Healing the blind

Boxing Day

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. ~ Psalm 146:8a (NLT)

I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call... ~ Ephesians 1:18 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord is in the business of healing physical and spiritual blindness.

PRAYER:

Generous God, I'm in a good Christmas mood -- grateful especially for the gift of your Son sent into the world. He came to heal us. Sometimes I resist healing -- because blindness is so familiar -- even comfortable. I'm slow to embrace change but eventually I'll come around. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you. I want to see you.* Amen.

*Written by Paul Joseph Baloche. © Capitol Christian Music Group

Christmas

The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
"Christmas"

The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces, while the weak are infused with fresh strength. ~ 1 Samuel 2:4 (MSG)

Mary said: He drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power. God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing. ~ Luke 1:52-53 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God's method of operation is to ruin the mighty and then to raise up the humble.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are master of both the powerful and the weak. And you choose to get your work done through the weak. That's good news for me. I'm not so powerful. Thank you for giving me a part in your great transformation. Forgive me for seeking power that I can use to get my way. Help me to live with the kind of humility that characterized the life of Christ. We see that humility so fully displayed in the humble birth of the baby Jesus which we celebrate today. I'm going to celebrate and imitate. Amen.

Free!!! -- even when suffering

Christmas Eve

I was faithful to you when I was suffering... ~ Psalm 116:10 (CEV)

If the Son gives you freedom, you are free! ~ John 8:36 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The freedom that Christ gives us carries us through even the toughest of times.

PRAYER:

Lord, we like to brag about how faithful to you we are. Even if we don't say it aloud we think it in our minds. But it's really you who has been faithful to us. Your faithfulness frees us to live as your people -- even during the difficult times. Thank you for being so faithful. Keep my focus on your faithfulness rather than either my successes or shortcomings. I desire to live with that kind of freedom -- the kind of focused freedom which Christ gives to all who trust him. Amen.

To the world

Everyone on this earth will remember you, Lord. People all over the world will turn and worship you... ~ Psalm 22:27 (CEV)

The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. ~ John 1:9 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The light of Christ is not just for me -- but for all the people of the world.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm so excited to be celebrating the birth of Jesus again. I love this part of the good news. Sometimes I love it too much because I end up focusing on what I can get from the holiday. But as we prepare to celebrate help me to see and live into the bigger picture -- the global picture. You're not just interested in me but all people. I want to help focus the light so that all people in all places will turn to you and remember you, Lord. Amen.