Today, our Scripture focus will be on two of Paul’s prayers found in the book of Ephesians. First, listen to Ephesians 1.
I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Spiritual growth brings wisdom, insight, knowledge, hope, understanding, all from the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
Which of those qualities do you feel you are growing in? Which do you want God to increase in you?
Now, listen to Paul’s prayer in chapter 3
I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Because you are in the family of God, these prayers are also for you.
Specifically, what do these words from this passage mean to you personally -
From his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Unlimited resources - absorb that fact.
He will empower you with inner strength - can you claim that today?
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone offer me every good thing I need in this life. Help me to know how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. I want to experience Your love and the fullness You offer me. As above, so below.”
Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible. We hear these words read in so many settings. But in this beautiful poetry by the shepherd-turned-king David, he speaks of God the Father as his Shepherd and relates life to what he offers his own flock.
Listen with your heart, and hear about the life that God offers you, just as he did David …
The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (NLT)
A significant part of finding balance in our spiritual lives is found in the first verse: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I have all that I need.” When we can arrive at the place where He is truly all that we need to sustain our lives when we find our dependence entirely on Him, then we can find rest, our strength can be renewed, we can learn what it means not to be afraid, we can believe that His goodness and mercy is alive in our lives.
Focus on your breathing in and out, close your eyes, and listen intently to this version of Psalm 23
God, my Shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty Shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (MSG)
The first version we read, the New Living, placed the text on what God will do for us in the future. The Message placed the text in the present, what He does for us. The reality is that both are true.
What else do you need besides God? Could you use some time in a lush meadow? Beside a quiet pool? Time to catch your breath so you can head in the right direction. God is ready to meet your every need.
Breathe deep … take in His truth today … then slowly exhale and let go of yesterday, the past. Move into the balance God offers you in this new day.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for offering all I need. Forgive me when I focus on all I want, especially those things that are outside of Your will. Lead me, Lord. I want to be able to say that, in You, I don’t need anything or anyone else. As above, so below.”
In Mark 12, Jesus was asked which of the ten commandments was most important. His reply surprised them:
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
What is the first key phrase in this passage? The action verb Jesus began with? LOVE - Love the Lord … your God.
We have to start with the very personal question: How much do I love God?
How do we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds with all of our strength? Jesus showed us a road map in this passage.
There are four quadrants mapped out of our being that Jesus mentioned here: Heart, Soul, Mind, and strength.
We start with getting present with God - just me and Him - getting still. It is the premise of what we do here every day. We do this by breathing and getting still.
Notice the passage starts with internal, intimate things - not intellectual things like the mind. It begins with our heart and soul. The order to this is critical
We start by paying attention to our heart - what is going on inside. Approaching God as a child with all our feelings, failures and desires and bringing it to Him.
Then we focus on our Soul by getting still and allowing His presence to speak to our inner being - without words.
Only then do we engage our mind by taking in what God is saying.
Lastly, our strength, what we do with encountering God.
These are the steps Jesus laid out to love him wholly.
Listen again to Jesus words.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Start, as Jesus said, with our heart -our feelings, then move to our soul - experiencing God in stillness caring for the deepest part of us, then move to feeding our minds by taking in what he is saying and then, and only then should we move forward in strength Knowing the source.
What part of the four quadrants do you struggle to let be known by God? Heart, soul, mind, strength?
These are all connected. Your heart matters—your soul matters. Your mind matters. What you do matters. But the order matters most.
Can you allow God to love you today? Can you let him know more of you this next year?
As you ruminate on those feelings, let’s take some slow deep breaths once again.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for taking all of the laws and simply telling us to love You with all we have, through a relationship with Jesus. Today, I seek Your balance. I give you my heart. My mind. My thoughts. My attitude. My spirit. My being. All that I have for all that You are. As above, so below.”
Ephesians 2:14-15 (The Message)
The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.
From biblical times, it has been a constant, and even today, we feel the pressure of segregation and separation. Not just racial segregation - social-economic segregation, political, denominational. We are a divided world.
But because of Jesus, he brings peace to division. listen again
The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.
Are you suspicious of anyone - their motives, agenda - their lifestyle?
This passage so clearly talks about how, because of what Jesus sacrificially did, he got rid of the religious code of law that created division and became more of a hindrance than it was helpful… and he started over.
Because of what he did he ended animosity and suspicion, bringing peace… We no longer need to hold fast, dare I say worship, the idols of preference, position, prestige, or power.
If there someone in your life, like there is in mine, that you view with animosity or suspicion, can you except that that person is on the same footing, the same level as you, in need of the Messiah who leveled the playing failed, see’s us all, loves us all the same?
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
Ephesians. 4 1-3
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. … I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
So many scriptures talk about the peace that God gives us. This passage commands us to create peace actively. This was written from prison, from someone locked up unjustly. He is telling in light of the peace we have been shown to give that peace to others. listen again
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
Paul calls our attention to a few particular things that we are called to do; Number one, we are not to sit around and do nothing or continue down a path that goes nowhere. We are called to be active and intentional about sharing what we have been given.
Number two, we are to do this with humility and discipline, to make these two characteristics a way of life. Constantly humble and pouring ourselves out for each other in acts of love.
And Number three, we are called to notice differences between ourselves and others and do everything in our power to make peace.
Is there someone that comes to mind right now that you need to proactively humble yourself and make peace with as an act of love?
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
John 14:25-27
I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
In this passage, the baby Jesus we celebrated on Christmas has now lived about 30 years, and he’s coming to the crossroads of what He came to do. He is sharing with his closest friends who, unbeknownst to them, are about to encounter complete chaos and, from the way it seems, the whole plan falling apart. Their Messiah, their friend, is murdered in front of them.
Peace is not a place, Peace is a person, Peace is a Presence. This same Presence is with us now, just as he was with his friends, his disciples, thousands of years ago.
Here Jesus is clearly telling us that: Number one, the Holy Spirit, who is one with Jesus and the Father, is with us to remind us of everything that he said.
Number two, He says don’t be troubled or afraid even when things seem like they’re all falling apart. Jesus has left us with a gift, peace of mind and heart.
What thoughts are troubling your mind right now that you can ask for peace of mind?
What heartache are you feeling right now that you can ask God to bring peace to your heart?
Jesus says the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give, so don’t be troubled or afraid…
Breathe
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
Colossians 1:19-20
“For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means to Christ’s blood on the cross.“
What an amazing thought, the God of the universe, in all his fullness and completeness, was pleased to live as a human. And he did it all to reconcile everything; the word reconcile comes from the Latin root words (re) - back and (conciliar) - bring together. Bring back together. As intended. Made right.
The almighty, powerful creator - God, the same one that hung the moon and the stars and created everything, lowered himself, became a human, again, here’s the amazing thing - was happy to do it because he wanted to make everything right. To bring everything back together as originally intended. Whole and complete.
And as a result, He brings you and I peace, shalom, which also means completeness and wholeness. All is right; every debt paid, every mistake and failure is forgotten. We can experience peace, being inseparably connected to the God of the universe, with all the power, and love, and grace, and mercy that goes with that, because of what happened. Jesus was born, Jesus lived, Jesus died, Jesus rose again to make peace with everything in heaven and on earth.
The most profound eternal problem you will ever face, separation from your Father God and his Love, Power, and grace, has already been reconciled for you. There is nothing you can do or not do to change that.
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
Luke 2:8-14Living Bible
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket,[b] lying in a manger!”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,[c] “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”
Imagine for a moment that you’re a shepherd back in the B.C. days. It’s just another cold, lonely, pitch-dark night, sitting by the fire, watching the sheep. Then, suddenly, a blinding light pierces through the blackness, and you’re face to face with an angel. He sees the terror in your eyes, knows you think that he has come to kill you because of your sin and low position, so then he declares, “Don’t be scared. I have good news of great joy for all people.” Disbelief overwhelms reality as you think, “Why me? And why here? … Aren’t there some important people somewhere to do this? After all, we’re just shepherds.”
Shepherds, as a stereotype, had a reputation for being low-lives, men of bad reputation. They didn’t observe the ceremonial law and were not religious men. They were so known for stealing and dishonesty that their testimony would not be considered reliable enough to testify in court. Think about that… God chose first to announce He was here to these men of bad reputation. He made His birth announcement to the least of these, setting a pattern for His Son’s ministry.
On that night, that holy night, everything changed and the broken, rejected, lowest of society were the ones that God chose to tell first.
The words of the beautiful song, Oh Holy Night, capture the essence of that encounter.
As we finish our time together - let me read you the words for this beautiful song.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
ISAIAH 35
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem[a] singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.—-
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
PRAY:
Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
Matthew 1:18-25
The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they enjoyed their wedding night, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic revelation to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
Scripture states that Joseph decides he should quietly divorce her, which was legally required of a betrothal or engagement in that day. He didn’t want to expose her to any public disgrace or judgment. Yet, even amidst such great heartbreak, doubt, and question, Joseph put Mary first and protected her at all costs. He loved her, even in what he thought was his darkest moment.
Joseph has a dream where an angel confirms Mary’s story and tells him to name the boy “Jesus.” So, Joseph immediately marries Mary. But, here’s an interesting facet to the story.
Verse 24 - 25
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
Joseph does not have sex with his wife before her giving birth. Now, there is nothing in this passage where the angel tells Joseph to abstain; in fact, the angel says “don’t hesitate to get married." Meaning he has all the legal rights of a husband. But Joseph made a choice out of respect to God’s plan to stay out of God’s way, to stay in His will.
The integrity and love that often an unsung hero of the story is so inspiring. Joseph not only obeyed, but he went a step further and honored the purity of the story out of reverence for there being a bigger plan.
Think about that, Joseph was married, anyone around him could’ve said it is possible that this child is Joseph’s, but Joseph’s discipline and self-control elevated God's will about his desires. He honored and highlighted the miraculous story that we celebrate, God with us. So there could be no doubt. This was God’s son.
Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
Luke 1:46-56
And Mary said,
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
beginning with Abraham and right up to now.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home.
Mary’s response to the Angel’s news started with being amazed that God would choose her, saying, “she is the most fortunate woman on earth" . Then she goes on to say these beautiful words of worship about the character of God:
God’s very name is Holy
His mercy flows
He shows strength, scattering the braggarts
Pulling victims out of the mud
Who did God choose to bring the Savior of the world through? A lowly young girl, out of obscurity… Much like us.
Can you take these words spoken by Mary thousands of years ago and accept them as what God, through this miraculous act, is saying to you?
He embraces me as his chosen child.
He remembers me and piles on mercies, piles them high.
Doing exactly what he promised.
What was foretold thousands of years before Jesus was born is exactly what God continues to do today.
PRAY:
Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
Luke 1:26-38 MESSAGE
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”
The angel answered,
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.
“And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is, six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”
And Mary said,
Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.
Then the angel left her.
Can you put yourself in Mary’s place? Everything to that point was normal—everything in its place, just an ordinary day… then a beautiful disruption. An angel appears out of nowhere. It must have been terrifying. But the angel says don’t fear. Something remarkable is going to happen.
Listen again to some of the things the angel says will happen.
“God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”
The angel answered,
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.
Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”
Because of what happened over 2000 years ago, an impossible pregnancy story, is a perfect template for what God continues to do for all of us.
He intersects, disrupts our normal, and says don’t fear something remarkable is going to happen.
Can you hear God saying to you… don’t fear. God has a surprise for you, nothing, you see, is impossible with God.
Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen
1 John 4
We’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
We love because we are loved. The kind of Love that this passage is about is exemplified by Jesus sacrificially becoming one of us. Since Jesus was born, a fearful life, a fear of death, a fear of judgment is banished — because well-formed Love vanishes fear.
The Love we have on our own for one another is fragile and transactional. The kind of Love that this passage is talking about goes beyond any kind of love we can have on our own. But it’s a Love that is available. Not only for us but through us to others. A kind of intimacy, acceptance, and without limitation because of the one who first loved us and sacrificially came for us. This kind of Love is a power that wipes out fear. We can know this Love and give this Love because we were shown this Love first. As the scripture says — First we were loved, now we love.
Let's pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.
Philippians 2:7-8 (Message)
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
The amazing thing about Christmas is that the Almighty God on high knew we would ever be able to measure up enough to be worthy of his Kingdom. But that didn’t stop His Love for us. Instead, He came for us.
He stepped aside from his status, position, and Holiness and lowered himself because of Love. And he didn’t just do it one time, as in for one day. He stayed and walked in our shoes for 33 years, without entitled privileges. He came in a humble barn. He died in a humiliating way. This is ultimate Love, that lays down his rights, lays down justice, lays down entitlement, and lowers himself to our level, for our sake.
If we’re honest, we all esteem ourselves better than other people from time to time. Someone who’s wronged us, someone who’s disappointed us or offended us… Someone who we compare ourselves to, saying… we would never do that.
Can you picture a person in your life that fits into that category in your mind right now?
This passage starts with these words - Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. What can you do to humble yourself and reach out to that person and show them Love today?
Maybe it’s a word of encouragement; maybe it’s just letting them know that you were thinking about them, maybe say a prayer for them. Let’s follow the example of Christ and let go of any entitlement or privilege, not just a thought but in deed.
Lets pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.[a]
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
This prophecy talks about what came to be, what actually, historically happened. It is undisputed by atheists and believers alike… Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It’s easy to miss the significance of words spoken thousands of years before the facts that actually came to be. Jesus was a living, breathing human, just like you and me. God becomes flesh. God living among us.
This passage is a prophecy, a promise, and a reality.
When was the last time you felt like anyone delighted in you, was full of gladness just because you were here?
That is how your God, who is with you, feels about you.
What is something that you’re afraid of right now?
This passage says with His Love he will calm your fears. It doesn’t say that your fears will be gone entirely, it says because He is with you, your fears will be calmed.
Your Father will rejoice over you with joyful songs. This season is full of happy songs; next time you hear one, think about the joy it represents and imagine this is how you make God feel, happy. He rejoices over you with happy songs.
Let's pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.
2 Titus 3:4-6 ( Living Bible)
But when the time came for the kindness and Love of God our Savior to appear, then he saved us—not because we were good enough to be saved but because of his kindness and pity—by washing away our sins and giving us the new joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us with wonderful fullness—and all because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.
Kindness and Love saved us; It was born onto this earth thousands of years ago. Not because we were good enough, not because we were worthy, but because of a great love, kindness and mercy.
Is there something in your life that feels like it gets in the way of experiencing God’s kindness and Love? Something that blocks you from His unconditional acceptance, kindness and mercy?
This passage tells us because of Jesus, the Christ, ALL our sins are washed away and replaced with new joy by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us with wonderful fullness. The word fullness is mentioned many times in our advent readings.
This wonderful fullness comes from an indwelling of the Holy Spirit as our sins, our past, our wounds are washed away.
This fullness available to you takes no account of what you have done or not done; it has nothing to do with if you are good enough or not good enough. It has everything to do with the Love that is beyond us.
In what way has God shown his kindness and Love to you this week?
Lets pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.
Isaiah 49:13-16 (MESSAGE)
Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!
Mountains, send up cheers!
God has comforted his people.
He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.
But Zion said, “I don’t get it. God has left me.
My Master has forgotten I even exist.”
“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
walk away from the baby she bore?
But even if mothers forget,
I’d never forget you—never.
Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.
The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.
Your builders are faster than your wreckers.
The demolition crews are gone for good.
This passage compares the love God has for us with the Love of a mother and her infant. There’s little, if anything on earth, that compares to a mother and her intimate love for the baby she nurses. But this passage goes deeper and explains that the imperfect mother will fail at perfect love in some way or another. But not God, not ever. Maybe, this Christmas season, you might feel forgotten or overlooked. Or perhaps you know someone who you suspect might feel that way.
Can you picture right now your name written on the back of the hand of the God of the universe? He says that His Love for you will never fail and promises that the walls you are rebuilding are never out of his sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers; the demolition crews are gone for good.
Because of our Father's love for us — sending his Son whose birth we celebrate— it says those things that work against us are slower than the one that builds in us. The demolition crews, the false love that this world represents, are gone for good because of the perfect Love born in
Bethlehem, from heaven above is here. This Love that says— I’d never forget you—never.
Lets pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank
You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.
Romans 15:12-13
Isaiah’s word: There’s the root of our ancestor Jesse, breaking through the earth and growing tree tall, Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
The good tidings of great joy from thousands of years ago is that there is a root breaking through and growing big enough for everyone, everywhere to take hope.
That same promise made thousands of years ago is just as true today, on a daily basis. There is a root that has already been planted in your life because of what happened in Bethlehem thousands of years ago. And that root of hope can break through the ‘earth / ground of your life’ and grow.
Because of the root of Jessie, thousands of years ago, and the root of Jesus growing in our lives today, verse 13 comes alive. The hope, that is the fruit of what has already been planted as followers of Jesus, becomes infectious to all of those around us. Let’s personalize this passage.
May God of green hope,
fill me up with joy,
fill me up with peace,
so that my believing life is filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit and flows over with infectious hope.
Let’s pray: “Immanuel, Lord Jesus, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus! Help us to receive and embrace the Hope eternal that only You bring. Emanuel, God with us. Amen”
Isaiah 9:6-7
A child is born, a son is given and all authority will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
There are names given to this child that distinguish Him from all others that have come before Him or gone after Him.
Take a few moments and reflect on the names given and identify the hope that He is to us.
Where do you need the son of God to be your wonderful counselor?
What areas of your life do you need him to be mighty God?
How can he play the role of everlasting father in your life?
How can you crown him the prince of peace in your life?
As we close out our time think, about this declaration made from verse 7 of this passage this time from the Message Bible
His ruling authority will grow and there will be no limits to the wholeness He brings
Let’s pray: “Immanuel, Lord Jesus, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus! Help us to receive and embrace the Hope eternal that only You bring. Emanuel, God with us. Amen”
Isaiah 9:2,
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.
Have you ever turned on a light on your phone in bright sunlight? There is little affect at all. But that same light in pitch darkness illuminates everything around it. There is a direct correlation between the effectiveness of light and darkness. Without darkness there can be no light.
Take a few moments to search your heart for the darkest area that is in your life right now.
Could it be that this Christmas season, and the Hope that it represents, is about the dawning of a great light in your deepest darkness? We live in a dark world, but no darker than it was the night in Bethlehem thousands of years ago. The same God that became a great light in deep darkness is here, and in our hearts, our lives. Our souls are so often like that city of Bethlehem, covered in deep darkness, hidden places, shamed self-assumptions.
But the hope that we have, is that those dark places are exactly where God wants to be with us. Emmanuel.
Let’s pray: “Immanuel, Lord Jesus, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus! Help us to receive and embrace the Hope eternal that only You bring. Emanuel, God with us. Amen”