Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (Romans 12:12)
How do hope, patience and prayer work together?
Which aspect of this verse describes you best? Why?
---
"The Advent: Day 20" goTandem
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." (Luke 2:34-35 NIV)
After the birth of Jesus, Mary had to wait forty days before going to the temple to offer a sacrifice for her purification. Mary and Joseph's sacrifice of birds instead of a lamb shows that Jesus was born into a poor family (Luke 2:24). From Mary's "scandalous" pregnancy, to a birth in the place where animals were kept, to an upbringing in a poor family, the Father stripped every royal privilege from his Son.
At the temple there was a "righteous and devout" man named Simeon. He was waiting for the coming Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he ook the baby in his arms and broke out in praise. Simeon called Jesus "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel." He noted that Jesus would cause the rising and falling of many in Israel. As the only way to God, many would believe and be saved; and many would reject Jesus and be separated from God forever.
Then Simeon added a hard truth. He told Mary, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." With the baby Jesus only forty days old, Simeon prepared Mary for her newborn's sufferings and death. Mary, too, would suffer as she watched Jesus go through the pain of rejection and the agony of the cross. The reminder of suffering surrounded Jesus from the first days of his life.
Father, as we celebrate Christmas don't let us forget the mission of Jesus. You sent your Son to pay for the penalty of my sins. Don't let me get so busy with presents that I miss your purpose for Christmas. In Jesus' name. Amen.
The Holy Holidays - goTandem"Trouble to Hope" goTandem
"I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope." (Hosea 2:15)
How does God do this in your life?
---
"Life from the Word" goTandem
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)
Why the emphasis on the word of God in this context?
How do you think life in heaven will be different from life on earth?
---
"The Motive: In Need" goTandem
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)
What is important to God according to these verses?
In your experience, what's the effect of divided loyalty?
---
No comments:
Post a Comment