Day 360 - 26 December 2021 reflections
Day 360, 26 December 2021
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca
The Characters of Christmas The Magi & Herod : A King's (Jesus) Response
2 Peter 3:15-16
Keep in mind that the patience of our Lord means
salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul has also written to you according
to the wisdom given to him.
(Heb 5:11; 2Pe 2:14) As in all his letters, he writes about these things,
in which some things are hard to understand, which the unlearned
and unstable distort, as they also do the other Scriptures,
to their own destruction.
If you have Questions, do not be afarid to ask
Matthew 2:1-18
Matthew 2
The Visit of the Wise Men
1 (Lk 2:4-7; Mic 5:2) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,
2 (Nu 24:17; Jer 23:5; Zec 9:9) saying, "Where is He who was born King
of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come
to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.
5 (Ge 35:19) They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is
what the prophet wrote:
6 (Mic 5:2; Jn 7:42) 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are no longer least among the princes of Judah;
for out of you shall come a Governor,
who will shepherd My people Israel.'[Ps 91:11-12.]"
7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men,
carefully inquired of them what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him,
bring me word again, so that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed. And the star which they saw
in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young
Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great excitement.
11 (Ps 72:10; Mt 14:33) And when they came into the house,
they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down
and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 (Mt 2:22; 27:19) But being warned in a dream that they should
not return to Herod, they returned to their own country
by another route.
The Escape to Egypt
13 (Ac 5:19; Mt 1:20) Now when they departed, the angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,
"Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and escape to Egypt,
and stay there until I bring you word.
For Herod will seek the young Child to kill Him."
14 When he rose, he took the young Child and His mother by night,
and departed into Egypt,
15 (Hos 11:1; Ex 4:22) and remained there until the death of Herod,
to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet,
"Out of Egypt I have called My Son."
A talent was worth several hundred pounds.
The Killing of the Infants
16 (Isa 59:7) Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked
by the wise men, was utterly furious and sent forth and killed
all the male children who were in Bethlehem and the surrounding region,
from two years old and under, based on the time which he had diligently
inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet:
18 (Jer 31:15; Ge 42:36) "In Ramah a voice was heard,
grieving and weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be comforted,
because they are no more."[-21 Isa 42:1–4].
Magi were diviners from the East! Given that the prophecies of the Old
Testament were known to them, the were ready to worship Messiah
and swear Allegiance to the King of Kings. The Jews would look down
at the Magi as sorcerers from a foreign land.
Herod was a self-centered power hungry person. He had the backing
of Rome and would quell dissenters. He had no qualms when it come
to preserving his power. When He heard of the birth of the King of Kings,
he plotted to kill the Christ child. The Magi did not inform Herod
of their visit and Joseph was told to flee with his family for his life.
The outcome was that 2-years-old and younger were killed and no one oppose
such a move by King Herod.
1)
Revelation 1 - 5
Revelation 1
Introduction and Salutation
1 (Rev 22:6; 22:16; Jn 8:26) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave
to Him to show to His servants things which must soon take place. He sent
and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 (Rev 12:17; 1Co 1:6; Rev 6:9) who bears record of the word of God,
and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 (Lk 11:28; Ro 13:11) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words
of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it,
for the time is near.
4 (Rev 3:1; 4:5; 5:6) John,
To the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was
and who is to come and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 (Rev 3:14; 17:14) and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 (Rev 5:10; 20:6) and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father,
to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 (Da 7:13; Zec 12:10) Look! He is coming with clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
even those who pierced Him.
And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
Even so, Amen.
8 (Rev 21:6; 22:13; Isa 41:4) "I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End," says the Lord,
"who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
A Vision of Christ
9 (Php 4:14; Rev 1:2) I, John, both your brother and companion
in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was on the isle that is called Patmos on account of the word of God
and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 (Ac 20:7; Rev 4:1-2) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day,
and I heard behind me a great voice like a trumpet,
(This must mean an out of body Divine appointment with the Lord )
11 (Rev 1:4; 3:1) saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First
and the Last," and “What you see, write in a book, and send it
to the seven churches which are in Asia:
to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."
(The order is important)
12 (Ex 25:37; Zec 4:2) I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.
And when I turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks,
13 (Da 7:13; 10:16) and in the midst of the seven candlesticks
was one like a Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet
and with a golden sash wrapped around the chest.
14 (Da 7:9; 10:6; Rev 19:12) The hair on His head was white like wool,
as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15 (Eze 43:2; Da 10:6) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined
in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.
16 (Isa 49:2; Heb 4:12) He had in His right hand seven stars,
and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.
His appearance was like the sun shining brightly.
17 (Isa 44:6; Rev 22:13; Isa 41:4) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet
as though I were dead. Then He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 (Ro 6:9; Heb 7:25) I am He who lives, though I was dead. Look! I am alive
forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
(This is Jesus Christ talking)
19 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are,
and the things which will take place after this.
( Jesus says will take place after this. Jesus transcends time)
20 (Rev 2:1; Zec 4:2) The mystery of the seven stars which you saw
in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks:
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches,
and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.
( The order is important as it reflecs Church History from
1st Century AD to the point of the Rapture of the Church)
Revelation 2
The Message to Ephesus
1 (Rev 1:16; 1:11-13) "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write:
"He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst
of the seven golden candlesticks, says these things:
2 (1Jn 4:1; Rev 3:1; 3:8) I know your works, your labour and your patience,
and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who
say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them to be liars.
3 (Jn 15:21) You have endured, and have been patient,
and for My name's sake have laboured and have not grown weary.
4 "But I have something against you, that you have abandoned the love
you had at first.
5 (Rev 2:16; 3:19) Remember therefore from where you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first, or else I will come to you
quickly and remove your candlestick from its place, unless you repent.
6 But this you have: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 (Rev 2:11; 2:17; Ge 2:9) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give permission to eat
of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
(Remember the time you accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour?
Always relive that moment of love and do not lose that moment.
Do not abandon the love you had at first)
The Message to Smyrna
8 (Rev 1:17-18; 1:11) "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
"The First and the Last, who was dead and came to life, says these things:
9 (Rev 3:9; 2Co 6:10; 8:9) I know your works and tribulation and poverty
(but you are rich). And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews
and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
(Beware the synagogue of Satan to this very day!)
10 (Mt 10:22; Jas 1:12) Do not fear any of those things which you are
about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 (Rev 2:7; 20:6; 20:14) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
(Early evangelism that did succeed despite persecution of non-believers)
The Message to Pergamum
12 (Rev 1:16; 1:11) "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
"He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 (Ac 22:20; 1Ti 5:8) I know your works and where you live, where Satan's
throne is. Yet you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even
in the days of Antipas, My faithful martyr, who was killed among you,
where Satan dwells.
14 (Rev 2:20; 2Pe 2:15; Nu 31:16) "But I have a few things against you:
You have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam,
who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel,
to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
15 (Rev 2:6) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 (2Th 2:8; Rev 2:5) Repent, or else I will come to you quickly
and will war against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 (Rev 2:7; Isa 65:15) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the hidden manna
to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name
written, which no one knows except he who receives it.
(Never let false teachers IN as seen in 1,2,3 John and 1,2 Peter and Jude)
The Message to Thyatira
18 (Rev 1:11; 1:14-15) "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
"The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet
are like fine brass, says these things:
19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience,
and that your last works are more than the first.
20 (Rev 2:14; 1Ki 16:31; 2Ki 9:7) "But I have a few things against you:
You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,
to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality
and eat food sacrificed to idols.
21 (Ro 2:4-5; 2Pe 3:9) I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality,
but she did not repent.
22 (Rev 17:2; 18:9) Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who
commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of their deeds.
23 (Ro 8:27; Ps 7:9) I will put her children to death, and all the churches
shall know that I am He who searches the hearts and minds.
I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
24 (Ac 15:28) "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira,
as many as do not have this teaching, who have not known what
some call the 'depths of Satan,' I will put on you no other burden.
25 (Rev 3:11) But hold firmly what you have until I come.
26 (Rev 3:21; 2:7; 20:4) "To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end,
I will give authority over the nations-
27 (Rev 12:5; 19:15) He 'shall rule them with a rod of iron;
like the vessels of a potter they shall be broken in pieces'(Ps 2:9.)-
even as I myself have received authority from My Father.
28 (Rev 22:16; 2Pe 1:19) And I will give him the morning star.
29 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
( This Church exists today. Thanks to Emperor Constantine at 4th Century,
The Church is the Modern Day Roman Catholic Church. The Idol and Mother-son
worship comes from Satanic Paganism!
From https://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception_end-time_paganism_Catholic_Mary
As we have already seen, Catholic customs stem from ancient pagan
practices and beliefs. Pagan priests were celibate, tonsured,
and received the power of sacrificing for the living and the dead.
The same power is given to
Roman Catholic priests.
Pagan celibate priests are dedicated to the mother goddess,
and Catholic priests to Mary the mediatrix.
{ Gaia comes to mind?}
Elevating Mary
Public Domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Madonna_Benois.jpg
In 1854, the Papacy declared Mary sinless, and in 1951,
they declared that she had ascended unto heaven, where she was crowned
as the
"Queen of heaven." {No human has that power!} This was called the
Assumption of Mary.
Since then, the complete system of Babylonian worship,
with Mary taking the role of the mediatrix,
has thus been established within Catholicism.
The goddess in ancient religions was worshiped as the life giver
and nurturer and, as such, this religion was full of sexual undertones.
Phallic symbols, as well as symbols of femininity and divine intercourse,
were common in ancient temples, as they are in modern temples,
particularly in India.
These symbols are equally common in Roman Catholic cathedrals.
The breasts of the goddess formed a prominent part of the goddess cult,
goddesses often being depicted with many breasts to nurture the world.
Even the sun god was depicted nurturing at the goddess' breast.
Catholicism carries the same mythology. Take for example the
Magharet Sitti Mariam, or “Milk Grotto†as it is commonly known,
where Catholic tradition has it that Mary spilt milk from her breast
while feeding Jesus. This milk supposedly squirted onto the walls
of the cave and formed white markings. The grotto has become a shrine,
revered today as a place of pilgrimage for healing and fertility.
"The sinner that ventures directly to Christ may come with dread
and apprehension of his wrath; but let him only employ the mediation
of the Virgin with her Son and she has only to show that Son
the breasts that gave him suck and his wrath will immediately be appeased."
Pope John Paul II believed that Mary
intercedes for the faithful who honour her during mass:
"As they listen to the word proclaimed in the Sunday assembly,
the faithful look to the Virgin Mary...From Sunday to Sunday,
the pilgrim people follow in the footsteps of Mary,
and her maternal intercession gives special power
and fervour to the prayer which rises from the Church
to the Most Holy Trinity."
Read more about the Catholic worship of Mary
And That is https://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception_paganism_Catholic_Nimrod_Mary/
The pagan system of sun worship had three main aspects: the father, mother,
and the son. In ancient Chaldean times, these were the god Bel or Merodach,
Ninus the son who was also worshiped as Tammuz, and the female goddess Rhea
who was also worshiped as Ishtar, Astarte, or Beltis. She was also referred
to as the “queen of heaven,†and the “wrath subduer.â€
Mary has received these same names in Catholicism.
A statue of Mary and Jesus at Westminster Abbey. Notice the globe Jesus is holding.
Source:Flickr.
Mother and child worship was the basis of the ancient religions.
In the various religions of the world, the same system of worship
was perpetuated under different names.
In Egypt , the mother and child were worshiped as Isis and Osiris or Horus,
in India as Isi and Iswara, in China and Japan as the mother goddess
Shing-moo with child, in Greece as Ceres or Irene and Plutus,
in Rome as Fortuna and Jupitor-puer, or Venus and Adurnis,
and in Scandinavia as Frigga and Balder. The mother and child
were worshiped in Babylon as Ishtar {And that is where
the word Easter comes from} and Tammuz,
and in Phoenicia, as Ashtoreth and Baal.
Moreover, the child was worshiped as both husband
and son of the mother goddess.
The male component is a counterfeit of Jesus Christ.
The Biblical names used for Jesus were also used for the child
in ancient religions. Zoroaster was referred to as the seed,
Mithra the Persian sun god was referred to as the Saviour,
Dionysus as the sin-bearer, Bacchus as the branch,
Vishna as the victim-man, and Osiris as the king of kings.
The Legend of Nimrod
The system of worship has its origin in the legend of Nimrod
and his wife Semiramus. Nimrod (the great-grandson of Noah)
rebelled against God, like his father Cush.
Eventually Nimrod was put to death for his evil deeds,
and according to the ancient patriarchal system,
parts of his body were sent to various cities as a warning.
His wife Semiramus fled, but spread the rumour that
he had ascended to heaven, where he had become one with the sun.
When Semiramus later gave birth to a son, she claimed that
it was the reincarnation of her deified husband,
and that he had returned to save the human race.
She was later deified as the mother of the sun god,
and it was supposed she had ascended into heaven
as the queen of heaven. In the various cultures
throughout history and around the world,
the same basic deities have been worshipped under different names.
Read about Mary, the mother of the true Saviour,
and how paganism has twisted the truth about her identity
.These articles interlink but as you seen The Modern
Roman Catholic Church is The Church of Thyatira of Revelation.
)
Revelation 3
The Message to Sardis
1 (Rev 1:4; 1Ti 5:6; Rev 1:16) "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
"He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:
I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive,
but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die,
for I have not found your works perfected before God.
3 (Rev 2:5; 2Pe 3:10; 1Th 5:2) Remember therefore how you have received
and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch,
I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour
I will come upon you.
4 (Jude 1:23; Rev 6:11) "You have a few names even in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments. They shall walk with Me in white,
for they are worthy.
5 (Mt 10:32; Rev 13:8) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.
I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess
his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
( I ponder if the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church with latent
Catholic practices falls in the category of being Sardisian)
The Message to Philadelphia
7 (Rev 6:10; Isa 22:22; Mt 16:19) "To the angel of the church
in Philadelphia write:
"He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David,
He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 (Rev 2:13; Ac 14:27) I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open
door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength,
and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 (Rev 2:9; Isa 49:23; 60:14) Listen! I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Listen!
I will make them come and worship before your feet
and to know that I have loved you.
10 (2Pe 2:9; Mt 24:14) Because you have kept My word of patience,
I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come
upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 (Rev 2:10; 2:25) "Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly what you have,
so that no one may take your crown.
12 (Rev 22:4; 21:2; Gal 2:9) He who overcomes will I make a pillar
in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him
the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem,
which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My own new name.
13 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
( Many of the "Conservatives" Church fit this description from Quakers,
to Pentecostal, to Baptists and strong Evangelicals. Please note verse 9,
that if hold strong, even the synagogue of Satan will acknowledge you.
You have to firmly hold on to what you have. Do not let humanistic
or secularistic adherents deceive you or you can end up
as Thyatiran, or even Laodicean. Laodicean you say?)
The Message to Laodicea
14 (Rev 1:5; 3:7) "To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
"The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation
of God, says these things:
15 (Rev 3:1) I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spit you out of My mouth. ( I feel that way about lukewarm water as well)
17 (Hos 12:8; Zec 11:5) For you say, 'I am rich, and have stored up goods,
and have need of nothing,' yet do not realise that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 (Rev 16:15; Isa 55:1; Mt 13:44) I counsel you to buy from Me gold
refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments,
that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness
may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 (Rev 2:5; Jer 31:18) "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.
Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 (Mt 19:28; Jn 16:33) "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me
on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches."
( Laodicean churches or "Liberal" churches like The united church of Canada ,
The Presbyterians, the Congressationalists, the Methodists in North America.
Very Laodecian. Verse 20 is quoted out context. Why ? You need to understand
vv. 17-19 why the Lord is knocking on your Heart)
Revelation 4
The Heavenly Worship
1 (Rev 1:19; 1:10; 11:12) After this I looked. And there was an open door
in heaven. The first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me,
saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things
*which must take place after this.*"
2 (Isa 6:1; Rev 1:10; Eze 1:26) Immediately I was in the Spirit.
And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne!
3 (Eze 1:28; Rev 10:1; Eze 28:13) And He who sat there appeared like
a jasper and a sardius stone. There was a rainbow around the throne,
appearing like an emerald.
4 (Rev 4:10; 11:16) 24 thrones were around the throne. And I saw 24 elders
sitting on the thrones, clothed in white garments. They had crowns of gold
on their heads.
5 (Rev 1:4; Zec 4:2; Rev 8:5) Lightnings and thunderings and voices proceeded
from the throne. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 (Rev 5:6; 15:2) Before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal.
(A picture of people at peace, beleivers at peace, most like just after
the Rapture)
In the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
7 (Eze 1:10; 10:14) The first living creature was like a lion,
the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature
had a face like a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8 (Rev 1:8; 4:6) The four living creatures had six wings each,
and they were covered with eyes all around. All day and night,
without ceasing, they were saying:
"'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,'(Isa 21:9.)
who was, and is, and is to come."
9 (Rev 15:7; 1:18) When the living creatures give glory and honour
and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 (Rev 4:4; 5:8; 5:14) the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits
on the throne, and worship Him, who lives forever and ever.
Then they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 (Rev 5:12; 10:6) "You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power;
for You have created all things,
and by Your will they exist
and were created."
( A beautiful scene of Worship!)
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 (Isa 29:11; Eze 2:9-10) Then I saw in the right hand of Him
who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back,
sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?"
3 (Rev 5:13) But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to look in it.
4 I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open
and read the scroll, or to look in it.
5 (Isa 11:1; 11:10) Then one of the elders said to me,
"Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has triumphed.
He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 (Zec 4:10; Jn 1:29) I saw a Lamb in the midst of the throne
and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders,
standing as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,
which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 (Rev 5:1) He came and took the scroll out of the right hand
of Him who sat on the throne.
8 (Ps 141:2; Rev 4:10) When He had taken the scroll, the four living
creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb,
each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of saints.
9 (Rev 14:6; Ps 33:3; 40:3) And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals;
for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood
out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 (Rev 1:6; 20:6) and have made us kings and priests unto our God;
and we shall reign on the earth."
11 (Da 7:10; Heb 12:22) Then I looked, and I heard around the throne
and the living creatures and the elders the voices of many angels,
numbering ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
(That is a huge number of souls/believers!)
12 (Rev 4:11; Zec 13:7) saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 (Php 2:10; Rev 5:3) Then I heard every creature which is in heaven
and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea,
and all that are in them, saying:
"To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and power,
forever and ever!"
14 (Rev 19:4; 5:8) The four living creatures said, "Amen."
And the 24 elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.
2) Our Daily Bread for 26 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/26/timely-resolution
entitled Timely Resolution
Matthew 5:21-26
21 (Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17) "You have heard that it was said by the ancients,
'You shall not murder,'(Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17.) and 'Whoever murders shall be
in danger of the judgment.'
22 (Mt 10:28; 26:59) But I say to you that whoever is angry
with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.
And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be in danger of the Sanhedrin.
But whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 (Mt 8:4; 23:19) "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 (Mk 9:50; Ro 12:17-18) leave your gift there before the altar
and go on your way. First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
25 (Pr 25:8; Lk 12:58-59) “Reconcile with your adversary quickly,
while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you
to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer,
and you be thrown into prison.
26 (Mt 18:34; Lk 12:59) Truly I say to you, you will by no means
come out of there until you have paid the last penny. [Gk. kodrantes.]
The unresolved hurt between Simon and Geoffrey had persisted for years,
and Simon’s attempts to reenter the relationship had been resisted.
Upon hearing the news of the death of Geoffrey’s mother, Simon traveled
"up country" in Kenya to attend her funeral service. Simon reflected
on their encounter: "I had no expectations at all in terms of how
the whole thing would turn out, [but] after the service, we opened up
and had a fruitful talk. We hugged, shared the moment, prayed together,
and planned to meet again." If only Simon and Geoffrey had been able
to reconcile earlier, so much ongoing pain could have been avoided.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:21-26 help to put unresolved relational
tensions in perspective. The anger that can lead to such rifts
is a serious matter (v. 22). Furthermore, getting things in order
relationally is a fitting prelude to worshiping God (vv. 23-24).
The wise words of Jesus to "Reconcile with your adversary quickly"
(v. 25) remind us that the sooner we do what we can to work toward
reconciliation the better for all.
Relationships are risky; they demand work-in our families,
in the workplace, in educational settings, and among people who share
our faith in Christ. But as those who represent Him,
the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), may we find ourselves going
out of our way to extend our hearts and hands to those with
whom we have unresolved conflict.
By: Arthur Jackson
Reflect & Pray
Who comes to mind when you think of someone you need
to reach out to so that relational healing might begin?
What's keeping you from doing so?
Father, You know where the relational fissures are in my life.
Forgive me for my slowness to attempt resolution.
Give me the strength to take the next steps.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 1 Hard Bargain
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.
"I've been praying." Jennifer declared confidently. " I told God I'd give him
a tithe of that $5000000 when I win the sweepstakes."
Her friend Cindi laughed. "Well, then, you don't have a chance. I told him
I'd give him half!"
Can we, as in Mark 11:24 seems to imply , pray for anything, absolutely
anything, and expect that the Lord will come through? Can we pray with
assurance for new cars, mink coats, or trips to the Caribbean? The verse
seems to be a troublesome one, especially when we try it and our prayers
aren't answered in the way we expected.
But seen in context, Mark 11:24 gives us a much broader picture of the
kind of prayer Jesus meant. The verse appears in the framework of
Jesus' ministry - cleansing the temple, correcting the Pharisees,
commanding forgiveness, discussing his authority. The condition for
the fulfillment of Mark 11:24, if Jesus' actions are any indication,
is fulfilling the will and purpose of God.
Such a condition for powerful prayers involves much more than attaching
am "If it be Thy will" clause onto the end of our prayers. We need to know
God's will and walk in it, seeking his kingdom first, and drawing close to
him. Then , as our hearts are right with him, what we ask in prayer
is likely to be congruent with the mind and purposes of Christ. We are
less likely to pray selfishly, and more likely to share God's priorities,
as we get to know him. And as we deepen in our knowledge of him,
as his will becomes our will, his promise for answered prayer takes
on new dimensions.
Application
a) What is the connection betweeen know God's will and praying effectively?
b) What changes need to take place in my life
so that I might pray with greater power?
c) What does it mean in practical terms to know that "Our God reigns"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 (Ro 11:20; 1Ti 4:10) Command those who are rich in this world that they
not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who richly gives us all things to enjoy.
18 (Ro 12:8; 12:13) Command that they do good, that they be rich
in good works, generous, willing to share,
19 (Lk 16:9; 1Ti 6:12) and laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 89:1 -8
PSALMS 89
A Contemplative Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
with my mouth I will make known
Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For I have said,
"Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness shall be
established in the heavens."
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have said,
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) 'Your offspring I will establish forever,
and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) For who in the skies can
be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly sons is like the Lord?
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) God is greatly to be feared
in the assembly of the holy ones
and awesome to all those who surround Him.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) O Lord God of Hosts,
who is a mighty Lord like You,
with Your faithfulness all around You?
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 26 of the Month
a) Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ (Matt 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut
I) Pray for the leaders of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut,
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
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to swear to worship and allegiance to him.
Remember we are stewards of His power as laid out in John 1.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to help us See not only the Future
but what our role is.
Pray to the Lord
"Father, You know where the relational fissures are in my life.
Forgive me for my slowness to attempt resolution.
Give me the strength to take the next steps."
Pray to the Lord and pray for him to remove doubt in you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to lay up treasure in Heaven.
Pray to the Lord and give Him praise for His Mercies for He is Faithful.
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 Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ
Pray that all believers in Azerbaijan will be faithful disciples
of Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
Today at https://www.calvarycommunity.ca
The Characters of Christmas The Magi & Herod : A King's (Jesus) Response
2 Peter 3:15-16
Keep in mind that the patience of our Lord means
salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul has also written to you according
to the wisdom given to him.
(Heb 5:11; 2Pe 2:14) As in all his letters, he writes about these things,
in which some things are hard to understand, which the unlearned
and unstable distort, as they also do the other Scriptures,
to their own destruction.
If you have Questions, do not be afarid to ask
Matthew 2:1-18
Matthew 2
The Visit of the Wise Men
1 (Lk 2:4-7; Mic 5:2) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,
2 (Nu 24:17; Jer 23:5; Zec 9:9) saying, "Where is He who was born King
of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come
to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.
5 (Ge 35:19) They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is
what the prophet wrote:
6 (Mic 5:2; Jn 7:42) 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are no longer least among the princes of Judah;
for out of you shall come a Governor,
who will shepherd My people Israel.'[Ps 91:11-12.]"
7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men,
carefully inquired of them what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him,
bring me word again, so that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed. And the star which they saw
in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young
Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great excitement.
11 (Ps 72:10; Mt 14:33) And when they came into the house,
they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down
and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 (Mt 2:22; 27:19) But being warned in a dream that they should
not return to Herod, they returned to their own country
by another route.
The Escape to Egypt
13 (Ac 5:19; Mt 1:20) Now when they departed, the angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,
"Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and escape to Egypt,
and stay there until I bring you word.
For Herod will seek the young Child to kill Him."
14 When he rose, he took the young Child and His mother by night,
and departed into Egypt,
15 (Hos 11:1; Ex 4:22) and remained there until the death of Herod,
to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet,
"Out of Egypt I have called My Son."
A talent was worth several hundred pounds.
The Killing of the Infants
16 (Isa 59:7) Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked
by the wise men, was utterly furious and sent forth and killed
all the male children who were in Bethlehem and the surrounding region,
from two years old and under, based on the time which he had diligently
inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet:
18 (Jer 31:15; Ge 42:36) "In Ramah a voice was heard,
grieving and weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be comforted,
because they are no more."[-21 Isa 42:1–4].
Magi were diviners from the East! Given that the prophecies of the Old
Testament were known to them, the were ready to worship Messiah
and swear Allegiance to the King of Kings. The Jews would look down
at the Magi as sorcerers from a foreign land.
Herod was a self-centered power hungry person. He had the backing
of Rome and would quell dissenters. He had no qualms when it come
to preserving his power. When He heard of the birth of the King of Kings,
he plotted to kill the Christ child. The Magi did not inform Herod
of their visit and Joseph was told to flee with his family for his life.
The outcome was that 2-years-old and younger were killed and no one oppose
such a move by King Herod.
1)
Revelation 1 - 5
Revelation 1
Introduction and Salutation
1 (Rev 22:6; 22:16; Jn 8:26) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave
to Him to show to His servants things which must soon take place. He sent
and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 (Rev 12:17; 1Co 1:6; Rev 6:9) who bears record of the word of God,
and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 (Lk 11:28; Ro 13:11) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words
of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it,
for the time is near.
4 (Rev 3:1; 4:5; 5:6) John,
To the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was
and who is to come and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 (Rev 3:14; 17:14) and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 (Rev 5:10; 20:6) and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father,
to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 (Da 7:13; Zec 12:10) Look! He is coming with clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
even those who pierced Him.
And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
Even so, Amen.
8 (Rev 21:6; 22:13; Isa 41:4) "I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End," says the Lord,
"who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
A Vision of Christ
9 (Php 4:14; Rev 1:2) I, John, both your brother and companion
in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was on the isle that is called Patmos on account of the word of God
and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 (Ac 20:7; Rev 4:1-2) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day,
and I heard behind me a great voice like a trumpet,
(This must mean an out of body Divine appointment with the Lord )
11 (Rev 1:4; 3:1) saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First
and the Last," and “What you see, write in a book, and send it
to the seven churches which are in Asia:
to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."
(The order is important)
12 (Ex 25:37; Zec 4:2) I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.
And when I turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks,
13 (Da 7:13; 10:16) and in the midst of the seven candlesticks
was one like a Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet
and with a golden sash wrapped around the chest.
14 (Da 7:9; 10:6; Rev 19:12) The hair on His head was white like wool,
as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15 (Eze 43:2; Da 10:6) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined
in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.
16 (Isa 49:2; Heb 4:12) He had in His right hand seven stars,
and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.
His appearance was like the sun shining brightly.
17 (Isa 44:6; Rev 22:13; Isa 41:4) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet
as though I were dead. Then He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 (Ro 6:9; Heb 7:25) I am He who lives, though I was dead. Look! I am alive
forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
(This is Jesus Christ talking)
19 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are,
and the things which will take place after this.
( Jesus says will take place after this. Jesus transcends time)
20 (Rev 2:1; Zec 4:2) The mystery of the seven stars which you saw
in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks:
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches,
and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.
( The order is important as it reflecs Church History from
1st Century AD to the point of the Rapture of the Church)
Revelation 2
The Message to Ephesus
1 (Rev 1:16; 1:11-13) "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write:
"He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst
of the seven golden candlesticks, says these things:
2 (1Jn 4:1; Rev 3:1; 3:8) I know your works, your labour and your patience,
and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who
say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them to be liars.
3 (Jn 15:21) You have endured, and have been patient,
and for My name's sake have laboured and have not grown weary.
4 "But I have something against you, that you have abandoned the love
you had at first.
5 (Rev 2:16; 3:19) Remember therefore from where you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first, or else I will come to you
quickly and remove your candlestick from its place, unless you repent.
6 But this you have: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 (Rev 2:11; 2:17; Ge 2:9) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give permission to eat
of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
(Remember the time you accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour?
Always relive that moment of love and do not lose that moment.
Do not abandon the love you had at first)
The Message to Smyrna
8 (Rev 1:17-18; 1:11) "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
"The First and the Last, who was dead and came to life, says these things:
9 (Rev 3:9; 2Co 6:10; 8:9) I know your works and tribulation and poverty
(but you are rich). And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews
and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
(Beware the synagogue of Satan to this very day!)
10 (Mt 10:22; Jas 1:12) Do not fear any of those things which you are
about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 (Rev 2:7; 20:6; 20:14) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
(Early evangelism that did succeed despite persecution of non-believers)
The Message to Pergamum
12 (Rev 1:16; 1:11) "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
"He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 (Ac 22:20; 1Ti 5:8) I know your works and where you live, where Satan's
throne is. Yet you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even
in the days of Antipas, My faithful martyr, who was killed among you,
where Satan dwells.
14 (Rev 2:20; 2Pe 2:15; Nu 31:16) "But I have a few things against you:
You have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam,
who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel,
to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
15 (Rev 2:6) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 (2Th 2:8; Rev 2:5) Repent, or else I will come to you quickly
and will war against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 (Rev 2:7; Isa 65:15) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the hidden manna
to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name
written, which no one knows except he who receives it.
(Never let false teachers IN as seen in 1,2,3 John and 1,2 Peter and Jude)
The Message to Thyatira
18 (Rev 1:11; 1:14-15) "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
"The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet
are like fine brass, says these things:
19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience,
and that your last works are more than the first.
20 (Rev 2:14; 1Ki 16:31; 2Ki 9:7) "But I have a few things against you:
You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,
to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality
and eat food sacrificed to idols.
21 (Ro 2:4-5; 2Pe 3:9) I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality,
but she did not repent.
22 (Rev 17:2; 18:9) Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who
commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of their deeds.
23 (Ro 8:27; Ps 7:9) I will put her children to death, and all the churches
shall know that I am He who searches the hearts and minds.
I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
24 (Ac 15:28) "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira,
as many as do not have this teaching, who have not known what
some call the 'depths of Satan,' I will put on you no other burden.
25 (Rev 3:11) But hold firmly what you have until I come.
26 (Rev 3:21; 2:7; 20:4) "To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end,
I will give authority over the nations-
27 (Rev 12:5; 19:15) He 'shall rule them with a rod of iron;
like the vessels of a potter they shall be broken in pieces'(Ps 2:9.)-
even as I myself have received authority from My Father.
28 (Rev 22:16; 2Pe 1:19) And I will give him the morning star.
29 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
( This Church exists today. Thanks to Emperor Constantine at 4th Century,
The Church is the Modern Day Roman Catholic Church. The Idol and Mother-son
worship comes from Satanic Paganism!
From https://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception_end-time_paganism_Catholic_Mary
As we have already seen, Catholic customs stem from ancient pagan
practices and beliefs. Pagan priests were celibate, tonsured,
and received the power of sacrificing for the living and the dead.
The same power is given to
Roman Catholic priests.
Pagan celibate priests are dedicated to the mother goddess,
and Catholic priests to Mary the mediatrix.
{ Gaia comes to mind?}
Elevating Mary
Public Domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Madonna_Benois.jpg
In 1854, the Papacy declared Mary sinless, and in 1951,
they declared that she had ascended unto heaven, where she was crowned
as the
"Queen of heaven." {No human has that power!} This was called the
Assumption of Mary.
Since then, the complete system of Babylonian worship,
with Mary taking the role of the mediatrix,
has thus been established within Catholicism.
The goddess in ancient religions was worshiped as the life giver
and nurturer and, as such, this religion was full of sexual undertones.
Phallic symbols, as well as symbols of femininity and divine intercourse,
were common in ancient temples, as they are in modern temples,
particularly in India.
These symbols are equally common in Roman Catholic cathedrals.
The breasts of the goddess formed a prominent part of the goddess cult,
goddesses often being depicted with many breasts to nurture the world.
Even the sun god was depicted nurturing at the goddess' breast.
Catholicism carries the same mythology. Take for example the
Magharet Sitti Mariam, or “Milk Grotto†as it is commonly known,
where Catholic tradition has it that Mary spilt milk from her breast
while feeding Jesus. This milk supposedly squirted onto the walls
of the cave and formed white markings. The grotto has become a shrine,
revered today as a place of pilgrimage for healing and fertility.
"The sinner that ventures directly to Christ may come with dread
and apprehension of his wrath; but let him only employ the mediation
of the Virgin with her Son and she has only to show that Son
the breasts that gave him suck and his wrath will immediately be appeased."
Pope John Paul II believed that Mary
intercedes for the faithful who honour her during mass:
"As they listen to the word proclaimed in the Sunday assembly,
the faithful look to the Virgin Mary...From Sunday to Sunday,
the pilgrim people follow in the footsteps of Mary,
and her maternal intercession gives special power
and fervour to the prayer which rises from the Church
to the Most Holy Trinity."
Read more about the Catholic worship of Mary
And That is https://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception_paganism_Catholic_Nimrod_Mary/
The pagan system of sun worship had three main aspects: the father, mother,
and the son. In ancient Chaldean times, these were the god Bel or Merodach,
Ninus the son who was also worshiped as Tammuz, and the female goddess Rhea
who was also worshiped as Ishtar, Astarte, or Beltis. She was also referred
to as the “queen of heaven,†and the “wrath subduer.â€
Mary has received these same names in Catholicism.
A statue of Mary and Jesus at Westminster Abbey. Notice the globe Jesus is holding.
Source:Flickr.
Mother and child worship was the basis of the ancient religions.
In the various religions of the world, the same system of worship
was perpetuated under different names.
In Egypt , the mother and child were worshiped as Isis and Osiris or Horus,
in India as Isi and Iswara, in China and Japan as the mother goddess
Shing-moo with child, in Greece as Ceres or Irene and Plutus,
in Rome as Fortuna and Jupitor-puer, or Venus and Adurnis,
and in Scandinavia as Frigga and Balder. The mother and child
were worshiped in Babylon as Ishtar {And that is where
the word Easter comes from} and Tammuz,
and in Phoenicia, as Ashtoreth and Baal.
Moreover, the child was worshiped as both husband
and son of the mother goddess.
The male component is a counterfeit of Jesus Christ.
The Biblical names used for Jesus were also used for the child
in ancient religions. Zoroaster was referred to as the seed,
Mithra the Persian sun god was referred to as the Saviour,
Dionysus as the sin-bearer, Bacchus as the branch,
Vishna as the victim-man, and Osiris as the king of kings.
The Legend of Nimrod
The system of worship has its origin in the legend of Nimrod
and his wife Semiramus. Nimrod (the great-grandson of Noah)
rebelled against God, like his father Cush.
Eventually Nimrod was put to death for his evil deeds,
and according to the ancient patriarchal system,
parts of his body were sent to various cities as a warning.
His wife Semiramus fled, but spread the rumour that
he had ascended to heaven, where he had become one with the sun.
When Semiramus later gave birth to a son, she claimed that
it was the reincarnation of her deified husband,
and that he had returned to save the human race.
She was later deified as the mother of the sun god,
and it was supposed she had ascended into heaven
as the queen of heaven. In the various cultures
throughout history and around the world,
the same basic deities have been worshipped under different names.
Read about Mary, the mother of the true Saviour,
and how paganism has twisted the truth about her identity
.These articles interlink but as you seen The Modern
Roman Catholic Church is The Church of Thyatira of Revelation.
)
Revelation 3
The Message to Sardis
1 (Rev 1:4; 1Ti 5:6; Rev 1:16) "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
"He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:
I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive,
but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die,
for I have not found your works perfected before God.
3 (Rev 2:5; 2Pe 3:10; 1Th 5:2) Remember therefore how you have received
and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch,
I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour
I will come upon you.
4 (Jude 1:23; Rev 6:11) "You have a few names even in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments. They shall walk with Me in white,
for they are worthy.
5 (Mt 10:32; Rev 13:8) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.
I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess
his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
( I ponder if the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church with latent
Catholic practices falls in the category of being Sardisian)
The Message to Philadelphia
7 (Rev 6:10; Isa 22:22; Mt 16:19) "To the angel of the church
in Philadelphia write:
"He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David,
He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 (Rev 2:13; Ac 14:27) I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open
door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength,
and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 (Rev 2:9; Isa 49:23; 60:14) Listen! I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Listen!
I will make them come and worship before your feet
and to know that I have loved you.
10 (2Pe 2:9; Mt 24:14) Because you have kept My word of patience,
I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come
upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 (Rev 2:10; 2:25) "Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly what you have,
so that no one may take your crown.
12 (Rev 22:4; 21:2; Gal 2:9) He who overcomes will I make a pillar
in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him
the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem,
which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My own new name.
13 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.
( Many of the "Conservatives" Church fit this description from Quakers,
to Pentecostal, to Baptists and strong Evangelicals. Please note verse 9,
that if hold strong, even the synagogue of Satan will acknowledge you.
You have to firmly hold on to what you have. Do not let humanistic
or secularistic adherents deceive you or you can end up
as Thyatiran, or even Laodicean. Laodicean you say?)
The Message to Laodicea
14 (Rev 1:5; 3:7) "To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
"The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation
of God, says these things:
15 (Rev 3:1) I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spit you out of My mouth. ( I feel that way about lukewarm water as well)
17 (Hos 12:8; Zec 11:5) For you say, 'I am rich, and have stored up goods,
and have need of nothing,' yet do not realise that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 (Rev 16:15; Isa 55:1; Mt 13:44) I counsel you to buy from Me gold
refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments,
that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness
may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 (Rev 2:5; Jer 31:18) "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.
Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 (Mt 19:28; Jn 16:33) "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me
on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 (Rev 2:7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches."
( Laodicean churches or "Liberal" churches like The united church of Canada ,
The Presbyterians, the Congressationalists, the Methodists in North America.
Very Laodecian. Verse 20 is quoted out context. Why ? You need to understand
vv. 17-19 why the Lord is knocking on your Heart)
Revelation 4
The Heavenly Worship
1 (Rev 1:19; 1:10; 11:12) After this I looked. And there was an open door
in heaven. The first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me,
saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things
*which must take place after this.*"
2 (Isa 6:1; Rev 1:10; Eze 1:26) Immediately I was in the Spirit.
And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne!
3 (Eze 1:28; Rev 10:1; Eze 28:13) And He who sat there appeared like
a jasper and a sardius stone. There was a rainbow around the throne,
appearing like an emerald.
4 (Rev 4:10; 11:16) 24 thrones were around the throne. And I saw 24 elders
sitting on the thrones, clothed in white garments. They had crowns of gold
on their heads.
5 (Rev 1:4; Zec 4:2; Rev 8:5) Lightnings and thunderings and voices proceeded
from the throne. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 (Rev 5:6; 15:2) Before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal.
(A picture of people at peace, beleivers at peace, most like just after
the Rapture)
In the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
7 (Eze 1:10; 10:14) The first living creature was like a lion,
the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature
had a face like a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.
8 (Rev 1:8; 4:6) The four living creatures had six wings each,
and they were covered with eyes all around. All day and night,
without ceasing, they were saying:
"'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,'(Isa 21:9.)
who was, and is, and is to come."
9 (Rev 15:7; 1:18) When the living creatures give glory and honour
and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 (Rev 4:4; 5:8; 5:14) the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits
on the throne, and worship Him, who lives forever and ever.
Then they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 (Rev 5:12; 10:6) "You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power;
for You have created all things,
and by Your will they exist
and were created."
( A beautiful scene of Worship!)
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 (Isa 29:11; Eze 2:9-10) Then I saw in the right hand of Him
who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back,
sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,
"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?"
3 (Rev 5:13) But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth
was able to open the scroll or to look in it.
4 I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open
and read the scroll, or to look in it.
5 (Isa 11:1; 11:10) Then one of the elders said to me,
"Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has triumphed.
He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 (Zec 4:10; Jn 1:29) I saw a Lamb in the midst of the throne
and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders,
standing as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,
which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 (Rev 5:1) He came and took the scroll out of the right hand
of Him who sat on the throne.
8 (Ps 141:2; Rev 4:10) When He had taken the scroll, the four living
creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb,
each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of saints.
9 (Rev 14:6; Ps 33:3; 40:3) And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
and to open its seals;
for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood
out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 (Rev 1:6; 20:6) and have made us kings and priests unto our God;
and we shall reign on the earth."
11 (Da 7:10; Heb 12:22) Then I looked, and I heard around the throne
and the living creatures and the elders the voices of many angels,
numbering ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
(That is a huge number of souls/believers!)
12 (Rev 4:11; Zec 13:7) saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 (Php 2:10; Rev 5:3) Then I heard every creature which is in heaven
and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea,
and all that are in them, saying:
"To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and power,
forever and ever!"
14 (Rev 19:4; 5:8) The four living creatures said, "Amen."
And the 24 elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.
2) Our Daily Bread for 26 December 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/12/26/timely-resolution
entitled Timely Resolution
Matthew 5:21-26
21 (Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17) "You have heard that it was said by the ancients,
'You shall not murder,'(Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17.) and 'Whoever murders shall be
in danger of the judgment.'
22 (Mt 10:28; 26:59) But I say to you that whoever is angry
with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.
And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be in danger of the Sanhedrin.
But whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 (Mt 8:4; 23:19) "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 (Mk 9:50; Ro 12:17-18) leave your gift there before the altar
and go on your way. First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
25 (Pr 25:8; Lk 12:58-59) “Reconcile with your adversary quickly,
while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you
to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer,
and you be thrown into prison.
26 (Mt 18:34; Lk 12:59) Truly I say to you, you will by no means
come out of there until you have paid the last penny. [Gk. kodrantes.]
The unresolved hurt between Simon and Geoffrey had persisted for years,
and Simon’s attempts to reenter the relationship had been resisted.
Upon hearing the news of the death of Geoffrey’s mother, Simon traveled
"up country" in Kenya to attend her funeral service. Simon reflected
on their encounter: "I had no expectations at all in terms of how
the whole thing would turn out, [but] after the service, we opened up
and had a fruitful talk. We hugged, shared the moment, prayed together,
and planned to meet again." If only Simon and Geoffrey had been able
to reconcile earlier, so much ongoing pain could have been avoided.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:21-26 help to put unresolved relational
tensions in perspective. The anger that can lead to such rifts
is a serious matter (v. 22). Furthermore, getting things in order
relationally is a fitting prelude to worshiping God (vv. 23-24).
The wise words of Jesus to "Reconcile with your adversary quickly"
(v. 25) remind us that the sooner we do what we can to work toward
reconciliation the better for all.
Relationships are risky; they demand work-in our families,
in the workplace, in educational settings, and among people who share
our faith in Christ. But as those who represent Him,
the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), may we find ourselves going
out of our way to extend our hearts and hands to those with
whom we have unresolved conflict.
By: Arthur Jackson
Reflect & Pray
Who comes to mind when you think of someone you need
to reach out to so that relational healing might begin?
What's keeping you from doing so?
Father, You know where the relational fissures are in my life.
Forgive me for my slowness to attempt resolution.
Give me the strength to take the next steps.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 1 Hard Bargain
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.
"I've been praying." Jennifer declared confidently. " I told God I'd give him
a tithe of that $5000000 when I win the sweepstakes."
Her friend Cindi laughed. "Well, then, you don't have a chance. I told him
I'd give him half!"
Can we, as in Mark 11:24 seems to imply , pray for anything, absolutely
anything, and expect that the Lord will come through? Can we pray with
assurance for new cars, mink coats, or trips to the Caribbean? The verse
seems to be a troublesome one, especially when we try it and our prayers
aren't answered in the way we expected.
But seen in context, Mark 11:24 gives us a much broader picture of the
kind of prayer Jesus meant. The verse appears in the framework of
Jesus' ministry - cleansing the temple, correcting the Pharisees,
commanding forgiveness, discussing his authority. The condition for
the fulfillment of Mark 11:24, if Jesus' actions are any indication,
is fulfilling the will and purpose of God.
Such a condition for powerful prayers involves much more than attaching
am "If it be Thy will" clause onto the end of our prayers. We need to know
God's will and walk in it, seeking his kingdom first, and drawing close to
him. Then , as our hearts are right with him, what we ask in prayer
is likely to be congruent with the mind and purposes of Christ. We are
less likely to pray selfishly, and more likely to share God's priorities,
as we get to know him. And as we deepen in our knowledge of him,
as his will becomes our will, his promise for answered prayer takes
on new dimensions.
Application
a) What is the connection betweeen know God's will and praying effectively?
b) What changes need to take place in my life
so that I might pray with greater power?
c) What does it mean in practical terms to know that "Our God reigns"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 (Ro 11:20; 1Ti 4:10) Command those who are rich in this world that they
not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who richly gives us all things to enjoy.
18 (Ro 12:8; 12:13) Command that they do good, that they be rich
in good works, generous, willing to share,
19 (Lk 16:9; 1Ti 6:12) and laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 89:1 -8
PSALMS 89
A Contemplative Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
with my mouth I will make known
Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For I have said,
"Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness shall be
established in the heavens."
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) You have said,
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) 'Your offspring I will establish forever,
and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8–9) For who in the skies can
be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly sons is like the Lord?
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) God is greatly to be feared
in the assembly of the holy ones
and awesome to all those who surround Him.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) O Lord God of Hosts,
who is a mighty Lord like You,
with Your faithfulness all around You?
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 26 of the Month
a) Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ (Matt 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut
I) Pray for the leaders of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut,
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
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to swear to worship and allegiance to him.
Remember we are stewards of His power as laid out in John 1.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to help us See not only the Future
but what our role is.
Pray to the Lord
"Father, You know where the relational fissures are in my life.
Forgive me for my slowness to attempt resolution.
Give me the strength to take the next steps."
Pray to the Lord and pray for him to remove doubt in you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to lay up treasure in Heaven.
Pray to the Lord and give Him praise for His Mercies for He is Faithful.
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 Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ
Pray that all believers in Azerbaijan will be faithful disciples
of Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
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