Advent Devotions December 4 to 10
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Word:
“Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to the faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.”
— Psalm 85:8, NRS
Reflection:
The receptionist interrupted him deep in thought. “If you don’t have time, I can just tell them you aren’t available,” she said in reference to a couple requesting to see the Pastor. He said, “No, no, send them in — you never know when you might make a difference for somebody.” He was surprised when the couple turned out to be a father and his third grader. “Pastor,” he said, “we wanted to share a gift with you. Every year for Advent, we write a song together as our way of thanking God for all He’s given us.” As the father pulled out his guitar, the little girl began in the most beautiful voice this song of prayer:
You, Jesus, my Lord, I want to find You,
You, The Lord of Love. Every morning.
You, The Lord of Light, I want to hug You,
You, The Lord of Peace. In my darkness.
You, You are my Love, I want to feel You
You, You are my Life. Very close to me.
I believe in You, I want to surrender,
My trust is You. Always at Your feet.
You, You are my Light.
You, You are my Peace.
Our faith in You,
Gives security.
When the pastor came home that night, he told his wife, “It was so unexpected! What if I had been too busy to take the time to see them? I would have missed it and never have heard such peace.”
For the journey to Bethlehem, may we all take this time called Advent. Otherwise, we may miss God speaking peace to His people.
In Him who calls us,
Dr. Laurey Murphy
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Word:
“That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and The Lord Jesus Christ.”
— 2 Thessalonians 1:12, NKJV
Reflection:
As we journey to Bethlehem, let us remember to glorify the Lord who has made this journey possible by the gift of His Son. What can we bring with us on our journey? Glory for Him, love and honor. How can we bring these things? By seeking Him first in all that we do.
Pray:
Father, help us to glorify your Son through our speech, actions and love we have for You. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Word:
“’I am the alpha and omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”
— Revelation 1:8, NKJV
Reflection:
We are the recipients of a most wondrous gift from the Almighty. As we make our way to Bethlehem and journey through time and space to be there when the earth receives its ultimate gift, the birth of Jesus Christ, we must remember that all things begin and end with Him.
Pray:
Lord our God help us to remember that all things begin and end with you. As we make our journey, let us know that You will show us the way. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Word:
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.“
— Isaiah 6:3, NKJV
Reflection:
The greatest gift and the greatest blessing of all is Jesus Christ, the gift that lasts forever, in this life and the next. God has given us a whole earth of blessings and we need to see them. Knowing this, what can we possibly take to Bethlehem that would add to the most perfect gift the most perfect blessing? Perhaps our love and adoration? Perhaps joy and knowledge of the perfect blessing?
Pray:
Father, help us to remember that everything on earth is a gift from you to us, that all things are blessings. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Word:
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
— John 8:12, NKJV
Reflection:
We not only make our way to Bethlehem but to the light; the light of that long ago star and the light of the world. Not only did God give us the star to light the way to Bethlehem, but to light the journey of our lives. It is up to us to follow the light He gave us. Are you willing to follow the light?
Pray:
Lord, help us to walk in your light, to have the light of life you promised. Help us to follow that light throughout our lives for, Your glory. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Word:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation. 2:11, NKJV
Reflection:
Are we listening? Do we hear? Is God preparing us for the enormity of the gift we’ll receive in Bethlehem? Listen to Him, hear Him and know He is giving us the most wonderful gift. Be reverent, be excited, bow down, and praise God!
Pray:
O Lord our God, help us to be still and hear your word, to hear what you have told the churches, to hear what you are saying to each one of us and to, all the world. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Two
What will you take?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Word:
“’For I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘…My spirit remains among you; do not fear!’”
— Haggai 2:4-5, NKJV
Reflection:
Let us remember that on our way to Bethlehem God is always with us, and the gifts we bring belong to God but were entrusted to us. Likewise, all things along the path belong to God and are only for our benefit while here on earth. God is with us always, and we truly have nothing to fear for He has provided all. Through the birth, death and resurrection of His Son we have been forgiven of all our sins, and we have nothing to fear and every reason to rejoice.
Pray:
Dear God help us to know that no matter what we do or where we are in life you are always with us, and we have nothing to fear. Amen.
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