Dave Yadallee's personal blog

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Is 55:11



11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.



11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.



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



When you are ill or injured



James 5:13-16



13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?

Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.

14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?

Let him call for the elders of the church,

and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil

in the name of the Lord.

15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save

the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.

And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another

and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.



13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.

Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;

and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise

him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man

availeth much.



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, ...)

An Approved Workman



14 (1Ti 5:21; 2Ti 2:23) Remind them of these things, commanding them before

the Lord that they not argue about words, which leads to nothing of value

and to the destruction of those who hear them.

15 (Mt 13:52) Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need

not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 (Titus 3:9; 1Ti 6:20) But avoid profane foolish babblings, for they will

increase to more ungodliness,

17 (1Ti 1:20) and their word will spread like gangrene: Among them are

Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 (1Co 15:12; 1Ti 1:19) who have erred concerning the truth,

saying that the resurrection has already occurred,

and who overthrow the faith of some.

19 (Jn 10:14; Isa 28:16) But the firm foundation of God stands,

having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and,

"Let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

20 (1Ti 3:15) In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,

but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonour.

21 (2Ti 3:17; Isa 52:11) One who cleanses himself from these things will be

a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master's use,

and prepared for every good work.

22 (1Ti 6:11; 1:5; 4:12) So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness,

faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 (Titus 3:9; 2Ti 2:14) But avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing

that they create strife.

24 (1Ti 3:2-3; Titus 3:2) The servant of the Lord must not quarrel,

but must be gentle toward all people, able to teach, patient,

25 (1Ti 2:4; Ac 8:22) in gentleness instructing those in opposition.

Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth,

26 (1Ti 3:7) and they may escape from the snare of the devil,

after being captured by him to do his will.



[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord

that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the

hearers.

[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to

be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more

ungodliness.

[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and

Philetus;

[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is

past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

[19] Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The

Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of

Christ depart from iniquity.

[20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver,

but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

[21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto

honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every

good work.

[22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,

peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

[23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender

strifes.

[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all

men, apt to teach, patient,

[25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God

peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

[26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who

are taken captive by him at his will.



2 Timothy 3



The Last Days



1 (Eze 38:16; 2Pe 3:3) Know this: In the last days perilous times will come.

2 (Php 2:21; Jude 1:16) Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,

boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 (Ro 1:31; 1Ti 3:11) without natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers,

unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good,

4 (1Ti 3:6) traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God,

5 (1Ti 5:8; Mt 7:15) having a form of godliness,

but denying its power. Turn away from such people.

6 (Titus 3:3; Jude 1:4) Those of this nature creep into houses

and captivate silly women who are burdened with sins

and led away with various desires,

7 (1Ti 2:4; 2Ti 2:25) always learning, but never able to come

to the knowledge of the truth.

8 (Ex 7:11; 1Ti 6:5) Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses,

so these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds

and worthless concerning the faith.

9 (Ex 7:12; 9:11) But they shall proceed no further,

for their folly will be revealed to everyone, as theirs also was.



[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,

blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,

fierce, despisers of those that are good,

[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of

God;

[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such

turn away.

[6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive

silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

[7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the

truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

[9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest

unto all men, as theirs also was.



Last Charge to Timothy



10 (Php 2:22; 1Ti 4:6) But you have observed my doctrine,

manner of life, purpose,

faith, tolerance, love, patience,

11 (Ps 34:19; Ac 13:45) persecutions, and afflictions, which came to me

at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra-what persecutions I endured!

But the Lord delivered me out of them all.

12 (Ac 14:22; Titus 2:12) Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life

in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving

and being deceived.

14 (2Ti 1:13) But continue in the things that you have learned

and have been assured of, knowing those from whom you have learned them,

15 (2Ti 1:5) and that since childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith that is

in Christ Jesus.

16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

17 (1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:21) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly

equipped for every good work.



[10] But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,

longsuffering, charity, patience,

[11] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium,

at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord

delivered me.

[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer

persecution.

[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and

being deceived.

[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been

assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are

able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ

Jesus.

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good

works.



2 Timothy 4



1 (Ac 10:42; 1Ti 5:21) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing

and His kingdom:

2 (Titus 1:13; 2:15) Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season,

reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

3 (1Ti 1:10) For the time will come when people will not endure sound

doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance

with their own desires, having itching ears,

4 (1Ti 1:4; 4:7) and they will turn their ears away from the truth

and turn to myths.

5 (Ac 21:8; 2Ti 1:8) But be self-controlled in all things,

endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,

and prove your ministry.

6 (Php 1:23; 2:17) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,

and the time of my departure has come.

7 (Ac 20:24; 1Ti 6:12) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

and I have kept the faith.

8 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 1:12) From now on a crown of righteousness is laid up for me,

which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not only

to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.



[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall

judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,

exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but

after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching

ears;

[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned

unto fables.

[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an

evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at

hand.

[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the

faith:

[8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the

Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,

but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Personal Instructions



9 (2Ti 1:4; 4:21) Diligently try to come to me soon.

10 (Ac 16:6; 17:1) Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world,

and has departed to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

11 (Ac 12:12; Col 4:14) Only Luke is with me. Get Mark, and bring him with you,

for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 (Ac 20:4; Eph 6:21) I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 (Ac 16:8) When you come, bring with you the cloak that I left

at Troas with Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 (1Ti 1:20; Ps 28:4) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.

May the Lord reward him according to his works.

15 Beware of him, for he has greatly opposed our words.

16 (Ac 7:60) At my first defense no one stood with me,

but everyone forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

17 (Ac 9:15; Ps 22:21) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,

so that through me the preaching might be fully known, and that

all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 (Ro 11:36; Ps 121:7) The Lord will deliver me from every evil work

and will preserve me for His heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever

and ever. Amen.



[9] Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

[10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is

departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

[11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is

profitable to me for the ministry.

[12] And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

[13] The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring

with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

[14] Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him

according to his works:

[15] Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

[16] At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray

God that it may not be laid to their charge.

[17] Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me

the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:

and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

[18] And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve

me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



Final Greetings



19 (Ac 18:2) Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 (Ac 20:4; 19:22) Erastus remained at Corinth, and I have left Trophimus

ill in Miletus.

21 (2Ti 4:9) Diligently try to come before winter. Eubulus greets you,

and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

22 (Gal 6:18; Col 4:18) The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Grace be with you. Amen.



[19] Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

[20] Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

[21] Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and

Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

[22] The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.



2) Our Daily Bread for 16 December 2025 titled

Who Is My Neighbour? by Patricia Raybon



Luke 10:25-34, 36-37



The Good Samaritan



25 (Lk 18:18; 7:30) Now, a lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying,

“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?"

27 (Lev 19:18; Dt 6:5; Mt 19:19) He answered, " 'You shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,

and with all your strength, and with all your mind' (Dt 6:5.)

and 'your neighbor as yourself.'(Lev 19:18)."

28 (Lev 18:5; Eze 20:11) He said to him, "You have answered correctly.

Do this, and you will live."

29 (Lk 16:15) But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus,

"And who is my neighbour?"

30 Jesus answered, "A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho

and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing

and wounded him and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 By chance a priest came down that way. And when he saw him,

he passed by on the other side.

32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to that place, looked at him

and passed by on the other side.

33 (Mt 10:5) But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.

And when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine.

Then he set him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn,

and took care of him.

35 The next day when he departed, he took out two denarii

(Gk. denarius, a coin worth about a day's wage.)

and gave them to the innkeeper and said to him, 'Take care of him.

I will repay you whatever else you spend when I return.'

36 " ow which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him

who fell among the thieves?"

37 (2Co 8:9; 1Pe 2:21) He said, "The one who showed mercy on him."

Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."



[25] And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying,

Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

[26] He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

[27] And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy

heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy

mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

[28] And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt

live.

[29] But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my

neighbour?

[30] And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to

Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and

wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

[31] And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he

saw him, he passed by on the other side.

[32] And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on

him, and passed by on the other side.

[33] But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when

he saw him, he had compassion on him,

[34] And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and

set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

[35] And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave

them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou

spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

[36] Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that

fell among the thieves?

[37] And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go,

and do thou likewise.



From her hospital bed, Marie Coble lit up when she saw the delivery driver

whose help had likely saved her life. She'd fallen in her driveway and hit her

head, causing a brain bleed. Seeing her injury, Raheem Cooper helped her while

calling paramedics. Invited by family to visit her in the hospital, Raheem

often brings sweet treats she enjoys to assist her recovery.



Their story brings to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable

is Jesus' reply to an expert's question on what he must do to inherit eternal

life. Do "what is written in the law," Jesus said (Luke 10:26), including

"love your neighbour as yourself" (v. 27). But the expert persisted, asking,

"Who is my neighbour?" (v. 29).



Christ's answer describes a man attacked by robbers, left half dead, and then

ignored by two people - a priest and a Levite - who passed him by.

"But a Samaritan . . . took pity on him," "bandaged his wounds, . . . and took

care of him" (vv. 33-34). Seeing the hurting man in need, the Samaritan's help

was active, urgent, and without bias - looking past race or creed to assist

someone he could've ignored.



Thus, Jesus asked, "Which of these three was a neighbor to the man?"

"The one who had mercy on him," the expert said. Said Jesus,

"Go and do likewise" (vv. 36-37). In Christ, we too can find the compassion to

help a hurting person instead of passing by. It's a lesson for all in sharing

Jesus' love.



Reflect & Pray



How do you need mercy? How can you show mercy?



Dear Father, may I look beyond differences to share Jesus' mercy with others.





To learn more about mercy, read Living Justly, Loving Mercy.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness



Ephesians 4:32



32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12-13; Mt 6:12) And be kind one to another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.



32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.



Don had lost his job because he stood against his boss and refused to

compromise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had

turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,

and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support

of those who cared.

But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to

recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and

honestly, " I believe my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show

him." The kindness of Don's heart, and the tenderness with which he

extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's

boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of

forgiving.

Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be

overstocked with judgment and crammed full of condemnation, but we have

little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick

to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for

the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,

the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.

Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgiveness when he

looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet

for his cloak, and said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what

are doing."

When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are

doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -

not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,

in the simplicity and purity of God's love.



Application



a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?



b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?



c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?

Day 350, 16 December 2025 - 24nd Day of Advent



1) 2 Timothy 1, 2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4



2 Timothy 1



Salutation



1 (2Co 1:1; Eph 3:6) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 (1Ti 1:2; Ro 1:7) To Timothy, my beloved son:

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.



[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the

promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

[2] To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the

Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.



Loyalty to the Gospel



3 (Ro 1:8-9; Ac 23:1) I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience as my

forefathers did, as I continually remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 (2Ti 4:9; 4:21) greatly desiring to see you, remembering your tears,

that I may be filled with joy,

5 (Ac 16:1; 1Ti 1:5) remembering the genuine faith that first lived

in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and that I am persuaded

lives in you also.

6 (1Ti 4:14; 1Th 5:19) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God,

which is in you by the laying on of my hands.

7 (Ro 8:15; Ac 1:8) For God has not given us the spirit of fear,

but of power, and love, and self-control.

8 (Mk 8:38; Eph 3:1) So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me, His prisoner. But share in the sufferings of the gospel

by the power of God,

9 (Ro 16:25; Titus 1:2) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,

not by our works, but by His own purpose and grace, which was given us

in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 (Ro 2:7; 16:26) but is now revealed by the appearing of our Saviour,

Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life

and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 (1Ti 2:7) for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 (2Ti 1:8; 1Ti 6:20; 1Pe 4:19) For these things I suffer, but I am not

ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is

able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.

13 (1Ti 1:14; Titus 1:9) Follow the pattern of sound teaching

which you have heard from me in the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.

14 (Ro 8:9; 1Ti 6:20) Guard the treasure that was committed to you through

the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

15 (2Ti 4:16; Ac 19:10) You know that all those who are in Asia have turned

away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 (2Ti 4:19; Ac 28:20) May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus,

for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.

17 But when he arrived in Rome, he searched me out very diligently

and found me.

18 (2Ti 1:12; Heb 6:10) May the Lord grant that he may find mercy

from the Lord on that Day. You know very well how many ways he ministered

to me at Ephesus.



[3] I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that

without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

[4] Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be

filled with joy;

[5] When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which

dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am

persuaded that in thee also.

[6] Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God,

which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,

and of a sound mind.

[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me

his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to

our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in

Christ Jesus before the world began,

[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light

through the gospel:

[11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of

the Gentiles.

[12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not

ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able

to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in

faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

[14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost

which dwelleth in us.

[15] This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from

me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

[16] The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed

me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

[17] But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found

me.

[18] The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day:

and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very

well.



2 Timothy 2



A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus



1 (Eph 6:10; 2Ti 1:2) So you, my son, be strong

in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 (1Ti 1:18; 6:12) Share the things that you have heard from me

in the presence of many witnesses with faithful men who will be able

to teach others also.

3 (1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 1:8) Endure hard times as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 (2Pe 2:20) No soldier on active duty entangles himself

with civilian affairs, that he may please the enlisting officer.

5 Anyone who competes as an athlete is not rewarded without competing legally.

6 The farmer who labors should be first to partake of the crops.

7 Consider what I am saying, and may the Lord grant you understanding

in all things.

8 (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16) Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,

descended from David, according to my gospel,

9 (Php 1:7; 2Ti 1:8) in which I suffer trouble like a criminal,

even with chains. But the word of God is not bound.

10 (Col 1:24; 2Co 1:6; 4:17) Therefore I endure all things for the sake

of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ

Jesus with eternal glory.

11 (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10) This is a faithful saying:

If we die with Him,

we shall also live with Him.

12 (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

13 (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3) If we are faithless, He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.



[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same

commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

[3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

[5] And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he

strive lawfully.

[6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

[7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

[8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead

according to my gospel:

[9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word

of God is not bound.

[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also

obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live

with him:

[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also

will deny us:

[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to Him who can save your soul.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, please help me see others as You see them.

Thank You for complete forgiveness of my sins"



Pray to the Lord and pray to be a total forgiver.



Pray to the Lord and pray to honour his covenant.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Healer.



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 Lord to convict all Canadians of His Righteous

standards of living



Jesus, Saviour, pilot me. And give me your Spirit to speak that

same word to others. Amen.



Prince of Peace, give us peace of heart and mind,

peace in the midst of busyness, and peace in the midst of quiet. Amen.



Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, propel us to communicate your peace. Amen.



Pray: Lord, thanks for accepting us as your children, with no exceptions.

Because of your birth, death and resurrection: we are yours forever!

Forgive us when we do not accept that truth. Forgive us when we fail

to hear and see you in our lives . Keep whispering bands (and shouting) to us,

"Do not be afraid! " In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Using Psalm 9:9, thank the Lord for Christians

who are working to help Sudanese refugees in Chad.



9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.



9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

A refuge in times of trouble.





Christ is the reason for the season



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.

Advent day 23



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



Monday,Fourth Week of Advent



"There! They're at it again. 'Ark, the errol hygel sings'....

Boxing Day [December 26] is only two and a half weeks ahead;

then perhaps we shall have a little quiet in which to remember

the birth of Christ." C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in "Delinquents in the Snow," God in the Dock, p. 310.)



A Little Quiet



The day on which the English give their gifts is Boxing Day, a public holiday

that falls on the first weekday after Christmas. In the past, the English

exchanged gifts among equals on Christmas Day, and gave gifts to those

"socially inferior" on the day after,

probably wrapped in boxes; hence, the name "Boxing Day."

It is also known in England as St. Stephen's Day, named after the first Christian martyr.



As a result, Lewis was not expecting the Prince of Peace to bring him peace

until after Boxing Day, a day after Christmas Day itself,

after gifts had been given. While peace in the biblical sense means

far more than the absence of stress, Lewis was here thinking of the

peace and quiet that a busy man, a famous and popular man, too seldom enjoyed.



From the time of his BBC radio broadcasts in 1941, Lewis received many

letters, probably a half-dozen to a dozen each day. As a result, he spent

a lot of time answering those letters, and they seemed to come

in greater numbers during the Christmas holidays. We don't have to be famous

to appreciate Lewis' desire for a little quiet.

In the midst of the busyness of the Advent season, we need to remember that

God sent a child, a son, the Prince of Peace.

He came to announce, "Peace on earth" (Luke 2:14) for everyone who believes.



Prince of Peace, give us peace of heart and mind,

peace in the midst of busyness, and peace

in the midst of quiet. Amen.



For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...

And he will be called...Prince of Peace.



Isaiah 9:6



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



MONDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT



Tender Mercy



through the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;



-Luke 1:78



What an attractive image, the "dawn from on high"!



It is an expression for the morning's light, but in its ambiguity

the figure could also refer to the Christ whose coming we anticipate.





This is one benefit that comes from God's "tender mercy." Another is John,

the Most High's Prophet and the Lord's Forerunner, who dispersed

to people knowledge of God's salvation

by the pardoning of their transgressions.



Those upon whom the dawn from on high burst were able

to move out of both their darkness and death's shadow

and into the way of peace. That is still true today. As we prepare

to hail the coming of the Christ Child, we honor him by participating

in his gift of bringing peace to the world. In his name and character,

we become reconcilers and harmonisers, helping people to allay their fears

and eliminate their quarrels. What tranquility might be brought to the nations!



Prayer



Lord Jesus Christ, propel us to communicate your peace. Amen.



Read Luke 1:68-79.



68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for He has visited and redeemed His people,

69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of His servant David,

70 as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago,

71 that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us,

72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember His holy covenant,

73 the oath which He swore to our father Abraham,

74 to grant us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,

might serve Him without fear,

75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.

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."



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



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



the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,"

MATTHEW 1:20



Joseph is often the "odd man out" in the Christmas story. We hear

so much about the Baby Jesus (and rightly so!), and about Mary,

the shepherds, the angels and even those smelly sheep .. - but not

a lot about Joseph



The Ah-Has of acceptance is all about Joseph. Today's lesson shows

good old Joe in a tough situation But, through the Holy Spirit, he accepted

the responsibilities that were given to him. And notice the phrase that

the angel brought to Joseph's dream: "Do not be afraid!" These are the

same Gospel words that we hear from the Lord as we go about accepting

the responsibilities that he gives to us each day.



The beauty and irony of Advent is that as we prepare for his coming.

the Lord has already prepared us for life in him! His acceptance of us

enables us to accept the many tasks and challenges he gives to us ...

with no exceptions! It's like the button that states, "God loves you ...

of course - he loves everyone!" And it's true, because of Emmanuel,

"God with us."



Lord, thanks for accepting us as your children, with no exceptions.

Because of your birth, death and resurrection: we are yours forever!

Forgive us when we do not accept that truth. Forgive us when we fail

to hear and see you in our lives . Keep whispering bands (and shouting) to us,

"Do not be afraid! " In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Matthew 1:18-25



18 (Ge 3:15) Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way:

After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together,

she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 (Dt 22:21-24; 24:1-4 )Then Joseph her husband, being a just man

and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to divorce

her privately.

20 (Mt 1:18; 2:13) But while he thought on these things, the angel

of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,

for He who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 (Lk 1:31; Ac 4:12) She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,

for He will save His people from their sins."

22 (Mt 2:15; 2:23) Now all this occurred to fulfill what the Lord

had spoken through the prophet, saying,

23 (Isa 7:14; 9:6–7; Mt 28:20) "A virgin shall be with child,

and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,"

[Isa 7:14.] which is interpreted, "God with us."

24 Then Joseph, being awakened from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord

had commanded him, and remained with his wife,

25 (Mt 1:21; Lk 2:7) and did not know her until she had given birth

to her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.



From On Eagle's wings



Pitched A Tent

9 (Ge 12:8; 18:9) By faith he dwelt in the promised land, as in a foreign

land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise,



[9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,

dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same

promise:



Hebrews 11:9 (MEV/KJV)



The week was special. It was the annual Tlicho Assembly combined

with the Dene Assembly in Behchoko, Northwest Territories. These

gatherings are integral for decisions and resolutions across the

different First Nations tribes, and a cultural celebration.

Many people had traveled long distances by plane, truck, and

canoe to participate. There were tents throughout the community

that families had brought to share and live in with extended family

members. For thousands of years, the native peoples of northern

Canada lived in tents as they followed caribou herds for food and

skins.

Abraham was also a tent-dweller. He and his people moved with

their tents from place to place longing and reaching for the

Promised Land. Even the Ark of the Covenant was closely and

carefully housed in a tent during those journeys. To the Israelites,

beholding the glory of God, or even uttering the name of God, was

forbidden.

John writes that God "made his dwelling among us." The closest

translation for dwell is “to pitch a tent”. At just the right time,

Almighty God burst into our lives as a newborn baby! Jesus, Savior,

God incarnate lived among us, preached, taught, healed, fed, loved,

died, and is resurrected. Through Jesus we witness God's great love

for all people.



Lois Graff Peterson

On Eagle's Wings Board Member