wEEK 1 - hOPE
December 1 - Christmas in the Parables
But he (the lawyer), desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
Read Luke 10:25-37
I find myself trying to, wanting to, justify myself. In response to the clear message of this shattering parable I make excuses. Like the Priest and the Levite, seeing the man in need … and passing by, I make excuses. It looks dangerous, I can’t take the risk, what if it’s a set-up? If I get involved it may get messy, I could get blood on my new shirt. I’ve got important things to do, I’m on a schedule, I’ve got commitments to keep, church meetings, church services, to lead. That man doesn’t look like he’ll make it anyway. Someone else, better suited than I, is sure to come along soon.
The power and conviction of this parable is inescapable. We are not responsible for every person in need in our city and valley … just those God puts along our road today. When we see someone in obvious need we pray, “God, do you need me to help this person? Is he, or she, my neighbor?” Use Wisdom. And then respond. In this parable Jesus does not place this man’s entire future on our shoulders … just his immediate need. Pray, trust God, be wise, and then do what we can.
Those who are Christians are stirred by God to help our neighbors, those less fortunate, particularly at this time of year. We risk, give, and serve, because Christmas is the great reminder that God came and found us, beaten and dying by the side of the road … and He picked us up, gave us life, healed us, and filled us with so much hope, joy, peace, and love, that we can’t keep it to ourselves! Merry Christmas Neighbor!
We love You Lord and we want to share Your love with others, we don’t want to keep it to ourselves! Open our eyes and our hearts to see who You want us to see. Show us Your way this Christmas.
But he (the lawyer), desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
Read Luke 10:25-37
I find myself trying to, wanting to, justify myself. In response to the clear message of this shattering parable I make excuses. Like the Priest and the Levite, seeing the man in need … and passing by, I make excuses. It looks dangerous, I can’t take the risk, what if it’s a set-up? If I get involved it may get messy, I could get blood on my new shirt. I’ve got important things to do, I’m on a schedule, I’ve got commitments to keep, church meetings, church services, to lead. That man doesn’t look like he’ll make it anyway. Someone else, better suited than I, is sure to come along soon.
The power and conviction of this parable is inescapable. We are not responsible for every person in need in our city and valley … just those God puts along our road today. When we see someone in obvious need we pray, “God, do you need me to help this person? Is he, or she, my neighbor?” Use Wisdom. And then respond. In this parable Jesus does not place this man’s entire future on our shoulders … just his immediate need. Pray, trust God, be wise, and then do what we can.
Those who are Christians are stirred by God to help our neighbors, those less fortunate, particularly at this time of year. We risk, give, and serve, because Christmas is the great reminder that God came and found us, beaten and dying by the side of the road … and He picked us up, gave us life, healed us, and filled us with so much hope, joy, peace, and love, that we can’t keep it to ourselves! Merry Christmas Neighbor!
We love You Lord and we want to share Your love with others, we don’t want to keep it to ourselves! Open our eyes and our hearts to see who You want us to see. Show us Your way this Christmas.
December 2 - You, O Lord, are My Hope, My Trust
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
Read Psalm 71:1-5 & Luke 1:46-55
As you probably noticed, Psalm 71 is not a traditional holiday song or carol. It is not a section of scripture we hear around the holidays. It is not what we picture when we look at Christmas trees, wreaths, stars, and angels. There’s no “Joy to the world” or “Hark the glad sound” coming from this author. This Psalm is full of fear and pain… longing and hope. Not hope fulfilled… but hope that someone is listening, and someone is coming to save.
A scripture song we DO hear at Christmas is Mary’s Song, the Magnificat, from Luke 1 that proclaims the answer to this Psalmist:
Psalm: In You, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.
Psalm: Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
Mary: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
Psalm: For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Mary: His mercy is for those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
When we pray through the scripture, a beautiful song appears again and again. A duet between a people who are lost and hurting and a God who is searching and saving. A love song written to children by their loving Father and sung to us by His son Jesus Christ.
Sing over us, Heavenly Father, turn Your ear to our cries, our praise, our joys, and our sorrows this Advent season. We wait for Your return as we celebrate Your coming. We pray in faith and in hope. Amen.
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
Read Psalm 71:1-5 & Luke 1:46-55
As you probably noticed, Psalm 71 is not a traditional holiday song or carol. It is not a section of scripture we hear around the holidays. It is not what we picture when we look at Christmas trees, wreaths, stars, and angels. There’s no “Joy to the world” or “Hark the glad sound” coming from this author. This Psalm is full of fear and pain… longing and hope. Not hope fulfilled… but hope that someone is listening, and someone is coming to save.
A scripture song we DO hear at Christmas is Mary’s Song, the Magnificat, from Luke 1 that proclaims the answer to this Psalmist:
Psalm: In You, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.
Psalm: Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
Mary: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
Psalm: For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Mary: His mercy is for those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
When we pray through the scripture, a beautiful song appears again and again. A duet between a people who are lost and hurting and a God who is searching and saving. A love song written to children by their loving Father and sung to us by His son Jesus Christ.
Sing over us, Heavenly Father, turn Your ear to our cries, our praise, our joys, and our sorrows this Advent season. We wait for Your return as we celebrate Your coming. We pray in faith and in hope. Amen.
December 3 - A Future and a Hope
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
From the beginning to forever... When Adam and Eve, alienated themselves from God by their sin in the Garden of Eden, God still loved His creation of man and planned to reconcile ourselves to Him. I love this passage in Jeremiah that reminds us that even though we sin, He gives us a future and a hope through His son Jesus Christ.
We all know the story of Christ birth, His ministry here on earth, death, and resurrection. At times we can become too familiar with the timeline of Jesus’s life. However, when I study God’s word and learn anew His abundant grace that He has given me, I am so humbled. The hope we have in eternal salvation, the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, begins with the crossing over of God’ son to be born here on earth. Through the birth of Jesus, God’s love for you and for me demonstrates that he never leaves us to flounder on our own.
As we are beginning this Advent season, we can be distracted by the LOUD noises in our head on what gifts to buy, events to attend, and the abundance of calories we are consuming. All these things can cloud our focus of what the Christ birth means to us and the world. The good news is that His redemption and restoration is for the entire world. Pray and ask God to reveal to you who you might need to hear what the gift of Jesus has done for you.
Thank You, God, for loving me even before the beginning of time. Thank You that You give me a future and a hope through Jesus Your son. Give me courage to pass that message of hope to my friends,
community, and our world. Amen
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
From the beginning to forever... When Adam and Eve, alienated themselves from God by their sin in the Garden of Eden, God still loved His creation of man and planned to reconcile ourselves to Him. I love this passage in Jeremiah that reminds us that even though we sin, He gives us a future and a hope through His son Jesus Christ.
We all know the story of Christ birth, His ministry here on earth, death, and resurrection. At times we can become too familiar with the timeline of Jesus’s life. However, when I study God’s word and learn anew His abundant grace that He has given me, I am so humbled. The hope we have in eternal salvation, the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, begins with the crossing over of God’ son to be born here on earth. Through the birth of Jesus, God’s love for you and for me demonstrates that he never leaves us to flounder on our own.
As we are beginning this Advent season, we can be distracted by the LOUD noises in our head on what gifts to buy, events to attend, and the abundance of calories we are consuming. All these things can cloud our focus of what the Christ birth means to us and the world. The good news is that His redemption and restoration is for the entire world. Pray and ask God to reveal to you who you might need to hear what the gift of Jesus has done for you.
Thank You, God, for loving me even before the beginning of time. Thank You that You give me a future and a hope through Jesus Your son. Give me courage to pass that message of hope to my friends,
community, and our world. Amen
December 4 - The Lord is My Portion
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Read Lamentations 3:22-24
When the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words, he was in the worst of times in Judah. Babylon had conquered the land and taken most of the Jews into exile. The people suffered greatly, having lost God’s protection because of their sin and rebellion against Him. Jeremiah also suffered as he gave the people God’s message, yet he was faithful to God. He kept his eyes and his hope on the Lord, and he challenges us to do the same.
Since the beginning of Creation, God’s steadfast love has never ceased. His mercies toward His people never come to an end. Do you experience, as Jeremiah did, that God’s mercies are new every morning? Do you praise Him often for His great faithfulness to you, even in the midst of trials? The Jews had waited for the promised Messiah for so long. Those who remembered God’s promises kept on waiting for His coming, because they had learned that He is faithful. At just the right time, Jesus came into the world. He is our portion, our hope, our inheritance, our Savior.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our portion. Through this season of Advent, may we remember the prophecies of old and center on Your steadfast love, Your mercies, and Your great faithfulness to us. Our hope is in You!
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Read Lamentations 3:22-24
When the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words, he was in the worst of times in Judah. Babylon had conquered the land and taken most of the Jews into exile. The people suffered greatly, having lost God’s protection because of their sin and rebellion against Him. Jeremiah also suffered as he gave the people God’s message, yet he was faithful to God. He kept his eyes and his hope on the Lord, and he challenges us to do the same.
Since the beginning of Creation, God’s steadfast love has never ceased. His mercies toward His people never come to an end. Do you experience, as Jeremiah did, that God’s mercies are new every morning? Do you praise Him often for His great faithfulness to you, even in the midst of trials? The Jews had waited for the promised Messiah for so long. Those who remembered God’s promises kept on waiting for His coming, because they had learned that He is faithful. At just the right time, Jesus came into the world. He is our portion, our hope, our inheritance, our Savior.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our portion. Through this season of Advent, may we remember the prophecies of old and center on Your steadfast love, Your mercies, and Your great faithfulness to us. Our hope is in You!
December 5 - Faith Brings Joy
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Read Romans 5:1-5 NLT
Are not these verses amazing! They speak of a pathway to how we can approach life’s challenging times. As we face adversities, we have choices, we can develop a “woe is me” mentality, we can get angry at God and turn away from Him, or we can take Romans 5:1-5 to heart and let the adversities turn us to God to build our faith and hope. We can rejoice in suffering, not because we like pain but because we know God is using life’s difficulties to build our character. The difficulties that we run into will develop our perseverance - which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future.
As I reflect on the difficulties I have experienced in life, I can view them as periods of deep need for strength and perseverance beyond my own capabilities. It has been only through the power of the Holy Spirit, given by Jesus, that these times of need did not overwhelm me. In fact, it was because of these times that I turned my life over to Christ. While not all difficulties are behind me, the truth that Christ is in me, and I am in Him will fill me with expectant hope that the difficulty I am experiencing will fade and be replaced with gratitude for His Love, Grace, and Mercy through it all. As we know, He did not promise that there would be no pain or suffering as a believer, but that He would be with us through it all. And would give us peace beyond all understanding.
Heavenly Father, as we journey through this Advent Season, we prayerfully ask that You fill us with all confidence and hope for all our days to come. Let us rejoice in the birth of Your Son, our Savior who keeps us now in His daily care and will be with us through all eternity.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Read Romans 5:1-5 NLT
Are not these verses amazing! They speak of a pathway to how we can approach life’s challenging times. As we face adversities, we have choices, we can develop a “woe is me” mentality, we can get angry at God and turn away from Him, or we can take Romans 5:1-5 to heart and let the adversities turn us to God to build our faith and hope. We can rejoice in suffering, not because we like pain but because we know God is using life’s difficulties to build our character. The difficulties that we run into will develop our perseverance - which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future.
As I reflect on the difficulties I have experienced in life, I can view them as periods of deep need for strength and perseverance beyond my own capabilities. It has been only through the power of the Holy Spirit, given by Jesus, that these times of need did not overwhelm me. In fact, it was because of these times that I turned my life over to Christ. While not all difficulties are behind me, the truth that Christ is in me, and I am in Him will fill me with expectant hope that the difficulty I am experiencing will fade and be replaced with gratitude for His Love, Grace, and Mercy through it all. As we know, He did not promise that there would be no pain or suffering as a believer, but that He would be with us through it all. And would give us peace beyond all understanding.
Heavenly Father, as we journey through this Advent Season, we prayerfully ask that You fill us with all confidence and hope for all our days to come. Let us rejoice in the birth of Your Son, our Savior who keeps us now in His daily care and will be with us through all eternity.
December 6 - Set Your Hope On God
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
What does scripture mean that we should not set our hope on riches but on God? When our hope is in God then we’ll have the right perspective on the blessings God has granted us. Our priorities will be straight and the way we handle our resources will be done in a way that’s pleasing to God.
Christmas is a sweet season to enjoy God’s goodness and generously share with others. Our hope in God is eternal. What a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father!
Lord help us as Your beloved children to remember to put our hope in You and not our riches. Amen
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
What does scripture mean that we should not set our hope on riches but on God? When our hope is in God then we’ll have the right perspective on the blessings God has granted us. Our priorities will be straight and the way we handle our resources will be done in a way that’s pleasing to God.
Christmas is a sweet season to enjoy God’s goodness and generously share with others. Our hope in God is eternal. What a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father!
Lord help us as Your beloved children to remember to put our hope in You and not our riches. Amen
Week 1 Credits
Sunday December 1 - Curt McFarland
Monday December 2 - Becca and Joel Mailand
Tuesday December 3 - Cathy Simons
Wednesday December 4 - Rebecca Whitmore
Thursday December 5 - Rich and DeeAnn Millet
Friday December 6 - Duncan and Crisann McRayde
Saturday December 7 - Sue Stolzenbach
Monday December 2 - Becca and Joel Mailand
Tuesday December 3 - Cathy Simons
Wednesday December 4 - Rebecca Whitmore
Thursday December 5 - Rich and DeeAnn Millet
Friday December 6 - Duncan and Crisann McRayde
Saturday December 7 - Sue Stolzenbach