Dave Yadallee's personal blog

Advent Day 21



From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle



[The Queen of Narnia] "'isn't a real queen at all,' answered Lucy.

'She is a horrible White Witch She has made an enchantment

over the whole country so that it is always winter here and never Christmas.'



'I wonder if there's any point in going on,' said Susan....



'What about just going home?'" - C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, p. 56.)



Always Winter and Never Christmas



Always winter and never Christmas. Nothing could be more depressing.

Continual anticipation of celebration, gift-giving, and wonderful music,

but never arriving at the promise. Advent is exciting, but a perpetual

Advent season would drag on. In Narnia, it had been winter for a hundred

years, but Christmas never arrived. The white witch had bound Narnia

in ice and snow. The winter weather contained the promise,

but not the reality of Christmas. Without the breaking of her

enchantment, Christmas would never come.



Lucy had been the first to enter Narnia. Her words from The Lion,

the Witch and the Wardrobe repeat what she has heard: always

winter and never Christmas. But in that phrase there lies a promise.

Some day it will be Christmas! Asian is on the move! The lion is coming.

He will defeat the witch. The wardrobe will prove to be a gateway

to the fulfillment of a promise. Evil has its limits. One day we will celebrate.

And so Asian came, and the ice and snow began to melt. Eventually,

the witch's power melted as surely as the ice and snow had.



Since the first promise of a Savior and the first declaration of a final

Day of the Lord, much time has passed. The promise remains valid,

because "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day"

with the Lord (2 Peter 3:8). He has come, and he is coming again.



God, give us the patience to trust your promises. Amen.



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.



2 Peter 3:8-9



From Follow The Story by Marva J. Dawn



SATURDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT



The Lord God



68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,...



-Luke 1:68a



I have taken the liberty of capitalizing the entire name LORD

(here and in earlier meditations) because it seems most likely



that the speakers utilized the Aramaic version of the original

Hebrew word we translate "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." In English we employ

the all-capitalized word rather than Lord, which renders the Hebrew

name Adonai or "Sovereign One." LORD means the "Covenant One,"

so you might want to watch for its occurrences in the First Testament

and note each time the choice of that assuring/fulfilling name.





Here Zechariah blesses Israel's Promising God because he had scrutinised

his people positively and reclaimed them after all the times in their

history they had gone astray.

Zechariah's son John would have a great part in a future restoration

(Luke 1:15b-16).



Do we need a more favourable view of the First

(rather than "Old" or, as some think, "Outdated") Testament?

To see all the grace that is implied by LORD might

be an excellent starting point.



Prayer



The immensity of your grace, LORD, dazzles us! Amen.



Read Luke 1:67-68.



67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit

and prophesied, saying,

68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for He has visited and redeemed His people,



From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



THIRD SATURDAY

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



How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who proclaims peace,

who brings good news of happiness,

who proclaims salvation,

who says to Zion,

"Your God reigns!"ISAIAH 52:7



Today's Scripture outlines some of the Advent AH-HAs of attributes

of those who share the good news of Christmas . .. and beyond. How

beautiful are the feet of the messengers who bring peace and hope to

a troubled world! And then we are even encouraged to "break forth in

singing," another great attribute given to us to use to glorify the Lords

Think of some of the AH-HA attributes that you are sharing with others. Go

ahead. no need to be a "shucks, I don't have much" kind of person. We

all have been blessed with so many gifts, and I do not mean those lying

under your tree.

As an experiment, try this; Write down or think of six words you would use

to describe your Advent journey of faith. This idea evolved from a book

entitled Not Quite What I was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers

Famous card Obscure in which people summed up their lives in six

words. One comic wrote, "Well,l thought it was funny." Ernest Hemingway

wrote, "For sale, baby shoes, never worn." Folks from Chicago might write,

'Cubbies--just wait until next year!" A former math teacher of mine would

have said. "l never could count well!'

Some quick attributes of Advent for me an: "He came to give us life."o r

Everything in the name of Jesus." or "The Word Made Flesh among us.'

Share your attributes as gifts to others.



Lord. thanks for giving us gifts to announce your birth, death

and resurrection to others. Keep us creative, constant, consistent

and Christ-like. In Jesus' name, Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Isaiah 52:7-10.



7 (Isa 40:9; Na 1:15; Ps 93:1) How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who proclaims peace,

who brings good news of happiness,

who proclaims salvation,

who says to Zion,

"Your God reigns!"

8 (Isa 62:6; 1Co 13:12) Your watchmen lift up their voices;

they sing joyfully together;

for they shall see with their own eyes

when the Lord brings Zion back.

9 (Isa 51:3; 48:20) Break forth into joy, sing together,

you waste places of Jerusalem.

For the Lord has comforted His people;

He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 (Isa 51:9; Lk 3:6) The Lord has bared His holy arm

in the eyes of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God.



From On Eagle's wings Day 14



Part Of The Family



14 and we saw His glory,

the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.



[14] (and we beheld his

glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace

and truth. John 1:14b



When I joined the Diocese of The Arctic in 1960 the term of service

was five years without any vacation and it was made clear that the

missionary’s first task was to learn the language of the community in

which they were serving. This was so that the people knew you came

not just as a transient visitor, but like Jesus, as one who was coming to

"dwell among" them. In this way you eventually were seen as a

member of the community not as an outsider, who would be there for

a time, short or longer, but eventually leave again. You became one of

the family sharing in its joys and its sorrows, the joyful times and the

tragedies.

Advent is the season in which we look forward to the annual

celebration of the coming of Jesus who came that we might have life,

not just earthly life, but eternal life as one of God the Father’s family.

During Advent we have a twofold task. We need to prepare ourselves

to fully celebrate the Nativity, and remember that Jesus still dwells

among us today. Then to share with those around us that we can all be

members of the heavenly family through belief and trust in Jesus, the

only Lord and Saviour.

Let us reach out to those amongst whom we dwell and share with

them the Gospel of salvation.



Bishop Chris Williams (retired)

Northern Partner & Former Board Member



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to thank Him for being the Supreme Spiritual Leader.



Pray to the Lord: "Holy God, when my circumstances seem bleak,

please remind me to focus on You to find joy and strength."



Pray to the Lord and pray to Sow to yourselves in righteousness,

reap in mercy.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be neither lender nor follower.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know The Lord prepares a place for you in Heaven.



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, with God's help, children and young people will be able to journey

with hope towards the destiny God has for each of them.



Thank you, Lord, for choosing us before the creation of the world

to be your sons and daughters. Amen.



God, give us the patience to trust your promises. Amen.



Pray: The immensity of your grace, LORD, dazzles us! Amen.



Pray: Lord. thanks for giving us gifts to announce your birth, death

and resurrection to others. Keep us creative, constant, consistent

and Christ-like. In Jesus' name, Amen ... and AH-HA!



Lord Jesus give us the will and courage to reach out to those around

us with the gospel of the eternal love of God in Jesus.



Ask God to meet the need for practical resources that will enable churches

in Jordan to assist Muslim refugees.



Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.

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



Remember eternity starts now -

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

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Proverbs 22:7



7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.



7 The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.



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



When you are Saddened by Loss



John 14:1 - 7



1 "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me.

2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places.

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going to prepare a place for you.

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

and receive you to Myself,

that where I am, you may be also.

4 You know where I am going, and you know the way."

5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know

where You are going. How can we know the way?"

6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.

From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."



1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,

I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

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

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

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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





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



13th Day of the Month



a) Pray that, with God's help, children and

young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has

for each of them



b) Pray for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador



I) Pray for the leaders of Newfoundland and Labrador, 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

Hebrews 6



1 (Heb 9:14) Therefore, leaving the elementary principles of the doctrine

of Christ, let us go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation

of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2 (Ac 6:6; 17:31-32) of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

3 (Ac 18:21; 1Co 16:7)This we will do if God permits.

4 (Gal 3:2; Eph 2:8) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,

who have tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit,

5 (Heb 2:5; 1Pe 2:3) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers

of the age to come,

6 (Heb 10:29; 1Jn 5:16) if they fall away,

to be renewed once more to repentance,

since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God

and subject Him to public shame.

7 For land that drinks in the rain that often falls upon it

and bears a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives

a blessing from God.

8 (Ge 3:17-18; Dt 29:28) But land that bears thorns and thistles

is rejected and near to being cursed. Its destiny is to be burned.

9 But though we speak in this manner, we are persuaded of better things

for you, things that accompany salvation,

10 (Mt 10:42; 1Th 1:3; Pr 14:31) for God is not unjust so as to forget

your work and labor of love that you have shown for His name, in that

you have ministered to the saints and continue ministering.

11 (Heb 3:6; 3:14; Ro 5:2-5) We desire that every one of you show

the same diligence for the full assurance of hope to the end,

12 (Heb 10:36; 13:7; Rev 13:10) so that you may not be lazy, but imitators

of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.



[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on

unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead

works, and of faith toward God,

[2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of

resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

[3] And this will we do, if God permit.

[4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have

tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

[5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to

come,

[6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing

they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open

shame.

[7] For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and

bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing

from God:

[8] But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto

cursing; whose end is to be burned.

[9] But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that

accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

[10] For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love,

which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the

saints, and do minister.

[11] And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the

full assurance of hope unto the end:

[12] That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and

patience inherit the promises.



Sure Promise of God



13 (Lk 1:73) For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could vow

by no one greater, He vowed by Himself,

14 (Ge 22:17) saying, "Surely I will bless you, and surely I will

multiply you."(Ge 22:17.)

15 (Heb 6:12) So after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 (Ex 22:11) For men indeed swear by a greater authority than themselves,

and for them an oath of confirmation ends all dispute.

17 (Heb 11:9; Pr 19:21) So God, wanting to show more abundantly

the immutability of His counsel to the heirs of promise, confirmed it

by an oath.

18 (Titus 1:2; Nu 23:19; Heb 12:1-2) So that by two immutable things,

in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge

might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

19 (Heb 9:7; Lev 16:2) We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor

of the soul, which enters the Inner Place behind the veil.

20 (Heb 4:14; 5:6; 1:3) This is where Jesus has entered for us as

a forerunner, since He has become the everlasting High Priest in

the order of Melchizedek.



[13] For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no

greater, he sware by himself,

[14] Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will

multiply thee.

[15] And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

[16] For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to

them an end of all strife.

[17] Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise

the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

[18] That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to

lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay

hold upon the hope set before us:

[19] Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,

and which entereth into that within the veil;

[20] Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high

priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.



2) Our Daily Bread for 13 December 2025

Joy and Strength in God by Katara Patton



Nehemiah 8:5-6, 8-12



Desire of the Word of God



5 (Jdg 3:20; 1Ki 8:14) Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people

(because he was above all the people), and, as he opened it, all the people

stood up.

6 (Ex 4:31; Ne 5:13)When Ezra blessed the Lord as the great God, all

the people responded "Amen, Amen!" By lifting up their hands as they bowed

their heads, they worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, with interpretation, and

they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.



[5] And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was

above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

[6] And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered,

Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and

worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

[8] So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the

sense, and caused them to understand the reading.



Live the Word of God



9 (Ne 7:65; 7:70) Then Nehemiah the magistrate, Ezra the priest and scribe,

and the Levites who were teaching the people said to all the people, "This

day is holy to the Lord your God. Stop mourning and weeping." (This was

because all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law.)

10 (Dt 26:11-13; Est 9:19) Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat,

drink the sweet drink, and send portions to those for whom nothing is

prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy

of the Lord is your strength."

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying,

"Hush! Because today is holy you should stop being so sorrowful."

12 (Ne 8:7-8) Then all the people went to eat, to drink, to send portions,

and to enjoy a great celebration because they had understood the words

declared to them.



[9] And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe,

and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day

is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people

wept, when they heard the words of the law.

[10] Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,

and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is

holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your

strength.

[11] So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the

day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

[12] And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send

portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words

that were declared unto them.



In the midst of colourful creations made from old plastic bottles cut to

resemble feathers and even lampshades, a tour guide at a New Orleans Museum

shared the thinking behind the use of such material. "For a city that's had

such hardship, we've also learned to use what we have to create joy

and beauty. We don't focus only on the hard times;

we celebrate the resilience."



Nehemiah and the Israelites also faced hardship but resiliently pressed on in

God's joy. They’d been captured and taken away from their home, and at last

were able to return to Jerusalem from exile (Nehemiah 3:7-12, 18). But upon

arriving, they still faced opposition to rebuild the wall that protected

Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6). Even after the wall was completed and they gathered

for a celebration, hearing the words of God’s law, their spirits were heavy.

They were "weeping as they listened" (8:9). But Nehemiah reminded them that

they could find joy and strength in God - remembering who He was and what He'd

brought them through. Nehemiah told them,

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (v. 10).



Focusing on God can give us "great joy" and strength too, especially when

our circumstances seem dire. God’s ability, character, and the Scriptures

can renew our minds and bring us joy (v. 12) - providing the strength

and resilience we need.



Reflect & Pray



When have you found joy and strength in God?

How can you practice resilience amid your trials?



Holy God, when my circumstances seem bleak,

please remind me to focus on You to find joy and strength.

For further study, read Why Should I Trust God?



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground



Hosea 10:12



12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,

break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,

until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.



12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;

break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,

till he come and rain righteousness upon you.



When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation

is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,

turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to

break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.

A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be

broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.

The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one

who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure

of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -

is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.

That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.

We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through

the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders

of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the

stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.

But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that

preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,

we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces

an abundant crop in us.



Application



a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy

Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?



b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I

"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy," "break up my fallow ground"?

Hebrews 3



A Rest for God's People



7 (Heb 3:15; 4:7) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

"Today, if you hear His voice,

8 do not harden your hearts

as in the rebellion,

on the day of temptation in the wilderness,

9 (Ac 7:36) where your fathers tested Me and tried Me

and saw My works for forty years.

10 (Ps 95:10) Therefore I was angry with that generation,

and said, 'They always go astray in their heart,

and they have not known My ways.'

11 (Heb 4:3; 4:5) So I swore in My wrath,

'They shall not enter My rest.' "

12 (Heb 12:25) Be attentive, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil,

unbelieving heart, and you depart from the living God.

13 (Eph 4:22; Heb 10:24-25) But exhort one another daily, while it is called

"Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 (Heb 3:6) For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning

of our confidence firmly to the end,

15 (Heb 3:7-8) while it is said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,

do not harden your hearts

as in the rebellion."(Ps 95:7-8.)

16 (Nu 14:2; 14:30) For who were they who heard and rebelled? Was it not

all of those who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?

17 (Nu 14:29; Jude 1:5) And with whom was He grieved for forty years?

Was it not with those who had sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

18 (Dt 1:34-35) And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest,

but to those who disobeyed?

19 (Jn 3:36; 3:18) So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.



[7] Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

[8] Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation

in the wilderness:

[9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

[10] Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway

err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

[11] So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

[12] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of

unbelief, in departing from the living God.

[13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of

you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

[14] For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our

confidence stedfast unto the end;

[15] While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your

hearts, as in the provocation.

[16] For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came

out of Egypt by Moses.

[17] But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had

sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

[18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to

them that believed not?

[19] So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.



Hebrews 4



1 (Heb 12:15) Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest remains,

let us fear lest any of you should seem to come short of it.

2 (1Th 2:13) For the gospel was preached to us as well as to them.

But the word preached did not benefit them, because it was not mixed

with faith in those who heard it.

3 (Ps 95:11; Heb 3:11) For we who have believed have entered this rest,

as He has said,

"As I have sworn in My wrath,

'They shall not enter My rest.' "(Ps 95:11.)

However, His works have been finished since the creation of the world.

4 (Ex 20:11; 31:17) For He spoke somewhere about the seventh day like this:

"And God rested on the seventh day from all His works."(Ge 2:2.)

5 (Heb 3:11; 4:3) And again in the present passage He said,

"They shall not enter My rest."(Ps 95:11.)

6 (Heb 3:18-19) Since therefore it remains for some to enter it,

and they to whom it was first preached did not enter due to unbelief,

7 (Ps 95:7; Heb 3:7-8) again He establishes a certain day,

"Today," saying through David, after so long a time, as it has been said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,

do not harden your hearts."(Ps 95:7-8.)

8 (Jos 22:4) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have later

spoken of another day.

9 Therefore a rest remains for the people of God.

10 (Rev 14:13) For whoever enters His rest will also cease from his own works,

as God did from His.

11 (Heb 3:12) Let us labor therefore to enter that rest, lest anyone fall

by the same pattern of unbelief.

12 (Eph 6:17; Isa 49:2; Jer 23:29) For the word of God is alive, and active,

and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul

and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 (Ps 33:13-15; Job 26:6) There is no creature that is not revealed

in His sight, for all things are bare and exposed to the eyes of Him

to whom we must give account.



[1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into

his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word

preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard

it.

[3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have

sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were

finished from the foundation of the world.

[4] For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God

did rest the seventh day from all his works.

[5] And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

[6] Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to

whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

[7] Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long

a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your

hearts.

[8] For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have

spoken of another day.

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own

works, as God did from his.

[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall

after the same example of unbelief.

[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any

twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

[13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but

all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to

do.



Jesus the Great High Priest



14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed

into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our confession.

15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise

with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are,

yet without sin.

16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence

to the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.



[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the

heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling

of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet

without sin.

[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may

obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.



Hebrews 5



1 (Heb 8:3; 10:11; 2:17) For every high priest chosen from among men

is appointed to represent men in things pertaining to God,

that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2 (Heb 2:18; 7:28) He is able to have compassion on the ignorant

and on those who are wayward, for he himself is also subject to weakness.

3 (Heb 7:27; 9:7; Lev 9:7) Because of this he must offer sacrifices

for his own sins, just as he does for the people.

4 (Ex 28:1; Nu 16:40) No man takes this honor for himself,

but he who is called by God receives it, just as Aaron did.

5 (Jn 8:54; Ps 2:7) So also Christ did not glorify Himself to be made

a High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

"You are My Son;

today I have become Your Father."–7 (Ps 40:6–8.)

6 (Heb 7:17; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:21) As He also says in another place:

"You are a priest forever

in the order of Melchizedek."(Ps 110:4.)

7 (Mt 27:46; 27:50) In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers

and supplications with loud cries and tears to Him who was able to save

Him from death. He was heard because of His godly fear.

8 (Php 2:8) Though He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things

that He suffered,

9 (Heb 2:10) and being made perfect, He became the source of eternal

salvation for all those who obey Him,

10 (Heb 5:5-6; 6:20) being designated by God a High Priest according

to the order of Melchizedek.



[1] For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things

pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

[2] Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the

way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

[3] And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself,

to offer for sins.

[4] And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of

God, as was Aaron.

[5] So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he

that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

[6] As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the

order of Melchisedec.

[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and

supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save

him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he

suffered;

[9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto

all them that obey him;

[10] Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.



Warning Against Apostasy



11 (2Pe 3:16) Concerning this we have much to say that is hard to explain,

since you have become hard of hearing.

12 (Heb 6:1; Ac 7:38) For though by now you should be teachers, you need

someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God

and have come to need milk rather than solid food.

13 (1Co 14:20; 1Pe 2:2) Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word

of righteousness, for he is a baby.

14 (Isa 7:15; 1Co 2:6) But solid food belongs to those who are mature,

for those who through practice have powers of discernment that are trained

to distinguish good from evil.



[11] Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye

are dull of hearing.

[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one

teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are

become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of

righteousness: for he is a babe.

[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who

by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Day 347, 13 December 2025 - 21th Day of Advent



1) Hebrews 1, 2,3,4, 5,6



Hebrews 1



God Has Spoken by His Son



1 (Joel 2:28; Ge 3:15) God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke

long ago to the fathers through the prophets,

2 (Mt 28:18; Jn 1:3) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom

He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world.

3 (Mk 16:19; 2Co 4:4) He is the brightness of His glory, the express image

of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had

by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty

on high.

4 (Eph 1:21) He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited

a more excellent name than they.



[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto

the fathers by the prophets,

[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath

appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his

person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by

himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

[4] Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance

obtained a more excellent name than they.



The Son Superior to Angels



5 (2Sa 7:14; Ps 2:7) For to which of the angels did He at any time say:

"You are My Son;

today I have become Your Father"(-6 Pr 3:11-12.)?

Or again,

"I will be a Father to Him,

and He shall be a Son to Me"(-7 Ps 40:18.)?

6 (Ps 97:7; Dt 32:43) And again, when He brings the firstborn

into the world, He says:

"Let all the angels of God worship Him."(Ps 110:4.)

7 (Ps 104:4) Of the angels He says:

"He makes His angels spirits,

and His servants a flame of fire."(-11 Ps 95:7-11.)

8 (Ps 45:6-7; Isa 7:14) But to the Son He says:

"Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever;

a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.(Ps 45:6.)

9 (Isa 61:1; 61:3) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

with the oil of gladness more than Your companions."(Ps 45:7; Isa 61:1, 3.)

10 (Ps 102:25-27) And,

"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

and the heavens are the works of Your hands.

11 (Isa 34:4; 51:6) They will perish, but You remain;

and they all will wear out like a garment;

12 (Heb 13:8) as a cloak You will fold them up,

and they will be changed.

But You are the same,

and Your years will not end."

13 (Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44) But to which of the angels did He at any time say:

"Sit at My right hand,

until I make Your enemies

Your footstool"(Ps 110:1.)?

14 (Ps 34:7; Mt 18:10) Are they not all ministering spirits sent out

to minister to those who will inherit salvation?



[5] For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this

day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall

be to me a Son?

[6] And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he

saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

[7] And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his

ministers a flame of fire.

[8] But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a

sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

[9] Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even

thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

[10] And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the

earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

[11] They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as

doth a garment;

[12] And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed:

but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

[13] But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand,

until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

[14] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them

who shall be heirs of salvation?



Hebrews 2



The Great Salvation



1 (Pr 3:21) Therefore we should be more attentive to what we have heard,

lest we drift away.

2 (Ac 7:53; Heb 10:28; 10:35) For if the word spoken by angels was true,

and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense,

3 (Lk 1:2; Heb 1:2) how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation,

which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who

heard Him?

4 (Eph 1:5) God also bore them witness with signs and wonders and diverse

miracles and with gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own

will.



[1] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we

have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

[2] For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression

and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the

first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that

heard him;

[4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with

divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?



The Pioneer of Salvation



5 (Heb 6:5) For it was not to the angels that He has subjected

the world to come, of which we are speaking.

6 (Heb 4:4) But someone in a certain place testified, saying:

"What is man that You are mindful of him,

or the son of man that You care for him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels;

You crowned him with glory and honor,

and set him over the works of Your hands.

8 (1Co 15:27) You have put all things in subjection under his feet."

For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not

subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.

9 (Jn 3:16; Ac 2:33) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than

the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He,

by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.

10 (Lk 24:26; Ro 11:36; Lk 24:46) For it was fitting for Him, for whom

and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make

the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

11 (Heb 10:10; Mt 25:40) For both He who sanctifies and those who are

sanctified are all of One. For this reason He is not ashamed to call

them brothers,

12 (Ps 22:22) saying:

"I will declare Your name to My brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You."(Ps 22:22.)

13 (Ps 18:2; Isa 8:17-18) And again:

"I will put My trust in Him." (Isa 12:2.)

And again:

"Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."(Isa 8:18.)

14 (Jn 1:14; 2Ti 1:10; Ge 3:15) So then, as the children share in flesh

and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might

destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) and deliver those who through fear of death were

throughout their lives subject to bondage.

16 For surely He does not help the angels, but He helps the seed of Abraham.

17 (Da 9:24; Heb 2:14) Therefore, in all things it was necessary for Him

to be made like His brothers, so that He might be a merciful

and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God,

to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18 For since He Himself suffered while being tempted, He is able to help

those who are being tempted.



[5] For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come,

whereof we speak.

[6] But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art

mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

[7] Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with

glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

[8] Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he

put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him.

But now we see not yet all things put under him.

[9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the

suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of

God should taste death for every man.

[10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things,

in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation

perfect through sufferings.

[11] For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of

one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

[12] Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the

church will I sing praise unto thee.

[13] And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the

children which God hath given me.

[14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he

also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might

destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

[16] For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him

the seed of Abraham.

[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his

brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things

pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to

succour them that are tempted.



Hebrews 3



Jesus Superior to Moses



1 (Php 3:14; 2Ti 1:9) Therefore, holy brothers, partakers in a heavenly

calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Jesus Christ,

2 (Nu 12:7) who was faithful to Him who appointed Him,

as Moses was faithful in all His house.

3 For the One was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,

in that He who builds the house has more honor than the house itself.

4 For every house is built by someone, but the One who builds all things

is God.

5 (Nu 12:7; Ex 14:31; Heb 3:2) Moses was faithful in all God's house

as a servant, testifying about those things that were to be spoken later.

6 (1Co 3:16; Heb 1:2) But Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son,

whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing

of our hope firm to the end.



[1] Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider

the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

[2] Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful

in all his house.

[3] For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he

who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

[4] For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is

God.

[5] And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a

testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

[6] But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold

fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



THIRD FRIDAY

AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AD LIBS!



God, who at various times and in diverse ways

spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets,

has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, HEBREWS 1:1-2



How is your journey to the manger going so far? We're almost

to Bethlehem!



I like to look for different "twists" in the Christmas message each year. Not

that l change the story, but I do look for creative ways to ad lib along the

way. This is called the AH-HA of ad libs!



For instance. l imagine what would have happened if, when Mary and

Joseph came to the innkeeper, instead of turning them away. he would

have said, "Hey. no problem, come on in and hake a drink!" Or l wonder

what if when the angels came to the old shepherds in the field, the senior

adult shepherds would have responded, "Huh?"



We'd better just stick to the old, old story of Jesus and his love, don't you

think?--just the way today's Scripture lays it out. Hebrews reminds us that

years ago God spoke to his people through the prophets, but now he

speaks to us through his Son. That's the story we never want to change!



Author David Grayson once wrote. "Sometimes we expect too much of

Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and

humanity of the whole year. I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all

through the year." Not a bad way to ad lib our way, each day, in the Lord!



Lord, enable us to keep telling your story in new ways by adding our

own story of our AH-HAs and UH-OHs. Help us to keep the message fresh,

as you did trough both the prophets ... and through Jesus, the Babe

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



Read Hebrews 1:1-4



1 (Joel 2:28; Ge 3:15) God, who at various times and in diverse ways

spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets,

2 (Mt 28:18; Jn 1:3) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,

whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world.

3 (Mk 16:19; 2Co 4:4) He is the brightness of His glory, the express

image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

When He had by Himself purged our sins,

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

4 (Eph 1:21) He was made so much better than the angels

as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.



From On Eagle's wings



Northern Hospitality



1 (1Pe 1:22; 2:17) Let brotherly love continue.

2 (Mt 25:35; 1Pe 4:9) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some

have entertained angels unknowingly.



[1] Let brotherly love continue.

[2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have

entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:1-2 (MEV/KJV)



My trip to the Northwest Territories to teach Bible Camp gave me a

whole new perspective on what hospitality and loving one another

means.

We spent our afternoons in Behchoko with a great group of

students. While they didn't have much material wealth, they did

have a tremendous amount of love for each other. In the evenings

we were invited to attend the town's Spiritual Gathering,

a weeklong celebration in which the First Nations honored and celebrated

their culture with ancestral activities and native food.

Due to the 2023 fires, which consumed most of their forests, a

major reforestation project was taking place. The tree planters

camp was next door to where the Spiritual Gathering was held.

On the third day of the gathering tragedy struck when the tree

planters' helicopter crashed, killing the pilot.

For the next two nights, the people of the Tlicho First Nation went

to the tree planter's camp to sing songs and offer prayers of

healing. The workers were all invited to attend the Spiritual

Gathering; an amazing display of hospitality and love for all in the

name of Christ.

During this Advent season, I remember how a baby born in a stable

grows into a man who teaches us through his words and actions the

meaning of love and hospitality. He reminds us daily to live our lives

just like our northern neighbors.



Sandy Anthony

Bible Camp Volunteer



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to live in the Holy Ways of the Lord.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, thank You for all You've given

me. Please help me to choose gratitude today

for the many ways You've blessed me."



Pray to the Lord and pray to let the Lord Jesus Christ lead you

in living a Christian life.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Blessing of Obedience.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the love of the Lord!



Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,

and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.



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

their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.



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

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

Christ among Muslim people -

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

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

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



Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business

to follow God's principles and act honourably and ethically



Pray the the Spirit of the Lord will restrain the spirit of

hatred and destruction against humanity across the world.



Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making it possible for us to become your sons

and daughters. Amen.



Pray: Holy Designer, thank you for fulfilling your prophecy in John.



Pray: Lord, thanks for your absolute love for us always . . . and that's a long, long

time! Help us to enjoy doing nothing today, because your joy has come

to the world! In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Thank you God for sending your son into the world. As we wait for

his birth, teach us to be loving and show hospitality to all.



Pray that new Christians in the Maldives will receive discipleship

so they can grow to spiritual maturity.



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



12th Day of the Month



a) Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business

to follow God's principles and act honourably and ethically



(Proverb 11:1



1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight.



1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:

But a just weight is his delight.



)



b) Pray the the Spirit of the Lord will restrain the spirit of

hatred and destruction against humanity across the world.



Advent Day 20



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



Friday, Third Week of Advent





"From the waist upwards he was like a man, but his legs were shaped like a

goat's....One of his hands...held the umbrella:



in the other arm he carried several brown paper parcels. What with the parcels

and the snow it looked just as if he had been doing his Christmas shopping. He

was a Faun. And when he saw Lucy he gave such a start of surprise that he

dropped all his parcels." - C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, p. 8.)



Christmas Shopping



Some families begin their Christmas shopping the day after Christmas, so far

in advance that they have more than 300shop­ ping days to complete that task.

Early in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Tumnus the Faun looked as if he

had been Christmas shopping. Then he met Lucy, dropped his parcels in

surprise, and the adventures in Narnia began. Those gifts are never again

men­tioned in the Chronicles of Narnia.



God's plans started much earlier than our plan sdo. At one point in Israel's

history, their plans began seventy years before the end of the Babylonian

Exile. For us they began even earlier than that. "For he chose us in him

before the creation of the world" (Eph. 1:4). If God chose us before the

creation of the world, then he also planned to send his Son before the

creation of the world. Those plans even began before the first sin. Now that's

planning!



In Christ God loved us with the riches of his grace that "he lavished on us

with all wisdom and understanding" (Eph. 1:8). He planned that we "be adopted

as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and

will" (Eph. 1:5). That lavish­ment was God's shopping, so to speak, wrapping

up gifts of grace in advance for us to enjoy in the coming of Jesus. The gifts

of the Wise Men were planned to be gifts fit for a king. God's gifts were

planned to be gifts fit for the children of the King.



Thank you, Lord, for choosing us before the creation of the world to be your

sons and daughters. Amen.



Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation

of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love;



Ephesians 1:4



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



FRIDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT



Pondering and Prophesying



... For the hand of the Lord was with him..



-Luke 1:66b



Fear of God came over everyone, and everything was discussed throughout

Judea's hill country. There were two other dominant reactions to the

astonishing events that took place with John's circumcision. On one hand,

people were pondering and asking, "What then will this child become?" On the

other hand, Zechariah was compelled by the Holy Spirit to prophesy.



All of these responses are appropriate when we perceive that God has created a

wonder. Not only will we want to tell all our neighbors and friends throughout

the world, but also we will yearn to mull over the circumstances ourselves.

Moreover, we may be overpowered by the Holy Spirit ourselves and may give

witness to God's glorious accomplishments in other ways.



Are we open to the workings of the Holy Spirit through us? Has it ever

happened that you have prophesied? (I mean not necessarily foretelling the

future, but clarifying the meaning of the present.) Have we instead sometimes

quenched the Spirit when God would have used us to give witness to his deeds?



Prayer



Holy Spirit, use me as you wish. Amen.



Read Luke 1:65-67.



65 Fear came on all who lived around them. And all these facts

were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66 All those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying,

"What kind of child will he be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.



The Prophecy of Zechariah



67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit

and prophesied, saying,

2) Our Daily Bread for 12 December 2025 Titled

Cultivating Gratitude

by The Center for Bible Engagement



Psalm 9:1-12



PSALMS 9



For the Music Director. To the melody of "The Death of the Son."

A Psalm of David.

1 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will declare all Your marvelous works.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I will be glad and rejoice in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) When my enemies are turned back,

they will stumble and perish at Your presence.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For You have maintained my right and my cause;

You sat on the throne judging what is right.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You have rebuked the nations,

You have destroyed the wicked,

You have wiped out their name forever and ever.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) O you enemy, destructions

have come to you for a perpetual end.

You have destroyed cities;

their memory perished with them.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) But the Lord remains forever;

He has established His throne for judgment.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) He will judge the world in righteousness;

He will give judgment to the peoples in uprightness.

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

a refuge in times of trouble.

10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Those who know Your name will put their trust in You,

for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion;

declare His deeds among the people.

12 He who avenges deaths remembers them;

He does not forget the cry of the humble.



Psalm 9

To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben, A Psalm of David.

Aleph

1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart;

I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.

Bet

3 When mine enemies are turned back,

They shall fall and perish at thy presence.

4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause;

Thou satest in the throne judging right.

Gimel

5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked,

Thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end:

And thou hast destroyed cities; Their memorial is perished with them.

He

7 But the LORD shall endure for ever:

He hath prepared his throne for judgment.

8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness,

He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Waw

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

A refuge in times of trouble.

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:

For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Zain

11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion:

Declare among the people his doings.

12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them:

He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.



"Dad, can you get me some water?" my youngest daughter asked. "Sure," I said,

bringing her a full cup. She took it wordlessly. Then my oldest daughter

made the same request. She didn't respond either after I got her some water.

Annoyed, I blurted out, "Is anyone going to say, 'Thank you'? Why is that so

hard?"



Sometimes there’s nothing like parental frustration to open the door for God

to work. Immediately I felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit: Yes, Adam,

why is it so hard to say, "Thank you"? Busted. Turns out a lack of gratitude

isn't just my kids' problem; it's mine too.



I don't know why saying thank you can be so hard, but it certainly seems to be

a part of the human condition. In the psalms, however, we see a model for

growing in gratitude. There, David and others often praise God amid myriad

trials. And a particular phrase frequently

precedes their thanksgiving: "I will . . . ."



In Psalm 9:1, David deliberately chooses thankfulness: "I will give thanks to

You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will declare all Your marvelous works."

We might be prone to think of gratitude primarily as a feeling.

But David reminds us that it's also a choice.



Like David, as we choose to cultivate a habit of giving thanks, we can

gradually grow to recognise and appreciate God's goodness in every aspect

of life.



Reflect & Pray



How can we cultivate the habit of gratitude?

What are some things you’re thankful for?



Dear Father, thank You for all You've given

me. Please help me to choose gratitude today

for the many ways You’ve blessed me.



To learn more about

Psalm 9, read The Voice of the Silenced.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 6 God Works!



Phil 2:12-13



12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence,

but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.



12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence

only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.



"I just can't do it!" Marlys, a career woman in her 30s, was struggling to fit

her new Christian principles into the business world. Accustomed to the

cutthroat tactics of the corporate hierarchy, she has a hard time knowing

Jesus' examples of grace and mercy applied.

Marlys was right. She couldn't do it. In our own strength, none of us is able

to "live the Christian life." Someone has said, " The Christian life isn't

difficult -- it's impossible!" Only the power of the Holy Spirit is

effective to work the needed changes in our priorities and behaviour;

only God can accomplish what he calls us to do.

In Phillippians 2:12, Paul says "work it out." If we stop there,

we are likely to throw up our hands in despair.

But the good news appears in verse 13:

" For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure."

WE are not left on our own to figure out how to live the Christian life.

God gives us both the will and the ability to obey him, to live in a way

that will please him.

The key to a God-pleasing life is not performance, but obedience. God does not

expect us to "do great things" for him, to deserve his love and grace.

Our part in the process of salvation is to respond in obedience to the Lord,

to say "yes" to what he asks of us. We cannot change ourselves;

we cannot even know ourselves apart from the Spirit's insight. But

as we cooperate with him, as we agree to be obedient, the Spirit changes us

within, and those changes are "worked out" into our lives.



Application



a) Have I ever tried to "Live the Christian life" on my own strength?

What was the result?



b) In what practical ways is Paul's declaration that "God works in me"

good new in my life?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 28:11



11 (Dt 28:4; 30:9) The Lord will make you overflow in prosperity,

in the offspring of your body, in the offspring of your livestock,

and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore

to your fathers to give you.



11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body,

and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land

which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.



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



When you are lonely



1 John 4:16b-18



God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us,

so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is,

so are we in this world.

18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love,

but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

Whoever fears is not perfect in love.



God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness

in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13





9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

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

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

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

as we forgive our debtors.

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

but deliver us from evil.

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



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

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

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

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

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

1 Peter 4



Good Stewards of God's Grace

1 (Ro 6:7; 6:2) Therefore, since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh,

arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he who has suffered in

the flesh has ceased from sin,

2 (Mk 3:35; Ro 6:11) so that he no longer should live the rest of his time

in the flesh serving human desires, but the will of God.

3 (Isa 28:7; Eze 44:6) For in earlier times of our lives it may have

sufficed us to do what the Gentiles like to do, when we walked in immorality:

lusts, drunkenness, carousing, debauchery, and abominable idolatries.

4 (1Pe 3:16; 2:12) They are surprised that you do not join them in the same

excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you.

5 (Ac 10:42; 2Ti 4:1) They will give account to Him who is ready to judge

the living and the dead.

6 (1Pe 3:19) For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who

are dead, so that even though they might be judged according to men

in the flesh, they might live according to God in the spirit.

7 (1Pe 1:13; Lk 21:36) The end of all things is near.

Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray.

8 (Pr 10:12; Jas 5:20) Above all things, have unfailing love for one another,

because love covers a multitude of sins.

9 (Php 2:14; 1Ti 3:2) Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

10 (1Co 4:1-2; Lk 12:42) As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one

another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 (Ac 7:38; 1Co 10:31) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

If anyone serves, let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that

God in all things may be glorified through ­Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.



[1] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm

yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the

flesh hath ceased from sin;

[2] That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the

lusts of men, but to the will of God.

[3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of

the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine,

revellings, banqueting, and abominable idolatries:

[4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same

excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

[5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the

dead.

[6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead,

that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according

to God in the spirit.

[7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch

unto prayer.

[8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity

shall cover the multitude of sins.

[9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

[10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to

another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man

minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all

things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.



Suffering as a Christian



12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place

among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you.

13 (Ro 8:17; Php 3:10) But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ's sufferings,

so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation

of His glory.

14 (Mt 5:11; 1Pe 3:16) If you are reproached because of the name of Christ,

you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

15 (1Th 4:11; 2Th 3:11) Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief,

or an evildoer, or even as a busybody.

16 (Ac 5:41; 26:28) Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be

ashamed, but let him glorify God because of it.

17 (Jer 25:29; 2Th 1:8) For the time has come for judgment to begin

at the house of God, and if it begins first with us, what shall the end

be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 (Pr 11:31; Lk 23:31) And

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"(Pr 11:31.)

19 (Ps 31:5; Lk 23:46) So then, let those who suffer according to the will

of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator, while continuing

to do good.



[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to

try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that,

when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the

spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken

of, but on your part he is glorified.

[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an

evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let

him glorify God on this behalf.

[17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and

if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the

gospel of God?

[18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the

sinner appear?

[19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the

keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.



1 Peter 5



Tending the Flock of God



1 (Lk 24:48; Ac 11:30) I exhort the elders who are among you,

as one who is also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ

as well as a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 (1Ti 3:8; 3:3) Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, take care

of them, not by constraint, but willingly, not for dishonest gain,

but eagerly.

3 (Eze 34:4; Php 3:17) Do not lord over those in your charge,

but be examples to the flock.

4 (1Co 9:25; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:4) And when the chief Shepherd appears,

you will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away.

5 (Jas 4:6; Eph 5:21) Likewise you younger ones, submit yourselves

to the elders. Yes, all of you be submissive one to another

and clothe yourselves with humility, because

"God resists the proud,

but gives grace to the humble."(Pr 3:34.)

6 (Jas 4:10; Mt 23:12) Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you in due time.

7 (Ps 55:22; 37:5) Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.

8 (Job 2:2; Eph 6:11) Be sober and watchful, because your adversary

the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9 (Ac 14:22; Jas 4:7) Resist him firmly in the faith, knowing that

the same afflictions are experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 (2Co 4:17; 2Th 2:17; 1Co 1:9) But after you have suffered a little while,

the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory through Christ

Jesus, will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.

11 (1Pe 4:11) To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.



[1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a

witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that

shall be revealed:

[2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,

not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

[3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the

flock.

[4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of

glory that fadeth not away.

[5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you

be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth

the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may

exalt you in due time:

[7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring

lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are

accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

[10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by

Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,

stablish, strengthen, settle you.

[11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.



Final Greetings



12 (Heb 13:22; 2Co 1:19; Ac 20:24) With the help of Silas, whom I consider

to be a faithful brother to you, I have written briefly, exhorting you

and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 (Ac 12:12; 12:25) The church that is at Babylon, elect together with you,

greets you, and so does Mark, my son.

14 (Ro 16:16; Eph 6:23) Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.



[12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written

briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God

wherein ye stand.

[13] The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you;

and so doth Marcus my son.

[14] Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that

are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1 Peter 2



Live as Servants of God



11 (Jas 4:1; Lev 25:23) Dearly beloved, I implore you as aliens and refugees,

abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

12 (Mt 5:16; 1Pe 3:16) Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that

though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works

and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 (Titus 3:1) Submit yourselves to every human authority for the Lord's sake,

whether it be to the king, as supreme,

14 (Ro 13:3-4) or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers

and to praise those who do right.

15 (1Pe 2:12) For it is the will of God that by doing right you may put to

silence the ignorance of foolish men.

16 (Ro 6:22; 1Co 7:22) As free people, do not use your liberty as a covering

for evil, but live as servants of God.

17 (Ro 13:7; Pr 24:21; Ro 12:10) Honor all people. Love the brotherhood.

Fear God. Honor the king.



[11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from

fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

[12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they

speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they

shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

[13] Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:

whether it be to the king, as supreme;

[14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment

of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

[15] For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence

the ignorance of foolish men:

[16] As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but

as the servants of God.

[17] Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.



The Example of Christ's Suffering



18 (Jas 3:17) Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only

to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

19 (Ro 13:5) For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God

a person endures grief, suffering unjustly.

20 (1Pe 2:19; 3:17) For what credit is it if when you are being beaten

for your sins you patiently endure? But if when doing good and suffering

for it, you patiently endure, this is favorable before God.

21 (Ac 14:22; Mt 16:24) For to this you were called, because Christ suffered

for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 (Isa 53:9; 2Co 5:21) "He committed no sin,

nor was deceit found in His mouth."(Isa 53:9.)

23 (Isa 53:7; Lk 23:46) When He was reviled, He did not revile back; when He

suffered, He did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to Him who judges

righteously.

24 (Ro 6:2; 6:11) He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,

that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.

"By His wounds you were healed."(Isa 53:5).

25 (Isa 53:6; Ps 119:176)

For you were as sheep going astray, but now have been returned

to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.



[18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the

good and gentle, but also to the froward.

[19] For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure

grief, suffering wrongfully.

[20] For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall

take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it

patiently, this is acceptable with God.

[21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

[22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

[23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he

threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

[24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,

being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were

healed.

[25] For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the

Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.



1 Peter 3



Wives and Husbands



1 (1Co 7:16; Col 3:18) Likewise you wives, be submissive to your own husbands,

so that if any do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the

conduct of their wives,

2 as they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

3 (Isa 3:18-24) Do not let your adorning be the outward adorning

of braiding the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine clothing.

4 (Ro 7:22; Ps 149:4) But let it be the hidden nature of the heart, that which

is not corruptible, even the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is

very precious in the sight of God.

5 (1Ti 5:5) For in this manner, in the old times, the holy women, who trusted

in God, adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

6 (Ge 18:12) even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her

children as long as you do right and are not afraid with any terror.

7 (Col 3:19; 1Th 4:4) Likewise, you husbands, live considerately with

your wives, giving honor to the woman as the weaker vessel,

since they too are also heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers

will not be hindered.



[1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any

obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation

of the wives;

[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not

corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the

sight of God of great price.

[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted

in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

[6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are,

as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

[7] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving

honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together

of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.



Suffering for Righteousness' Sake



8 (Mt 18:33; Ro 12:10) Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward

one another, be gracious, and be kind.

9 (Ro 12:17; 12:14; 1Th 5:15) Do not repay evil for evil, or curse for curse,

but on the contrary, bless, knowing that to this you are called, so that you

may receive a blessing.

10 (Ps 34:12-16) For

"He who would love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil,

and his lips from speaking deceit.

11 (Ps 34:14; Mt 5:9) Let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their prayers;

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

13 (Pr 16:7) Who is he who will harm you if you follow that which is good?

14 (1Pe 2:19-20; Isa 8:12-13) But even if you suffer for the sake

of righteousness, you are blessed. "Do not be afraid of their terror,

do not be troubled."(Isa 8:12.)

15 (Col 4:6; Isa 29:23) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.

Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for

a reason for the hope that is in you, with

gentleness and fear.

16 (Heb 13:18; 1Pe 2:12) Have a good conscience so that evildoers who speak

evil of you and falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

17 (1Pe 2:20; 4:19) For it is better, if it is the will of God, that you

suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18 (1Pe 4:1; Heb 9:26; Ro 4:25) For Christ also has once suffered for sins,

the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, being put to death

in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit,

19 (1Pe 4:6) by whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20 (Ge 6:3; 6:5) who in times past were disobedient, when God waited patiently

in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is,

eight souls, were saved through water.

21 (1Pe 1:3; Mk 16:16) Figuratively this is like baptism, which also saves us

now. It is not washing off the dirt from the body, but a response to God from

a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 (Ro 8:38; Mk 16:19) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand

of God, with angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him.



[8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love

as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

[9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise

blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a

blessing.

[10] For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his

tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

[11] Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open

unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

[13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is

good?

[14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not

afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give

an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

[16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of

evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in

Christ.

[17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well

doing, than for evil doing.

[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,

that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but

quickened by the Spirit:

[19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

[20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God

waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that

is, eight souls were saved by water.

[21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the

putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience

toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

[22] Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and

authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Day 346, 12 December 2025 - 20th Day of Advent



1) 1 Peter 1, 1 Peter 2, 1 Peter 3, 1 Peter 4, 1 Peter 5



1 Peter 1



Salutation



1 (Ac 16:6-7; Jas 1:1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the refugees scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,

and Bithynia,

2 (Ro 11:2; 2Th 2:13; Heb 12:24) elect according to the foreknowledge

of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit,

for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.



[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout

Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

[2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through

sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of

Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.



A Living Hope



3 (1Co 15:20; 2Co 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living

hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8) to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does

not fade away, kept in heaven for you,

5 (Eph 2:8) who are protected by the power of God through faith for

a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 (Jas 1:2; Isa 61:3; Ro 5:2) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now,

if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials,

7 (Job 23:10; Pr 17:3; Isa 48:10) in order that the genuineness of your faith,

which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire,

may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus

Christ,

8 (Jn 20:29; Heb 11:27) whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom, though

you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and

full of glory,

9 (Ro 6:22) receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.

10 (Mt 13:17; Lk 10:24) Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied

of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently,

11 (2Pe 1:21; Isa 52:13-14) seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ,

who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ

and the glories to follow.

12 (Jn 15:26; Da 8:13) It was revealed to them that they were not serving

themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by

those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was

sent from heaven-things into which the angels desire to look.



[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according

to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not

away, reserved in heaven for you,

[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to

be revealed in the last time.

[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are

in heaviness through manifold temptations:

[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that

perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and

honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

[8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet

believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

[9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

[10] Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently,

who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

[11] Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was

in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ,

and the glory that should follow.

[12] Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they

did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have

preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven;

which things the angels desire to look into.



A Call to Holy Living



13 (1Pe 4:7; 5:8) Therefore guard your minds, be sober, and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

14 (Ro 12:2; Ac 17:30) As obedient children do not conduct yourselves

according to the former lusts in your ignorance.

15 (2Co 7:1; Heb 12:14) But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy

in all your conduct,

16 (Lev 11:44; 19:2) because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

(Lev 11:44; 19:2; 20:7.)

17 (Mt 6:9; 2Co 7:1) And if you address as Father the One who impartially

judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the

time of your sojourning.

18 (1Co 6:20) For you know that you were not redeemed from your vain way

of life inherited from your fathers with perishable things, like silver

or gold,

19 (Jn 1:29; Ex 12:5) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb

without blemish and without spot.

20 (Eph 1:4; Col 1:26) He was foreordained before the creation of the world,

but was revealed in these last times for you.

21 (Heb 2:9; Jn 12:44) Through Him you believe in God who raised Him up

from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be

in God.

22 (Heb 13:1; Jas 4:8) Since your souls have been purified by obedience to

the truth through the Spirit unto a genuine brotherly love, love one another

deeply with a pure heart,

23 (Heb 4:12; 1Pe 1:3) for you have been born again, not from perishable seed,

but imperishable, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

24 (Isa 40:6-8; Jas 1:10-11) For

"All flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withers, and its flower falls away,

25 (Isa 40:8) but the word of the Lord endures forever."

This is the word that was preached to you.



[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus

Christ;

[14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former

lusts in your ignorance:

[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of

conversation;

[16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

[17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth

according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in

fear:

[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from

your fathers;

[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and

without spot:

[20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was

manifest in these last times for you,

[21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and

gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

[22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the

Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another

with a pure heart fervently:

[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the

word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of

grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

[25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which

by the gospel is preached unto you.



1 Peter 2



The Living Stone and the Holy Nation



1 (Eph 4:31; Jas 4:11; 1:21) Therefore put away all wickedness, deceit,

hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.

2 (Mt 18:3; Eph 4:15)As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word,

that by it you may grow,

3 if it is true that you have experienced that the Lord is good.



[1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and

envies, and all evil speakings,

[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow

thereby:

[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.



4 (1Pe 2:7) Coming to Him as to a living stone who is rejected by men,

but chosen by God and precious,

5 (Php 4:18; 1Pe 2:9; Isa 61:6) you also, as living stones, are being built

up into a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual

sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 (Isa 28:16; Eph 2:20) For also it is contained in the Scripture,

"Look! I lay in Zion

a chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

and he who believes in Him

shall never be put to shame." (Isa 28:16.)

7 (Mt 21:42; 2Co 2:16) Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious.

But to those who are disobedient,

"The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,"(Ps 118:22.)

8 (Isa 8:14; Ro 9:22) and,

"A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense."(Isa 8:14.)

They stumble because they are disobedient to the word,

to which also they were appointed.

9 (Dt 7:6; 10:15) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy

nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the

goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

10 (Hos 1:9-10; 2:23) In times past, you were not a people, but now you are

the people of God. You had not received mercy, but now you have received

mercy.



[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but

chosen of God, and precious,

[5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy

priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus

Christ.

[6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a

chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not

be confounded.

[7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be

disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the

head of the corner,

[8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which

stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a

peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath

called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:

which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

From On Eagle's wings



A Willing Heart

3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed. Luke 2:3 (MEV)

[3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Luke 2:3 (KJV)



Undertaking a journey requires advanced planning and preparation.

Imagine planning a journey involving walking 113 km (70 miles),

navigating hilly terrain while caring for a heavily pregnant woman.

Today it would be considered high risk to embark on such an

arduous journey in the third trimester of pregnancy. I imagine the

Roman census coinciding with Mary's due date was a major inconvenience.

The decision to journey to the Arctic community of Tuktoyaktuk

was not easy. I was deeply fatigued from a busy season in life and

still in the process of recovering from the flu. There was a part of

me that didn't want to be inconvenienced by the trip and another

part that really wanted to reconnect with the people in Tuk. I was

genuinely concerned about my health, but as I began to pray about

the opportunity I recognized a gentle nudging in my spirit to

surrender my fears.

I often wonder about the inner conflict Mary might have

experienced as she prepared to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Perhaps she was concerned about her health and the health of

her newborn. Mary's act of compliance and surrender to the things

outside of her control continues to be a source of inspiration to me.

As I sat around a craft table sharing my faith with the children in

Tuk, I recognized the value of surrender, and the impact acceptance

can make.



Emma Abrol

On Eagle's Wings Curriculum Writer & Bible Camp Volunteer



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to understand the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ.



Pray to the Lord: "Loving Father, please help me be attuned

to opportunities to spread Your love through

kind words and actions. I want to be more like You!"



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord who redeems you.



Pray to the Lord and pray to honour his covenant.



Pray to the Lord and pray that integrity and uprightness preserve you.



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 God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,

city or community, and in Canada.



Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making it possible for us to become your sons

and daughters. Amen.



Pray: Holy Designer, thank you for fulfilling your prophecy in John.



Pray: Lord, thanks for your absolute love for us always . . . and that's a long, long

time! Help us to enjoy doing nothing today, because your joy has come

to the world! In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Father in heaven, this Advent let us discover again that we are

your children created in your own image and, because of our

baptism, that Christ is in us. Let us rediscover that there is

peace and joy in Jesus Christ. In his name, Amen.



Father, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot

change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom

to know the difference. Amen.



Pray on behalf of new believers in Comoros who are often persecuted

by their opposing families for converting from Islam.



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



11th Day of the Month



a) Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,

city or community, and in Canada.



(



Ps 86:12



12 I will give You thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart,

and I will glorify Your name forever.



12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:

And I will glorify thy name for evermore.



John 12:28



28 "Father, glorify Your name."

Then a voice came from heaven, saying,

"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."



28 Father, glorify thy name.

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,

I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.



)



b) Pray for the province of New Brunswick



I) Pray for the leaders of New Brunswick, 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 19



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



The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.

We do not know... how things would have worked if the

human race had never rebelled against God and joined the enemy....

You and I are concerned with the way things work now."



- C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 178.)



Why Did He Do It?



Have you ever noticed that children have so many of the same mannerisms

as their parents? They walk, gesture, and even laugh like their parents.

Children also mimic the bad traits of their par­ents, but it is a great

compliment to parents that their sons and daughters are like them.



Why did the Son of God become one of us? Certainly not for his own benefit.

John says it this way,"But to as many as received him, to them he gave power

to become the sons of God." Lewis says it similarly, "The Son of God became a

man to enable men to become the sons of God." God didn't become a man to

impress anyone, least of all us. God was in the business of raising up us men

and women to become like him, people who walk in his ways, who act like he

acted and do what he did. Jesus became like us so that we might become like

him.



Parents want their children to grow up to be like them. Setting aside our

faults for the moment, it is better for them to become like us than to stay

children. That is also our Father's intent for us. At times, it is painful

when God molds and shapes us to be conformed to the image of his Son.

But we become more ourselves when we become like him.



Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making it possible for us to become your sons

and daughters. Amen.



Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,

to those who believed in His name, John 1:12,



and have embraced the new nature,

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



Col. 3:10



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



THURSDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT



His name is John.



He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."



-Luke 1:63a



All the friends and relatives wanted to name the child Zechariah

after his father. However, Elizabeth and Zechariah were adamant

that he was to be called John. The people were amazed-this was not

a family name, they cried. But it was the name the angel Gabriel

had given to Zechariah in the Temple, so it was God's

ordinance that he should be so designated.



If the people were astounded by the couple's unusual unanimity

about this unique name, they were even more surprised on this

circumcision day by the opening of Zechariah's mouth.

He spoke clearly-his tongue was free!­ and, most important,

he acclaimed God!



Zechariah had had more than nine months to contemplate things.

He was overwhelmed with Joy that he and Elizabeth had borne

a child in their old age, and he was awed that even before

birth John had been filled with the Holy Spirit. Thus, Zechariah

burst out with praise at God's working.



Prayer



Holy Designer, thank you for fulfilling your prophecy in John.



Amen.



Read Luke 1:59-64.



59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child.

And they were calling him Zechariah, after the name of his father.

60 But his mother answered, “Not so! He shall be called John.”

61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives

who is called by this name."

62 They made signs to his father, asking what he would have him called.

63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."

And they all were amazed.

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed,

and he spoke and praised God.



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler



THIRD THURSDAY

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



3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according

to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that

does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, 1 PETER 1:3-4



Joy to the World is a hymn that should be sung all year long!

We boldly proclaim that there is joy in this world because the Lord HAS

come! Have you ever sung a stanza that goes. "Joy to the world, the Lord

might come," or "the Lord is thinking of coming." or "shape up and he will

come"? Me neither!

Absolutes is a big AH-HA of Advent. It affirms that Advent is not a time

to pretend that the Lord is coming, but that he has indeed come to

us already! And with this absolute truth of the Gospel we also receive

absolution of our sins--again because (he Lord has come to live, suffer,

die and rise for us! We are forgiven . . . absolutely!

Think of other absolutes in your life. l think of love for family although

mess that up at times; and of life being a gift from God,. although

sometimes do not live like it is; and, of course, it is an absolute that

the Chicago Cubs will never win another World Series

but that's another story!

1 Peter 1 affirms in us that the absolute of Advent is that the Lord has given us

"a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"!



So enjoy the day, absolutely, in the Lord. Sit back. relax. enjoy--there is

nothing left for us to do. Soren Kierkegaard once said, "Laughter is a type

of prayer." Perhaps he meant that laughter, like prayer, allows us to give up

our need to control or manage. Just receive the Christ of Christmas!



Lord, thanks for your absolute love for us always . . . and that's a long, long

time! Help us to enjoy doing nothing today, because your joy has come

to the world! In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read 1 Peter 1:3-9



3 (1Co 15:20; 2Co 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living

hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8) to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that

does not fade away, kept in heaven for you,

5 (Eph 2:8) who are protected by the power of God through faith for

a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 (Jas 1:2; Isa 61:3; Ro 5:2) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now,

if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials,

7 (Job 23:10; Pr 17:3; Isa 48:10) in order that the genuineness of your faith,

which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire,

may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation

of Jesus Christ,

8 (Jn 20:29; Heb 11:27) whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom,

though you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy

unspeakable and full of glory,

9 (Ro 6:22) receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.

2) Our Daily Bread for 11 December 2025

Pointing to Jesus by Alyson Kieda



Colossians 3:12-17



12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.

13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another and forgive one

another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you,

so you must do.

14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,

which is the bond of perfection.

15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God, to which also you are called

in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20) And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father

through Him.



[12] Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of

mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

[13] Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a

quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

[14] And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of

perfectness.

[15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are

called in one body; and be ye thankful.

[16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and

admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing

with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

[17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord

Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.



An older man jogging down a street in New York City stopped in his tracks

when he noticed a pair of battered sneakers placed near a homeless man's sign

requesting help. When the jogger learned that the two men wore a similar size,

he gave the younger, homeless man the shoes (and socks!) off his feet

and walked home barefoot. But not before explaining, "I've been blessed

my whole life. God has been very good to me, so I feel like

I should bless you too."



Just as this man showed kindness to another because God had been good to him,

so too believers in Jesus are called to "clothe [our]selves

with . . . kindness" (Colossians 3:12). In fact, in whatever we do or say,

we're to do it as "a representative of the Lord Jesus" (v. 17 nlt).

Along with kindness, we're also to embody the characteristics of

"compassion, . . . humility, gentleness and patience" (v. 12).

The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) grows in us because we have

the Spirit dwelling inside us; and this fruit is evidenced by God's love

for us flowing out to others - binding all these virtues

"together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:14).



Like the jogger, may we be on alert for opportunities to be kind - an

encouraging word, a thoughtful act, or even giving the shoes off our

feet - and as we do, let’s point to Jesus (v. 17).



Reflect & Pray



What effect has another's kindness had on you?

How might you show kindness to someone today?



Loving Father, please help me be attuned

to opportunities to spread Your love through

kind words and actions. I want to be more like You!



Consider three things we can learn from the kindness Jesus showed to everyday people.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 5 Called by Name



Isaiah 43:1



1 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.



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.



Eric, age 4, somehow lost his mother in a large and busy department store.

Found sobbing under a coat rack, the boy tried to tell the security guard

where he was when he got separated from his mother. Finally the guard said,

"what's your name, Son? Who do you belong to?"

The child brightened a bit, gave the guard his name, and within minutes

the frantic mother was reunited with her lost son.

One of the first questions we are asked, both as children and adults, is

"What is your name?" - that is, "Who are you? Who do you belong to?"

Children bear the name of their parents, and most women,

except for professional reasons,

take the name of their husbands when they marry.

Our names are our primary method of identification;

they connect us with our heritage and those we love.

In Isaiah 43:1, God declares that we belong to him.

The Lord who created us and formed us says,

"I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." God's

right of ownership in our lives extends beyond the bond of family and friends,

of parent, child, or spouse. We belong first to him;

we are called by him into oneness with him.

The Scripture is filled with images of the Lord's care for us;

when we are lost, he does

not wait for us to find him,

but takes the initiative, like a loving parent

to seek us out. That declaration of belonging can give us

a strong sense of security in our lives. God loves us;

he will never let us go.



Application



a) What experiences have I had of being lost of abandoned?



b) How can today's verse help me find security in belonging to God?



4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland



Deut 8:18



18 But you must remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you

the ability to get wealth, so that He may establish His covenant which

He swore to your fathers, as it is today.



18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee

power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto

thy fathers, as it is this day.



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



When you are lonely



PSALMS 25:15-21



15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for He will lead my feet from the net.

16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me,

for I am isolated and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

18 Look on my pain and misery,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many,

and they hate me with violent hatred.

20 Watch over my life, and deliver me!

Let me not suffer shame,

for I seek refuge in You.

21 Truth and integrity will preserve me

while I wait for You.



15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;

For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;

For I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:

O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

And forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:

Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;

For I wait on thee.



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, ...)

Day 345, 11 December 2025 - 19th Day of Advent



1) Titus 1, Titus 2, Titus 3



Titus 1



Salutation



1 (Ro 1:1; 1Ti 6:3) Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

according to the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth

which leads to godliness,

2 (2Ti 1:1; 1:9; Titus 2:13) in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot

lie, promised before the world began,

3 (1Ti 1:1; 1:1) 1and has in due time revealed His word through preaching,

with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior,

4 (2Ti 1:2; 2Co 2:13) To Titus, my own son in the common faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus

Christ our Savior.



[1] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the

faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after

godliness;

[2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the

world began;

[3] But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is

committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

[4] To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace,

from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.



Titus' Work in Crete



5 (Ac 14:23; 27:7) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should

set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city,

as I commanded you:

6 (1Ti 3:2-7; 3:12) any man who is blameless, the husband of one wife,

having faithful children who are not accused of being wild or unruly.

7 (Lk 12:42; 2Pe 2:10) For an overseer must be blameless, as a steward

of God, not self-willed, not easily angered, not given to drunkenness,

not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain,

8 (1Ti 3:2) but hospitable, a lover of what is good, self-controlled,

just, holy, temperate,

9 (1Ti 1:10; 2Th 2:15) holding firmly the trustworthy word that is in

accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort with

sound doctrine and to convince those who oppose it.

10 (1Ti 1:6; Ac 11:2) For there are many unruly men, empty talkers

and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

11 (2Ti 3:6; 1Ti 6:5) who must be silenced, who subvert whole houses

by teaching for dishonest gain things they ought not teach.

12 (Ac 17:28) One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "The Cretans are

always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons!"

13 (2Co 13:10; Titus 2:2) This witness is true. So rebuke them sharply

that they may be sound in the faith,

14 (Col 2:22; 2Ti 4:4) not paying attention to Jewish myths

and commandments of men who reject the truth.

15 (Ro 14:20; 14:23) To the pure, all things are pure.

But to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.

Even their minds and consciences are defiled.

16 (1Jn 2:4; Rev 21:8) They profess that they know God,

but in their deeds they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient,

and worthless for every good work.



[5] For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order

the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had

appointed thee:

[6] If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children

not accused of riot or unruly.

[7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled,

not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

[8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy,

temperate;

[9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be

able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially

they of the circumcision:

[11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things

which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

[12] One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are

alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

[13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be

sound in the faith;

[14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn

from the truth.

[15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and

unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

[16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being

abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.



Titus 2



The Teaching of Sound Doctrine



1 (1Ti 1:10; Titus 1:9) But as for you,

teach what is fitting of sound doctrine:

2 (1Ti 3:11; Titus 1:13) Older men should be sober, serious, temperate,

sound in faith, in love, in patience.

3 (1Ti 3:8; 3:11) Likewise, older women should be reverent in behaviour,

and not be false accusers, not be enslaved to much wine, but teachers

of good things,

4 (1Ti 5:14) that they may teach the young women to love their husbands,

to love their children,

5 (1Ti 6:1; Ge 3:16) and to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, good,

obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonoured.

6 (1Ti 5:1) Likewise, exhort young men to be self-controlled,

7 (1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 5:3) in all things presenting yourself as an example of good

works: in doctrine showing integrity, gravity, incorruptibility,

8 (1Pe 2:12; Ne 5:9) and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that

the one who opposes you may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, to please them well

in everything, not answering back,

10 (Mt 5:16; Titus 1:3) or stealing, but showing complete fidelity, so that

they may exemplify the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11 (1Ti 2:4; Ac 11:23) For the grace of God that brings salvation

has appeared to all men,

12 (Lk 1:75; Ro 6:19) teaching us that, denying ungodliness

and worldly desires, we should live soberly, righteously,

and in godliness in this present world,

13 (2Ti 4:8; Titus 1:2) as we await the blessed hope and the appearing

of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 (Eph 2:10; Heb 9:14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us

from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a special people,

zealous of good works.

15 (2Ti 4:2; 1Ti 5:20) Teach these things, exhort, and rebuke with all

authority. Let no one despise you.



[1] But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

[2] That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in

charity, in patience.

[3] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,

not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

[4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,

to love their children,

[5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own

husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

[6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

[7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine

shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

[8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary

part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

[9] Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please

them well in all things; not answering again;

[10] Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the

doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live

soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great

God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and

purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

[15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no

man despise thee.



Titus 3



Maintain Good Deeds



1 (2Ti 2:21; Ecc 10:4) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,

to obey them, to be ready for every good work,

2 (1Ti 3:3; 2Ti 2:24-25) to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious,

but gentle, showing all humility toward everyone.

3 (Col 3:7) We also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving

various desires and pleasures, living in evil and envy, filled with hatred

and hating each other.

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.

9 (2Ti 2:14; 2:23) But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, contentions,

and arguments about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.

10 (Ro 16:17; 2Jn 1:10) Reject a divisive man after a first and second

admonition,

11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.



[1] Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey

magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

[2] To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all

meekness unto all men.

[3] For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived,

serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and

hating one another.

[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man

appeared,

[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his

mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy

Ghost;

[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to

the hope of eternal life.

[8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm

constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to

maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

[9] But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and

strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

[10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

[11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned

of himself.



Personal Instructions and Greetings



12 (Ac 20:4; 2Ti 4:9) When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent

to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

13 (Ac 18:24; Mt 22:35) Diligently send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos

on their journey. See that they lack nothing.

14 (Php 1:11; Col 1:10) And let our people also learn to continue doing good

works to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unproductive.

15 (Col 4:18) All who are with me greet you.

Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.



[12] When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come

unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

[13] Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that

nothing be wanting unto them.

[14] And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that

they be not unfruitful.

[15] All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.