[continued from previous message]   
      
   8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,   
   love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:   
      
   1 John 3:23   
      
   23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name   
   of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.   
      
   23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name   
   of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.   
      
   )   
      
   FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT   
   Being Lovers of Christ   
      
   Luke 1:1-4   
      
   Advent has begun! We suddenly realize we are not ready for   
   Christmas, and we fret about decorations, cards, presents   
   or food. However, this year let's approach Christmas spiritually,   
   in order to prepare our hearts, minds and wills for the Christ   
   Child's coming.   
   A   
   In our lead text Luke declares that he has done all the research   
   and that he wants Theophilus to know the truth about all he   
   has learned concerning Jesus, so he has decided to write an   
   "orderly account. " We will meditate on this narrative during   
   Advent this year for one major purpose: that we might all   
   become more richly like Theophilus(Theophila) or "God   
   Lover".   
   Was Theophilus a real man, or did Luke use that name to   
   signify everyone reading his report? Unquestionably, the name   
   indicates our goal this Advent: That each of us might love God   
   more because of all he did for us in sending his Son, Jesus.   
      
   Prayer   
      
   God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.   
      
   Mark 13:35-37   
      
      
   35 (Mt 24:42) "Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master   
   of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight,   
   or at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-   
   36 (Mk 14:40) lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping.   
   37 (Mk 13:35) What I say to you I say to all: Watch!"   
      
      
   The AH-HAs of Advent by Rich Bimler   
      
   FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT   
      
   AH-HA! Ambassadors pf Health, Hope and Anticipation   
      
      
   We begin another Advent season very appropriately-we me waiting,   
   waiting, waiting! We are waiting to see when gas prices will drop again   
   ... waiting to see the economy turn around .. waiting to see what kind   
   of weather December will bring .. waiting to see who sends us the first   
   Christmas Card (already!?)... waiting ... waiting... waiting ...   
   Advent is about anticipation. It is like waiting for the ketchup to ooze out   
   of its bottle's long neck We wait ... and wait ... and wait.   
   And finally It comes.   
   The Gospel for this week reminds us that no one knows when the Lord   
   will return to earth And so we can anticipate his Second Coming with   
   great Joy, not fear because he has already prepared us for life as well as   
   for death. Isn't it ironic that as we anticipate-as we prepare for his coming   
   In Bethlehem during this season-the Lord has already prepared us for   
   his Second Coming through his own death and resurrection?   
   So. ready or not, here he comes! Anticipate a joy-filled Advent season,   
   as ambassadors of health. hope and anticipation! And anticipate the   
   Lord at work In you today!   
      
   Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you   
   for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day   
   We celebrate your presence with great anticipation   
   In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!   
   Read Matthew 24:36-44.   
      
   The Unknown Day and Hour   
      
   Mk 13:32-37; Lk 17:26-30, 34-36   
      
   36 (Ac 1:7; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:32) "Concerning that day and hour no one knows,   
   not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.   
   37 (Lk 17:26-27) As were the days of Noah, so will be   
   the coming of the Son of Man.   
   38 (Mt 22:30) For as in the days before the flood, they were eating   
   and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah   
   entered the ark,   
   39 (Mt 24:37) and did not know until the flood came   
   and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.   
   40 Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.   
   41 (Ex 11:5; Isa 47:2) Two women will be grinding at the mill;   
   one will be taken, and the other left.   
   42 (Mt 25:13; 24:44) "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour   
   your Lord will come.   
   43 (Lk 12:39) But know this, that if the owner of the house had known   
   what hour the thief would come, he would have watched   
   and not have let his house be broken into.   
   44 (Mt 25:10; 25:13) Therefore you also must be ready, for in an hour   
   when you least expect, the Son of Man is coming.   
      
   Conclusion:   
      
   Pray to the Lord to be discipled into maturity.   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to live honourably for the Lord.   
      
   Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, thank You J   
   for the immeasurable worth I have in You."   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to know we have redemption in Jesus Christ.   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to be faithful in all you do.   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to be helpful in Community.   
      
   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 the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those   
   who have committed crimes.   
      
   Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ   
   across Canada.   
      
   Pray Lord, give us a new appreciation of the Grand Miracle, your   
   coming to Earth, this Advent season. Amen.   
      
   Lord we are preparing for your coming at Christmas, Thank you   
   for preparing us for your return-both today and on the Last Day   
   We celebrate your presence with great anticipation   
   In Jesus' name.   
      
   God , help us to love you more abundantly this Advent. Amen.   
      
   Pray that digital access to God's Word will thrive   
   among Omanis, who are not allowed to purchase Bibles.   
      
   Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.   
   and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.   
      
   Remember eternity starts now -   
   Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.   
   --   
   Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca   
   Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!   
   Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;   
   All I want to hear from JEsus Christ is WEll done Good and Faithful servant   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)