Day 343 of My 5th Bible Study Journey Part 2

Day 343, 9 December 2025 - 17th Day of Advent 

2) Our Daily Bread for 9 December 2029
<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals
/devotional-category/being-the-church"> 
Being the Church </a> by Anne Cetas

Acts 2:36-47

36 "Therefore, let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God
has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 (Lk 3:10; Ac 5:33) When they heard this, they were stung in the heart
and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles,
"Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 (Lk 24:47; Ac 8:12; 22:16) Peter said to them,
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit.
39 (Joel 2:32; Isa 44:3) For the promise is to you, and to your children,
and to all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call."
40 (Mt 17:17; Dt 32:5) With many other words he testified and exhorted them,
saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
41 (Ac 2:37; 2:47) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath
made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we
do?
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Life Among the Believers

42 (Ac 1:14; 20:7; 2:46) They continued steadfastly in the apostles'
teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.
43 Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through
the apostles.
44 (Ac 4:32) All who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 They sold their property and goods and distributed them to all,
according to their need.
46 (Ac 5:42; 20:7) And continuing daily with one mind in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness
and simplicity of heart,
47 (Ac 11:24; 2:41) praising God and having favor with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by
the apostles.
[44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as
every man had need.
[46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness
of heart,
[47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added
to the church daily such as should be saved. 

On a sunny afternoon, I drew with sidewalk chalk with the Sudanese family next
door. We could hear singing coming from the house next to theirs, where a 
small group holds worship services. The young mom I was talking with was 
curious about what was going on, so she and I walked over and listened in. 
They invited us to gather with them. A young man, standing in a tank filled 
with water for baptism, spoke about receiving forgiveness for his sins 
and committing himself to follow Jesus.

This was a unique opportunity for us to hear a testimony of salvation in the 
yard right next door. This group was being the church in our neighbourhood.

Jesus is building His church around the world. In the days before His 
ascension, He told His followers that He would send the Spirit to live in them
and that they would be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). He
would build His church through their Spirit-empowered preaching and teaching. 
And immediately God began to add "to their number 
daily those who were being saved" (2:47).

We can be a part of building Christ's church by being His church as we live 
out our faith in our neighborhoods and share with others what He's done for 
us. He gave His life and was resurrected so that we might be forgiven 
and have eternal life. And He'll help us learn how to serve others 
in His church today.

Reflect & Pray

In what ways might God be using you to build Jesus' church? 
What more might you do?

Dear Jesus, thank You that You're adding people to Your church daily.

<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/spiritual-beliefs/salvation
/fulfillment-foundation-and-foreshadowing">Discover more about Acts 2 by 
reading Fulfillment, Foundation, and Foreshadowing.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 3 The song of Exaltation

Exodus 15:2

2 The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

2 The LORD is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation:
He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; 
My father's God, and I will exalt him.

The world is full of music that communicates human emotion:
love, joy, sadness, separation.
A love song makes us misty-eyed; a song of protest arouses anger; a song
describing loss stimulates feelings of hurt and abandonment.
Music is a powerful force to sway the human spirit.
Exodus 15:2 indicates that God should be the source of the songs in our hearts.
Human emotions vacillate; human relationships disappoint,
but God is our "strength" and our "song".
To exalt the Lord includes many different type of "songs".
"I can't carry a tune in a bucket," one woman complained.
"How can I sing to the Lord anything that will be pleasing to him?"
But the Lord does not delight in the professionalism of our songs,
but in the motivation of our hearts. We can "sing to the Lord"
when we enjoy a Bach organ piece played for his glory.
We can exalt him in the words of Scripture - either remembered or sung.
We can worship him by enjoying the songs of others.
The key to making the Lord our song is exaltation. When our thoughts
lift him up in praise, we are singing a song of exaltation to the Lord.
When God is exalted in our songs, in our hearts, and in our thoughts,
that focus gives strength to our lives. We can face the difficulties
that are an inevitable part of experience,
because God is our "strength and our song".

Application

a) What is the difference between a song that is professionally performed
and one that exalts the Lord?

b) What practical steps can I take to 
make my daily life a "song of praise" to God?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Genesis 30:43

The man became exceedingly prosperous and had many sheep
and female servants and male servants and camels and donkeys.

And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle,
and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

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

When you are anxious

Phil 4:4-7

4 (Php 3:1; Ro 12:12 Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again I will say, rejoice!
5 (Jas 5:8-9) Let everyone come to know your gentleness.
The Lord is at hand.
6 (Eph 6:18; Mt 6:25-33) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything,
by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known
to God.
7 (Jn 14:27; Col 3:15; Isa 26:3) And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer 

Matthew 6:9-13


9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.


6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)

The Northern Territories of Canada

Yukon

Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69

In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Northwest Territories (NWT)

NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473

The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year.
To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million
Islamic Centre.

Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to
spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Nunavut (NU)

NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86

The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory.
Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."

Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel. 

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."

Peter's Speech at Pentecost

14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) 

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

9th Day of the Month

a) Pray a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.

(
Ps 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before His presence with singing.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Know that the Lord, He is God;
it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise;
be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For the Lord is good; His mercy endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100

A Psalm of praise.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:
It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
And his truth endureth to all generations.

)

b) Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.
(
1 Chr 12:32

32 (Est 1:13) From the sons of Issachar,
those having understanding of times
and what Israel should do: two hundred of their captains
with all their brothers at their command.

32 And of the children of Issachar,
which were men that had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred;
and all their brethren were at their commandment

)

Advent Day 17
From C.S. Lewis A grand Miracle by Joel Heck

"'It seems, then," said Tirian... "that the Stable
seen from within and the Stable seen from without are two different places."

'Yes,' said the Lord Digory. 'Its inside is bigger than its outside.'

"Yes,' said Queen Lucy. 'In our world too, a Stable once
had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.'"

- C. S. Lewis

(Read this and more in The Last Battle, p. 141.)

Bigger than the Whole World

Lucy and some of her friends had come into Narnia, thinking that they were
going to rescue Narnia from its enemies. But when the battle turned against
them, they thought they were about to die. Narnia had been overrun
by Calormenes, and during the battle Lucy and her friends were forced
into a stable. They soon discovered that they had actually entered
the Narnian heaven. An apparent defeat turned out to be the ultimate victory.

During that moment Queen Lucy recalls, "In our world too, a
Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."
The stable to which Lucy referred was, of course, the stable of Bethlehem.
It once had something inside it that was bigger than the whole world,
the baby Jesus. We will one day experience the same firsthand,
we who humble ourselves to receive this Christ child.
We know that big things come in small packages. Small towns.

Short people. Diamond rings. Babies especially. But also heart, courage,
determination, and faith. Faith can move mountains, but it doesn't need
to be big to do so. Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'
and it will move" (Matt. 17:20).

Lord Jesus, your greatness comes in smallness.
Give us a small faith in a great Savior. Amen.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small
among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for
me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins
are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5:2

From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dean

TUESDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

Did Mary Stay?

Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.

-Luke 1:56

The question of our title today lingers with me because the Gospel text is
ambiguous. We have been told by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth was already
six months along in her pregnancy when Mary received the news of hers.
If we add the months that Mary remained with her, Elizabeth must have given
birth before Mary left-but we aren't specifically told that.

Because Mary had traveled so far, one doubts if she would have gone home
before the big event of the baby's birth. Besides, she surely would want
to assist her relative through her last days of pregnancy and first days
of motherhood.

Why does the question matter? Mary was getting to the time when she would
be scorned for being pregnant before marrying Joseph. Imagine that God
furnished Mary with extra courage

by granting her the privilege of witnessing the birth of her promised child's
Forerunner and by sharing in the ardent faith of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

prayer

Thank you again, Gracious Father, that these two women had
each other. Amen.

Read Luke 1:45-56.

45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion
to those things which were told her by the Lord."

The Song of Mary

46 And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded
the low estate of His servant;
surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
50 His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
55 as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
56 Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.

From The AH-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler

THIRD TUESDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ANCESTORS!

2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?" MATTHEW 11:2-3

Who has prepared you to receive God's love and t)ope in Jesus Christ?
Who has been telling his story to you in both word and action? I hope
there have been many people in your history. as well as in your present.
who continue to be like John the Baptist to you as they "prepare the way of
the Lord" in and for you!
And to whom are you John the Baptist? This question does not refer of
course, to the taste and style of your clothes or what weird diets you may
be on. I'm simply asking how you are preparing people to hear and see
God's presence in Christ Jesus in their lives as well as in yours.
The AH-HA of ancestors is not talking about our old relatives and the
"good old days" of the Bible or even of our lives. Instead, it is centering
us on the people around us, now and in the past, who have brought the
message of Jesus to us.
Thank the Lord today for your ancestors who have prepared you to know
and love the Lord. If they are still here on earth, tell them you love them. If
not, thank the Lord for giving them to you as a Christmas gift!
Lord, you have prepared us through Word and sacrament (and though
special people) to be your child. Thank you for the legion of ancestors
with whom you've surrounded us. And empower us to be like John
the Baptist as we help other people to "prepare the way" for you
to come into their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!

Read Matthew 11:2-11

2 (Mt 14:3; 4:12) Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples,
3 (Heb 10:37; Jn 11:27) and said to Him, "Are You He who should come,
or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 (Lk 4:18; Isa 35:4-6; Mt 5:3) The blind receive their sight
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
[Taken from Isa 35:5-6; 61:1.]
6 (Isa 8:14-15; Mt 24:10) Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me."
7 (Eph 4:14; Jas 1:6) As they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds
concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
A reed shaken by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see?
A man dressed in soft clothing? Indeed,
those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 (Lk 1:76; Mt 14:5) Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 (Mal 3:1; Mk 1:2) For this is he of whom it is written:
'Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face,
who will prepare Your way before You.'[Mal 3:1.]
11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women,
there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.
But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

From <a href="https://oneagleswings.ca"> On Eagle's wings</a> 

Gifts
1 (Isa 43:10; 52:13) Here is My servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one, in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon him;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

[1] Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul
delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to
the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:1  

At my church recently I had the opportunity to joyfully celebrate
the installation of our new priest, Father Dave. Another priest,
Chris, gave a wonderful sermon that day about sharing our gifts
with others in God’s family. His words really spoke to me.
How can I be sure that I am most effectively using the gifts that I
have been given with my church community? For our On Eagle's
Wings family? Wherever they might be best utilized? Moreover, are
my priorities aligned with God’s?
I have always enjoyed teaching and creativity. Thinking back on my
experiences in Bible Camp many years ago, I remember how life
altering those weeks in the Northwest Territories were for me. I also
remember asking the Holy Spirit to be with me and guide me so that
I didn’t fail in my role as a teacher for so many children in a culture
that was entirely new to me. Fortunately, he was with me the whole
time!
While I may not be able to travel for Bible Camp at this point in my
life, I can share my gifts through participation on the Board of On
Eagle’s Wings. Another way is through teaching my grandchildren
about God and Jesus. When is there a more opportune time to
share with children our hope - and what it means - than in this
special time of preparation for Jesus's birth?

Wendy Cusick
Board of Directors & US Office Volunteer

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to love the Lord with all your heart
and all your mind. 

Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, thank You that You're 
adding people to Your church daily."

Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord a Song of Praise.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know His Blessings.

Pray to the Lord and pray to HIs relief from anxiety.

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 a prayer of thanksgiving throughout
the day for God's unfailing love, Mercy, compassion,
faithfulness and provision.

Pray that the Lord will lead the Church in finding ways
to wisely and effectively respond to pressing social issues.

Thank you, Lord, for books, especially the Book, with its
testimony to Jesus as the Christ. Amen.

Pray: Thank you again, Gracious Father, that these two women had
each other. Amen.

Pray: Lord, you have prepared us through Word and sacrament (and though
special people) to be your child. Thank you for the legion of ancestors
with whom you've surrounded us. And empower us to be like John
the Baptist as we help other people to "prepare the way" for you
to come into their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!

Pray: Lord, just as your Holy Spirit has been with us since time began,
may your wisdom and guidance continue to be with me as I seek
assurance that I am utilizing the gifts that you have given me in
accordance with your wishes. Amen.

Pray that Christians who have been forced out of their villages in Laos
for following Christ will not lose heart.

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.
-- 
Member - Liberal International This is [email protected] Ici [email protected]
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
Merry Christmas 2025 and Happy New Year 2026