Posted by DSY on
From
On Eagle's wings
Jesus' Math
4 (Eze 34:11-12; 34:16) "What man among you having a hundred sheep
and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness
and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 (1Pe 2:25) Then when he comes home, he calls together his friends
and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me,
for I have found my sheep which was lost.'
7 (Lk 5:32) Likewise, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over
one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need
no repentance.
[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth
not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is
lost, until he find it?
[5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
[7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance.
Luke 15:4-7
The church building had been closed for two years following a
devastating flood. Now I sat in the basement, looking over a group of
eager and excited children as they enjoyed a lesson from the
carefully prepared curriculum. But why hadn’t more children
attended our Bible Camp?
I ventured outside, slowly inhaling the crisp fresh northern air. It was
there I noticed my friend and teammate. I listened as he shared his
concerns and explained some of the faith struggles experienced by
the community. My mind was drawn right back to the children
enjoying camp in the church basement. Despite the faith struggles
others had experienced, these precious little ones were downstairs
learning about the loving and restorative nature of Jesus.
It struck me that we serve a God who doesn’t work through numbers
in the way we do. He sees things differently. He would leave
ninety-nine to go after one who is lost to restore them because he loves
them. He always has and always will.
In that moment, I realised future leaders were downstairs in that
church basement being found by Jesus. Being lifted up on his
shoulders and celebrated. Even though the numbers may not have
made sense to me, Jesus was in control and taking care of the math.
Tristan Spilsted
Bible Camp Volunteer
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as love and forgiveness.
Pray to the Lord: "Thank You, Father, for the abilities You've given me.
Please help me use them for Your glory."
Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord to point out any unforgiveness
in your life.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord has belssed you .
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the upcoming Rapture of the Church.
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 pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,
aware of your power over him, and especially
aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.
Pray: How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,
that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.
Pray: Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,
Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Thank you Jesus for loving and pursuing us. Thank you for leaving
the realm of heaven to enter our world that you might find us and
lead us home. Amen.
Pray that every believer in India will have access to
God's Word so they can be well-grounded in spiritual truth.
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
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
25 For I have satiated the weary soul,
and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,
And delivereth them.
)
Advent day 25
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"Enemy-occupied territory-that is what this world is.
Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed...
and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.
When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret
wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious
to prevent us from going." - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 46.)
A Campaign of Sabotage
C. S. Lewis wrote his most influential book, Mere Christianity,
in the middle of World War Two. The talks that became the basis
for this book were broadcast on the BBC between 1941 and 1944.
Lewis used numerous military allusions in that book,
in one case describing this world as "enemy-occupied territory."
Humanity has been invaded by an enemy: Satan.
He occupies the territory in which we live. "The rightful king"
has arrived and is in the process of taking back the territory,
but not as the Allies did on D-Day, June 6, 1944,
invading the beaches of Normandy in a full-scale assault
on German positions.
Jesus did not use tanks, planes, or artillery.
He arrived almost incognito. Few knew, even though it had been
predicted for centuries. Jesus came in disguise-as a baby.
No one would expect much opposition from a baby, but babies
have the power to wrap their parents around their little finger.
This baby had a lot more power than that, in fact, all power
and authority, and one day that authority will be visible
for all to see. But not yet.
Until then, we Christians acknowledge the power and authority
of this rightful king. We participate in his campaign of sabotage
against the enemy. We arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit,
the Word of God, and with the shield of faith, the breastplate
of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel
of peace. The message of the gospel is our best sabotage
against the power of Satan. Its power to forgive sins
is our best weapon.
Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,
aware of your power over him, and especially
aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.
10 (Eph 1:19; 1Co 16:13) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.
11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that
you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
Exactly The Right Time
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
-Luke 2:1
God's timing is always stunning! When it was exactly the right
moment for the Christ Child to be born, "all the world" cooperated.
The Emperor Augustus issued an order,
and everyone had to go to their ancestral home.
This was the first registration, we are notified in verse 2,
to be commanded when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Whether this means that other enrollments were levied later on we
are not told, but this one made history-not because of its intention
to number the extent of the Roman Empire or to record the names
of Rome's conquerees for taxation purposes, but because the titles
of those rulers are now perpetually associated with the Messiah's birth.
You were born, too, at exactly the right time. God planned all your gifts
and calculated at what point in history your presence would be pivotal.
How we adore the All-Knowing One for his incredible timing!
Prayer
How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,
that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.
Read Luke 2:1-7.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
Mt 1:18-25
1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth
in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.
7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,
and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH WEDNESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ADORATION!
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.ISAIAH 9:6
In the days leading up to Christmas we're counting the days. The malls
are full. The carols continue. The Santas are weary. The mail carriers are
burdened. The children are hyper. And we can almost hear the cattle
lowing (whatever lowing is!.
In theses days we're ready to adore the Baby Jesus. as well we should.
Today's lesson spells it out so well: "A child has been born for us, a son
given to us." "Oh, come let us adore him. Christ the Lord!"
But look again in the stable. For too long we've seen the manger as
a "sanitary shed," white and neat and clean and perfect. But it wasn't
that way at all. It was messy and smelly and germy and . .. well ... human.
And that's exactly why we adore him! Because Christ didn't wait for us
to clean up our dirty and messy lives before he came to redeem us.
Not at all:He entered our sin-filled stables "lust as we are." He came as
a God sized man to rid us of our man-sized gods.
Check out the Christmas cards you are receiving. How many of them really
'depict the human stable where Jesus was born? He may look "adorable,"
but that is not why we adore him. We adore him because he has come
to be our Saviour. And we might add: our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!
Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,
Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 9:2-7.
2 (Eph 5:8; Mt 4:16) The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them the light has shined.
3 (1Sa 30:16; Isa 26:15) You have multiplied the nation
and increased the joy;
they rejoice before You
according to the joy of harvest
and as men rejoice
when they divide the spoil.
4 (Isa 14:25; 10:26-27) For You have broken the yoke of his burden
and the bar of his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor
as in the day of Midian's defeat.
5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 (Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lk 2:11) For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 (Isa 37:32; Da 2:44) Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to order it and to establish it
with justice and with righteousness,
from now until forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts
will perform this.
Posted by DSY on
1 John 5
Overcoming the World
1 (1Jn 2:29; Jn 1:12-13) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born
of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of the Father.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God
and keep His commandments.
3 (Jn 14:15; 2Jn 1:6) For this is the love of God, that we keep
His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
4 (Jn 16:33; 1Jn 4:4) for whoever is born of God overcomes the world,
and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith.
5 (1Jn 4:15; 5:1) Who is it that overcomes the world,
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every
one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and
keep his commandments.
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous.
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is
the Son of God?
The Witness Concerning the Son
6 (Jn 15:26; 14:17) This is He who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ.
He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. It is the Spirit
who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
7 (Mt 28:19; Dt 6:4) There are three who testify in heaven: the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and the three are one.
8 There are three that testify on earth: the Spirit, the water,
and the blood, and the three are toward the one.
9 (Mt 3:16-17) If we receive the testimony of men,
the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God
which He has given concerning His Son.
10 (Jn 3:33; Ro 8:16) Whoever believes in the Son of God has this witness
in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar,
because he does not believe the testimony that God gave about His Son.
11 (Jn 1:4; 1Jn 2:25) And this is the testimony: that God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 (Jn 3:36; 3:15; 5:24) Whoever has the Son has life, and whoever does not
have the Son of God does not have life.
[6] This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water
only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,
because the Spirit is truth.
[7] For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
[8] And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the
water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for
this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
[10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he
that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the
record that God gave of his Son.
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son.
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.
Purpose of Writing
13 (Jn 20:31; 1:12) I have written these things to you who believe in the name
of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you
may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
14 (1Jn 3:21-22; Jn 14:13) This is the confidence that we have in Him, that
if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have
whatever we asked of Him.
16 (Jer 7:16; Heb 6:4-6) If anyone sees his brother commit a sin
which does not lead to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life.
This is for those whose sin does not lead to death.
There is a sin that leads to death. I do not say that he should pray for it.
17 (1Jn 3:4; 5:16; Isa 1:18) All wrongdoing is sin, but there is a sin that
does not lead to death.
18 (1Jn 3:9; Jas 1:27) We know that whoever is born of God does not keep on
sinning. But whoever has been born of God guards himself,
and the wicked one cannot touch him.
19 (Gal 1:4; Jn 12:31) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies
in wickedness.
20 (Jn 17:3; Lk 24:45; Rev 3:7) And we know that the Son of God has come
and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true,
and we are in Him who is true-His Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
21 (1Co 10:14; 10:7) Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may
believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have
the petitions that we desired of him.
[16] If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall
ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a
sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
[17] All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
[18] We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is
begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
[19] And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in
wickedness.
[20] And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is
true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
[21] Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
2) Our Daily Bread for 19 December 2025 titled
Gifted by God by Kirsten Holmberg
Exodus 31:1-11
1The Tabernacle Artisans
Ex 35:30-35
1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 (Ex 36:1; 35:30) See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri,
the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
3 (1Ki 7:14; Ex 35:31) I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom,
in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of craftsmanship
4 to devise artistic works for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze,
5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in carving of wood,
to work in all manner of craftsmanship.
6 (Ex 28:3; 35:10) I, indeed, I have given him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamak,
of the tribe of Dan, and I have given skill to all who are
specially skilled, that they may make everything that I have commanded you:
7 (Ex 36:8-37:9)the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony,
and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tent,
8 (Ex 37:10-28) the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand
with all its utensils, and the altar of incense,
9 (Ex 38:1-8) the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils,
and the basin and its stand,
10 the woven garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest
and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests,
11 (Ex 37:29) the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place.
They must make them according to all that I have commanded you.
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of
the tribe of Judah:
[3] And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in
understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
[4] To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
[5] And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work
in all manner of workmanship.
[6] And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of
the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put
wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
[7] The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and
the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
[8] And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his
furniture, and the altar of incense,
[9] And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver
and his foot,
[10] And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest,
and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
[11] And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according
to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
Virtuoso composer Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most celebrated musicians
in history. Nearly two centuries after his death in 1827, his compositions are
still among the most performed pieces. A study of Beethoven's DNA, however,
indicates he may not have been born with some of his abilities - as we might
assume. When his genes were compared to those of 14,500 other people who'd
shown an ability to keep rhythm (merely one aspect of musical talent),
Beethoven ranked surprisingly low.
Beethoven also had ample opportunity and exposure to music (which developed
the aptitude he did have). Yet neither talent nor opportunity fully account
for God's role in endowing us with the abilities we have. Our Creator
equipped two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, with specific skills to be used in
building the tabernacle. God filled Bezalel "with knowledge and with all kinds
of skills - to make artistic designs" and appointed Oholiab "to help him"
(Exodus 31:3-6). God gave "ability to all the skilled workers to make
everything [He] commanded" (v. 6).
Few of us will work on projects as significant as God's tabernacle.
And our abilities may never be recorded in history's annals. Yet God has
equipped us with the skills, aptitudes, and experiences He wants us to
share with the world. May we serve Him faithfully, in His strength
and for His glory.
Reflect & Pray
What skills and abilities has God given you?
How might you serve Him with them?
Thank You, Father, for the abilities You've given me.
Please help me use them for Your glory.
For further study, watch Gifts with Your Name on Them.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 5 When you pray
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone,
so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
"My prayer don't seem to be very effective," a man told his pastor." I try
to make contact with God, but my prayers seem to hit the ceiling and bounce
back."
The pastor thought for a moment, then gently suggested,
"Is there someone in your life you haven't forgiven?"
"What do you mean?" The man's face flushed; the pastor has obviuosly struck
a nerve. "Well, I guess I've had some struggles with my mother ... and then,
my wife, and I ... ." The hidden truth came to light: the man was bound in
unforgiving relationships with five of the closest people to him.
Forgiveness is an essential element in prayer. For a very good reason,
worship services in liturgical churches place the confession of sin and the
absolution near the beginning of the service, before the reading of God's
Word, prayer, and the sermon. Forgiveness - both the Lord's forgiveness
of us and our forgiveness of others - clears the way for unhindered
communication between God and his people.
When we carry anger and bitterness, or even deeply buried, well-subliminated
unforgiveness, into the presence of God, our prayers will be affected. We can,
however, free the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others
through forgiveness. We can choose to forgive in light of God's forgiveness
of us. And when we do, the channels are re-established;
we can pray in power and open ourselves to an awareness of his activity
in our lives.
Application
a) Have my prayers ever been affected by unforgiveness in my life?
b) Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive,
whether or not I can work toward?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich ,and He adds no sorrow with it.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Saddened by Loss
1 Cor 15:35-38,51-57
35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up?
With what body do they come?"
36 You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37 When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel,
perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
38 Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed.
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,
for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For tis corruptible will put on incorruption,
and this mortal will put on immortality.
54 When this corruptible will have put on incorruption,
and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then the saying that is written shall come to pass:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
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, ...)
Posted by DSY on
1 John 2
Children of God
28 (1Jn 3:2; 4:17) And now, little children, remain in Him, so that
when He appears, we may have confidence
and not be ashamed before Him when He comes.
29 (1Jn 3:7; 5:1) If you know that He is righteous,
you know that everyone who does righteousness is born of Him.
[28] And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we
may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
[29] If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him.
1 John 3
1 (Jn 1:12; 3:16) Consider how much love the Father has given to us,
that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know
us, because it did not know Him.
2 (Ro 8:18; 8:29) Beloved, now are we children of God, and it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He appears, we shall be
like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 (2Co 7:1; 2Pe 3:14) Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself,
just as He is pure.
4 (1Jn 5:17; Ro 4:15; 3:20) Whoever practices sin breaks the law,
for sin is lawlessness.
5 (2Co 5:21; Heb 9:28) You know that He was revealed to take away our sins,
and in Him there is no sin.
6 (3Jn 1:11; 1Jn 2:4; 3:9) Whoever remains in Him does not sin.
Whoever sins has not seen Him and does not know Him.
7 (1Jn 2:26; 2:29) Little children, let no one deceive you.
The one who does righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
8 (Jn 8:44; Mt 13:38) Whoever practices sin is of the devil,
for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was revealed,
that He might destroy the works of the devil.
9 (1Jn 5:18; Jn 1:13; 1Pe 1:23) Whoever has been born of God does not
practice sin, for His seed remains in him. And he cannot keep on sinning,
because he has been born of God.
10 (1Jn 4:8; Mt 13:38) In this the children of God and the children
of the devil are revealed: Whoever does not live in righteousness
is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not.
[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for
we shall see him as he is.
[3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he
is pure.
[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law.
[5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is
no sin.
[6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither known him.
[7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is
righteous, even as he is righteous.
[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil.
[9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in
him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
[10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the
devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that
loveth not his brother.
Love One Another
11 (1Jn 1:5; 2Jn 1:5) For this is the message that you heard
from the beginning: We should love one another,
12 (Heb 11:4; Jude 1:11) not like Cain, who was of the wicked one
and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him?
Because his own works were evil, and his brother's works were righteous.
13 (Jn 17:14; 15:18-19) Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you.
14 (Jn 5:24; 1Jn 5:2) We know that we have passed from death to life,
because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love his brother remains
in death.
15 (Mt 5:21-22; Rev 21:8) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
16 (Php 2:17; Jn 3:16) By this we know the love of God: that He laid down
His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17 (1Jn 4:20; Heb 13:16) Whoever has the world's goods and sees
his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him,
how can the love of God remain in him?
18 (1Jn 2:1; Ro 12:9) My little children, let us love not in word
and speech, but in action and truth.
[11] For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we
should love one another.
[12] Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And
wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's
righteous.
[13] Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
[14] We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the
brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
[15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for
us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God
in him?
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth.
Confidence Before God
19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall reassure our hearts
before Him.
20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart
and knows everything.
21 (Job 22:26; 1Co 4:4) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,
then we have confidence before God.
22 (Jn 8:29; 9:31) And whatever we ask, we will receive from Him,
because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing
in His sight.
23 (Jn 6:29; 13:34) And this is His commandment: that we should believe
on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.
24 (Jn 17:21) Now the one who keeps His commandments remains in Him,
and He in him. And by this we know that He remains in us, through
the Spirit whom He has given us.
[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth
all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward
God.
[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
[23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his
Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
[24] And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.
And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given
us.
1 John 4
Test the Spirits
1 (2Pe 2:1; 1Jn 2:18; 1Th 5:21) Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because
many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 (1Co 12:3; Jn 1:14) This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit
that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3 (1Jn 2:18; 2:22; 2Jn 1:7) and every spirit that does not confess
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have
heard is coming and is already in the world.
4 (Jn 12:31; 1Jn 4:16) You are of God, little children, and have overcome
them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 (Jn 17:14; 3:31) They are of the world, and therefore they speak
from the world, and the world listens to them.
6 (Jn 14:17; 1Co 14:37) We are of God, and whoever knows God listens to us.
Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. This is how we know the spirit
of truth and the spirit of error.
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have
heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater
is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
[5] They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world
heareth them.
[6] We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God
heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
God Is Love
7 (1Jn 2:29) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God,
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 (2Co 13:11; 1Jn 4:16) Anyone who does not love does not know God,
for God is love.
9 (Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:10; 5:11) In this way the love of God was revealed to us,
that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through Him.
10 (1Jn 2:2; 1Pe 3:18; 1Jn 3:1) In this is love: not that we loved God, but
that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another.
12 (Jn 1:18; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jn 2:5) No one has seen God at any time. If we love
one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.
13 (1Jn 3:24) We know that we live in Him, and He in us,
because He has given us His Spirit.
14 (Jn 4:42; 1:14) And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son
to be the Saviour of the world.
15 (Ro 10:9; 1Jn 5:5) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,
God lives in him, and he in God.
16 (1Jn 3:24; 3:1) And we have come to know and to believe the love
that God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us, so that we may
have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we
in this world.
18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out
fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect
in love.
19 (1Jn 4:10; Lk 7:47) We love Him because He first loved us.
20 (1Jn 2:4; 3:17) If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother,
he is a liar. For whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen?
21 (1Jn 3:11; Lev 19:18) We have this commandment from Him:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent
his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth
in us, and his love is perfected in us.
[13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath
given us of his Spirit.
[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world.
[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in
him, and he in God.
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is
love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
[19] We love him, because he first loved us.
[20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he
hath not seen?
[21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his
brother also.
Posted by DSY on
Day 352, 18 December 2025 - 26th Day of Advent
1) 1 John 1, 1 John 2, 1 John 3, 1 John 4, 1 John 5
1 John 1
The Word of Life
1 (Jn 20:27; Lk 24:39; Ac 4:20) That which was from the beginning, which
we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,
and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life-
2 (Jn 1:4; 1Jn 5:20; 3:5) the life was revealed, and we have seen it
and testify to it, and announce to you the eternal life, which was with
the Father and was revealed to us-
3 (1Co 1:9; 1Jn 1:1; Php 2:1) we declare to you that which we have seen
and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship
is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 (Jn 15:11; 16:24) We are writing these things to you so that our joy may
be complete.
[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,
of the Word of life;
[2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and
shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was
manifested unto us;)
[3] That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may
have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and
with his Son Jesus Christ.
[4] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
God Is Light
5 (1Jn 3:11; Jas 1:17) This then is the message which we have heard from Him
and declare to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 (1Jn 4:20; 1:10) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, yet walk
in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 (Isa 2:5; Eph 1:7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 (Jas 3:2; 1Jn 2:4) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 (1Jn 5:10; 1:8) If we say that we have not sinned,
we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from
all sin.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is
not in us.
1 John 2
Christ Our Advocate
1 (Ro 8:34; 1Ti 2:5; Jn 13:33) My little children, I am writing these things
to you, so that you do not sin. But if anyone does sin,
we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.
2 (1Jn 4:10; Jn 4:42) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 (Jn 14:15; 15:10) By this we know that we know Him,
if we keep His commandments.
4 (1Jn 1:8; 1:6) Whoever says, "I know Him," and does not keep
His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 (Jn 14:23; 1Jn 3:24) But whoever keeps His word truly has the love of God
perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him.
6 (1Pe 2:21; Mt 11:29) Whoever says he remains in Him ought to walk
as He walked.
[1] My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And
if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous:
[2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also
for the sins of the whole world.
[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.
[5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him.
[6] He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as
he walked.
The New Commandment
7 (1Jn 3:11; Lev 19:18; 2Jn 1:5-6) Brothers, I am writing no new commandment
to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.
8 (Jn 1:9; 13:34) Yet a new commandment I am writing to you, which holds true
in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
9 (1Jn 2:11; 4:20) Whoever says he is in the light but hates his brother
is in darkness even until now.
10 (2Pe 1:10; 1Jn 3:14) Whoever loves his brother lives in the light,
and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
11 (Jn 12:35; 2Co 4:4; 1Jn 2:9) But whoever hates his brother is in darkness,
and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going,
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 (Ac 13:38; Lk 24:47) I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for His name's sake.
13 (1Jn 2:14; Jn 14:7; Lk 10:22) I am writing to you, fathers,
because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I am writing to you, little children,
because you have known the Father.
14 (1Jn 2:13; Jn 5:38; Eph 6:10) I have written to you, fathers,
because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
15 (Jas 4:4; Ro 12:2; Mt 6:24) Do not love the world or the things
in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father
is not in him.
16 (Ro 13:14; Eph 2:3) For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
17 (1Co 7:31; Mk 3:35) The world and its desires are passing away,
but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment
which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye
have heard from the beginning.
[8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him
and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
[9] He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness
even until now.
[10] He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none
occasion of stumbling in him.
[11] But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness,
and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his
eyes.
[12] I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you
for his name's sake.
[13] I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the
beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked
one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
[14] I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is
from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are
strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked
one.
[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth for ever.
The Antichrist
18 (1Jn 4:3; Mt 24:5; 1Jn 2:22) Little children, it is the last hour.
As you have heard that the antichrist will come, even now there are
many antichrists. By this we know that it is the last hour.
19 (Ac 20:30; 1Co 11:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us,
for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us.
But they went out, revealing that none of them were of us.
20 (1Jn 2:27; Mk 1:24; Jn 14:26) But you have an anointing from the Holy One,
and you know all things.
21 (2Pe 1:12) I have written to you, not because you do not know the truth,
but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22 (2Jn 1:7; 1Jn 4:3; 2:18) Who is a liar
but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Whoever denies the Father
and the Son is the antichrist.
23 (1Jn 4:15; Jn 8:19) No one who denies the Son has the Father;
the one who confesses the Son has the Father.
24 (Jn 14:23; 1Jn 1:3) Let that which you have heard from the beginning
remain in you. If that which you have heard from the beginning remains in you,
you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
25 (1Jn 1:2) And this is the promise that He has promised us-eternal life.
26 (2Jn 1:7; 1Jn 3:7) I have written these things to you concerning those
who deceive you.
27 (Jn 14:26) But the anointing which you have received from Him remains
in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. For as the same anointing
teaches you concerning all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and just as it has taught you, remain in Him.
[18] Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that
antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know
that it is the last time.
[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of
us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they
might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
[20] But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
[21] I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because
ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
[22] Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is
antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
[23] Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that
acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
[24] Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the
beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in
you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
[25] And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
[26] These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye
need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of
all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in him.
Posted by DSY on
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
Exactly The Right Time
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
-Luke 2:1
God's timing is always stunning! When it was exactly the right
moment for the Christ Child to be born, "all the world" cooperated.
The Emperor Augustus issued an order,
and everyone had to go to their ancestral home.
This was the first registration, we are notified in verse 2,
to be commanded when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Whether this means that other enrollments were levied later on we
are not told, but this one made history-not because of its intention
to number the extent of the Roman Empire or to record the names
of Rome's conquerees for taxation purposes, but because the titles
of those rulers are now perpetually associated with the Messiah's birth.
You were born, too, at exactly the right time. God planned all your gifts
and calculated at what point in history your presence would be pivotal.
How we adore the All-Knowing One for his incredible timing!
Prayer
How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,
that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.
Read Luke 2:1-7.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
Mt 1:18-25
1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth
in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.
7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,
and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH WEDNESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ADORATION!
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.ISAIAH 9:6
In the days leading up to Christmas we're counting the days. The malls
are full. The carols continue. The Santas are weary. The mail carriers are
burdened. The children are hyper. And we can almost hear the cattle
lowing (whatever lowing is!.
In theses days we're ready to adore the Baby Jesus. as well we should.
Today's lesson spells it out so well: "A child has been born for us, a son
given to us." "Oh, come let us adore him. Christ the Lord!"
But look again in the stable. For too long we've seen the manger as
a "sanitary shed," white and neat and clean and perfect. But it wasn't
that way at all. It was messy and smelly and germy and . .. well ... human.
And that's exactly why we adore him! Because Christ didn't wait for us
to clean up our dirty and messy lives before he came to redeem us.
Not at all:He entered our sin-filled stables "lust as we are." He came as
a God sized man to rid us of our man-sized gods.
Check out the Christmas cards you are receiving. How many of them really
'depict the human stable where Jesus was born? He may look "adorable,"
but that is not why we adore him. We adore him because he has come
to be our Saviour. And we might add: our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!
Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,
Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Isaiah 9:2-7.
2 (Eph 5:8; Mt 4:16) The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them the light has shined.
3 (1Sa 30:16; Isa 26:15) You have multiplied the nation
and increased the joy;
they rejoice before You
according to the joy of harvest
and as men rejoice
when they divide the spoil.
4 (Isa 14:25; 10:26-27) For You have broken the yoke of his burden
and the bar of his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor
as in the day of Midian's defeat.
5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 (Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lk 2:11) For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 (Isa 37:32; Da 2:44) Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to order it and to establish it
with justice and with righteousness,
from now until forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts
will perform this.
From
On Eagle's wings
He Who Was, Is, and Is to Come
"'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,'(Isa 21:9.)
who was, and is, and is to come."
Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:8b
Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting is an act of faith. Faith is what
Jesus saw when people from Capernaum dug through the roof of a
crowded building and lowered their friend in front of him. For those
of us whose individual faith is not so strong, we can wait in
company with the Church. Advent is, for us, a time of special
blessing as it was for the paralytic man whose individual faith
seemed to have been unimportant.
Waiting is an act of faith when a fisherman sitting on the ice
believes there are fish below him. Or as an expectant mother waits
for her child, believing in her body and her community.
At Advent we wait for Jesus, our Messiah, Son of the Living God. We
do so with faith that he was, he is, and is to come.
From the distant past, where 'he was', we are blessed by the words
of Isaiah, prophesying that those who walk in darkness will see a
great light.
We wait for Jesus, our Messiah, with faith that 'he is', like the roof
people of Capernaum. Because of their faith, the sins of their friend
were forgiven and he was healed. As we keep company with such
people, pray as they do, and immerse ourselves in Scripture, we
learn to wait on Jesus 'who is'.
We wait for Jesus, Son of the Living God, with faith that 'he is to
come'. Like the man fishing through a hole in the ice as his
forefathers taught him. He waits for the fish that he seems to know
will come.
Gary Taylor
Bible Camp Volunteer 23
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the warnings of the Lord as evil increases
today.
Pray to the Lord: "Saving God, how amazing is Your perfect
love, that You would give Yourself for me!"
Pray to the Lord and pray to be an unlimited forgiver.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be leave a legacy of righteousness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give him all your illnesses.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,
aware of your power over him, and especially
aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.
Pray: How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,
that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.
Pray: Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,
Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Pray: God who was, is, and is to come, help us to recognise your
presence this year as we walk through another Advent season
together. Amen.
Pray that covert Christian fellowships in Iran
will thrive despite governmental oppression.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
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
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Advent day 25
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck
"Enemy-occupied territory-that is what this world is.
Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed...
and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.
When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret
wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious
to prevent us from going." - C. S. Lewis
(Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 46.)
A Campaign of Sabotage
C. S. Lewis wrote his most influential book, Mere Christianity,
in the middle of World War Two. The talks that became the basis
for this book were broadcast on the BBC between 1941 and 1944.
Lewis used numerous military allusions in that book,
in one case describing this world as "enemy-occupied territory."
Humanity has been invaded by an enemy: Satan.
He occupies the territory in which we live. "The rightful king"
has arrived and is in the process of taking back the territory,
but not as the Allies did on D-Day, June 6, 1944,
invading the beaches of Normandy in a full-scale assault
on German positions.
Jesus did not use tanks, planes, or artillery.
He arrived almost incognito. Few knew, even though it had been
predicted for centuries. Jesus came in disguise-as a baby.
No one would expect much opposition from a baby, but babies
have the power to wrap their parents around their little finger.
This baby had a lot more power than that, in fact, all power
and authority, and one day that authority will be visible
for all to see. But not yet.
Until then, we Christians acknowledge the power and authority
of this rightful king. We participate in his campaign of sabotage
against the enemy. We arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit,
the Word of God, and with the shield of faith, the breastplate
of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel
of peace. The message of the gospel is our best sabotage
against the power of Satan. Its power to forgive sins
is our best weapon.
Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,
aware of your power over him, and especially
aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.
10 (Eph 1:19; 1Co 16:13) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.
11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that
you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11
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Jude
The general epistle of Jude was written by Jude, a half-brother
of Jesus Christ, in the mid AD 60s. The place of authorship is unknown.
The purpose for this epistle is to exhort believers to stand firm for
the faith. Jude is filled with apocalyptic nuances and imagery.
A reading of the Old Testament is a prerequisite before delving
into this lofty letter. There are some very encouraging exhortations
as well as some sobering ones. Read this epistle with reverence
and a humble heart. Refer back to the Old Testament Scriptures
that are enveloped within its confines.
Salutation
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
To those who are sanctified and called by God the Father
and preserved in Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
[1] Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that
are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
[2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Judgment on False Teachers
2Pe 2:1-17
3 Beloved, while I diligently tried to write to you of the salvation
we have in common, I found it necessary to write and appeal
to you to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
4 For there are some men who secretly crept in, who were marked long ago
for this condemnation. They are ungodly men, who pervert the grace of our God
into immorality and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 Now I want to remind you, though you already know, that the Lord saved
the people out of the land of Egypt and afterward destroyed those
who did not believe.
6 Likewise, the angels who did not keep to their first domain, but forsook
their own dwelling, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness
for the judgment of the great day.
7 Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities in like manner,
gave themselves to immorality and went after different flesh, they serve
as an example by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
8 Likewise, these ungodly dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority,
and slander celestial beings.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil in a dispute
about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce upon him
a railing judgment. But he said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
10 But these men slander those things that they do not understand.
But they destroy themselves in those things that, like unreasoning animals,
they know by instinct.
11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily after
the error of Balaam for a reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
12 These are the ones who are stains on your love feasts as they feast with
you irreverently and care only for themselves. They are clouds without water,
carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted;
13 raging waves of the sea, which are foaming up their own shame;
wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been kept forever.
14 Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, also prophesied of these men,
saying, "Look! The Lord is coming with ten thousand of His holy ones,
15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all who are godless
of all their wicked deeds that they have committed, and of all the terrible
words that godless sinners have spoken against Him."
16 These men are grumblers, complainers, who walk after their own lusts.
Their mouths speak arrogant words, and they flatter others to gain profit.
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye
should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.
[4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God
into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus
Christ.
[5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how
that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward
destroyed them that believed not.
[6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own
habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the
judgment of the great day.
[7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner,
giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are
set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
[8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion,
and speak evil of dignities.
[9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed
about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation,
but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
[10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they
know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
[11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily
after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of
Core.
[12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you,
feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried
about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead,
plucked up by the roots;
[13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars,
to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
[14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,
Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
[15] To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly
among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and
of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
[16] These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and
their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in
admiration because of advantage.
Warnings and Exhortations
17 But, beloved, remember the words that were previously spoken
by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18 They said to you, "In the last days there will be scoffers
who will walk after their own ungodly desires."
19 These are the men who cause divisions, sensual, devoid of the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith.
Pray in the Holy Spirit.
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life.
22 On some have compassion, using discernment.
23 And others save with fear while pulling them out of the fire,
hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
[17] But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the
apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
[18] How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who
should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
[19] These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
[20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Ghost,
[21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
[22] And of some have compassion, making a difference:
[23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even
the garment spotted by the flesh.
Benediction
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you
blameless before the presence of His glory with rejoicing,
25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.
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2) Our Daily Bread for 17 December 2025
Precious to God by James Banks
Isaiah 43:1-7
1 (Isa 43:7; 44:2) But now, thus says the Lord
who created you, O Jacob,
and He who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
2 (Ps 66:12; Da 3:25-27) When you pass through waters,
I will be with you.
And through the rivers,
they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame kindle on you.
3 (Ex 20:2; Pr 21:18) For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 (Ex 19:5-6) Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honorable,
and I have loved you;
therefore, I will give men for you,
and people for your life.
5 (Isa 49:12; 44:2) Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, "Give them up,"
and to the south, "Do not keep them back.
Bring My sons from afar,
and My daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 (Ps 100:3; Isa 43:1) even everyone who is called by My name,
for I have created him for My glory;
I have formed him, and I have made him."
[1] But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that
formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called
thee by thy name; thou art mine.
[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through
the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the
fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
[3] For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave
Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
[4] Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I
have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
[5] Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and
gather thee from the west;
[6] I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring
my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
[7] Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my
glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
The painting hung on the wall of a home for years, unnoticed and forgotten,
until one day it fell. When it was taken to an art restorer for repairs, he
discovered it was a long-lost Rembrandt masterpiece titled The Adoration of
the Magi. It had been thought that only copies of the work remained, but here
was the original. Suddenly the painting's value skyrocketed to hundreds
of millions of dollars.
The Bible paints another picture of underestimated value and forgotten worth.
Isaiah the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, told God's people that even
though they would be taken away to a foreign land where they would suffer
and be devalued, He would still be with them: "Do not fear, for I have
redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine," He assured
them (Isaiah 43:1). Though they would "pass through the waters"
and "walk through the fire" (v. 2), His faithfulness to them would
not change. With words that point to His coming kingdom in Christ,
God promised that He would one day restore "everyone who
is called by my name" (v. 7) and bring them home to Him.
God will one day gather all who are His because they "are precious
and honoured in [His] sight" (v. 4), each one an original! Our Creator values
us because of His infinite kindness and mercy. The world may overlook us,
but He never will.
Reflect & Pray
How does God's kindness in Christ show that you are precious to Him?
How much is He worth to you?
Saving God, how amazing is Your perfect
love, that You would give Yourself for me!
Learn more here about having a personal relationship with God.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 4 "Formula" for Forgiveness
Luke 17:3 - 4
3 (Lev 19:17; Mt 18:21)"Take heed to yourselves."
"If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. And if he repents,
forgive him.
4 (Mt 18:21-22) If he sins against you seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turns to you, saying,
'I repent,' you must forgive him."
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
The context of these verses give us an interesting perspective of Jesus'
disciples. In a corollary passage in Matthew 18, the disciples (through
Peter, the designated mouthpiece) ask Jesus,
21 (Mt 18:15; Lk 17:3-4) Then Peter came to Him and said,
"Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?
Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)
The disciples wanted a "formula" for forgiveness: they wanted to be able to
develop a checklist. Once, twice, maybe three times a brother could be
forgiven, but after that, you could write him off. After all, if
he keeps on offending over and over again, he doesn't deserve to be forgiven!
But Jesus says, " Rebuke him - let him know his fault; if he repents,
forgive him - even seven times in the same day!"
And the disciplines' response is predictable: "Lord, increase our faith!" They
were more comfortable with their own formula for forgiveness than with the
outrageous demands of the love that Christ imposed upon them.
We are so like the disciples. We want to draw a line and say. "This far
- no more. I'll forgive you once, but don't do it again. Now that you're
forgiven, you'd better shape up!". Yet God's love doesn't recognise "again".
He forgives, and no matter how often we come to him in repentance
for repeated offenses, his arms of forgiveness are open to us.
That is the way God wants us to forgive. He wants us to lay aside our
checklists, put away our suspicions, abandon our scoreboards, and forgive.
Seven times, or seventy times seven, as often as we have sinned against God
and been forgiven, we are to forgive.
Application
a) Have I ever kept a "scorecard" of performance on someone I
have forgiven ? Why?
b) Why do I need "increased faith" to be able to forgive as
Jesus calls me to?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 37:25-26
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor their offspring begging bread.
26 The righteous are gracious and lend,
and their offspring are a source of blessing.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
And his seed is blessed.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
Matthew 8:14-17
The Healing of Many People
Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41
14 When Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother,
lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she rose and served them.
16 When the evening came, they brought to Him many
who were possessed with demons.
And He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all who were sick,
17 to fulfill what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,
"He Himself took our infirmities
and bore our sicknesses."
[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother
laid, and sick of a fever.
[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and
ministered unto them.
[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed
with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that
were sick:
[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3
The Promise of the Lord's Coming
1 This is now, beloved, the second epistle I am writing to you, in which
I am stirring up your sincere minds by way of reminder,
2 (Lk 1:70; Jude 1:17) that you should remember the words that were spoken
previously by the holy prophets and the commandment of our Lord and Saviour
spoken through us, the apostles.
3 (Jude 1:18; 2Pe 2:10; Isa 28:14) Know this first, that there shall come
scoffers in the last days who walk after their own lusts,
4 (Jer 17:15; Mal 2:17) and say, "Where is the promise of His coming?
For since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they
were since the beginning of the creation."
5 (Ge 1:6; 1:9) For they willingly ignore that, by the word of God
the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed standing
out of the water and in the water,
6 (2Pe 2:5) by which the world that then existed was flooded with water
and perished.
7 (2Pe 3:10; 3:12; Mt 10:15) But by the same word, the heavens and the earth
that now exist are being reserved for fire,
kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 (Ps 90:4) But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with
the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 (1Ti 2:4; Hab 2:3; Heb 10:37) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise,
as some count slowness. But He is patient with us,
because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
10 (Mt 24:35; Rev 21:1; 2Pe 3:7) But the day of the Lord will come like
a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with
a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat.
The earth also and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 (1Pe 1:15) Seeing then that all these things are to be destroyed,
what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 (2Pe 3:10; Ps 50:3; Isa 34:4) while you are waiting for and desiring
the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be destroyed
by fire and the elements will be consumed by intense heat?
13 (Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21:1) But, according to His promise, we are waiting
for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 (1Co 15:58; 1Th 3:13) Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these
things, be diligent that you may be found by Him in peace, spotless
and blameless.
15 (Ac 15:25; 2Pe 3:9) Keep in mind that the patience of our Lord means
salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul has also written to you according
to the wisdom given to him.
16 (Heb 5:11; 2Pe 2:14) As in all his letters, he writes about these things,
in which some things are hard to understand, which the unlearned
and unstable distort, as they also do the other Scriptures,
to their own destruction.
17 (1Co 10:12) You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand,
beware lest you also fall from your own firm footing,
being led away by the deception of the wicked.
18 (Col 1:10; Eph 4:15) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and forever. Amen.
[1] This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir
up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
[2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy
prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
[3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts,
[4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers
fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation.
[5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the
heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the
water:
[6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
[7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept
in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men.
[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with
the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
[10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which
the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up.
[11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
[12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the
heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat?
[13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
[14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent
that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as
our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath
written unto you;
[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which
are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction.
[17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest
ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
stedfastness.
[18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Posted by DSY on
2 Peter 2
False Prophets and Teachers
Jude 4-13
1 (2Pe 2:3; Jude 1:4; 1Co 6:20) But there were also false prophets
among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you,
who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,
even denying the Lord who bought them,
bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
2 (Ro 2:24; Ac 16:17) And many will follow their destructive ways,
because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
3 (Dt 32:35; Ro 16:18) And in their greed they will exploit you
with deceptive words. Their judgment, made long ago, does not linger,
and their destruction does not slumber.
4 (Jude 1:6; Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10) For if God did not spare the angels
that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains
of darkness to be kept for judgment;
5 (2Pe 3:6; Heb 11:7) and if He did not spare the ancient world,
but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others,
when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 (Jude 1:7; Nu 26:10; Dt 29:23) and if He condemned the cities of Sodom
and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, making them
an example to those afterward who would live ungodly lives;
7 (Ge 19:16; 19:29; 19:7-8) and if He delivered righteous Lot,
who was distressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
8 (Ps 119:136; 119:158) (for that righteous man lived among them,
and what he saw and heard of their lawless deeds tormented
his righteous soul day after day);
9 (1Co 10:13; 2Pe 3:7) then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial,
and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the Day of Judgment,
10 (Ex 22:28; Jude 1:10) especially those who walk after the flesh in pursuit
of unclean desires, and despise authority.
They are presumptuous and arrogant, and are not afraid to slander
the angelic beings.
11 (Jude 1:9) Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might,
do not bring slanderous accusations against them before the Lord.
12 (Jude 1:10; Jer 12:3) But these people are like irrational animals,
born to be captured and destroyed. They speak evil of the things that
they do not understand, and in their corruption they will be destroyed.
13 (Ro 13:13) They shall receive the wages of unrighteousness. They count it
a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes
who revel in their own deception while they carouse together with you.
14 (Eph 2:3; 2Pe 2:3) They have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease
from sin. They entice unstable souls. Their hearts are trained in greed.
They are cursed children!
15 (Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14) They have forsaken the right way and have gone
astray. They follow the way of Balaam the son of Beor,
who loved the wages of wickedness,
16 (Nu 22:21-33) but who was rebuked for his iniquity.
The mute donkey speaking with a man's voice constrained
the madness of the prophet.
17 (Jude 1:12-13) These men are wells without water and clouds that are
carried by a storm, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever.
18 (2Pe 1:4; 2:20) For when they speak arrogant words of vanity,
they entice by the lusts of the flesh and by depravity those who barely
escaped from those who live in error.
19 (Jn 8:34; Gal 5:13) Although they promise them freedom, they themselves
are slaves of corruption, for by that which a man is overcome, to this
he is enslaved.
20 (2Pe 1:2; 2:18) For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again
entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse for them
than the beginning.
21 (Eze 18:24; Lk 12:47) For it would have been better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turn back
from the holy commandment that was delivered to them.
22 (Pr 26:11) But it has happened to them according to the true proverb,
"The dog returns to his own vomit,"(Pr 26:11.)
and "the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mud."
[1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall
be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction.
[2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way
of truth shall be evil spoken of.
[3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
[4] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to
hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto
judgment;
[5] And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the
ungodly;
[6] And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them
with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live
ungodly;
[7] And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the
wicked:
[8] (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing,
vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
[9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
[10] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,
and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not
afraid to speak evil of dignities.
[11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing
accusation against them before the Lord.
[12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,
speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish
in their own corruption;
[13] And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it
pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
[14] Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling
unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed
children:
[15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the
way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
[16] But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's
voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
[17] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest;
to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
[18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through
the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean
escaped from them who live in error.
[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of
corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in
bondage.
[20] For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the
knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
[21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them.
[22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is
turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing
in the mire.
Posted by DSY on
Day 351, 17 December 2025 - 25th Day of Advent
1) 2 Peter 1, 2 Peter 2, 2 Peter 3, Jude
2 Peter 1
Salutation
1 (Titus 2:13; Ro 3:21-26; 1:1) Simon Peter, a servant and apostle
of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith as precious
as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 (Jn 17:3; 1Pe 1:2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you through
the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
[1] Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have
obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ:
[2] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and
of Jesus our Lord,
The Christian's Call and Election
3 (1Th 2:12; 2Th 2:14) His divine power has given to us all things that
pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge
of Him who has called us by His own glory and excellence,
4 (Heb 12:10; 1Jn 3:2) by which He has given to us exceedingly great
and precious promises, so that through these things you might become
partakers of the divine nature
and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 (2Pe 3:18; Php 4:8) For this reason make every effort to add virtue
to your faith; and to your virtue, knowledge;
6 (Ac 24:25; 2Pe 1:3) and to your knowledge, self-control; and to your
self-control, patient endurance; and to your patient endurance, godliness;
7 (Ro 12:10; 1Co 13:1-8) and to your godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to your brotherly kindness, love.
8 (Jn 15:2; Col 3:16) For if these things reside in you and abound,
they ensure that you will neither be useless nor unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 (Eph 5:26; Heb 9:14) But the one who lacks these things is blind
and shortsighted because he has forgotten that he was cleansed
from his former sins.
10 (2Pe 3:17) Therefore, brothers, diligently make your calling
and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
11 For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided for you.
12 (Php 3:1; 1Jn 2:21) Therefore I will not be negligent to always
remind you of these things, though you know them and are established
in the truth that is present with you.
13 (2Pe 3:1; 1:14) I consider it right, as long as I live in this body,
to stir you up by reminding you,
14 (2Ti 4:6; Jn 21:18-19) knowing that soon I will take off this body,
even as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.
15 And I will also be diligent to make sure that after my death you
will always remember these things.
[3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to
glory and virtue:
[4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
[5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge;
[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness;
[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
[8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and
hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
[10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
[11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
[12] Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of
these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
[13] Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you
up by putting you in remembrance;
[14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our
Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
[15] Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have
these things always in remembrance.
Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word
16 (1Ti 1:4; Lk 9:28-32) For we have not followed cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17 (Mk 9:7; Mt 3:17; 17:5) For He received honor and glory from God
the Father when a voice came to Him from the majestic glory, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
(Mt 17:5; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35.)
18 (Mt 17:6; Ex 3:5) And we ourselves heard this voice, which came
from heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19 (Rev 22:16; Ps 119:105; Rev 2:28) And we have a more reliable word
of prophecy, which you would do well to follow, as to a light that shines
in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises
in your hearts.
20 (2Pe 3:3; Ro 12:6) But know this first of all, that no prophecy
of the Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation.
21 (1Pe 1:11; Lk 1:70; 2Sa 23:2) For no prophecy at any time was produced
by the will of man, but holy men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
[16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known
unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty.
[17] For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came
such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.
[18] And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him
in the holy mount.
[19] We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye
take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn,
and the day star arise in your hearts:
[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men
of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Posted by DSY on
From
On Eagle's Wings
The 6:15 AM Revelation
5 The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:5
Every morning my alarm goes off at 6:15 am. On those bright
summer mornings in Fort Smith, I jump out of bed full of energy and
ready to go. But as the days grow shorter and our hours of sunlight
pass by almost as quickly as the blink of an eye, each morning
becomes harder and harder. Yet no matter the day, no matter the
season, the sun rises slowly and steadily, shifting the whole
perspective of the day.
As hard as those days are - as much as I'd rather stay in my warm
bed and close my eyes for just one minute longer - I force myself up
into the cold bathroom, splash cold water on my face, and walk into
the dark living room. Not ready, but willing to start the new day God
has given me.
When the sun shines bright, life is easy. But when darkness seems
to linger on and on, we must turn our face toward the light that
shines in the darkness - the light that overcomes the darkness.
St. John of the Cross, in his great poem "Dark Night of the Soul,"
teaches that it is precisely in the darkness that we are united with
God. If there is no darkness, there is no light to overcome it.
And so the beauty of Advent isn't premature joy - it's the darkness
that precedes the light. If today you stand in the dark, rejoice,
because it is in the darkness that we are transformed into the light.
Father Aaron Solberg
St. John’s Anglican Church, Fort Smith
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that you continue in the things which you have
learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom you hast learned them;
And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus for
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, may I look beyond differences
to share Jesus' mercy with others."
Pray to the Lord and pray to have the correct attitude about forgiveness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Word does not return void.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that the effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much.
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 God will convict the hearts of Canadians of the false
idea that all moral choices are equal and without consequences
Pray that people's hearts would be opened to see the folly
of denying God's supremacy
We give thanks to you, 0 Lord, because you are good,
and because you gave us Jesus. Give us truly grateful hearts.
Pray: Equip us wholly, Lord, to serve you the best we can. Amen.
Pray: Lord, we applaud, praise and acclaim your name. And even when
we do not acclaim your name, we know that you claim us as your forgiven
people! Help us. Lord, to say. like St. Paul, " The saying is sure!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Heavenly Father, help us to embrace our darkness with the same
anticipation and excitement we bring to Advent - waiting for the
light of Christmas. And when that light shines strong upon our dark
night of the soul, equip us to carry it forward and share it with
those whose darkness seems impenetrable. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Pray for Christian converts in Uganda encountering opposition
from members of their own families and communities.
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
16th Day of the Month
a) Pray that God will convict the hearts of Canadians of the false
idea that all moral choices are equal and without consequences
( John 16:7-8
7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away.
For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 When He comes, He will convict the world of sin
and of righteousness and of judgment"
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:
for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment:
)
b) Pray that people's hearts would be opened to see the folly
of denying God's supremacy
(
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Rom 3:19-20
19 Now we know that whatever the law says,
it says to those who are under the law,
so that every mouth may be silenced,
and all the world may become accountable to God.
20 Therefore by the works of the law
no flesh will be justified in His sight,
for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are
under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become
guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
2 Cor 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive his recompense in the body,
according to what he has done,
whether it was good or bad.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one
may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
2 Cor 10:5
5 casting down imaginations and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ,
5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ;
)
Advent Day 24
From C.S. Lewis A grand miracle by Joel Heck
"Once more, very many thanks to all your great goodness to me and mine:
and with all best wishes for a happy Christmas."
-C. S. Lewis
(From Letter to Dr. Warfield Firor, Nov. 6, 1948, Lewis' Collected Letters,
II, p. 889.)
Christmas Gratitude
During World War Two and for nearly a decade thereafter,
England suffered from a scarcity of certain foods and other consumables.
Rationing was the only solution, and a victory in the war the only consolation.
During those years, many in England benefited from the generosity of American
citizens almost as much as from the heroic courage of American soldiers.
The Lewis household was one of many to receive packages from the States,
which greatly eased the hardship. In the process, God blessed both the giver
and the recipients.
Dr. Warfield Firor, a physician from Baltimore, sent package after package
for many years. Because of the gift of more than one delicious ham,
Lewis once named him "Firor-of-the-Hams." Lewis had to come up with new
and creative ways of expressing his thanks, so frequent and generous
were Firor's gifts. Finally, Dr. Firor insisted that Lewis not thank
him anymore, but simply write to him about what he was reading, thinking,
or doing at the time. But in a letter in 1948, Lewis paired his gratitude
with greetings for the upcoming Christmas season.
The psalmist, thankful for God's strength, salvation, refuge, and
righteousness, thanks God for being his God. He says, "The Lord is
my strength and my song; he has become my salvation" (Ps. 118:14).
In the Advent season, we think of the salvation that God has sent
in his Son, and we are grateful.
We give thanks to you, 0 Lord, because you are good,
and because you gave us Jesus. Give us truly grateful hearts.
Amen.
You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
Psalm 118:28
From Follow The Story by Marva J. Dawn
TUESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
John's Qualifications
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, ...
-Luke 1:80a
What do we mean when we assert that certain people have a "strong spirit"?
Usually we are awed by their
passionate convictions or the certainty of their beliefs.
In John the Forerunner's case, we encounter both the culmination of his call
to prepare the way for his Lord and the aftermath of his years of solitude
in the desert when his preeminent teacher was God. Some scholars speculate
that he was associated with the Essenes, who had retreated to the barren
lands to preserve their faith, but we don't know for sure.
Nor do we know how old John was when he withdrew to the wilderness,
but we can surmise that earlier he had benefited from the rigorous
training of Zechariah and Elizabeth.
They had enfolded him entirely in the story of Israel's long awaited
Messiah and in his own call to cultivate repentance in preparation for him.
On the bedrock of his parents' proficiencies, God equipped him
in the wastelands to meet the public and testify to them.
prayer
Equip us wholly, Lord, to serve you the best we can. Amen.
Read Luke 1:76-80.
76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to His people
by the remission of their sins,
78 through the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he remained in the wilderness until the day of his appearance to Israel.
From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler
FOURTH TUESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ACCLAMATION!
7 so that, being justified by His grace, we might
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want
you constantly to affirm, so that those who have believed in God might be
careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to
everyone. TITUS 3:7-8
Christmas is the time for acclamation . . . and so is Advent! This AH-HA
is present throughout our lives in the Lord as we shout. cheer, applaud
and say "AH-HA and hooray" to those around us!
Today's lesson is a great summary of the life in the Lord that we acclaim
daily. We are justified by his grace. which means we live "just as if I'd never
sinned." The Babe born in the manger whom we celebrate these days is
the reason for the reason we are free to acclaim his love and forgiveness
to others ... starting with ourselves!
Ruth Graham, wife of Billy Graham. had it right when she said that a "happy
'marriage is the union of two forgivers." We acclaim that this is what the
Church is all about also---a commUNION of forgivers in Christ!
The Church has not survived for over 2000 years because of our optimism,
idealism or realism, but because the Spirit has empowered his people to
acclaim and witness to the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord! Our
job is not to fix the world but to forgive the world through Christ Jesus!
Lord, we applaud, praise and acclaim your name. And even when
we do not acclaim your name, we know that you claim us as your forgiven
people! Help us. Lord, to say. like St. Paul, " This is a faithful saying!"
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Read Titus 3:4-8
4 (Titus 2:10-11) But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour
toward mankind appeared,
5 (Ro 12:2; 1Pe 3:21) not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of rebirth
and the renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 (Ro 5:5; Joel 2:28) whom He poured out on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Saviour,
7 (Ro 8:17; Titus 1:2) so that, being justified by His grace, we might
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 (1Ti 1:15; Titus 2:14) This is a faithful saying, and these things I want
you constantly to affirm, so that those who have believed in God might be
careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to
everyone.