Day 336 of My 4th Bible Study Journey Part 2

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

2) Our Daily Bread for 1 December 2024 titled
<a href="https://odb.org/2024/12/01/a-good-reputation"> 
Good Reputation for Christ </a>

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.
<a href="https://discoverodb.org/articles/evangelism-reaching-out-through-relationships/">
For further study, read Evangelism-Reaching Out through Relationships.</a>
 
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 <a href="https://oneagleswings.ca"> On Eagle's wings</a> 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.
-- 
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 2024 and Happy New Year 2025