Dave Yadallee's personal blog

Advent Day 15



From C.S.Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck



Third Sunday of Advent





"Dear Hida (is that right?) Newman,



Thank you so much for your lovely letter and pictures As to

Asian's other name, well I want you to guess. Has there never

been anyone in this world who (1.) arrived at the same time as

Father Christmas. (2.) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor.

(3.) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at

and killed by wicked people. (4.) Came to life again. (5.)

Is sometimes spoken of as a Lamb....Don't you really know His

name in this world? Think it over and let me know your answer."

- C. S. Lewis



(From "Letter to Hilo Newman," June 3, 1953,



Lewis' Collected Letters, Ill, p. 334.)



Christ's Other Name



C. S. Lewis loved children. Every letter he ever received from a child, he

answered. In a collection of them, Letters to Children, Lewis responded to a

question about the identity of Aslan, the Christ-figure t of Narnia.

Eleven-year-old Hila Newman had sent Lewis some drawings of the characters

in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, along with some questions.

Apparently she could not identify Aslan with any biblical character.



Lewis wrote back with not-too-subtle hints about a character



on our world who "arrived at the same time as Father Christmas." The hints

that followed reveal how clearly Asian represented the "Lion of the tribe of

Judah" (Rev. 5:5) whom we know as Jesus, who had given himself up to be killed

by wicked people and come to life again, and was sometimes called a Lamb.

Lewis didn't give her the answer, because he wanted her to discover the truth

for herself.



Instead of saying that Jesus is Asian's other name, we could say

that Aslan is Jesus' other name-at least in Narnia.

Thank you, Jesus, that your name is the name above all other

names. Thank you, Jesus, that your name saves us. Amen.



There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.



Acts 4:12



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT



Upside Down



He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of low degree.



-Luke 1:52



This verse near the end of Mary's reflection seems like an appropriate

theme verse for her whole song. God likes to reverse our expectations!



We have seen this happen many times in history. Those of us who are older

remember well the downfall of the Marcos

regime in the Philippines, and probably the photograph of the

lone protester in front of a tank stands out in our minds.

We might recall various pictures of the Berlin Wall's fall

and the breakdown of Communism in Europe.



Younger readers might be more familiar with the Arab Spring and the bright

hopes it aroused (though the revolutions might not be successfully maintained

later). When tyrants are crushed, the people rejoice.



So Mary sings of God's work to bring down the powerful while elevating the

abject; feeding the hungry while dismissing



with nothing the affluent; and showing vigorous power while scattering the

arrogant in their deliberations. Verily, God acts in the world to inaugurate justice!



prayer



Omnipotent God of fairness and truth, enable us to participate

in your establishment of righteousness. Amen.



Read Luke 1:45-55.



45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion

to those things which were told her by the Lord."



The Song of Mary



46 And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

48 For He has regarded

the low estate of His servant;

surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is His name.

50 His mercy is on those who fear Him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of low degree.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich He has sent away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

in remembrance of His mercy,

55 as He spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”



From the AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ASTOUNDING!



Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

"Be strong, fear not.

Your God will come

with vengeance,

even God with a recompense;

He will come and save you."ISAIAH 35:4



There is no better word for it God's love is astounding! Check out Isaiah

35: "the blind shall see, the lame shall leap, the tongues of the speechless

shall sing for joy"--that's astounding! It's like the comment an 8-year-old

made when he saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "Wow, something

big must have happened here!"

Isaiah's words are comforting and hopeful for each of us. In a world

where there is so little hope. where there is so much pain. so many

disappointments. this prophecy of God's action in the world is ... well

simply astounding!

It is the Lord who brings us joy that last s a lifetime and beyond. We have

already obtained "Joy and gladness" as "sorrow and sighing shall flee

away." And now e each get a chance to bring this astounding news to

others. That's what Advent is all about. This Advent, why not have this as

your mission: Give fewer gifts but more presence. Like Isaiah, bring your

presence to others by simply doing this: "Say to those who are of a fearful

heart, 'Be strong, do not fear!"

To whom will you proclaim astounding message today?

Lord. you astound us every day--first, by loving us completely and then by

blessing us through our Good Fridays and our Easters -- through our AH-

HAs and our UH-OHs. Fill us with your AH-HAs as we seek to bring hope to

the UH-OHs in our lives . In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!

Read Isaiah 35:1-10



Isaiah 35



The Future Glory of Zion



1 (Isa 51:3; 55:12-13) The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad,

and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;

2 (Isa 60:13; 25:9) it shall blossom abundantly

and rejoice even with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,

the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.

They shall see the glory of the Lord

and the excellency of our God.

3 (Heb 12:12; Job 4:3-4) Strengthen the weak hands,

and support the feeble knees.

4 Isa 34:8; 28:16 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

"Be strong, fear not.

Your God will come

with vengeance,

even God with a recompense;

He will come and save you."

5 (Isa 29:18; 32:3-4) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 (Lk 11:14; Jn 5:8-9) Then the lame man shall leap as a deer,

and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

For in the wilderness waters shall break out

and streams in the desert.

7 (Isa 13:22; 34:13) The parched ground shall become a pool,

and the thirsty land springs of water;

in the habitation of jackals where each lay,

there shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 (Isa 52:1; 11:16) A highway shall be there, a roadway,

and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.

The unclean shall not pass on it,

but it shall be for the wayfaring men,

and fools shall not wander on it.

9 (Isa 62:12) No lion shall be there,

nor any ravenous beast shall go up on it;

these shall not be found there,

but the redeemed shall walk there,

10 (Rev 21:4; Isa 25:8) and the ransomed of the Lord shall return

and come to Zion with songs

and everlasting joy upon their heads.

They shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.



From On Eagle's wings Day 8



The Healer



2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits,

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,

who heals all your diseases,

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,



[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

[4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with

lovingkindness and tender mercies;



Psalms 103:2-4



We had just finished our session “Taking Our Pain to the Cross” in

one of the Northern communities. We asked the participants what

we should do with the bowl of water containing the dissolved

papers that we had written our pains on.

They thought for a minute and then suggested we all pile into one

big van and drive out of the hamlet up the hill where there was a

large cross overlooking the community.

It was there at the foot of that cross that they poured out the bowl

of water containing the papers with their pains written on them and

offered them to Jesus for healing. But they didn't stop there, they

gathered and prayed for Jesus to heal their whole community. It

was a sacred moment.

In this Advent season, may we remember Jesus came to reconcile

us to the Father, forgive our sins, and to heal our brokenness. He is

our wonderful counsellor and prince of peace in times of suffering.



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.



[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.



Isaiah 9:6



Debra Karman



Caring for the Wounded Heart Master Facilitator & Mentor



Conclusion:



Pray to understand how to bring up children in God's ways.



Pray to the Lord and pray for discernment for the Devil wants to falsify

the Gospel.



Pray to the Lord: "Now, my God, please hear the prayers of Your servant."



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for help with your enemies.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the rewards of obedience.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the abundantness of the Lord.



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 that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society

and be their help



Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your

city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.



Thank you, Jesus, that your name is the name above all other

names. Thank you, Jesus, that your name saves us. Amen.



Pray: Omnipotent God of fairness and truth, enable us to participate

in your establishment of righteousness. Amen.



Pray: Lord. you astound us every day--first, by loving us completely

and then by blessing us through our Good Fridays and our Easters

-- through our AH-HAs and our UH-OHs. Fill us with your AH-HAs

as we seek to bring hope to the UH-OHs in our lives .

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray: Father, open the ears of our hearts to hear you speaking to

us of your love and peace this Christmas. Amen.



Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to redeem and

transform our lives. Thank you for calling us to trust in your

presence and provision in all circumstances. Amen.



Lord thank you for your compassion, mercy, and desire to have a

relationship with us. Thank you for sending Jesus to be the healer

of our brokenness and our hearts. May we remember this

Christmas that we have a wonderful counsellor who came to touch

us with peace and healing.



Pray that Christians rejected by their family members

in Bangladesh will respond with the Lord's compassion.



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.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



7th Day of the Month



a) Pray that the Lord will be close to the brokenhearted in our society

and be their help



(

Ps 34:18 - The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,

and saves the contrite of spirit.



18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;

And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.



Ps 145: 14 - 16



14 The Lord upholds all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon You,

and You give them their food in due season.

16 You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.



Samek

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

Ain

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;

And thou givest them their meat in due season.

Pe

16 Thou openest thine hand,

And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.



)



b) Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your

city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.

(



Romans 12:4-8



4 (1Co 12:12-14)For just as we have many parts in one body,

and not all parts have the same function,

5(1Co 10:17; 12:20)so we, being many, are one body in Christ,

and all are parts of one another.

6(Ac 13:1; 1Co 13:2)We have diverse gifts according to the grace that

is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;

7 (Ac 13:1; Eph 4:11)if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching;

8 (2Co 9:7; 1Co 12:28) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with

generosity; he who rules, with diligence;

he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.



4 For as we have many members in one body,

and all members have not the same office:

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ,

and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that

is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according

to the proportion of faith;

7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let

him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.



Col 3:17



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.



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.



)

2) Our Daily Bread for 7 December 2025 Titled

Pray What's on Your Heart by John Blase



Daniel 9:4-6, 15-19



4 (Dt 7:9; Ne 9:32) And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made my confession,

and said,

"Alas, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping His covenant

and mercy to those who love Him, and to those who keep His commandments.

5 (Ps 106:6; Isa 64:5-7) We have sinned and have committed iniquity

and have done wickedly and have rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts

and from Your judgments.

6 (2Ch 36:15-16; Ezr 9:7) We have not listened to Your servants the prophets,

who spoke in Your name to our kings, our officials, and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.



15 (Ne 9:10; Ex 6:1) "Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people

out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name,

even to this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 (Zec 8:3; Ps 31:1O) Lord, according to all Your righteousness,

I beseech You, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city

Jerusalem, Your holy mountain, because for our sins and for the iniquities

of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all who

are around us.

17 (Ps 80:19; La 5:18) "Now therefore, O God, hear the prayer of Your servant

and his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine

upon Your sanctuary, which is desolate.

18 (Isa 37:17; Jer 25:29) O my God, incline Your ear and hear. Open Your eyes

and look at our desolations and the city which is called by Your name,

for we do not present our supplications before You for our righteousness,

but for Your great mercies.

19 (Jer 14:9; Da 9:18) O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act!

Do not defer, for Your own sake, O my God. For Your city and Your people

are called by Your name."



Daniel 9



[4] And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O

Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them

that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

[5] We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and

have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

[6] Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in

thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people

of the land.



[15] And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the

land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this

day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

[16] O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine

anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy

mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers,

Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

[17] Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his

supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is

desolate, for the Lord's sake.

[18] O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our

desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present

our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great

mercies.

[19] O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for

thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy

name.



Brenda and Eddie got in the car and began their Thursday evening ritual.

"Where would you like to eat?" "Oh, Eddie, I don't care, anywhere is fine,

really." Eddie's been here before. "Okay, how about The Windmill?" Brenda

bristles. "No, anywhere but there!" Eddie sighs. "So where, then?" Brenda

insists, "Really, anywhere is fine."



It's the stuff of comedy sketches, humourous from a distance

because we know how maddening it is in the moment.



Sometimes it can be that way in our prayer lives too. We're too vague.

In contrast, the prayer in Daniel 9 reveals Daniel boldly saying what he

wants. First, he confesses the sins of his people: "We have sinned

and done wrong" (v. 5). Then he makes his requests. "Now, our God,

hear the prayers and petitions of your servant" (v. 17). "Lord, listen!

Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act" (v. 19). God owed nothing to Daniel,

but such was Daniel's trust in God's "great mercy" (v. 18) that he felt

free to bring the full weight of his desires to Him.



It's always right to pray "not as I will, but as you will," as Jesus

prayed to His Father the night before He was crucified (Matthew 26:39).

But there are also times when saying what we want is the way forward.

God honours our boldness when we come before Him with repentant hearts. So

be bold, pray what's on your heart, and entrust it to the God of great mercy.



Reflect & Pray



How do your prayers compare to Daniel 9:4-19?

What might you need to confess before making your requests to God?



Now, my God, please hear the prayers of Your servant.





To learn more, check out Forgiveness & Reconciliation Reading Plan.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 1 Call to the Lord - 2 Samuel 22:3-4



3 (Ge 15:1; Ps 9:9) the God of my strength, in whom I will trust;

my shield and the horn of my salvation,

my fortress and my sanctuary;

my Savior, You save me from violence.

4 (Ps 48:1; 96:4) I call upon the Lord, who is praiseworthy,

and I am saved from my enemies.



3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust:

He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,

My saviour; thou savest me from violence.

4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:

So shall I be saved from mine enemies.



In the old Days of Television Western, we could always tell who the enemy was.

The bad guys wore black hats; the evil villain had a scar across

his cheek or a patch over one eye. But real life is

not quite so simple . Enemies come in many forms, and often are not easy to

recognise. Sin is an enemy; even those we love can seek

to undermine our faith;

modern materialism and distorted values lead us away from biblical principles.

These enemies may not seek our death in a physical sense,

but their influence results in spiritual death or, at the very least,

immaturity.

Yet God promises to rescue us from our enemies. David describes the Lord as a

"rock", a "shield", a "stronghold", and a "refuge". God provides a stable

foundation for our faith; he products us from the attacks of the enemy;

he offers a place of rest in battle.

Our battles are usually not physical ones, but rather spiritual

and emotional wars.

We struggle with difficult relationships, the burdens of the past,

the subtle accusations of the devil.

But these enemies can be overcome. David says,

"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise" .

When we turn to the Lord, trust his Word, acknowledge his

worthiness, we put our own problems and difficulties in perspective.

We see that God is able to rescue us, and has promised to do so.

And as we respond to his grace by focusing

on him, we abandon trust in ourselves and allow him to do what he promised.



Application



a) What kinds of enemies do I face?



b) How have I tried to deal with those enemies by myself?



c) How can today's verses help me turn to the sources of my rescue?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Gen 13:2,5-6,14-17



2 (Ge 24:35; Ps 112:1-3) Abram was very wealthy in livestock,

in silver and in gold.

5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.

6 (Ge 36:6-7) But the land was not able to support them

both dwelling together because their possessions were so great.

14 (Ge 28:14; Dt 3:27) After Lot had departed from him,

the Lord said to Abram,

"Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are,

northward and southward and eastward and westward.

15 (Ge 12:7; 2Ch 20:7) All the land that you see I will give to you

and to your descendants forever.

16 (Ge 28:14; Nu 23:10) I will make your descendants like the dust

of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust of the earth,

then your descendants could also be numbered.

17 Arise, and walk throughout the land across its length

and its width, for I will give it to you."



2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together:

for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him,

Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward,

and southward, and eastward, and westward:

15 for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it,

and to thy seed for ever.

16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man

can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it;

for I will give it unto thee.



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



God's Generous Provision



Ps 145:13b-21



13 Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholds all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon You,

and You give them their food in due season.

16 You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways

and loving in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,

to all who call upon Him in truth.

19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He also will hear their cry and will save them.

20 The Lord preserves all those who love Him,

but all the wicked He will destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,

and let all people bless His holy name

forever and ever.



13 And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;

And thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand,

And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,

And holy in all his works.

18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

To all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:

He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him:

But all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD:

And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and 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.

Colossians 4



1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and fair,

knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.



[1] Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing

that ye also have a Master in heaven.



Exhortations



2 (Lk 18:1; Eph 6:18) Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving,

3 (Eph 6:19-20; Ac 14:27) while praying also for us, that God would open

to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am

also in chains,

4 (Eph 6:20) that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak.

5 (Mk 4:11; Eph 5:15-17) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside,

wisely using the opportunity.

6 (Mk 9:50; 1Pe 3:15) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned

with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.



[2] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

[3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of

utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

[4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

[5] Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

[6] Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may

know how ye ought to answer every man.



Final Greetings



7 (Ac 20:4; Col 4:9) Tychicus, who is a beloved brother and a faithful

minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

8 (Eph 6:22; Col 2:2) I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he

might know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.

They will make known to you everything which is happening here.

10 (Ac 19:29; 27:2) Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark,

the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions:

If he comes to you, receive him),

11 (Ac 11:2) and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my only fellow

workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision.

They have been a comfort to me.

12 (Ro 15:30; Col 1:7) Epaphras greets you. He is one of you, a servant

of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may

stand mature and complete in the entire will of God.

13 (Col 2:1) I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you,

those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

14 (Phm 1:24; 2Ti 4:10-11) Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.

15 (Ro 16:5) Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha,

and the church which is in his house.

16 (1Th 5:27; 2Th 3:14) When this epistle is read among you, ensure that it is

read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you, likewise,

read the epistle from Laodicea.

17 (Phm 1:2) Tell Archippus, "Make sure that you fulfill the ministry

which you have received in the Lord."

18 (1Co 16:21; 1Ti 6:21) I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.



[7] All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother,

and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

[8] Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your

estate, and comfort your hearts;

[9] With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They

shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

[10] Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to

Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you,

receive him;)

[11] And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These

only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort

unto me.

[12] Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always

labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and

complete in all the will of God.

[13] For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that

are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

[14] Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

[15] Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church

which is in his house.

[16] And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in

the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from

Laodicea.

[17] And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast

received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

[18] The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with

you. Amen.



Philemon



The epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon was written in Rome

in about AD 62. This story is about a servant named Onesimus

who ran away from Philemon, a Christian of Colosse. Onesimus had departed

from Philemon and fled to Rome, where he then became converted

under Paul's ministry. Paul sent him back to Philemon with this letter

to reconcile their broken relationship, since they were both in Christ.

The letter about Onesimus was included in the canon, in the opinion of some,

due to the authenticity of its authorship. Paul's political astuteness

and personal interaction with the recipient make this letter both warm

and compelling. It is truly a heartfelt plea from one Christian to another.



Salutation



Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,



1 To Philemon, our beloved fellow laborer,

2 and to beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier,

and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.



[1] Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon

our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

[2] And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the

church in thy house:

[3] Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.



Philemon's Love and Faith



4 I thank my God, always mentioning you in my prayers,

5 whenever I hear of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus

and for all the saints,

6 that the sharing of your faith may be most effective by the acknowledgment

of every good thing which is in you from Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and encouragement on account of your love,

because the hearts of the saints are refreshed through you, brother.



[4] I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

[5] Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus,

and toward all saints;

[6] That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the

acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

[7] For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of

the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.



Paul Pleads for Onesimus



8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you

to do that which is proper,

9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you-I, Paul, an old man,

and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-

10 I appeal to you on behalf of my son Onesimus, whose father I have become

in my imprisonment,

11 who in the past was unprofitable to you,

but now he is profitable to you and to me.

12 I have sent him back. Therefore receive him as my own heart.

13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that in your place he might serve me

during my imprisonment for the gospel.

14 But without your consent I would do nothing, so that your goodness

would not be forced, but given willingly.

15 Perhaps this was why he departed for a while,

that you might receive him forever,

16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother,

especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh

and in the Lord.

17 If then you consider me a partner, receive him as you would me.

18 If he wronged you or owes you anything, charge this to my account.

19 I, Paul, have written this with my own hand. I will repay it-not

to mention that you owe me even your own self.

20 Yes, brother, help me rejoice in the Lord, refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 Being convinced of your obedience, I write to you,

knowing that you will also do more than I say.

22 But, in addition, prepare also lodging for me,

for I hope that through your prayers I shall be graciously restored to you.



[8] Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that

which is convenient,

[9] Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the

aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

[10] I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

[11] Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee

and to me:

[12] Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own

bowels:

[13] Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have

ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

[14] But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be

as it were of necessity, but willingly.

[15] For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest

receive him for ever;

[16] Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially

to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

[17] If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

[18] If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

[19] I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do

not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

[20] Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in

the Lord.

[21] Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou

wilt also do more than I say.

[22] But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your

prayers I shall be given unto you.



Final Greetings



23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow laborers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.



[23] There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

[24] Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

[25] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Colossians 2



1 (Col 1:29; Rev 1:11) I would like you to know what a great struggle

I am having for you, and for those at Laodicea,

and for everyone who has not seen my face in the flesh,

2 (Col 4:8; Ro 16:25) that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together

in love, and receive all the riches and assurance of full understanding,

and knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

3 (Ro 11:33; 1Co 1:24) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom

and knowledge.

4 (Eph 5:6) Now this I say lest anyone beguile you with enticing words.

5 (1Co 14:40; 1Pe 5:9) For though I am absent in the flesh,

yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your orderliness

and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.



[1] For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for

them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

[2] That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and

unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the

acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

[3] In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

[4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

[5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,

joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in

Christ.



Fullness of Life in Christ



6 (Col 1:10; 1Th 4:1) As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk in Him,

7 (Eph 3:17; 2:20-22) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,

as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.

8 (1Ti 6:20; Gal 4:3) Beware lest anyone captivate you through philosophy

and vain deceit, in the tradition of men and the elementary principles

of the world, and not after Christ.

9 (Col 1:19; Jn 1:14) For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all authority and power.

11 (Ro 2:29; 6:6) In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision

made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh,

by the circumcision of Christ,

12 (Ac 2:24; Ro 4:24) buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were

raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him

from the dead.

13 (Eph 2:1; Jas 2:26) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision

of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all

sins.

14 (Ac 3:19; Col 2:20) He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was

against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to

the cross.

15 (Eph 4:8; Lk 10:18) And having disarmed authorities and powers,

He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

16 (Heb 9:10; 1Ch 23:31) Therefore let no one judge you regarding food,

or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or sabbath days.

17 (Heb 8:5; 10:1) These are shadows of things to come, but the substance

belongs to Christ.

18 (Col 2:23; 2:8) Do not let anyone cheat you of your reward by delighting

in false humility and the worship of angels, dwelling on those things which

he has not seen, vainly arrogant due to his unspiritual mind,

19 (Eph 4:15-16) and not supporting the head, from which the entire body,

nourished and knit together by joints and sinews, grows as God gives

the increase.



[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

[7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been

taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after

the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after

Christ.

[9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

[10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and

power:

[11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without

hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision

of Christ:

[12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through

the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which

was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them

openly, triumphing over them in it.

[16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of

an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

[17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

[18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and

worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen,

vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

[19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands

having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the

increase of God.



The New Life in Christ



20 (Col 2:8; 2:14) Therefore, if you died with Christ to the elementary

principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world,

do you subject yourself to legalistic rules?

21 (1Ti 4:3) "Do not touch! Do not taste! Do not handle!"

22 (Isa 29:13; 1Co 6:13) These all are to perish with use and are aligned

with the commandments and doctrines of men.

23 (Col 2:18; 1Ti 4:8) These things have indeed a show of wisdom in

self-imposed worship and humility and neglecting of the body,

but are worthless against the indulgence of the flesh.



[20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,

why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

[21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

[22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and

doctrines of men?

[23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and

humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of

the flesh.



Colossians 3



1 (Ps 110:1; Mk 16:19) If you then were raised with Christ, desire those

things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God.

2 (Mt 16:23) Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth.

3 (Ro 6:2; Col 2:20) For you are dead,

and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 (1Jn 3:2; Jn 11:25) When Christ who is our life shall appear, then you also

shall appear with Him in glory.

5 (Ro 8:13; 1Co 6:18) Therefore put to death the parts of your earthly nature:

sexual immorality, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire,

and covetousness, which is idolatry.

6 (Ro 1:18; Eph 5:6) Because of these things, the wrath of God comes

on the sons of disobedience.

7 (Eph 2:2) You also once walked in these, when you lived in them.

8 (Eph 4:22; 4:29) But now you must also put away all these: anger, wrath,

malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth.

9 (Eph 4:22; 4:25) Do not lie one to another, since you have put off

the old nature with its deeds,

10 (Eph 2:10; 4:23-24; Ro 12:2) and have embraced the new nature,

which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created it,

11 (Ro 10:12; Eph 1:23) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor

uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free,

but Christ is all and in all.

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.



[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

[2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

[3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

[4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear

with him in glory.

[5] Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,

uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,

which is idolatry:

[6] For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of

disobedience:

[7] In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

[8] But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,

filthy communication out of your mouth.

[9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his

deeds;

[10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the

image of him that created him:

[11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

[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.



Social Duties of the New Life



18 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands,

as it is fitting in the Lord.

19 (Eph 5:25; 1Pe 3:7) Husbands, love your wives,

and do not be bitter toward them.

20 (Ex 20:12; Eph 5:24) Children, obey your parents in all things,

for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 (Eph 6:4) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,

lest they be discouraged.

22 (Col 3:20) Servants, obey your masters in all things according

to the flesh, serving not only when they are watching, as the servants

of men, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

23 (Col 3:17) And whatever you do, do it heartily,

as for the Lord and not for men,

24 (1Co 7:22; Eph 6:8) knowing that from the Lord you will receive

the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ.

25 (Ac 10:34; Dt 10:17) But he who does wrong will receive

for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.



[18] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the

Lord.

[19] Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

[20] Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing

unto the Lord.

[21] Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

[22] Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not

with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

[23] And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

[24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the

inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

[25] But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done:

and there is no respect of persons.

Day 341, 7 December 2025 - 15th Day of Advent



Today at Calvary Community Church

Pastor Barry Regier spoke God's blueprint for parenting - Shaping the Heart



A) The Broken Approach



Ephesians 6:4a



Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,



And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:



Colossians 3:21



21 (Eph 6:4) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,

lest they be discouraged.



[21] Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.



Ask "Father God ...



... Please bring to mind an experience I had with a parent that has

negatively affected how I see myself?"



... what do You have to say to me oe what would you show me about how you

REALLY feel about me?"



Take a moment to thank Him and bask in His love.



B) The Right Design - Perfect Source



Ephesians 6:4b



but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.



but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.



i) Discipline



Proverbs 13:24



He who spares his rod hates his son,

but he who loves him disciplines him early.



He that spareth his rod hateth his son:

But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.



ii) Instruction



Proverbs 22:6



6 (Eph 6:4; 2Ti 3:15) Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it.



6 Train up a child in the way he should go:

And when he is old, he will not depart from it.



1) Colossians 1, Colossians 2, Colossians 3, Colossians 4, Philemon



Colossians 1



Salutation



1 (2Co 1:1; 1Co 1:1; Php 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

by the will of God,and Timothy our brother,

2 (Ro 1:7; Eph 1:1) To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are

at Colosse:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.



[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our

brother,

[2] To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse:

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.



Thankfulness for the Colossians



3 (Eph 1:15) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

praying always for you.

4 (Gal 5:6; Eph 1:15) For we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love

for all the saints,

5 (Ac 23:6; Eph 1:13) because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,

of which you have already heard in the word of the truth of the gospel,

6 (Jn 15:16; Ps 98:3) which has come to you, as it has in all the world,

and brings forth fruit, as it has also in you, since the day you heard it

and knew the grace of God in truth.

7 (Col 4:12; Phm 1:23) And you also learned of Epaphras, our dear fellow

servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you,

8 (Ro 15:30) who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.



[3] We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying

always for you,

[4] Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye

have to all the saints,

[5] For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before

in the word of the truth of the gospel;

[6] Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth

fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the

grace of God in truth:

[7] As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a

faithful minister of Christ;

[8] Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.



The Person and Work of Christ



9 (Eph 1:8; 5:17) For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not

cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge

of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 (Eph 4:1; 1Th 4:1) that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

pleasing to all, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing

in the knowledge of God,

11 (Eph 4:2; 3:16) strengthened with all might according to His glorious

power, enduring everything with perseverance and patience joyfully,

12 (Ac 20:32; 26:18) giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled us to be

partakers in the inheritance of the saints in light.

13 (Eph 6:12; 1:6) He has delivered us from the power of darkness

and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son,

14 (Eph 1:7) in whom we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins.

15 (2Co 4:4; Jn 1:18) He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn

of every creature.

16 (Jn 1:3; Ro 11:36) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven

and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones,

or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him

and for Him.

17 (Jn 8:58; Heb 1:3) He is before all things,

and in Him all things hold together.

18 (Ac 26:23; Eph 1:22-23) He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things

He may have the preeminence.

19 (Jn 1:16; Col 2:9) For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness

should dwell,

20 (Eph 1:10; Ro 5:1) and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him,

having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say-whether

they are things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 (Eph 2:12) And you, who were formerly alienated and enemies

in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

22 (Ro 7:4; Eph 5:27) in the body of His flesh through death,

to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,

23 (Eph 3:17; Mk 16:15) if you continue in the faith, grounded and settled,

and are not removed from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard,

and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven,

and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.



[9] For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray

for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his

will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

[10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful

in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

[11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all

patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

[12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated

us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of

sins:

[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

[16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in

earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or

principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

[17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the

firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

[19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

[20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to

reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in

earth, or things in heaven.

[21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by

wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

[22] In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and

unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

[23] If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away

from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to

every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;



Paul's Ministry to the Church



24 (2Ti 1:8; 2Co 7:4) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake

and fill up in my flesh that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,

for the sake of His body, which is the church.

25 (Eph 3:2; Col 1:23) I have been made a servant of it according

to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you,

to fulfill the word of God,

26 (Ro 16:25-26) even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages

and generations, but now is revealed to His saints.

27 (1Ti 1:1; Ro 8:10) To them God would make known what is the glorious

riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you,

the hope of glory,

28 (1Co 2:6; Col 1:22) whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone

in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

29 (1Co 15:10; Eph 1:19) In this I labor, striving according to His power,

which effectively works in me.



[24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is

behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which

is the church:

[25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God

which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

but now is made manifest to his saints:

[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this

mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

[28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all

wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

[29] Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which

worketh in me mightily.

From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



SECOND SATURDAY

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AGING!



One generation shall praise Your works to another

and shall declare Your mighty acts. PSALM 145:4



Advent helps us to affirm that aging is a gift from God! Our society too

often sees aging as a burden rather than as a blessing. l am convinced

that God really, really loves old people. You know how can tell? Because

he continues to make more and more of us!

A favourite banner of mine states: 'Aging is the ONLY way to live!" How true,

how true!

Today's Scriptures catch the joy and the responsibilities of aging. In Mary's

song of praise. she rejoices in the fact that God had chosen her to bring

Jesus to the world. And she proclaims that his mercy is for everyone,

through all generations.

Psalm 145:4 the psalmist again picks up the fact that "one generation

shall laud your works to another!" We ambassadors of aging (and we ALL

are, regardless of our age. because the one thing we are all doing at the

same time is aging!) are called to share the same message that Mary

shared--Christ Jesus is for all people!

That is why Advent arid Christmas are not just for the little children but

-ether for all of God's children! That is why the Lord put us together in

families and congregations and communities where we can rub ministry

shoulders with those younger than us and also those older than us.

Perhaps during Advent or on Christmas Eve, if your congregation has a

children's message, you should also have an old folks' message. Invite a

the 80+ people to shuffle up to the front . . . and lie down,

lust like the little

kids do! Someone will help them up! (Just a suggestion, but no need to

tell your pastor l suggested it!)

Lord of aging; thanks for the gift of older people around us. They are

truly blessings from you, and not burdens. Keep us focused on how you

continue to love and work through all people. Empower us to listen and

share, to laugh and cry with people of all ages And thanks for the gift of

life as we all grow old grace-fully In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!

Read Luke 1:46-56 and Psalm 145:4-7.



Luke 1



The Song of Mary



46 And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

48 For He has regarded

the low estate of His servant;

surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is His name.

50 His mercy is on those who fear Him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of low degree.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich He has sent away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

in remembrance of His mercy,

55 as He spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56 Mary remained with her about three months

and returned to her own house.



Psalm 145

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One generation shall praise Your works to another

and shall declare Your mighty acts.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I will speak of the glorious honor of Your majesty

and of Your wondrous works.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,

and I will declare Your greatness.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) They shall abundantly declare the fame of Your great

goodness and shall sing of Your righteousness.



From On Eagle's wings December 6



3 (Jn 12:26; 14:28) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.

4 You know where I am going, and you know the way." John 14:3-4 (MEV)



[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and

receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:3-4 (KJV)



"You're going away?" Evan's smile disappeared as he looked down

at his feet in sadness. It was our last day of Bible Camp in a

Northwest Territories community, and he had just found out that

we would be leaving the next day to return to Edmonton.

"Will you come back?" He didn't look at me, as his voice quivered

with tears. I sat beside him on the steps and put my arm around

him. "I hope so," I said. "I promise I will write to you, and I will put

your picture on my fridge so I remember to pray for you every day."

During Advent we anticipate the birth of Christ into our world as a

baby. And though his time on earth was very short he left his

disciples with a promise that he would come back. We also

anticipate with great hope the day when Jesus will physically return.

No matter what is happening in our world, if we ground our faith in

Jesus we can hold firmly to the hope that he is preparing a

wonderful place for us to live in fellowship with him for all eternity!

And that is a promise that he will surely keep!



Darlene Koop

Bible Camp Volunteer



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to him to guide you in every step you take.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, thank You for

assuring me that You see what I'm going through."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord is working in you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to favour the cause if the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness.



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 a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community



Pray: Lord Jesus, give us a hushed excitement at your coming,

at your presence, and make it truly internal. Amen.



Pray: Thank you, Lord, that Mary demonstrates unpretentious thankfulness.

Fill us with similar acquiescent gratitude and tremendous adoration. Amen.



Pray: Lord of aging; thanks for the gift of older people around us. They are

truly blessings from you, and not burdens. Keep us focused on how you

continue to love and work through all people. Empower us to listen and

share, to laugh and cry with people of all ages And thanks for the gift of

life as we all grow old grace-fully In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray : Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into our world and revealing

yourself to us so we could know you, and for the hopeful promise

that one day you will return! Amen.



Pray that Muslim militants in Iraq will experience God's love,

leading them to salvation through Christ.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



6th Day of the Month



a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community



(

Deut 4:6-7



6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7 ) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and

your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these

statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and

understanding people."

7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near

to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?



6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and

your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these

statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and

understanding people.

7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,

as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?



Matt 5:13-16



13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt

loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for

nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.

14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden.

15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) Neither do men light a candle and put it under a basket,

but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine before men that they

may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.



13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set

on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on

a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.



Acts 1:8



8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes

upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."



8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

)



b) Pray for the province of British Columbia



I) Pray for the leaders of Alberta, that God's Spirit would influence then to

act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.

( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4) 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,

prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, 2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings

and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life

in all godliness and honesty, 3 (1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and

acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all

men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.



1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,

intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 for kings,

and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable

life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses

beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.



III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign and booklet

to turn many hearts to Jesus



Advent Day 14



FRom C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle



Saturday, Second Week of Advent



"I have read [your book} Treasure on Earth and I don't believe you have any

notion how good it is I've never seen the hushed internal excitement of a

child on Christmas Eve better done. That is something we can all recognise."

- C. S. Lewis



(From "Letter to Mrs. Phyllis Sandeman," Dec. 10, 1952,



Lewis' Collected Letters, III, pp. 26 lff.)



Hushed Excitement



Christmas is especially for children, whether young children, old children,

or very old children. Simeon is an example of the third category.

We'll come back to him later.



In a letter written to Phyllis Sandeman during Advent, Lewis comments

favorably about a book that she had written that year, Treasure on Earth.

Subtitled A Country House Christmas, it tells of the approach of Christmas Day

in an Elizabethan mansion in northern England in 1906. An excited child, the

ten-year-old author herself, awaits Christmas morning, the gifts and all the

festivities that would come with the day.



"There was not long to wait now before the drama would begin-the

curtain was trembling to its rise. The twilight of the early winter morning,

the piercing sweetness of the voices rising in the still air, the tune and

the words she loved so well, 'Christians, awake, salute the happy mom!'

Then heaven would open."



Simeon had been waiting for the Savior for a long time. God had told him that

he would see the Christ, the promised Messiah, before he died. When the moment

arrived, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, probably with a

"hushed internal excitement." His eyes were full of anticipation, as he saw

the salvation of lsrael in his arms. He amazed Mary and Joseph by predicting

the future of this child. We, who know him, know that these predictions came

true.



Lord Jesus, give us a hushed excitement at your coming, at your presence,

and make it truly internal. Amen.



30 (Lk 3:6; Isa 52:10) for my eyes have seen Your salvation



Luke 2:30



From Follow the Story from Marva J. Dawn



SATURDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT



Proper Amplification



47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.



-Luke 1:47



This meditation asks you to read the complete Magnificat of Mary so you can

see that almost the entire song is

about God, but we will concentrate now on only its first three verses. Mary is

filled with exuberance. Not only has God given her miraculous promises, but

also her relative Elizabeth has confirmed those assurances with lofty Joy.



Mary begins her inspired song magnifying God with her soul. That word soul in

Hebrew (from which came her Aramaic) means "one's whole being or true self."

Everything in her resounded with praise and adoration. No wonder her spirit

rejoices exceedingly!



Though she was unremarkable, God had beheld her benevolently. She wanted

everyone to know, though all generations would acclaim her, that the glory was

God's, that he was the Stupendous One, and that he was to be hallowed. She was

the humble recipient of God's exalted treasures, and she ached for everyone to

share in her ecstasy.



Prayer



Thank you, Lord, that Mary demonstrates unpretentious thankfulness.

Fill us with similar acquiescent gratitude and tremendous adoration. Amen.



Read Luke 1:46-55.



The Song of Mary



46 And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

48 For He has regarded

the low estate of His servant;

surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is His name.

50 His mercy is on those who fear Him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of low degree.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich He has sent away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

in remembrance of His mercy,

55 as He spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



SECOND SATURDAY

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AGING!



One generation shall praise Your works to another

and shall declare Your mighty acts. PSALM 145:4



Advent helps us to affirm that aging is a gift from God! Our society too

often sees aging as a burden rather than as a blessing. l am convinced

that God really, really loves old people. You know how can tell? Because

he continues to make more and more of us!

A favourite banner of mine states: 'Aging is the ONLY way to live!" How true,

how true!

Today's Scriptures catch the joy and the responsibilities of aging. In Mary's

song of praise. she rejoices in the fact that God had chosen her to bring

Jesus to the world. And she proclaims that his mercy is for everyone,

through all generations.

Psalm 145:4 the psalmist again picks up the fact that "one generation

shall laud your works to another!" We ambassadors of aging (and we ALL

are, regardless of our age. because the one thing we are all doing at the

same time is aging!) are called to share the same message that Mary

shared--Christ Jesus is for all people!

That is why Advent arid Christmas are not just for the little children but

-ether for all of God's children! That is why the Lord put us together in

families and congregations and communities where we can rub ministry

shoulders with those younger than us and also those older than us.

Perhaps during Advent or on Christmas Eve, if your congregation has a

children's message, you should also have an old folks' message. Invite a

the 80+ people to shuffle up to the front . . . and lie down,

lust like the little

kids do! Someone will help them up! (Just a suggestion, but no need to

tell your pastor l suggested it!)

Lord of aging; thanks for the gift of older people around us. They are

truly blessings from you, and not burdens. Keep us focused on how you

continue to love and work through all people. Empower us to listen and

share, to laugh and cry with people of all ages And thanks for the gift of

life as we all grow old grace-fully In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!

Read Luke 1:46-56 and Psalm 145:4-7.



Luke 1



The Song of Mary



46 And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

48 For He has regarded

the low estate of His servant;

surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is His name.

50 His mercy is on those who fear Him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of low degree.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich He has sent away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

in remembrance of His mercy,

55 as He spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56 Mary remained with her about three months

and returned to her own house.



Psalm 145

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One generation shall praise Your works to another

and shall declare Your mighty acts.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I will speak of the glorious honor of Your majesty

and of Your wondrous works.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) They shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,

and I will declare Your greatness.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) They shall abundantly declare the fame of Your great

goodness and shall sing of Your righteousness.



From On Eagle's wings December 6



3 (Jn 12:26; 14:28) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.

4 You know where I am going, and you know the way." John 14:3-4 (MEV)



[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and

receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:3-4 (KJV)



"You're going away?" Evan's smile disappeared as he looked down

at his feet in sadness. It was our last day of Bible Camp in a

Northwest Territories community, and he had just found out that

we would be leaving the next day to return to Edmonton.

"Will you come back?" He didn't look at me, as his voice quivered

with tears. I sat beside him on the steps and put my arm around

him. "I hope so," I said. "I promise I will write to you, and I will put

your picture on my fridge so I remember to pray for you every day."

During Advent we anticipate the birth of Christ into our world as a

baby. And though his time on earth was very short he left his

disciples with a promise that he would come back. We also

anticipate with great hope the day when Jesus will physically return.

No matter what is happening in our world, if we ground our faith in

Jesus we can hold firmly to the hope that he is preparing a

wonderful place for us to live in fellowship with him for all eternity!

And that is a promise that he will surely keep!



Darlene Koop

Bible Camp Volunteer



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to him to guide you in every step you take.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, thank You for

assuring me that You see what I'm going through."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord is working in you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to favour the cause if the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness.



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 a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community



Pray: Lord Jesus, give us a hushed excitement at your coming,

at your presence, and make it truly internal. Amen.



Pray: Thank you, Lord, that Mary demonstrates unpretentious thankfulness.

Fill us with similar acquiescent gratitude and tremendous adoration. Amen.



Pray: Lord of aging; thanks for the gift of older people around us. They are

truly blessings from you, and not burdens. Keep us focused on how you

continue to love and work through all people. Empower us to listen and

share, to laugh and cry with people of all ages And thanks for the gift of

life as we all grow old grace-fully In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray : Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into our world and revealing

yourself to us so we could know you, and for the hopeful promise

that one day you will return! Amen.



Pray that Muslim militants in Iraq will experience God's love,

leading them to salvation through Christ.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.



Remember eternity starts now -

Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.

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.



6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)

2) Our Daily Bread for 6 December 2025 Titled



God Sees Me by Poh Fang Chia



Genesis 16:5-13



5 Then Sarai said to Abram,

"May the wrong done to me be on you!

I gave my maid into your arms;

and when she saw that she had conceived,

I became despised in her eyes.

May the Lord judge between you and me."

6 But Abram said to Sarai,

"Indeed, your maid is in your power;

do to her as you please."

Then Sarai dealt harshly with her,

and she fled from her presence.

7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness.

It was the spring on the way to Shur.

8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid,

where have you come from

and where are you going?"

And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai."

9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,

"Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."

10 The angel of the Lord also said to her,

"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly

so that they will be too many to count."

11 Then the angel of the Lord said to her,

"You are pregnant

and will bear a son.

You shall call his name Ishmael,

because the Lord has heard your affliction.

12 He will be a wild man;

his hand will be against every man,

and every man's hand will be against him.

And he will dwell

in the presence of all his brothers."

13 Then she called the name of the Lord that spoke to her,

"You are the God who sees," for she said,

"Have I now looked on Him who sees me?"



(Ishmael is the father of the Arab race)



Genesis 16



[5] And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid

into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in

her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

[6] But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as

it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her

face.

[7] And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the

wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

[8] And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt

thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

[9] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and

submit thyself under her hands.

[10] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed

exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

[11] And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child,

and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath

heard thy affliction.

[12] And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and

every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his

brethren.

[13] And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest

me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?



When Sun's husband had a stroke, her life took a dramatic turn. She found

herself having to assist her husband with the activities of daily living

and cope with his emotional outbursts. For seventeen years, she'd faithfully

cared for her husband. When a fall hastened his decline, however, the weight

of caregiving finally became too much, and Sun sank into depression.

"I felt I'd lost my faith," she shared, "and I couldn't see God."



But looking back, Sun now believes that God saw her because He provided

subsidised home medical and nursing care to manage her husband's chronic

condition and sent social workers to support Sun in managing the emotional

challenges of caregiving.



God revealed himself as the God who sees in the story of Hagar. In Genesis 16,

the slave Hagar was running away from her mistress' mistreatment (v. 6) when

the "angel of the Lord" found her "near a spring in the desert" (v. 7).

He urged Hagar to "go back to [her] mistress" (v. 9) and assured her

of His blessing. Even though Hagar was a nobody in her culture, God was

watching out for her well-being. In gratitude, Hagar declared,

"You are the God who sees me" (v. 13).



God sees us in our distress too. We're never alone because our loving Father

knows our situation, and He's trustworthy. We can cry out to Him for help,

and He'll lift us up.



Reflect & Pray



How have you experienced that God sees and knows your need in the past?

How can this knowledge help you in your present trials?



Dear Father, thank You for assuring me that You see what I'm going through.





For further study, listen to What's True About God.



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



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."

Acts 27



The Shipwreck



39 (Ac 28:1) When it was day, they did not recognize the land. But they

noticed a bay with a shore, into which they were determined to run the ship if

possible.

40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while loosening the

ropes that secured the rudders. Then they hoisted the mainsail to the wind

and made for shore.

41 But striking a sandbar where two seas met, they ran the ship aground.

The bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was broken up by the

violent surf.

42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim

away and escape.

43 (Ac 27:3) But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, prevented them from

their intent and ordered those who could swim to abandon ship first

and get to land,

44 (Ac 27:22) and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship.

And in this way they all escaped safely to land.



[39] And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a

certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were

possible, to thrust in the ship.

[40] And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto

the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the

wind, and made toward shore.

[41] And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground;

and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part

was broken with the violence of the waves.

[42] And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them

should swim out, and escape.

[43] But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose;

and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into

the sea, and get to land:

[44] And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.

And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.



Acts 28



Paul in Malta



1 (Ac 27:26; 27:39) When they had escaped, they learned that the island

was called Malta.

2 (Ac 28:4; Ro 1:14) The natives showed extraordinary kindness, for they

kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because of the rain and the cold.

3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper

driven out by the heat fastened on his hand.

4 (Lk 13:2; 13:4) When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand,

they said to one another, "Surely this man is a murderer. Though he has

escaped from the sea, justice does not allow him to live."

5 (Mk 16:18; Lk 10:19) But he shook off the creature into the fire

and suffered no harm.

6 They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But while

they waited and saw no harm befall him, they changed their minds

and said that he was a god.

7 In that area was an estate of the chief man of the island, named Publius,

who had welcomed us and courteously housed us for three days.

8 (Ac 9:40; Mt 9:18) It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with

a fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and, placing his hands on him, prayed

and healed him.

9 When this happened, the rest on the island who had diseases also came

and were healed.

10 They honored us in many ways. And when we sailed, they provided us

with necessary supplies.



[1] And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called

Melita.

[2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled

a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because

of the cold.

[3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the

fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they

said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath

escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

[5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead

suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to

him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

[7] In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island,

whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days

courteously.

[8] And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and

of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on

him, and healed him.

[9] So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island,

came, and were healed:

[10] Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they

laded us with such things as were necessary.



Paul Arrives in Rome



11 (Ac 27:6) After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose

figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

12 Landing at Syracuse, we waited there for three days.

13 From there we circled around and sailed to Rhegium.

After one day the south wind blew, and the next day we arrived at Puteoli.

14 There we found brothers, and were invited to remain with them for seven

days. And so we went to Rome.

15 From there, when the brothers heard of us, they traveled as far as the

Forum of Appius (A town on the Appian Way about 55 miles from Rome.)

and the Three Taverns

(Or Three Inns, also on the Appian Way and about 10 miles closer to Rome.)

to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 (Ac 27:3; 24:23) When we arrived at Rome, the centurion handed

the prisoners over to the captain of the guard. But Paul was allowed

to remain by himself with the soldier who guarded him.



[11] And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had

wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

[12] And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

[13] And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after

one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

[14] Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven

days: and so we went toward Rome.

[15] And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as

far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked

God, and took courage.

[16] And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the

captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a

soldier that kept him.



Paul Preaches in Rome



17 (Ac 25:8; 6:14) After three days Paul called the leaders of the Jews

together. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, having done

nothing contrary to our people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered

as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 (Ac 26:31-32) When they had examined me, they were determined to release

me, because there was no charge against me deserving death.

19 (Ac 26:32; 25:21) But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal

to Caesar, not that I had any charge to bring against my nation.

20 (Ac 21:33; 23:6) For this reason I have asked to see you and speak with

you, because I am bound with this chain for the hope of Israel."

21 (Ac 22:5) They said to him, "We have not received any letters from Judea

concerning you, and none of the brothers that have come have reported

or spoken any evil of you.

22 (Ac 24:14; 1Pe 2:12) But we think it is proper to hear from you what you

think. For concerning this sect,

we know that it is spoken against everywhere."

23 (Ac 19:8; 8:35) When they had arranged a day to be with him, many came

to him at his residence. From morning until evening he explained and solemnly

testified of the kingdom of God to them, persuading them concerning Jesus

from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

24 (Ac 14:4; 17:4-5) Some believed what was said, but some did not believe.

25 (Mt 15:7) Being in disagreement with one another, they were dismissed after

Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit accurately spoke to our fathers

through Isaiah the prophet,

26 (Eze 12:2; Isa 6:9-10) 'Go to this people and say:

You shall certainly hear, but never understand;

and you shall certainly see, but never perceive;

27 for the heart of this people has grown dull.

Their ears are hard of hearing,

and they have closed their eyes,

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and turn, and I would heal them.'

28 (Lk 3:6; Ro 11:11) "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation

of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They will hear it!"

29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed and disputed greatly among

themselves.

30 Paul remained two whole years in his own rented house. He welcomed all who

came to him,

31 (Ac 28:23; Mt 4:23) boldly and freely preaching the kingdom of God

and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.



[17] And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the

Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and

brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of

our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of

the Romans.

[18] Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was

no cause of death in me.

[19] But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto

Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

[20] For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to

speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this

chain.

[21] And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea

concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any

harm of thee.

[22] But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning

this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

[23] And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his

lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading

them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the

prophets, from morning till evening.

[24] And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

[25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that

Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet

unto our fathers,

[26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall

not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

[27] For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of

hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their

eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should

be converted, and I should heal them.

[28] Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto

the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

[29] And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great

reasoning among themselves.

[30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all

that came in unto him,

[31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern

the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Day 340, 6 December 2025 - 14th Day of Advent



1) Acts 27, Acts 28



Acts 27



Paul Sails for Rome



1 (Ac 25:25; 10:1; 25:12) When it was decided that we should sail into Italy,

they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan

Regiment, named Julius.

2 (Ac 19:29) Boarding a ship from Adramyttium, we put out to sea, meaning

to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica,

was with us.

3 (Ac 24:23; 28:16) The next day we landed at Sidon. And Jul­ius treated Paul

kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be given care.

4 (Ac 4:36) From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus,

because the winds were against us.

5 (Ac 6:9; 13:13) Sailing across the sea off of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came

to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6 (Ac 28:11) There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy,

and he put us on board.

7 (Ac 27:21; 2:11) We sailed slowly for many days, and arrived with difficulty

off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to proceed, we sailed under the

lee of Crete off Salmone.

8 Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens,

near the city of Lasea.

9 (Lev 23:27-29; Nu 29:7) As much time had been lost and as the voyage was now

dangerous, because the Day of Atonement was already over, Paul advised them,

10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much

loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives."

11 But the centurion was persuaded more by the captain and the owner of the

ship than by what Paul said.

12 Since the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority decided to

sail on from there, if somehow we might reach Phoenix, a harbour in Crete,

facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.



[1] And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they

delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a

centurion of Augustus' band.

[2] And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by

the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being

with us.

[3] And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated

Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

[4] And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because

the winds were contrary.

[5] And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to

Myra, a city of Lycia.

[6] And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy;

and he put us therein.

[7] And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over

against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over

against Salmone;

[8] And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair

havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

[9] Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous,

because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

[10] And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt

and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

[11] Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the

ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

[12] And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part

advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice,

and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south

west and north west.



The Storm at Sea



13 When a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained the

necessary conditions, they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.

14 (Mk 4:37) But soon afterward a tempestuous wind swept through, called the

Euroclydon.(Or Northeaster.)

15 When the ship was overpowered and could not head into the wind, we let her

drift.

16 Drifting under the lee of an island called Cauda, we could scarcely secure

the rowboat.

17 (Ac 27:29; 27:26) When they had ­hoisted it aboard, they used ropes to

undergird the ship. And fearing that they might run aground on the sand of

Syrtis, they let down the mast, and so were driven.

18 (Jnh 1:5; Ac 27:38) We were violently tossed by the storm. The next day

they threw cargo overboard.

19 On the third day we threw the tackle of the ship overboard with our own

hands.

20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was

upon us, all hope that we should be saved was lost.

21 After they had long abstained from food, Paul stood in their midst and

said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete,

incurring this injury and loss.

22 (Ac 27:25; 27:36) But now I advise you to take courage, for there will be

no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

23 (Ac 5:19; 23:11) For there stood by me this night the angel of God to whom

I belong and whom I serve,

24 (Ac 23:11; Ge 19:29) saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before

Caesar. And, look! God has given you all those who sail with you.'

25 (Ro 4:20-21) Therefore, men, take courage, for I believe God that it will

be exactly as it was told to me.

26 (Ac 28:1; 27:17) Nevertheless, we must be shipwrecked on a certain island."

27 When the fourteenth night came, while we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea,

about midnight the sailors supposed that they were approaching land.

28 They took soundings and found the water to be one hundred and twenty

feet deep.(Gk. 20 orguias, about 37 meters.) When they had gone a little

farther, they took soundings again and found it to be ninety feet deep.

(Gk. 15 orguias, about 27 meters.)

29 (Ac 27:17) Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped

four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.

30 (Ac 27:16) When the sailors strove to abandon ship and lowered the rowboat

into the sea, under the pretext of lowering anchors out of the bow,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these sailors

remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."

32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the rowboat and let her fall off.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul asked them all to eat, saying, "Today is

the fourteenth day that you have waited and continued without food, having

eaten nothing.

34 (Mt 10:30; 1Ki 1:52) So I urge you to eat. This is for your preservation,

for not a hair shall fall from your head."

35 (Mt 15:36) When he had said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God

in the presence of them all. And when he had broken it he began to eat.

36 (Ac 27:22) Then they were all encouraged, and they also ate food

themselves.

37 (Ac 2:41; 7:14) In all we were 276 persons on the ship.

38 (Jnh 1:5) When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship

and threw the wheat into the sea.



[13] And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained

their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

[14] But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called

Euroclydon.

[15] And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we

let her drive.

[16] And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much

work to come by the boat:

[17] Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship;

and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so

were driven.

[18] And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they

lightened the ship;

[19] And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the

ship.

[20] And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small

tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

[21] But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and

said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from

Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

[22] And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of

any man's life among you, but of the ship.

[23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom

I serve,

[24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo,

God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

[25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be

even as it was told me.

[26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

[27] But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down

in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some

country;

[28] And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a

little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

[29] Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four

anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

[30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had

let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast

anchors out of the foreship,

[31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in

the ship, ye cannot be saved.

[32] Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

[33] And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat,

saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued

fasting, having taken nothing.

[34] Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health:

for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

[35] And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in

presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

[36] Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

[37] And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen

souls.

[38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out

the wheat into the sea.

Read Isaiah 9:1-7.



Isaiah 9



The Coming King



1 (2Ki 15:29; 2Ch 16:4) Nevertheless there shall be no more gloom

for her who was in anguish. In the former time He contemptuously

treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

but in the latter time He shall make it glorious,

by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2 (Eph 5:8; Mt 4:16) The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,

upon them the light has shined.

3 (1Sa 30:16; Isa 26:15) You have multiplied the nation

and increased the joy;

they rejoice before You

according to the joy of harvest

and as men rejoice

when they divide the spoil.

4 (Isa 14:25; 10:26-27) For You have broken the yoke of his burden

and the bar of his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor

as in the day of Midian's defeat.

5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 (Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lk 2:11) For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government shall be upon his shoulder.

And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7 (Isa 37:32; Da 2:44) Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to order it and to establish it

with justice and with righteousness,

from now until forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts

will perform this.



From On Eagle's wings Day 5



Teach Me Lord To Wait



14 Wait on the Lord; be strong, and may your heart be stout;

wait on the Lord.



[14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine

heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.



Psalm 27:14



There are so many lessons to learn when deciding to move from life

in southern BC to a life in a small village in the far north of Canada.

From a couple who had lived there previously, I received excellent

advice about what clothes to take, what food supplies to have with

me, and how to arrange transportation to get me and everything

there. I was even warned about possible delays. Anyone who has

travelled to, lived in, or worked in the North will know what I mean

as a “delayed” memory flashes in your head!

Once well settled in my new home and making a heartfelt effort to

learn Inuktitut, I was always asking questions of my new Inuit

friends. One answer seemed to be repeated many times, depending

on the question. That word was “IMAHA”. It translates as “maybe”.

Are you going hunting today? Imaha!

Will the plane land today? Imaha!

Their patience with my questions and my own eventual

understanding of just how important learning the arts of “waiting”

and “patience” are, became the bedrock of over 30 years living in

Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay.

We do know Jesus lived on earth with us. We don’t know when He

will return. Will it be today? Tomorrow? Next year? Imaha!

In the meantime we wait with great anticipation, being prepared

and ready for that day. Life is full when God is in it.



Terry Jessudason

Former Board Member of On Eagle's Wings 9



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to be strong in Christ with your testimony.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for Scripture,

which tells me to direct my steps toward You.

Please help me follow You better today."



Pray to the Lord and pray for forgiveness of sins.



Pray to the Lord and pray to shine for the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who knows you temptations.



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 Canada's First Nation peoples,

that the Lord will draw them to Himself



Pray for the Lord to search your life ,

reveal anything offensive and cleanse you from unrighteousness



Pray: Jesus, you came to us in such humble circumstances.

Remind us that pride comes before a fall and that you

exalt the lowly, as you did Mary and Joseph. Amen.



Pray: Gracious Lord, confirm your Word so that we may receive your

new creation with Joy! Amen.



Pray: Lord, you are such an amazing God. to love us so much that you sent

Jesus to earth for us. Help us never to lose this amazing message of joy

and Forgiveness in you. Help us to be life lithe kids again, who laugh and

play and trust in others, because you are the Trusted One. Thanks for

making us ambassadors of amazement.

In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Lord, we come to you with open hearts. Fill us, in these Advent

days, with hope, peace and joy knowing you will renew our

strength in every situation. Amen



Pray that churches in the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES will find creative ways

to reach others in their communities with the Gospel message.



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.

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Mark 4:20-25



20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4-5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,

those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:

thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."



A Light Under a Basket



Lk 8:16-18



21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put

under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?

22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;

neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.

23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."

24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.

The measure you give will be measured for you,

and to you who hear will more be given.

25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.

And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."



20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;

such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,

some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put

under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;

neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,

it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:

and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.



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



God's Help in Times of Temptation



Hebrews 4:14-16



Jesus the Great High Priest



14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest

Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold firmly to our confession.

15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest

who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,

but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.

16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence

to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy

and find grace to help in time of need.



14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help in time of need.



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.





6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)



The Northern Territories of Canada



Yukon



Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69



In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families

in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,

they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Northwest Territories (NWT)



NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473



The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.

To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million

Islamic Centre.



Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to

spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.



Nunavut (NU)



NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86



The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed

80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.

Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam

in the far northern reaches of Canada."



Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.



Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,

"What does this mean?"

13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."



Peter's Speech at Pentecost



14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice

and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,

let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

since it is the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,

'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.'



- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.



- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.



Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -



Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity



(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)