December 6th, 2015 Devotional
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Comfort My People” - Isaiah 40: 1, Psalm 147:3
We each have different things that comfort us when we are going through a time of trial. For some it is a hug. For others it may be silence. Or talking. Or a cup of tea. Recently, I was at a training on how to deal with difficult deaths in the life of our congregations and our personal lives as clergy people. One clergy person asked how we know if someone is coping well, which lead into a beautiful conversation about how God created us differently with unique needs, so there isn’t any one set thing we can do in order to support a person walking through a time of grief.
But God did create us with different ways we can be comforted, we were also each given the capacity and the call to comfort other people. In fact, God’s call in today’s passage to comfort the people of God is not just for pastors or the prophet, we who bear the name of Jesus are called to comfort others - not with simple platitudes but with the hope of Jesus Christ.
Tell about a person who offered you comfort. What made the experience helpful?
How do you offer comfort to another person?
Prayer: God, you have called us to be a people who offers comfort to others. Give us the words to say, the tears to cry, and the the strength to walk through difficult times together as the body of Christ. Amen.
Tuesday: “It is Finished” - Isaiah 40: 2, Matthew 11:28
Sometimes we get our words of comfort wrong. Sometimes we make it about us and making us feel better. A few years ago there was an opinion column in a local paper that went into the national syndicate about what Christians should not say as words of comfort. Things like “God needed one more angel in Heaven” at the death of a child. Sometimes we get it wrong because our own pain is substituted for the words of God.
God speaks through the prophet saying to speak tenderly, telling Israel that what they are going through is finished. What makes these words unique however, is God saying that the punishment for sin is over. This was on that list in the newspaper about things not to say - that grief and trial are because of sin. Only God can say what is and what is not punishment for in. But in this particular passage that is what Israel needs to hear from God and from God alone. God had already told them that they were being punished. That is not our declaration to make, but God can.
What are some of the words you offer as comfort in times of grief?
Prayer: God of all judgment - we confess that we at times have thought or perhaps even said out loud that you were punishing someone, when that may not have been the case. We let our own insecurities and judgements get in the way of tender words. Forgive us, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday: “Preparing the Way of the Lord - Isaiah 40: 3-5, Luke 21:36
The focus on our sermon series during the season of Advent is preparing our hearts - preparing them for the coming anew of Jesus Christ. That preparation may look a little different for each of us, but we must all prepare, because we know something big is coming. We are preparing for the glory of the Lord being revealed.
We prepare all the time. We prepare dinner. Prepare for each day with a routine. Prepare to end the day before we go to sleep at night.. We prepare for holidays. For the birth of babies. We prepare. How can we prepare for something even bigger than all of those things - for the coming of our Lord and King?
How do you prepare yourself spiritually during the season of Advent?
Tell of a time you were not prepared for a big event in your life - how did you respond differently then if you were prepared?
Prayer: Almighty God, help us be people who are prepared. Help us be people who do prepare. Preparing our hearts each Sunday as we enter into the sanctuary by praying that you be glorified. Preparing our souls for the celebration of your coming during Advent just as much as we prepare our homes. Help us prepare for the coming anew of our Lord, Jesus. Amen.
Thursday: “What Shall I Cry?” - Isaiah 40: 6-8, Mal 3:1, Matthew 3:3
I think at times we do not share our faith because we don’t quite know what to share. We have all seen or heard of the sharing of faith going so badly that it turns people off to the glory of God. We don’t want to do that so we are hesitant in sharing. The prophet even asks what he is to declare - what he is to cry out - and God gives the prophet an image to share. Of things in this life withering away, but God’s word lasting on and on.
We all need to know what words of life we can offer when we have the opportunity to share the good news of Christ. And we need to know what images of God’s glory we can share to help us to do so. What images speak to you of the majesty of Christ? What words of life can you offer?
How has Jesus Christ transformed your life? How can you tell this story or offer these words to others?
Prayer: O God, you have transformed our lives. In you we live and move and have our being. Yet sometimes, we aren’t very bold in sharing our story and your role in our lives. Strengthen us to share about you in life giving ways so others may come to know you. Amen.
Friday: “Bringing the Good News” - Isaiah 40: 9-11, Luke 2:10
Today’s scripture lesson reminds me of a popular Christmas carol sung this time of the year “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is Lord.” There is no better news to offer. No words that better show the glory of God coming in power. We are not only preparing our hearts to receive Christ this Advent season, we are preparing our voices to declare this good news. Are you prepared?
How can you “go and tell it on the mountain” about Jesus?
Prayer: God of proclamation, fill us with uncontainable joy this holiday season so that your good news spreads. Let us be people who go up on the mountain, into the valley, and everywhere we find ourselves to be witnesses to the coming of Jesus! Amen! Amen! Amen!
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray over this coming week’s text and topic as we continue our Preparing our Hearts sermon series: “Returning and Rebuilding” - Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 3:10-13
Family Activity: What is one thing you can do for someone this Advent season to share about Jesus with one of your neighbors. Maybe it is taking them a gift and explaining that it is a reflection of Christ’s love. Or inviting someone to worship on Christmas Eve. Or helping them decorate their homes and explaining how we prepare our hearts. What can you do this holiday season to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ?
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