December 20th, 2015
Devotional
“Preparing our Hearts: Someone to Change the World ” - Luke 1: 5-13, 57-80
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: “Both Were Righteous” - Luke 1: 5-7
Somewhere along the way, Christians started to believe into a lie that isn’t scriptural. We started to believe that our salvation, found in Jesus Christ, should act like a cape or blanket or shield, protecting us from everything bad or undesirable in the world. We find lots of scripture that teaches the exact opposite in fact. Consider Elizabeth and Zechariah who are described as righteous in the sight of God, yet they didn’t have the one thing that they hoped for - a child. In a society, where other’s judged God’s favor resting on you by the number of offspring, they had none. And yet they were righteous.
Our relationship with God doesn’t mean that bad things will not happen to us, or that we will always get our way or all of our desires in our time. We don’t choose to follow Christ so that we get everything we want, we choose Christ for the sake of Christ alone.
How can you prepare your heart for the times you will not get what you want in the time frame which you want it?
What are you waiting during this season of Advent?
Prayer: God, we come before you confessing that at times we get our priorities backwards. We follow you because we want something not because we love you. Forgive us, Lord. Let us be judged by our righteousness, found in following you completely, and not in our desires. Amen.
Tuesday: “Praying Behind” - Luke 1: 8-10
God has unbelievable plans for each of us. Kingdom sized plans that will bring other people to know the love of God. But we each have the choice as to whether we are going to live into the plans God has for us - if we are going to follow God or follow our own yearnings.
Zechariah didn’t have the one thing he desired the most - a child. Yet, he still had to go about his life, following God’s plan and purpose for his life. Part of God’s plan for him was to be chosen to go before God on the high and holy day to offer the sacrifice of incense on the alter. But, while he went in to do as God desired of him, there was a group of people behind him, praying. Those people were equally part of God’s plan - praying for Zechariah as he did what God desired.
What about you? Do you pray for others as they live into God’s call on your life? And do you have others praying for you as you live into your call?
What does waiting feel like to you? Can you name your emotions and longings before God?
Prayer: Almighty God, you are the God of call. And you are the God that calls us to be a people of prayer. Use us to bless others and support them to live into your plan for their lives and surround us with others to support us on our journey as well. Amen.
Wednesday: “Do Not Be Afraid” - Luke 1: 11-13
In scripture, whenever God or an angel shows up and tell you not to be afraid, there is generally cause to be afraid. For Zechariah he should have been afraid because an angel showed up and told him that his prayers had been answered and that he and his wife - in their old age were going to have a baby. Think of all of the risks of having a baby in old age. Think of all of the risks (and rewards) of having God intervene in your life. Think of the risk (and reward) of God interviewing in Zechariah’s life - he had every reason to be scared and every blessing to be had!
What stories, from your own life or others, remind you of God’s grace, faithfulness, and presence?
Has God ever told you not be afraid? What was your response?
Prayer: God, sometimes even when you tell us not be afraid, our humanness takes over and we feel deeply afraid. In those moments when you are asking us to act and we freeze out of fear, give us your peace and assurance. Amen.
Thursday: “Following God” - Luke 1: 57-66
Elizabeth has given birth and it is now time to give her child a name. Even though her husband cannot speak she knows what she is to name the child - John. God has spoken. All of her relatives try to talk her out of it - telling her to name the baby after her husband or another relative. Even in the face of opposition, she followed God. And when she insisted on following God’s way, her husband was able to speak and all of her neighbors started to wonder what this child would do with his life because of the blessing God had placed upon him.
Sometimes it can be so hard to stand up for our convictions and follow God’s plan for our lives in the face of opposition. In the face of others, however rationale it may seem, telling us not to follow the way of God. What strengthens you in the face of opposition?
What practices can you engage in to help you stay strong in the face of opposition?
How can you depend on God as you wait? Who do you truly believe God to be during your periods of doubts and longing?
Prayer: God, thank you for providing us strength in the face of opposition. In the face of friends and family, whoever well meaning who try to talk us out of following you. Let us boldly live into your calling and purposes, O Holy God! Amen.
Friday: “Let A Song of Praise Emerge” - Luke 1: 68-80
What is your first reaction when God answers your prayers? What is your first reaction when God does amazing, unpredictable things in your life? Zechariah’s first response was to craft a song of praise. The first words out of his mouth after being mute for months was to praise God! To speak a powerful word of blessing over his child.
With whom do you share your longings?
How can you cultivate an attitude of praise?
Prayer: God, we praise you. We praise you for who you are. For how you have loved us in the past, how you love us today, and how you will continue to love us in the future! We praise you, O Lord! Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic as we enter into the season of Advent: “Do You Hear Jesus Calling? - Mark 1:1-20
Family Activity: Make a praise jar. Every time something happens that you can praise God for, write it down on a slip of paper and offer to to God as a prayer. Whenever you are having a rough time, go back and read the praises from the jar.
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