AWE of the Redeemer

Read Galatians 4:4-6

Our AWE usually doesn't happen all at once. There's MORE to AWE; it unfolds, expands, and grows in our lives. One AWE leads to another, and still another. And there are times when the awe just erupts in a big way.

Paul makes a huge awe-statement about Jesus -- "in the fullness of time." Jesus has come to redeem and save and restore and MORE. God's timing for Jesus is perfect. God's timing for everything is always right. The Baby in the straw turns out to be more and more, even in our daily lives with Jesus. We discover by faith that Jesus always has more for us. Our awe of His mercy and grace just grows and changes.

Think about how you used to view Jesus and your relationship with Him. Then consider how Jesus has grown bigger and more in your life with Him. "In the fullness of time" in our lives, Jesus will be more and more for us. And Jesus will come where we are and show us new grace and joy. And AWE can happen again, some more, all the way to Heaven. What a great future we have . Happy New Year!

QUESTIONS:

1. Can you think of a specific way your perspective of Jesus has changed becoming more in your life? What happened that helped this come about?

2. Have you prayed for the awe of more with Jesus? Think about what else you need and want with Jesus, and ask for it.

PRAYER:

Jesus, as we move into this New Year, thank You that You're ahead of us already. Help us to look for AWE in 2019. Amen.

Paul Ulring

Zechariah's Song

Read Matthew 1:68-79

The conception and birth of a baby to a couple who have struggled with infertility for a long marriage is a BIG deal in itself. But when Zechariah is told of this miracle, he doubts this angel-delivered announcement. So God gives him the whole pregnancy in silence to "think about it," including the time when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, comes for a long visit with her cousin Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife.

When the time comes for John the Baptist's birth, Zechariah is more than ready. He gets his speech back just in time to agree with Elizabeth about John's name. Then "the rest of it" comes pouring out of Zechariah's heart/mouth in a remarkable "awe-hymn" that puts its arms around Zechariah's whole BIG picture of God's mercy and faithfulness.

This is more than a miracle baby. God is very specifically at work in bigger ways than even Zechariah's awe-hymn can describe. This is a prelude to another bigger baby miracle.

Awe is what comes from both stories. Awe also comes from things in our lives as they unfold in the mercy and power of God's grace to us and through us. Awe is our response, our worship, our praise.

QUESTIONS:

1. Can you remember times in your life when things turned out bigger/better/more than you could have imagined and thought at the time?

2. What's happening right now that, in God's mercy, might be more and better? Can you trust God for what's happening? Can you pray for awe?

PRAYER:

God, give us AWE at Your mercy. Help us see Your faithfulness in big and little things. Open our eyes and hearts to Awe. Amen.

Paul Ulring

The Lord saves David from his sin

19 December 

Scripture Reading

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-13 and reflect on the passage.

This is a tough story of confrontation and salvation. God sends Nathan to help King David face what he has done. It’s a terrible thing, and Nathan uses a parable/story to draw David into the reality of his sin. David is appalled and angry. Then Nathan points to him: “this is you; this is what you’ve done; this is your sin.” David’s response is the right one—David could have tried to avoid the truth and reality of what he has done. David is drawn to confession by this confrontation. And in this confession, David finds his release and the mercy of God for such a horrible set of crimes.

God is willing; God is standing ready; God may even send a messenger or circumstance to point us to the truth of our need for mercy and forgiveness. Faced with our sins, we always have the choice: to avoid/deny, or to seek the only remedy that matters. We need the forgiveness we don’t deserve but God is offering in Jesus, and there is no sin beyond this mercy. David is proof of that.

Questions

1.      Is there something in your life that needs a Nathan to point to on God’s behalf?

2.      Do you think this sin is beyond God’s mercy? Pray that God will help you see it differently?

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You don’t leave us alone in our sins. Help us to admit and surrender to a mercy that dies for us. In Jesus, Amen.

—Paul Ulring

God calls us into righteousness

 December 15

Scripture Reading

Read Isaiah 42:5-8 and reflect on the passage.

What a remarkable thing, to be called by the Creator of the Universe. And to what are we called? God calls us in righteousness—to live, ourselves, in righteousness. We have no righteousness on our own. In the Messiah, we have full righteousness as a gift of mercy and grace.

God has “taken us by the hand”—it’s very personal. God has kept us for a purpose, a righteous purpose—to bring His light and sight to others, and to help prisoners be free. This is God’s plan for us.

Isaiah has quite a picture of God’s plans for our lives. God came that we might have life—in Jesus. He keeps coming that our lives might matter eternally. He will come again both in our own deaths and in final glory—to bring it all to a triumphant end...and beginning.

It is God’s plan and desire that we see ourselves as His special people in this way. Our lives matter, because God has created and redeemed us to make a difference in the lives of other people. We have a righteousness and a righteous purpose. Think of that!

Questions

1.      Where do you need help and light and mercy yourself? Where do you need the gift of righteousness to be applied in your life today?

2.      Think of someone you know who needs the light of Jesus—name them! Would you begin to pray for God’s righteous purpose of your life to them?

  

Prayer

Thank You, righteous God, that You call us and make us righteous by Your great mercy. Help us see ourselves as You see us—in Jesus. Amen.

—Paul Ulring