WAITING

The First Sunday in Advent

ZECHARIAH 1:7 (MSG)
God will comfort Zion again...

LUKE 2:25 (NIRV)
In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was a good and godly man. He was waiting for God’s promise to Israel to come true. The Holy Spirit was with him.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
It is worth waiting for God to keep his promises. 
 
DAILY FODDER
How is the description of Simeon's character related to his action—that is, his "waiting"?

PRAYER
God, how grateful I am that you kept your promise and sent Jesus the Messiah to rescue our world. There are still holdouts who haven't accepted the defeat of sin and death. Sometimes I get distracted by their antics. Refresh my sense of anticipation. As I remember the first coming of Christ I am waiting for his return to finish cleaning up our mess. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

STORMS

PSALM 31:9 (MSG)
Be kind to me, GOD—
   I’m in deep, deep trouble again.

MATTHEW 8:25-26 (ABP)
   Distressed by the storm that was swamping their boat, Jesus' apprentices woke him from his resting spot, shouting, "Boss, do something! If you don’t save us we're all going to drown."
   Jesus responded, “Why are you guys so afraid? Where is your faith!”
   Then he stood up and gave an order to the wind and waves. Suddenly there was an awesome calm.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus tackles our fears by calming us and storms.
 
DAILY FODDER
What in your life feels like a chaotic storm to you today? What are you going to do with your fear? 

PRAYER
Boss, you've called me to join you out on the waters but all the waves are making me sea sick. I feel like I'm going to die! Do something to control the situation or at least give me some Dramamine. Thank you for calming me down and deescalating the storm. I'm going to sail forward without worry. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

PURIFICATION

JEREMIAH 9:7 (MSG)
Watch this! I’ll melt them down
   and see what they’re made of.
What else can I do
   with a people this wicked?

MARK 13:13 (MSG)
Stay with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Those who endure God's purification process won't  be disappointed. 
 
DAILY FODDER
What impurities is God in the process of melting out of your life? Why does he bother? 

PRAYER
Lord God, thank you for adding me to your community of grace. I confess my first instinct is to go it alone. You rub off my rough edges as part of your plan for me. Today burn away my pride and let me meld with others. Make me an alloy of endurance and an ally of peace. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen! 

IMPENDING DAWN

MALACHI 4:2 (MSG)
The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking.

ROMANS 13:12 (NLT)
The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Don't let the despair of darkness drag you down; the day of the Lord is about to dawn.
 
DAILY FODDER
If you're experiencing anxiety during the night sunrise can't arrive too soon. How does the impending day of the Lord make you feel?

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the inevitability of your salvation. I confess that I grow anxious and weary during the darkness of night. The diabolic schenanigans of the world are too much for me to handle. Refresh me with a glimpse of the impending dawn. I need that. I want to live as an agent of your daylight even during the night. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen!