinners, unrepentant,
undeserving. When we respond, we come into reconciliation with him
and are brought back into oneness. Likewise, when we extend the grace
of forgiveness to another, we are set free by the act of forgiving, but we
hope that the ultimate outcome will be reconciliation.
God shows us the pattern: he is the wronged party, yet he does not wait for
the offender to come to him, hat in hand. He takes a bold initiative, offering
forgiveness freely with out regard to merit. The pattern applies to us;
as the new life in Christ takes hold of us, we must reach out, and reach,
and keep on reaching, breaking down the barriers, taking the risk of
rejection so that we may come to reconciliation.
Application
a) What barriers stand between me and reconciliation with another person?
b) How can I take a risk and reach out to offer forgiveness and
reconciliation to them?
c) What kind of attitude do I need to be a "minister of reconciliation"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Cor 13:3
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned,
and have not love, it profits me nothing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Inexhaustible Strength
Ps 18:30-34
30 As for God, His way has integrity;
the word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield
to all those who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Or who is a rock besides our God?
32 It is God who clothes me with strength,
and gives my way integrity.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and causes me to stand on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
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."
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
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
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
Christmas Eve
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
Friday, Fourth Week of Advent
"Charity-giving to the poor-is an essential part of Christian morality....I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare," - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 86.)
Give Because God Gave
The best giving happened on the first Christmas, when God gave his Son. He gave out of love to a world in need of love, but deserving none of it. When John writes that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), he is saying that God is a giver, who thinks outside of himself, selflessly taking care of the needs of others. Mark wrote, "For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). That is true servanthood, suffering servanthood.
Financial guru and popular radio talk show host Dave Ramsey says that Christians are closer to the nature of God when they give. "God so loved the world that he gave," and we show our love for one another when we give. Our motivation comes from the Gospel, which is the story of God's giving his Son. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Loving and giving are bound together like two peas in a pod.
When we give, we often ask how much we should give. This is where Lewis helps us, saying bluntly that giving is essential Christian morality. While he admits that he can't specify how much we ought to give, he suggests that comfortable giving is not the rule. UncomÂfortable giving is. That is, we should give more than we can spare. Then it is a sacrifice to give, and that's how God gave. Sacrificially.
Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
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.
John 3:16
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
CHRISTMAS EVE
Stratchy Straw
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.
-Luke 2:7
My favorite portrayal of Christ's birth took place in a congregation's
dramatisation of the event. A mentally handicapped child had been given
the part of the innkeeper because all he had to say was "No room!"
On Christmas Eve, he repeatedly shouted "No room!" as he had been
instructed, but when the couple turned away-she obviously expecting
soon-a tear splashed on the child's face, and abruptly he blurted,
"Wait! Come back! I'll find you a place."
We all want things to have been less complicated for Mary and her child.
Giving birth in a stable, with perhaps some strange attendants
(like an ox or a donkey, as some paintings of the Nativity depict),
couldn't have been easy, but perhaps this, too, should be understood
as part of the sufferings of Christ. A manger with abrasive hay must
not have been exceedingly comfortable. Chiefly, Christ gave up his home
with the Father to humble himself in becoming flesh.
As one pastor said in a sermon forty years ago,
"Imagine if the shoemaker would become a shoe!"
prayer
Jesus, we glorify your breathtaking condescension! Amen.
Read Luke 2:1-14.
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.
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."
From The AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH FRIDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANGELS!
The angel said to them, "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. " LUKE 2:10
The AH-HAs of angels are all around us--not just at Christmas, but always
Who has been an angel to you lately? Who has brought you the good
news of Jesus' love through winsome words. assuring smiles. holy hugs?
And who have you been an angel to lately? With whom have you shared
the "Don't be afraid!" messaged Remember hearing from your mom or
dad the comforting words of "Don't be afraid"? They were not words of
judgment or despair but rather words of comfort and hope. And that's
what angels do, whether they have wings or not.
A little girl was so proud to be picked to be the Christmas angelic the
Christmas pageant. She repeated today's lesson from Luke 2 over and
over and over. But during the worship service, as she proudly started to
wiggle her wings above the holy cardboard box (aka. manger), she saw
her family and friends watching her and sine suddenly forgot the lines.
Yet. even though she couldn't recall the words. she did remember
the message. As she boldly kept fluttering about, she shouted out.
"Wow. do I have good news for you!"
That's what angels do. They did it in the shepherds' field of Bethlehem.
and they continue to share the good news of Christ's love and forgiveness
in Boston, Bloomingdale and Birmingham. Angels cannot undo the UH-OHs
of our lives, but they can point us to the One who brings us to his
embrace of grace.
"Don't be afraid," we say to each other: the AH-HA of Christmas has arrived!
Lord. Keep showing us how to be angels so that we can love and serve
you, on a "wing and a prayer" In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Luke 2:8-14
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."
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to more like Him, Love.
Pray to the Lord "God of peace, when I'm anxious and fretting
about many things, help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a minister of reconciliation.
Pray to the Lord and pray to have love in you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to take refuge in Him
for He is your shield.
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 Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
Pray: Jesus, we glorify your breathtaking condescension! Amen.
Pray: Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can
conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.
Pray: Lord. Keep showing us how to be angels so that we can love and serve
you, on a "wing and a prayer" In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray for new believers in the Comoros who are persecuted
and ostracised when they come to faith in Jesus.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1)
1 John
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ÂJesus 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/24/the-prince-of-peace-2
entitled The Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:1-7
Isaiah 9
The Coming King
1 (2Ki 15:29; 2Ch 16:4) Nevertheless there shall be no more gloom for her who
was in anguish. In the former time He contemptuously treated the land
of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He shall make
it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
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.
When John’s cold turned into pneumonia, he ended up in the hospital.
At the same time, his mother was being treated for cancer a few floors
above him, and he felt overwhelmed with worries about her and about
his own health. Then on Christmas Eve, when the radio played the carol
"O Holy Night," John was flooded with a deep sense of God's peace.
He listened to the words about it being the night of the dear
Saviour's birth: "A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!"
In that moment, his worries about himself and his mother vanished.
This "dear Saviour" born to us, Jesus, is the "Prince of Peace,"
as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy
when He came to earth as a baby, bringing light and salvation to
"those living in the land of the shadow of death"
(Matthew 4:16; see Isaiah 9:2). He embodies and gives peace to those
He loves, even when they face hardship and death.
There in the hospital, John experienced the peace that passes
all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as he pondered the birth of Jesus.
This encounter with God strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude
as he lay in that sterile room away from his family at Christmas.
May we too receive God's gift of peace and hope.
By: Amy Boucher Pye
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s peace in
the midst of a difficult situation?
Which aspect of God in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need today? Why?
God of peace, when I'm anxious and fretting about many things,
help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 6 Reconciliation
2 Cor 5:18-19
18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ
and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was
in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins
against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
When Paul writes in 2 Cor 5:17 that we become a "new creation" in Christ
Jesus, the story does not end there. The verses following give us direction
for tht new life in Christ. "All This", Paul says, referring to the miracle of
new life in Christ, "is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reconciliation means to bring back together what was once separated. Man was
separated from God by sin, and God took the initiative to reconcile man to
himself. Our "ministry of reconciliation" as Christians is twofold: to draw
others to the Lord and to work for reconciliation between individuals.
Reconciliation is the ultimate goal of forgiveness. God, through his grace ,
extends forgiveness to us when we are still sinners, unrepentant,
undeserving. When we respond, we come into reconciliation with him
and are brought back into oneness. Likewise, when we extend the grace
of forgiveness to another, we are set free by the act of forgiving, but we
hope that the ultimate outcome will be reconciliation.
God shows us the pattern: he is the wronged party, yet he does not wait for
the offender to come to him, hat in hand. He takes a bold initiative, offering
forgiveness freely with out regard to merit. The pattern applies to us;
as the new life in Christ takes hold of us, we must reach out, and reach,
and keep on reaching, breaking down the barriers, taking the risk of
rejection so that we may come to reconciliation.
Application
a) What barriers stand between me and reconciliation with another person?
b) How can I take a risk and reach out to offer forgiveness and
reconciliation to them?
c) What kind of attitude do I need to be a "minister of reconciliation"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Cor 13:3
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned,
and have not love, it profits me nothing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Inexhaustible Strength
Ps 18:30-34
30 As for God, His way has integrity;
the word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield
to all those who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Or who is a rock besides our God?
32 It is God who clothes me with strength,
and gives my way integrity.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and causes me to stand on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
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."
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
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
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
Christmas Eve
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
Friday, Fourth Week of Advent
"Charity-giving to the poor-is an essential part of Christian morality....I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare," - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 86.)
Give Because God Gave
The best giving happened on the first Christmas, when God gave his Son. He gave out of love to a world in need of love, but deserving none of it. When John writes that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), he is saying that God is a giver, who thinks outside of himself, selflessly taking care of the needs of others. Mark wrote, "For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). That is true servanthood, suffering servanthood.
Financial guru and popular radio talk show host Dave Ramsey says that Christians are closer to the nature of God when they give. "God so loved the world that he gave," and we show our love for one another when we give. Our motivation comes from the Gospel, which is the story of God's giving his Son. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Loving and giving are bound together like two peas in a pod.
When we give, we often ask how much we should give. This is where Lewis helps us, saying bluntly that giving is essential Christian morality. While he admits that he can't specify how much we ought to give, he suggests that comfortable giving is not the rule. UncomÂfortable giving is. That is, we should give more than we can spare. Then it is a sacrifice to give, and that's how God gave. Sacrificially.
Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
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.
John 3:16
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
CHRISTMAS EVE
Stratchy Straw
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.
-Luke 2:7
My favorite portrayal of Christ's birth took place in a congregation's
dramatisation of the event. A mentally handicapped child had been given
the part of the innkeeper because all he had to say was "No room!"
On Christmas Eve, he repeatedly shouted "No room!" as he had been
instructed, but when the couple turned away-she obviously expecting
soon-a tear splashed on the child's face, and abruptly he blurted,
"Wait! Come back! I'll find you a place."
We all want things to have been less complicated for Mary and her child.
Giving birth in a stable, with perhaps some strange attendants
(like an ox or a donkey, as some paintings of the Nativity depict),
couldn't have been easy, but perhaps this, too, should be understood
as part of the sufferings of Christ. A manger with abrasive hay must
not have been exceedingly comfortable. Chiefly, Christ gave up his home
with the Father to humble himself in becoming flesh.
As one pastor said in a sermon forty years ago,
"Imagine if the shoemaker would become a shoe!"
prayer
Jesus, we glorify your breathtaking condescension! Amen.
Read Luke 2:1-14.
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.
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."
From The AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH FRIDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANGELS!
The angel said to them, "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. " LUKE 2:10
The AH-HAs of angels are all around us--not just at Christmas, but always
Who has been an angel to you lately? Who has brought you the good
news of Jesus' love through winsome words. assuring smiles. holy hugs?
And who have you been an angel to lately? With whom have you shared
the "Don't be afraid!" messaged Remember hearing from your mom or
dad the comforting words of "Don't be afraid"? They were not words of
judgment or despair but rather words of comfort and hope. And that's
what angels do, whether they have wings or not.
A little girl was so proud to be picked to be the Christmas angelic the
Christmas pageant. She repeated today's lesson from Luke 2 over and
over and over. But during the worship service, as she proudly started to
wiggle her wings above the holy cardboard box (aka. manger), she saw
her family and friends watching her and sine suddenly forgot the lines.
Yet. even though she couldn't recall the words. she did remember
the message. As she boldly kept fluttering about, she shouted out.
"Wow. do I have good news for you!"
That's what angels do. They did it in the shepherds' field of Bethlehem.
and they continue to share the good news of Christ's love and forgiveness
in Boston, Bloomingdale and Birmingham. Angels cannot undo the UH-OHs
of our lives, but they can point us to the One who brings us to his
embrace of grace.
"Don't be afraid," we say to each other: the AH-HA of Christmas has arrived!
Lord. Keep showing us how to be angels so that we can love and serve
you, on a "wing and a prayer" In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Luke 2:8-14
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."
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to more like Him, Love.
Pray to the Lord "God of peace, when I'm anxious and fretting
about many things, help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace."
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a minister of reconciliation.
Pray to the Lord and pray to have love in you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to take refuge in Him
for He is your shield.
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 Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
Pray: Jesus, we glorify your breathtaking condescension! Amen.
Pray: Jesus Christ, your afflictions for us were more than we can
conceive. How can we ever thank you appropriately? Amen.
Pray: Lord. Keep showing us how to be angels so that we can love and serve
you, on a "wing and a prayer" In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray for new believers in the Comoros who are persecuted
and ostracised when they come to faith in Jesus.
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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