Day 336, 1 December 2024 - 8th Day of Advent



Today at Calvary Community

Church, Jodran Regier spoke on Freedom to Love



Galatians 5:13-26



Christian Freedom



13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.

Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 (Lev 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:18-19) For the entire law is fulfilled

in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

(Lev 19:18.)

15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that

you are not consumed by one another.



[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love

thy neighbour as thyself.

[15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not

consumed one of another.



Spiritual Fruit and Fleshly Works



16 (Eph 2:3; Ro 8:4-5) I say then, walk in the Spirit,

and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17 (Ro 8:5-8; 8:13) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh. These are in opposition

to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18 (Ro 8:14) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 (Mt 15:18-19; 1Co 3:3) Now the works of the flesh are revealed,

which are these: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy,

rage, selfishness, dissensions, heresies,

21 (Ro 13:13; 1Co 6:9-10) envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing,

and the like. I warn you, as I previously warned you,

that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 (Eph 5:9; Ro 7:4) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 (Ac 24:25; 1Ti 1:9) meekness, and self-control; against

such there is no law.

24 (Ro 6:6; Gal 6:14) Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh

with its passions and lusts.



[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust

of the flesh.

[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the

flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the

things that ye would.

[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,

fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,

seditions, heresies,

[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which

I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do

such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

[24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections

and lusts.



Galatians 5:13



13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.

Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.



[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.



Question : What do we do with this new found freedom?



13 (1Co 8:9; 9:19) You, brothers, have been called to liberty.

Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 (Lev 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:18-19) For the entire law is fulfilled

in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

(Lev 19:18.)



[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love

thy neighbour as thyself.



Answer: Love your neighbour



So What is Love?



Matthew 22:35-40



The Great Commandment

Mk 12:28-34; Lk 10:25-28



35 (Lk 7:30; 14:3) One of them, who was a lawyer, tested Him by asking Him,

36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

37 (Dt 6:5; Lk 10:27) Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God

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

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 (Lev 19:18; Mt 19:19; Gal 5:14) And the second is like it:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (Lev 19:18.)

40 (Mt 7:12) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."



[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting

him, and saying,

[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy

heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

[38] This is the first and great commandment.

[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as

thyself.

[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.



Romans 13:8-10



Brotherly Love



8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 (Lev 19:18; Mt 19:18-19; Ex 20:12-17) For the commandments,

"You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal,

You shall not give false testimony, You shall not covet,"

(Ex 20:13-15, 17; Dt 5:17-19, 21.) and if there are any other commandments,

are summed up in this saying,

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."(Ps 18:49.)

10 (Ro 13:8) Love works no evil to a neighbor. Therefore love is

the fulfillment of the law.



[8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth

another hath fulfilled the law.

[9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou

shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;

and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this

saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling

of the law.



1 John 3:16-19



16 (Php 2:17; Jn 3:16) By this we know the love of God: that He laid down

His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 (1Jn 4:20; Heb 13:16) Whoever has the world's goods and sees

his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him,

how can the love of God remain in him?

18 (1Jn 2:1; Ro 12:9) My little children, let us love not in word

and speech, but in action and truth.



[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for

us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

[17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and

shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in

deed and in truth.



Confidence Before God



19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall reassure our hearts

before Him.



[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our

hearts before him.



Galatians 3:15



15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that

you are not consumed by one another.



[15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not

consumed one of another.



Matthew 5:43-48



Love for Enemies

Lk 6:27-28, 32-36



43 (Lev 19:18; Dt 23:6) "You have heard that it was said,

'You shall love your neighbor [Lev 19:18.] and hate your enemy.'

44 (Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60) But I say to you, love your enemies,

bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,

and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45 (Mt 5:9; Lk 6:35) that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good

and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 (Mt 5:20) And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing

more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

48 (Lev 19:2; Col 1:28) Therefore be perfect, even as your Father

who is in heaven is perfect.



[43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

and hate thine enemy.

[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do

good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he

maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the

just and on the unjust.

[46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even

the publicans the same?

[47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do

not even the publicans so?

[48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is

perfect.



How Do we love this way?



1 John 4:16-19



16 (1Jn 3:24; 3:1) And we have come to know and to believe the love

that God has for us.

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

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

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

in this world.

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

fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect

in love.

19 (1Jn 4:10; Lk 7:47) We love Him because He first loved us.



[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is

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

[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day

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

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

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

[19] We love him, because he first loved us.



Galatians 5:22-23



22 (Eph 5:9; Ro 7:4) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 (Ac 24:25; 1Ti 1:9) meekness, and self-control; against

such there is no law.



[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.



John 13:34-35



34 (Lev 19:18; Eph 5:2) "A new commandment I give to you,

that you love one another, even as I have loved you,

that you also love one another.

35 (Jn 17:21) By this all men will know that you are My disciples,

if you have love for one another."



[34] The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ

abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who

is this Son of man?

[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that

walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.



Matthew 25:34-40



34 (Jas 2:5; Lk 12:32) "Then the King will say to those at His right hand,

'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you

since the foundation of the world.

35 (Eze 18:7; 18:16) For I was hungry and you gave Me food,

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in.

36 (Jas 1:27; Heb 10:34) I was naked and you clothed Me,

I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry

and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?'

40 (Mt 10:42; Pr 19:17) "The King will answer, 'Truly I say to you,

as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine,

you have done it for Me.'



[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed

of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of

the world:

[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave

me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in

prison, and ye came unto me.

[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an

hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed

thee?

[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye

have done it unto me.



1 John 3:16-19



16 (Php 2:17; Jn 3:16) By this we know the love of God: that He laid down

His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 (1Jn 4:20; Heb 13:16) Whoever has the world's goods and sees

his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him,

how can the love of God remain in him?

18 (1Jn 2:1; Ro 12:9) My little children, let us love not in word

and speech, but in action and truth.



[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for

us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

[17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and

shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in

deed and in truth.



Confidence Before God



19 By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall reassure our hearts

before Him.



[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our

hearts before him.



1) 2 Corinthians 1 , 2 Corinthians 2 , 2 Corinthians 3 , 2 Corinthians 4



2 Corinthians 1



Salutation



1 (Eph 1:1; 2Ti 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ

by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth,

with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 (Ro 1:7) Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.



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

brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints

which are in all Achaia:

[2] Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus

Christ.



Paul's Thanksgiving After Affliction



3 (Eph 1:3; 1Pe 1:3; Ro 15:5-6) Blessed be God, the Father

of our Lord ­Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort,

4 (Isa 51:12; 2Co 7:6-7) who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble

by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 (Col 1:24; Php 3:10) As the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

6 (2Ti 2:10) If we are afflicted, it is for your consolation

and salvation, which is effective in enduring the same

sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted,

it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that as you partake

in the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

8 (1Co 15:32) For we would not, brothers, have you ignorant

of our troubles which came to us in Asia. We were pressured

beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even

of life.

9 (Lk 18:9) We had the sentence of death in ourselves,

so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God

who raises the dead.

10 (Ro 15:31) He delivered us from so great a death

and does deliver us. In Him we trust that He will

still deliver us,

11 (2Co 4:15; Php 1:19) as you help together by praying

for us, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf

for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many persons.



[3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of

mercies, and the God of all comfort;

[4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort

them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are

comforted of God.

[5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also

aboundeth by Christ.

[6] And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation,

which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also

suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and

salvation.

[7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of

the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

[8] For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came

to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch

that we despaired even of life:

[9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust

in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

[10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we

trust that he will yet deliver us;

[11] Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed

upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our

behalf.



Paul's Travel Plans Change



12 (2Co 2:17; 1Co 2:13) For our rejoicing is this:

The testimony of our conscience is that we conducted

ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you,

in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God.

13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read

or understand. And I trust you will understand even to the end,

14 (1Co 1:8; 2Co 2:5) as you have understood us in part,

that we are yours, boasting even as you are ours

on the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 (Ro 1:11; 1Co 4:19) In this confidence I planned

to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit:

16 (1Co 16:5-7) to visit you while going to Macedonia,

and to come again to you from Macedonia, and then be sent by you

on my way to Judea.

17 (2Co 10:2-3) Therefore, when I was planning this,

did I do this lightly? Or the things that I plan,

do I plan according to the flesh, so that I would tell you

"Yes, yes" and "No, no"?

18 (1Co 1:9) But as God is true, we did not tell you "Yes" and "No."

19 (Heb 13:8; Ac 18:5) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,

who was preached among you by us, even by Silas, Timothy,

and me, was not "Yes" and "No." In Him it was "Yes."

20 (Rev 3:14; 1Co 14:16) For all the promises of God

in Him are "Yes," and in Him "Amen," to the glory of God through us.

21 (1Jn 2:20; 2:27) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ

and has anointed us is God,

22 (2Co 5:5; Eph 1:13-14) who also has sealed us

and established the guarantee with the Spirit in our hearts.

23 (Ro 1:9; 1Co 4:21) Moreover I call God as a witness

upon my soul, that it is to spare you that

I have not yet gone to Corinth.

24 (Ro 11:20; 1Co 15:1) Not that we have dominion over your faith,

but we are fellow workers for your joy, for by faith you stand.



[12] For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in

simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of

God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to

you-ward.

[13] For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or

acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

[14] As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing,

even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

[15] And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye

might have a second benefit;

[16] And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia

unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

[17] When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things

that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there

should be yea yea, and nay nay?

[18] But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

[19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us,

even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was

yea.

[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the

glory of God by us.

[21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us,

is God;

[22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our

hearts.

[23] Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came

not as yet unto Corinth.

[24] Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your

joy: for by faith ye stand.



2 Corinthians 2



1 (2Co 1:23; 1Co 4:21) But I determined this for myself,

that I would not come again to you in sorrow.

2 (2Co 7:8) For if I make you sorrowful, who then will there be

to make me rejoice, but the one whom I have made sorrowful?

3 (Gal 5:10; 2Co 8:22) I wrote concerning this matter to you,

so that when I came, I would not be grieved by those in whom

I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all,

that my joy is your joy.

4 (2Co 7:12) For out of much affliction and anguish of heart

I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be grieved,

but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly for you.



[1] But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in

heaviness.

[2] For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the

same which is made sorry by me?

[3] And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow

from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my

joy is the joy of you all.

[4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with

many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love

which I have more abundantly unto you.



Forgiveness for the Offender



5 (Gal 4:12) But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me,

but to some extent all of you, not to put it too severely.

6 (1Co 5:4-5)This punishment which was inflicted by many

on such a man is sufficient.

7 (Eph 4:32) So on the contrary, you ought to forgive him

and comfort him, lest perhaps he might be swallowed up

with excessive sorrow.

8 Therefore I ask you to confirm your love toward him.

9 (2Co 10:6; Php 2:22) For to this end I also wrote,

so that I might know that you are proving yourselves

by whether you are being obedient in all things.

10 (1Co 5:4) Whomever you forgive anything, I also forgive.

For if I forgave someone anything, for your sakes I forgave

it in Christ,

11 (1Pe 5:8; Lk 22:31) lest Satan should take advantage of us.

For we are not ignorant of his devices.



[5] But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that

I may not overcharge you all.

[6] Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of

many.

[7] So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him,

lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

[8] Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

[9] For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you,

whether ye be obedient in all things.

[10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any

thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of

Christ;

[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of

his devices.



Paul's Anxiety in Troas



12 (Ac 14:27; 16:8) Furthermore, when I came to Troas

to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

13 (2Co 7:5-6; 12:18) I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find

Titus my brother. So taking my leave of them, I went from there

into Macedonia.

14 (SS 1:3; 2Co 8:16) Now thanks be to God who always causes

us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance

of His knowledge in every place.

15 (1Co 1:18; Eze 20:41) For we are to God a sweet fragrance

of Christ among those who are saved and among those who perish.

16 (Lk 2:34; Jn 9:39) To the one we are the fragrance of death,

which brings death, and to the other the fragrance of life,

which brings life. Who is sufficient for these things?

17 (2Co 4:2; 1:12) For we are not as many are who peddle

the word of God. Instead, being sent by God, we sincerely speak

in Christ in the sight of God.



[12] Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door

was opened unto me of the Lord,

[13] I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but

taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

[14] Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,

and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

[15] For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved,

and in them that perish:

[16] To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the

savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

[17] For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of

sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.



2 Corinthians 3



Ministers of the New Covenant



1 (Ac 18:27; 2Co 5:12) Do we begin again to commend ourselves?

Or do we need, as some others, letters of commendation to you,

or letters of commendation from you?

2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all men.

3 (Ex 24:12; Jer 31:33) For you are prominently declared to be

the letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink

but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone

but on human tablets of the heart.

4 (Eph 3:12) We have such trust through Christ toward God,

5 (1Co 15:10) not that we are sufficient in ourselves to take credit

for anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

6 (Lk 22:20; Jn 6:63) who has made us able ministers of the new covenant,

not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills,

but the Spirit gives life.

7 (Ex 24:12; 31:18) If the ministry that brought death, written

and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel

could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory

of his countenance, the glory which was to fade away,

8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

9 (Heb 12:18-21; Ro 3:21-22) For if the ministry of condemnation

is glorious, the ministry of righteousness much more exceeds

it in glory.

10 Even that which was made glorious had no glory in comparison

to the glory that excels.

11 For if that which fades was glorious, that which remains

is much more glorious.

12 (2Co 7:4; Ac 4:13) Seeing then that we have such hope,

we speak with great boldness,

13 (Ex 34:33-35; 2Co 3:7) not as Moses, who put a veil over his face,

so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end

of what was fading away.

14 (Ac 13:15; Ro 11:25) Instead, their minds were blinded.

For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the

reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away

with in Christ.

15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts.

16 (Ex 34:34; Isa 25:7) Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord,

the veil is removed.

17 (Gal 4:6; Jn 8:32) Now the Lord is the Spirit.

And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 (Ro 8:29; 1Co 13:12; 2Co 4:4) But we all, seeing the glory

of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror,

are being transformed into the same image from glory

to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.



[1] Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others,

epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

[2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ

ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living

God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

[4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

[5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of

ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

[6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the

letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth

life.

[7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was

glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the

face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done

away:

[8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

[9] For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the

ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

[10] For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by

reason of the glory that excelleth.

[11] For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which

remaineth is glorious.

[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of

Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same

vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done

away in Christ.

[15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their

heart.

[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken

away.

[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there

is liberty.

[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the

Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the

Spirit of the Lord.



2 Corinthians 4



Treasure in Earthen Vessels



1 (1Co 7:25; 2Co 3:6) Therefore, since we have this ministry

through the mercy we have received, we do not lose heart.

2 (2Co 2:17; 5:11) But we have renounced the secret things of shame,

not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully,

but by expressing the truth and commending ourselves to every man's

conscience in the sight of God.

3 (1Co 1:18; 2Co 3:14) But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden

to those who are lost.

4 (2Co 4:6; Jn 12:31; Heb 1:3) The god of this world has blinded

the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious

gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

5 (1Co 1:23; 2Co 1:24) For we do not preach ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants

for Jesus' sake.

6 (Ge 1:3; 2Pe 1:19) For God, who commanded the light to shine

out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light

of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 (2Co 5:1; La 4:2) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

the excellency of the power being from God and not from ourselves.

8 (2Co 7:5) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;

we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 (Heb 13:5) persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 (Ro 6:5; 2Co 1:5) and always carrying around in the body the death

of the Lord Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might be expressed

in our bodies.

11 (Ro 8:36) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake,

that also the life of Jesus might be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12 (2Co 13:9) So then, death works in us, but life in you.

13 (Ps 116:10; 1Co 12:9) We have the same spirit of faith.

As it is written, "I believed, and therefore I have spoken."

(Ps 116:10, LXX (Septuagint).) So we also believe and therefore speak,

14 (1Th 4:14; Eph 5:27) knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus

will also raise us through Jesus and will present us with you.

15 (2Co 1:11; Ro 8:28) All these things are for your sakes,

so that the abundant grace through the thanksgiving

of many might overflow to the glory of God.



[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we

faint not;

[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in

craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation

of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of

God.

[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which

believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the

image of God, should shine unto them.

[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves

your servants for Jesus' sake.

[6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined

in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the

face of Jesus Christ.

[7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the

power may be of God, and not of us.

[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but

not in despair;

[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

[10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the

life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that

the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

[12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

[13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I

believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

[14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also

by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

[15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might

through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.



Living by Faith



16 (Ro 7:22; Isa 40:31) For this reason we do not lose heart:

Even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man

is being renewed day by day.

17 (Ro 8:18; 1Pe 5:10) Our light affliction, which lasts

but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding

and eternal weight of glory,

18 (Heb 11:1; 2Co 5:7) while we do not look at the things

which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

For the things which are seen are temporal,

but the things which are not seen are eternal.



[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet

the inward man is renewed day by day.

[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a

far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which

are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things

which are not seen are eternal.



2) Our Daily Bread for 1 December 2024 titled



Good Reputation for Christ



Titus 2:6-8



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.



[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.



Matthew 5:16



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

that they may see your good works and glorify your Father

who is in heaven.



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

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.



During his college days at Florida State University, Charlie Ward was a

two-sport student athlete. In 1993, the young quarterback won the Heisman

Trophy as the country's best college American football player,

and he also starred on the basketball team.



During a pregame talk one day, his basketball coach used some foul language as

he talked to his players. He noticed that Charlie "wasn't comfortable," and

said, "Charlie, what's up?" Ward said, "Coach, you know, Coach Bowden

[the football coach] doesn't use that kind of language,

and he gets us to play awfully hard."



Charlie's Christlike character allowed him to gently speak to his basketball

coach about this issue. In fact, the coach told a reporter: "It's almost as if

there was an angel looking at you" when he talked to Charlie.



A good reputation with unbelievers and a faithful witness for Christ are hard

to maintain. But at the same time, believers in Jesus can grow to be more like

Him as He helps and guides us. In Titus 2, younger men, and by extension all

believers, are called to "be self-controlled" (v. 6) and to "show integrity

. . . and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned" (vv. 7-8).



When we live that way in Christ's strength, we'll not only honour Him but

also build a good reputation. Then as God provides the wisdom we need,

people will have reason to hear what we say.



By: Dave Branon



Reflect & Pray



How does a good reputation help you influence others?

What will help you grow in Christlike character?



Dear God, please help me to grow in character

that reflects You and honours You.



For further study, read Evangelism-Reaching Out through Relationships.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 1 A circle of Light



John 8:12



12 (Jn 12:35; Job 33:28; Isa 49:6)Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying,

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me

shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."



12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.



When Judy Garland stepped onstage, she filled the spotlight. Nothing was

illuminated but her face, and as she sang, her listeners had a sense of being

transported beyond themselves into the meaning of her song. The focus of

reality, at that moment, was "Judy", and everything else faded into the dim

recesses of the shadowed room. The spotlight brought her into sharp focus

as the center of attention, and all around her was darkness.

When the scriptures speaks of Jesus as "the light," the image is not

of thousands of blazing bulbs lighting up a football field for a night game.

Rather, he is like a hand-help lamp that throws a circle of light in the

immediate vicinity. such a lamp lights the path that a traveler will walk,

but lights it only one step at a time.

Jesus is the center of that circle of light. As we follow him, we share the

light, but he is always at center. Jesus Christ is the focal point,

and everything else fades into dim gray by comparison.

If we are to keep our lives illuminated, to have his light falling upon the

road we walk, we must stay close to him. Jesus does not hand the lamp

to us and suggest that we go the way he wants; he , the Light, leads,

and if we want to stay in the light, we follow.



Application



a) Have I ever tried to go my own way, apart from the Light?

What was the result?



b) How can this verse help me remember the importance of staying close

to Jesus?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Romans 13:7-8



7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes

are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,

and honor to whom honour is due.

8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.



7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth

another hath fulfilled the law.



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



God's Eternal Faithfulness



Ps 117



1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.



1 O praise the LORD,

All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.

2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:

And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.

Praise ye the LORD.



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 facity, 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 notherern 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



1st Day of the month



1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



(

Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,

I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream

dreams, and your young men will see visions.



28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon

all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men

shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:



Acts 2:17 "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.



17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

And your young men shall see visions,

And your old men shall dream dreams:



)



2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,

as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.



1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,

As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.



)



Advent Day 8



From C. S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck



"When the year dies in preparation for the birth/Of other seasons, not the same,

on the same earth,



Then saving and calamity together make/The Advent gospel,

telling how the heart will break....



Therefore it was in Advent that the Quest began; in wail of wind

the flower of the Britons all/Went out, and desolation was

in Arthur's hall." - C. S. Lewis



(From C. S. Lewis' "Launcelot," in Narrative Poems, p. 95.)



The Quest



The quest for the Holy Grail in the King Arthur story has capti­vated millions of people

over the centuries. Launcelot, the Christ­ figure of the Arthurian legend, is the noble

knight who begins a search for the cup that Christ used at the Last Supper.

This cup has appeared in many places in literature, theater, and the movies.

In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, for example, Indiana Jones finds his way

down a passageway and comes into a room full of chalices. He must select one

and drink from it. If he selects the wrong cup, he dies.

An ancient figure in the room tells him, "Choose wisely."



Legend has it that the cup was carried by Joseph of Arimathea to a castle

in Great Britain. The court of King Arthur believed that the Grail would be

rediscovered by a descendant of Joseph. Of the Knights of the Round Table,

only Galahad, Lancelot's son, was able to find and enter the castle with

the Grail. When he finally gazed upon the cup, the story goes, grail

and man were lifted up to heaven together.



What's the point of this story for us? Lancelot's quest began in Advent,

and our quest, our preparation for Christmas, likewise begins in Advent.

And like the Wise Men preparing for their quest, we need to set out to find

our King, the Christ Child. When we begin our Advent season with Scripture

and seek the Holy Christ rather than the Holy Grail, we are choosing wisely.



God, grant us wisdom to choose thoughtfully our preparation

for your coming in Jesus. Amen.



Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?



Matthew 2:2



From Follow the Story Marva J. Dawn



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT



He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.



-Luke 1:32a



It is fitting that on this second Sunday of Advent we have before us

the actual words of annunciation for Mary. I was going to entitle this

meditation "The Annunciation to Mary," but was prevented by the actual

content of the angel's message. Conspicuously, Gabriel's words are much

more about Jesus than about practical matters for Mary. She is a servant,

absolutely, but the child that will be born of her is so great that all

consideration should be placed upon him.





Not only will he be great, but he will be called the Son of the Most High.

The LORD God (which uses the two most prominent names in the Hebrew

Scriptures, Yahweh and Elohim) will give him the throne over all of lsrael,

which his ancestor David once ruled, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Unquestionably, this is the child for which all lsrael has been waiting.





prayer



LORD God, how can we ever thank you for sending us, Jesus,

the Son of the Most High? Amen.



Read Luke 1:25-33.



25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me,

to take away my reproach among men."



The Birth of Jesus Foretold



26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.

The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."

29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered

in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favour with God.

31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son

and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

And of His kingdom there will be no end."



From the AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler



SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT



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



Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous deeds.



PSALM 72:18





The AH-HAs of Advent provides us a time to reflect, refocus

and remember who we are in Jesus Christ So, enjoy refreshing

yourself through his Word and hrs people. And as we find time

to enjoy the "power of pause" we can also recall that the Lord

provide us opportunities to not only be his people but also

the chance to do a his people



Psalm 72 helps us to focus on being both be-ers and do-ers

in the world The good news in Christ is that we are motivated

to be active in serving others, not because we "gotta do it"

but because we ·get to do it"! Today's Psalm is an affirmatiion

of God at work in the world-our world. Right here and now-through us!



Isn't it great that one of the books of the Bible is titled the Acts of the

Apostles instead of the Resolutions of the Apostles'

There must be a message there somewhere!



So, what are you going to do today to show the glory, might and

love of the Lord? For starters pause to remember the promise

of your Baptism. Then look around you at your needs and your

gifts, take a deep breath. and announce your action plan at

least to yourself). Do not worry about getting everything correct

today or doing everything you want to do.



Just "Get ready! Fire!"... and then aim later when

you rethink all of the possibilities for a ministry of action!



Look out world, here I come!



Lord thanks for being active in the world both in little

and big ways. Help me today to be active

in big ways and little ways as well,



not because I "gotta do it" but because I" want to do it."



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



Read Psalm 72·1-7. 18-19



1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,

and Your righteousness to the king’s son.

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) May he judge Your people with righteousness,

and Your poor with justice.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) May the mountains bring well-being to the people,

and the hills, in righteousness.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) May he judge the poor of the people,

may he save the children of the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) May they fear You as long as the sun endures,

and the moon, throughout all generations.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) May he descend like rain on the mown grass,

as showers dripping on the earth.

7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) In his days may the righteous flourish,

and abundance of peace until the moon is no more.

18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous deeds.

19 Blessed be His glorious name forever;

and may the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen, and Amen.



From On Eagle's wings Day 1 2024



The Navigator

5 (Jn 8:12; 12:46) "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 9:5 (MEV,KJV)

It was a smoky 33-degree day when we boarded our small plane

bound for Ft. Smith, NT. As the plane took off, I peered out the

window at the thick, hazy sky. The smoke was so dense that I could

barely make out the landscape below, which made me wonder,

"How on earth do the pilots know where they are flying?" I turned

to my sister, who was seated beside me. "Do you think this is

safe?" I asked her. She responded by reminding me that the plane is

equipped with special instruments designed to guide it, even in

conditions like this.

In the midst of the Advent season, we remember that when Jesus

came to earth, a star served as an instrument, guiding the wise men

to his birthplace. Despite the uncertainty the wise men faced at that

time, the star offered clear direction. Similarly, Jesus, the Light of

the World, entered our lives to guide us through the uncertainties

we face. Just as the pilots trust the instruments in the plane to

navigate through tough conditions, we can trust the Lord to be our

guide during life's haze.

Lord, thank you for sending your one and only Son to earth in

human form to be the light in our darkness. This season, may

we remember that you are our ultimate guide, illuminating our

path and bringing light to every shadow. Amen



Written by Shauna Huber, Edmonton, AB, 2024

On Eagle's Wings– Ministry Manager



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord How to show Love to your neighbour.



Pray to the Lord and pray to be forgiving and bountiful of joy.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to grow in character

that reflects You and honours You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know Him as the Light of the World.



Pray to the Lord and pray to Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.



Pray to the Lord and pray to exalt Him always!



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 an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada



Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister

would be directed to do that which pleases God



Prayer : God, grant us wisdom to choose thoughtfully our preparation for your coming in Jesus. Amen.



Pray: LORD God, how can we ever thank you for sending us, Jesus,

the Son of the Most High? Amen.



Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us

to the hope and the future that you have

provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.

You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Lord, thank you for sending your one and only Son to earth in

human form to be the light in our darkness. This season, may

we remember that you are our ultimate guide, illuminating our

path and bringing light to every shadow. Amen



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.

Day 335, 30 November 2024 - 7th Day of Advent



1) Romans 14, Romans 15, Romans 16



Romans 14



Do Not Judge Your Brother



1 (Ro 15:1; 15:7) Welcome him who is weak in faith, but not

for the purpose of arguing over opinions.

2 (Ro 14:14) For one has faith to eat all things,

but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

3 (Lk 18:9; Ro 14:10) Do not let him who eats despise him who does

not eat, and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats,

for God has welcomed him.

4 (Ro 9:20) Who are you to judge another man's servant? To his

own master he stands or falls. And he will stand,

for God is able to make him stand.

5 (Ro 14:23) One man judges one day above another;

another judges every day alike. Let each one be fully persuaded

in his own mind.

6 (Mt 14:19; 15:36) He who observes the day observes it for the Lord,

and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.

He who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, for he gives thanks to God;

and the one who does not eat, in honour of the Lord he does not eat,

and gives thanks to God.

7 (2Co 5:15; 1Th 5:10) For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies

for himself.

8 (Php 1:20; 1Th 5:10) For if we live, we live for the Lord. And if we die,

we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

9 (Rev 1:18; Mt 28:18; Lk 24:26) For to this end Christ died and rose

and lived again, so that He might be Lord of both the dead and living.

10 (2Co 5:10; Ro 2:16; 1Co 4:5) So why do you judge your brother? Or why do

you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat

of Christ.

11 For it is written:

"As I live, says the Lord,

every knee shall bow to Me,

and every tongue shall confess to God."(Isa 45:23.)

12 (Mt 12:36; 1Pe 4:5) So then each of us shall give

an account of himself to God.



[1] Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful

disputations.

[2] For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak,

eateth herbs.

[3] Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him

which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

[4] Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he

standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him

stand.

[5] One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day

alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

[6] He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that

regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth,

eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the

Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

[7] For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

[8] For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die

unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

[9] For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might

be Lord both of the dead and living.

[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy

brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

[11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to

me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

[12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.



Do Not Make Your Brother Stumble



13 (Mt 7:1) Therefore let us no longer pass judgment on one another,

but rather determine not to put a stumbling block

or an obstacle in a brother's way.

14 (1Co 8:7; Ro 14:2) I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus

that nothing is unclean in itself, but to him who considers anything to be

unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 (Eph 5:2) If your brother is grieved because of your food, you are

no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one

for whom Christ died.

16 (Ro 12:17; 1Co 10:29-30) So do not let what is good to you be spoken

of as evil.

17 (Ro 15:13; 1Co 8:8; Gal 5:22) For the kingdom of God does not mean

eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy

Spirit.

18 (2Co 8:21; Ro 16:18) For he who serves Christ in these things

is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 (Ps 34:14; Ro 15:2) Therefore let us pursue the things which

produce peace and the things that build up one another.

20 (Ro 14:14-15; Ac 10:15) Do not destroy the work of God for the

sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is evil for the man

who causes someone to fall by what he eats.

21 (1Co 8:13) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine,

nor do anything whereby your brother stumbles or is offended

or is made weak.

22 (1Jn 3:21) The faith that you have, have as your own conviction

before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats,

because it is not from faith, for whatever is not from faith is sin.



[13] Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,

that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's

way.

[14] I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing

unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him

it is unclean.

[15] But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not

charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

[16] Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

[17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and

peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

[18] For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and

approved of men.

[19] Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and

things wherewith one may edify another.

[20] For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but

it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

[21] It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing

whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

[22] Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that

condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

[23] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of

faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.



Romans 15



Please Others, Not Yourself



1 (Ro 14:1; 1Th 5:14) We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses

of the weak and not please ourselves.

2 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 10:24) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good,

leading to edification.

3 (Ps 69:9; Jn 5:30) For even Christ did not please Himself.

But as it is written, "The insults of those who insulted You fell on Me."

(Ps 69:9).

4 (Ro 4:23-24) For whatever was previously written was written

for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement

of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5 (Ro 12:16; 1Co 1:10) Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement

grant you to live in harmony with one another in accordance with Christ

Jesus,

6 (Eph 1:3; Jn 20:17) so that together you may with one voice glorify

the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.



[1] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and

not to please ourselves.

[2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

[3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The

reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our

learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have

hope.

[5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one

toward another according to Christ Jesus:

[6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ.



The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike



7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us,

for the glory of God.

8 (Mt 15:24; 2Co 1:20) Now I say that Jesus Christ has become

a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God,

to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

9 (2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49) and that the Gentiles might glorify God

for His mercy, as it is written:

"For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles,

and I will sing praises to Your name."(Ps 18:49.)

10 (Dt 32:43) He also says:

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"(Dt 32:43.)

11 (Ps 117:1) And again:

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;

let all the peoples praise Him."(Ps 117:1.)

12 (Isa 11:10; Mt 12:21) And again Isaiah says:

"There shall be a root of Jesse;

He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,

in Him shall the Gentiles hope."(Isa 11:10.)

13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Spirit.



[7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the

glory of God.

[8] Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the

truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

[9] And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,

For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy

name.

[10] And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

[11] And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye

people.

[12] And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that

shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that

ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.



Paul's Missionary Commission



14 (1Co 8:1; 8:7) Now I myself am persuaded concerning you, my brothers,

that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and also

able to instruct one another.

15 (Ro 12:3; 1:5) Nevertheless, brothers, I have written even more boldly

to you on some points, to remind you, because of the grace that is given to

me from God,

16 (Php 2:17; Ro 11:13; Ac 9:15) that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ

to the Gentiles, in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that

the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified

by the Holy Spirit.

17 (Heb 5:1; Php 3:3) In Christ Jesus therefore I have reason to boast

in my service to God.

18 (Ac 15:12; 21:19) For I will not dare to speak of anything except

what Christ has accomplished through me, to make the Gentiles obedient,

by word and deed,

19 (Ac 22:17-21; 2Co 12:12) by the power of signs and wonders,

by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem

and as far around as Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel

of Christ.

20 (2Co 10:13-16) So I have strived to preach the gospel,

not where Christ was named, so that I should not build on another man's

foundation.

21 (Isa 52:15) But as it is written:

"To whom He was not announced, they shall see;

and those who have not heard shall understand."(Isa 52:15.)



[14] And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are

full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one

another.

[15] Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some

sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of

God,

[16] That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,

ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be

acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

[17] I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those

things which pertain to God.

[18] For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath

not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

[19] Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so

that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached

the gospel of Christ.

[20] Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was

named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

[21] But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and

they that have not heard shall understand.



Paul's Plan to Visit Rome



22 (Ro 1:13) For this reason also I was often hindered from coming to you.

23 (Ro 15:32; Ac 19:21) But now, no longer having a place in these regions,

and having a great desire for many years to come to you,

24 (Ro 15:28; Ac 15:3) whenever I go to Spain, I shall come to you,

for I hope to see you when I pass through and to be helped on my way

there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a little while.

25 (Ac 19:21; 24:17) But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the

saints.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some contribution

for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

27 (1Co 9:11; Gal 6:6) It has pleased them indeed, and they are their

debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things,

they also ought to minister to them in material things.

28 (Ro 15:24) Therefore, when I have completed this and have given this

blessing to them, I shall come by way of you to Spain,

29 and I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness

of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 (2Co 1:11; Col 4:12) Now I ask you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus

Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in

your prayers to God on my behalf,

31 (2Th 3:2; 2Co 8:4) that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in

Judea, and that my ministry for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

32 (Ac 18:21; 1Co 16:18) so that I may come to you with joy by the will

of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

33 (2Co 13:11; Ro 16:20; Php 4:9) Now the God of peace be with you all.

Amen.



[22] For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

[23] But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire

these many years to come unto you;

[24] Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I

trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by

you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

[25] But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

[26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain

contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

[27] It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the

Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is

also to minister unto them in carnal things.

[28] When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this

fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

[29] And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness

of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

[30] Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for

the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to

God for me;

[31] That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and

that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

[32] That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you

be refreshed.

[33] Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.



Romans 16

Personal Greetings

1 (Ac 18:18; 2Co 3:1) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is

a servant (Or deacon.) of the church at Cenchrea,

2 (Php 2:29) that you welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy

of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter

she may have need of you, for she has been a helper of many

and of myself as well.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I,

but also all the churches of the Gentiles, give thanks.

5 (1Co 16:15; 16:19) Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first convert of Achaia for Christ.

6 (Ro 16:12) Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

7 (Ro 16:11; 16:21) Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen

and fellow prisoners, who are noteworthy among the apostles,

who also came to Christ before me.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.

Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman.

Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord.

Greet the beloved Persis, who also labored much in the Lord.

13 (Mk 15:21) Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother,

who is like a mother to me.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas,

and the brothers who are with them.

15 (Ro 16:2) Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister,

and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16 (1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12) Greet one another with a holy kiss.

The churches of Christ greet you.

17 (2Th 3:6; 1Ti 1:3) Now I urge you, brothers, to closely watch those

who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the teaching which

you have learned, and avoid them.

18 (Php 3:19; Col 2:4) For such people do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ,

but their own appetites, and through smooth talk and flattery they deceive

the hearts of the unsuspecting.

19 (Mt 10:16; Ro 1:8) Your obedience has become known to all men.

Therefore I am glad on your behalf. Yet I want you to be wise to that

which is good, and innocent to that which is evil.

20 (Ge 3:15; Ro 15:33) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 (Ac 20:4; 13:1) Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason,

and Sosipater, my kinsmen, greet you.

22 (Gal 6:11) I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

23 (Ac 19:22; 1Co 1:14) Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church,

greets you.

Erastus, who is the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.



[1] I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church

which is at Cenchrea:

[2] That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist

her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a

succourer of many, and of myself also.

[3] Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

[4] Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I

give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

[5] Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved

Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

[6] Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

[7] Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are

of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

[8] Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

[9] Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

[10] Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of

Aristobulus' household.

[11] Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of

Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

[12] Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the

beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

[13] Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

[14] Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren

which are with them.

[15] Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and

all the saints which are with them.

[16] Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute

you.

[17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and

offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

[18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own

belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

[19] For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on

your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and

simple concerning evil.

[20] And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The

grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

[21] Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my

kinsmen, salute you.

[22] I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

[23] Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the

chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

[24] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.



Doxology



25 (Ro 2:16; Eph 1:9) Now to Him who has power to establish you according

to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation

of the mystery, which was kept secret for long ages past,

26 (Ro 1:5; 1:2) but now is revealed by the prophetic Scriptures according

to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all the Gentiles

for the obedience of faith,

27 (Ro 11:36; 1Ti 1:17) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory forever. Amen.



[25] Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and

the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery,

which was kept secret since the world began,

[26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,

according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all

nations for the obedience of faith:

[27] To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.



2) Our Daily Bread for 30 November 2023 Titled



A Grateful Response



Daniel 6:1-10



Daniel and the Lions' Den



1 (Est 1:1; Da 5:31) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom

one hundred and twenty officials,

so that they would be over the whole kingdom,

2 (Ezr 4:22; Da 2:48-49) and over them three presidents,

of whom Daniel was first, so that the officials might give accounts

to them and the king not suffer loss.

3 (Da 5:12; 5:14) Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents

and officials because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king

thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 (Ge 43:18; Jdg 14:4) Then the presidents and officials sought

to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom,

but they could find no occasion or fault because he was faithful;

nor was there any error or fault found in him.

5 (Ac 24:13-16; 24:20-21) Then these men said,

"We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,

unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

6 (Da 2:4; Ne 2:3) Then these presidents and officials assembled together

to the king, and said to him: "King Darius, live forever!

7 (Ps 59:3; Da 3:2) All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors,

and the officials, the counselors, and the captains have consulted

together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree,

that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days,

save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

8 (Est 1:19; Da 6:15) Now, O king, establish the decree

and sign the writing, that it not be changed,

according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered."

9 (Ps 118:9; 146:3) Therefore King Darius signed the writing, even the decree.

10 (Ps 55:17; 95:6) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went

into his house. And his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem,

he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks

before his God, as he had been doing previously.



[1] It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes,

which should be over the whole kingdom;

[2] And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the

princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

[3] Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because

an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the

whole realm.

[4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in

him.

[5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,

except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

[6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and

said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

[7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the

counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal

statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of

any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into

the den of lions.

[8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not

changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

[9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

[10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his

house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he

kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks

before his God, as he did aforetime.



Raw fish and rainwater. An Australian sailor named Timothy survived on only

those provisions for three months. Marooned on his storm-damaged catamaran, he

was losing hope-bobbing 1200 miles from land in the Pacific Ocean. But then

the crew of a Mexican tuna boat spotted his ailing boat and rescued him.

Later, the thin and weather-beaten man declared,

"To the captain and fishing company that saved my life, I'm just so grateful!"



Timothy gave thanks following his ordeal, but the prophet Daniel revealed a

grateful heart before, during, and after a crisis. Having been exiled to

Babylon from Judah with other Jews (Daniel 1:1-6), Daniel had risen in power

only to be threatened by other leaders who wanted him dead (6:1-7). His foes

got the king of Babylon to sign a decree stating that anyone who prayed

"to any god" would be "thrown into the lions' den" (v. 7). What would Daniel,

a man who loved and served the one true God, do? He "got down on his knees

and prayed, giving thanks to . . . God, just as he had done before" (v. 10).

He gave thanks, and his grateful heart was rewarded as God spared his

life and brought him honor (vv. 26-28).



As the apostle Paul wrote, may God help us "give thanks in all circumstances"

(1 Thessalonians 5:18). Whether we're facing a crisis or have just come

through one, a grateful response honors Him and helps keep our faith afloat.



By: Tom Felten



Reflect & Pray



Why is it vital to regularly thank God?

How can you grow a more grateful heart?



Dear God, please help me give thanks even when life is hard.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 7 Support System



Deut 33:27



27 (Ge 49:24; Ps 90:1-2) The eternal God is your refuge,

and underneath you are the everlasting arms;

He will drive out the enemy before you,

and will say, "Destroy them."



27 The eternal God is thy refuge,

And underneath are the everlasting arms:

And he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;

And shall say, Destroy them.



Misty was only 4 when her parents divorced. Her dad moved away,

and the following summer she went with her grandparents to visit him

in his new apartment. In the swimming pool one afternoon, Grandpa stood

Misty on the side of the pool, held out his arm, and called, "Jump!"

But Misty, normally a little fish, suddenly seemed afraid of the water,

and stood trembling on the sidewalk shaking her head.

"Jump, Misty - I'll catch you!"

"Are you sure, Grandpa?"

"Of course I'm sure! Jump!"

But Misty wouldn't jump. Finally Grandpa, a bit irritated, said, "Misty, do

you think I Won't catch you? Do you think I'll just walk away?"

The tears spilled over, and Misty sobbed. "Daddy did!"

Human support systems often fail us. We disappoint those we love, and

are disappointed by them. People simply aren't there for us

when we need them most.

But God promises that with him things are different. He's always there,

always listening, always caring, always ready to support us.

"Underneath his everlasting arms".

Sometimes those arms reach out clothed in flesh, in the warm embrace

of a loved one. Sometimes they support us through the Word, sometimes through

the quiet peace that comes in prayer. Sometimes we are not aware of them

at all, but they still hold us up, supporting, surrounding, loving.

Underneath us are the everlasting arms.



Application



a) Have I ever felt abandoned by someone I loved and depended upon?



b) How have I experienced the faithfulness of God's "Everlasting arms"?



c) Now can this verse help me in times when I feel my supports have given way?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



3 John 2



2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be

in good health, even as your soul is well.



2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,

even as thy soul prospereth.



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



God's Inexhaustible Strength



Is 40:27-31



27 Why do you say, O Jacob,

and assert, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the Lord,

and my justice escapes the notice of my God"?

28 (Ps 147:5; Ge 21:33; Isa 57:15) Have you not known?

Have you not heard,

that the everlasting God, the Lord,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

does not faint, nor is He weary?

His understanding is inscrutable.

29 (Isa 41:10) He gives power to the faint,

and to those who have no might He increases strength.

30 (Isa 9:17) Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4) but those who wait upon the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

and they shall walk and not faint.



27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid

from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,

the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not,

neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall

utterly fall:

31 but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall

mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.



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 30 of the Month



a) Pray for God's will to be done where you live and throughout

Canadian society, as it is in Heaven



( Matt 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.



)



b) Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city

or community, and across our nation. (



Rom 2:4



4 (Ex 34:6; Isa 30:18) Do you despise the riches of His goodness,

tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God

leads you to repentance?



4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance

and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth

thee to repentance?



)



Advent Day 7



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



"No woman ever conceived a child, no mare a foal, without

Him. But once, and for a special purpose, He dispensed with

that long line which is His instrument: once His life-giving

finger touched a woman without passing through the ages of

interlocked events." C. S. Lewis

(Read this and more in Miracles,p . 182.)

Every Birth a Miracle

I have never met parents who did not think that the birth of each

of their children was one of the most amazing things they had ever

experienced. And rightly so. We talk about the miracle of birth, and

so we should. The obstetrician might tell us how normal child birth

is, but we who have become parents know better. We might forget

as the years pass and the trials of raising teenagers take their toll.

But when we sit back and remember, we know better once again.

The birth of a child is a miracle. The "birth-days" of our children

remind us

No childbirth in history has received more attention in art, music,

literature, stained glass, and even on the postage stamp, than

the birth of Jesus. That was a one-of-a-kind birth, but Lewis points

out that God is at work in every pregnancy and in every birth. The

same God who brought about the pregnancy of Mary by the power

of the Holy Spirit is also at work to bring about every pregnancy.

We might stand back at the thought that even a mare conceiving

a foal, as Lewis writes, is done by the power of God, but could it be

otherwise? He is the creator of all things, and he upholds all things

by his powerful word(Heb- 1:3)- He must be involved in every birth,

your birth, my birth, even our rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit,

but especially in the birth of Jesus

This is not to say that the birth of Jesus was ordinary. Far from

it. But Jesus' birth and my birth both had the blessing of God. That

gives me assurance that new birth is available in him also.



Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,

giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.



Luke 1:35



35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.



From Follow The Story - Marva J. Dawn



SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT



Baffling Salutations



When she saw him, she was troubled by his words,...



-Luke 1:29a





To greet another person with the phrase "The LORD be with you"

was a common custom in those days. Compare how Boaz greets

the reapers in his barley field and how they answer back (Ruth 2:4).

Even today many churches use the expression

in their liturgies to underscore that we are a community together

as worshipers and leaders in God's presence.



Consequently, this part of Gabriel's address must not have been too confusing,

unless the angel notably accentuated the present tense, "The LORD is with you,"

in anticipation of how the Trinity would be operative in Mary.



Probably Mary was stunned by Gabriel's calling her a "favoured one"

since she was merely a small-town youth, and the

angel was the magnificent messenger of God. She was totally unprepared

for the extraordinary disclosure Gabriel would reveal to her, though some

Jewish mothers gingerly harbored the hope that they might be mother

to the promised Messiah. Ponder with Mary what being "favoured"

by God could mean.



prayer



Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.



Amen.





Read Luke 1:26-38.



26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured.

The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."

29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered

in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favour with God.

31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son

and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.

And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.

And of His kingdom there will be no end."

34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.

And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.

37 For with God nothing will be impossible."

38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according

to your word." Then the angel departed from her.



From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler





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



11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,

says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future

and a hope.



JEREMIAH 29:11



Advent comes to us just when we need it. Not only is it the time to begin

a new Church Year, but it also allows us to stop and ponder anew what

"the Almighty can do" and what he has already done! In other words,

Advent gets our attention to ponder what life is all about!



What is it that is getting your attention these days?

There's plenty of options, aren't there ?

Is it working or shopping, or preparing, or Juggling,

or decorating, or baking or all of the above?

Me too! How good are you at multi-tasking?



We live in a CPA society ... which means Continuous Partial Attention.

Check it out: Have you encountered folks who are texting, listening talking,

studying, thinking, eating .. all at the same time? Me, too! And it drives me

crazy! You too?



Advent sneaks up on our CPA society and simply, gently calms us. Advent

coos to us what today's Scripture says: The Lord has plans to give us

a hope and future. That is a promise that

really gets our attention as ambassadors

of health and hope!



God in Christ attends us with his love

and forgiveness to empower us to turn our attention

outward. We can turn from our own CPA existence to sharing

his hope for all people. NO partial attention from the Lord. God's

CPA is his Continuous Promise Attention ... for all of us!

And that's good enough for me! You too?



Prayer



Lord, calm us, settle us and point us to the hope and the future that you have

provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.

You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.



11 (Ps 40:5; Jer 30:18-22) For I know the plans that I have for you,

says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future

and a hope.

12 (Jer 33:3; Ps 50:15) Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come

and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

13 (Jer 24:7; 2Ch 22:9) You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search

for Me with all your heart.

14 (Jer 30:3; Ps 32:6) I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will turn

away your captivity and gather you from all the nations

and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord,

and I will bring you back into the place from

where I caused you to be carried away captive.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know that Salvation is for all.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me give thanks

even when life is hard."



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord as your support system.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for prosperity and strength.



Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord to give you strength.



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 for God's will to be done where you live and throughout

Canadian society, as it is in Heaven



Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city

or community, and across our nation.



Prayer : Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that you are at work,

giving life. Grant us new life in your Son. Amen.



Pray: Thank you, LORD, that Mary was simple-hearted with Gabriel.



Pray: Lord, calm us, settle us and point us

to the hope and the future that you have

provided for us, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.

You have our attention Lord In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!



Pray that many Somalis living in Kenya will hear the Gospel message and come

to know Christ as their saviour.



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.

Day 334, 29 November 2024 - 6th Day of Advent



1) Romans 11, Romans 12, Romans 13



Romans 11



The Remnant of Israel



1 (1Sa 12:22; 2Co 11:22) I say then, has God rejected His people?

God forbid! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,

of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 (1Pe 1:2) God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.

Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah?

How he pleads with God against Israel, saying,

3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets and destroyed Your altars.

I alone am left, and they seek my life"?(1Ki 19:10. 41Ki 19:18)

But what is the divine reply to him?

"I have kept for Myself seven thousand men,

who have not bowed the knee to Baal."(1Ki 19:18. 5Ro 9:27)

So then at this present time there is a remnant according

to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; otherwise grace

would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then is it no longer

by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work.

7 (Ro 9:18; 2Co 3:14) What then? Israel has not obtained what it was

seeking. But the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened.

8 (Dt 29:4; Isa 29:10) As it is written:

"God has given them a spirit of slumber,

eyes that would not see

and ears that would not hear,

to this very day."(Isa 29:10.)

9 (Ps 69:22-23) And David says:

"Let their table become a snare and a trap,

a stumbling block and a retribution to them.

10 (Ps 69:23) Let their eyes be darkened, so that they may not see,

and always bow down their backs." (Ps 69:22-23.)



[1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an

Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

[2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the

scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel,

saying,

[3] Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I

am left alone, and they seek my life.

[4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself

seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

[5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to

the election of grace.

[6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more

grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no

more work.

[7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the

election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

[8] (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber,

eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto

this day.

[9] And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a

stumbling block, and a recompence unto them:

[10] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their

back alway.



The Salvation of the Gentiles



11 (Ro 10:19; 11:14) I say then, have they stumbled that

they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation

has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

12 (Ro 11:25) Now if their transgression means riches for the world,

and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will

their fullness mean?

13 (Ac 9:15) For I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am

the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

14 (1Co 7:16; Ro 9:3; 1Ti 4:16) if somehow I may make my kinsmen

jealous and may save some of them.

15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world,

what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

16 (Eze 44:30; Lev 23:10) If the first portion of the dough is holy,

the batch is also holy. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 (Jer 11:16; Eph 2:11-13) But if some of the branches were broken

off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them

and became a partaker with them of the root

and richness of the olive tree,

18 do not boast against the branches. If you boast,

remember you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.

19 You will say then, "The branches were broken off, so that I might

be grafted in."

20 (Ro 12:16; 1Co 10:12) This is correct. They were broken off

because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant,

but fear.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will

He spare you.

22 (Jn 15:2; 1Co 15:2) Therefore consider the goodness and severity

of God-severity toward those who fell, but goodness toward you,

if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

23 (2Co 3:16) And these also, if they do not remain in unbelief, will

be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature,

and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree,

how much more will these, who are the natural branches, be grafted

into their own olive tree?



[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but

rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to

provoke them to jealousy.

[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing

of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the

Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and

might save some of them.

[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what

shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

[16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root

be holy, so are the branches.

[17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive

tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and

fatness of the olive tree;

[18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the

root, but the root thee.

[19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be

graffed in.

[20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by

faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

[21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also

spare not thee.

[22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,

severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:

otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

[23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed

in: for God is able to graff them in again.

[24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and

wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall

these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?



The Restoration of Israel



25 (Lk 21:24; Ro 12:16; 16:25) For I do not want you to be ignorant

of this mystery, brothers, lest you be wise in your own estimation,

for a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness

of the Gentiles has come in.

26 (Isa 59:20; Ps 14:7) And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

"The Deliverer will come out of Zion,

and He will remove ungodliness from Jacob";(Isa 59:20.)

27 (Isa 27:9; 59:21) "for this is My covenant with them,

when I shall take away their sins."(Isa 59:20-21; Jer 31:31-34.)

28 (Dt 10:15; Ro 9:5) As concerning the gospel, they are enemies

for your sake, but as regarding the election, they are beloved

for the sake of the patriarchs.

29 (Ro 8:28) For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

30 (Col 3:7) For just as you once were disobedient to God,

but have now received mercy through their disobedience,

31 so these also have now been disobedient, that they also may

receive mercy by the mercy shown to you.

32 (Ro 3:9; Gal 3:22) For God has imprisoned them all in disobedience,

so that He might be merciful to all.

33 (Ro 2:4; Eph 3:10) O the depth of the riches and wisdom

and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments

and unfathomable are His ways!

34 (Isa 40:13; 1Co 2:16) "For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has become His counselor?"(Isa 40:13.)

35 (Job 35:7; 41:11) "Or who has first given to Him,

and it shall be repaid to him?" (Job 35:7; 41:11.)

36 (Ro 16:27; 1Co 8:6) For from Him and through Him

and to Him are all things.

To Him be glory forever! Amen.



[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is

happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

[26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come

out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

[27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

[28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as

touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

[29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

[30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained

mercy through their unbelief:

[31] Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they

also may obtain mercy.

[32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy

upon all.

[33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how

unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

[34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his

counseller?

[35] Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him

again?

[36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be

glory for ever. Amen.



Romans 12



The New Life in Christ



1 (1Pe 2:5; Ro 6:13; 6:16) I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies

of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy,

and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.

2 (Ro 12:1; 1Pe 1:14) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good

and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 (Ro 1:5; 11:20) For I say, through the grace given to me,

to everyone among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought

to think, but to think with sound judgment, according to the measure

of faith God has distributed to every man.

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

and not all parts have the same function,

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

and all are parts of one another.

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

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

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

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

with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy,

with cheerfulness.



[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is

your reasonable service.

[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among

you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to

think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of

faith.

[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the

same office:

[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of

another.

[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

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

teaching;

[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with

simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with

cheerfulness.



Rules of the Christian Life



9 (1Ti 1:5; 2Co 6:6)Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil.

Cleave to what is good.

10 (Php 2:3; Heb 13:1) Be devoted to one another with brotherly love;

prefer one another in honor,

11 (Ac 18:25) do not be lazy in diligence, be fervent in spirit,

serve the Lord,

12 (Heb 10:36; Ac 1:14) rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,

persevere in prayer,

13 (2Co 9:1; 1Ti 3:2) contribute to the needs of the saints,

practice hospitality.

14 (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28) Bless those who persecute you; bless,

and do not curse.

15 (Heb 13:3; Job 30:25) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep

with those who weep.

16 (Ro 11:25; 15:5) Be of the same mind toward one another.

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

Do not pretend to be wiser than you are.

17 (Pr 20:22; Mt 5:39) Repay no one evil for evil. Commend what is

honest in the sight of all men.

18 (Mk 9:50; Ro 14:19; Mt 5:9) If it is possible, as much as it depends

on you, live peaceably with all men.

19 (Dt 32:35; Pr 24:29) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves,

but rather give place to God's wrath, for it is written:

"Vengeance is Mine. I will repay,"(Dt 32:35.) says the Lord.

20 (Pr 25:21-22; Mt 5:44) Therefore

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him a drink;

for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head."(Pr 25:21-22.)

21 (1Pe 3:9) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.



[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to

that which is good.

[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour

preferring one another;

[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in

prayer;

[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but

condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight

of all men.

[18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all

men.

[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto

wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him

drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.



Romans 13



Subjection to Authorities



1 (Da 2:21; Jn 19:11) Let every person be subject to the governing

authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that

exist are appointed by God.

2 Therefore ­whoever resists the authority resists what God has appointed,

and those who resist will incur judgment.

3 Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil works. Do you wish

to have no fear of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have

praise from him,

4 (2Ch 19:6; Ro 12:19) for he is the servant of God for your good.

But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword

in vain, for he is the servant of God, an avenger to execute wrath

upon him who practices evil.

5 (Ecc 8:2; 1Pe 2:19) So it is necessary to be in subjection, not only

because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.

6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are God's servants,

devoting themselves to this very thing.

7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes

are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,

and honor to whom honor is due.



[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power

but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou

then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have

praise of the same:

[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that

which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is

the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for

conscience sake.

[6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers,

attending continually upon this very thing.

[7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.



Brotherly Love



8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 (Lev 19:18; Mt 19:18-19; Ex 20:12-17) For the commandments,

"You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal,

You shall not give false testimony, You shall not covet,"

(Ex 20:13-15, 17; Dt 5:17-19, 21.) and if there are any other commandments,

are summed up in this saying,

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."(Ps 18:49.)

10 (Ro 13:8) Love works no evil to a neighbor. Therefore love is

the fulfillment of the law.



[8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth

another hath fulfilled the law.

[9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou

shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;

and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this

saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling

of the law.



The Approach of the Day of Christ



11 (Eph 5:14; 1Co 15:34) Furthermore, knowing the time, now is the moment

to awake from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

12 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:7) The night is far spent, the day is at hand.

Therefore let us take off the works of darkness and put on the armor

of light.

13 (Gal 5:21; Lk 21:34; Eph 5:18) Let us behave properly, as in the day,

not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and wickedness,

not in strife and envy.

14 (Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no

provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.



[11] And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of

sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

[12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off

the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

[13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness,

not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the

flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.



2) Our Daily Bread for 29 November 2024 titled

Restraining Order



Job 13:1-12



Job 13



13:1 "Notice, my eye has seen all this;

my ear has heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know the same;

I am not inferior to you.

3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty,

and I desire to reason with God.

4 But you are plasterers of falsehood;

you are all physicians of no value.

5 Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace,

and it would be your wisdom!

6 Hear now my reasoning,

and listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7 Will you speak wickedly for God?

And talk deceitfully for Him?

8 Will you take His side?

Will you plead for God?

9 Is it good that He would search you out?

Or as one man mocks another, do you so mock Him?

10 He will surely rebuke you,

if you secretly show partiality.

11 Will not His excellence make you afraid,

and the dread of Him fall upon you?

12 Your reminders are parables made of ashes;

your answers are answers made of clay.



[1] Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.

[2] What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

[3] Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

[4] But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

[5] O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your

wisdom.

[6] Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

[7] Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

[8] Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?

[9] Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another,

do ye so mock him?

[10] He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

[11] Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

[12] Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.



A man in court filed a restraining order against God. He claimed God had been

"particularly unkind" to him and had exhibited a "seriously negative

attitude." The presiding judge dismissed the suit, saying the man needed help

not from the court but for his mental health. A true story: humorous,

but also sad.



But are we so different? Don't we sometimes want to say, "Stop, God, please,

I've had enough!" Job did. He put God on trial. After enduring unspeakable

personal tragedies, Job says, " Surely I would speak to the Almighty,

and I desire to reason with God." (Job 13:3 ) and

"If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand." (9:3 ).

He even puts forth a restraining order: "Withdraw thine hand far from me:

and let not thy dread make me afraid." (13:21). Job's prosecution argument

wasn't his own innocence but what he viewed as God's unreasonable harshness:

"Is it good for You that You should oppress,

that You should despise the work of Your hands

and smile on the counsel of the wicked?" (10:3).



Sometimes we feel God is unfair. In truth, the story of Job is complex,

not providing easy answers. God restores Job's physical fortunes in the end,

but that isn't always His plan for us. Perhaps we find something of a verdict

in Job's final admission:

"Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?

Therefore have I uttered that I understood not;

Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not."(42:3). The point is, God has

reasons we know nothing of, and there's wonderful hope in that.



By: Kenneth Petersen



Reflect & Pray



What occasions have prompted you to "take God to court"?

Why is it okay for you to ask Him tough questions?



Dear God, I sometimes feel angry about what

I've had to endure. Please help me bring my complaints to You.

< href="https://discoveryseries.org/courses/understanding-the-bible-the-wisdom-books/">

For further study, read Understanding the Bible: The Wisdom Books.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 6 Humility and Exaltation



1 Peter 5:6-7



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.



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.



"I was so humble I was given an award for humility," the pastor quipped.

"They gave me a humility plaque - but they had to take it back when I hung it

on my office wall."

Humility is rare among 20th Century Christians. Our pride takes two

seemingly contradictory forms: Self-exaltation and self-denial. But both

focus on self, not on God.

Francois Fenelon, 17th century French archbishop, From his

"Letters of Spiritual Counsel" wrote:

"He who so completely forget himself that he never thinks of self ... is

truly humble. If we had the light to discern it, we should see clearly that

when we think we are humbling ourselves we are exalting ourselves;

when we think we are annihilating ourselves we are seeking out own life."

True humility, as Fenelon implies, means recognising who we are in the light

of who God is. Excess of self-importance and low self-esteem are both

self-centered perspectives; true humility is God-centered.

When we humble ourselves, we become intensely aware of God and less

aware of ourselves. We can focus on his face and get our eyes off our own

image. We can stop worrying about how others perceive us. Such humbling

is difficult - as one 70-year-old saint joked, "It ain't the heat that gets

you, it's the humility." But when we submit to him and fell the weight of the

"Mighty hand of God" upon us, we can forget ourselves, abandon

ourselves to his presence, and cast our cares upon him.



Application



a) What form does my pride usually take - self-exaltation or self-degradation?



b) Why must I humble myself in order for the Lord to lift me up?



c) How can today's verse encourage me when times are tough?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



2 Chr 31:21



21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house

of God and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,

he did this with all his heart, and he found success.



21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house

of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,

he did it with all his heart, and prospered.



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



God's Protection in Times of Trouble



Ps 27:1-6



PSALMS 27



A Psalm of David.



1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom will I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom will I be afraid?

2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) When the wicked came against me

to eat my flesh -

my enemies and my foes -

they stumbled and fell.

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Though an army should encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

though war should rise against me,

in this will I be confident.

4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) One thing I have asked from the Lord,

that will I seek after -

for me to dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to see the beauty of the Lord,

and to inquire in His temple.

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For in the time of trouble

He will hide me in His pavilion;

in the shelter of His tabernacle He will hide me;

He will set me up on a rock.

6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8 - 9) Now my head will be lifted up

above my enemies encircling me;

therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.



1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,

came upon me to eat up my flesh,

They stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:

Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:

In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;

he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,

Above mine enemies round about me:

Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.



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 27 of the Month



a) Pray that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to

hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.



(



2 Cor 10:4-5



4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,

5 casting down imaginations and every high thing

that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,



4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing

that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;



)



b) Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who

are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.



Advent Day 6



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





"The Incarnation was God's 'weak moment':

when Omnipotence becomes a baby in a manger it

has 'weakened' itself....The temptation ...

is precisely a temptation to evade

the self-imposed weaknesses, to be strong, omnipotent,

again- to make stones into bread,

to be emperor of the world, to do 'levitations'.

The weakness was the strength." - C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in Lewis' Collected Letters, Ill, pp. 409ff.)



Strength in Weakness



In this age of professional athletes, health clubs, bodybuilding,

and advances in medical science, nutrition, and natural foods,

we have trouble identifying with the idea of strength in weakness.

The apostle Paul did also, at first, until God spoke to him of

the suffi­ciency of his grace. Jesus himself showed strength

in weakness at the time he was tempted by the devil, as Lewis

wrote in this letter. More than that, the Incarnation is

the best example of weakness­ self-imposed weakness.



How can weakness be strength? When I tell my spouse, or even my children,

"I'm sorry," I may seem weak. But they don't think of it as weakness.

Only a strong person can apologize. When I share some of my innermost

thoughts, I am vulnerable. However, when I open myself to another person,

I often find it strengthens the rela­tionship. When I realize my own

strengths and weaknesses, I learn to rely on other people.

That, too, is strength. God put us into the body of Christ to be dependent

on one another. That's strength in weakness,

because it draws on the strengths of others.



So when God says, "My power is made perfect in weakness," we can believe it.

When I learn to rely on God's grace, instead of my own strength, God works

in me. I leave matters in God's hands. I wait upon the Spirit (Acts 1:4).

I trust that God is working out his plan (Rom. 8:28). He is "able to do

immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." (Eph. 3:20). God said it.

That should settle it.



Prayer: Lord, teach us to know that our weak moments are so often

the times when your strength is at work in us. Amen.



9 (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10; Isa 40:29-31) But He said to me,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.



2 Corinthians 12:9



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn





Fulfilling Service



... They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple'



-Luke 1:22b



My title is meant to have double meanings.

Zechariah indubitably completed his service in the Temple, and he

certainly found it gratifying as he did so. Subsequently, his wife

and he consummated their marriage, and she praised God for looking

favourably upon her and taking away her disgrace for not yet having borne

a child.



Moreover, those who waited for Zechariah at the Temple discerned

another aspect of the priest's service-that he had seen a vision.

What else could they deduce when he returned later than expected

from offering the incense and reappeared stricken with muteness?

Nevertheless, his face must have displayed great bewilderment

and perhaps bliss at the thought of having a child in his old age.





To what service has God called you? Have you experienced any moments

of fulfillment lately? Have you received from anyone (representing God?)

good news that refreshed you with wonder? Has a member of your family

encountered any situation that nourished him/her with great exhilaration?



prayer



Generous God, thank you for the gifts of service. Amen.





Read Luke 1:21-25.



21 The people waited for Zechariah, and wondered why he waited

so long in the temple.

22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived

that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs to them

and remained speechless.

23 As soon as the days of his service were fulfilled,

he departed to his own home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months

she hid herself, saying,

25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me,

to take away my reproach among men."



From the Ah-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimmler



FIRST FRIDAY

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



9 (Lk 2:14; Mt 23:39) The crowds that went before Him

and that followed Him cried out:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"(Ps 118:26.)

Hosanna in the highest!" MATTHEW 21:9



Advent is a great ADVENTure. Just like Christ's adventure into Jerusalem

on Palm Sunday As you read today's Scripture, what is it about this

ADVENTure that stands out for you? If you had beer there as part of the

crowd in the Palm Sunday parade, what would you have been thinking?



I am reminded of the story about the little girl who home from

worship and asked her parents. "Who's Anna?" When neither Mom nor

Dad could understand what she was asking, they queried, ''Why are you

asking that question?" The girl simply responded, "In church we're always

singing, 'Who's Anna? Who's Anna'?l' And I don't even know her!"



Advent reminds us that any time we are in the presence of "he who comes

In the name of the Lord," we are on an extraordinary ADVENTure! In many

ways, the beginning of our Advent journey this week is similar to Christ's

journey on Palm Sunday: from Jerusalem .. . through the streets and

villages . . . to the cross . . . and finally to the empty tomb! Because of His

ADVENTure, we are able to shout. "Hosanna--save us,. Lord!" during our

ADVENTure to Bethlehem. .. and then beyond to Good Friday and 'Easter'!

enjoy your ADVENTure in the Lord today!



PRAYER: Lord, we all love a parade. especially when we know how your parade

leads to an empty tomb! Encourage us this day to be ADVENTurous

people as we humbly follow you. We are blessed because you have first

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



Read Matthew 21:1-11



Matthew 21



The Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem

Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:28-38; Jn 12:12-19



1 (Mt 24:3; 26:30) When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage,

on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, "Go over into the village opposite you,

and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.

Untie them and bring them to Me.

3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them.'

And he will send them immediately."

4 (Mt 1:22; Jn 12:15) All this was done to fulfill

what was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 (Isa 62:11; Ge 49:10) "Tell the daughter of Zion,

'Look, your King is coming to you,

humble, and sitting on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'Zec 9:9."

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.

7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their garments on them,

and He sat on them.

8 (2Ki 9:13) A very large crowd spread their garments on the road.

Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9 (Lk 2:14; Mt 23:39) The crowds that went before Him

and that followed Him cried out:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!

'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' (Ps 118:26.)

Hosanna in the highest!"

10 When He entered Jerusalem, the entire city was moved,

saying, "Who is He?"

11 (Lk 7:16; Jn 6:14) The crowds said, "This is Jesus,

the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Salvation is for all for the Lord is

coming back for those who have accepted Him.



Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, I sometimes feel angry about what

I've had to endure. Please help me bring my complaints to You."



Pray to the Lord and pray to be humble in the sight of the Lord.



Pray to the Lord and pray to work for him daily.



Pray to the Lord and praise Him in all circumstances.



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 God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to

hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.



Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who

are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.



Prayer: Generous God, thank you for the gifts of service. Amen.



Pray: Gracious Lord, thank you for including us in your intentions

for the growth of faith. Amen.



Pray: Lord, we all love a parade. especially when we know how your parade

leads to an empty tomb! Encourage us this day to be ADVENTurous

people as we humbly follow you. We are blessed because you have first

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



Ask the Lord to inspire Christians in Djibouti to share the "Good News"

of the Gospel with their unsaved neighbours.



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.

Day 333, 28 November 2024 - 5th Day of Advent



1) Romans 8, Romans 9, Romans 10



Romans 8



Life in the Spirit



1 (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:17) There is therefore now no condemnation for those

who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according

to the Spirit.

2 (1Co 15:45; Ro 6:18; Jn 8:32) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ

Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.

3 (Ac 13:39; 2Co 5:21) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak

through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful

flesh, and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

4 (Gal 5:16) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be

fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh

but according to the Spirit.

5 (1Co 2:14; Gal 5:19-25) For those who live according to the flesh set

their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according

to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 (Ro 6:21; 8:13) To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually

minded is life and peace,

7 (Jas 4:4; 1Co 2:14) for the carnal mind is hostile toward God,

for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be,

8 (Ro 7:5) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 (Gal 4:6; 1Co 6:19; 3:16) You, however, are not in the flesh

but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong

to Him.

10 (Eph 3:17; Col 1:27) And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead

because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.

11 (Ac 2:24; Ro 8:2) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus

from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead

will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit

that lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live

according to the flesh.

13 (Gal 6:8) For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,

but if through the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,

you will live.

14 (Gal 5:18; Rev 21:7) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

these are the sons of God.

15 (Mk 14:36; 1Co 2:12) For you have not received the spirit of slavery

again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom

we cry, “Abba, Father.”

16 (Eph 1:13; 2Co 1:22) The Spirit Himself bears witness

with our spirits that we are the children of God,

17 (Gal 4:7; 3:29) and if children, then heirs: heirs of God

and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,

that we may also be glorified with Him.



[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ

Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from

the law of sin and death.

[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

[4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not

after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but

they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life

and peace.

[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to

the law of God, neither indeed can be.

[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit

of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is

none of his.

[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the

Spirit is life because of righteousness.

[11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in

you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal

bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

[12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after

the flesh.

[13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the

Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye

have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the

children of God:

[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.



The Glory That Is to Be



18 (1Pe 4:13; Col 3:4) For I consider that the sufferings of this present

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed

to us.

19 (1Jn 3:2; Php 1:20) The eager expectation of the creation waits for

the appearance of the sons of God.

20 (Ge 3:17-19; 5:29) For the creation was subjected to futility,

not willingly, but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope

21 (2Pe 3:13; Ac 3:21) that the creation itself also will be set free

from its slavery to corruption into the glorious freedom of the children

of God.

22 (Jer 12:11; 12:4) We know that the whole creation groans

and travails in pain together until now.

23 (Ro 7:24; 8:19) Not only that, but we also, who have the first fruits

of the Spirit, groan within ourselves while eagerly waiting for adoption,

the redemption of our bodies.

24 (1Th 5:8; Heb 11:1) For we are saved through hope, but hope that is

seen is not hope, for why does a man still hope for what he sees?

25 (1Th 1:3) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it

with patience.

26 (Eph 6:18; Mt 20:22; Zec 12:10) Likewise, the Spirit helps us

in our weaknesses, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought,

but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

27 (Ro 8:34; Rev 2:23) He who searches the hearts knows what the mind

of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according

to the will of God.

28 (Gal 1:15; Ge 50:20) We know that all things work together for good

to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

29 (Ro 11:2; 1Co 15:49; Eph 1:11) For those whom He foreknew, He

predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,

so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 (1Co 6:11; Heb 9:15) And those whom He predestined, He also called;

and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified,

He also glorified.



[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to

be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the

manifestation of the sons of God.

[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by

reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of

corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain

together until now.

[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of

the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the

adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a

man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what

we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession

for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

[27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the

Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will

of God.

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love

God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to

the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

[30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he

called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also

glorified.



The Love of God



31 (Ps 118:6; Ro 4:1) What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 (Jn 3:16; Ro 4:25) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered

Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us

all things?

33 (Rev 12:10-11; Isa 50:8-9) Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?

It is God who justifies.

34 (Heb 7:25; Mk 16:19; Ro 8:1) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who

died, yes, who is risen, who is also at the right hand of God,

who also intercedes for us.

35 (1Co 4:11) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 (Ps 44:22; 1Co 15:30) As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;

we are counted as sheep for the slaughter."(Ps 44:22.)

37 (1Co 15:57; Gal 2:20) No, in all these things we are more than

conquerors through Him who loved us.

38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present

nor things to come,

39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.



[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be

against us?

[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how

shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

[33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that

justifieth.

[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is

risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh

intercession for us.

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or

distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are

accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that

loved us.

[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to

separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Romans 9



God's Election of Israel



1 (Gal 1:20; 1Ti 2:7) I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying;

my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,

2 that I have great sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.

3 (Ex 32:32; Gal 1:8) For I could wish that I myself were accursed

from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race,

4 (Eph 2:12; Ge 17:2; Ex 4:22) who are Israelites, to whom belong

the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law,

the service of God, and the promises,

5 (Ro 1:25; 11:28) to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom,

according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.

6 (Gal 6:16; Nu 23:19) It is not as though the word of God has failed.

For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel,

7 (Ge 21:12; Heb 11:18) nor are they all children because they are

descendants of Abraham, but "In Isaac shall your descendants be called."

(Ge 21:12.)

8 So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God,

but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.

9 (Ge 18:10; 18:14) For this is the word of promise,

"At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son."

(Ex 20:13-15, 17; Dt 5:17-19, 21.)

10 (Ro 5:3) Not only that, but Rebekah also had conceived by one man,

our father Isaac.

11 (Ro 4:17) For before the children had been born, having done

neither evil nor good, so that the purpose of God according

to election might stand, not of works, but through Him who calls,

12 it was said to her, "The elder shall serve the younger."(Ge 25:23.)

13 (Mal 1:2-3) As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have

hated."(Mal 1:2.)

14 (2Ch 19:7; Dt 32:4) What shall we say then? Is there

unrighteousness with God? God forbid!

15 (Ex 33:19) For He says to Moses,

"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."(Ex 33:19.)

16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs,

but of God who shows mercy.

17 (Ex 9:16) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose

I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you,

and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth."

(Ex 9:16.)

18 (Ex 4:21; Dt 2:30) Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills,

and He hardens whom He wills.



[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me

witness in the Holy Ghost,

[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,

my kinsmen according to the flesh:

[4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and

the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the

promises;

[5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came,

who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not

all Israel, which are of Israel:

[7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children:

but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

[8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the

children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

[9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara

shall have a son.

[10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by

our father Isaac;

[11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or

evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of

works, but of him that calleth;)

[12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

[13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

[14] What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

[15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and

I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

[16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of

God that sheweth mercy.

[17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I

raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might

be declared throughout all the earth.

[18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he

hardeneth.



Wrath and Mercy of God



19 (2Ch 20:6; Da 4:35) You will then say to me,

"Why does He yet find fault? For who can resist His will?"

20 (Isa 29:16; Job 33:13) Rather, O man, who are you to answer back

to God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it,

"Why have you made me like this?"

21 (Isa 64:8) Does the potter not have power over the clay to make

from the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

22 (Pr 16:4; 1Pe 2:8) What if God, willing to show His wrath

and to make His power known, endured with much patience

the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

23 (Ro 2:4; Eph 3:16) in order to make known the riches of His glory

on the vessels of mercy, which He previously prepared for glory,

24 even us, whom He has called, not from the Jews only,

but also from the Gentiles?

25 (Hos 2:23; 1Pe 2:10) As indeed He says in Hosea:

"I will call those who were not My people, 'My people,'

and her who was not beloved, 'Beloved,' "(Hos 2:23.)

26 and,

"In the place where it was said to them,

'You are not My people,'

there they shall be called 'sons of the living God.'"(Hos 1:10.)

27 (Isa 10:20-23; Hos 1:10) Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

"Though the number of the children of Israel be like the sand of the sea,

a remnant shall be saved.(Isa 10:22.)

28 For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness,

because the Lord will make a quick work upon the earth."(Isa 10:23.)

29 (Isa 1:9; 13:19) And as Isaiah previously said:

"Unless the Lord of Hosts

had left us a seed,

we would have become like Sodom,

and been made like Gomorrah."(Isa 1:9.)



[19] Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath

resisted his will?

[20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing

formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

[21] Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one

vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

[22] What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,

endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

[23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of

mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

[24] Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the

Gentiles?

[25] As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my

people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

[26] And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto

them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the

living God.

[27] Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children

of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

[28] For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because

a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

[29] And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a

seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.



Israel and the Gospel



30 (Php 3:9; Heb 11:7) What shall we say then? The Gentiles,

who did not pursue righteousness, have attained righteousness,

even the righteousness which is by faith,

31 (Ro 11:7) but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness,

did not attain the law of righteousness.

32 (1Pe 2:8) Why not? Because they did not seek it by faith,

but by the works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone.

33 (Isa 28:16; Ro 10:11) As it is written:

"Look! I lay in Zion a stumbling stone

and rock of offense,

and whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 8:14; 28:16.)



[30] What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after

righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which

is of faith.

[31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not

attained to the law of righteousness.

[32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the

works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

[33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of

offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.



Romans 10

1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel

is that they may be saved.

2 (Ac 21:20) For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God,

but not according to knowledge.

3 (Ro 1:17) For, being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking

to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit

to the righteousness of God.

4 (Gal 3:24) Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness

for every one who believes.



[1] Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they

might be saved.

[2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according

to knowledge.

[3] For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to

establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the

righteousness of God.

[4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that

believeth.



Salvation for All



5 (Lev 18:5; Ne 9:29) For Moses writes about the righteousness

which is based on the law: "The man who does those things shall live

by them." (Lev 18:5.)

6 But the righteousness which is based on faith says,

"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' "(Dt 30:12.)

(that is, to bring Christ down),

7 (Heb 13:20) or, 'Who will descend into the deep?' " Dt 30:13.

(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

8 (Dt 30:14) But what does it say? "The word is near you,

in your mouth and in your heart."(Dt 30:14.)

This is the word of faith that we preach:

9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord,

and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved,

10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

11 (Ro 9:33; Isa 28:16) For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes

in Him will not be ashamed." (Isa 28:16.)

12 (Ro 3:22; 2:4) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,

for the same Lord over all is generous toward all who call upon Him.

13 (Ac 2:21; Joel 2:32) For, "Everyone who calls on the name

of the Lord shall be saved."(Joel 2:32.)

14 (Titus 1:3) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not

believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 (Isa 52:7; Na 1:15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach

the gospel of peace, who bring good news of good things!"(Isa 52:7.)

16 (Isa 53:1; Ro 3:3) But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"(Isa 53:1.)

17 (Gal 3:2; 3:5) So then faith comes by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.

18 (Ps 19:4; Mt 24:14) But I say, have they not heard?

Yes, indeed: "Their voice went into all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world."(Ps 19:4.)

19 (Dt 32:21; Ro 11:11) But I say, did Israel not know?

First, Moses says:

"I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation,

and by a foolish nation I will anger you."(Dt 32:21.)

20 (Ro 9:30) And Isaiah is very bold and says:

"I was found by those who did not seek Me;

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for Me."(Isa 65:1.)

21 But to Israel He says:

"All day long I have stretched out My hands

to a disobedient and contrary people."(Isa 65:2.)



[5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man

which doeth those things shall live by them.

[6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not

in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down

from above:)

[7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again

from the dead.)

[8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy

heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt

believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved.

[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be

ashamed.

[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same

Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how

shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they

hear without a preacher?

[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How

beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring

glad tidings of good things!

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who

hath believed our report?

[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

[18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all

the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

[19] But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you

to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger

you.

[20] But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me

not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

[21] But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands

unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.



2) Our Daily Bread for 28 November 2024 Titled

Pardoned by God



Micah 7:18-20



18 (Isa 43:25; Jer 32:41) Who is a God like You,

bearing iniquity and passing over transgression

for the remnant of His inheritance?

He does not remain angry forever,

because He delights in benevolence.

19 (Isa 38:17; Jer 50:20) He will again have compassion upon us.

He will tread down our iniquities,

and cast all of our sins into the depths of the sea.

20 You will give faithfulness to Jacob and benevolence to Abraham,

which You swore to our fathers from the days of old.



[18] Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by

the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger

for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

[19] He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our

iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

[20] Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which

thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.



Around the national USA Thanksgiving holiday, the US president welcomes two

turkeys to the White House before granting them a presidential pardon. Instead

of being served as the main dish of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, the

turkeys safely live out the rest of their lives on a farm. Although

the turkeys can't comprehend the freedom they've been granted, the unusual

annual tradition highlights the life-giving power of a pardon.



The prophet Micah understood the significance of a pardon when he wrote a

strong warning to the Israelites still in Jerusalem. Similar in form to a

legal complaint, Micah recorded God bearing witness against the nation

(Micah 1:2) for desiring evil and indulging in

greed, dishonesty, and violence (6:10-15).



Despite these rebellious acts, Micah ends with hope rooted in the promise

that God doesn't stay angry forever but instead "pardons sin and forgives"

(7:18). As the Creator and Judge over all, He can authoritatively declare that

He won't hold our actions against us because of His promise to Abraham (v. 20)

-ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' death and resurrection.



Being pardoned from all the ways we fail to live up to God's standards is an

undeserved gift that brings immense blessings. As we grasp more and more of

the benefits of His complete forgiveness, let's respond in praise

and gratitude.



By: Lisa M. Samra



Reflect & Pray



What are the benefits of the pardon God offers? How does it prompt gratitude?



May I live, merciful Father, in gratitude

because of the pardon You've offered me.





3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 5 The Way Out



1 Cor 10:13



13 (1Co 1:9; 2Pe 2:9) No temptation has taken

you except what is common to man. God is faithful,

and He will not permit you to be tempted above

what you can endure, but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.



13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common

to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be

tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.



Becky had experienced some hard knocks in the past few weeks; the stress

was beginning to show, and she wasn't sure she should handle anything else.

"Why me?" Becky wept, covering her face. "I just can't stand it any more!

I can't pay my bills; I just lost my job, and now my car broke down

on the highway. How much more of this can I take?"

Some people seem to have more than their share of trouble and temptation.

Within six months, one family faced financial trouble, cancer, quadruple

bypass surgery, and leukemia; their trials brought them face to face with

anger, bitterness, and despair as well. Other people seem to go through

life with relatively minor stresses and few real temptations to sin.

But whether our problems are great or small, they are part of the common

thread that ties humanity together. All of us face temptation; it is ,

Paul says, "Common to man." But Paul assures us that

"God ... will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."

Often what we can bear is more that what we think we can bear. God will use

the troubled times in our lives for our maturity in him, but he promises

as well that he will not let temptation break us. He will provide "a way out,"

"a way of escape".

Sometimes the "way out" is true escape, being removed from what caused the

trouble. At other times, rather than being removed from it, we must

withstand the stress, face the temptation, enure the pain. Whether we escape

or endure, God is faithful to provide what we need; we can trust him

not to give us more than we can bear.



Application



a) Have I ever faced more stress or temptation than I thought I could bear?



b) Under what circumstances has God provided an "escape" for me?

When have I had to walk "through" my difficulties?



c) How can today's verse encourage me when times are tough?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



2 Cor 9:8,11



8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you,

so that you, always having enough of everything,

may abound to every good work.

11 So you will be enriched in everything to all bountifulness,

which makes us give thanks to God.



8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having

all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

11 being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through

us thanksgiving to God.



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



When you are Facing Pain and Suffering



Ps 9:9-12



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

a refuge in times of trouble.

10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You,

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

11 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.



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.



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 28 of the Month



a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear

and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.



(



John 5:24



24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever

hears My word and believes in Him who sent

Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,

but has passed from death into life."



24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,

and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,

and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.



)



b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you

know today . (



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.



)



Advent Day 5



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



24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls

into the ground and dies, it remains alone.

But if it dies, it bears much fruit

John 12:24



"In this descent and reascent everyone will recognize

a familiar pattern: a thing written all over the world.

It is the pattern of all vegetable life. It must belittle

itself into some­ thing hard, small and deathlike,

it must fall into the ground: thence the new life reascends.

It is the pattern of all animal generation too." - C. S. Lewis



(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 148.)



Dying and Rising



The Gospel writers remind us that the arc of Jesus'

life on earth began at the Incarnation and ended with his death.

The first hum­bling was his birth in a manger,

but the final humbling was death on a cross.



The pattern that God set into the universe is one of death

and resurrection. The same is true, John writes in today's

Scripture, in the world of plants. It is no surprise that

we see the death of plants every fall and their resurrection

in the spring. Again, we see the "death" of a seed

when it is planted and the "resurrection" of that seed

when it springs forth and produces many other seeds. Why?

Because this is a divine pattern, say Jesus and Lewis,

set into the fabric of the universe, reflecting the nature of God.



Sometimes a person dies, and an organ transplant saves a life.

Lewis calls it "a familiar pattern." The point is that dying and rising,

including Jesus' descent in the Incarnation and his reascent

in the Ascension, are common, so common that we shouldn't

wonder that God redeemed us with dying and rising.



Jesus, you came down to us for our salvation.

Thank you for dying and rising for us. Amen.



From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn



THURSDAY, FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT



John's Character



Read Luke 1:8-20



8 Now while he served as priest before God, when his division was on duty,

9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn

incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side

of the altar of incense.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, "Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer

has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall call his name John.

14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink

neither wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

even from his mother's womb.

16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,

to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children

and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready

a people prepared for the Lord."

18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this?

For I am an old man and my wife well advanced in years."

19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.

And I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

20 And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day

that these things happen, because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled in their season."



Luke 1:15b ...and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

even from his mother's womb.



I purposely had us read the same verses from Luke 1:8-17

for three days in a row (including part of today's reading), so that

the angel's message to Zechariah could impact us more deeply with

the good news of God's answer to prayer, the strength of John's

character, and the magnitude of his calling. John was not

a minor person (nor are we!) in God's plan for the salvation

of the world. Indeed, he would "make ready a people prepared for the Lord."



Zechariah doubted God's miracle because of his and his wife's ages,

but Gabriel assured him that it was the Lord's determination.

He would experience muteness, not so much as punishment,

but as a sign until the prophecy had been fulfilled.

Has God ever allowed us to endure such a symptom

to be reminded constantly of our call to participate in God's designs?



Perhaps we suffer an aggravating handicap to cue us that

we are commissioned to encourage others to become prepared for,

and know, the Lord.



Prayer



Gracious Lord, thank you for including us in your intentions

for the growth of faith. Amen.



From The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler



FIRST THURSDAY



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



Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore.

love is the fulfilling of the law.



Read Romans 13:8-10.



8 (Ro 7:5) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 (Gal 4:6; 1Co 6:19; 3:16) You, however, are not in the flesh

but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ,

he does not belong to Him.

10 (Eph 3:17; Col 1:27) And if Christ is in you,

though the body is dead because of sin,

the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.



ROMANS 13:10 And if Christ is in you,

though the body is dead because of sin,

the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.



Love. or amour (the French word for love). is what Advent

and Christ himself, are all about Love is one four-letter

word that needs to be used and shared over and over again

for all the world to see. to sense and to savour.

One problem with the word love is that it is misused by society

to mean anything we like or are attracted to-from beer

to baseball to brats. As a result it has lost much

of the amorous quality about it.



But not so in the Scriptures! Love is always seen

as a gift from God himself. in Jesus Christ. In today's reading, St. Paul

boldly states. "Owe no one anything. except to love one another"

Wow, now that's amour!



Seek ways today to share health, hope and amour with those around you .

All three go together as God's gifts to you and to others.

As you work at loving your neighbour as yourself, do not forget that

God in Christ is first loving and forgiving you in order that

you have the energies and Easter-power, to he able to love others.



Advent's message's a big AH-HA of amour! Don't you think someone

should write a hymn entitled Amour Makes the World Go Round?



Lord thanks for being Amour to us and for us Help us to love one

another by first knowing that you love us always. Then enable us

to love ourselves for who we are 1n order to love others

for who they are Thar happens because we know who you are!

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



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Salvation is for all humanity and

there is no condemnation because of wht HE did for Salvation.



Pray to the Lord: "May I live, merciful Father, in gratitude

because of the pardon You've offered me."



Pray to the Lord and pray to give him all your stresses and hard times.



Pray to the Lord and pray to thank Him for His Blessings.



Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will hear the cry of the oppressed.



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 for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear

and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.



Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you

know today .



Pray: Jesus, you came down to us for our salvation.

Thank you for dying and rising for us. Amen.



Pray: Gracious Lord, thank you for including us in your intentions

for the growth of faith. Amen.



Pray: Lord thanks for being Amour to us and for us Help us to love one

another by first knowing that you love us always. Then enable us

to love ourselves for who we are in order to love others

for who they are Thar happens because we know who you are!

In Jesus' name. Amen



Pray that Mauritania's Islamic leaders will repeal laws that prohibit

conversion to Christianity.



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.