HOPE IN OUR ERA

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

PSALM 71:5 (CEB)
You are my hope, Lord.
You, Lord, are the one I’ve trusted since childhood.

ROMANS 8:24-25 (NTE)
We were saved, you see, in hope. But hope isn’t hope if you can see it! Who hopes for what they can see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it eagerly—but also patiently.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Our faith is expressed through hope. 

DAILY FODDER
Hope, as the Bible uses the word, is not wishful thinking. It is a matter of having such confidence that something is going to happen that you'll allow your life to be rearranged to live in light of what is hoped for.  

PRAYER
Gorious God, I'm grateful for the witness of all those who for generations lived in hope of a coming Messiah. I confess that I get frustrated with the way things are as I await his second coming. I let it all get to me more than I should. Grant me the unwavering confidence to live according to hope in my assigned time. I am honored to be among those who hope in our era. 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.

TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY

PSALM 84:2 (NET)
My heart and my entire being shout for joy
to the living God.

LUKE 1:43-44 (MSG)
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The arrival of Jesus releases joy in all who recognize him. 

DAILY FODDER

"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay;

Remember Christ, our Saviour,

Was born on Christmas day,

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

PRAYER
Awesome God, my heart is overwhelmed with joy because of the way you have treated me. I'm honored that you'd come not just to the world but to me. I do have regrets—things done and things left undone. But all regrets are transformed to joy as I recognize your complete forgiveness and the awesomeness of your salvation plan. I accept your forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life. I will joyfully share the message of Jesus and his eternal love. 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.

THE DEATH OF SIN

ISAIAH 45:17 (CEB)
Israel has been saved by the Lord of everlasting salvation.
   You won’t be shamed,
      and you won’t be disgraced forever and always.

MATTHEW 1:21 (ABP)
Mary will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus ("GOD saves"), because he will save his people from their sins.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus has come to save people from their sins.

DAILY FODDER
But what if people don't see sin as that big of a problem—especially their own sins? It's not something from which they need to be saved. How do you respond to such people?

PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm forever grateful that you sent Jesus into the world. I am trusting that what he did through his sinless life, his sacrifical death, and his victorious resurrection, saves me the consequenes of my sin, as well as the death grip that sin has on us sinners. This is the great news that transcends death and goes on forever. So powerful! 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.

MOTIVATED

GENESIS 37:14 (CEB)
Jacob said to him, “Go! Find out how your brothers are and how the flock is, and report back to me.”

HEBREWS 10:24 (NLT)
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Be everready to do the good needed in the moment. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you encourage "acts of love and good deeds"?

PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for sending us out on missions. Forgive me for keeping up the appearance of love—trying to look like an influencer—without fully embracing the lifestyle myself. Motivate me toward genuine love and good works. I see the love and goodness you've extended through Jesus, and because I follow him, I want to be that way myself. 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.