GOD FREELY SACRIFICES

ISAIAH 53:5 (GNT)
But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did.

ROMANS 8:32 (MSG)
If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? 

THE ESSENCE
God freely sacrifices for us.

DAILY FODDER
If God would sacrifice his own Son for us, what makes you think that he's not on your side? Sometimes things don't work out the way we think they should, but we can relax knowing that God is undoubtedly on our side, working things out to our best benefit in his own way. 

PRAYER
Good and gracious God, you gave up your Son to be wounded and crushed for my iniquities. I regret giving in to my sinful nature. Thank you for providing forgiveness and everything else I need. I invite your Spirit to help me grow in faith and become more Christlike. Use my life to express your goodness and grace.  Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

JESUS SAVES

The 3rd Sunday of Advent 

PSALM 28:1 (CEB)
I cry out to you, Lord.
You are my rock; don’t refuse to hear me.

LUKE 7:7 (CEB)
The Roman centurion, speaking to Jesus: Just say the word and my servant will be healed.

THE ESSENCE
Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, hears and responds to our cries for help. 

DAILY FODDER
It's interesting that while so many of Jesus' own people were rejecting him, a leader of the occupying Roman army figured out that he could turn to Jesus to request healing for his servant. And he was humble enough to tell Jesus that it didn't require a personal visit. Faith pops up in surprising places. 

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are the rock we can turn to in our moment of need.  Forgive us for making faith way more complicated than it is. Listen to me as I tell you my greatest need today. I'm going to continue to trust that you're  listening and responding. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

NEW CITY

JEREMIAH 31:38 (CEB)
The time is coming, declares the LORD, when the city will be rebuilt for the Lord...

REVELATION 21:2-3 (GNT)
And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: "Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God."

THE ESSENCE
God is building a new kind of city, one where he lives among humans. 

DAILY FODDER
What do you think it will be like living with God as your closest neighbor? How will that change the character and vibe of the neighborhood? How does this promise affect the way you do neighboring now?

PRAYER
Holy God, this world is filled with anger, cruelty, and divisiveness. As a result, I get discouraged and start to lose hope. Thank you for the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. In the new Jerusalem you will dwell with your people. There I will experience true fulfillment, love, peace, and joy in your presence forever. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

GOD CAME DOWN

ISAIAH 64:1 (CEB)
If only you would tear open the heavens and come down!

LUKE 1:31-32 (CEB/alt)
"Look!" the angel said to Mary, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High."

THE ESSENCE
God came down.

DAILY FODDER
We use the word "incarnation" to describe God becoming a man. When "the Son of the Most High" became incarnate, what did he have to leave behind, at least temporarily, to participate in our humanity? 

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son from Heaven to become one of us. Forgive us for bumping this truth from the center of our Christmas celebrations. Show me how to use this coming holiday as an occasion to share what you've done on our behalf. You came down to save us and to invite us to participate in the reality of Heaven. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.