Weakness and Power

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Who could possibly compare to the Lord our God? God rules from on high; he has to come down to even see heaven and earth! God lifts up the poor from the dirt and raises up the needy from the garbage pile. ~ Psalm 113:5-7 (CEB)

Although he was weak when he was nailed to the cross, he now lives by the power of God. We are weak, just as Christ was. But you will see that we will live by the power of God, just as Christ does. ~ 2 Corinthians 13:4 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Christ has assumed our weaknesses in order to raise us up to be with him.

PRAYER:

Lord:

THANKS: I'm grateful that you have made yourself vulnerable so that you can rescue us from our weaknesses -- our sin and immaturity.

REGRETS: I have a warped view of power -- assuming that it always means trampling over bad people -- finding their weaknesses and then trampling them. But you embrace the weakness in order to make us strong.

INTERCESSION: Please keep my desire for power and control in check.

PURPOSE: I want to go about dealing with power in the same way that Christ Jesus my Savior does.

Amen.

God's unconventional ways

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. ~ Psalm 116:1 (NLT)

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. ~ Luke 1:13 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord hears, and responds.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm so grateful that I can count on you to pay attention to my requests. I confess that I have a lot of preconceived ideas about how you should respond. And I sometimes get angry when your response does not match my expectations. Help me to accept your mercy -- in your way. I'm going to be more open to your unconventional ways and timing. Amen.

Change

Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord God. Certainly not! If they change their ways, they will live. ~ Ezekiel 18:23 (CEB)

Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to change your heart and life? ~ Romans 2:4b (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God is patient with us because he wants to see us change directions and be transformed into people living according to his plan.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for being so patient with me -- even when I am slow to change. Your patience causes me to desire even more 
change. I feel excited about the possibility and ask that you would continue to show me exactly what needs to be changed and the best way to do it. I want to become a mature, convinced, and convincing follower of Christ Jesus. And I'm certain that that's what you want of me, too. Amen.

Training

Parents will tell children about your faithfulness. ~ Isaiah 38:19b (CEV)

He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.” ~ Matthew 13:52 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Training in faithfulness is invaluable throughout the generations.

PRAYER:

Lord:

THANKS: Thank you for providing faithful teachers and family members who tell us about your faithfulness.

REGRETS: I'm not such a good listener and it takes a long time for the lessons to sink in and become a part of who I am. But by your grace they eventually do.

INTERCESSION: Help me to pass along the good news of Jesus' faithfulness.

PURPOSE: I'm going to be a reliable link in the chain of those who tell the story of your faithfulness through all generations.

Amen.