Read Isaiah 48:12-22

KNOW (what does the text say about God?)
BE (What does the text say about us?)
DO (what is the text calling me to do?)

Take time today to think through those questions from this passage.

KNOW:

BE:

DO:

REFLECTION OF THE YEAR

As you end this year, what are a couple things you would like to do differently next year? 

Spend some time thinking about what it would take to make them happen.

As the year of 2019 winds down, we will also wind down in Isaiah. I am trying to make a practice of “remembering”. In a November sermon, Keith said, “If I want to be increasingly conformed to His likeness, I must practice remembering who He is and what He has done.”

Therefore, along with our scripture reading, I also want to pose a question to prompt us to remember. Let’s become practiced in the remembering discipline.

Ultimately, if the Israelites had made a practice of remembering who God was to them, as well as all He had done for them, perhaps the exile would have been unnecessary. I want to know Him and walk daily in the light of knowing Him. Remembering is crucial to that.

Read Isaiah 44

• In verse 23 he calls them to “remember these things.” What are the things he wants them to recall?
  
• What are the potential idols in your life today- what gets your best time, money, energy and efforts? 
  
• How can you determine whether or not they are idols to you?

REFLECTION OF THE YEAR

As you think back over the past year, what are you most proud of? 

Keith spoke this Fall on Galatians 6:4 “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”

Again, we listen.

Christmas is past. How are you feeling?

As you prepare your heart for worship, what things can you be thankful for from this past week? I find that listing out these words of thanks gives me perspective and balance when mingled in with the hard.

We are going to sit in those same verses from Isaiah 43. If you didn’t write them out in a personalized way yesterday, take time to do it now:

• What are the waters, rivers, and fire in your life right now?
  
• Express your feelings to God knowing that He walks through those alongside of us? It seems like we are guaranteed painful and hard time, but we do not walk alone.
  
• In the past, how have you seen Him walk alongside of you?
  

Read Isaiah 43:1-10

Personalize these verses – write them out inserting your name like God is speaking directly to you. You can write your own, or use this model from the student version (I like the student version!)

__________________, the Lord created you. He formed you __________________. 

He says, “__________________ do not be afraid.” __________________, you belong to Me.  __________________, I will always be with you. No matter what happens in your life, __________________, I will be right with you.

__________________ , you are priceless to me. I love you __________________. I honor you __________________.

__________________, I created you because it brings me glory and praise. I have chosen you __________________. I have chosen you, __________________so that you will know Me and trust Me.

Speak this aloud over yourself and spend some time thinking about how He sees you.

• How does it make you feel to know that you are priceless and honored in His sight?

Read Isaiah 42

I am excited to do the Know, Be, Do in this chapter. It seems to have some incredible descriptions of God, and also explains His desires for His followers (at that time, the Israelites – but now – us)

KNOW (what does the text say about God?)
BE (What does the text say about us?)
DO (what is the text calling me to do?)

Take time today to think through those questions from this passage.

KNOW:

BE:

DO:

Merry Christmas!

Today begins the expanse of time often referred to as The 12 Days of Christmas – the time from Christmas Day  until the 6th of January. This day is referred to as Epiphany (see the box at the bottom of this page). 

Today, reflect on the miracle of Jesus becoming like us in our humanity, so that we might have the opportunity to become like Him.

Throughout these next days, we will have inserted into the devos small reminders related to Epiphany. Just like we’ve celebrated Christmas this whole month, let’s continue the mindfulness.

As we finish this set of devotions and end the official Christmas season, we will head into a series of studies in the gospels. We will take the season of Epiphany to study through the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). We will examine Christ’s life from the vantage point of these men that knew Him well. Then during Lent we will settle into the Gospel of John.

EPIPHANY

Excerpts taken from Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross.

“Three events in the life of Christ are associated with the Feast of Epiphany: the visit of the Wise Men from the East, the baptism by John in the Jordan, and the turning of the water into wine at Cana. The theme of the season is ‘manifestation’- making what has been largely hidden more widely known. Similar to our mission given by Christ – to make Him known to the world around us.” 

“The season of Epiphany extends until the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday- which marks the beginning of Lent. In our lives, as we discover more about Jesus, as we come to know Him more fully, we are then given the opportunity to share that information. Jesus says that He is the light of the world. He also tells us that we are the light of the world.”