FRIDAY, December 22ND
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
-Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah was a prophet who was serving during the time Judah and Jerusalem had been exiled by the Babylonians for 70 long years. This happened because the Israelites did not fully trust in God’s wishes, and were deeply involved in idolatry and other evil actions. Jermiah knew if they did not change their ways and believe God had their unique life planned out, they would be punished with being separated from Babylon. However, God is always faithful and compassionate to us, no matter how many wrong turns we make in His plans, and after 70 long years, God never forgot his original covenant with His people and already made plans to restore the Israelites to a closer connection with Him. God could have given up on His people for failing time and time again, but he had never-ending faith in the Israelites, even when they lost all trust in Him.
From the very beginning, we know God had been working on His biggest plan yet to ultimately save us all from our evil actions, which started with the birth of his son Jesus on Christmas Day. We are blessed every single day to have been given the gift of a Savior who trusted in God’s plan so strongly that he gave up His life for the hopeful future of our lives being closer to God and further from sin and distrust.
Many times, we may feel like God’s plan is such a challenging path to take, and that our own plan is the right path, going against what God wishes for our lives just pushes us further away from His compassion and support when we mess up on a daily basis. We all must focus on how Jesus spent his time on Earth helping and staying close to God in everything he did because His whole heart and soul was directed in believing in the true power of God’s plan. Jesus was born on Christmas Day already known as the light of the world that would save us all, and this meant everything to the people that heard the good news. Because of this important plan through Jesus Christ, each one of us has the choice to trust God and follow the steps of His plan for our own lives by sacrificing our whole hearts in prayer and joyous praise, especially during the Christmas season.
Dear Lord, we can’t thank you enough for Your awesome plan that saves us all from the evil in this world through your son Jesus. We don’t deserve Your never-ending compassion and love, and we hope you will continue to guide us into following and trusting your unique plans for our lives when we start to lose faith. Keep us focused on sharing the good news of how Christmas brought the baby Jesus that was planned to save us so we could grow closer to You. Amen!
-Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah was a prophet who was serving during the time Judah and Jerusalem had been exiled by the Babylonians for 70 long years. This happened because the Israelites did not fully trust in God’s wishes, and were deeply involved in idolatry and other evil actions. Jermiah knew if they did not change their ways and believe God had their unique life planned out, they would be punished with being separated from Babylon. However, God is always faithful and compassionate to us, no matter how many wrong turns we make in His plans, and after 70 long years, God never forgot his original covenant with His people and already made plans to restore the Israelites to a closer connection with Him. God could have given up on His people for failing time and time again, but he had never-ending faith in the Israelites, even when they lost all trust in Him.
From the very beginning, we know God had been working on His biggest plan yet to ultimately save us all from our evil actions, which started with the birth of his son Jesus on Christmas Day. We are blessed every single day to have been given the gift of a Savior who trusted in God’s plan so strongly that he gave up His life for the hopeful future of our lives being closer to God and further from sin and distrust.
Many times, we may feel like God’s plan is such a challenging path to take, and that our own plan is the right path, going against what God wishes for our lives just pushes us further away from His compassion and support when we mess up on a daily basis. We all must focus on how Jesus spent his time on Earth helping and staying close to God in everything he did because His whole heart and soul was directed in believing in the true power of God’s plan. Jesus was born on Christmas Day already known as the light of the world that would save us all, and this meant everything to the people that heard the good news. Because of this important plan through Jesus Christ, each one of us has the choice to trust God and follow the steps of His plan for our own lives by sacrificing our whole hearts in prayer and joyous praise, especially during the Christmas season.
Dear Lord, we can’t thank you enough for Your awesome plan that saves us all from the evil in this world through your son Jesus. We don’t deserve Your never-ending compassion and love, and we hope you will continue to guide us into following and trusting your unique plans for our lives when we start to lose faith. Keep us focused on sharing the good news of how Christmas brought the baby Jesus that was planned to save us so we could grow closer to You. Amen!
THURSDAY, December 21ST
“God has given each of us a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts, use them well to serve one another.”
-1 Peter 4:10
When we think about gifts, especially around Christmas, we think about the perfectly wrapped presents under the beautifully decorated and lit tree—the ones that we buy in the store or the ones that we make. There is always joy in giving and receiving gifts at Christmas. We anticipate this day filled with opening up gifts and seeing others light up when they have opened the gift you got for them. God gives us gifts too. They aren’t the kind that are wrapped with a bow under the tree. He doesn’t hand them to us or leave them under the tree, you just have them. God gives everyone unique gifts so we can go out and bring others to him. It may be your ability to sing in the church choir, be a dependable friend, have the skills to be a leader, the ability to help others in need, cook meals for those who are sick, write letters or devotionals, and so much more. You may be confused as to why God gave you the gift he did or think the gift God has given you is small, but He gave you that gift for a reason. Use the gift for the betterment of His kingdom. Others won't have the same gifts as you. God gave us all unique gifts so they can fit into His plan He has for us. So embrace your gift God has given you. Ask God how He wants you to use your gift so you can do his will. This Christmas, when you are opening your presents on Christmas morning, remember your gifts from God and be thankful.
Dear God, we thank you for giving us all unique gifts. Help guide us in using our gifts for the purpose of bettering your kingdom. Amen.
-1 Peter 4:10
When we think about gifts, especially around Christmas, we think about the perfectly wrapped presents under the beautifully decorated and lit tree—the ones that we buy in the store or the ones that we make. There is always joy in giving and receiving gifts at Christmas. We anticipate this day filled with opening up gifts and seeing others light up when they have opened the gift you got for them. God gives us gifts too. They aren’t the kind that are wrapped with a bow under the tree. He doesn’t hand them to us or leave them under the tree, you just have them. God gives everyone unique gifts so we can go out and bring others to him. It may be your ability to sing in the church choir, be a dependable friend, have the skills to be a leader, the ability to help others in need, cook meals for those who are sick, write letters or devotionals, and so much more. You may be confused as to why God gave you the gift he did or think the gift God has given you is small, but He gave you that gift for a reason. Use the gift for the betterment of His kingdom. Others won't have the same gifts as you. God gave us all unique gifts so they can fit into His plan He has for us. So embrace your gift God has given you. Ask God how He wants you to use your gift so you can do his will. This Christmas, when you are opening your presents on Christmas morning, remember your gifts from God and be thankful.
Dear God, we thank you for giving us all unique gifts. Help guide us in using our gifts for the purpose of bettering your kingdom. Amen.
WEDNESDAY, December 20th
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
-Matthew 11:28-29
Sometimes through our hardships it may feel like we are searching endlessly for ways out of it. But Jesus calls us all to come to him to find our rest. In this busy and hectic season some of us feel like we are left wandering and searching aimlessly for some peace and comfort. And through all of our busyness we sometimes can lose sight of what gives us true and complete rest. Whenever we go to Jesus and give up our burdens and hardships, we give them to the one gives us complete rest and joy through all our lives, not just a temporary rest, but an eternal one in Gods grace. We find our rest and our joy in God who gives us all these things, and everything.
Dear God, thank you for guiding us and loving us through every hardship. Thank you for being with us through every high and low and for giving us true rest. Please be with us all through this hectic and stressful season and help us to remember that is you we are searching for. Thank you, God, Amen.
-Matthew 11:28-29
Sometimes through our hardships it may feel like we are searching endlessly for ways out of it. But Jesus calls us all to come to him to find our rest. In this busy and hectic season some of us feel like we are left wandering and searching aimlessly for some peace and comfort. And through all of our busyness we sometimes can lose sight of what gives us true and complete rest. Whenever we go to Jesus and give up our burdens and hardships, we give them to the one gives us complete rest and joy through all our lives, not just a temporary rest, but an eternal one in Gods grace. We find our rest and our joy in God who gives us all these things, and everything.
Dear God, thank you for guiding us and loving us through every hardship. Thank you for being with us through every high and low and for giving us true rest. Please be with us all through this hectic and stressful season and help us to remember that is you we are searching for. Thank you, God, Amen.
TUESday, December 19th
“This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
-1 John 1:5-9
As we approach the end of the year and the birth of Christ, we often take this as a time of reflection. Thinking about what we have done, and what we plan to do. As we reflect, we often forget that God walked alongside us through it all. Every time we experience joy or sorrow, God is there. But why do we forget about God’s presence? We are so focused on everything going on in our lives, yet we can’t make time for God?
When we forget about God and all that he has done for us, we feel lost. Our sense of purpose can feel fuzzy and blurry. And choosing to embrace God into our life can sometimes be difficult. Even when the path is scary and dark, we must remember that we are walking alongside God. Because faith is not always walking in the path of light. Rather, it’s knowing that even when things may seem dark, we are not alone. And that the path will always be brighter when we choose to let God into our life.
So this Christmas, when will you take the time to reflect? How have you embraced God into your life, even when it seems hard? Have you seen God in those around you? How has their faith journey impacted yours? How has your faith journey impacted someone else?
-1 John 1:5-9
As we approach the end of the year and the birth of Christ, we often take this as a time of reflection. Thinking about what we have done, and what we plan to do. As we reflect, we often forget that God walked alongside us through it all. Every time we experience joy or sorrow, God is there. But why do we forget about God’s presence? We are so focused on everything going on in our lives, yet we can’t make time for God?
When we forget about God and all that he has done for us, we feel lost. Our sense of purpose can feel fuzzy and blurry. And choosing to embrace God into our life can sometimes be difficult. Even when the path is scary and dark, we must remember that we are walking alongside God. Because faith is not always walking in the path of light. Rather, it’s knowing that even when things may seem dark, we are not alone. And that the path will always be brighter when we choose to let God into our life.
So this Christmas, when will you take the time to reflect? How have you embraced God into your life, even when it seems hard? Have you seen God in those around you? How has their faith journey impacted yours? How has your faith journey impacted someone else?
Monday, December 18th
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
-Matthew 11:28
Christmas has always been an interesting holiday for me. A time to think and a time to give. Growing up, some of my favorite memories involve going up to Rocky Mount. Seeing my grandparents and running around in their backyard which seemed endless when I was younger. Every time I went into their backyard, I discovered something new. Whether it was how to build log houses, crawling through a sewer, or using a cooler as a boat, my brother and I were able to come up with so many different ways of entertaining ourselves. I am truly thankful that I was able to have those experiences. I hope that one day I am able to provide others with that same type of fun.
But one of my favorite things about Christmas is to have time for silence. Oftentimes I find myself lying on a tree at a local park. Feeling the cold wind brush against the trees as I listen to the beautiful world God has created. As I sit quietly, I take the time to reflect on who I am. What I’ve done, and what I hope to accomplish in the year that is to come. And I make sure to think about all the people who have helped me get to where I am. The ones who don’t take advantage of me or manipulate me. And the ones who are on Earth because they want me to be the best person I can be. Whatever is going on in my life at the time, I always know that I can return home to a place where people love me. A place where I can rest and ponder about the many wondrous aspects of life. It reminds me that I can be that loving person towards other people.
When I read this passage, that’s truly what I think about. I think about all of those who have helped me. Those who have allowed me to have some silence. And have allowed me to rest in their comfort. I hope that this season of Advent, you take the time to think about all the people who love you. And how you can be the best receiver of that love.
-Matthew 11:28
Christmas has always been an interesting holiday for me. A time to think and a time to give. Growing up, some of my favorite memories involve going up to Rocky Mount. Seeing my grandparents and running around in their backyard which seemed endless when I was younger. Every time I went into their backyard, I discovered something new. Whether it was how to build log houses, crawling through a sewer, or using a cooler as a boat, my brother and I were able to come up with so many different ways of entertaining ourselves. I am truly thankful that I was able to have those experiences. I hope that one day I am able to provide others with that same type of fun.
But one of my favorite things about Christmas is to have time for silence. Oftentimes I find myself lying on a tree at a local park. Feeling the cold wind brush against the trees as I listen to the beautiful world God has created. As I sit quietly, I take the time to reflect on who I am. What I’ve done, and what I hope to accomplish in the year that is to come. And I make sure to think about all the people who have helped me get to where I am. The ones who don’t take advantage of me or manipulate me. And the ones who are on Earth because they want me to be the best person I can be. Whatever is going on in my life at the time, I always know that I can return home to a place where people love me. A place where I can rest and ponder about the many wondrous aspects of life. It reminds me that I can be that loving person towards other people.
When I read this passage, that’s truly what I think about. I think about all of those who have helped me. Those who have allowed me to have some silence. And have allowed me to rest in their comfort. I hope that this season of Advent, you take the time to think about all the people who love you. And how you can be the best receiver of that love.