During this Advent, we are going to follow our usual rhythm and take Sunday as a day to sit, reflect, pray, and just “be quiet” before the Lord.
Page back through the week and reflect on how God has shown Himself to you this week?
Advent is a time of waiting for the arrival of Jesus as a baby.
Pray for your heart to be soft and waiting for the Lord to speak this morning as we gather for communal worship.
Read John 9
Shawn Titus again. Fun fact about me – ok, there are no fun facts, I am about as boring as you get.
Today we are going to read John 9. A great story about Jesus and the healing of a blind man.
Read John 9
Lots to talk about here.
We could talk about the trap the religious leaders tried to set, we could talk about Jesus being the light of the world, we could talk about the man’s faith, or we could talk about the religious leaders blindness.
I want to focus on one small part. I love the man’s simple response. “Whether he is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
What a great way to sidestep the distractions and focus on the core issue, Jesus.
I think we can get caught up in feeling like we need to have an answer for everything. Or spending our time talking about all these other things (like was he born a sinner. A question worth discussing, but not at the expense of losing sight of the main thing).
But there are lots of things I don’t know. And not having all the answers is part of humility. This humility can keep us from the dangers of the religious leaders of the time, and I think it can also be attractive to people that we talk to.
So, the question for you today is, is there someone (or more than one someones) you need to tell the simple story of Jesus to?
Pray and ask God to guide you.
Read Luke 4:14-44
This passage comes after Jesus was baptized, then was tempted while fasting in the wilderness.
I (Dave Parker) spent about 5 days alone in the forest once, up in northern Minnesota. It certainly stands out in my memory, even being 40 years ago. Jesus and I had a lot of talks that week. And I read more scripture than I ever have since read in a week. Maybe my determined efforts to get to know Jesus more, have only long and slow coming results.
All the stepping stones in my life seem to yield a slow movement toward Jesus.
Read Luke 4:14-44
What was the reaction of the people after Jesus read from Isaiah?
In vs. 14-28 the people were first amazed at His ‘gracious words’ and saying “Isn’t this Joseph’s son”?
Then in Vs. 28 all the people were ‘furious’ with him, and took him out to kill him. What caused the people to get so angry at him?
In Vs. 31-36 Jesus again is teaching the people in Capernaum, and an evil spirit identifies him as the Messiah. Why do you think that the spirits seem to identify Jesus more readily than the people Jesus is speaking to?
Ponder all the many years of waiting for the Messiah in the Old Testament. In a way this chapter begins Jesus public ministry with lots of big and sometimes confusing reactions. What did people expect? Re-read verse 18.
Name some of the ways he has spoken good news into your poverty.
Ways he has set you free from various ways you have been imprisoned in your life.
How has he opened your eyes to see? How has he freed you?
Read Luke 2:1-40
God graciously allows these two faithful servants to see the fulfillment of His long-awaited promise.
We (Ann Gustine narrating!) are a Charlie Brown family. Every year we watch together the trio of holiday specials and still laugh at Snoopy’s antics and smile at Charlie’s endearing hopefulness despite the odds which always seem stacked against him. We even dressed up as the Peanuts crew for a Halloween trunk-or-treat, complete with our dog Louie playing the part of America’s most recognizable pooch.
If you grew up watching these too, or of course, attending church during the Christmas season, you are probably familiar with the passage of scripture today in Luke 2. The same passage Linus quotes to remind Charlie Brown of the real meaning of Christmas. Today though, let’s focus on the part of the passage just after the birth of Jesus, to learn from two servants of God, Simeon and Anna.
Read Luke 2:1-40 - pay particular attention to verses 25-40
Simeon and Anna had enduring hopefulness. The product of a lifetime of devotion to God’s word, his promise and his Kingdom. These two are worthy role models in our own walk with God.
Try something different today to help you draw your attention to God; take out your phone and set three randomly timed alarms. When they go off later today, take a moment to pray that God would shape your devotion, hope and kingdom focus to be like Simeon and Anna.
Read Luke 1
Our family (Cathy Parker speaking!) doesn’t get called on to sing in public, for good reason. But in private we often begin family meals or end bedtime routines with the singing of the doxology. I love hearing us belt out this “glory be” in all our off key enthusiasm. In this, the darkest month of the year you will find me early mornings under a blanket, a mug of coffee in hand and a puppy at my feet – eagerly awaiting the sunrise. It is the most stunning visual that shouts “Glory Be!” And when I stop and wait for it I get to take it in like a daily gift from the Creator.
After so many years of long silence and waiting, Luke 1 is packed with so much unexpected wonder and action as angels appear to people who never thought they would be part of the story of the coming Messiah.
Read through all of Luke 1.
1. Notice the various people mentioned and the words used to describe their feelings and responses as they absorb the news of finding out they have been chosen to be part of the story of the coming Messiah.
2. What impresses you?
3. What makes you wonder?
Read Luke 1: 78-79 again slowly.
Here, depending on the translation it talks about Jesus as the Sunrise from on high coming to us. Take time to ponder and list out some of the unexpected tender mercies from God in your story.
Take time to thank Him specifically for that list.
Read verse 79. Spend some time picturing the Light of Christ shining into the darkness you currently have or have had in your life. Times where you have been under the shadow of death.
Picture the hopefulness of Jesus guiding you to the path of peace. Thank Him for that tender mercy.
Read Ruth 3-4
God’s restoration of Naomi, His provision for Boaz after a long season of singleness, and His care for Ruth.
As we continue in Ruth today, we come to the conclusion of the story and a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness and restoration. With wisdom and leadership, Naomi comes up with a plan.
Ruth trusts her mother-in-law deeply and follows through on everything she’s been instructed to do. The result is one full of provision and kindness.
Boaz is honored by the gesture, Ruth goes home with good news and a bounty of food, and Naomi begins to see how God will redeem their family. And in the end, not only does God make a way for Boaz to care for and provide for these vulnerable women, but the son that Ruth bears is Jesse. Father of David and in the direct line of Christ’s birth.
God restores his people because He loves them. But His restoring work often has greater purpose. The bigger story of God’s ultimate restoration through Jesus Christ is at play here, and we see hints of our very own “kinsman redeemer.”
As you reflect on this passage, consider these questions:
Spend some time praying for those you know need God’s deep care and provision.
Ask for God’s kindness and faithfulness; seek the peace and welfare of these friends and neighbors. And then, think about the ways God has restored you and given you hope in the midst of darkness or despair.
Join the women’s voices in Ruth 4: 14-15 –
“Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.”
Amen.
Read Ruth 1-2
God’s restoration of Naomi, His provision for Boaz after a long season of singleness, and His care for Ruth.
Hi, it’s Jess again! I’m back with you as we read through the book of Ruth, which is a favorite of mine.
This book has a lot of significance for our family and is the main reason we named our son Bo (a nod to Boaz). God’s care for the vulnerable is all over this section of scripture.
And it made me think – one of the ways I sense God’s care most profoundly is through good food. To me, there is nothing more beautiful than good food shared with beloved people around a table. I hope we all can get a bit of this experience in the days ahead.
But back to Ruth. Our story begins in some dark days – the rule of the judges, a famine, and then, loss and grief. We see three very vulnerable women who have lost their husbands and sons.
Naomi, the Matriarch, is especially disheartened. “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Her lament is deep and honest. But when her daughter-in-law, Ruth, chooses to stay with her, God’s faithfulness begins to shine through the sorrow. Little by little, we see ways that God is caring for these women. He provides friendship, community, and protection, all within these first two chapters. And eventually, we will see God redeem and restore the larger stories of these vulnerable women.
Questions for you as you read:
Take time to pray for them and thank God for his care in their lives. You might even send a text or a note to encourage them in their faithfulness.