Dave Yadallee's personal blog

The Exodus



31 (Ex 10:9) Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said,

"Rise up, and get out from among my people,

both you and the children of Israel, and go,

serve the Lord, as you have said.

32 (Ex 10:26) Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said,

and be gone, and bless me also."

33 (Ps 105:38; Ex 11:1) The Egyptians urged the people, so that

they might send them out of the land in haste, for they said,

"We all will be dead."

34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened,

with their kneading troughs being bound up

in their clothes on their shoulders.

35 (Ex 3:21-22; 11:2-3) Now the children of Israel did according

to the word of Moses, and they requested of the Egyptians

articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing.

36 (Ge 15:14; Ex 3:21-22) And the Lord gave the people favor

in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they gave them

what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

37 (Ex 38:26; Nu 1:46) Then the children of Israel journeyed

from Rameses to Sukkoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot,

besides children.

38 (Nu 11:4) A mixed multitude also went up with them along

with flocks and herds, a large amount of livestock.

39 (Ex 6:1; 11:1) They baked unleavened cakes of the dough

which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened

because they were driven out of Egypt and could not linger,

nor had they prepared for themselves any food.

40 (Ge 15:13; Ac 7:6) Now the sojourning of the children of Israel

who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.

41 And at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, on the very day,

all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

42 (Dt 16:1-6) It is a night to be observed to the Lord for bringing

them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night for the Lord

to be observed by all the children of Israel in their generations.





[31] And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get

you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go,

serve the LORD, as ye have said.

[32] Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and

bless me also.

[33] And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send

them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

[34] And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their

kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

[35] And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they

borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

[36] And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so

that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the

Egyptians.

[37] And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six

hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

[38] And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds,

even very much cattle.

[39] And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth

out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of

Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any

victual.

[40] Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was

four hundred and thirty years.

[41] And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years,

even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went

out from the land of Egypt.

[42] It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out

from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all

the children of Israel in their generations.



(The four hundred year promise to Abraham)



The Ordinance of Passover



43 (Ex 12:48; Nu 9:14) So the Lord said to Moses and Aaron:

This is the ordinance of the Passover:

No foreigner may eat of it.

44 (Ge 17:12-13) But every man's servant bought with money,

when you have circumcised him, may eat it.

45 (Lev 22:10) A foreigner or a hired servant shall not eat it.

46 (Nu 9:12; Jn 19:36; 19:33) In one house shall it be eaten.

You shall not carry any of the flesh outside of the house,

nor shall you break a bone of it.

47 (Ex 12:6; Nu 9:13) All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

48 (Nu 9:14; Ex 12:43) Now when a stranger sojourns with you

and keeps the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised,

and then let him come near and keep it.

And he shall be as one that is born in the land.

However, no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.

49 (Nu 15:15-16; 15:29) The same law shall apply to him that is a native

and to the stranger who sojourns among you.

50 So all the children of Israel did it.

They did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron.

51 (Ex 12:41) And that same day the Lord brought

the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.



[43] And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the

passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

[44] But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast

circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

[45] A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

[46] In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the

flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

[47] All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

[48] And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover

to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near

and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no

uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

[49] One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that

sojourneth among you.

[50] Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and

Aaron, so did they.

[51] And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the

children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.



2) Our Daily Bread for 2 February 2026 titled

Following Jesus in Humility by Matt Lucas



Matthew 18:1-4



The Greatest in the Kingdom

Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48



1 (Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48) At that time the disciples came to ­Jes­us,

saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 Jesus called a little child to Him and set him in their midst,

3 (1Pe 2:2; 1Co 14:20) and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are

converted and become like little children, you will not enter

the kingdom of heaven.

4 (Mt 23:11-12) Therefore whoever humbles himself like this little child

is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.



[1] At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the

greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

[2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of

them,

[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as

little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same

is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.



Near our home is a famous garden where we often take walks with a young boy

our family cares for. His favourite area is the Children's Garden, which has a

small door large enough for him to run through but small enough to force me to

crouch. He laughs as I drop to my knees and wiggle through the small opening

to chase him.



The small garden gate reminds me of Jesus' object lesson in Matthew 18, where

He calls a little child to His side to explain the type of person who will

enter the kingdom of heaven (v. 2). It was a bold example, for in Christ's day

to be a child was to be inconsequential and overlooked. Unlike today, their

opinions and desires didn't matter. Jesus uses this description to highlight

our human tendency to be noticed and seek power and influence.



Of course, Jesus wasn’t asking His disciples to become children again but

rather pointing to the traits that mark those who serve him. The biggest

marker is humility - the person who "takes the lowly position"(v. 4)

and serves others.



The small garden door is a reminder that humility doesn't come naturally to

us. Believers in Jesus, however, are to be this way. We're to follow our

Saviour, who modeled this way of living by making "himself nothing by taking

the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7).



Reflect & Pray



In what areas of your life do you thrust yourself to the forefront

and seek to be noticed? How can you learn to live more like Jesus?



Dear Father, please forgive me for my pride and self-interest.

Help me to be a little child who runs to You.



Learn more about living like Christ by reading Going the Extra Mile.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 2 The Wardrobe of Joy Isaiah 61:10



10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.



10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me

with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself

with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.



On her wedding day, the bride dresses carefully for the ceremony

that is about to take place. Never before has she spent so much

time in preparation for one relatively brief event. When she

looks in the mirror and rejoices in her happiness, she responds not

out of vanity, but for sheer joy as she anticipates the coming ceremony.

God wants his people, lie that bride to be joyful, to rejoice in the Lord,

the Bridegroom. And he gives, through his grace,

the garments of joy to his beloved ones.

He clothes us, Isaiah says, with salvation, and covers us with

the robe of righteousness. The wardrobe that God provides is not merely

a utility garment, a coverall that hides our sin from his eyes.

It is his own righteousness in Christ, given to us as a free gift, so that

we might be united with him. And God himself, Isaiah says,

is filled with joy, adorning himself like a bridegroom.

When we truly see God's immeasurable gift in accepting us as him own,

we also will "greatly rejoice" in the Lord. He, the eternal god,

Creator of the universe, desires to be united with us, as a husband

desires his wife! God does not simply accept us grudgingly,

reminding us of our unworthiness to be with him. Rather, he celebrates

with unrestrained joy his oneness in Spirit with those he calls his own.

And we, having been fully forgiven

and set free from sin, can rejoice unashamedly as well.



Application



a) Have I ever felt ashamed to draw close to God? Why?



b) What does this verse tell me about God's attitude towards me?

1 Chronicles 5:1-3



Sons of Reuben



1 (Ge 29:32; 35:22) Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel

(for he was the firstborn, but since he defiled his father's bed,

his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel,

so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;

2 (Mic 5:2; Mt 2:6; Ge 49:8-10 ) though Judah prevailed

over his brothers and a ruler came from him,

yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

3 (Ge 46:9; Ex 6:14; Nu 26:5-9) the sons of Reuben the firstborn

of Israel were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi.



[1] Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the

firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was

given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to

be reckoned after the birthright.

[2] For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler;

but the birthright was Joseph's:)

[3] The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hannoch, and

Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.



1 Chronicles 4:24



Jos 19:2-10



24 (Ge 46:10) The sons of Simeon were

Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul,



[24] The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul:



1 Chronicles 6:16-30



16 Ex 6:16The sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

17 (1Ch 23:7) These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.

18 (1Ch 23:12) The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

19 (1Ch 23:21; 24:26) The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.

Now these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.

20 Of Gershom were Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

21Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.

22 (Ex 6:24) The sons of Kohath were

Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son,

24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.

25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth.

26 (1Sa 1:1) As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah were Zophai his son,

Nahath his son,

27 (1Sa 1:1) Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son.

28 (1Sa 8:2; 1Ch 6:33) The sons of Samuel were the firstborn Joel and Abijah.

29 (1Ch 6:19)The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son,

Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,

30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.



1 Chronicles 6:16-30



16 The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.

18 And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.

19 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families

of the Levites according to their fathers.

20 Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,

21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.

22 The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,

24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.

25 And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.

26 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,

27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.

28 And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.

29 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,

30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.



2) Our Daily Bread for 31 January 2026 entitled

Focused on God by Katara Patton



Isaiah 26:1-5



Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders



1 (Isa 60:18; 12:1) In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;

He appoints walls

and bulwarks for security.

2 (Ps 118:20; Isa 60:11) Open the gates,

that the righteous nation may enter,

the one who remains faithful.

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You.

4 (Isa 12:2; 50:10) Trust in the Lord forever,

for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.

5 (Job 40:11-13) For He brings down those who dwell on high,

the lofty city; He lays it low; He lays it low,

even to the ground;



[1] In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a

strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

[2] Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may

enter in.

[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

[4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting

strength:

[5] For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth

it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the

dust.



My coworker made a quick call to discuss an issue. She asked how I was doing,

and I admitted that I had a really painful sinus infection, and the medicine

wasn't working. My coworker simply asked, "May I pray for you?" After I

agreed, she offered a thirty-second prayer to God for my healing. I admitted,

"Sometimes I forget to pray. I was so focused on the pain I didn't turn to

God."



My confession made me think about where I place my focus - on my struggles

and problems or on God. On this day, my thoughts centered on the pain because

of its intensity. But Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that when we keep our minds

focused on God, our healer and sustainer, we can find peace:

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You." While the pain may not go away instantly,

or perhaps ever in this life, the prophet reminds us to place our "trust in"

the one who is faithful and able to provide what we need (v. 4).



This passage from Isaiah pointed the Israelites to God's promises during and

after their exile. They would sing songs of praise to Him again as they clung

to their faith and hope in what He would provide (vv. 1-2). And the prophet's

words also remind us that whatever pain we may endure, we too can find

comfort as we focus on trusting in God and calling out to Him.



Reflect & Pray



Where are your thoughts focused?

How can you turn your concerns into praise and prayers to God?



Dear God, please remind me to keep my mind focused

on You, regardless of what situations I face.



Learn more about praising God by watching this video.





3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 7 God's Bulldozer - Luke 3:5-6



5 (Isa 40:4; 42:16) Every valley shall be filled

and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;

and the crooked shall be made straight

and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 (Isa 40:5; 52:10) and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.



5 Every valley shall be filled,

And every mountain and hill shall be brought low;

And the crooked shall be made straight,

And the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.



When a new highway is being constructed, the roads crew work hard

in preparing for the new surface to be laid. Giant bulldozers cut through

the hillsides, moving earth, leveling, filling, evening the path out where

the roadway will run. When the work is first begun, if often looks like chaos:

and even after the highway begins to take shape, the land is still ugly,

scarred by the unsightly gashes cut through the landscape. Yet after

the work is completed and the grass and trees are replanted, we forget

the temporary upheaval and see only the

beauty of the land and the convenience of the new roadway.

In Luke 3:5-6, John the Baptist presents a prophecy of the coming of Christ,

a prophecy quoted from Isaiah 40:3-5 . The prophecy speaks of the preparation

of the world for the coming Messiah, but is also applies to the preparation

of the individual heart to receive him.

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit must do major work in our hearts to prepare us for

the coming of Christ into our live. Like a bulldozer, he brings down the

mountains of pride in our lives. He fill the empty places , corrects

the crooked, grades down the rough edges of our hearts.

Often this is not pleasant work. We prefer to maintain the rugged landscape

of Self, and we do not like the ugly scars that are left after the bulldozer

has done its job.

But if we submit to the Spirit's "Construction work" in us, the way will be

paved for the Lord to enter into our lives, and others will see in us,

the way be paved for the Lord to enter into our lives, and other will see

in us the glory and salvation of our God.



Application



a) What "construction work" has to Holy Spirit done in me?



b) What restoration has taken place because of that work?



c) How do today's verses help me put in perspective the work

God still want to do in me?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Proverbs 10:22



22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.



22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.

2) Our Daily Bread for 30 January 2025 entitled

In God's Presence by Adam R. Holz



Proverbs 6:6-11



The Folly of Idleness



6 (Pr 10:26; 20:4 ) Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise.

7 Which, having no guide,

overseer, or ruler,

8 (Pr 10:5 ) provides her bread in the summer,

and gathers her food in the harvest.

9 (Pr 24:33-34) How long will you sleep, O sluggard?

When will you arise out of your sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to sleep-

11 (Pr 24:34) so will your poverty come upon you like a stalker,

and your need as an armed man.



6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard;

Consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide,

Overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer,

And gathereth her food in the harvest.

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?

When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth,

And thy want as an armed man.



In 1692, Brother Lawrence's work The Practice of the Presence of God was first

published. In it, he described how he invited God into his mundane daily

activities. Brother Lawrence's words still challenge us to prayerfully seek

God in everything we do, like mowing the yard, getting groceries, or walking

the dog.



Each day, I take our dog, Winston, for a walk. My goal for him is to exercise.

Winston's goal? Sniffing everything. Calling this time "a walk" is a generous

fiction. More often, we're going for a . . . stop. Lately, instead of getting

frustrated by a lack of forward progress, I’ve been asking God to help me see

these moments as a reminder that life is a lot like walking a dog. We

experience God's presence as we faithfully obey Him in life's everyday

activities, including their unexpected interruptions.



In Proverbs 6, Solomon offers a similar lesson, using the everyday, humble

example of the ant to call us to work faithfully: "Go to the ant, you

sluggard; consider its ways and be wise" (v. 6). Solomon used ants as an

example of everyday, patient labor (vv. 7-8).



Our relationship with God needn't be compartmentalised into designated

"spiritual" times alone, like church or a quiet time. Instead, as we

faithfully obey Him, God invites us to see His divine fingerprints

throughout each day.



Reflect & Pray



When has God used something mundane to help you see Him better?

In what everyday task is He calling you to be faithful?



Dear Father, thank You for reminders

everywhere that You're a part of every moment.





For further study, read Relationship or Religion?

What It Means to Follow Jesus.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 4 -The Blessings of Grace Day 6 - A Reasonable Alternative



Isaiah 1:18



18 (Ps 51:7; Rev 7:14) "Come now, and let us reason together, "

says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.



18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.



"Is Christianity Reasonable?" Linda Wanted to Know. "I've heard all my life

that faith is a crutch, an invention of weak minds to assure them

of some order in the world."

Linda was not alone in her objection; thinking people for generations

have been asking themselves the same question.

God is not intimidated by our questions; in fact, he confronts the issue

head-on in the Scriptures. "Let us reason together," the Lord invites.

Even according to the most basic of human reasoning,

faith is a reasonable alternative , a rational choice for a thinking person.

God indicates in his Word that confession and forgiveness are "reasonable".

"Think!" God says. "You sin, and you know it. You are not even able to be

true to your own principles. You cannot deal with your sin by will power

or effort. But I can deal with it! I can forgive it - and I will"

We cannot come to faith in God through Christ by intellect alone, of course.

Our spirits much reach out in faith, beyond what we can see. But intellect

supports faith; trusting in Christ is an eminently rational decision.

In Deut 30:1-20 , God set before the people a choice: Life or Death, blessing

or cursing. "Choose Life!" he tells them. We have the same choice.

The ultimate decision is thus simplified, the 'rational' alternative becomes

clear. We can choose death, by attempting to control our own destinies ,

or life, by giving ourselves fully into the hand of the Master.



Application



a) Why is the choice to acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness a

'Rational choice'?



b) What are the alternatives to such a decision?



c) What other aspects of God's word

and work in my life seem 'reasonable' to me?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Ps 37:25-26



25 I have been young, and now am old;

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor their offspring begging bread.

26 The righteous are gracious and lend,

and their offspring are a source of blessing.



25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;

And his seed is blessed.



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



When you are ill or injured



Matthew 8:14-17



The Healing of Many People



Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41



14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,

lying sick with a fever.

15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.

16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many

who were possessed with demons.

And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,

17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,

"He Himself took our infirmities

and bore our sicknesses."



[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother

laid, and sick of a fever.

[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and

ministered unto them.

[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed

with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that

were sick:

[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,

saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

2) Our Daily Bread for 23 January 2026 titled

Survivors by God's Mercy by Kenneth Petersen



Isaiah 1:9



9 (Ge 19:24; Ro 9:29) Unless the Lord of Hosts

had left to us a very small remnant,

we would have been as Sodom;

we would have been like Gomorrah.



[9] Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we

should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.



Romans 9:22-29



22 (Pr 16:4; 1Pe 2:8) What if God, willing to show His wrath

and to make His power known, endured with much patience

the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

23 (Ro 2:4; Eph 3:16) in order to make known the riches of His glory

on the vessels of mercy, which He previously prepared for glory,

24 even us, whom He has called, not from the Jews only,

but also from the Gentiles?

25 (Hos 2:23; 1Pe 2:10) As indeed He says in Hosea:

"I will call those who were not My people, 'My people,'

and her who was not beloved, 'Beloved,' "(Hos 2:23.)

26 and,

"In the place where it was said to them,

'You are not My people,'

there they shall be called 'sons of the living God.'"(Hos 1:10.)

27 (Isa 10:20-23; Hos 1:10) Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

"Though the number of the children of Israel be like the sand of the sea,

a remnant shall be saved.(Isa 10:22.)

28 For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness,

because the Lord will make a quick work upon the earth."(Isa 10:23.)

29 (Isa 1:9; 13:19) And as Isaiah previously said:

"Unless the Lord of Hosts

had left us a seed,

we would have become like Sodom,

and been made like Gomorrah."(Isa 1:9.)



[22] What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,

endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

[23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of

mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

[24] Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the

Gentiles?

[25] As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my

people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

[26] And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto

them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the

living God.

[27] Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children

of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

[28] For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because

a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

[29] And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a

seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.



Charles Joughin was a sailor from the young age of eleven. He served as a

baker on a number of ships and, in 1912, got hired on to a cruise ship sailing

out of Southampton, England. That ship, the Titanic, hit an iceberg in the

Northern Atlantic. As the ship went down, Joughin helped people into

lifeboats. He himself stood atop the end of the Titanic as it sunk

vertically into the water. Miraculously, he survived.



Thirty years later, during World War II, Charles was on another ship, the RMS

Oregon. It was rammed by another vessel, and it also sank. Remarkably,

Joughin survived again.



Scriptures tell us we're all on a sinking ship. Paul writes, "All have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). He refers to the rebellious

nation of Israel, quoting Isaiah: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some

survivors, we would have become like Sodom" (Isaiah 1:9). Paul speaks of

a "remnant" of Israel, a shipload of survivors: "only the remnant will be

saved" (Romans 9:27). How are they saved? By receiving the good news (10:16).

You see, we're all like Israel, drowning in our sin. None of us can be rescued

unless we receive the good news. The lifeboat that God throws out to us all

is Jesus.



We who believe in Jesus might need to be reminded of the remarkable truth

that we are, by God's mercy, survivors. Those who haven't yet found Jesus

in the troubled waters of life might do well to climb in the lifeboat.



Reflect & Pray



When have you felt like you're drowning in life?

How do you understand God's offer of a lifeboat?



Dear God, thank You for Your mercy and rescue.



For further study, read What’s Wrong with the Sinner’s Prayer?



3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association



Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools



Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 6 - Eternal Life, Beginning now



John 10:28 - I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,

nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand.



28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.



In C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, one of the Spirits in heaven, identifying

himself as George MacDonald, makes some startling statements on the nature of

eternal life. Depending upon the individual's choice for or against Christ,

MacDonald says, everything in life takes on the character of haven or hell.

"At the end of ALL THINGS, when the sun rises here (in heaven) and the twilight

turns to blackness down there, the Blessed will say, 'We have never lived

anywhere except in Heaven,' and the Lost, 'We were always in Hell.'

And both will speak truly" - From the Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.

Lewis was not trying to make a theological case, but to demonstrate

a principle: eternal life begins now.

The choices that we make for or against obedience to God, the life we live,

the patterns we establish, all move us in one direction of the other.

And when we have decided to choose obedience to God (the forsakeness of sin),

when we give ourselves fully into his hands, he is able to take the worst of

circumstances and redeem them for our good, use them to mature us in his image.

Again Jesus says in John 10:28

"I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,

nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand. "

In Christ is a very secure place to be. No experience is lost, no pain is

wasted. Everything in our lives is redeemed by God for our benefit.



Application



a) How have I experienced the truth that "eternal life begins now"?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Exodus 3:7-8



7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,

"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt

and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,

for I know their sorrows.

8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down

to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,

and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,

to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of

the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,

the Hivites, and the Jebusites."



7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people

which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;

for I know their sorrows;

8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand

of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and

a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the

Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,

and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.



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



When you are lonely



PSALMS 23



A Psalm of David.



1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside still waters.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for His name's sake.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff,

they comfort me.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup runs over.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.



Psalm 23



A Psalm of David.



1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13





9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

Laban's Covenant With Jacob



43 Laban answered and said to Jacob, "These daughters are my daughters,

and these children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks,

and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to my daughters

or to their children whom they have borne?

44 Now therefore come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be

as a witness between you and me."

45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar.

46 Jacob said to his kinsmen, "Gather stones." So they took stones

and made a pile, and they ate there on the pile.

47 And Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

48 Laban said, "This pile is a witness between me and you this day."

Therefore its name was called Galeed,

49 and Mizpah, for he said,

"May the Lord watch between you and me, when we are apart from one another.

50 If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take other wives

beside my daughters, although no one else is with us, remember that God

is witness between you and me."

51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "See this pile and see this pillar which

I have thrown between you and me.

52 This heap is a witness,

and this pillar is a witness, so that I will not cross over this pile

to you and so that you will not pass over this pile and this pillar

to me for harm.

53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor,

and the God of their father, judge between us."

Then Jacob vowed by the Fear of his father Isaac.

54 Then Jacob offered

a sacrifice on the mountain and called his kinsmen to eat bread.

And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.

55 Early in the morning Laban rose up, kissed his grandchildren

and his daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban departed

and returned to his place.



[43] And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my

daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my

cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto

these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

[44] Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it

be for a witness between me and thee.

[45] And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

[46] And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones,

and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

[47] And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

[48] And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day.

Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

[49] And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we

are absent one from another.

[50] If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives

beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and

thee.

[51] And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar,

which I have cast betwixt me and thee;

[52] This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass

over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this

pillar unto me, for harm.

[53] The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father,

judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

[54] Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to

eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

[55] And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his

daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his

place.



2) Our Daily Bread for 22 January 2026 titled

A Longing Fulfilled by Sheridan Voysey



Revelation 21:1-4



The New Heaven and the New Earth



1 (Isa 66:22; 2Pe 3:13) Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth."(Isa 65:17.)

For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no

more sea.

2 (Heb 11:10; Rev 3:12) I, John, saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem,

coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned

for her husband.

3 (2Co 6:16; Rev 7:15) And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying,

"Look! The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.

They shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them

and be their God.

4 (Isa 25:8; 35:10; 1Co 15:26) 'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

There shall be no more death.'(Isa 25:8.) Neither shall there be any more

sorrow nor crying nor pain, for the former things have passed away."



[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the

first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

[2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of

heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle

of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his

people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no

more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more

pain: for the former things are passed away.



Blaise Pascal famously said there's an "infinite abyss" inside us that only an

infinite God can fill. "You have made us for yourself, O Lord," Augustine

prayed, "and our heart is restless until it rests in you." As David put it,

like thirsty people in the desert,

our whole being "longs" for God (Psalm 63:1).



Surprisingly, however, it isn't only humans that experience longing. God does

too. While the infinite God of the universe needs nothing outside Himself to

be fulfilled, the Bible says He "longs" to have us back when we

stray (James 4:4-5), and repeatedly says He wants a people to call

His own (Exodus 6:7; Hebrews 8:10).



For thousands of years this longing has fueled God's missionary endeavors:

sending prophets to win back His straying people and ultimately sending His

Son to find His lost sheep (Isaiah 30:18; Luke 19:10). The good news is that

in the end, this longing will be fulfilled. "They will be his people,

and God Himself will be with them and be their God,"

and God and human beings will dwell together (Revelation 21:2-3).



Humans long for God, and no substitute will satisfy. God longs for humans,

and no substitute will do. So no wonder there’s rejoicing in heaven when one

sinner repents (Luke 15:7). When we run to God's open arms,

everyone is fulfilled.



Reflect & Pray



How do you feel about God "longing" for you?

How can this encourage you when you need to repent for doing wrong?



Heavenly Father, thank You for passionately longing for me to know You.



3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association



Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools



Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 5 - God Loved, So He Gave



John 3:16-17



16 (Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:9-10; Jn 1:18) "For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in

Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

17 (1Jn 4:14; Lk 19:10) For God did not send His Son into

the world to condemn the world, but that the world

through Him might be saved."



16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.



Often called "the gospel in a nutshell", John 3:16 is so familiar,

even the unchurched, that it has all but lost its impact for us.

WE cite it by rote, as if it had no more meaning than a SSN (SIN),

and think that we understand the truth because we know the words.

Why did God send Jesus, his only Son, into the world to die?

Because he loved the people he created. God had no reason,

humanly speaking, to love mankind. Throughout history, from

the Garden of Eden forward, people had deliberately turned

against God and tried his patience. Even the nation God chose

for himself, Israel rebelled against the Lord and turned to other gods.

And we, as individuals, have rebelled against him too. WE have tried

to control our own lives; we have denied his reality; or

acknowledged his existence and then systematically ignored him.

We have become our own gods.

Yet Christ, in love, took upon himself the rejection, the humiliation,

the pain we were responsible for. We deserved to be condemned to die,

but he died for us instead. "God did not send his Son into the world

to condemn the world," John 3:17 says, "but that the world

through Him might be saved."

Often, even after we have committed our lives to Christ, we mistakenly

suppose that God's primary purpose is to condemn us - to catch us in sin

and punish us. But God says that his purpose is to love us and to save us

from sin and ourselves. He loved, and so he gave; he still loves us,

and he still continues to give.



Application



a) What sin in my life put Jesus on the cross?



b) How do I know that my sins has been forgiven?



c) How can these verses help me when I face condemnation and guilt?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Genesis 30:43



The man became exceedingly prosperous and had many sheep

and female servants and male servants and camels and donkeys.



And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle,

and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.



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



When you are anxious



Phil 4:4-7



4 (Php 3:1; Ro 12:12 Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice!

5 (Jas 5:8-9) Let everyone come to know your gentleness.

The Lord is at hand.

6 (Eph 6:18; Mt 6:25-33) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything,

by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known

to God.

7 (Jn 14:27; Col 3:15; Isa 26:3) And the peace of God, which surpasses

all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13





9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

1 Chron 1

The Generations of Abraham



28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.



28 The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.



2) Our Daily Bread for 19 January 2026 titled

From Every Nation by Amy Boucher Pye



Acts 10:30-35, 39-43



30 (Ac 10:3; 1:10) Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until

this hour. At the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and suddenly a man

stood before me in bright clothing,

31 (Ac 10:4) and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard,

and your alms are remembered before God.

32 Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.

When he comes, he will speak to you.'

33 So ­immediately I sent for you, and you have done well to come.

Now therefore we are all here, present before God,

to hear everything the Lord has commanded you."



[30] And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at

the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in

bright clothing,

[31] And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in

remembrance in the sight of God.

[32] Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter;

he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when

he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

[33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou

art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all

things that are commanded thee of God.



34 (Dt 10:17; 2Ch 19:7) Then Peter began to speak, saying,

"Truthfully, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.

35 (Ac 10:2; 15:9) But in every nation he who fears Him

and works righteousness is accepted by Him.



[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God

is no respecter of persons:

[35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is

accepted with him.



39 (Lk 24:48; Ac 10:41) "We are witnesses of all that He did both in the land

of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

40 (Ac 2:24) But God raised Him on the third day and presented Him publicly,

41 (Jn 14:22; Ac 10:39) not to all the people,

but to witnesses previously chosen by God,

to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

42 (Ac 17:31; 2Ti 4:1) He commanded us to preach to the people

and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be the

Judge of the living and the dead.

43 (Ac 15:9; Isa 53:11) To Him all the prophets bear witness that whoever

believes in Him will receive remission of sins through His name."



[39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the

Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

[40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

[41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to

us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

[42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it

is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever

believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.



London is a cosmopolitan city, with people from many nations living side by

side. This coming together of people from around the world can bring

richness - including amazing food - but also challenges. For instance, I was

saddened that friends from one European country felt they were the least

respected in London because their country had been admitted to the European

Union more recently. They felt overlooked, blamed for problems, and resented

for the jobs they secured.



Since God doesn't show favoritism, neither should we. He breaks down barriers

between people. We see His Spirit at work in Peter's vision while praying on

the rooftop, and how Peter was called to minister to Cornelius, a God-fearing

gentile. God helped Peter evaluate the Jewish regulations about not a

ssociating with gentiles. The apostle listened and went to Cornelius' home to

share the good news of Jesus. He said, "I now realise how true it is that God

does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him

and does what is right" (Acts 10:34-35).



Those who follow Jesus are called to love and serve all those who are made in

the image of Christ. Part of that mission is to not to show favoritism for

people from certain nations or with particular skin colors. May we learn to

seek justice and to defend the oppressed as God guides us (Isaiah 1:17).



Reflect & Pray



Why do you think God breaks down barriers between people of different

nations? How could you speak out for the oppressed?



Dear God, please help me make a difference for You in my community.



God longs to use us to reach the nations. Learn more by reading

The Impact of Obedience on God’s Administration of Grace.



3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association



Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools



Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 2 - The Right of Family



John 1:11-12



11 (Jn 3:32) He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.

12 (Gal 3:26; 1Jn 3:23) Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power

to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name,



11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power

to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:



"Dad, can I ask you something?" Jimmy leaned across the back of his

father's chair. His father lowered the newspaper and reached around,

settling Jimmy on his lap.

"Sure. Son," he answered. "You can ask me anything you want. The answer

might not be Yes, but you always have the right to ask."

For many who have grown up in homes where the father was absent, or when

present, abusive or silent, the scenario of Jimmy and his father may

seem unrealistic. Often we aren't given the right by our parents to ask

what we want, to communicate openly, to express our needs and desires.

But god clearly indicates that no matter what our human families have been

like, in his family there are no barriers to belonging,

to open communications. When we commit our lives to Christ and submit to his

lordship, we have the right to become the sons and daughters of God.

In Christ, we have the right to approach him, to pray, to seek wisdom,

to ask advice, to make requests, to verbalise our needs and desires. We don't

have to be afraid of sounding stupid or being rejected, because in Christ

we belong to him, and he loves us.

The KJV uses the word "power" in verse 12 - "to them gave he power to become

the sons of God." Power implies ability, that we are equipped by the Spirit

to be children of the King. We have the right and we have the power to become

who God has called us to be - his children.



Application



a) Under what circumstances in my life have I felt that I didn't

have the right to express my wishes or feelings?



b) How do today's verses give me confidence in approaching God?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Ps 35:27



27 May those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad;

may they say continually, "The Lord be magnified,

who delights in the peace of His servant."



27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:

Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified,

which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.



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



God's Generous Provision



Matthew 6:24-34



God and Money



24 (Lk 16:13; 16:11; 16:9) "No one can serve two masters.

For either he will hate the one and love the other,

or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and money."



Care and Anxiety



Lk 12:22-34



25 (Mt 6:31; 6:34; Php 4:6) "Therefore, I say to you,

take no thought about your life, what you will eat,

or what you will drink, nor about your body,

what you will put on. Is not life more than

and the body than clothing?

26 (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9) Look at the birds of the air,

for they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns.

Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?

27 Who among you by taking thought can add a cubit

(A cubit is about half a meter.) to his stature?

28 (Mt 6:25; 6:31) "Why take thought about clothing?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:

They neither work, nor do they spin.

29 (1Ki 10:4-7; 2Ch 9:4-6) Yet I say to you that even Solomon

in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

30 (Mt 8:26; 14:31) Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field,

which today is here and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 (1Pe 5:7) Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?'

or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 (Mt 6:8; Lk 12:30) (For the Gentiles seek after all these things.)

For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.

33 (1Ti 4:8; 1Ki 3:11-13) But seek first the kingdom of God

and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.

34 (Mt 6:25) Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself.

Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof.



True Wisdom



24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,

and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not

the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor

gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much

better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed

like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek

for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13





9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

Job 30

1 (Job 12:4) "But now those who are younger than I mock me,

whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock.

2 Yes, how does the strength of their hands profit me?

Their vigor has perished.

3 For want and famine

they gnawed the parched land;

fleeing into the wilderness in former time, desolate and waste.

4 Who pluck mallow by the bushes,

and juniper roots for their food.

5 They were driven out from among men;

they shout after them as after a thief.

6 They had to dwell in the rocky riverbeds,

in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

7 (Job 6:5) Among the bushes they brayed;

under the nettles they were gathered together.

8They were children of fools, yes, children of vile men;

they were scourged from the earth.

9 (Job 17:6; La 3:14) "Now I am their taunting song;

yes, I am their byword.

10 (Nu 12:14; Ps 88:8) They abhor me, they flee far from me;

they do not hesitate to spit in my face.

11 Because He has loosed my bowstring and afflicted me,

they have cast off the bridle before me.

12 (Job 19:12) At my right hand their brood arises;

they push away my feet,

and they raise against me their ways of destruction.

13 They tear apart my path,

they promote my calamity;

they have no helper.

14 They came upon me as a wide breach, with a crash they came;

in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.

15 (Hos 13:3; Isa 44:22) Terrors are turned on me;

they pursue my dignity like the wind,

and my help passes away as a cloud.

16 (Ps 22:14; 42:4) "Now my soul is poured out within me;

the days of affliction have taken hold of me.

17 My bones are pierced in me at night,

and my sinews have no rest.

18 (Job 2:7) By the great force of my disease my garment is changed;

it binds me about as the collar of my coat.

19 (Ge 18:27; Job 42:6) He has cast me into the mire,

and I have become like dust and ashes.

20 (Job 19:7) "I cry unto You, but You do not hear me;

I stand up, and You do not regard me.

21 You have become cruel to me;

with Your strong hand You oppose me.

22 (Job 27:21) You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride on it;

You dissolve my success.

23 For I know that You will bring me to death,

and to the house appointed for all living.

24 "Surely He will not stretch out His hand to the grave,

though they cry when He destroys it.

25 (Ps 35:13-14; Ro 12:15) Did I not weep for him who was in trouble?

Was not my soul grieved for the poor?

26 (Jer 8:15; Job 3:25-26) When I looked for good, then evil disaster came upon me;

and when I waited for light, darkness came.

27 (La 2:11) My insides boiled and did not rest;

the days of affliction have met me.

28 (Ps 38:6; 42:9) I went mourning without the sun;

I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.

29 (Mic 1:8; Ps 102:6) I am a brother of jackals

and a companion of owls.

30 (Ps 102:3; La 4:8) My skin is black upon me,

and my bones are burned with fever.

31 (La 5:15) My harp is turned to mourning,

and my flute to the voice of those who weep.



Job 30

1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision,

Whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.

2 Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me,

In whom old age was perished?

3 For want and famine they were solitary;

Fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.

4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes,

And juniper roots for their meat.

5 They were driven forth from among men,

(They cried after them as after a thief;)

6 To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys,

in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

7 Among the bushes they brayed;

Under the nettles they were gathered together.

8 They were children of fools, yea, children of base men:

They were viler than the earth.

9 And now am I their song,

Yea, I am their byword.

10 They abhor me, they flee far from me,

And spare not to spit in my face.

11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me,

They have also let loose the bridle before me.

12 Upon my right hand rise the youth;

They push away my feet,

And they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.

13 They mar my path,

They set forward my calamity,

They have no helper.

14 They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters:

In the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.

15 Terrors are turned upon me:

They pursue my soul as the wind:

And my welfare passeth away as a cloud.

16 And now my soul is poured out upon me;

The days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season:

And my sinews take no rest.

18 By the great force of my disease is my garment changed:

It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.

19 He hath cast me into the mire,

And I am become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me:

I stand up, and thou regardest me not.

21 Thou art become cruel to me:

With thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.

22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it,

And dissolvest my substance.

23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death,

And to the house appointed for all living.

24 Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave,

Though they cry in his destruction.

25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble?

Was not my soul grieved for the poor?

26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me:

And when I waited for light, there came darkness.

27 My bowels boiled, and rested not:

The days of affliction prevented me.

28 I went mourning without the sun:

I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.

29 I am a brother to dragons,

And a companion to owls.

30 My skin is black upon me,

And my bones are burned with heat.

31 My harp also is turned to mourning,

And my organ into the voice of them that weep.



(Not a nice description but still seek the Lord while you in depresssion)



2) Our Daily Bread for 9 January 2026 titled

The Future God's Preparing by Marvin Williams



Isaiah 43:16-21



16 (Ps 77:19; Isa 51:10) Thus says the Lord,

who makes a way in the sea

and a path in the mighty waters,

17 (Isa 1:31; Ex 14:4-9) who brings forth the chariot and horse,

the army and the mighty men

(they shall lie down together, they shall not rise;

they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):

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

nor consider the things of old.

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

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

I will even make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

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

the jackals and the owls,

because I give waters in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert,

to give drink to My people, My chosen ones.

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

they shall declare My praise.



16 (Ps 77:19; Isa 51:10) Thus says the Lord,

who makes a way in the sea

and a path in the mighty waters,

17 (Isa 1:31; Ex 14:4-9) who brings forth the chariot and horse,

the army and the mighty men

(they shall lie down together, they shall not rise;

they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):

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

nor consider the things of old.

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

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

I will even make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

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

the jackals and the owls,

because I give waters in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert,

to give drink to My people, My chosen ones.

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

they shall declare My praise.



We live in a world where the internet forgets nothing—every photo, post, and

blog entry is seemingly stored forever. One major search engine, however,

introduced a privacy feature allowing users to request the removal

of personal data like phone numbers, home addresses, and more. While this

doesn't erase the data from the internet entirely, it significantly reduces

its visibility, giving people a sense of control

over their digital footprints.



This idea of "scrubbing" the past echoes the prophet's words

in Isaiah 43:18-19. God said, "Forget the former things; do not dwell

on the past. See, I am doing a new thing." These verses were spoken to Israel

during their exile in Babylon - a period of deep despair and longing for

restoration. God commanded His people to not fixate on their past failures or

the pain of captivity but to look forward to the new work He was about to

do - a new and more significant exodus—their deliverance from Babylon

and return to their homeland. He wasn't just erasing the past

but "making a way" (v. 19) to a future filled with hope and purpose.



Instead of dwelling on failures or regrets, let's trust that God

has "scrubbed" our past sins, regrets, and shame and - through

Jesus' sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) - "remembers [our] sins no more"

(Isaiah 43:25). God propels us toward the future He's preparing.



Reflect & Pray



Why is it so difficult to let go of the past?

How might you deepen your trust in God for new beginnings?



Dear God, please help me say goodbye to

my past and look forward to the future.



Learn more about Dealing with the Past.

Genesis 2



10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted

and became four rivers.

11 The name of the first is Pishon; it encompasses the whole land of Havilah,

where there is gold.

12 The gold of that land is good; bdellium and the onyx stone are there.

13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it encompasses the whole

land of Cush.

14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it goes toward the east of Assyria.

The fourth river is the Euphrates.

( I wonder if the world was one continent at this time)

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and

to keep it.

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,

"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat,

17 but of the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat

from it you will surely die."

(Note what the Lord says to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17)

18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone.

I will make him a helper suitable for him."



[10] And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it

was parted, and became into four heads.

[11] The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole

land of Havilah, where there is gold;

[12] And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx

stone.

[13] And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that

compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

[14] And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth

toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

[15] And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to

dress it and to keep it.

[16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden

thou mayest freely eat:

[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat

of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

[18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I

will make him an help meet for him.



19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every

bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them.

Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky,

and to every beast of the field, but for Adam[f] there was not found a helper

suitable for him.



[19] And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and

every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call

them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name

thereof.

[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to

every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for

him.



21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept.

Then He took one of his ribs and closed up the place with flesh.

22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man,

He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.



[21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

[22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.



23 Then Adam said,



"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she will be called Woman,

for she was taken out of Man."



[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she

shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.



24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother

and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.



[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave

unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.



25 They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.



[25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.



(Just before going on I would like to preface the Serpent aka Satan

/ Lucifer;

From Isaiah 14

12 How are you fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer, son of the morning!

(- Please note Son of the Morning NOT Morning Star )

How you are cut down to the ground,

you who weaken the nations!

13 For you have said in your heart,

"I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne

above the stars of God;

I will sit also on the mount of the congregation,

in the recesses of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High."

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Hell,

to the sides of the pit.



Satan created a rebellion in Heaven

and From Jesus himself Luke 10:18 He said to them, "

I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven." And so the spiritual war begins)



The Fall



Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field

which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman,

"Has God said, "You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?"



[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the

LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall

not eat of every tree of the garden?



2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit from the trees

of the garden;

3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the

garden, God has said, 'You will not eat of it, nor will you touch it, or else

you will die.'?"



[2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the

trees of the garden:

[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God

hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.



4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!

5 For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened

and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."



[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall

be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.



6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to

the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit

and ate; and she gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.

So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.



[6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was

pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of

the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and

he did eat.

[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were

naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.



8 Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool

of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence

of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

9 The Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"



[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the

cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of

the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

[9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?



10 He said, "I heard Your voice in the garden and was afraid because I

was naked, so I hid myself."



[10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because

I was naked; and I hid myself.



11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from

the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"

12 The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of

the tree, and I ate."



[11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the

tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

[12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me

of the tree, and I did eat.



13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?"

And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."



[13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?

And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.



(Blame game - IT is not my fault, it is someone else)



14 The Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this,

You are cursed above all livestock, and above every beast of the field;

you will go on your belly, and you will eat dust

all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring

and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."



[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this,

thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon

thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed

and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.



(This is the foreshadowing of the Crucifixion of

Jesus The Lamb for Sinners Slain)



16 To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth,

and in pain you will bring forth children; your desire will be

for your husband, and he will rule over you."



[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy

conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall

be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.



17 And to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife

and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying,

'You shall not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground on account of you;

in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life.

18 Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat

the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground,

because out of it you were taken;

for you are dust, and to dust you will return."



[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of

thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying,

Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt

thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt

eat the herb of the field;

[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto

the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust

shalt thou return.

2) Our Daily Bread for 27 December 2025 Titled

Our Loving Rescuer by Xochitl Dixon



Psalm 55:1-5, 16-22



PSALMS 55



For the Music Director. With stringed instruments.

A Contemplative Maskil of David.



1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,

and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Attend to me, and answer me;

I am restless in my complaint, and I murmur,

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) because of the voice of the enemy,

because of the pressure of the wicked,

for they cause trouble to drop on me,

and in wrath they have animosity against me.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) My heart is in pain within me,

and the terrors of death have fallen on me.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Fear and trembling come into me,

and horror has overwhelmed me.

16 As for me, I will call on God,

and the Lord will save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon,

I will make my complaint and murmur,

and He will hear my voice.

18 He has ransomed my life in peace

from the battle against me,

for there were many against me.

19 God will hear and afflict them,

even He who sits enthroned from of old. Selah

Because they do not change,

therefore they do not fear God.

20 My friend has set his hands against those at peace with him;

he has violated his covenant.

21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,

but battle was in his heart;

his words were softer than oil,

yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the Lord,

and He will sustain you;

He will never allow

the righteous to be moved.



Psalm 55

[1] Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

[2] Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

[3] Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the

wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

[4] My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen

upon me.

[5] Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed

me.

[16] As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

[17] Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he

shall hear my voice.

[18] He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me:

for there were many with me.

[19] God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

[20] He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he

hath broken his covenant.

[21] The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his

heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

[22] Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall

never suffer the righteous to be moved.



During a raging wildfire, a forest ranger saved a bear cub. At a recovery site

safely away from those still fighting the inferno, he placed the rescued

animal on the ground. Standing on its tiny back paws, the cub hugged the man's

calf. The ranger gently pried himself away. Mouth wide as if crying out in

desperation, the little bear clambered and clawed in an attempt to remain

in the refuge of his rescuer's embrace. As the cub clung to his arm,

the kind man relented and rubbed his furry friend's head.



What if we pursued our ultimate rescuer - Jesus - with the same fierce

desperation and confidence as the bear cub who pursued and clung to the

one who saved him from death?



All people God made need saving. The psalmist David confessed

his need for a rescuer - for God to hear and answer

his prayers (Psalm 55:1-2). Admitting he faced troubles, threats, suffering,

and fear (vv. 3-5), David pursued God with assurance. "As for me, I call to

God, and the Lord saves me," he said (v. 16). "Evening, morning and noon I cry

out in distress, and he hears my voice" (v. 17). David prayed continually. He

believed God listened and trusted that He would rescue him "unharmed" (v. 18).



When we face difficulties or suffering of any kind, like David, we can cry out

to God. Our loving Rescuer, who pursues us, hears and saves us when we pursue

Him too.



Reflect & Pray



How can you pursue God today?

When has God rescued you from trouble or suffering?



Dear God, thank You for rescuing me from

death through Christ and for being my refuge every day.





For further study, watch Threshing Sledge: Isaiah 21 & Purposeful Pain.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 7 Support System



Deut 33:27



27 (Ge 49:24; Ps 90:1-2) The eternal God is your refuge,

and underneath you are the everlasting arms;

He will drive out the enemy before you,

and will say, "Destroy them."



27 The eternal God is thy refuge,

And underneath are the everlasting arms:

And he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;

And shall say, Destroy them.



Misty was only 4 when her parents divorced. Her dad moved away,

and the following summer she went with her grandparents to visit him

in his new apartment. In the swimming pool one afternoon, Grandpa stood

Misty on the side of the pool, held out his arm, and called, "Jump!"

But Misty, normally a little fish, suddenly seemed afraid of the water,

and stood trembling on the sidewalk shaking her head.

"Jump, Misty - I'll catch you!"

"Are you sure, Grandpa?"

"Of course I'm sure! Jump!"

But Misty wouldn't jump. Finally Grandpa, a bit irritated, said, "Misty, do

you think I Won't catch you? Do you think I'll just walk away?"

The tears spilled over, and Misty sobbed. "Daddy did!"

Human support systems often fail us. We disappoint those we love, and

are disappointed by them. People simply aren't there for us

when we need them most.

But God promises that with him things are different. He's always there,

always listening, always caring, always ready to support us.

"Underneath his everlasting arms".

Sometimes those arms reach out clothed in flesh, in the warm embrace

of a loved one. Sometimes they support us through the Word, sometimes through

the quiet peace that comes in prayer. Sometimes we are not aware of them

at all, but they still hold us up, supporting, surrounding, loving.

Underneath us are the everlasting arms.



Application



a) Have I ever felt abandoned by someone I loved and depended upon?



b) How have I experienced the faithfulness of God's "Everlasting arms"?



c) Now can this verse help me in times when I feel my supports have given way?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Luke 16:10-12



10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful

also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also

in much.

11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who will give you that which is your own?"



10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,

who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,

who shall give you that which is your own?



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



God's Reconciling Peace



Col 3:12-17



12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another

and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,

even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.

14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,

to which also you are called in one body,

rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell

in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing

one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.



12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have

a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye

are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13





9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

Day 359, 25 December 2025 -Merry Christmas



Preamble thoughts



Psalm 42:5



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

And why are you disquieted in me?

Hope in God,

for I will yet thank Him

for the help of His presence.



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

And why art thou disquieted in me?

Hope thou in God:

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



Isaiah 9:6-7



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

unto us a son is given,

and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

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

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to order it and to establish it

with justice and with righteousness,

from now until forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts

will perform this.



[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government

shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,

Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon

the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it

with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of

the LORD of hosts will perform this.



2 Thessalonians 2:16



16 (Jn 3:16; 1Th 3:11) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself,

and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal

consolation and good hope through grace,



[16] Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath

loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through

grace,



2 Corinthians 4:16-18



Living by Faith



16 (Ro 7:22; Isa 40:31) For this reason we do not lose heart:

Even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man

is being renewed day by day.

17 (Ro 8:18; 1Pe 5:10) Our light affliction, which lasts

but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding

and eternal weight of glory,

18 (Heb 11:1; 2Co 5:7) while we do not look at the things

which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

For the things which are seen are temporal,

but the things which are not seen are eternal.



[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet

the inward man is renewed day by day.

[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a

far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which

are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things

which are not seen are eternal.



Romans 5:5



5 (Gal 4:6; Php 1:20) And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.



[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in

our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.



1 Peter 1:3-5



A Living Hope



3 (1Co 15:20; 2Co 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living

hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8) to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does

not fade away, kept in heaven for you,

5 (Eph 2:8) who are protected by the power of God through faith for

a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.



[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according

to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not

away, reserved in heaven for you,

[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to

be revealed in the last time.



1) Jesus Christ coming onto the world as a baby





Mark 1:1



1 (Mt 14:33) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.



[1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;



Luke 1:1-4



The Prologue



1 Whereas many have undertaken to write a narrative of those things

which are most surely believed among us,

2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning

were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

3 it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things

from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account,

most excellent Theophilus,

4 that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.



[1] Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration

of those things which are most surely believed among us,

[2] Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were

eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

[3] It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all

things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent

Theophilus,

[4] That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast

been instructed.



John 1:1-18



The Word Became Flesh



1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing

was created that was created.

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

5 The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

7 This man came as a witness in order to testify concerning the Light,

that all men through Him might believe.

8 He was not this Light, but was sent in order to testify

concerning the Light.

9 The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him,

yet the world did not know Him.

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.



[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the

Word was God.

[2] The same was in the beginning with God.

[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all

men through him might believe.

[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into

the world.

[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world

knew him not.

[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the

sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of

the will of man, but of God.

[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his

glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace

and truth.

[15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I

spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

[16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

[17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus

Christ.

[18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in

the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Revelation 11



The Two Witnesses



1 (Rev 21:15; Eze 42:15-20) I was given a reed like a measuring rod.

The angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar,

and those who worship in it.

2 (Lk 21:24; Rev 12:6; Da 7:25) But exclude the court which is outside

the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations.

They will trample on the Holy City for 42 months.

3 (Ge 37:34; Rev 11:2) And I will give power to my two witnesses,

and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

4 (Ps 52:8; Jer 11:16) These are the two olive trees

and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Jer 51:45.)

5 (Jer 5:14; 2Ki 1:10-12) If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds

out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them,

he must be killed in this way.

6 (1Ki 17:1; Lk 4:25) They have power to shut heaven, that it may not rain

during the days of their prophecy. They have power over waters to turn them

into blood and to strike the earth with every plague as often as they desire.

7 (Rev 13:7; Da 7:25) When they have finished their testimony, the beast

that ascends from the bottomless pit will wage war against them

and overcome them and kill them.

8 (Jer 23:14; Heb 13:12) Their dead bodies will lie in the street

of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,

where also our Lord was crucified.

9 (Ps 79:2-3; Rev 10:11) Those from every people and tribe and tongue

and nation will see their dead bodies for three and a half days,

and will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves.

10 (Rev 3:10; 1Ki 18:17) Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over

them and make merry and send gifts to one another,

because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

11 (Ge 2:7) After the three and a half days, the breath

(Eze 37:5-14.) of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet,

and great fear fell on those who saw them.

12 (Ac 1:9; 2Ki 2:11; Rev 4:1) Then they heard a loud voice from heaven

saying to them, "Come up here!" And they ascended to heaven in a cloud,

while their enemies watched them.

13 (Rev 6:12; 14:7) At that same hour there was a great earthquake,

and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand men were killed

in the earthquake, and the remnant were frightened and gave glory

to the God of heaven.

14 (Rev 8:13; 9:12) The second woe is past.

Listen, the third woe is coming quickly.



[1] And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood,

saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that

worship therein.

[2] But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not;

for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under

foot forty and two months.

[3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a

thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

[4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before

the God of the earth.

[5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and

devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this

manner be killed.

[6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their

prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the

earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

[7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that

ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall

overcome them, and kill them.

[8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which

spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

[9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see

their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead

bodies to be put in graves.

[10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make

merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets

tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

[11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered

into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them

which saw them.

[12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up

hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld

them.

[13] And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of

the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and

the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

[14] The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.



The Seventh Trumpet



15 (Rev 12:10; Da 7:14; 7:27) The seventh angel sounded,

and there were loud voices in heaven, saying:

"The kingdoms of the world have become

the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ,

and He shall reign forever and ever.”

16 (Rev 4:4; 4:10) And the twenty-four elders, who sat before God on

their thrones, fell on their faces and worshipped God,

17 (Rev 1:8; 19:6; 1:4) saying:

"We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,

who is and was and who is to come,

because You have taken Your great power

and begun to reign.

18 (Rev 19:5; 20:12) The nations were angry,

and Your wrath has come,

and the time has come for the dead to be judged,

and to reward Your servants the prophets

and the saints and those who fear Your name,

small and great,

and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

19 (Rev 16:21; 4:5) Then the temple of God was opened in heaven,

and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.

And there came lightning, noises, thundering, an earthquake, and great hail.



[15] And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,

saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and

of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

[16] And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats,

fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

[17] Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast,

and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast

reigned.

[18] And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the

dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto

thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name,

small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

[19] And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his

temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and

thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.



2) Our Daily Bread for 21 December 2025 titled

Bringing Good News by nancy Gavilanes



Isaiah 52:4-10



4 (Ge 46:6) For thus says the Lord God:

My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there;

then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

5 (Ro 2:24) Now therefore, what do I have here, says the Lord,

seeing that My people have been taken away for nothing?

Those who rule over them make them wail,

says the Lord,

and My name is continually blasphemed

all day long.

6 Therefore, My people shall know My name;

therefore, they shall know in that day

that I am He who does speak:

Here I am.

7 (Isa 40:9; Na 1:15; Ps 93:1) 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!"

8 (Isa 62:6; 1Co 13:12) Your watchmen lift up their voices;

they sing joyfully together;

for they shall see with their own eyes

when the Lord brings Zion back.

9 (Isa 51:3; 48:20) Break forth into joy, sing together,

you waste places of Jerusalem.

For the Lord has comforted His people;

He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 (Isa 51:9; Lk 3:6) The Lord has bared His holy arm

in the eyes of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.



[4] For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into

Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

[5] Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken

away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD;

and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

[6] Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in

that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

[7] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good

tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that

publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

[8] Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they

sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

[9] Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for

the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

[10] The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations;

and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.



The man was harvesting onions when we prayerfully approached him during the

home visits we were conducting on our mission trip in Ecuador. In broken

Spanish, I told him my friends and I would like to briefly speak to him about

the Bible. He paused to listen as we shared our testimonies with him. Then one

of my teammates started reading Scripture aloud in English. What a sacred

moment it was for all to hear the good news read on the side of the Andes

mountains as the man read along in Spanish with the booklet we had given him!

We talked with him and his family who'd been working off in the distance,

prayed for them, and continued to the next house.



As we walked along the mountainside reading Scripture and talking to people

about Christ, I thought of Jesus and His disciples walking along the hills

and valleys of Israel during His earthly ministry.



Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who

bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim

salvation." The prophet was referring to the time when God's people would

return to their homeland after years in exile, but it still applies to us

today whenever we share the good news of Jesus with others.



Our opportunities may not be in the spectacular Andes, but wherever God has

placed us, the Holy Spirit can help us share the message of salvation with

those He puts in our path.



Reflect & Pray



Who shared the gospel with you? Who can you share your faith with?



Dear God, please give me courage to tell others about Jesus.



Learn why spiritual

conversations are important, even when talking about Jesus feels weird.

2) Our Daily Bread for 20 December 2025 Titled



The Truth Never Changes



Matthew 1:18-25



The Birth of Jesus Christ



Lk 2:1-7



18 (Ge 3:15) Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way:

After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together,

she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 (Dt 22:21-24; 24:1-4 )Then Joseph her husband, being a just man

and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to divorce

her privately.

20 (Mt 1:18; 2:13) But while he thought on these things, the angel

of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,

for He who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 (Lk 1:31; Ac 4:12) She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,

for He will save His people from their sins."

22 (Mt 2:15; 2:23) Now all this occurred to fulfill what the Lord

had spoken through the prophet, saying,

23 (Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; Mt 28:20) "A virgin shall be with child,

and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,"

[Isa 7:14.] which is interpreted, "God with us."

24 Then Joseph, being awakened from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord

had commanded him, and remained with his wife,

25 (Mt 1:21; Lk 2:7) and did not know her until she had given birth

to her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.



[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary

was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child

of the Holy Ghost.

[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her

a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord

appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to

take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the

Holy Ghost.

[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of

the Lord by the prophet, saying,

[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and

they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had

bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he

called his name JESUS.



Hebrews 13:5



5 (Jos 1:5; Dt 31:6) Let your lives be without love of money,

and be content with the things you have. For He has said:

"I will never leave you,

nor forsake you."(Dt 31:6, 8; Jos 1:5.)



[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such

things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake

thee.



Henry David Thoreau described a city as a place where many people are

"lonesome together." Those words have the ring of truth. In my youth, songs

like "Mr. Lonely," "Only the Lonely," and "Eleanor Rigby" focused on isolation

and loneliness. In recent years, the pandemic was one of the most isolating

seasons the world has known. And social media can feed that loneliness, giving

us connection without relationship. Perhaps loneliness is the new pandemic.



As Matthew shared the story of the birth of Jesus (1:18-25), he told us,

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet

[Isaiah]: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will

call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us') " (vv. 22-23).

Ponder that for a moment. God with us!



As believers in Jesus, we're never alone. We've been born again

into the family of Christ, a family that spans the globe and the ages.

The apostle Paul said, "You are no longer foreigners and strangers,

but fellow citizens with God's people and also members

of his household" (Ephesians 2:19). We're loved by the ever-present God, who

said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).



Whatever you're facing today, your heavenly Father is present with you. Allow

Him to help you as you step into life’s uncertainties and challenges. He's

with you.



Reflect & Pray



When have you felt lonely? When experiencing this sense of isolation,

how do you respond to it?



Thank You, Father, that because of Your abiding presence, I'm never alone.





Discover more about being lonely by reading Alone

Instead of Lonely by Reclaim Today.



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!"



7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good

tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that

publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!



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



Luke 12:21



21 "So is he who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."



21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.



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



When you are Impatient



James 5:7-11



Patience and Prayer



7 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.

Notice how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth

and is patient with it until he receives the early and late rain.

8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts,

for the coming of the Lord is drawing near.

9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, lest you be condemned.

Look, the Judge is standing at the door.

10 My brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord,

as an example of suffering and patience.

11 Indeed we count them happy who endure.

You have heard of the patience of Job

and have seen the purpose of the Lord,

that the Lord is very gracious and merciful.



7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold,

the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long

patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord

draweth nigh.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned:

behold, the judge standeth before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord,

for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience

of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful,

and of tender mercy.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

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



http://www.ehc.ca



18th Day of the Month



a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical

refreshing for the presence of the Lord



( Jer 31:25



25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.



25 For I have satiated the weary soul,

and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

)



b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from

danger and adversity



( Ps 34:7



7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,

and delivers them.



7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,

And delivereth them.



)



Advent day 25



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



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

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

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

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

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

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



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



A Campaign of Sabotage



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

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

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

Lewis used numerous military allusions in that book,

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



Humanity has been invaded by an enemy: Satan.

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

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

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

invading the beaches of Normandy in a full-scale assault

on German positions.



Jesus did not use tanks, planes, or artillery.

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

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

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

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

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

and authority, and one day that au­thority will be visible

for all to see. But not yet.



Until then, we Christians acknowledge the power and authority

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

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

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

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

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

against the power of Satan. Its power to forgive sins

is our best weapon.



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

aware of your power over him, and especially

aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.



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

and in the power of His might.

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

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



Ephesians 6:10-11



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



Exactly The Right Time



In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.



-Luke 2:1



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

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

The Emperor Augustus issued an order,

and everyone had to go to their ancestral home.



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

to be commanded when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Whether this means that other enrollments were levied later on we

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

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

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

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



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

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

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



Prayer



How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,

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



Read Luke 2:1-7.



Luke 2



The Birth of Jesus



Mt 1:18-25



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

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.

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

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

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

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

because he was of the house and lineage of David,

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

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

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

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

because there was no room for them in the inn.



From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



FOURTH WEDNESDAY

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



And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.ISAIAH 9:6



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

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

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

lowing (whatever lowing is!.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!



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

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

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



Read Isaiah 9:2-7.



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

have seen a great light;

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

upon them the light has shined.

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

and increased the joy;

they rejoice before You

according to the joy of harvest

and as men rejoice

when they divide the spoil.

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

and the bar of his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor

as in the day of Midian's defeat.

5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

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

unto us a son is given,

and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

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

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to order it and to establish it

with justice and with righteousness,

from now until forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts

will perform this.

From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



Exactly The Right Time



In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.



-Luke 2:1



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

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

The Emperor Augustus issued an order,

and everyone had to go to their ancestral home.



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

to be commanded when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Whether this means that other enrollments were levied later on we

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

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

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

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



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

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

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



Prayer



How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,

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



Read Luke 2:1-7.



Luke 2



The Birth of Jesus



Mt 1:18-25



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

that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.

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

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

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

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

because he was of the house and lineage of David,

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

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

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

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

because there was no room for them in the inn.



From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



FOURTH WEDNESDAY

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



And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.ISAIAH 9:6



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

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

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

lowing (whatever lowing is!.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!



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

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

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



Read Isaiah 9:2-7.



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

have seen a great light;

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

upon them the light has shined.

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

and increased the joy;

they rejoice before You

according to the joy of harvest

and as men rejoice

when they divide the spoil.

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

and the bar of his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor

as in the day of Midian's defeat.

5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

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

unto us a son is given,

and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

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

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to order it and to establish it

with justice and with righteousness,

from now until forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts

will perform this.



From On Eagle's wings



He Who Was, Is, and Is to Come



"'Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,'(Isa 21:9.)

who was, and is, and is to come."



Holy, holy,

holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Rev 4:8b

Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting is an act of faith. Faith is what

Jesus saw when people from Capernaum dug through the roof of a

crowded building and lowered their friend in front of him. For those

of us whose individual faith is not so strong, we can wait in

company with the Church. Advent is, for us, a time of special

blessing as it was for the paralytic man whose individual faith

seemed to have been unimportant.

Waiting is an act of faith when a fisherman sitting on the ice

believes there are fish below him. Or as an expectant mother waits

for her child, believing in her body and her community.

At Advent we wait for Jesus, our Messiah, Son of the Living God. We

do so with faith that he was, he is, and is to come.

From the distant past, where 'he was', we are blessed by the words

of Isaiah, prophesying that those who walk in darkness will see a

great light.

We wait for Jesus, our Messiah, with faith that 'he is', like the roof

people of Capernaum. Because of their faith, the sins of their friend

were forgiven and he was healed. As we keep company with such

people, pray as they do, and immerse ourselves in Scripture, we

learn to wait on Jesus 'who is'.

We wait for Jesus, Son of the Living God, with faith that 'he is to

come'. Like the man fishing through a hole in the ice as his

forefathers taught him. He waits for the fish that he seems to know

will come.



Gary Taylor

Bible Camp Volunteer 23



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the warnings of the Lord as evil increases

today.



Pray to the Lord: "Saving God, how amazing is Your perfect

love, that You would give Yourself for me!"



Pray to the Lord and pray to be an unlimited forgiver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be leave a legacy of righteousness.



Pray to the Lord and pray to give him all your illnesses.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



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

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



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

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

Christ among Muslim people -

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

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

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



Pray for the safety of those

who live in your community -

safety from conflict an crimes



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

aware of your power over him, and especially

aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.



Pray: How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,

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



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

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

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



Pray: God who was, is, and is to come, help us to recognise your

presence this year as we walk through another Advent season

together. Amen.



Pray that covert Christian fellowships in Iran

will thrive despite governmental oppression.



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.

2) Our Daily Bread for 17 December 2025

Precious to God by James Banks



Isaiah 43:1-7



1 (Isa 43:7; 44:2) But now, thus says the Lord

who created you, O Jacob,

and He who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

2 (Ps 66:12; Da 3:25-27) When you pass through waters,

I will be with you.

And through the rivers,

they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire,

you shall not be burned,

nor shall the flame kindle on you.

3 (Ex 20:2; Pr 21:18) For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I gave Egypt for your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

4 (Ex 19:5-6) Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honorable,

and I have loved you;

therefore, I will give men for you,

and people for your life.

5 (Isa 49:12; 44:2) Do not fear, for I am with you;

I will bring your descendants from the east,

and gather you from the west;

6 I will say to the north, "Give them up,"

and to the south, "Do not keep them back.

Bring My sons from afar,

and My daughters from the ends of the earth,

7 (Ps 100:3; Isa 43:1) even everyone who is called by My name,

for I have created him for My glory;

I have formed him, and I have made him."



[1] But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that

formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called

thee by thy name; thou art mine.

[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through

the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the

fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

[3] For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave

Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

[4] Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I

have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

[5] Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and

gather thee from the west;

[6] I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring

my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

[7] Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my

glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.



The painting hung on the wall of a home for years, unnoticed and forgotten,

until one day it fell. When it was taken to an art restorer for repairs, he

discovered it was a long-lost Rembrandt masterpiece titled The Adoration of

the Magi. It had been thought that only copies of the work remained, but here

was the original. Suddenly the painting's value skyrocketed to hundreds

of millions of dollars.



The Bible paints another picture of underestimated value and forgotten worth.

Isaiah the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, told God's people that even

though they would be taken away to a foreign land where they would suffer

and be devalued, He would still be with them: "Do not fear, for I have

redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine," He assured

them (Isaiah 43:1). Though they would "pass through the waters"

and "walk through the fire" (v. 2), His faithfulness to them would

not change. With words that point to His coming kingdom in Christ,

God promised that He would one day restore "everyone who

is called by my name" (v. 7) and bring them home to Him.



God will one day gather all who are His because they "are precious

and honoured in [His] sight" (v. 4), each one an original! Our Creator values

us because of His infinite kindness and mercy. The world may overlook us,

but He never will.



Reflect & Pray



How does God's kindness in Christ show that you are precious to Him?

How much is He worth to you?



Saving God, how amazing is Your perfect

love, that You would give Yourself for me!





Learn more here about having a personal relationship with God.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



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



Luke 17:3 - 4



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

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

forgive him.

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

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

'I repent,' you must forgive him."



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

and if he repent, forgive him.

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

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

thou shalt forgive him.



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

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

Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and been forgiven, we are to forgive.



Application



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

have forgiven ? Why?



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

Jesus calls me to?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Ps 37:25-26



25 I have been young, and now am old;

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor their offspring begging bread.

26 The righteous are gracious and lend,

and their offspring are a source of blessing.



25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;

And his seed is blessed.



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



When you are ill or injured



Matthew 8:14-17



The Healing of Many People



Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41



14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,

lying sick with a fever.

15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.

16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many

who were possessed with demons.

And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,

17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,

"He Himself took our infirmities

and bore our sicknesses."



[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother

laid, and sick of a fever.

[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and

ministered unto them.

[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed

with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that

were sick:

[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,

saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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