Look Up!
Sunday, December 1
Luke 21:25-36
“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth” (vv. 34-35, NAS).
Life can often be overwhelming. That has certainly been true for me! Earlier this year, my husband and I moved into a newly renovated house, which brings challenges of acclimating to different surroundings, adjusting our budget to a new set of bills, and adapting to new routines. But despite the stress, we have found peace and joy.
As believers, we know it is important to keep our focus on Christ, even when we have heavy things in our lives. In today’s passage, Jesus explains to the disciples what to expect right before his return. He warns them not to become consumed by the signs of the times and the worries of life.
Lord, help me to look toward you no matter what I face. Amen.
Lift Up!
Monday, December 2
Psalm 25:1-10
I love how the Bible is full of prayers that cover so many emotions we feel from day to day. The Psalms are a beautiful collection of praises, prayers, and lamentations that can be comforting and validating when we don’t have the words to pray or answers to our questions.
Today’s passage encourages us to lift up our souls to a God who is merciful, forgiving, and faithful. It is a wonderful reminder that we can come to God with all our concerns, confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and celebrate the glory and majesty that is our Creator. We worship a God who hears our prayers and cares for us! Isn’t that such good news?
As we go throughout our day, let us lift our soul to the God who sees.
“Make me to know your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day” (vv. 4-5). Amen.
Link Up!
Tuesday, December 3
Psalm 25:11-22
One of the beauties of the kingdom of God is that we never have to be alone. God has created us for community with others.
I’m an introvert at heart, and I love having long moments of solitude so I can recharge. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t need community. It’s a gift from God that I deeply cherish. The Lord gives us the gift of relationship with others of like and precious faith, as well as the gift of communion with God through Christ.
“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net” (vv. 14-15).
What a comforting passage of Scripture! The God of creation has not only rescued us through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but God has also made space for friendship with his people!
Thank you for giving me the gift of community, Lord. Amen.
Powerful Prayers
Wednesday, December 4
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
In my home church, one of our relational guidelines is that we remain faithful to one another as a church family by praying for and supporting each other. The power and importance of prayer cannot be overstated. The only thing better than receiving texts or phone calls from friends who are praying for me is sending those texts or making those calls to my friends.
This is a vital part of our lives together as believers. In our text for today, Paul shares his desire to pray for the saints in Thessalonica, as well as his love for them. “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you” (vv. 9-11, NRSV).
Heavenly Father, help me to faithfully support my sisters and brothers in prayer. Amen.
Laboring In Love
Thursday, December 5
1 Thessalinians 4:9-12
“Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one” (vv. 9-12, NRSV).
The believers in Thessalonica knew how to love each other and God taught them how to do this, Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our text for today. What a great affirmation to receive from God!
Sadly, we live in a day and age when negative behavior in the church is reported more often than the good things that are happening. But I’m encouraged because God walks with us and empowers us to love him and others well!
May it be so for me, Lord! Amen.
Empowering Forgiveness
Friday, December 6
Colossians 3:12-13
A few years ago, I read an incredible book called Forgive to Live: How Forgiveness Can Save Your Life, by Dr. Dick Tibbits. For me, the most compelling part of the book was the case studies Dr. Tibbits cited in his research. These studies found that patients who worked to forgive those who had hurt them demonstrated improved health, specifically lower blood pressure. I had never considered how withholding forgiveness could impact me physically. God gives us so much wisdom and good things through the Word. Consider today’s passage in light of this.
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you,
so you also must forgive” (vv. 12-13, NRSV).
Our Creator knows what is best for us. And because God is good, we can trust God to strengthen us to forgive others even when it is tough.
Lord, empower me today to drop the charges against others the way you did for me. Amen.
Letting Peace Reign
Saturday, December 7
Colossians 3:14-15
The holiday season can be a great reminder to be thankful for the blessings in our lives. It is a time during the year when we are reminded of the significance of our Savior’s birth. I love Advent because the season brings with it a beautiful dichotomy of what has happened and what is to come. We celebrate Christ’s coming through the virgin birth, and now we await Jesus’s return with hope and expectancy.
However, today’s Scripture serves as a reminder to be thankful during the rest of the year and to continue to wrap ourselves in love: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (vv. 14-15).
Keep in mind that these verses follow our forgiveness passage from yesterday. As God’s people, we are called to extend grace and forgiveness to each other, surrounding ourselves in love. What a powerful witness!
May the peace of Christ live in our hearts until he comes! Amen.
