JOY COMING

The Second Sunday of Advent

PSALM 146:8 (ABP)
GOD gives a hand to those who are weighed down.

JOHN 16:20 (NLT)
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.

THE ESSENCE
Even when things are depressing, we live with the confidence that God will flip it all around to a point of joy. 

DAILY FODDER
Jesus had the means to escape his moment of ordeal, but he didn't choose that. Why? Or was the resurrection somehow the grand escape—an escape in which we all get to participate, when through faith we stand in solidarity with him? 

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, we're grateful that you didn't run from pain but that you ran into a burning building to rescue us. Forgive us for wimping out anytime we face difficulty. Renew our spirits with the joyous hope of the resurrection.  No matter how depressing things feel, I'm  going to live in the light of what you have coming for us. 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.

SPREADING SALVATION

PSALM 118:25 (GNT)

Save us, LORD, save us!

Give us success, O LORD!

ACTS 13:2-3 (MSG)
   One day as they were worshiping God—they were also fasting as they waited for guidance—the Holy Spirit spoke: “Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do.”

   So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off.

THE ESSENCE
God commissions people to spread the good news of the salvation which comes to us through Christ Jesus. 

DAILY FODDER
What is your role in spreading the good news of salvation?

PRAYER
What an awesome Savior you are! You save me from striving for wealth, power, status, or popularity. You show me my need to be transformed by your Spirit. Produce the fruit of your Spirit in me. Equip me for the work you have called me to do. Grant me success in loving and serving others in your name, Jesus. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

SALVATION

PSALM 85:7 (MSG)
Show us how much you love us, GOD!
Give us the salvation we need!

JOHN 4:22 (MSG)
God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews.

THE ESSENCE
Through Jesus, the Jew, God gives us the salvation we all need.

DAILY FODDER
How is it that a single Jewish man could be the salvation of the world?

PRAYER
You are righteous and just, Lord God. You have shown your steadfast love through all generations. I am a sinner in need of grace. Thank you for granting salvation through the sacrifice of your Son, the promised Messiah. As your beloved child, give me the words and tools to share the good news of new life.  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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE EMERGING GENERATIONS

DEUTERONOMY 31:13 (MSG)
And do this so that their children, who don’t yet know all this, will also listen and learn to live in holy awe before GOD...

EPHESIANS 6:4 (NLT)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

THE ESSENCE
Prioritize passing the ways of the Lord on to the emerging generations. 

DAILY FODDER
How do we bring up children "with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord" without provoking them to anger? Can you summarize what that looks like in a sentence or two?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for my parents and all the adults who gently led me to faith as a child. Forgive us for treating children's ministry as a necessary after-thought. Give us hearts for children and their salvation. I'm looking for ways to pour my life into the kids 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.