How Do You Define Success?

Read: Nehemiah 12:27-31

We are drawing closer to Christmas Day and the end of 2019.  If you are a lot like me, you are spending some time reflecting on this past year.  What has gone well?  What has been difficult?  What goals have I achieved?  Where have I fallen short?  It can often leave us feeling we have not measured up, that we have failed in what we set out to do on January 1^st. 

Today’s reading is about the prophet Nehemiah.  The ancient Israelites had been in exile far away from their homeland.  The walls around their city, Jerusalem had been demolished, and the city had become inhabited by other nations.  After nearly 70 years, the Israelites were released from their captivity and began returning home.  They settled in and around Jerusalem, but they were a broken people.  They lived in the shadow of the ruins, the boulders of the once magnificent wall mocking them. 

Yet they were content there.  The prophet Nehemiah comes on the scene.  During the time of his exile, he was the cup bearer to the King of Persia.  He takes a trip back to Jerusalem to visit.  What he sees makes his heart melt, and he is overcome with grief.  Nehemiah prayed. And God stirred up a vision in his heart.  He must rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. 

It must have seemed crazy!  Afterall, what was he going to be able to do?  He was just a lowly cup bearer to a King in a foreign land. 

Fast forward 13 long, hard, trying years!  Miracles happened, opposition arouse, setbacks came.  Defeats and disappointments seemed to be winning.  But the day finally came when the wall was completed!  What a day to celebrate!!  Yet there is more.

I have been enjoying a book based upon the story of Nehemiah by Andy Stanley called “Visioneering.”  Listen to what Andy says about Nehemiah and success:

“There is a tendency to confuse success with the rewards of success. If you are where God wants you, fulfilling the responsibilities he has given you, you are successful. In fact, when that is the case, you are as successful as you will ever be. Granted, you may not be seeing or experiencing the rewards of your success. But you are successful nonetheless.

Success is remaining faithful to the process God has laid out for you.”

Nehemiah remained faithful to what God had called him to do every step of the way. 

Do you see the parallel in the Christmas story?  Mary, a young teenager, received a vision from God.  When the angel appeared to her and told her she would be the mother of Jesus, she said, 

“I am your handmaiden.  Let it be to me as you have said!” 

When did she see the rewards for her faithfulness?  On their way to Bethlehem when she was 9 months pregnant?  When Herod killed all the newborn babies?  When they had to flee to Egypt?  Or maybe when Jesus was arrested, put on trial and sentenced to death?  Maybe at the foot of the cross when she watched as her beloved son was crucified? 

Mary too remained faithful and put her hope in God even when all seemed lost.  She pondered ALL the things God had put in her heart and remained faithful to the process God had laid out for her, being the mother of the Savior of All.  Imagine the JOY she experienced what Jesus was raised to life again! 

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus, born for us! Help us to remain faithful to the vision You have for us and entrust ourselves to Your divine plan, to rescue and redeem the lost and broken people in this world!  We place our hope in You, that You have all things in Your hands and one day, You will restore US and all things beyond all we could ever ask or imagine.   

        

Stewards of Joy

Nehemiah 8:5-12

Thank you, pastors and teachers who serve as today’s Levites.  Thank you for “reading from the Book, making it clear and giving the meaning so that people understand.”  Thank you for listening to God’s call on your life.

Thank you for attending Seminary or participating in other means of study and for taking your education seriously.  It’s because of your dedication that we can “celebrate with great joy, because we now understand the words that have been made known to us.”

Thank you for putting things into perspective and making lessons applicable to our lives.  The Bible is an eternal document that will live on because of stewards like you.  His Word survives because you continue to explain the meaning behind the stories.

During Advent, a special story will be retold which many of us have heard a hundred times, but you will bring it to life for those to whom it is brand new - the story of a baby who has and will continue to change the world.  May we all experience the joy of the Lord this Christmas.

A Fight Fed by Hope

Please welcome Kelsey Bacon to Daily Bible Blast. Kelsey will be writing each Thursday's devotion. She brings a young adult perspective to these daily reflections on God's Word and His love for each of us. 

Nehemiah 4:6-23

We hear all the time that Advent is a season of hope. Christmas is exciting, joyful, a time to celebrate. At first glance, this Nehemiah passage might not seem joyful and exciting. The Jews were having a rough time of rebuilding their city. They had adversaries who came against them. They felt like they had to be on the defense constantly. I bet they feared for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. But reread this passage, and pay attention to the hope. Pay attention to verses like verse 9, “But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat,” and verse 15, “When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.” Nehemiah is telling the story of his people’s battle against their enemy, and how God was on their side.

In a season of hope and joy, the battle of the world still rages on. The enemy still tries to sneak in and attack. Sometimes it can feel, especially around this time of year, that everything is working against you. When we feel this way, we have to remember that God is on our side. And remember also that he equips us to fight back.

Nehemiah’s people worked with their tools in one hand and their weapons in the other. They were always ready to combat their enemy. God, through Christ, gives us the power to combat the enemy. Our weapons are prayer, Christian fellowship, his Word. Our weapons are quiet time with the Lord in a crazy busy season. Our weapons are kindness and generosity to those in need. This is a fight fed by hope—hope that God is doing his good and righteous work in our world, rebuilding brokenness.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

Reflection:

What redeeming work is God doing in your life right now?

What lies might the enemy be telling you to try and disrupt God’s work in you and how is God equipping you to stand up and fight in hope?

Comment below or email here to add to the conversation!

Pray Big and Believe Even Bigger

How often have we heard that we should pray big? Our prayers are to a God who can do anything, who loves us unconditionally and who expects us to turn to Him for the biggest and the smallest of needs. Nehemiah understood this and He took God up on it. He prayed for something only a mighty God could provide, and God heard his prayers.

Nehemiah 1:8-9 (NIV) 
8 "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'

The people Nehemiah is referring to are the last of the exiles to return from captivity. They are the third wave of Israelites to come home only to find their home in ruins. When Nehemiah heard of their fate he turned to God and prayed. He prayed big prayers, filled with faith and expectation. He praised God, begged for forgiveness after confessing his sins, thanked God for all He had done for him. Then he laid out his specific requests and waited.

Is this what we do when faced with an impossible task? It is so difficult to remember to turn to God when our world is in shambles, when our home is in ruins, our hearts are breaking, and we can't catch our breath. But this is the exact time when we should seek out God's favor. Our prayers must be filled with faith and an expectation that God hears and acts. And so we wait...

Comment below or email here
Nehemiah 1:1-11

Keep on 'til the End

Ezra 6:14 (MSG)
¹⁴  So the leaders of the Jews continued to build; the work went well under the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They completed the rebuilding under orders of the God of Israel and authorization by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. 

The finished temple was a long and arduous process. Much pain was taken to follow the Lord's precise instructions, making it perfect in every way. It didn't happen overnight, and it was hard work but now it was finished. Let the festivities begin. Feasting and celebration were fitting now that the temple was completed.

We will often throw a party when we come to the end of a big project or a difficult task. When we are involved in a theatrical play and give up many of the things we like to do, so that we can practice over and over to make the performance flawless, there is usually a cast party after it is finished. A writer might host a book release party when their publication is available to the public.

Many gave hours of their lives for the temple completion. And it all began because of the discovery of a lost paragraph in a pagan library (Life Application Study Bible). (Read Ezra 6:1-12). It was time to party.

Consider how it all began for you. When did your faith begin to take shape? What was happening in your life to cause you to seek God and His Son? This Advent season it is good to remember these things and maybe even share them with someone who doesn't quite get it yet. You might be surprised at the response you receive. After all, we are all waiting for something, aren't we? Maybe our words will reveal that the 'something' is Jesus.

Comment below, or if you prefer, email me here.

Ezra 6:13-16

Waiting with Hope

It all began with Mary, a young teen who was engaged to be married. As with many soon-to-be-married girls, her whole life lay out before her, only she didn't understand how exciting it would be. 

I won't presume to describe her emotions after the angel Gabriel told her, "The Lord is with you...You will conceive and give birth to a son and you are to call him Jesus." How did this young girl respond? "I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:28,31,38) This blind faith was stunning, and from one so young.

Now, the waiting began. How many times have we faced unexpected changes to our plans? Like the letter from the bank demanding we pay up now, or that threatening note from the IRS stating they want to talk. How about the diagnosis, the pink-slip...and on? What were our reactions? God knew these things were coming, just like He knew Mary's future. Do we react at all like Mary did? Do we acknowledge He is in control, do we believe in a Jesus, a Hope we can cling to? 

As we continue waiting during Advent, let’s examine our lives. Instead of deciding which New Year's resolution to embrace for a few days, let's pray about one word for 2020 to remind us of Jesus. Let's use our one word to grow us spiritually closer to God by searching for it each time we read from our Bibles. Dig deep into that special Word and let it speak to our waiting hearts.

My Word for 2020 is Trust and Proverbs 3:5-6 and the scriptures God will begin using to instill this discipline into my heart.

Comment below or email here.

Romans 12:9-16

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him…”

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him…”


Lamentations 3:19-27


The book of Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments (“passionate expression of grief or sorrow”) over the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the exile of Judah’s inhabitants by the Babylonians in 586 BC.  My study bible says the authorship of  Lamentations is uncertain, although ancient tradition claims that the prophet Jeremiah wrote it.  The book consists of five chapters with one, two, four, and five each containing 22 verses of lament (the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet).  Chapter three, (today’s reading) which has 66 chapters (3 x 22), brings hope!  


If we review today’s reading we learn of a God of hope, love, compassion, faithfulness, and salvation.  Verses 26 and 27 read as follows:  “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”


We are currently in the season of Advent.  Based on the Latin word “coming”, Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for Christ’s coming to us, not only at Christmas as a baby, but through the Word and Sacraments, and ultimately as “Christ Triumphant” on the last day.  


Like the author of Lamentations, we have sorrows and failures that are part of the sinful world that we live in.  But we have so much more -- the fulfillment of God’s love for us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks during this season of Advent for Jesus and our God of hope, love, faithfulness, and salvation!


Dear God, thank-you for Christmas.  Thank you for remembering us and sending the gift of your Son to rescue us from sin and our “sorrows”.  Help us share that gift with others during this Advent season. Amen.

AWAIT with HOPE

Jerimiah 29:11-13

In this Season of Advent, we are awaiting the arrival of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day. Just as God promised, Jesus was born to be our Savior, and He died to take away the sin of the world. He will return to lift all of God's people into Heaven and everlasting life!

Until that time, we must wait and endure since no one is free of suffering. We attempt to survive on gratitude and confidence in our fellow man. Yet, we are truly in need of a hope greater than we can find in ourselves.

blog by nsgleeson@gmail.com

God assures us that while our suffering is not over, there will be an end. Knowing that we will be disheartened, He gives us hope in His promises. His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us.  Circumstances filled with hardship are not from God. God is always good, and He uses all things for good. In the midst of our struggles, He faithfully works to refine us to be more like Him.

Let this season of waiting be filled with hope in the promises and Power of Almighty God!

Share the Love

Isaiah 56:1-8

Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” 

Advent is a time of inclusion, not exclusion. God wants ALL people to share in the joy of the season.  In verse 7, He talks about giving joy to all who hold fast to his covenant.

Later today, our church will be celebrating Christmas for Internationals.  It’s “an evening of food, fellowship, music, telling of the secular aspects of Christmas and also the original Christmas story. Especially suited for internationals and their friends who may have never heard the Christmas story.”

Jesus wants everyone to hear his story.  He wants all nations to know his message of hope and Christmas is the perfect time for this.  So today at 7pm, please join me in praying for hearts to be open as the sanctuary becomes “a house of prayer for all nations.”

Father, You above all others are the one who can bring nations together.  During this time of Advent, I ask that you fill us with love and compassion for all people.  Make known to us those who long to hear your story.  May we play a part in sharing your message of salvation and use this time of waiting to be a witness to what Christmas is really about.  Amen

Drink the Water and Live

Isaiah 55:1 (NIV)

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
I am remembering the story of the woman at the well, and her conversation with Jesus. He told her to drink the living water and she'll never be thirsty again. The book of Isaiah often foreshadows Jesus coming. The prophet, Isaiah, is lifting up a coming Messiah and what hope will be filling His people, the people who seek him, who forsake their evil ways and turn to Him.

Jesus' salvation is free to all. Just embrace His love and let God's grace flow over you in the warmest of hugs.

Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.   Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

There is still time, change is yet a possibility. God is near, turn to Him while you still can, while He still hears our prayers. As we wait for Christmas and for the birth of our Savior, we have more time to turn our lives around. What a perfect time for a new beginning.

Isaiah 55:8 (NIV) 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
God's ways are sometimes puzzling and often they don't make sense to us mere mortals, but we can count on the fact that they are always the best. So, as we wait for Advent to bring us to the stable to welcome a tiny baby who will and has changed the world, think about these things and seek the Lord with all your might.
Share your thoughts in the comments section below, or email me personally.

Isaiah 55:1-11

Spotlight on the Baby

“Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
Instruction will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.

My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.(Isaiah 51:4-5)

God used His prophet, Isaiah, to spread hope, to tell the people to 'listen,' Isaiah has been told by God, things He wants the people to hear. Things like: justice will become a light to the nations, righteousness draws near, salvation is on the way. These are encouraging words for a suffering people to hear.

Waiting for a Messiah to appear is not easy, especially when you have heard of this promise all your life and don't really understand what it is all about. Then, one day, you see for yourself. All the waiting and anticipation is over. The Star shines above, the shepherds follow the light and are rewarded when they find the baby, the light to the nations, the righteousness and the longed-for Savior.

Fast forward a couple thousand years. Imagine you are a shepherd and you have just seen the bright star shining above. Light has covered your once dark world. Things look different. Your life is new and laid out before you are opportunities to embrace; a Savior to follow. 

Do you remember when you first basked in the light of your Savior? Do you recall how everything changed when you first encountered the baby Jesus, when you saw Him for the first time? Tell about that blessed moment. Comment below or email here.

Isaiah 51:4-16

The Waiting Game

But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

Advent is our season of waiting. We wait for a baby to appear on the scene. As Christians, we know the significance of this baby. Before we were followers of Christ we still waited. Waited for Christmas, for Santa, for shopping to be finished or for payday so we could finish gift hunting.

Little did we know then that the greatest gift of all was soon to make an appearance. Our dark world would soon be lit up. Truth would make an entrance, and nothing would ever be the same again. Even our 'waiting' would change.

About nine years ago I was waiting for Jesus in a different way. My husband received a terminal diagnosis and we waited to see what God would do. I was waiting for Him send a cure, instead He sent a Savior to take my husband back home with Him.

Because of Advent, that time of waiting for a Savior--a Redeemer, my waiting was not a hopeless time, but a time of growing in faith and endurance.

Imagine Jesus' mother, Mary, and her time of waiting. Again, a time of waiting for a Savior, a Redeemer. As I am starting to learn, waiting is not a negative state, but a state of pregnant expectation.

Each year we begin this season waiting and anticipating what God will do for us, with us, and sometimes despite us, in the coming year. How are you spending your ‘waiting’ time this year? Please share in the comments below, or feel free to email me here.

Isaiah 43:1-13

God's Comfort

Isaiah 40:1-11

When I read this passage, I am drawn to Handel's Messiah.  Take a moment and let this majestic music speak to you.  Listen here.

Handel wrote The Messiah in 23 days.  Some scholars say that when he finished the Hallelujah Chorus, he said "I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself."  Whether that is true or not, I am grateful that God used this man 250 years ago to create beautiful music celebrating Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

 Why does Isaiah tell the people that God says "Comfort, comfort, my people?'  They have been in captivity for 150 years.  Jerusalem, their sacred city, has been sacked, and Babylon is the new world power.  What comfort is God bringing them?  He assures them that he has not forgotten them:  "her sin has been paid for," (v. 2).

And then we read the familiar words of prophecy in verse 3:  A voice of one calling:  In the desert prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.'  Christians know that verse prophesies how John the Baptist will make the way clear for Jesus. 

But I think those who heard Isaiah speak these words drew comfort that their exile would not last forever.  God would 'tend his flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (v. 11) '

Do you need comfort?  God is there for you, even when he seems far away.  Remember, his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

Lord, the Christmas season is upon us.  In this busy season, help me to find my comfort in you, and to take time each day to thank you for the gift of eternal life.  Yes, your yoke is easy, and your burden is light.  Amen

"Temples Built by Human Hands"

2 Kings 25: 1-17


In today’s reading we learn about the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon’s temple at the hands of the Babylonians.  Solomon’s temple was completed around 960 BC and destroyed in 586 BC (some scholars would say 587 BC).  Rebuilding of the temple began in 536 BC with completion in 516 BC (see the book of Ezra).  This second temple was the one we read about during Jesus ministry on earth.  In Matthew 24:1-2 Jesus prophesies the destruction of this temple:  Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.  “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”  This prophesy was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70. 


Man has lived hundreds of years without a temple in Jerusalem.  But in Acts 17: 24 Paul tells us “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.”  In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul states a truth with a question:  “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”


With Advent right around the corner it is good to be reminded that Jesus came in the flesh to reside with man and to ultimately save us from our sins.  The term Immanuel means “God with us”.  Earthly temples may be destroyed but our God lives forever, gifting us with the Holy Spirit and making our bodies a “temple” for His presence.


Thank-you Lord for choosing us.  Thank-you for not relying on an earthly structure, but rather seeking to reside with us and in fact, within us through the gift of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

I AM

Read John 8:48-58

The religious elite of Jesus' day were furious that huge crowds were following Jesus. He was a threat to them; He upset their carefully constructed power structure. In John 8:53, they try to catch Jesus in a lie: "Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do You think You are?" That simple question cuts to the heart of our faith because it's not about rules; it's about Jesus.

Who do YOU think Jesus is? That is a question that we ALL must answer. Jesus tells them that "before Abraham was born, I am!" (v. 58). Yes, Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly. All we have to do is acknowledge His Lordship, and confess our sins, and He will grant us eternal life.

Jesus is the light of the world. Don't hide from Him. He loves you and He is waiting for you—right now. Open your Bible and lean on His truth, His hope, His guidance. He is a good and perfect Savior.

QUESTIONS:

1. Jesus is the great I Am. How will that make a difference in your life this week?

2. Whom do you care about? Who needs to hear about Jesus this week? How can you come alongside this friend and share the good news?

PRAYER:

Lord, You are the great I AM. You died for me. I can't do anything to earn my salvation. Thank You for Your grace. Amen.

Elaine Pierce

I Will Exalt You

Read Psalm 145:1-5

In the morning, my intention before I even get out of bed, is to offer words of praise and thanks to God for a new day. My intention is to then carry words of praise through the day, seeing God’s good everywhere I can.

But that doesn’t always happen. More often than not, the dog across the street is barking madly, and my mind goes to the neighbor who leaves that dog outside at all hours. My praise goes right out the window. I go downstairs to make breakfast and we’re out of milk – again. I grumble as I write it on the grocery list. My praise goes up in smoke as I wonder who drank the last drops and didn’t write milk on the list. The drive to work is no better as truck drivers maneuver and do their best to bring words of a less worthy variety to my lips.

Yet the psalmist reminds me of his determination to praise God in an emphatic, "I will praise you every day, forever and ever." Why? Because of the greatness He has done.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you share with your children or other young people the excitement of your relationship with God?

2. How do you make words of praise to God and about God a daily habit?

PRAYER:

Good and gracious God, Your abundant love for me is too wonderful to keep to myself. I will sing of your great love always. Amen.

Patti Morlock

Mary's Song

Read Luke 1:46-56

What makes you sing? Ideas and experiences have always been expressed through song in deeper ways than words alone can manage. Songs speak from heart to heart in ways that articulate the deepest human longings. In these verses, Luke tells us that the baby within Elizabeth (a.k.a. John the Baptist) leaped for joy within her at the greeting of her cousin, Mary. The presence of Jesus, still in Mary’s womb, was already fulfilling human longing and bringing joy to the world!

At this, Mary’s soul burst forth in song as the words of "The Magnificat" flowed from her lips, exalting the uniqueness of her Savior. This song subverts our expectations about what it means to be in relationship with God. It's by grace and not merit, through weakness and not strength, through humility and not power-plays, by admitting our need instead of striving for self-sufficiency. If your relationship with God depends on what you bring to the table, the likelihood is that your heart won’t be overflowing with joy anytime soon. So, make Mary's words your own by praying the Magnificat daily for the remainder of Advent. See if a song begins to bubble up in your heart, too!

QUESTIONS:

1. What is your basic mode-of-operation with God? Do you approach Him out of duty, entitlement, or rather grace? What symptoms or signs typify each approach?

2. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of relationship with God, but the hallmark of Western society. How does this tension impact your ability to follow Jesus daily?

PRAYER:

God, with empty hands outstretched, I seek Your presence, Your favor, Your joy. Let these gifts overflow me to bless others in Jesus' name. Amen.

Jeff Morlock

The Lord Bless You

Read Numbers 6:22-26

The Lord blesses us, constantly!

God, the Father, gives us everything we need for our earthly life: clothes, food, shelter, family, a congregation, among many other things. He also blesses us with talents and abilities so that we can be productive, honor Him, and carry on His work.

Jesus, the Father’s only Son, is gracious to us. He voluntarily gave up His life to defeat death so that we might live with Him forever in paradise. Jesus’ face shines on us every day!

The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, gives us peace. The Spirit grants us faith so that we can believe in Jesus and realize God’s grace. We will have troubles, but knowing that we have ultimate peace in heaven can help us have peace here on earth.

We are blessed. We are not worthy of God’s love, yet He loves us. We have smart phones, the internet, enjoyable food, automobiles, vacations and so much more. He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sin, so that we have eternal life.

That is the greatest blessing of all!

QUESTIONS:

1. How has God blessed you this year? This month? This week? Today?

2. Given that God richly blesses you daily, what will your response be? What can you do to bring honor and glory to God?

PRAYER:

I pray that God continues to bless His children, both temporally and spiritually. May we realize His blessings and constantly thank Him for them.

Mark Locher

Awesome Deeds

Read: Psalm 66:1-4

I’m picturing a new mother or father at the first sight of their newborn baby. The awe and wonder of new life is quite profound at that moment. It shows on their faces. It’s the face of Mary and Joseph, repeated each time new parents lay their eyes on their child.

Other amazing deeds of God are no less profound, so let’s not miss them. The word “Selah” at the end of this passage in Psalm 66 tells us to “pause and praise, to think about carefully.” According to these verses, God’s awesome deeds and power are worthy of our praise and deep thought. This week alone we have seen many of His workings:

•The promise of the coming of John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah

•The fulfillment of this promise at the pregnancy of Elizabeth

•The promise of the coming Messiah who will bring salvation and peace

•The restoration of joy at His salvation and offer of forgiveness

Yes, our God is an awesome God indeed! Let’s keep our sights expectantly on what He is about today. He is every bit as involved in stunning deeds now as He was in Bible times. Selah!

QUESTIONS:

1. How can we be more aware of what “awesome deeds” God is doing in and around us?

2. How might we continue to be awed by what God is doing rather than becoming complacent about His activity in the world?

PRAYER:

Wondrous God, overwhelm me with truth in Your Word and with deeds in Your world that I might sing praises to Your name! Amen.

Mary Lou Garves

A Voice in the Wilderness

December 26                                                                  

Scripture Reading
Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and reflect on the passage.

Matthew 3:3 clearly identifies John the Baptist as "The voice of one calling" in our reading for today.  When Isaiah wrote this passage, it was common practice for eastern monarchs who were making an extended trip, to send servants before them to prepare for their passage. This included improving roads and removing all impediments to the safe travel and arrival  of the monarch. John fulfilled this role by calling the Jews to repentance, baptizing them, and ultimately preparing them for the coming of King Jesus.

During this Advent season, we have been preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and in many ways His coming into our individual lives to save us. We have had, and continue to have, an opportunity to heed Isaiah's words and John's actions as we examine ourselves and "make straight in the wilderness a highway for our  God". We also have an opportunity to put these same words and actions into place as we interact with others – both believers and non-believers. The King has come! Let us continue to prepare the way for His presence in our hearts and lives and in those who don't know Him.

Questions

What areas in the wilderness of our lives should we ask God to help us "make straight" as we contemplate the miracle of Christmas?

How can we help "prepare the way" for non-believers to hear the true message of Christmas and receive the gift of Jesus into their lives?

Prayer

Father, thanks for Christmas. Help us to be voices that "prepare the way" for Christ's  presence in our lives and the lives of others. Amen.

                                                                                                                        Tom Richards