God speaks

The Fourth Day of Christmas

The Lord spoke to Jeremiah: I am giving you the words to say. ~ Jeremiah 1:9b (CEV)

The shadow of a cloud passed over and covered them. From the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to what he says!” ~ Mark 9:7 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God speaks.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm thankful that you have not left us in silence. I don't always listen as closely as I should. But you continue to speak. Please massage my ears so that I'm ready to listen. I'm planning that my life will be shaped by your words and your message. Amen.

Rescue!

The Third Day of Christmas

Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love. ~ Psalm 6:4 (NLT)

Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don’t worry! You are now well because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed. ~ Matthew 9:22 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

The all-loving Lord saves those who exercise faith and turn to him.

PRAYER:

Lord:

THANKS: Thank you for loving us so much that you save us -- even though we do not deserve saving.

REGRETS: I do not fully appreciate all that you have and continue to do for me. My devotion to you is shallow. It goes up and down depending on circumstance and time available.

INTERCESSION: Help me to be more consistent. 

PURPOSE: I'm going to become a faithful follower of Jesus -- someone fully shaped by your love.

Amen.

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.