Hello, it’s Benji today again with a reading and reflection.

Today we are going to read Isaiah 61.

In this chapter of Isaiah, we are introduced to the way that God will enable his people to live righteous lives, which will in turn point the nations to God. Jesus applied these very words from the opening verses to his own mission as recorded in Luke 4:18-19. In Isaiah 61, the author states that God’s people will become like great oaks. This description is in direct contrast to what was previously mentioned in Isaiah 1:27-31: the people as oaks with fading leaves because of their unrighteousness and injustices that were happening in their community (Isaiah 1:21). God reveals how this change in the hearts of men will become a reality – through the work of the Messiah. Jesus will come not only to deliver, but to transform. These words from Isaiah remind me of the third verse of the Christmas carol “O Holy Night” which states:

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim

• Which description of an oak tree do you relate more with right now: an oak with fading leaves or a mighty oak planted for God’s glory?

• Where specifically does your life need Jesus’s Isaiah 61 power right now? (to bind a broken heart, proclaim freedom, release from darkness, proclaim the Lord’s favor and justice, comfort during a time of mourning)

Hello! Susan here again 🙂

A few more things about me to round out the picture: I love seeing people connect with the scriptures and I love listening to the Bible read aloud; I love kayaking and have almost done the whole length of the St Joe River; I deeply desire to see the church be a more loving space for single folks and for those from the LGBTQ community; I love playing sneaky uppy games in the dark out at camp.

Read 2 Kings 22-23:26

Ahhhh! Josiah “follows in the ways of his father, David”!! Yeah! He is a shining light after he becomes king at only 8 years old following the assassination of his father- who was so evil that his own officials killed him and made this child king.

It is incredible to me how he turned the nation around. We read “ in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the Lord in Jerusalem.” Josiah was 26 years old and was steadfastly working to lead his people towards the Lord.

I love the picture of the officials choosing an 8 year old to be king because they recognized the evil in his father and hoped for better from him. And then it seems they allowed their lives and people to be aligned to his young leading and much good was done.

I know that we’ve spoken often of allegiance in this devotional, and in the sermons we’ve been hearing through Revelation. It’s so important where we place our allegiance. Recognizing that it is a choice, it is active and premeditated.

• How are you choosing today to align yourself to the principles and values of God’s kingdom? Where do you see this evidence in your life?

• Josiah celebrates the Passover like it hadn’t been celebrated in years. What can you celebrate today in your relationship with Jesus?

Well, if you don’t know me, my name is Keith and I’m one of the leaders around our church. I was part of the team that started Riverside 11 years ago, and I’ve personally been so blessed in terms of how Riverside has helped me grow as a follower of Jesus.

There have been so many ways that Riversiders have spoken into me and helped form me to become more like Jesus, and for that I’m thankful!

With that said, today we have two passages. The first passage 1 Kings 16: 29-33 quickly talks about one of the worst kings of Israel. It’s a short passage but a really sad one.

Thankfully, two chapters later in 1 Kings 18:16-46 we then read about one of the most courageous stands by one of God’s prophets. The bad king is still on the scene but the prophet of God stands firm and calls people to make a decision in terms of where their ultimate allegiance will be.

As you read these two passages, really try to picture both scenes.

Place yourself in the first passage, and imagine how hard it would have been to stay faithful to God in the midst of such wicked leadership. In the second passage, really try and picture yourself as one of the bystanders. Try to immerse yourself into the event.

And ultimately, this season of Christmas calls us to reflect on the King of the universe that is PRESENT and among His people. Just like the all consuming fire came down from heaven in the time of Elijah, Jesus also came down from heaven in a spectacular (yet unexpected) way.

After you have read both passages, then reflect upon the following questions:

• Which characters in each of the accounts are you most like?

• God is still asking us the same question laid out in 2 Kings 18:21. What are the different ways that you waver in your allegiance these days?

• What does today’s passages reveal about God?

• Have you recently experienced Jesus and His Incarnation (His active presence in our world and lives) to the same extent that Elijah experienced the fire of God? If “yes,” spend some time thanking God. If “no,” pray for more awareness of His activity in your life.

Happy Monday! It’s me Susan again. Some other interesting things about me: I get to do the announcements every week, and I get to serve with the teens! Shawn and I have a blended family and love this non traditional part of ourselves. A deeply held value of ours is that families should be more open and inclusive of the single folks around us.

Today we are going to read: 1 Kings 11:9-13 and 1 Kings 12:1-24. Jeff shared on Saturday that Solomon was commanded to walk before the Lord in the example of his father, David. Today we read that he absolutely did not do that.

I can’t wait to meet David in heaven. Scripture gives us such a great picture of his person- complete with huge failings, and huge repentance. One time I searched (using a computer 🙂 ) for all the times that the sentence “for the sake of my servant David” occurs so that I could read those passages. Solomon, as David’s son, saw much of this as he lived alongside David. Yet it seems that he did not learn the repentance portion of David’s character. This always makes me sad to read. Then, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, also begins to lead in arrogance rejecting the wisdom of the elders. Jesus, often referred to as “the son of David” finally leads in a godly direction. Pointing His beloved Israel to the Father.

• What areas of your character are you allowing and seeking the Lord’s refining so that he might say, “for the sake of my servant _______ (your name)?”

• Where do you go for wisdom in your life? Is it God’s wisdom that you receive back? How intent are you at following Godly wisdom?

As we enjoy our predictable routine this Sunday after Christmas, let’s just spend some time in thanksgiving.

According to the church calendar, Christmas is celebrated from December 25th until January 6th. So we can keep enjoying the candles, the lights, and the ways of remembering the coming of the Savior.

All of us will be enjoying a virtual service today, so heat up your beverage and let’s get ready to worship together!

Hello, this is Jeff Walker. I was an original member of the Riverside church planting team in 2008. Some life situations took me away from Riverside, but I returned in October 2015 as an active covenant partner. Although I have served the church in a variety of functions, I just recently stepped into the leadership role as Executive Director of The Beacon, this amazing space that God has so richly blessed us with.

The passages you are going to read today are 1 Samuel 16: 1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 1 Kings 9:1-9, and John 7:42. These passages give us a snapshot into the life and journey of King David. 1 Samuel 15 ends with The Lord rejecting King Saul and regretting that He had made Saul King.

In the 1 Samuel 16 passage is where The Lord commissions Samuel to go providentially find the new King of Israel. When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he looked upon the first seven of Jesse’s sons, but The Lord rejected them all. Then there was the least likely of them all, the youngest son David. The scripture says that he was ruddy, had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord commanded Samuel to Arise and anoint him, for this is he who was chosen.

It would be nearly 15 years before David would be anointed at Hebron and begin his reign as King over Israel. David was not a perfect man by any stretch as we know from his encounter with Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite. However, we see in 1 Kings 9 God appeared to Solomon, David’s son and God tells Solomon to “walk before Me as your father David walked, with integrity and uprightness….” There was more instruction but if Solomon were obedient and faithful like his father, the dynasty of David would endure forever, just as the Lord had promised King David. And we see this come to pass as John 7:42 tells us Christ comes from the offspring or seed of David.

Now, do the Know, Be, Do method of study through these passages.

• KNOW (What does the text say about God?)

• BE (What does the text say about us?)

• DO (What is the text calling me/us to do?)

Hi, my name is Dale. My wife Cathy and I are part of the Elder Team and also on the Mission Team. We have had the privilege of traveling to India several times to visit the children at Asha in Delhi and Kolkata whom Riverside sponsor.

The passages you are going to read today are 1 Samuel 3:19-21, 1 Samuel 8:1- 9, 1 Samuel 9:15-17, and 1 Samuel 15:1-26.

These passages tell the story of Israel once again wanting to do things their own way instead of God’s way. Samuel, a prophet of God, is approached by the Elders of Israel demanding that they have a king like all of the other nations. This troubles Samuel greatly, so he prays to the Lord. The Lord tells him to listen to their demands but to warn them of what a king will ultimately require of them. Samuel warns them that eventually the king will demand all of their possessions that he desires, and will make them his slaves. Despite hearing this, the Elders refuse to listen. Ultimately the Lord tells Samuel to grant them their demand.

Later God tells Samuel that Saul is the man who should govern his people. Saul becomes king and is commanded to attack the Amalekites for what they have done to Israel. He is told to destroy the whole city and to spare nothing. Saul disobeys God and instead of destroying everything, he destroys only those things that are despised and weak, and keeps the things that are good for himself. When confronted by Samuel, Saul first denies that he disobeyed, and then points the blame to others, leading to rejection by God.

These passage show that even though God our Heavenly King knows what is best, he gives us free will to choose our own path. We will bear the consequences of those choices.

Now do the Know, Be, Do method of studying the chapter.

• KNOW (What does the text say about God?)

• BE (What does the text say about us?)

• DO (What is the text calling me/us to do?)