READY TO PARTY

PROVERBS 10:28 (MSG)
The aspirations of good people end in celebration.

LUKE 12:36 (CEB)
Be like people waiting for their master to come home from a wedding celebration, who can immediately open the door for him when he arrives and knocks on the door.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Live ready to party at the master's return.  

DAILY FODDER
Think of a young child living in anticipation of a family trip to a popular amusement park. How does the anticipation affect their outlook on everyday life?

PRAYER
Creator God, source of all joy, I'm grateful for the life you've given to me. I admit that sometimes I'm dragged down by the problems and I lose sight of the joy ahead—the celebration at Christ's return and the complete restoration of your creation. Help me to live an anticipatory life of joy, even on the rough days. I'm in the mood to party with you. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CHRIST THE ETERNAL LIGHT

ISAIAH 60:20 (MSG)
Your sun will never go down,
your moon will never fade.
I will be your eternal light.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 (MSG)
It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

As we gaze on Christ his forever light illumines our lives.  

DAILY FODDER
Why is light such a powerful metphor for what God does through Christ?

PRAYER
Jesus, you are the light of the world, and you call us to find illumination by looking to you. Forgive us for looking for light in other directions—messiah-wanna-bes and their artifical light shows. Help me to maintain focus on you—the pure and genuine light who transforms. I'm counting on you to be there forever and if you desire, that I would be an effective mirror of your light to the world around me. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

JOY IN THE STORM

PSALM 5:11 (NLT)
Let all who take refuge in you rejoice...

2 CORINTHIANS 6:4, 10 (NLT)
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God.... Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

Circumstances can't rob us of the joy that comes from living close to Christ Jesus.   

DAILY FODDER
How do we live close to Christ when circumstances are pulling us away from him, or so it seems?

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, thank you for being my anchor when the storms are trying to pull me out to sea. But as I hold on to you I realize that it's you holding on to me. Yes, the bad things happening make me sad but your peace and joy are stronger than the storms. I rejoice in the security you provide. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THROUGH FAITH

The Second Sunday of Advent

PSALM 106:6 (CEB)
We have sinned—right along with our ancestors.
We’ve done what is wrong.
We’ve acted wickedly.

ROMANS 3:28 (NLT)
So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

SUMMARY SENTENCE

God's solution to our sinfulness is a life defined by faith in Christ Jesus.

DAILY FODDER
Some people are naturally better than others, but none of us have the moral stamina to cross the finish line. Our only hope is to piggyback on Jesus who has the strength to cross the line with all who will trust him to carry them.

PRAYER
You, Savior Jesus, are the perfect person we all fail to be. As hard as we try we can't overcome our sinfulness. We know that our only hope is to trust you and what you've done on our behalf. I do trust you and I ask that you increase my faith so that I'm living in harmony with you and your ways. You are my 24/7, moment-by-moment, Savior. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.