Giving

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly... ~ Deuteronomy 15:10 (NLT)

Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:5 (CEB)

KEY THOUGHT:

Outrageous generosity reflects the Lord's presence in our lives.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for being so generous with us. You gave us your only Son so that we might experience life. Forgive me for being stingy. I worry that people will take undue advantage of my generosity. That turns me into a Scrooge some of the time. Save me from being overly-concerned about what others do or don't do. I can see now that we're all taking undue advantage of your generosity. Amen.

God's presence and timing

Please don’t be far from me, because trouble is near and there’s no one to help. ~ Psalm 22:11 (CEB)

The sisters sent a message to the Lord and told him that his good friend Lazarus was sick. ~ John 11:3 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

God will make his presence known at just the right time.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for sending your Son into the world at just the right time -- not a minute too soon or too late. I confess my anxiety over your timing. I need to learn patience from you so that I 'll be in the right spot at the right time to get on the plane with you. Amen.

God's strength

Do you think I’ve forgotten how to help? Am I so decrepit that I can’t deliver? ~ Isaiah 50:2 (MSG)

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! ~ Ephesians 1:18-19 (MSG)

KEY THOUGHT:

Focus on Christ through whom God's uninterruptable strength flows.

PRAYER:

Almighty God, I am grateful that no one can turn off your power. Where I live the electricity goes off sometimes. But you are always on. I can rely on you. I confess that in moments of crisis I don't always look to you. I try to handle things on my own -- to generate enough personal energy to solve all the problems. Reset my switches so that I'm drawing only from you. I'm going to have the energy I need to serve you well. Amen.

From God

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. ~ Psalm 121:1-2 (NRSV)

Be patient like those farmers and don’t give up. The Lord will soon be here! ~ James 5:8 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

Keep looking to God to help you.

PRAYER:

Generous God, you have sent your Son into the world to rescue us from the prison of sin and death. Your desire to help and the resources your bring to the mission are mind-boggling. Yet, I easily turn my eyes other directions when I'm in need of new assistance. I've even begun to believe that I can help mysef. Save me from such delusions. I'm going to turn my eyes to you -- and you alone. Amen.