Day 328 of My 5th Bible Study Journey - 24 November 2025 reflections
Day 328, 24 November 2025
Today At
Calvary Community Church, Pastor Barry Reiger spoke on
Freedom in the Spirit
1) 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14
1 Corinthians 12
Spiritual Gifts
1 (1Co 14:37) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you
to be ignorant.
2 (Ps 115:5; 1Th 1:9) You know that you were Gentiles,
carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
3 (Jn 13:13; 1Jn 4:2-3) Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking
by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed!" And no one can say,
"Jesus is the Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4 (Heb 2:4; Ro 12:4-6) There are various gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 (1Co 15:28) There are various operations, but it is the same God
who operates all of them in all people.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to everyone for the common good.
8 (2Co 8:7; 1Co 1:5) To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom,
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit,
9 (2Co 4:13; 1Co 13:2) to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
10 (Mk 16:17; 1Jn 4:1; 1Co 12:28-30) to another the working of miracles,
to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits,
to another various kinds of tongues,
and to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 (1Co 12:4; 2Co 10:13) But that one and very same Spirit works all these,
dividing to each one individually as He will.
1 Corinthians 12
[1] Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
[2] Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even
as ye were led.
[3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit
of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the
Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which
worketh all in all.
[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal.
[8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the
word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by
the same Spirit;
[10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another
discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the
interpretation of tongues:
[11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.
One Body With Many Members
12 (1Co 12:27; 10:17) For as the body is one and has many parts,
and all the many parts of that one body are one body, so also is Christ.
13 (Jn 7:37-39; Gal 3:28) For by one Spirit we are all baptised
into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves
or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit.
14 The body is not one part, but many.
15 If the foot says, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,"
is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,"
is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
18 (1Co 12:11; 12:28) But now God has established the parts,
every one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 So there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you,"
nor the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
22 No, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
23 And those parts of the body which we think are less honorable,
upon these we bestow more abundant honor. And our less respectable
parts are treated with much more respect,
24 whereas our more respectable parts have no need of this.
But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honour
to that part which lacks it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body,
but that the parts should have the same care for one another.
26 (Ro 12:15) If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it,
and if one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.
27 (Ro 12:5; Eph 1:23) Now you are the body of Christ
and members individually.
28 (Heb 13:17; 13:24) God has put these in the church:
first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have the gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues?
Do all interpret?
31 (1Co 14:39)But earnestly covet the greater gifts.
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of
that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews
or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit.
[14] For the body is not one member, but many.
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body;
is it therefore not of the body?
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the
body; is it therefore not of the body?
[17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole
were hearing, where were the smelling?
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it
hath pleased him.
[19] And if they were all one member, where were the body?
[20] But now are they many members, yet but one body.
[21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again
the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
[22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble,
are necessary:
[23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable,
upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more
abundant comeliness.
[24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body
together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
[25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should
have the same care one for another.
[26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one
member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
[29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers
of miracles?
[30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all
interpret?
[31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more
excellent way.
Love
Yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 13
1 (2Co 12:4) If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
and have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 (Mt 17:20; 21:21) If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand
all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 (Col 3:12; Pr 10:12) Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not;
love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up,
5 (1Co 10:24; Php 2:21) does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own,
is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
6 (2Jn 1:4; Ro 1:32) rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 (1Co 13:4) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
and endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail;
if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge,
it shall vanish.
9 (1Co 8:2; 13:12) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is imperfect
shall pass away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
and I thought as a child. But when I became a man,
I put away childish things.
12 (2Co 5:7; 1Jn 3:2) For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then,
face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know,
even as I also am known.
13 (Gal 5:6; 1Co 16:14; 1Pe 1:21) So now abide faith, hope, and love,
these three. But the greatest of these is love.
[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil;
[6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
[7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things.
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of
these is charity.
1 Corinthians 14
Tongues and Prophecy
1 (1Co 12:1; 14:39) Follow after love and desire spiritual gifts,
but especially that you may prophesy.
2 (1Co 13:2; Mk 16:17) For he who speaks in an unknown tongue
does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him,
although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.
3 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:12) But he who prophesies speaks to men
for their edification and exhortation and comfort.
4 (Mk 16:17; 1Co 14:3) He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself,
but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 (1Co 12:10; Mk 16:17) I desire that you all speak in tongues,
but even more that you prophesy. For greater is he who prophesies
than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets,
so that the church may receive edification.
6 (Eph 1:17; Ro 6:17) Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues,
what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation or knowledge
or prophesying or doctrine?
7 Even when things without life give sound, whether flute or harp,
how will it be known what is played unless they give a distinction
in the sounds?
8 (Nu 10:9; Jer 4:19) If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound,
who will prepare himself for the battle?
9 (1Co 9:26) So also you, unless with the tongue you speak words
easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?
For you shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world,
and none of them is without significance.
11 (Ac 28:2) Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the speech,
I shall be a barbarian to him who speaks,
and he who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12 (1Co 14:26) So, seeing that you are zealous of spiritual gifts,
seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 (1Co 14:2) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays,
but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 (Col 3:16; Ps 47:7) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit,
and I will pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit,
and I will sing with the understanding.
16 (1Ch 16:36; Ps 106:48) Otherwise, when you bless with the spirit,
how will he who occupies the place of the unlearned say "Amen"
at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say?
17 (1Co 14:4) For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all.
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also,
than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 (Ro 16:19; Ps 119:99) Brothers, do not be children in your thinking;
rather be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
21 (Jn 10:34; Isa 28:11-12) In the law it is written:
"With men of other tongues
and other lips
I will speak to this people;
but even then they will not hear Me,"(Isa 28:11-12.)
says the Lord.
22 (Mk 16:17) So tongues are for a sign, not to believers,
but to unbelievers. But prophesying does not serve unbelievers, but believers.
23 (Ac 2:13) Therefore if the whole church assembles in one place
and all speak with tongues, and those who are unlearned
or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24 But if all prophesy and there comes in one who does not believe
or one unlearned, he is convinced by all and judged by all.
25 (Isa 45:14; Zec 8:23) Thus the secrets of his heart are revealed.
And so falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God
is truly among you.
1 Corinthians 14
[1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.
[2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries.
[3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.
[4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.
[5] I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied:
for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
[6] Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by
knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
[7] And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except
they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped
or harped?
[8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to
the battle?
[9] So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into
the air.
[10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of
them is without signification.
[11] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him
that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto
me.
[12] Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that
ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
[13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may
interpret.
[14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my
understanding is unfruitful.
[15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
[16] Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth
the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he
understandeth not what thou sayest?
[17] For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
[18] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
[19] Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an
unknown tongue.
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will
I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith
the Lord.
[22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them
that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but
for them which believe.
[23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
[24] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one
unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
[25] And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling
down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a
truth.
All Things to Be Done in Order
26 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 12:7-10) How is it then, brothers? When you come together,
every one of you has a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation,
and an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two,
or at the most by three, and each in turn, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him remain silent in the church,
and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 (1Co 12:10) Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30 (1Th 5:19-20) If anything is revealed to another that sits by,
let the first keep silent.
31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn
and all may be encouraged.
32 (1Jn 4:1) The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 (1Co 7:17; 4:17) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,
as in all churches of the saints.
34 (1Ti 2:11-12; Ge 3:16) Let your women remain silent in the churches.
For they are not permitted to speak. They are commanded to be
under obedience, as the law also says.
35 If they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home,
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? Did the word of God come from you? Or did it come to you only?
37 (2Co 10:7; 1Jn 4:6) If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet
or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is
a command of the Lord.
38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 (1Co 12:31; 14:1) Therefore, brothers, eagerly desire to prophesy,
and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 (Col 2:5) Let all things be done decently and in order.
[26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a
psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most
by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and
let him speak to himself, and to God.
[29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
[30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold
his peace.
[31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be
comforted.
[32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
[33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.
[34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also
saith the law.
[35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
[36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
[37] If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of
the Lord.
[38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
[39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with
tongues.
[40] Let all things be done decently and in order.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 November 2025 titled
Hope in the Waiting by
Tom Felten
Jeremiah 25:4-11
ising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined
your ear to hear.
5 (Jer 7:7; Ge 17:8) They said, "Turn now again everyone from his evil way
and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell in the land that the Lord has
given to you and to your fathers forever and ever.
6 (Dt 8:19; 6:14) And do not go after other gods to serve them
and to worship them, and provoke Me not to anger
with the works of your hands; and I will do you no harm."
7 (2Ki 21:15; Dt 32:21) Yet you have not listened to Me, says the Lord,
that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands
to your own harm.
8 Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts: Because you have not obeyed My words,
9 (Jer 1:15; 18:16) I will send and take all the families of the north,
says the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant,
and will bring them against this land and its inhabitants,
and against all these surrounding nations; I will utterly destroy them,
and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.
10 (Jer 7:34; Eze 26:13) Moreover I will take from them the voice of laughter
and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the candle.
11 (Da 9:2; 2Ch 36:21-22) This whole land shall be a desolation
and an astonishment, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon
seventy years.
[4] And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising
early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to
hear.
[5] They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the
evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you
and to your fathers for ever and ever:
[6] And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and
provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no
hurt.
[7] Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke
me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
[8] Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my
words,
[9] Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the
LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring
them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against
all
these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an
astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
[10] Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of
gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound
of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
[11] And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and
these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
Alida took a DNA test in 2020 and discovered a strong match to a man living on
the opposite coast of the US. Later, she and her daughters found news articles
from the 1950s that led them to conclude that the man was Alid'’s long-lost
uncle, Luis! He'd been abducted from a park in 1951 when he was six years old.
That DNA test, taken seventy years after Luis' disappearance, eventually led
to a happy reunion with his biological family members. Alida said,
"With [our] story out there, it could help other
families . . . . I would say, don't give up."
Seventy years is a long time to keep hope alive. Jeremiah and the people
of Judah must have been heartbroken and fearful when God said they would
"serve the king of Babylon seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11). But they hadn't
listened to God and turned from their "evil ways and . . . practices" (v. 5),
which had deformed them into "an object of horror and scorn" (v. 9).
The people were condemned more than thirty times in Jeremiah for not listening
to Him. Seventy years might have felt like forever, but God would be with
them, and He promised that the hard season would eventually end (29:10).
As we face challenging seasons that seem to go on and on, let's remember that
while we may struggle to trust God, He promises that He's with us and loves
us (30:11). As we listen to Him and wait expectantly, we can find hope.
Reflect & Pray
How is it possible to endure difficult times?
Where can you find comfort in God’s promises?
Loving God, please help me find hope in You.
Find out how you can find comfort in who God is and what He says He will do.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 2 - The Right of Family
John 1:11-12
11 (Jn 3:32) He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 (Gal 3:26; 1Jn 3:23) Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power
to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name,
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
"Dad, can I ask you something?" Jimmy leaned across the back of his
father's chair. His father lowered the newspaper and reached around,
settling Jimmy on his lap.
"Sure. Son," he answered. "You can ask me anything you want. The answer
might not be Yes, but you always have the right to ask."
For many who have grown up in homes where the father was absent, or when
present, abusive or silent, the scenario of Jimmy and his father may
seem unrealistic. Often we aren't given the right by our parents to ask
what we want, to communicate openly, to express our needs and desires.
But god clearly indicates that no matter what our human families have been
like, in his family there are no barriers to belonging,
to open communications. When we commit our lives to Christ and submit to his
lordship, we have the right to become the sons and daughters of God.
In Christ, we have the right to approach him, to pray, to seek wisdom,
to ask advice, to make requests, to verbalise our needs and desires. We don't
have to be afraid of sounding stupid or being rejected, because in Christ
we belong to him, and he loves us.
The KJV uses the word "power" in verse 12 - "to them gave he power to become
the sons of God." Power implies ability, that we are equipped by the Spirit
to be children of the King. We have the right and we have the power to become
who God has called us to be - his children.
Application
a) Under what circumstances in my life have I felt that I didn't
have the right to express my wishes or feelings?
b) How do today's verses give me confidence in approaching God?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 16:10-12
10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful
also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also
in much.
11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who will give you that which is your own?"
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:
and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who shall give you that which is your own?
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Reconciling Peace
Col 3:12-17
12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.
13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another
and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,
even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.
14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,
which is the bond of perfection.
15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,
to which also you are called in one body,
rule in your hearts. And be thankful.
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have
a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
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
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto
us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
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 2
Phillippians 2:6-7
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
From C.S. Lewis a Grand Miracle
"The Eternal Being, who knows everything and who created the whole universe,
became mot only a man but (before that) a baby, and before that a fetus inside
a Woman's body. If you want to get the hang of it, think how you would like
to become a slug or a crab." -C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity p.179
The Distance He traveled
My longest trip took me from the Midwestern USA to the Southeast Asian
city of Singapore, a distance of 9290 miles as the crow files.
Astronauts have traveled almost 250 000 miles , the distance from
Earth to the moon. Since 1977, Voyager 2 has traveled to 4 planets
and their moons, passing Neptune in 1989 and moving beyond the solar system.
Today it is more than 8 000 000 000 miles from the Sun.
God traveled even further than that, although we're not measuring
the distance in miles. The infinite Creator stepped inside an unborn baby,
the weakest of humans. Paul says it this way,
"who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
But He emptied Himself," That's a long trip, from majesty to humility,
from deity to humanity, from God to God-man.
For God to make himself nothing is to travel from the infinite ot the finite.
Try as we might, we cannot fully comprehend that distance. The best
we can do is to make comparisons. Lewis compares the Incarnation of God
to the idea of becoming a slug or a crab. That brings a smile to our faces.
That would be a huge distance to travel, a humbling of oneself,
changing from human to animal. I can't really imagine it. Can you?
What Jesus did is all the more remarkable.
Jesus, Immanuel, Thank You for going the distance to
become one of us, God with us. Amen.
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
FIRST Monday OF ADVENT
Credentials
Luke 1:5-7
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest
named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And his wife was
of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were now well advanced in years.
Luke, the historian, want to inform us that Zechariah was
a real man. He places him carefully in the datable reign
of King Herald of Judea and in the priestly order of Abijah.
To add to his credentials, Luke tells us that Zechariah's wife
Elizabath was also of the Aaronic priestly order. Not only were
they righteous, but they were blameless in following all the
Lord's precepts. We know that no one is perfect, for "All have sinned"
(Romans 3:23), but they had done their best to keep God's statutes
and had come as close to rectitude as possible for human beings.
So what went wrong? Why is Elizabeth barren and looked down on in
and by their culture for being so? Is their goodness not
sufficient to merit God's favour? No, and none of ours is.
Rather this text and its emphasis on her growing older is
setting us up for an extraordinary divine intervention.
Isn't it arresting that God blows the rules of nature to
accomplish his purposes?
Prayer
God , thank you for beginning this Advent with you astonishing
- and love-inducing- works! Amen.
The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
Ps 130:5-6
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I wait for the Lord, with bated breath I wait;
I long for His Word!
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANEW!
We may find it hard to wait for Christmas to come, especially since
we have been hearing Christmas carols in the shopping malls since
Labour Day and seeing smiling stuffed Santas on neighbourhood lawns
since Halloween! but in a way, that's all right, because it helps us to remind
ourselves that the Lord comes to us anew each day, to renew us anew in out Baptism!
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I wait for the Lord, with bated breath I wait;
I long for His Word!
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
Seeing advent anew occurs when we do more watching and waiting for
God's presence and promise in and around us and when we do less
waiting and worrying about peripheral things. Watch and wait to see how
the weighty issues of worries, woes and wars fall into new and refreshing
ways of looking at life in the Lord! Advent renews us to remember that
Christ came to us in the manger ... that Christ will come again ...
and that Christ comes to us each day - in water and Word, in words and
wonders, in wows and other winsome ways.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for calling us to be your AH-HA people. Thanks for refreshing
is anew with your love, your forgiveness and your precious presence among us.
It's a new day, Lord, in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to use the Gifts that The Lord has given to you
lovingly and and a wise manner before Him.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, please help me find hope in You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand you
can approach the Lord who gives you power.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be trustworthy in small and big responsibilities.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be of help in the brethren.
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray Jesus, Immanuel, Thank You for going the distance to
become one of us, God with us. Amen.
Pray God , thank you for beginning this Advent with you astonishing
- and love-inducing- works! Amen.
Pray Lord, thanks for calling us to be your AH-HA people. Thanks for refreshing
is anew with your love, your forgiveness and your precious presence among us.
It's a new day, Lord, in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen
Pray for the successful distribution of Christian resources in Egypt,
including print and digital Bibles.
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.
Today At
Calvary Community Church, Pastor Barry Reiger spoke on
Freedom in the Spirit
1) 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14
1 Corinthians 12
Spiritual Gifts
1 (1Co 14:37) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you
to be ignorant.
2 (Ps 115:5; 1Th 1:9) You know that you were Gentiles,
carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
3 (Jn 13:13; 1Jn 4:2-3) Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking
by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed!" And no one can say,
"Jesus is the Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4 (Heb 2:4; Ro 12:4-6) There are various gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 (1Co 15:28) There are various operations, but it is the same God
who operates all of them in all people.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to everyone for the common good.
8 (2Co 8:7; 1Co 1:5) To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom,
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit,
9 (2Co 4:13; 1Co 13:2) to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
10 (Mk 16:17; 1Jn 4:1; 1Co 12:28-30) to another the working of miracles,
to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits,
to another various kinds of tongues,
and to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 (1Co 12:4; 2Co 10:13) But that one and very same Spirit works all these,
dividing to each one individually as He will.
1 Corinthians 12
[1] Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
[2] Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even
as ye were led.
[3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit
of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the
Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which
worketh all in all.
[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal.
[8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the
word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by
the same Spirit;
[10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another
discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the
interpretation of tongues:
[11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.
One Body With Many Members
12 (1Co 12:27; 10:17) For as the body is one and has many parts,
and all the many parts of that one body are one body, so also is Christ.
13 (Jn 7:37-39; Gal 3:28) For by one Spirit we are all baptised
into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves
or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit.
14 The body is not one part, but many.
15 If the foot says, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,"
is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,"
is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
18 (1Co 12:11; 12:28) But now God has established the parts,
every one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 So there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you,"
nor the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
22 No, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
23 And those parts of the body which we think are less honorable,
upon these we bestow more abundant honor. And our less respectable
parts are treated with much more respect,
24 whereas our more respectable parts have no need of this.
But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honour
to that part which lacks it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body,
but that the parts should have the same care for one another.
26 (Ro 12:15) If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it,
and if one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.
27 (Ro 12:5; Eph 1:23) Now you are the body of Christ
and members individually.
28 (Heb 13:17; 13:24) God has put these in the church:
first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have the gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues?
Do all interpret?
31 (1Co 14:39)But earnestly covet the greater gifts.
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of
that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews
or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit.
[14] For the body is not one member, but many.
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body;
is it therefore not of the body?
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the
body; is it therefore not of the body?
[17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole
were hearing, where were the smelling?
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it
hath pleased him.
[19] And if they were all one member, where were the body?
[20] But now are they many members, yet but one body.
[21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again
the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
[22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble,
are necessary:
[23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable,
upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more
abundant comeliness.
[24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body
together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
[25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should
have the same care one for another.
[26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one
member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
[29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers
of miracles?
[30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all
interpret?
[31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more
excellent way.
Love
Yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 13
1 (2Co 12:4) If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
and have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 (Mt 17:20; 21:21) If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand
all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 (Col 3:12; Pr 10:12) Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not;
love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up,
5 (1Co 10:24; Php 2:21) does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own,
is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
6 (2Jn 1:4; Ro 1:32) rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 (1Co 13:4) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
and endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail;
if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge,
it shall vanish.
9 (1Co 8:2; 13:12) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is imperfect
shall pass away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
and I thought as a child. But when I became a man,
I put away childish things.
12 (2Co 5:7; 1Jn 3:2) For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then,
face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know,
even as I also am known.
13 (Gal 5:6; 1Co 16:14; 1Pe 1:21) So now abide faith, hope, and love,
these three. But the greatest of these is love.
[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil;
[6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
[7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things.
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of
these is charity.
1 Corinthians 14
Tongues and Prophecy
1 (1Co 12:1; 14:39) Follow after love and desire spiritual gifts,
but especially that you may prophesy.
2 (1Co 13:2; Mk 16:17) For he who speaks in an unknown tongue
does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him,
although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.
3 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:12) But he who prophesies speaks to men
for their edification and exhortation and comfort.
4 (Mk 16:17; 1Co 14:3) He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself,
but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 (1Co 12:10; Mk 16:17) I desire that you all speak in tongues,
but even more that you prophesy. For greater is he who prophesies
than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets,
so that the church may receive edification.
6 (Eph 1:17; Ro 6:17) Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues,
what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation or knowledge
or prophesying or doctrine?
7 Even when things without life give sound, whether flute or harp,
how will it be known what is played unless they give a distinction
in the sounds?
8 (Nu 10:9; Jer 4:19) If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound,
who will prepare himself for the battle?
9 (1Co 9:26) So also you, unless with the tongue you speak words
easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?
For you shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world,
and none of them is without significance.
11 (Ac 28:2) Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the speech,
I shall be a barbarian to him who speaks,
and he who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12 (1Co 14:26) So, seeing that you are zealous of spiritual gifts,
seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 (1Co 14:2) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays,
but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 (Col 3:16; Ps 47:7) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit,
and I will pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit,
and I will sing with the understanding.
16 (1Ch 16:36; Ps 106:48) Otherwise, when you bless with the spirit,
how will he who occupies the place of the unlearned say "Amen"
at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say?
17 (1Co 14:4) For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all.
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also,
than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 (Ro 16:19; Ps 119:99) Brothers, do not be children in your thinking;
rather be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
21 (Jn 10:34; Isa 28:11-12) In the law it is written:
"With men of other tongues
and other lips
I will speak to this people;
but even then they will not hear Me,"(Isa 28:11-12.)
says the Lord.
22 (Mk 16:17) So tongues are for a sign, not to believers,
but to unbelievers. But prophesying does not serve unbelievers, but believers.
23 (Ac 2:13) Therefore if the whole church assembles in one place
and all speak with tongues, and those who are unlearned
or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24 But if all prophesy and there comes in one who does not believe
or one unlearned, he is convinced by all and judged by all.
25 (Isa 45:14; Zec 8:23) Thus the secrets of his heart are revealed.
And so falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God
is truly among you.
1 Corinthians 14
[1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.
[2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries.
[3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.
[4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.
[5] I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied:
for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
[6] Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by
knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
[7] And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except
they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped
or harped?
[8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to
the battle?
[9] So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into
the air.
[10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of
them is without signification.
[11] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him
that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto
me.
[12] Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that
ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
[13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may
interpret.
[14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my
understanding is unfruitful.
[15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
[16] Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth
the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he
understandeth not what thou sayest?
[17] For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
[18] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
[19] Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an
unknown tongue.
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will
I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith
the Lord.
[22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them
that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but
for them which believe.
[23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
[24] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one
unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
[25] And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling
down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a
truth.
All Things to Be Done in Order
26 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 12:7-10) How is it then, brothers? When you come together,
every one of you has a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation,
and an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two,
or at the most by three, and each in turn, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him remain silent in the church,
and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 (1Co 12:10) Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30 (1Th 5:19-20) If anything is revealed to another that sits by,
let the first keep silent.
31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn
and all may be encouraged.
32 (1Jn 4:1) The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 (1Co 7:17; 4:17) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,
as in all churches of the saints.
34 (1Ti 2:11-12; Ge 3:16) Let your women remain silent in the churches.
For they are not permitted to speak. They are commanded to be
under obedience, as the law also says.
35 If they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home,
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? Did the word of God come from you? Or did it come to you only?
37 (2Co 10:7; 1Jn 4:6) If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet
or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is
a command of the Lord.
38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 (1Co 12:31; 14:1) Therefore, brothers, eagerly desire to prophesy,
and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 (Col 2:5) Let all things be done decently and in order.
[26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a
psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most
by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and
let him speak to himself, and to God.
[29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
[30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold
his peace.
[31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be
comforted.
[32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
[33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.
[34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also
saith the law.
[35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
[36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
[37] If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of
the Lord.
[38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
[39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with
tongues.
[40] Let all things be done decently and in order.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 November 2025 titled
Hope in the Waiting by
Tom Felten
Jeremiah 25:4-11
ising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined
your ear to hear.
5 (Jer 7:7; Ge 17:8) They said, "Turn now again everyone from his evil way
and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell in the land that the Lord has
given to you and to your fathers forever and ever.
6 (Dt 8:19; 6:14) And do not go after other gods to serve them
and to worship them, and provoke Me not to anger
with the works of your hands; and I will do you no harm."
7 (2Ki 21:15; Dt 32:21) Yet you have not listened to Me, says the Lord,
that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands
to your own harm.
8 Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts: Because you have not obeyed My words,
9 (Jer 1:15; 18:16) I will send and take all the families of the north,
says the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant,
and will bring them against this land and its inhabitants,
and against all these surrounding nations; I will utterly destroy them,
and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.
10 (Jer 7:34; Eze 26:13) Moreover I will take from them the voice of laughter
and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the candle.
11 (Da 9:2; 2Ch 36:21-22) This whole land shall be a desolation
and an astonishment, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon
seventy years.
[4] And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising
early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to
hear.
[5] They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the
evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you
and to your fathers for ever and ever:
[6] And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and
provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no
hurt.
[7] Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke
me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
[8] Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my
words,
[9] Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the
LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring
them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against
all
these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an
astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
[10] Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of
gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound
of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
[11] And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and
these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
Alida took a DNA test in 2020 and discovered a strong match to a man living on
the opposite coast of the US. Later, she and her daughters found news articles
from the 1950s that led them to conclude that the man was Alid'’s long-lost
uncle, Luis! He'd been abducted from a park in 1951 when he was six years old.
That DNA test, taken seventy years after Luis' disappearance, eventually led
to a happy reunion with his biological family members. Alida said,
"With [our] story out there, it could help other
families . . . . I would say, don't give up."
Seventy years is a long time to keep hope alive. Jeremiah and the people
of Judah must have been heartbroken and fearful when God said they would
"serve the king of Babylon seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11). But they hadn't
listened to God and turned from their "evil ways and . . . practices" (v. 5),
which had deformed them into "an object of horror and scorn" (v. 9).
The people were condemned more than thirty times in Jeremiah for not listening
to Him. Seventy years might have felt like forever, but God would be with
them, and He promised that the hard season would eventually end (29:10).
As we face challenging seasons that seem to go on and on, let's remember that
while we may struggle to trust God, He promises that He's with us and loves
us (30:11). As we listen to Him and wait expectantly, we can find hope.
Reflect & Pray
How is it possible to endure difficult times?
Where can you find comfort in God’s promises?
Loving God, please help me find hope in You.
Find out how you can find comfort in who God is and what He says He will do.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and Forever - Day 2 - The Right of Family
John 1:11-12
11 (Jn 3:32) He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 (Gal 3:26; 1Jn 3:23) Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power
to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name,
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
"Dad, can I ask you something?" Jimmy leaned across the back of his
father's chair. His father lowered the newspaper and reached around,
settling Jimmy on his lap.
"Sure. Son," he answered. "You can ask me anything you want. The answer
might not be Yes, but you always have the right to ask."
For many who have grown up in homes where the father was absent, or when
present, abusive or silent, the scenario of Jimmy and his father may
seem unrealistic. Often we aren't given the right by our parents to ask
what we want, to communicate openly, to express our needs and desires.
But god clearly indicates that no matter what our human families have been
like, in his family there are no barriers to belonging,
to open communications. When we commit our lives to Christ and submit to his
lordship, we have the right to become the sons and daughters of God.
In Christ, we have the right to approach him, to pray, to seek wisdom,
to ask advice, to make requests, to verbalise our needs and desires. We don't
have to be afraid of sounding stupid or being rejected, because in Christ
we belong to him, and he loves us.
The KJV uses the word "power" in verse 12 - "to them gave he power to become
the sons of God." Power implies ability, that we are equipped by the Spirit
to be children of the King. We have the right and we have the power to become
who God has called us to be - his children.
Application
a) Under what circumstances in my life have I felt that I didn't
have the right to express my wishes or feelings?
b) How do today's verses give me confidence in approaching God?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 16:10-12
10 (Mt 25:21; Lk 19:17) "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful
also in much. And he who is dishonest in the least is dishonest also
in much.
11 So if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who will give you that which is your own?"
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:
and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who shall give you that which is your own?
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Reconciling Peace
Col 3:12-17
12 (Eph 4:2; Lk 1:78) So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.
13 (Eph 4:32; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:2) Bear with one another
and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone,
even as Christ forgave you, so you must do.
14 (Eph 4:3; 1Co 13:1-13) And above all these things, embrace love,
which is the bond of perfection.
15 (Jn 14:27; Eph 5:20) Let the peace of God,
to which also you are called in one body,
rule in your hearts. And be thankful.
16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17 ) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 (1Co 10:31; Eph 5:20 ) And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have
a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
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
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto
us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
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 2
Phillippians 2:6-7
6 (Jn 5:18; 10:33) who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
7 (Mt 20:28; Jn 1:14) But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
From C.S. Lewis a Grand Miracle
"The Eternal Being, who knows everything and who created the whole universe,
became mot only a man but (before that) a baby, and before that a fetus inside
a Woman's body. If you want to get the hang of it, think how you would like
to become a slug or a crab." -C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity p.179
The Distance He traveled
My longest trip took me from the Midwestern USA to the Southeast Asian
city of Singapore, a distance of 9290 miles as the crow files.
Astronauts have traveled almost 250 000 miles , the distance from
Earth to the moon. Since 1977, Voyager 2 has traveled to 4 planets
and their moons, passing Neptune in 1989 and moving beyond the solar system.
Today it is more than 8 000 000 000 miles from the Sun.
God traveled even further than that, although we're not measuring
the distance in miles. The infinite Creator stepped inside an unborn baby,
the weakest of humans. Paul says it this way,
"who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
But He emptied Himself," That's a long trip, from majesty to humility,
from deity to humanity, from God to God-man.
For God to make himself nothing is to travel from the infinite ot the finite.
Try as we might, we cannot fully comprehend that distance. The best
we can do is to make comparisons. Lewis compares the Incarnation of God
to the idea of becoming a slug or a crab. That brings a smile to our faces.
That would be a huge distance to travel, a humbling of oneself,
changing from human to animal. I can't really imagine it. Can you?
What Jesus did is all the more remarkable.
Jesus, Immanuel, Thank You for going the distance to
become one of us, God with us. Amen.
From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn
FIRST Monday OF ADVENT
Credentials
Luke 1:5-7
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest
named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And his wife was
of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were now well advanced in years.
Luke, the historian, want to inform us that Zechariah was
a real man. He places him carefully in the datable reign
of King Herald of Judea and in the priestly order of Abijah.
To add to his credentials, Luke tells us that Zechariah's wife
Elizabath was also of the Aaronic priestly order. Not only were
they righteous, but they were blameless in following all the
Lord's precepts. We know that no one is perfect, for "All have sinned"
(Romans 3:23), but they had done their best to keep God's statutes
and had come as close to rectitude as possible for human beings.
So what went wrong? Why is Elizabeth barren and looked down on in
and by their culture for being so? Is their goodness not
sufficient to merit God's favour? No, and none of ours is.
Rather this text and its emphasis on her growing older is
setting us up for an extraordinary divine intervention.
Isn't it arresting that God blows the rules of nature to
accomplish his purposes?
Prayer
God , thank you for beginning this Advent with you astonishing
- and love-inducing- works! Amen.
The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler
Ps 130:5-6
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I wait for the Lord, with bated breath I wait;
I long for His Word!
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANEW!
We may find it hard to wait for Christmas to come, especially since
we have been hearing Christmas carols in the shopping malls since
Labour Day and seeing smiling stuffed Santas on neighbourhood lawns
since Halloween! but in a way, that's all right, because it helps us to remind
ourselves that the Lord comes to us anew each day, to renew us anew in out Baptism!
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I wait for the Lord, with bated breath I wait;
I long for His Word!
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
Seeing advent anew occurs when we do more watching and waiting for
God's presence and promise in and around us and when we do less
waiting and worrying about peripheral things. Watch and wait to see how
the weighty issues of worries, woes and wars fall into new and refreshing
ways of looking at life in the Lord! Advent renews us to remember that
Christ came to us in the manger ... that Christ will come again ...
and that Christ comes to us each day - in water and Word, in words and
wonders, in wows and other winsome ways.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for calling us to be your AH-HA people. Thanks for refreshing
is anew with your love, your forgiveness and your precious presence among us.
It's a new day, Lord, in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to use the Gifts that The Lord has given to you
lovingly and and a wise manner before Him.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, please help me find hope in You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to understand you
can approach the Lord who gives you power.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be trustworthy in small and big responsibilities.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be of help in the brethren.
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray Jesus, Immanuel, Thank You for going the distance to
become one of us, God with us. Amen.
Pray God , thank you for beginning this Advent with you astonishing
- and love-inducing- works! Amen.
Pray Lord, thanks for calling us to be your AH-HA people. Thanks for refreshing
is anew with your love, your forgiveness and your precious presence among us.
It's a new day, Lord, in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen
Pray for the successful distribution of Christian resources in Egypt,
including print and digital Bibles.
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.
.