Water

The Second Sunday in Advent

You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. ~ Isaiah 58:11 (MSG)

Jesus said in a loud voice, ‘Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.’ ~ John 7:38 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

When we trust Jesus our lives become like well-watered gardens.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the abundance of life-giving water. Forgive me for living like there is some kind of drought. I act like I need to hoard water and make excuses for the sorry state of the veggies that grow in my life. Help me to tap into the water that you have already sent my way and to dismantle all that is obstructing the fee-flow of your life-giving abundance. I'm going to step out and turn on the hose. Amen.

Living in the light

Send your light and truth—those will guide me! Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place. ~ Psalm 43:3 (CEB)

This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him. ~ 1 John 1:5 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Since God is light we need to live according to the light.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to be the light of the world. I confess that I still play in the dark sometimes. Make darkness such an uncomfortable place for me that whenever I veer that direction I will quickly move back into the light, where I belong. I am going to live in the light of Jesus. Amen.

God at work

Bless the Lord! The God of our salvation supports us day after day! ~ Psalm 68:19 (CEB)

We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 (CEB)

KEY THOUGHT:

God is working out his best in our lives.

PRAYER:

Again, God, thank you for staying involved in our lives. I admit that I get discouraged when I can't see how things are going to work out. Help me to see enough that my faith kicks in. No matter what I am going to trust that you are making the best from things which seem to me to be the worst. Amen.

Spiritual connection

Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. ~ 1 Kings 19:11-12 (MSG)

God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration. ~ John 4:24 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

Since God is spirit, our worship of him must connect at the deepest spiritual level.

PRAYER:

God, all creation responds to your being -- to your presence. I confess that I'm complacent and willing to accept a shallow relationship with you while you are eager to connect with me at a much deeper level. Nurture responsiveness in me. I'll work that direction, too. I want to have a deeper relationship with you that is not so dependent on externals. Amen.