Day 359 - 25 December 2021 reflections
Day 359, 25 December 2021 Christmas Eve
For the Christmas Story , check out
30 Sept 2021 and
1 Oct 2021
entries and earlier Advent references
1)
2 John , 3 John
2 John 1
John
The second general epistle of John was probably written in Ephesus
in the AD90s by John the beloved disciple. It is a very personal
and wise exhortation that encourages believers to walk in the light
and warns them about deceivers and how they conduct their lives.
It is not only an encouragement to exhibit agape
(a Greek word for committed or volitional love),
but it is also a sound exhortation to separate from worldliness
and unholiness.
Salutation
The elder,
1 To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth,
and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth, which remains in us, and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Truth and Love
4 I greatly rejoiced that I found some of your children walking in truth
as we were commanded by the Father.
5 And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you,
but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.
This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning,
you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Each one is a deceiver
and an antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose those things for which
we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ
does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching of Christ has both
the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.
11 For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.
Final Greetings
12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to write
with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face
to face that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
3 John 1
John
John the Beloved probably wrote the third general epistle
of John in Ephesus in the AD90s. It addresses the reality
of true and false ministers. Addressed to Gaius, a local
church leader, it commends a disciple named Demetrius
while also warning against the tactics of Diotrephes.
The Holy Spirit provides sound instruction
and sober exhortations for all believers in this epistle.
Salutation
The elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
1
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you
and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.
3 For I greatly rejoiced when brothers came and testified
of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Working Together
5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and for strangers,
6 who have testified of your love before the church. You will do well to send
them along on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For His name's sake they went out, receiving no help from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to receive such men, that we might be fellow workers
for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first
among them, did not accept us.
10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what kinds of works he does:
ranting against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not
accept the brothers, and stops those who want to, and throws them
out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good.
Whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius receives good reports from everyone and from the truth itself.
Yes, and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had many things to write, but I would rather not write to you
with pen and ink.
14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/25/christmas-child
entitled Christmas Child
Phillippians 2:6-11
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
8 (Heb 12:2; Mt 26:39; Jn 10:18) And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
9 (Heb 2:9; Mt 28:18) Therefore God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name which is above every name,
10 (Mt 28:18) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 (Jn 13:13; Ro 14:9) and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Imagine the One who made cedars spring from seeds starting life
over as an embryo; the One who made the stars submitting Himself
to a womb; the One who fills the heavens becoming what would be
in our day a mere dot on an ultrasound. Jesus, in very nature God,
making Himself nothing (Philippians 2:6-7). What an astonishing thought!
Imagine the scene as He’s born in a plain peasant village, among shepherds
and angels and bright lights in the sky, with the bleating of animals
His first lullabies. Watch as He grows in favour and stature:
as a youngster, astounding teachers with answers to grand questions;
as a young man at the Jordan, getting His Father's approval from heaven;
and in the wilderness, as He wrestles in hunger and prayer.
Watch next as He launches His world-changing mission-healing the sick,
touching lepers, forgiving the impure. Watch as He kneels in a garden
in anguish and as they arrest Him while His closest friends flee.
Watch as He is spat on and nailed to two wooden posts, the world's sins
on His shoulders. But watch, yes watch, as the stone rolls away,
an empty tomb ringing hollow, because He is alive!
Watch as He is lifted to the highest place (v. 9).
Watch as His name fills heaven and earth (vv. 10-11).
This Maker of the stars who became a dot on an ultrasound.
This, our Christmas Child.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
What would life and history be like had Jesus never been born?
What prayer or poem can you offer God to thank Him?
Jesus, thank You for making Yourself nothing so I could be forgiven.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 7 Our God reigns!
Is 52:7
7 How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace,
who brings good news of happiness,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!â€
A messenger has a single duty: to carry information. During World War II, many
parents dreaded the arrival of the Western Union messenger, believing that
delivery of a telegram meant that their son has been wounded or killed.
Isaiah 52:7, however, indicates that a messenger's word is not always
unwelcome. "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring
good news ..." the prophet says. The "Good news"? Peace , salvation,
and the resultant message: "Your God reigns!"
Our God reigns - in forgiveness, in reconciliation, bringing peace and freedom
and joy. Our God reigns, controlling our lives with a loving hand, ordering
our experiences for our good, and his glory. Our God reigns in relationships,
in professional circumstances, in families, in churches. The good news is
proclaimed: Life is not unmanageable. Our God Reigns!
When we know that God reigns in our lives, we can relax, let go of the reins
of control, and live in peace. We can forgive those who have hurt us, knowing
that God will reveal to them what they need to know. We can live
with good times and bad, recognising that God uses every circumstance
of our lives to conform us to the image of his Son. We can rejoice in his
grace, free from the compulsion to earn his love and acceptance, and
we can live in the peace that comes only through his lordship in our lives.
Our God reigns - that is , indeed "Good news".
Application
a) Have I ever felt that life was "out of control"? Why?
b) What does it mean in practical terms to know that "Our God reigns"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Romans 13:7-8
7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes
are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,
and honour to whom honour is due.
8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever
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 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
)
Christmas Day
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
Saturday, Fourth Week of Advent
"That time He was creating not simply a man but the Man
who was to be Himself: was creating Man anew: was beginning,
at this divine and human point, the New Creation of all things.
The miraculous conception is one more witness that here is Nature's Lord.
He is doing now, small and close, what He does in a different fashion
for every woman who conceives." - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 182.)
The New Creation
Most of us like new things. We like new cars, new houses, new clothes,
a new day. We like the new things we receive at Christmas, a new outlook
on life, a new baby. We like the newness of spring, the freshness
of the morning, and the originality of a new piece of art.
The ultimate purpose of God's Grand Miracle-becoming one of us-was
to make all things new, including us. This is our greatest Christmas gift,
if we can see it. Jesus came for us and became one of us, so that we might
become like him. We mentioned that earlier when Lewis wrote,
"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God."
In today's last quotation for these devotions, Lewis makes it clear
that through the Grand Miracle Jesus became human to show us what we could
be like. He came not only as an example. He also became a man in order
to recreate humankind, to start all over again. That is, he came in power
to reshape us. A miracle! A Grand Miracle!
Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, came to create all things anew,
as John writes, "He who was seated on the throne said,
'I am makÂing everything new!"' (Rev. 21:5).
This Christmas Day, and every day, it starts in us, one by one,
as we sing with the hymn-writer,
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
(Martin Luther, From Heaven Above, stanza 13)
May God grant it for Jesus' sake.
Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature.
Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.
2 Cor 5:17
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
CHRISTMAS DAY
News of Great Joy
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
Composers in this world cannot envision music magisterial enough!
Oh, how I wish we could have joined the shepherds to hear the regal
angel choir sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace ..."!
Oddly, God deigned to present this fabulous concert to the outcasts
of that society and to grant unpretentious shepherds the privilege
of being the first to visit the Christ Child and to carry the news
of his birth to those around them. No wonder everyone was flabbergasted
at what the shepherds told them! No wonder Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart!
That is why I capitalize the word Joy and employ it exclusively
for divine gifts! When we declare the Joy of Christmas (and of Easter),
there is no greater. The euphoria of Christ's birth (and resurrection)
overwhelms all human infatuations and electrifies us with a heavenly
exhilaration that can't be shackled!
prayer
Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Read Luke 2:8-20.
8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.
10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.
11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:
You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men."
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us."
16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger.
17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word
which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH SATURDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AMEN!
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14
Christmas has come to you and all of your AH-HA family and friends!
We are all ambassadors of health, hope and amen because of Christ's
birth, death and resurrection!
We say amen because the "Word became flesh and lived among us!"
Amen, of course. does not mean "the end," but rather it means "Yes,"
and 'Hooray." and "So be it," and even "You betcha!" And so Christmas
is not the end of our AH-HAing. It's only the beginning!
Once I was looking at one of the manger scenes in our home. As I
focused on each character individually, like Mary and Joseph and the
shepherds and even the animals, each one of them seemed lonely and
way too serious. But when l looked more closely at each of them, I noticed
that they all were focused on one main point--God in the Flesh, Jesus!
Once l knew that they all were focused on Jesus, their faces became
not lonely. but lovely. and were not too serious, but reverent.
A little child was asked to finish the Scripture sentence, 'And the Word
became ...' He was puzzled for a while, but then all of a sudden he
shouted out. 'And the Word became FRESH!" And he was right!
The Word, Jesus Christ. became Flesh for us so that his Word would
be FRESH in and through our lives! That's the AH-HA of Christmas!
Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Read John 1:14-18
11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,
to those who believed in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said,
'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 We have all received from His fullness grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side,
has made Him known.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray not to fall prey to deceivers,
false prophets and Anti-Christs.
Pray to the Lord
"Jesus, thank You for making Yourself nothing so I could be forgiven."
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him that He is in control.
Pray to the Lord and pray to render to those who are owed.
Pray to the Lord and give Him a prayer of Thanksgiving.
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 there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
Pray: Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Pray: Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Pray: Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Pray for North Korean defectors who are training to be missionaries.
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.
For the Christmas Story , check out
30 Sept 2021 and
1 Oct 2021
entries and earlier Advent references
1)
2 John , 3 John
2 John 1
John
The second general epistle of John was probably written in Ephesus
in the AD90s by John the beloved disciple. It is a very personal
and wise exhortation that encourages believers to walk in the light
and warns them about deceivers and how they conduct their lives.
It is not only an encouragement to exhibit agape
(a Greek word for committed or volitional love),
but it is also a sound exhortation to separate from worldliness
and unholiness.
Salutation
The elder,
1 To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth,
and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth, which remains in us, and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Truth and Love
4 I greatly rejoiced that I found some of your children walking in truth
as we were commanded by the Father.
5 And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you,
but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.
This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning,
you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Each one is a deceiver
and an antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose those things for which
we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ
does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching of Christ has both
the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.
11 For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.
Final Greetings
12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to write
with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face
to face that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
3 John 1
John
John the Beloved probably wrote the third general epistle
of John in Ephesus in the AD90s. It addresses the reality
of true and false ministers. Addressed to Gaius, a local
church leader, it commends a disciple named Demetrius
while also warning against the tactics of Diotrephes.
The Holy Spirit provides sound instruction
and sober exhortations for all believers in this epistle.
Salutation
The elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
1
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you
and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well.
3 For I greatly rejoiced when brothers came and testified
of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Working Together
5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and for strangers,
6 who have testified of your love before the church. You will do well to send
them along on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For His name's sake they went out, receiving no help from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to receive such men, that we might be fellow workers
for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first
among them, did not accept us.
10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what kinds of works he does:
ranting against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not
accept the brothers, and stops those who want to, and throws them
out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good.
Whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius receives good reports from everyone and from the truth itself.
Yes, and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had many things to write, but I would rather not write to you
with pen and ink.
14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
2) Our Daily Bread for 25 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/25/christmas-child
entitled Christmas Child
Phillippians 2:6-11
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
8 (Heb 12:2; Mt 26:39; Jn 10:18) And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
9 (Heb 2:9; Mt 28:18) Therefore God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name which is above every name,
10 (Mt 28:18) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 (Jn 13:13; Ro 14:9) and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Imagine the One who made cedars spring from seeds starting life
over as an embryo; the One who made the stars submitting Himself
to a womb; the One who fills the heavens becoming what would be
in our day a mere dot on an ultrasound. Jesus, in very nature God,
making Himself nothing (Philippians 2:6-7). What an astonishing thought!
Imagine the scene as He’s born in a plain peasant village, among shepherds
and angels and bright lights in the sky, with the bleating of animals
His first lullabies. Watch as He grows in favour and stature:
as a youngster, astounding teachers with answers to grand questions;
as a young man at the Jordan, getting His Father's approval from heaven;
and in the wilderness, as He wrestles in hunger and prayer.
Watch next as He launches His world-changing mission-healing the sick,
touching lepers, forgiving the impure. Watch as He kneels in a garden
in anguish and as they arrest Him while His closest friends flee.
Watch as He is spat on and nailed to two wooden posts, the world's sins
on His shoulders. But watch, yes watch, as the stone rolls away,
an empty tomb ringing hollow, because He is alive!
Watch as He is lifted to the highest place (v. 9).
Watch as His name fills heaven and earth (vv. 10-11).
This Maker of the stars who became a dot on an ultrasound.
This, our Christmas Child.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
What would life and history be like had Jesus never been born?
What prayer or poem can you offer God to thank Him?
Jesus, thank You for making Yourself nothing so I could be forgiven.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 7 Our God reigns!
Is 52:7
7 How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace,
who brings good news of happiness,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!â€
A messenger has a single duty: to carry information. During World War II, many
parents dreaded the arrival of the Western Union messenger, believing that
delivery of a telegram meant that their son has been wounded or killed.
Isaiah 52:7, however, indicates that a messenger's word is not always
unwelcome. "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring
good news ..." the prophet says. The "Good news"? Peace , salvation,
and the resultant message: "Your God reigns!"
Our God reigns - in forgiveness, in reconciliation, bringing peace and freedom
and joy. Our God reigns, controlling our lives with a loving hand, ordering
our experiences for our good, and his glory. Our God reigns in relationships,
in professional circumstances, in families, in churches. The good news is
proclaimed: Life is not unmanageable. Our God Reigns!
When we know that God reigns in our lives, we can relax, let go of the reins
of control, and live in peace. We can forgive those who have hurt us, knowing
that God will reveal to them what they need to know. We can live
with good times and bad, recognising that God uses every circumstance
of our lives to conform us to the image of his Son. We can rejoice in his
grace, free from the compulsion to earn his love and acceptance, and
we can live in the peace that comes only through his lordship in our lives.
Our God reigns - that is , indeed "Good news".
Application
a) Have I ever felt that life was "out of control"? Why?
b) What does it mean in practical terms to know that "Our God reigns"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Romans 13:7-8
7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes
are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,
and honour to whom honour is due.
8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever
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 25 of the Month
a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(Acts 2: 41,47b
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
)
b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
( Prov 11:1
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
)
Christmas Day
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck
Saturday, Fourth Week of Advent
"That time He was creating not simply a man but the Man
who was to be Himself: was creating Man anew: was beginning,
at this divine and human point, the New Creation of all things.
The miraculous conception is one more witness that here is Nature's Lord.
He is doing now, small and close, what He does in a different fashion
for every woman who conceives." - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 182.)
The New Creation
Most of us like new things. We like new cars, new houses, new clothes,
a new day. We like the new things we receive at Christmas, a new outlook
on life, a new baby. We like the newness of spring, the freshness
of the morning, and the originality of a new piece of art.
The ultimate purpose of God's Grand Miracle-becoming one of us-was
to make all things new, including us. This is our greatest Christmas gift,
if we can see it. Jesus came for us and became one of us, so that we might
become like him. We mentioned that earlier when Lewis wrote,
"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God."
In today's last quotation for these devotions, Lewis makes it clear
that through the Grand Miracle Jesus became human to show us what we could
be like. He came not only as an example. He also became a man in order
to recreate humankind, to start all over again. That is, he came in power
to reshape us. A miracle! A Grand Miracle!
Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, came to create all things anew,
as John writes, "He who was seated on the throne said,
'I am makÂing everything new!"' (Rev. 21:5).
This Christmas Day, and every day, it starts in us, one by one,
as we sing with the hymn-writer,
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
(Martin Luther, From Heaven Above, stanza 13)
May God grant it for Jesus' sake.
Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature.
Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.
2 Cor 5:17
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
CHRISTMAS DAY
News of Great Joy
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
Composers in this world cannot envision music magisterial enough!
Oh, how I wish we could have joined the shepherds to hear the regal
angel choir sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace ..."!
Oddly, God deigned to present this fabulous concert to the outcasts
of that society and to grant unpretentious shepherds the privilege
of being the first to visit the Christ Child and to carry the news
of his birth to those around them. No wonder everyone was flabbergasted
at what the shepherds told them! No wonder Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart!
That is why I capitalize the word Joy and employ it exclusively
for divine gifts! When we declare the Joy of Christmas (and of Easter),
there is no greater. The euphoria of Christ's birth (and resurrection)
overwhelms all human infatuations and electrifies us with a heavenly
exhilaration that can't be shackled!
prayer
Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Read Luke 2:8-20.
8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.
10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.
11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:
You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men."
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us."
16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger.
17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word
which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH SATURDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AMEN!
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14
Christmas has come to you and all of your AH-HA family and friends!
We are all ambassadors of health, hope and amen because of Christ's
birth, death and resurrection!
We say amen because the "Word became flesh and lived among us!"
Amen, of course. does not mean "the end," but rather it means "Yes,"
and 'Hooray." and "So be it," and even "You betcha!" And so Christmas
is not the end of our AH-HAing. It's only the beginning!
Once I was looking at one of the manger scenes in our home. As I
focused on each character individually, like Mary and Joseph and the
shepherds and even the animals, each one of them seemed lonely and
way too serious. But when l looked more closely at each of them, I noticed
that they all were focused on one main point--God in the Flesh, Jesus!
Once l knew that they all were focused on Jesus, their faces became
not lonely. but lovely. and were not too serious, but reverent.
A little child was asked to finish the Scripture sentence, 'And the Word
became ...' He was puzzled for a while, but then all of a sudden he
shouted out. 'And the Word became FRESH!" And he was right!
The Word, Jesus Christ. became Flesh for us so that his Word would
be FRESH in and through our lives! That's the AH-HA of Christmas!
Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Read John 1:14-18
11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,
to those who believed in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said,
'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 We have all received from His fullness grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side,
has made Him known.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray not to fall prey to deceivers,
false prophets and Anti-Christs.
Pray to the Lord
"Jesus, thank You for making Yourself nothing so I could be forgiven."
Pray to the Lord and Thank Him that He is in control.
Pray to the Lord and pray to render to those who are owed.
Pray to the Lord and give Him a prayer of Thanksgiving.
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 there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.
Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.
Pray: Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Pray: Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.
Pray: Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!
Pray for North Korean defectors who are training to be missionaries.
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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